Run to Him and Make Him Laugh: A UW Arboretum Engagement Session
Sometimes the best direction we give during a UW Arboretum engagement session is the simplest: run to him and try to make him laugh. That’s exactly what happened here, and the frame we got from it ended up being the couple’s favorite image from the entire gallery.
The Prompt That Got the Real Moment
“I think it was when Doug said to run to Austin and try to make him laugh. I like that it was a natural reaction shot and got us to give each other an authentic expression. It suggests the intimacy and bond between us without being too much.” That feedback stopped us in our tracks. It’s exactly the kind of thing we hope couples feel when they look back at their photos.
We don’t pose couples into something stiff. We give direction that sparks something real. Running toward someone you love, trying to crack them up? That’s not a pose. That’s just you two being you two, and it’s where the best frames come from.
The UW Arboretum gave us a gorgeous stage for all of it. Late October light filtering through bare branches, golden grass stretching out behind them. We shot wide to let the landscape breathe, and the contrast between the warm tones and the bare tree overhead gave the whole scene a quiet kind of drama. If you’re looking for a location that feels both wild and intimate, this is one of our favorites in the Madison area.
This is what we mean when we talk about our approach to couples photography. Light direction, a little playfulness, and enough trust between everyone to let the real stuff come through. These two gave us all of that, and honestly, it shows.
When is the best time of year for engagement photos at the UW Arboretum?
Fall is stunning for the golden tones and open canopy, but the Arboretum works beautifully in every season. We love late afternoon light here, especially from September through early November when the grasses turn warm and the trails feel quieter.
How do you help couples feel natural during an engagement session?
We use playful prompts and real direction instead of rigid posing. Things like “run to them and try to make them laugh” spark genuine reactions that feel like you. That’s always going to look better than standing still and saying cheese.
