Spring Engagement Session At Ogden Garden In Valparaiso, Indiana

April 19, 2017 Steve Vansak

A young couple snuggles at Ogden Garden during their engagement session.

I recently strolled around Ogden Garden in Valparaiso with Christina and Melvin for their Spring engagement session. Flowers are just beginning to bloom there and we had a lovely time creating images all around the park.

Springtime engagement photos at Ogden Garden.

I was a bit obsessed with the bed of flowers located in the center of the park to the point where I actually had the couple stand in them. I swear none of these flowers were injured during this series of photos!! :)

Engagement photo in a bed of flowers in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Christina and Melvin probably thought I was crazy, but as we walked the park, I kept looking back. I kept seeing the incredible glow of the sun peeking though the trees and I wanted to illuminate them with these golden rays.

A golden sun illuminates a couple during their engagement photos at Ogden Garden.

With Christina and Mel's wonderful chemistry and the gorgeous scenery, it wasn't too difficult to come away with some natural photographs to showcase their love.

Fish swim in the pond at Ogden Garden during an engagement photo session.

A kiss along the pathway at Ogden Garden park in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Melvin decided to put Christina airborne for some romantic photos in the grass and even carried her for a few while I turned day into night as the sun began to set.

A man lifts his fiance' into the air for a romantic engagement photo.

Some fun and romantic engagement photos at Ogden Park.

The iconic photo at Ogden Garden is the front walkway that leads to the famed gazebo where so many couples have gotten married.

A couple kisses in front of the gazebo pathway at Ogden Garden.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Christina and Melvin's Spring engagement session at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, Indiana. Temperatures are warming and flowers are beginning to bloom, so be sure to schedule your engagement session or inquire about your wedding date via the Contact Form soon.

A portrait of a young couple for their engagement session at Ogden Garden park.

Proposal Photography At Adler Planetarium In Chicago

March 27, 2017 Steve Vansak

Fog engulfs the Chicago Skyline as a newly engaged couple embraces.

Dhara said that Amar was "acting funny" earlier in the day and that she knew something was up, but wasn't sure what. What she didn't know was that her soon to be fiancé and I had been plotting his surprise proposal at Adler Planetarium for a couple of weeks.

When they arrived at the scene, I was perched up on the stairs going up to the Planetarium. Amar had texted me a selfie and told me they'd be arriving with a blue umbrella on this rainy and foggy Spring day in downtown Chicago. I aimed my lens toward the city (like a tourist) and I noticed Dhara look right up at me as they arrived. I hoped she wasn't on to me and I immediately pointed my camera elsewhere. You can see her curiosity in the first image below. Within seconds though, Amar was down on one knee and popped the question. I will let the photographs tell you her answer...

Surprise proposal at Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

I let Amar and Dhara have their moment alone for awhile and then I introduced myself. We then went on a portrait session around Adler Planetarium. It was raining and the fog obscured the city in places, but we used it to our advantage. The excitement of this special day got us through the chilly temperatures and we got some really unique images.

Fog engulfs a newly engaged couple on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Dhara admired her engagement ring as they walked along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. I asked them to sit down on a bench for a little while away from the camera to discuss this momentous and happy occasion. I took a number of candid images while they cuddled on the park bench.

Engagement session in the rain in downtown Chicago.

A newly engaged couple celebrates with Lake Michigan in the background in Chicago.

The Windy City lived up to it's name as it brought waves crashing onto Amar and Dhara with the Chicago skyline in the background.

Waves from Lake Michigan crash onto the boardwalk during a Chicago engagement session.

This has been a sneak peek look at Amar and Dhara's surprise proposal photography session at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to schedule your engagement session. If you are planning a surprise proposal, let's talk and plan something special. I can be discreet when I need to be!! :)

Chicago Proposal Photography

Propose to the love of your life in the beautiful city of Chicago and have it captured by a professional photographer and then go on a mini engagement session in the windy city. NOTE: An in person or phone consultation is required to nail down the logistics of this important event.

90 minute photography session in Chicago
Digital Images Via Download + Printing Rights
Online Photo Gallery & Ordering

A young couple walks along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Winter Engagement Photos At Deep River County Park

January 24, 2017 Steve Vansak

Looking toward the future on a bridge at Deep River County Park.

For Ashlee and Ryan's engagement session at Deep River Park, the calendar said winter but the temperature was more like late Fall. It really was quite the warm January day. Ashlee's dash of red against Ryan's black leather really popped against the barren land for their rockabilly inspired engagement session.

We started out around the wagon wheel near the general store and made our away around the bridge toward the famed grist mill.

Engagement session with a rockabilly clothing theme at Deep River County Park.

A young couple in front of a vintage wagon at Deep River County Park.

I know the grist mill wheel was a must have for these guys so we took a number of images all around it. I saw the sun peeking out from above the building and had to get the sunburst engulfing the couple as they embraced.

The sun bursts above the grist mill at Deep River during a winter engagement session.

One of my favorite times of the session was just having these two hang out for awhile and talking about their day. After a few of these candid moments, off we went to the famed Sugar Shack.

A fun moment on a park bench during a winter engagement session.

Engagement photos at Deep River County Park.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at this fun couple's winter engagement session. I had a wonderful late afternoon at Deep River and I'm very much looking forward to Ashlee and Ryan's 2017 wedding!!

Engagement Photos - 2016 Year In Review

January 10, 2017 Steve Vansak

Two Chicago Cubs fans take a stroll at Taltree Arboretum.

Last week I posted my very long, but very fun 2016 Weddings Year In Review - it was a GIGANTIC article, so I'm going to keep this one brief. Definitely check it out to see a whole bunch of different venues as well as images and stories from the entire year.

This past year saw me trekking out to some of my usual locations - Taltree Arboretum (of which I have a photography permit to shoot at) as well as Lemon Lake Park (a local favorite) and the beach as well as Chicago. It also saw my first ever shoot at an airport for an aviation themed engagement session.

Engagement photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A couple shares a kiss next to a vintage airplane.

If you are considering an engagement session for yourself, but aren't sure where to go or what it's like, definitely head over to my Guide To Great Engagement Photos for lots of ideas and locations. I also have the various package options listed.

Engagement photos in Northwest Indiana and Chicago in 2016.

While most of my engagement sessions occur in the Spring, Summer and Fall - winter sessions can make for some crisp and unique images.

Winter kiss during a snowstorm in Chicago.

Fall engagement session at Taltree Arboretum.

To inquire about your own engagement session or to check availability for your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form and I will get back with you right away. I hope the New Year is treating you well. Cheers to another great year in photographs in 2017!!