Historic Downtown Burlington Engagement

Spring has finally arrived in Iowa! After a month off after giving birth to Rowan, I’ve been itching to get back outside to enjoy the weather and photograph some amazing people! For my first session since his birth I traveled down to Burlington, Iowa to hang out with two of the best! Let me tell you, it was time well spent!

I first met Hayley last September when I photographed Brian and Amanda’s  wedding in Burlington. She was not only one of the lovely bridesmaids, but also Brian’s sister! During family portraits I took a few shots of Hayley, Joe and their daughter, but didn’t get a chance to talk to them in much depth. A few months after the wedding Hayley contacted me to say she and Joe had gotten engaged!! My heart fluttered with excitement! The three of us met and had an actual conversation over coffee. It warmed my heart to hear their story and see first-hand the love that they share for each other. Thirty minutes into our conversation and it was settled: I get to photograph weddings for a brother and sister in back-to-back years!

For their engagement session, Hayley and Joe wanted to highlight some of the prettiest places Burlington has to offer. First on our agenda was Burlington’s beautiful Cascade Bridge. The old faded green bridge stretches across a huge ravine with an incredible view. It’s been closed to traffic for years and now serves as a pedestrian walkway. No one else was around though, so we got to enjoy the view and had the whole bridge to ourselves!

After leaving the park, we took a short drive through old brick streets filled with historic Burlington homes. We arrived at our destination and were met with another gorgeous view overlooking the Mississippi River. It was a tad bit windy, but the view was worth it a thousand times over! Our last stop—a particular favorite for the couple—took us to one of Burlington’s most famous landmarks: Snake Alley (sounds like something straight out of Harry Potter!). This particular street (cars can still use it!) has all the character and charm you could ever want. The angled bricks and steep slope made standing on the street a little difficult, but these two made it look so easy!

Joe and Hayley, thank you for entrusting me with your beautiful memories! I’m honored to capture not just one, but now two of the most beautiful days for your family. I can’t wait to celebrate with you all again this year at your wedding!