Sometimes mother nature just throws in the most magical conditions possible for a dreamy, romantic engagement session! Abby and Al’s engagement photos at Allerton Park are the epitome of this phenomenon. Their engagement session took place mid May, so we knew there was a chance for some wacky Midwest weather to be thrown our way. We had NO idea of the incredible experience that was in store for us though, and I can’t wait to share the experience with you all here!

Engagement Photos at Allerton Park

Abby, Al, and I all met up at one of my favorite spots in Central Illinois for engagement photos, Allerton Park in Monticello. The stunning and historic park consists of 1,500 acres of natural beauty, with over 14 miles of hiking trails weaving their way through the land. The park provides an incredible mixture of natural spaces and formal gardens which are strikingly beautiful and perfectly maintained. Abby and Al’s session began at one such garden with a knee high hedge maze that was SO much fun to wander through! As we made our way through the gardens we stumbled upon some fresh blooming peonies who’s pink flowers were extra vibrant thanks to the gray skies and fresh rainfall. It was such a surreal setting for Abby and Al’s session, and the two fully committed to the intimate, romantic vibes we were going for!

A Magical End to Their Session

As we continued our adventure through Allerton Park, mother nature decided to throw a beautiful curveball into the mix for Abby and Al’s engagement photos. While wandering through one of the sprawling prairie areas the sun began to shine through the clouds, illuminating the mist that came up from the ground. It felt like we were in the midst of a fantasy world, and trust me we took advantage of these dreamy vibes while we had them!

Eventually the sun would tuck itself back behind the clouds, but the atmosphere of the fog would linger for the majority of the time we had left. Abby and Al were down to keep the party rolling, so after a quick outfit change we made our way back to some of the more formal gardens. As night fell on Allerton Park the string lights came to life, giving us the perfect finale for their engagement photos!

As a photographer I am always looking to make the most of whatever mother nature throws into the mix for my couples sessions, and in the case of Abby and Al’s engagement photos at Allerton Park I couldn’t be happier with the results! I’m so glad to have had the chance to document these two on such a one of a kind day. If you haven’t gotten your fill of Allerton Park yet be sure to check out Madison and Austin’s engagement photos from 2023, and for anyone looking to book me to document your engagement be sure to reach out through my contact page!