Renee & Cheney – A Lakeside Engagement Session

As usual, I had over-packed. I was standing in the Lakeside parking lot trying to decide which camera I should bring with me. I had to bring the digital as a back-up camera, but which film camera should I bring? I knew I would be shooting film, but I just needed to decide how. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Renee and Cheney pull into the parking lot. It was time to go, so I just grabbed one camera and jumped into their car. Renee and Cheney had traveled from across the country for their destination engagement session at Lakeside, and what a perfect location it was. For those unfamiliar, Lakeside is a small vacation community along the Lake Erie shore.

Renee had spent her summers in Lakeside when she was growing up. Her family owned a couple cottages in the community and Lakeside became her summer home. So when we discussed locations for their engagement session, Lakeside was the obvious choice. I always love doing sessions in Lakeside because it’s relaxed and so picturesque. I was also meeting Renee and Cheney for the first time. Being out-of-state clients, they had booked me for their wedding after a brief video conference. However, I think Renee and Cheney were more excited to spend time with each other. Since the end of the school year, they have been living in different states.

The session could not have been more perfect. The weather along the shore was warm, but not to humid. Even the evening sun was casting a warm glow across the shore.

Below are just a few of my personal favorites –

Gotta show a little school pride. Apparently, Wheaton students are know as “Wheaties”.

After changing, Renee asked if her dress looked OK!?! I simply said “don’t let my wife see that, or I will have to buy one”. Her dress was truly smashing.

Above – wandering around the Lakeside neighborhood. Below – time for ice cream. Renee and Cheney were curious why I took a photo of the clock. Now we know.

Above – matching shoes! Below – love in the sunshine.

As the sun approached setting, we headed out on the jetty for some photos by the shore.

Lesson learned – never say to someone who can run the 100 meters in under 12 seconds “let’s run for this photo”. My idea of running and Renee’s idea of running are two entirely different things. To passer’s by I’m sure it looked like a dashing couple running away from a slow guy with a camera. Thankfully, we still got a few nice photos. So, that is all for today. I can’t want for Renee and Cheney’s wedding next year. Definitely check back soon. I will have many more weddings and engagements coming shortly.