A couple walk hand in hand and smile at one another while crossing a street in downtown Springfield during their engagement session

Downtown Springfield Engagement Session | Lexi + Alex

[THE BLOG]

A couple sit at a table for a drink at The Wakery in downtown Springfield during their engagement session

Around an hour after their engagement session in downtown Springfield Illinois Lexi texted me “We had such a blast with you tonight!! Thanks for hanging out with us ❤️ we’re seriously in love with you & you are just the coolest!!” I have to say that after the session we had together the feeling is 100% mutual! Lexi and Alex are one of the coolest, sweetest, and most loving couples I’ve photographed and their session exemplifies that.

Two side by side photos, the left is a close up photo of hands holding one another over a marble table next to two drinks, the woman's hand is wearing a ring, the right photo is a black and white photo of a couple holding hands while sitting at a table in a bar

A Bit About Lexi and Alex

Before we really dive into Lexi and Alex’s engagement session in Springfield, I wanted to share some of the incredible details of their love story. The two met at AutoZone where Lexi worked, as Alex would come in multiple times a day to purchase air fresheners. His ploy worked though as the two exchanged numbers once Lexi caught on and after their first sushi date in the park the rest has been history! Once their relationship began to blossom the two fell in love not only with each other but also in their respective passions. Between thrifting for Lexi’s Pyrex collection and Alex’s vinyl collection, hitting up their favorite restaurants, or taking their pup out for a pup cup these two truly love spending their time and energy with one another.

3 photos side by side, the left is of a couple sitting next to one another each holding a drink and laughing, the middle is a close up of a couples hands holding one another on the woman's lap, and the right is a black and white photo of the couple sitting next to one another in a restaurant

2 photos side by side, the left is a black and white photo of a couple sitting at a table each holding a drink looking at the camera, the right is of the same couple at the table but looking out the window instead of at the camera

Engagement Session in Downtown Springfield

Now that we know a little about these two and the love they share, it’s time to dive into their engagement session! Their engagement sessions started at The Wakery in downtown Springfield which was SO fitting. The Wakery is a coffeehouse and alcohol free bar with a unique and cool vintage style to it. Neither Lexi or Alex drink, and with their love of thrifting the setting was legitimately PERFECT for them! They both wore engagement rings for their session which was a really cool touch as well. After some time in The Wakery we made our way to the streets of downtown Springfield for some more portraits before we decided on a change of scenery.

A woman smiles at the camera while being kissed on the temple by a man sitting next to her during their engagement session in downtown Springfield

2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple sitting at a table next to one another and smiling at each other, the right is a black and white photo of the same couple but a close up of them kissing while holding their drinks

Detail photo of 2 drinks on a table being held by a couple in the background, the woman is wearing an engagement ring

2 photos side by side of a couple sitting in a bar at a table, the left photo is a close up of the couple kissing one another and the right is a photo from farther away of the couple laughing

Black and white photo of a couple waist down standing on a tile floor

2 photos side by side of a couple walking hand in hand down a street in Springfield Illinois, in both photos the couple is laughing while walking

2 photos side by side, the left is a black and white photo of a couple standing on a street smiling, the right is a color photo of the same couple dancing on that same street

Black and white photo of a couple dancing on a walking path in a park near downtown Springfield during their engagement session

Sunset Portraits on Lake Springfield

For the second half of their engagement session Lexi and Alex had a quick wardrobe change as we made our way to nearby Lake Springfield for some sunset portraits. We had THE best of both worlds here. First we were able to capture portraits walking in the forest with the sunset peeking through the trees, and once at the lakefront Lexi and Alex kicked off their shoes for some photos standing in the water. The scenery and the moment itself was honestly breathtaking and I feel that it really comes through in their photos!

3 photos side by side, the left is of a couple smiling at the camera and the man is hugging the woman from behind, the middle is a black and white photo of the couple dancing on a walking path in a park, the right is the same as the left but with the couple not smiling, all the photos are in a park

2 photos side by side, the left is of a man standing behind a woman and kissing her on the forehead as she smiles, the right is a black and white photo of the same couple facing one another and the man is kissing the woman's forehead as she smiles

Black and white photo of 2 pairs of shoes on the ground with a pair of bare feet next to them

2 photos side by side, the left is a black and white photo of a couple that is barefoot dancing and laughing with one another, the right is of the same couple standing barefoot on a beach holding hands while facing one another and looking out over the water

Waist down photo of a couple who are barefoot sitting on a beach with their feet in the water during their engagement session near downtown Springfield

2 photos side by side of a couple sitting on a beach while barefoot, in the left photo the couple is smiling at the camera, the right photo is black and white and the man is smiling while being kissed on the cheek by the woman

2 photos side by side, the left is a silhouette of a couple sitting in front of a lake, the right is a top down photo of the couple sitting at the lake looking at one another with their feet in the water

Lexi and Alex’s engagement session in downtown Springfield and on Lake Springfield was equally as beautiful as these two loving and incredible people! I had SO much fun with these two and am so happy that I was able to share in and capture these memories with them. If you’re ready to book your own engagement session be sure to send an inquiry through my contact page so we can start planning together!

2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple standing together on a beach and smiling at the camera, the right is of the couple sticking their tongues out at the camera

Engagements

Heyoo, I'm Rachael (she/her)! I'm a Wedding + Elopement Photographer based in Illinois, helping tell love stories in Chicago, St Louis, and beyond. I hope you'll find some inspiration and helpful resources on this blog, whether or not you choose me to be a part of your big day.

No Gatekeeping Here!

All love is affirmed & celebrated here.

more about me & My Work

I'll give you direction when you need it and space when you don't. I believe the best photos aren't always the ones where everyone is looking at the camera.

Sometimes they're the ones where your best friend is crying. Your grandma is laughing.
Your partner is looking at you when you aren't paying attention. And someone is absolutely losing their mind on the dance floor.

Those are the photos I want to make.

I'm Rachael (she/her) by the way.

For the people who would rather be living the moment than posing for it.