This engagement session with Olivia + Christian has become one of my favorite engagement sessions yet, from the dramatic landscapes of Wind Cave National Park to the storm clouds on the horizon to the laughter and sweet moments between this couple. Couples like these two steal my heart. Couples who readily laugh with each other (and occasionally at each other in good fun). Couples who don’t mind when the weather turns and it starts to drizzle. Life is an adventure and they’re ready to embrace it. Wind Cave National Park has stolen my heart too—more sessions like this please.
Olivia + Christian’s Lighthearted Wind Cave Session
A fun adventure right off the parking lot
I came across this location on a beautiful day where I grabbed a tumbler of tea, threw on my favorite playlist (4 hours long), picked up my mom from her house, and drove to our hearts content. It was a fun day of plugging in different locations into the GPS and taking the less known routes. There was laughter, a few buffalo, and by the time I dropped my mom off at her house, my playlist had started to play repeat songs. The four plus hours of driving was well worth it to find gems like this location.
This session took place during my second visit to Wind Cave National Park, so while I knew of the location, I wasn’t too familiar with the ins and outs of it yet. Sometimes, that’s when the real magic happens. When I’m forced to think on my feet—find the best backdrops and truly work in the moment instead of following a familiar routine. This was perfect for Olivia and Christian, who were ready to go with the flow and laugh through it all (like when I tripped in a prairie dog hole).
Looking for more things to do while at Wind Cave? Check out their website here.
The magic of capturing your session in the rain
As soon as we arrived on site, we knew that rain might be in the cards. Billowing storm clouds were rolling in and the sky was growing darker by the minute. The skies promised more than they delivered. For the last ten minutes of the session, it started to drizzle which created a cozy, romantic atmosphere. In some of the close-up shots, you can see droplets of rain falling to the ground. It was just enough to add a little magic to the session.
Frolicking through the sage brush meadows
Is it just me, or do you want to run out into the field and start singing The Sound of Music like Julie Andrews? We went into this shoot with Olivia and Christian with one expectation—to have fun (and of course capture some cute images in the process). One convenient thing about this location is, you don’t have to go very far to frolic through meadows. They’re quite literally a few feet from the parking lot, which is where we spent the majority of the session.
Olivia and Christian spent the session hand-in-hand, snuggled up together, and taking in the sights. It’s easy to see the genuine connection between these two and how much love there is between them.
Wind Cave, South Dakota Couples Photographer
If this sounds like how you and your partner like to spend their free time—out in nature, taking in the sights together, and exploring new places—then I hope you’re able to take inspiration from these two when planning your couples session. Whether your next adventure takes you to the Black Hills, the Badlands, or anywhere in between, I’d love to join + help you celebrate your love in a way that is unique to your relationship. Reach out and let’s plan an unforgettable memory.
At Beneath The Spruce, it’s our goal to respect the National Parks and follow the Leave No Trace principles.
For all sorts of engagement session and wedding inspiration, check out the posts below…
How to prepare for your couples session
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