Whimsical Garden Engagement Photos | allie + Michael
A MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM LOVE STORY
This June, Allie and Michael were engaged at the Michigan State University Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum. The result: whimsical garden engagement photos!
Michael chose the MSU Arboretum as the location to propose to his fiancée, Allie because she graduated from MSU and he knew the campus was special to her. Allie’s family is also local to the area, and they had a gathering planned after our session.
Since the Michigan State University Arboretum is open to the public, we did not need a permit to photograph their proposal here. Other important information to know about the area is that there are multiple gardens on MSU’s campus (i.e. Horticultural Gardens, Children’s Gardens), so there are plenty of options to consider for your own engagement session here. Conveniently, there is a parking lot right on site at the Arboretum entrance off of Service Drive.
It is part of my job to be prepared for your session, which includes scouting each location before you arrive or a few days prior. Being Detroit-based, I made sure to arrive extra early to map out the location and photo ideas in my head before Michael arrived with Allie. This way, I can always ensure I can be present with you in the moment and authentically capture photos that reflect you, your love, and your story.
“Alaina clearly did her research before our photo shoot and came with ideas for poses and specific spots to shoot at throughout our location, which I loved.”
THE PROPOSAL
As I waited in the arboretum for their arrival, I couldn’t help but be thankful for the weather we received. We were worried about potential rain, so Michael and I had put together a back up location just in case, and miraculously, Mother Nature was on our side. She gave us perfect weather — a warm sunny day, no clouds, and a gorgeous garden full of life to celebrate the engagement of Michael and Allie.
Since I scouted beforehand, I knew there was a Japanese garden on-site and Allie spilled that Michael loves Japanese gardens, so naturally, we took photos here!
When Michael first reached out to me about photographing his proposal to Allie, he already had everything all planned out (again, such a thoughtful guy). He described their pre-planned outfits in detail — a white linen shirt with baby blue shorts, white sneakers for him, and a white dress with lavender birkenstocks for her. They looked absolutely stunning and I just know they are going to prepare and plan for the most amazing wedding down the road.
A unique touch of their proposal that stood out to me was Allie’s engagement ring. They shared with me that they designed it together — truly a testament to the love they hold for each other.
A special moment that always comes to mind is when Allie started playing hide and seek with Michael around a stunning twisting tree in the arboretum. Her playfulness was contagious! I could feel their joy inside from just getting engaged.
BEFORE THE PROPOSAL
In all of our communications leading up to their session, it was so clear that Michael loves Allie so incredibly much. He asked me for all the tips ranging from the exact location to propose, the best time of day for the proposal for lighting, and how to best get down on one knee to pop the question. As a photographer who loves to be prepared, but also to provide you with everything you need to have a perfect engagement session I was eager to share my knowledge with Michael - because proposing to the love of your life can be simultaneously the most nerve wracking and exciting thing to do.
The best time of day to take photos is dependent on the time of year and your dream photo outcome - for Michael, this meant a golden hour look to the photos where the sun was low enough in the sky so as to not be so harsh to withstand in person, but also for more flattering photos. I tracked the sun’s location in advance and proposed 7pm for our end-of-June session.
My biggest tip for gentlemen who are going to propose to their spouse is to sit up tall and proud while you’re down on your knee. By this I mean, raise your elbows up into the air while holding the ring box, rather than letting them rest on your knee. Michael did a stellar job at showing his pride in proposing to his lovely lady, just look at the photos!
If you are interested in scheduling your engagement session, I would love to start planning with you to create your own stunning, bespoke images at the MSU Arboretum. Inquire today.
My vow to you is to photograph your love as it is, delivering true-to-color images that feel like a genuine representation of your story. Take it from the newly-engaged couple themselves:
“Alaina is so kind, helpful, and talented! She made us feel comfortable for the whole session and helped us not feel awkward with posing. We love our garden engagement photos and have received so many compliments on them from family and friends. We received lots of previews in a timely manner, and the rest of the photos were just as good as the previews. I would definitely recommend Alaina as a photographer!”
Michael and Allie are such standout people. Allie’s kind, bubbly personality combined with Michael’s thoughtfulness and tender care for Allie left me feeling so inspired by them. Their personalities truly shine and come through in these photos. I couldn’t be more grateful to know these sweethearts.
I’d be honored to guide you through the session and capture your love - truthfully and timelessly.
Vendors:
Photographer - Alaina Miller Photography
Venue - Michigan State University Clarence E. Lewis Arboretum
