Hartwick Pines to Lake Michigan: A Northern Michigan Fall Engagement
…and why this one meant the world to me.
There are some engagement sessions you plan, shoot, deliver, and smile about for weeks.
And then there are the ones that hit a little deeper, because they’re not just clients.
They’re your people. Literally!
This one was for my daughter. And if you know me at all, you know that this kid is my everything.
Skylar and Tripp had a camping weekend planned up in Frankfort, and we decided to turn their getaway into the perfect fall engagement adventure. We started the day at Hartwick Pines in Grayling before heading west toward the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Northern Michigan gave us everything. Peak fall color, crisp air, and that warm golden light that makes every moment look like it’s pulled from a memory. It was a perfect fall day in Northern Michigan.
And of course… Ryder came along. Their Border Collie (and truly the best dog) explored every trail, supervised campsite setup, and lived his absolute best life the entire time. It wouldn’t have been their story without him.
Afternoon at Hartwick Pines
We began at one of my favorite places: Hartwick Pines State Park. Those towering old-growth trees have a way of grounding you, and in that peak fall light, the entire forest felt like it was celebrating right along with them. Sky and Tripp moved through the trails together, steady, laughing easily, totally in sync.
Ryder trotted ahead like a little woodland tour guide, keeping us in line and making sure we didn’t miss a single thing. It was peaceful and grounded as if this was exactly where we were supposed to be.
Lake Michigan Sunset Magic
After soaking up that golden forest glow, we packed up and headed west toward Frankfort so they could get their campsite set before sunset. They worked like a team, efficient, relaxed, joking with each other. Exactly the way they’ve been since the beginning of their relationship. That’s their natural rhythm. Ryder supervised like it was his official job.
Once the campsite was mostly settled, we drove down to the beach to catch the sunset. Lake Michigan delivered one of those iconic Frankfort evenings with pastel skies melting into rich orange, waves rolling in soft and steady, and the Frankfort Light standing out on the north breakwater like a quiet, guiding landmark.
Skylar and Tripp stood on the sand with the lighthouse glowing in the distance, Ryder circling happily because beach = freedom. Photographing them in that light, the lake stretching behind them, the Frankfort Light catching the last bit of sun, felt like freezing a chapter they’ll look back on for years. A little adventurous, a little nostalgic, and deeply Northern Michigan.
And personally? While I was photographing them, it hit me all over again:
My daughter found her person. And not just any person, someone who sees her, respects her, and shows up for her the way she deserves.
A Little Backstory
I first met Tripp, Jason, technically, though nicknames rule in their friend group, in 2020. From day one, he slid into our lives like he’d always been there. He was easy to be around, quick to help, and genuinely kind.
It didn’t take me long to notice how he looked at Skylar. Even back then, before they were officially “Sky & Tripp,” his feelings were written all over the way he looked at her, talked about her, and, most importantly, the way he showed up for her. I watched their friendship grow deeper and deeper, the kind of solid foundation that slowly, quietly turned into love.
Their relationship has always been rooted in that friendship. Real, honest, steady. And that’s what will keep carrying them through every chapter ahead.
If you’re dreaming of an engagement session that feels like your story, relaxed, intentional, and full of genuine connection, I’d love to help you plan something meaningful. Northern Michigan is full of magic, from the pines to the lakeshores.
