Deb & Troy’s High Cliff State Park Engagement Session | Appleton, Wisconsin

An Engagement Session That Included the People Who Matter Most

An engagement session doesn't always have to be just the two of you.

Sometimes, the people who are already such a huge part of your story deserve to be part of the photographs, too.

For Deb & Troy, their engagement session at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, Wisconsin included two very important people—their boys, Dylan and Caleb.

And I absolutely loved that.

Because while an engagement session is about celebrating the couple, it's also about celebrating the life they're building together.

And for Deb & Troy, that means family.

A Beautiful End-of-September Evening at High Cliff

There is something special about late September in Wisconsin.

Summer is winding down, the first hints of fall are starting to appear, and the light has that gorgeous softer quality that makes outdoor photography so beautiful.

High Cliff State Park was the perfect setting for Deb & Troy's Wisconsin engagement photography session.

With the trees, open spaces, trails, and beautiful natural scenery, we had plenty of opportunities to create a variety of photographs without the session feeling like we were simply moving from one pose to another.

We walked, talked, laughed, and let the evening unfold naturally.

And most importantly, everyone got to be themselves.

More Than an Engagement Session

One of my favorite things about photographing couples is getting to know the story behind the two people standing in front of my camera.

But when children are part of the picture, there's another layer to that story.

Dylan and Caleb weren't just there for a few photographs.

They were part of the celebration.

Their parents' engagement represents another chapter in a family story that's already being written—and I loved being able to document that.

We made sure to capture photographs of Deb & Troy together, but we also incorporated plenty of time for the four of them to interact.

Those family photographs are going to be incredibly meaningful because they capture this exact season of their lives.

The Best Photos Aren't Always the Perfectly Posed Ones

If there's one thing I want my couples to know, it's this:

You don't have to know how to pose.

Seriously.

That's my job.

I'll give you direction, prompts, and little things to do so you don't feel like you're standing there wondering what to do with your hands.

But I also want room for the real stuff to happen.

The laughs.

The hugs.

The kids being goofy.

The little looks between Deb & Troy.

The moments when everyone forgets there's a camera there.

Those are often the photographs that end up being favorites.

Because years from now, you'll care much more about how your family felt than whether everyone's hair was perfectly in place.

Family Engagement Photography in the Fox Valley

Including Dylan and Caleb in their engagement session is also a great reminder that your engagement photographs don't have to follow a formula.

If you're getting married and have children, bringing them along can be a wonderful way to document this transition as a family.

You can have romantic photographs of just the two of you and photographs that celebrate the entire family.

You don't have to choose.

And if your kids aren't exactly interested in standing still for photographs for an hour?

Even better.

We'll keep things moving.

We'll play.

We'll walk.

We'll interact.

I'll work with their personalities instead of expecting them to act like tiny professional models.

That's especially important when photographing families and couples together.

Why I Love Photographing at High Cliff State Park

High Cliff State Park is one of those locations that gives us so many options for an Appleton area engagement session.

It's close enough to the Fox Valley to be convenient while still giving us that feeling of getting away from everything for a little while.

For couples who love nature, movement, and outdoor photographs, it's a fantastic option.

And because the scenery changes throughout the year, it can look completely different depending on the season.

Late September gave Deb & Troy a beautiful transition into fall and a relaxed Wisconsin backdrop for their engagement photographs.

Your Engagement Session Should Tell Your Story

Whether it's just the two of you, your kids, your dog, or the whole crew, your engagement session should feel like your life—not someone else's Pinterest board.

At Chasing Lilies Photography, I want my couples to have fun during their session.

I'll help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, give you plenty of direction when you need it, and step back when the best thing to do is simply let you interact naturally.

Because the goal isn't to create photographs that look like everyone else's.

The goal is to create photographs where you look at them years from now and think:

"Yep. That's us."

Deb & Troy

Deb & Troy, thank you for letting me capture this incredibly meaningful chapter for your family.

And Dylan and Caleb—thank you for bringing your personalities, smiles, and energy to the session!

I love that these photographs aren't just about an engagement.

They're about four people celebrating the next chapter together.

Congratulations, you guys! ❤️

Looking for an Appleton or Fox Valley Engagement Photographer?

Chasing Lilies Photography specializes in engagement, wedding, family, and senior photography throughout Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kimberly, Kaukauna, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and throughout Wisconsin.

If you're looking for an Appleton WI engagement photographer, a Fox Valley engagement photographer, or a beautiful outdoor location for engagement photos, High Cliff State Park is just one of the many locations we can explore together.

Whether your engagement session includes just the two of you or the entire family, let's make photographs that feel natural, fun, and completely you.

Chasing Lilies Photography
Appleton, Wisconsin Wedding & Engagement Photographer
Serving the Fox Valley & Wisconsin