Rotary Nature Preserve Engagement Portraits
Last week, I had the pleasure of creating Mike and Linda’s Rotary Nature Preserve engagement portraits on a cool, overcast fall afternoon. It was the first time that I have ever been to the Rotary Nature Preserve. The park is located in White Bear Lake, MN. All I can say is, what a pretty spot!
Mike & Linda nicely lit by “Lightning McQueen”.
These two are such a cute couple! It only takes a minute or two to know that they’re crazy about each other. I’m already looking forward to their April wedding next year at St. Mary’s of the Lake in White Bear Lake, MN.
Lightning McQueen
Once again, I had my trusty side-kick, Lightning McQueen along with me. When it’s so overcast, there’s no way to create nice portraits of people without some sort of added lights or reflectors. All you would get is dark looking eyes, and that’s not an option for me.
The “before” image of the set-up.
Mike and Linda’s Rotary Nature Preserve engagement photographs look extra special because of the lighting gear that I have available. Lightning McQueen really helps me get it to where I need it. Both the lights and the lighting itself.
The “after”, a very pretty fall color engagement portrait of Mike & Linda.
Let’s Play Around A Little
In several of their images, I used my lighting gear to create special effects. Here are two examples to show you what I mean. On the first image, I set one of my lights well behind them on the ground. By doing so, it created the cool look you see below. At the same time I used a large 48″ softbox to light Mike and Linda.
I had a little creative fun with Mike and Linda with my lighting equipment.
Then, just before it started to rain, I used my secondary light to make the log cabin behind them pop in the image. It also created nice rim lighting on Mike & Linda. Once again, the 48″ softbox was on Lightning McQueen to light my cute couple.
A near-nighttime photo of Mike & Linda at a cool log building at the Rotary Nature Preserve.
The Wrap Up
I’ve created a short highlight music video with some of my favorite Rotary Nature Preserve engagement pictures from their session. I think you’ll really like it.
Thank you for taking the time to read our post and have a great one! – M&J