A Lakeside Family Engagement Session at Green Lakes State Park | Jennifer & Clark

Finding the perfect balance between a romantic couple’s session and a fun family portrait can be tricky, but Jennifer and Clark made it look entirely effortless. For their recent engagement session, we headed to one of Central New York’s most striking hidden gems: Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, New York.

With its vibrant, glassy emerald water and winding woodland trails, it provided an unforgettable backdrop for this beautiful family of four.

Sunny Trails & Toddler Smiles: A Family Affair

Jennifer and Clark decided to make their engagement session a celebration of their whole world, bringing along their two children. Let me just say, they are hands-down the cutest toddlers you’ve ever seen!

We started our session by walking the scenic trails that loop around the lake. The weather was absolute perfection — clear skies, soft sunlight, and a light breeze that kept the kids smiling.

Instead of forcing stiff, overly-posed portraits, we let the little ones lead the way. They ran through the sand at the beach area, giggled, and played while I captured those priceless, fleeting candid shots. Including your children in an engagement session not only takes the pressure off, but it also documents this exact, beautiful chapter of your life as a young family.

Romantic Moments by the Emerald Water

Once the little ones burned off some energy, we made sure to carve out some quiet time for just Mom and Dad.

Jennifer and Clark have an incredible, natural chemistry. As we moved along the lake's edge, I was able to capture some deeply romantic, timeless portraits of just the two of them. Getting to chat with them between setups, hear the story of how they met, and learn about their vision for the future was an absolute pleasure.

Next Stop: An August Wedding at The Haven of the Wild

This stunning session was just the warm-up! I am incredibly excited to photograph Jennifer and Clark's wedding this coming August.

Their celebration is set to take place at The Haven, a breathtaking new luxury venue located in Chittenango, New York. If you haven't heard of it yet, it is a spectacular addition to the CNY wedding scene, offering an upscale, immersive experience surrounded by nature.

To bring their incredible vision to life, they’ve partnered with the talented team at Crown Coordination, so you already know every single detail is going to be flawless.

The Wildest Cocktail Hour in CNY: Want to know the coolest part? The Haven features an unforgettable twist for animal lovers — Jennifer and Clark will actually have live giraffes joining their guests during the cocktail hour!

I can't wait to capture this beautiful family's big day. From the quiet morning prep to the giraffe-accompanied cocktail hour and the packed dance floor, it’s going to be a wedding for the history books.

Stay tuned to the blog this August to see their full wedding gallery!

Planning Your Own Central New York Engagement Session?

• Location Idea: Green Lakes State Park offers distinct looks year-round, from the vibrant summer blues to striking autumn reflections.