There’s something magical about photographing couples who can laugh through just about anything — and Rose and Ben brought that energy in full force during their engagement session at Lippold Park in Crystal Lake.

From the moment we met up, it was clear: this session was going to be fun. Yes, the wind was absolutely wild — the kind that whips your hair into hilarious shapes and makes you hold onto your hat — but that didn’t stop these two from smiling with every tooth and laughing their way through it all.

As we wandered through the tall grasses and wooded trails of the park, the breeze danced around us, giving every shot a sense of movement and life. And then came the real magic: sunset. The sky lit up with warm golden light that poured through the trees, creating a dreamy glow that seemed straight out of a romance film. With Ben’s arms around Rose and her smile brighter than the sun itself, it was a moment that felt perfectly them — relaxed, radiant, and full of love.

Their chemistry is undeniable. They tease, they twirl, they laugh until their cheeks hurt. And even through gusts of wind and tangled hair, what shone through most was how deeply they enjoy just being together.

I’m already counting down the days until their wedding next August at The Gardens of Woodstock. If this session was any preview, that day is going to be one for the books — full of love, laughter, and (hopefully) slightly less wind 😉

Congratulations, Rose and Ben. You two make joy look effortless.