Adirondack Mountains Love Session
Now – this post is long overdue. I’m certainly not comfortable about it. Posting this romantic Adirondacks engagement session now has been somewhat a challenge for me. Not because I didn’t know how to do it, but because the whole event was grand and combine with next day wedding I spent in Lake Placid area almost a week.
I had a great pleasure to witness the love of those two beautiful souls and be a part of their journey. Without any delay let start from the beginning.
Everyone's Plans Went Hiking
As you we are part of the health crisis our plans are getting altered by reality. Whole event – with weddings included – has been put upside down and shaken hard before going out the most narrow end imaginable.
On the flip side of things we get to do thing we never thought possible and got more creative than ever. Some of us – for sure – though: if now know then when – myself included.
After changing plans Jillian and Tom decided to spend the time – moments – of their love in the place that is very close to their hearts.
Adirondacks – when I heard their idea of changing the venue of their wedding to one of the most beautiful spots on Earth I thought to myself – hell yeah!! It would be great opportunity to not only to join them for the trip but also capture moments that are important for them. Fun, joy, feeling of being close to each other and nature. I could not miss that and I would do it at least several time in a year whenever the opportunity presents itself.
I proposed Jillian and Tom that I would be happily to do their engagement session as well since we are in such a beautiful setting and they agreed. Shortly after I found a perfect spots.
Lake Placid Area Destination Engagement Session
Let’s put it this way. Mountains areas – not only – Adirondacks – are not exactly in the centre of the universe and have some issues connecting with connecting to the world. I’m sure it is seen as an advantage to many – if you want be of the grid but no really – you know what I mean. I’m writing that from point of view of photographer.
Believing I need to do research about the location before going for there for first time I don’t pretend like I know where to go or what I’m doing. Therefore I need connectivity being there. Between the mountains with gorgeous views I still need to pinpoint my location and work on the route – logistics – if you will. Otherwise I would have to carry maps with me.
After numerous attempts on various occasions I have come to the solution that is working for me. That is establish the most probable locations when you have internet connection and set the destinations. No matter what happens you will get there. After that is simple – note the places you like for the photos and move on.
This way Adirondacks had no hidden nooks from me. I could explore all I wanted and put on the map exact places I want to picture Jillian and Tom. When I finally landed back in the Lake Placid hotel, I sent them exact location of our for the next day early morning meeting .
Adirondacks Engagement Adventure
We met in the exact location minutes apart and just few moments after the sunrise. Sun was just an hour away from jumping over the ridges of the mountains in the background. When I take any kind of photos for people – engagement, wedding, family, lifestyle – I like to give them things to do. It might sound simple but it is not. You see most of us are shy in front of the camera.
It is my job to make you comfortable with me being around – obviously. My way of doing that is shifting the focus. Instead of me being the person telling exactly what to do I rather set a stage and let you play the mail role. This way I can take candid and fun photos and you are focused on your thing. Makes sense – right?
I found the most perfect and adventures engagement destination location that I thought would fit Jillian and Tom perfectly. Waterfall. Probably not the most attended by tourists or hikers but that was the point. I wanted to be just for them at this time when we were there. It worked out just great. We were walking across the water, hiking the slopes of the gorge and having fun.
As the time was passing the beautiful glow of light was starting appear over the trees and Adirondack Mountains. The moist air was defusing the rays of light making the whole scenery more three dimensional, more moody but also happy and vibrant. Epic!
Lake Placid Area Photo Locations
While doing research and location scouting I use mainly two tools. One – All trails. It is an app available both on desktop and mobile. The second one is called SunCalc.net
First allows me to see the available options with some photos so I have an idea where I’m headed, second tells me exact position of the sun at certain time of the day – which is crucial from potography standpoint. If you want to do research yourself that is a great start to take matters into your own hands and not completely rely on your engagement photographer choice.
Now – I will not point you the exact locations of where I took the photos. Why? The reason is simple. I strongly believe that engagements session or any kind of photoshoot is a very personal and artistic process. Finding perfect locations and angles is a part of it. It all depends on what you are looking for.
Obviously Adirondack Mountains and Lake Placid area is full of magnificent places. Whatever you are looking for in terms of adventures engagement or wedding photos is there. Just to mention hiking, bike riding, canoeing, climbing, swimming. Even camping is there for you if you want. It really depends on you. Once you decide what your up to I will be more than happy to point you into great photo locations.
Personal Preferences
I would not be myself if I didn’t find more than one location for photos. I quickly learnt that having more backdrops – even if it means few photos – can provide more variety and there for more opportunities for taking different photos.
Therefore my plan was simple. I wanted to have some of the feel of romance and remoteness but also space and beauty of nature on the photos. Waterfall that I scouted ahead was one of the elements. It was no coincidence.
Being just by the road with an easy access but still quite a way from the nearest town seemed like a good choice.
With that said I also had an access to the road that was not trafficked at all early in the morning. Photos in the middle of the road might seem like a dangerous idea and against logic. Believe me it was healthy and calculated risk which paid off at the end.
Adirondack Mountains Lakes
Adirondacks are destination for everything I love – location wise at least. Country of lakes, streams and waterfalls alike. Just a short drive from Lake Placid and right by the road there is a great location for photos.
It is called Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes. Beautiful views! This was our last location this day. I couldn’t wait for the next early morning to be a part of Jillian and Tom’s wedding on Mount Jo.
Stay tuned. It’s coming shortly!
