Winter In July, Youthful In Love: The Playfully Paw-Friendly Engagement Session Of Amanda And Parker

There’s something exceptional about snowcapped hills and lands. Although we love Minneapolis for many reasons, one of them is thanks to its natural beauty! There’s a very good reason why the parks in Minneapolis stay open all year round, and that’s because of the beautiful winters each year. If you can't picture what we’re talking about, then you don’t have to wait for that long. We have a chance to share with you, magical and inspiring photos from an engagement photo shoot in Minneapolis. Our Minneapolis engagement photographer met the wonderful couple late morning for their wonderful engagement photo session. The late July engagement photo session of Amanda Kelly and Parker Nyren was as beautiful as you’d expect from a festive engagement session. The perfectly lovely couple was full of smiles and laughter before and during their engagement session. Although the landscape around the couple was covered in snow, the sun was out and shining, and the Minneapolis couple was happily smiling away at the camera. Apart from the hills, and the land covered in snow, we were happy for the couple, not many of us get a chance to have a snowy engagement photo session in late July.  

Minneapolis is one of the biggest cities on the prairie. Brimming with vast natural beauty, artistic wonders, and progressive prosperity, the city is home to a vibrant atmosphere. The eclectic vibe of the city is fuelled by impressive rock clubs, ethnic eateries, amazing art museums, and artsy theaters. The phrase “Minnesota Nice” is perfect for the people of this city and will make you fall in love with the city. Minneapolis is always shining bright, rain, snow, or shine. This hidden gem of the Midwest has so much to offer and the moment you step into it, you’ll be drawn in like a moth to the flame. Some of the best attractions of the city include the stunning Stone Arch Bridge, hip shopping centers, and a variety of craft breweries. The lovely city comes more to life when you step away from the urban cityscape and decide to take a stroll through the natural abundance. The mystical Minnehaha Regional Park, Taylors Falls, and other outdoor parks and recreational areas make this city the perfect place to fall in love. 

The day was perfect for an outdoor photo shoot in the snow. The couple had decided on walking through the beautiful outdoors of the city and capturing it along with themselves. Of the many parks in the city, which the couple told us were difficult to choose from, they finally settled on the brilliant Maplewood State Park. Amanda and Parker decided to visit Maplewood State Park because of their dogs. They shared with our photographer that their dogs loved running through the bushes, and through the woods. Since their engagement photo shoot included their pets, a black, and a brown and white dog, they wanted to choose an engagement photo location all of them could enjoy. Amanda told us that they had their photo shoot outfits picked out. Parker piped and said they had two outfits and some cute lumberjack scarves for their dogs! For both of the dogs, the couple had picked out a red and black checkered scarf. For their outfits, the couple had planned two winter-themed outfits, stylish yet simple. Both of the outfits were in matching hues and the couple looked just perfect matching each other’s vibe. They told our photographer that they loved matching their outfits even when they went out grocery shopping, and we feel that that is what true love is about, finding joy in the minutest synchronicities! 

For the first part of the engagement session, the two chose darker hues of blue. Amanda dressed in a beautiful blue dress, with ruffled sleeves and a white and pink pattern. She told our photographer that she may even use the same shades of these flowers on her dress for her wedding bouquet as she chuckled. She added black stockings to keep herself warm and a pair of boots to finish the look. Parker put on an uber-cool tweed-inspired jacket, a short one, and paired it with light blue jeans. To finish his look he added a tan belt. He finished his look with black shoes. The couple had decided to keep their photo session candid. As they, along with our photographer traversed through the snowy ground, Parker shared that they were contemplating throwing a winter wedding. Amanda added that they were considering a first-look photo session as well. Both of them agreed that there was something magical about a first-look photo session in the winters, and they were still thinking about it. The park was in pristine condition, despite snowing heavily only a few hours ago. The barren trees and the yellowed shrubs added beautiful details to the photo session. The whimsical park made for a great playground for these two lovebirds, who took every opportunity to take a beautiful photo. They told our photographer they were looking to create a photobook of their engagement photos as well as their wedding photos. Humming and laughing, the two found the place they wanted to start their photo session. It was a bend in the road in the center of the park, with a hill in the background. The couple shared memory with each other there, 

