Chelsey + Dylan’s Engagement Session

Chelsey and Dylan are one of my Caberfae Peaks wedding couples for 2026. Caberfae is where I got married, so having the opportunity to shoot a wedding there for another couple is so incredibly special to me.

The two asked me to meet for coffee a few months back. They wanted to pick my brain about my own experience at Caberfae and plan their engagement session. When we first started brainstorming ideas, they wanted to do their session at a nature preserve in Kalamazoo. While I’m sure that would have been beautiful, I really wanted to challenge them to step outside of the box. It’s easy to get trapped in the mindset of going to a pretty place to take pretty photos— it’s what most people do for their engagement sessions. But I encouraged them to consider where they like to spend their time together in real life. “What do you like to do in the evenings after work? What do you like to do on the weekend? Where do you feel comfortable?” The answer was at their house, having bonfires, grilling, and just hanging out. Dylan also mentioned how much he loves to spend time on the boat. So- I suggested we do both.

I love the contrast between the two locations, but also that in both spots they were comfortable and having fun. I feel so incredibly grateful to have been invited to their home and on their boat. It’s so special to me to be welcomed in their favorite spaces. I feel like I always say this, but I will never take these things for granted.

Enjoy their photos— I have no self control and really struggled to narrow it down to just my favorites.