Ha Ha Tonka State Park Engagement Session

From Jaimie

A Ha Ha Tonka State Park Engagement Session has been on my wishlist for awhile. Every time I saw photos of the castle ruins, I was in awe. It was a special place for Erica and DJ, so naturally, they wanted to use the castle ruins as a background for their engagement photos.

I got to the park a little early, so I could check out the castle ruins and the area around it beforehand… but I don’t think you can comprehend how saddened and upset I was when I saw that it was all fenced off with warning / danger signs.

It’s not like Ha Ha Tonka is a hop, skip, and a jump away, either. It’s a good 2.5 hour drive from STL. And it was a typical, steamy Missouri day, too. But Erica and DJ rolled with it, and we discovered some less well-known but still gorgeous spots in the park.

My stylist, Angela Moore, knocked it out of the park as usual! If the thought of choosing clothes for a photo session is at all overwhelming, I highly recommend adding on styling services!

Names

Erica Easton & DJ Conwell

Tell me where and when you first met?

We casually knew each other for quite a few years and truly met one another while working together in 2008.

How did you choose your session location? Did the location have any significance to you?

DJ and I love being outdoors and to scout out walking/hiking spaces in Missouri. When we first began dating, DJ told me about a castle near the Lake of the Ozarks. He had never gone there and I immediately thought it was an awesome hidden gem in the middle of the woods. The location stuck with us for 10 years, and when we decided to have an engagement session, Ha Ha Tonka just felt like the right fit; it mimicked the style of our wedding perfectly.

When did you get engaged?

05/13/2017

What kind of look were you going for in your photos?

We wanted our photos to be outdoor in wooded spaces, and candid. It was important to us that the photos weren’t the typical “school photo” pose. Jaimie knew exactly how to capture us!

How did you coordinate or decide on the outfits you wore for your session?

We coordinated outfits through a styling session with Angela Moore – a recommendation from Jaimie. She helped us to find styles that we were both comfortable in and fit the look we were going for. Everything from shoes to jewelry were taken care of and we didn’t have to stress about trying to find complimentary attire.

What are your dreams for the two of you in your marriage? Traveling? Kids? Growing old together? Tell me about them!

Our lives have grown together since 2008, and continue to do so with every conversation, exploration, and laugh along the way. We cherish every moment spent together with our daughter and our two dogs. It is our hope that through our love and friendship our family grows in the future and that we grow old together on a large piece of land surrounded by scenic views and animals.

Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have an engagement session?

I strongly believe that any photo session should be a natural experience. Candid moments that capture small glimpses, smiles, and inside jokes help to bring love to life in a photo. My advice is to be yourself, and to trust your photographer’s technique. They’re the expert and have your best interest in mind. Jaimie was awesome to work with and I’d recommend her to anyone wanting to record a milestone in their life. We aren’t typically people to be in front of the camera, and she knew exactly how to find a way for us to break out of our shells and show our true selves.

And finally, what are you most looking forward to about your wedding day?

Weddings can easily take on a mind of their own. You receive input from everyone you’re around, “helpful” advice, and pressure to add in glitz and glam. On September 1, 2018, I’m most looking forward to two moments. Standing next to DJ and having an intimate moment shared between the two of us as we share our vows with one another. The second is experiencing the day with our daughter. She is at an age where she is beginning to imitate those around her and has to dance when she hears music. I’m excited to see her excited as she waves to family and friends while walking down the aisle and makes her way to the dance floor at the reception.