I was so excited when Lindsey and Austin reached out to me to be their Michigan Photographer for their engagement session at The Secret Garden at Brys Estate. They are the third couple from a line of family and friends who’ve all reached out to me over a few years to do their wedding photography! I was super excited to get to know Lindsey and Austin more because their whole family is amazing. So, there was no doubt that they would be just as sweet! And of course, I was right! The whole family has been some of my favorite clients to work with!

Their Love Story

Lindsey and Austin met in a videography class in High School at seventeen. They started dating, became high school sweethearts and the rest is history! Lindsey reached out to me after seeing some of the videography I had done for Austin’s sister, Rachel, when she got married to her husband, John.

Austin proposed in such a sweet way! Austin started out getting Lindsey a massage from a local spa. Then he took her out to eat in Lansing, Michigan (which Lindsey says was some of the best food she’s ever experienced!) followed by a trip to the capital to see the Christmas Tree. He told her it was “just to look” at the tree. She had no idea he was proposing! It was a perfect evening for both of them!

The Perfect Location with the Perfect Dress

There was one thing that Lindsey wanted for her engagement session, and that was Lavender. She had found a gorgeous blue dress that she wanted to highlight, and a lavender field was the perfect way to do it! So, I set that up for her by giving her a list of all the local lavender farms, and she settled on The Secret Garden.

We started in the middle of the lavender fields for a sweepy shots of them. Then, Lindsey had an idea. She wanted shots of her and Austin laying down in the lavender, and that photo turned out really pretty! Lindsey’s dress made her eyes really pop among all that lavender. I really love that shot of them in the field!

Then we did shots in the middle of the field, where there’s a really sweet gazebo. People propose at this location all the time! We took photos of them walking toward, and around the gazebo and got some gorgeous shots! It was a very sunny day with no clouds so the lighting was perfect!

Natural Pros

They were both super sweet. They wanted their photos to show how much they love each other, but they were kind of nervous about needing some help posing and being awkward in front of the camera. But every time I asked them to look at each other while posing, they’d crack up in smiles and giggles. Not only was it so cute, but they were naturals in front of the camera! You could tell they just loved being together. And that came through in the pictures!

My Go-To Michigan Photographer Location

Next up was a separate location. On our way back from The Secret Garden, we hit up a local vista point. It’s a very high point where you can pull off the road and see both bays. As a Michigan photographer, it’s one of my favorite locations to take clients because the vista point faces due west, so when the sun sets you get absolutely beautiful views! The sun hadn’t quite set yet, but the sky was so clear and blue that it was the perfect backdrop!

I had been so caught up in their engagement session and was having such a fun time, I had accidentally left my camera bags back at The Secret Garden. So, after we had talked a bit and said our goodbyes, I had to go back to the lavender fields to grab my equipment! I was so caught up in being their engagement session that I had just forgotten about it.

Their wedding is next year, October 14th, at The Pine Tree Barn in Flushing, Michigan. I’m so excited for them and can’t wait to shoot their ceremony!

Lindsey and Austin, it was such a pleasure to get to work with you! Thank you for choosing me to be your engagement (and wedding) photographer!

Mandie Forbes of Mandie Forbes Photography is a Michigan Photographer specializing in weddings, portraits and videography. She’s been featured in Tacari Weddings, Wedding Day Magazine, WeddingWire and The Knot. If you’re looking for a Michigan photographer who loves capturing your love on the other side of the camera, contact me!

If you liked this blog post, check out: 
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Colorful Fall Engagement Session with Morgan + Tyler
Michigan State University Engagement Session with Carolyn + Kyle
Samantha + Reed’s Cherry Blossom Wedding
Alexa + Michael’s Lakeside Wedding