A Montana Roadtrip Filled With Special Memories And An Engagement
Lindsay and Luke roadtripped to Northwest Montana during August of 2024, with plans of camping and hiking in Glacier National Park. They planned to hike 11 of the top rated hikes in Glacier National Park during their time in the park. If you plan to visit the area and need some ideas for hikes to do in Glacier National Park, I highly recommend checking out Hike 734, a local who hiked all 734 established trails in Glacier National Park in one season and then documented the entire journey! He also created some helpful guides and maps for future visitors.
Luke had secretly planned to propose during one of the hikes, so they had an engagement to celebrate when they arrived for their photo session. They camped at Fish Creek campground in their rooftop tent, an experience they were greatly enjoying throughout their trip. They used a Thule Tepui for their rooftop camping and they couldn't recommend it enough. When we started planning their session, Lindsay actually reached out to ask if they could incorporate the rooftop tent in some of their photos. We chose a parking lot that was less crowded and they popped it up during the session for some fun photos.
Incorporating Personal Touches To Your Engagement Session
In the process of planning sessions with my clients, I try to encourage couples to make the session unique in a way that reflects their relationship and life together. There are a few ways to do this, whether thats in the outfits, locations, activities, or even the time of day that we do the session. This can be as simple as bringing books and a blanket and spending 10 minutes of your session reading and flirting in a grassy field or as elaborate as planning an activity during your session that will keep them entertained the entire session, resulting in a more lifestyle-like session. Below I've created a list of ways to incorporate some personal touched to the session, see if any resonate with you and your partner.
Bring a meaningful prop
Items like a rooftop tent (as in your session), picnic setup, or heirlooms can add a personal touch.
Choose a location that holds sentimental value
Maybe it’s where you had your first date, got engaged, or a spot that represents your shared love for adventure. Couples traveling to the area might also have a location in mind that a relative, friend or loved one shared with them and might want to recreate images in that location.
Include your hobbies or interests
Whether it’s hiking gear, musical instruments, or a favorite book, showcasing what you love to do together adds authenticity. You don't have to incorporate these items throughout the whole session, and can do multiple things throughout the session to really showcase your love and interests.
Plan for an activity
Activities like canoeing, stargazing, or sharing a campfire can create memorable and dynamic photo opportunities. If you struggle to come up with ideas, feel free to ask my during our planning together and I can give you some more ideas.
Wear outfits that reflect your personality
Choose clothing that feels authentically you, whether that’s elegant attire, casual outdoor gear, or matching pieces with a fun theme. Let your style complement the location and mood of your session. I can also help my booked clients with what colors to wear for specific locations during certain times of the year to really make sure your outfits are coordinated well and fit the vibes.
Hopefully, you've found some of these ideas helpful in the planning of your session. I also encourage couples to think of things early in the planning as some activities require advance reservations and planning. Don't hesitate to think outside the box, I love photographing something new and fresh that I haven't seen before.
Plan Your Own Adventurous and Meaningful Engagement Session
If you're recently engaged or looking to have your engagement captured while visiting Glacier National Park, I'd love to help you and your partner plan an epic engagement session that reflects your personal interests and shared love. Glacier makes for the perfect backdrop and offers a variety of activities that you can incorporate into your engagement session. As a seasoned photographer with 6+ years of photographing in Glacier National Park, I know the best locations and detailed information to make your session unforgettable. I encourage couples to reach out to me via the contact form on my website 3-4 months prior to their travel dates to start planning their session and get a date secured in my calendar.
More blogs from Jennifer Vernarsky Photography
Year-Round Fun: Creative Activities to Elevate Your Portrait Session in Every Season
A Montana 10-year Anniversary Couples Session
Fall Engagement Session at Lake McDonald
Surprise Proposal at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
