In early October of last year, I got do an amazing little forest engagement session with Carson and Natalie at Deep Creek Lake and Swallow Falls State Park in Maryland. This was one adventurous couple and I’m so glad I got to spend the day with them taking photos in preparation for their big day in 2020!

Carson & Natalie’s Deep Creek Lake Engagement Session

When Carson and Natalie booked me as their wedding photographer for the upcoming 2020 wedding at The Grand Estate at Hidden Acres, they told me about their idea for an engagement session — Deep Creek Lake! I couldn’t have said yes fast enough.

Deep Creek Lake is a local family vacation spot located in the mountains of Western Maryland. Due to the mountain climate, Deep Creek has four distinctly beautiful seasons, giving Maryland vacationers plenty to do all year round. From boating and swimming in the Summer months to Skiing in the Winter, it really is a great place for any family to experience if they’re looking to just get away for a little while. Carson and Natalie’s engagement session was in the fall, so there were plenty of greens, yellows and oranges throughout the treetops as we hiked.

Carson grew up coming to Deep Creek Lake with his family every summer. And since Natalie has joined the family, she’s been able to go with them a few times as well. Having their engagement session at Deep Creek Lake was definitely a choice that held a lot of sentimental value — those are ALWAYS my favorites!

There are several state parks around the lake, so we went up to Swallow Falls State Park to capture some of the wonderful shots we got. Then we went up the mountain for some of the beautiful views in the photos. When I said adventurous, I meant it! When I was climbing up the falls, they were climbing right along with me.

We really got some amazing images around Swallow Falls. Tall Hemlock trees cover a vast majority of the woods and the entire state park really does have some of the most breathtaking scenery in western Maryland. We decided to wrap our day of hiking and taking photos by enjoying some incredibly delicious pizza from a local spot nearby. Had to refuel somehow!

I am so excited about how the photos turned out. Carson and Natalie show so much love for one another and I feel I was really able to capture it in these pictures. Thank you, Carson and Natalie, for letting me experience this awesome day with the two of you. Can’t wait to help you celebrate your Grand Estate at Hidden Acres wedding in 2020!