Lily and Ryan | Engaged - racheljensenphotography.com

A gorgeous sunrise engagement session at Whispering Pines in Waupaca, WI.

Oh these two! First of all, I met Lily a few months to chat about wedding and engagement session plans. Ryan couldn’t make it to that but both of their moms did and what a trio of sweet women! These two are young and in love, but keeping all the priorities in line with their planning. Their commitment to their future, not just their wedding is refreshing.

It’s long distance for them currently with Lily living in Stevens Point and Ryan at grad school in La Crosse. That’s a hard time I can relate to so I know it can be done! They picked the ring together and put it on layaway. They picked their wedding date before the engagement was “official”. They even picked their photographer 😊. Then in May Ryan surprised her on a trip after finals and gave that ring a proper place to stay!

Lily knew she wanted engagement photos done at Whispering Pines in the summer. Since the dock is often full of swimmers in the evening they were willing to do a sunrise session. After a reschedule in July from rain, we finally got a date that was beautiful weather and worked for everyone. 6am at Whispering Pines it was! Guys, I’ve been pushed into a bit of a night owl lifestyle with work and kids but I used to love being an early riser and this was a great reminder of how awesome a feeling that is. I did not have to get up at 2:30 and get to a makeup trial an hour away like Lily did though! That’s commitment!!!

How gorgeous are these two! That dress and the gorgeous color had me in photo heaven! They’re both so natural with each other and willing to try whatever. I took care of the spider web sweep before having them sit on the dock though. The sun shining through the trees over the lake gave the perfect soft glow for some angles and beautiful backlight for others. The lake looked like glass when we got there and the calmness of the whole place was almost to beautiful to walk into. Of course we did though!

A quick wardrobe change and a hop into a field full of goldenrod at the edge of the park was the perfect ending to our morning. Now I cannot wait for next year when we’re at another lake for their small and intimate wedding ceremony on the lake. You’re gonna wanna watch for that one!