Yellow Iowa City Fossil Gorge Engagement

It feels so good to be back! After four months of not shooting due to COVID, I finally got to photograph an engagement session! It felt SO good! Melissa and Thomas made the transition back so easy on me with their beautiful Iowa City Fossil Gorge engagement!

Melissa and Thomas met at the University of Iowa during their freshman year. Thomas asked Melissa to hang out and play frisbee golf with him and his friends, and the two of them have been inseparable since! Last fall, on a trip to Melissa’s hometown in Pennsylvania, Thomas asked her to be his wife! After dinner, they walked around town. “We went to the capital, which was all lit up and he popped the question! We celebrated with my best girlfriends afterwards. It was super special!!” said Melissa. So sweet!!

2020 has proven to be a pivotal year for them. In the midst of COVID they moved back to Melissa’s home state and changed jobs, all while planning their Iowa wedding at Ashton Hill Farm for this fall!

We planned their engagement session during one of their trips back to Iowa for wedding planning. Of course I had to take them to one of my favorite spots — the Fossil Gorge in Iowa City! Usually July can be very hot (and sweaty!) in Iowa. However, we were blessed with the most clear sky and cool shade! As you scroll through their photos, be sure to take note of how perfect their outfits are! Melissa picked a happy color I don’t see very often — yellow! When she walked up for their session I was blown away by her beautiful yellow flowered dress and popping yellow shoes!

After their session, I swear I smiled the whole way home! This time of not being able to have sessions helped me remember again just how much joy interacting with my couples brings me!

Thomas and Melissa, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night! Seeing your smiles warmed my heart. Being able to finally meet and give you a hug was the BEST! It’s been so long since we first met on our Zoom call. Getting to see your smiling faces not through a screen was so much better! I can’t wait for your wedding this fall! I know the planning has been challenging with the circumstances, but with a love like yours, I know your day will be beautiful!!