How To Prepare For Your Engagement Session at a State Park
I love exploring my local State Parks in Minnesota and I think your love of the outdoors brought you here too! So much that you are now looking into having your engagement photos at you favorite state park! I have a couple of tips to help make your state park engagement photography a better experience as you plan! Some of these tips are for before hand and some tips for the session it helps!
Here we go.
Check the website to make sure the park is open.
Just imagine, after being excited to plan your adventure session in your beautiful local state park you get there to closed signs and ropes between you and your dream photos. This disappointment is the last thing you want! It can be simply avoided by checking the website or calling ahead for any trail closures. Speaking of checking the website……
Check the website to see if a photography permit is required.
As photography has blown up in a good way many locations even in the great outdoors are charging a permit fee to have your photos there. The rangers will ask and will give a big fine if you are caught without your permit. Check permit requirements as early as possible as most take up to 2 weeks or more to process your request or charge more for expedited requests. Don’t let this ruin your session on the day of. Get your permit. Another permit that will most likely be needed is a park pass sticker for your car while you are there. Most of the time they are $7 a day or $30-$ 35 for the year. Check your state park website for admission prices.
Wear the right shoes
Wear shoes that won’t have you cursing the day you were born. Many girls see Instagram models in their high-heels and think that is the way to go. This is a mistake for the great outdoors! Wearing the right shoes for the journey will make all the difference and save your feet from a world of hurt for the next couple of days. An easy alternative is pack the cute shoes in a hiking backpack to change once you get to your destination! Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Plan your timeline with estimated hiking time.
Some trails in your State Parks are longer than others. If you have specific spots in mind it may take some time to get to those spots! Definitely plan on adding that time to your schedule so you have a realistic timeline while planning your state park adventure! A good resource to help with this is a website like alltrails.com that shows trail’s intensity and length.
Bring plenty of food and water.
Adventuring in your local State Park is SO much fun, but can take a lot out of you! Bringing water and snacks will keep your energy levels and spirits high so you can enjoy your experience to the fullest. Your photographer wants you to be happy! Food and hydration will help with that! Good trail snacks are nuts, packed fruits, and veggies. (And some celebratory bubbly wouldn’t hurt!)
Don’t forget to bring your spirit of adventure.
Have fun, enjoy the beauty around you!!! Bring a fun date idea that you and your fiance can enjoy along the way like a picnic or a favorite hobby you can do together. If you both are having a good time, your photos will reflect that!
I hope this helps bring you an amazing state park engagement session experience!
Happy Adventuring!
Looking for more inspiration for your future state park adventure?
Check out by clicking these outdoor engagement sessions to inspire your own adventure!!
Becca & Scott | Christian & Emily | Sara & Isaac | Bailey & Michaila
You can also check out Must See Spots along Minnesota’s North Shore HERE for future planning Up North!
