Kaleb & Katie // Engement Session // Lake Nicol // Tuscaloosa, AL


Kaleb reached out in January looking to book an engagement session in Tuscaloosa. His fiancée Katie had gathered some inspiration photos, but they weren't quite sure where they wanted their session to take place. After discussing a few Tuscaloosa engagement photo locations, we landed on Lake Nicol Park.


The Perfect January Day

The session couldn't have taken place on a more beautiful January day. It was a little crisp outside, but not a single cloud was in the sky, exactly the kind of lighting I love for engagement photos. We started with some engagement portraits at the cliffs, then spent some time by the lake and ended in the wooded field leading into the park. We even recreated a few proposal-style shots just for fun. Kaleb got down on one knee again and Katie playfully accepted. Those moments ended up being some of my favorites from the session.


Tuscaloosa Engagement Photography

Throughout the session, I used a mix of prompts and poses to keep Kaleb and Katie comfortable and laughing. We all had such a fun time exploring Lake Nicol together. The variety of locations within the park meant we got a great mix of images - some romantic and intimate, some playful and candid.

Couple holding hands walking down a sunlit gravel path surrounded by tall trees in a forest.
Black and white photo of couple walking hand in hand down a sunlit forest path.
Black and white photo of couple gazing at each other tenderly by a reflective lake outdoors.
Couple sharing a tender moment, woman cradling man's face as they lean in for a kiss outdoors.
Couple embracing on rocky overlook above a serene lake surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.
Young couple embracing outdoors near a lake, wearing neutral tones, smiling warmly in a romantic portrait.
Man on one knee proposing to woman in cream dress on rocky overlook beside peaceful lake.
Man proposing on one knee to woman on rocky overlook above a river surrounded by trees.
Couple sitting together on rocky ledge overlooking serene lake surrounded by lush green trees on sunny day.
A couple sits on rocks by a serene lake surrounded by lush green trees in soft natural light.
Close-up of a couple holding hands while sitting on rocks by a peaceful reflective lake outdoors.
Black and white photo of couple embracing on rocky lakeside overlook amid bare trees.
Couple dancing on rocky overlook by a lake, woman in white dress and black boots, man in khaki pants.
Couple embracing on a rocky overlook above a serene lake surrounded by autumn trees.
Couple holding hands on rocky forest path with sunlight filtering through bare trees.
Black and white photo of couple holding hands walking near a sunlit lake with bare trees.
Couple holding hands and smiling at each other by a peaceful lake during golden hour.
Couple holding hands near a lake, woman in white dress and knee-high boots, man in white shirt and khakis.
Black and white photo of couple holding hands and spinning playfully on a sandy outdoor path.
Couple embracing and smiling at each other near a lake, woman in white lace dress and black boots.
Couple embracing near a serene lake surrounded by bare trees during golden hour outdoors.
Black and white photo of couple walking hand in hand toward a peaceful lake among tall trees.
Engaged couple walking hand in hand along a serene lakeside path in golden hour light.
A couple embraces on a wooden dock by a serene lake, smiling at each other in warm sunlight.
Black and white close-up of laughing woman embracing curly-haired man near a blurred lake background.
Couple dancing together under a rustic wooden pavilion overlooking a serene lake in a wooded setting.
Couple holding hands in a wooden gazebo by a lake on a sunny day.
Black and white photo of couple dancing playfully under a rustic wooden gazebo.
Newly engaged couple kissing under wooden gazebo, showcasing engagement ring in soft focus.
Couple sharing a tender embrace under a rustic wooden gazebo overlooking a calm lake.
Black and white photo of couple dancing together joyfully under covered pavilion after engagement proposal.
Black and white photo of couple sitting back-to-back on a bench inside a lakeside gazebo.
Couple sitting back-to-back on a picnic table bench inside a wooden lakeside gazebo.
Romantic couple lying down together, faces close, bathed in warm sunlight.
Couple lying together on a wooden swing, woman in white lace dress and man in white shirt, sharing a tender moment.
Couple embracing and smiling at each other under a wooden pergola with a lake visible in the background.
Black and white photo of a smiling woman in lace dress hugging a child outdoors in warm sunlight.
Close-up of couple holding hands, man in white shirt and woman in cream lace dress outdoors.
Joyful woman in white lace dress running toward her partner near a reflective lake.
Black and white image of laughing woman embracing her partner near a reflective lake.
Black and white photo of man embracing woman from behind near lake as she smiles joyfully.
A young couple embraces near a serene lake at golden hour, dressed in elegant white and cream attire.
Couple standing close together by a lake at sunset, woman resting head on mans shoulder.
Black and white portrait of couple standing close together holding hands near a tranquil lake.
Smiling couple posing together near a peaceful lake during golden hour in nature.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss outdoors near a lake in soft golden light.
Man kissing woman on cheek as she smiles at camera in warm outdoor light.
Couple leaning foreheads together in golden sunlight in a tender romantic moment.
Couple holding hands walking toward a peaceful lake at sunset, woman in white dress and black knee-high boots.
Smiling woman in white dress and black boots holds hands with man near a sunlit lake.
Couple sitting together by a calm lake shore, enjoying a peaceful golden hour moment outdoors.
Couple walking hand in hand through a sunlit forest clearing surrounded by tall pine trees.
Couple dancing playfully in a sunlit pine forest clearing, woman in white dress and black boots spinning joyfully.
Couple holding hands and spinning joyfully in a sunlit forest clearing during golden hour.
Couple embracing and nearly kissing in a sunlit pine forest during golden hour, woman in white dress and cowboy boots.
Black and white photo of couple embracing and dancing together in a sunlit forest clearing.
Black and white photo of a couple spinning and holding hands in a pine forest, woman in white dress and tall boots.
Couple embracing and laughing in a golden-hour pine forest, woman's long hair flowing in the breeze.
Couple sharing a kiss while holding hands in a sun-drenched pine forest during golden hour.
Close-up of couple holding hands in a sunlit autumn forest, wearing white lace and dress shirt.
Smiling woman in lace mini dress hugging her partner among tall pine trees at sunset.
Couple walking hand in hand through a pine forest at golden hour, viewed from behind.
Couple walking hand in hand through a sun-drenched forest at golden hour, viewed from behind.
Black and white photo of couple walking hand in hand through a glowing sun-drenched forest path.

Looking for a Tuscaloosa Engagement or Proposal Photographer?


If you're planning an engagement session or surprise proposal in Tuscaloosa, Lake Nicol Park is an incredible location to consider. The natural scenery, cliff overlooks, and wooded trails offer stunning backdrops for both engagement photography and proposal photography. I love helping couples find the perfect spot within the park. For couples who want an outdoor engagement session that feels natural and romantic, Lake Nicol delivers every time. Note the winter colors here represent what a winter engagement session would look like. While probably very obvious, a spring or summer session at Lake Nicol will look different.


Other great Tuscaloosa engagement session locations include the Riverwalk, University of Alabama campus, Capitol Park, Lake Harris, Downtown Tuscaloosa, and the Arboretum. Each location offers something unique, and I'm always happy to scout and make recommendations based on your vision.


Contact me here to start planning your Tuscaloosa engagement or proposal session. My wedding packages include a complimentary engagement session. If you decide to book a wedding with me after booking an engagement session, your session fee will be discounted from your wedding package. The best thing about engagement sessions are by the time your wedding day rolls around, you already know how to work with me and you feel confident in front of the camera.