They started fresh and easy, standing close to each other and striking a natural pose for the camera. Taking a look at the surroundings, the couple told our photographer they’d like to have some motion photos as well. Our photographer helped them with the poses for their engagement photos, helping them get the angles of the motion photo right. Our photographer helped them to pose while walking down the path in the middle of the park. The picturesque background added charming qualities to their walking photos. Before moving to another location, our photographer helped them capture a loving romantic photo, where instead of walking, they’d stand in the same spot and kiss each other. Our photographer liked the background, and the photo turned out perfectly! After Amanda and Parker broke apart from their kiss, instead of walking on to the next spot, the two shared a moment, and Amanda hugged Parker. As she did, Parker put his arms around her, holding her, in the middle of the road. Then he started rocking side-to-side, slowly, and just like that, before our photographer could realize what was happening, the two started to slow-dance on the road slick with snow. Taking the opportunity, our photographer took a candid romantic photo of the two, enjoying every moment of the slow dance. Twirling and dancing, the two laughed and kept dancing. Then our photographer had the idea of taking some photos from a different point of view. As the couple walked on, our photographer decided to hang back. As the two walked on, our photographer called out for them to turn around slightly, and as they did our photographer clicked a photo. And then took some more as Amanda and Parker walked on. Before walking to the park’s lake, Parker picked up Amanda in his arms, striking the ultimate engagement photo pose! Before kissing Parker, Amanda softly brushed her nose against his, and let out a soft chuckle. 

And then, the couple posed for some more photos of the area, with the trees and the shrubs around. Smiling directly at the camera, they did not need assistance with photo poses. Completely natural, our photographer enjoyed clicking and helping them out wherever required. With a lot of yellow leaves, the couple wanted to capture the colors of the winter in their city. They found a spot right in the center of the yellowing leaves and snow. Their dark blue outfits made the couple stand out! As the background was exceptionally photo-worthy, our photographer asked them if they would mind kissing each other again. They did not, and when they kissed, with the background as pretty as it was, our photographer took a stunning Instagram-worthy photo of the couple. Before they changed into their next set of outfits and brought their beloved fur babies into the mix, Amanda and Parker posed for some engagement photos on the frozen lake in the area. Standing close to each other, and making each other laugh, our photographer took some candid photos of the two before they struck some traditional poses for their engagement photo session. After that, the couple took the time to put on their cutesy outfits for the second part of the photo shoot. 

Parker put on a gray polo shirt, white t-shirt underneath, and khaki pants. He chose to wear the same shoes. Amanda followed a similar color scheme for her outfit. She wore a cute sweatshirt with shimmering bronze horizontal stripes and a deep tan skirt. She let her hair down, as she had before, and finished her outfit with a pair of beautiful tan boots. And then, they had their dogs join in, all dressed up in their pretty scarves. The checkered scarves had a message on them. One of the scarves was personalized to say “humans about to get married,” and the other said, “she said yes.” The message on the scarves added a well-planned detail to their outdoor photo session. What our photographer loved the most about the couple who decided to include their pets in the photo shoot was that both of these fur babies were good boys! Following every command, and posing majestically, like proud pets, our photographer had a blast adding them to the photos. Right after Amanda and Parker put on their second outfits, they had the rest of the photo session planned. They had decided to take photos in a place the two had spent much time together in the past before they got engaged. It was a rustic swing, next to an establishment in the park. The couple had planned this part ahead well because they even had a picnic soft blanket for the swing. The blanket was made of the same fabric as their pets! 

Parker placed the picnic blanket on the swing to add more details, and synchronicities to their photo session. Right after he did that, and sat down, he playfully winked at Amanda, who sat down next to him. The proud pet parents smiled for the camera and the dogs looked right into the camera! Right after our photographer took the photo, Amanda yelled out “proud family moment!” making Parker laugh, and the dogs’ ears perked up. Then the two softly took the dogs out in the snow, where they ran and did what dogs do when they see open spaces - run free. As they were running around, Parker and Amanda took a short break and sat down on the swing, enjoying the serene view of the park, and looked on as their dogs tired themselves out chasing each other. Every once in a while, one of the dogs would spin around, and the couple would laugh. As the day was coming to an end, Amanda and Parker decided to take some pet-friendly photos with their doggos! Then before calling it a day, Amanda and Parker decided to change their outfits. Amanda told us, it was difficult to handle the doggos in a skirt. And Parker piped in, saying something to the effect of “if she has a new outfit, I’ll have one too!” And when the two came back, they were wearing cute matching-winter hats! Playfully chuckling and laughing, they asked their little ones to follow along. But before the couple bid goodbyes to our photographer, Amanda jumped on Parker’s back, playfully laughing. Parker smiled brightly. Taking the opportunity for the perfect candid engagement session photo our photographer took a photo when the lovebirds met their eye! Amanda waved goodbye, atop her fiance, and the dogs gave our photographer a sharp bark each. As they walked away, our photographer was left with a warm feeling in their heart. It was a sight to see, Parker carried Amanda on his back, and the two doggos walked ahead with their tails wagging and ears bobbing.