Lauren + Mitch + Sam // Millers Ferry, AL // Engagement + Family Session combined


This engagement session was such a treat! When Lauren reached out, she mentioned she wanted an engagement session, but wanted to include her son, Sam in some of the photos. She requested to have the session in millers ferry around sunset. I'd never stopped in miller's ferry (only passed through) but I knew it was on the Alabama river and would likely present beautiful location options.  


I had a little trouble with the address, ended up at a wrong location, but luckily still arrived (just) before my clients did. I do not like to be late for my sessions if I can avoid it. It was then I got to meet Lauren, Mitch & Sam. They were very flexible on how the session went and where we would shoot, but they took me down by the lake and it was very clear to me that this location was going to be spectacular.


We started the session doing standard family shots. My brain works a little differently for engagement sessions vs family sessions. Family sessions start out more posed because I want to make SURE I get all the "smiling at the camera shots" before the children decide they are DONE. Then I move to candid. Engagement sessions I typically start with candid images and prompts to loosen the couple up, then proceed with posed shots. Since this was a hybrid engagement-family session, I decided to do the family session in the first 15 minutes, then release Sam of his duties and move strictly to the engagement shots. This way Sam didn't have to sit and watch the kissy-kissy photos take place. Lauren mentioned to Sam that they were going to take some photos of just her and Mitch to which he was like '....but why". Which I thought was so incredibly sweet. This little family unit is so close, Sam didn't understand why we would just take couples photos without him. He didn't complain though once he was released to play.


We started by the lake, which has this incredible glow - this is the perfect amount of tree for me. Enough foliage to block bright sun, but not so much that the sun is completely blocked. We did walk over to the Alabama river and to a wooded trail shortly after starting, but the greenery was so dense over there, I could tell their skin was getting color casted with green and those edits were going to stop me in my tracks. Also with where the sun was, I really needed to block it better. The river was adding a lot of reflection. Two images from that little excursion are included at the bottom of this photo block. We walked back to the lake pretty quickly as I knew this was where I was going to take the remaining engagement photos.

Natural light family portraits in wooded setting with golden sunlight filtering through trees.
Family poses together in coordinated blue and floral outfits during outdoor photo session.
Sunlit family portrait session in wooded area with natural spring foliage.
Family walks together through wooded area during golden hour photo session.
A loving family and their golden retriever pose together on a grassy lawn surrounded by sunlit trees.
Family portraits taken outdoors in a wooded setting with warm natural lighting.
Family lounging on grass with their friendly golden retriever during a sunny outdoor photoshoot.
Candid family moments captured on grass during a sunny outdoor portrait session.
Family wearing coordinated blue and khaki outfits pose together in a wooded setting.
Family portrait session in a scenic wooded area near water with natural lighting.
Family photos taken on a wooden dock overlooking a serene lake surrounded by trees.
Beautiful lakeside family portraits captured on a wooden dock during golden hour.

Sam was then released and proceeded to grab his backpack and play in the dirt. He was so well behaved and stayed right nearby, content at work with....well whatever he was working on.


Sam and Lauren were already comfortable with me by this point so I went about some of my usual poses and prompts. They seemed to really come alive and laugh with each. The location was proving out to be stunning. There were other potential spots to photograph at but I just decided to stay put. This location was just too perfect.

Candid couple shots in coordinated outfits against a lush green forest background.
Joyful family portraits taken in a sun-dappled forest setting during golden hour.
Couple sharing a romantic moment in a sunlit forest setting wearing coordinated casual outfits.
Romantic embrace between a couple in a floral dress and blue shirt against a wooded backdrop.
Dancing couple in coordinated outfits enjoying a tender moment by a lake.
Playful couple dancing in nature wearing a floral maxi dress and blue button-down shirt.
Happy couple sharing laughter during outdoor photo session in golden sunlight.
Joyful couple holding hands and laughing during outdoor engagement photoshoot.
Intimate moment between couple in casual attire during golden hour forest photoshoot.
Tender moment captured between couple in coordinated outfits during sunset photo session.
Couple in complementary outfits sharing sweet moment in wooded setting.
Couple walking together on grass with lake and pine trees in background during sunset.
A couple walks together on grass at sunset with trees and a lake in the background.
A couple dances playfully in a sunlit forest clearing.
Close-up of hands joining together outdoors in golden sunlight.
Close-up of hands with an engagement ring and pearl bracelet in natural lighting.
A romantic moment captured as a couple dances in a sunlit forest setting.
A tender embrace shared in a wooded setting with sunset light filtering through trees.
A couple holding hands while walking through a scenic wooded area.
A couple poses together in a sun-dappled forest clearing.
A couple shares a joyful moment in golden afternoon light among tall trees.
A romantic forest photoshoot with sunlight streaming through the trees.
A romantic couple embraces in a sunlit forest setting, with her wearing a floral dress and him in blue shirt and khakis.
A couple shares an intimate moment in dappled sunlight with trees in the background.

Mitch had mentioned a wedding was held on the dock in the past and that he could still visualize the glow of the sun in the bride's dress. That it was just picture perfect. So I decided to end the session on the dock. The sun was really glowing at this point.

A couple dances together on a wooden dock overlooking a serene lake at sunset.
A couple dances playfully on a lakeside dock during golden hour.
A couple dances on a wooden pier with a golden sunset and dog in the background.
A couple in coordinated outfits shares a romantic moment on a dock by the lake.
A couple embraces while standing on a wooden dock with a lake and pine trees in the background.
A couple shares an intimate moment on a dock while their dog walks in the background.
Romantic couple in casual attire sharing an intimate moment on a lakeside deck at sunset.
Couple embracing in a tender kiss on wooden dock with sunlit water and trees in background.

This session was over before I knew it. I was having such a relaxed and enjoyable time with Lauren, Mitch & Sam.


Some learning I had from this session: At the time Lauren booked, my complimentary mileage included 120 miles of travel and this location was within that 120 miles - it was like 100 miles. I didn't really think that one through super well as it took my whole afternoon for this one session. I could have booked two more sessions had I been more local.


However, I want to be very clear that this is NOT a problem created by the client, but it was a lack of knowledge from me and therefore something I have since corrected. I have decided going forward to make my complimentary round trip mileage for one hour sessions 40 miles. Full weddings will have a larger radius since it's my whole day booked out, but will have travel fees dependent upon if I can make the drive there and back in one day (so likely 200 miles total trip complimentary).


I may have lost out on some other potential sessions by driving that far, but man this location sure was worth it. What a special session and I wish Lauren, Mitch, and Sam so much success in their future and in their future marriage.


If you too are in west Alabama seeking an engagement session like this one, one with a lovely blend of candids, prompts, and posed images, please reach out. I'd love to bring your vision to life!  

Contact Me Here


This blog was originally published on 05/05/2025 and was republished on 07/16/2025 when it was migrated to my new site