A Golden Hour Engagement Session at Tunnel Springs Park | Utah Engagement Photographer
ESTIMATED READ TIME: 7 MINUTES
Getting to photograph this couple twice in just a few months has been such a gift. If you missed it, I had the honor of capturing their surprise proposal back in Fall 2025, and the way Jared pulled it off during their annual fall leaves drive was everything.
Shortly after that unforgettable day, they reached back out to book a full wedding photography package, so these Utah engagement photos were the next step in their journey with me. I’m excited for their upcoming bridal session and Fall 2026 wedding day. But first, let’s talk about this golden hour session at Tunnel Springs Park, because the photos are so good.
Why Tunnel Springs Park Is One of the Best Locations for Utah Engagement Photos
When it comes to finding the perfect backdrop for Utah engagement photography, Tunnel Springs Park in North Salt Lake consistently delivers. Situated in Davis County just outside Salt Lake City, it offers rolling hills, sweeping ridgelines, and iconic pampas grass fields that photograph beautifully, especially in the warm, low light of golden hour. The variety of textures and open sky means we can capture a wide range of looks in a single shoot, from soft romantic portraits to more dynamic movement-based photos.
That said, if you’re a photographer reading this: come early. When I arrived for this session, the park was packed. Dozens of photographers and their clients filled the space, including seniors, bridals, and family sessions. It’s a popular location for good reason, but you’ll need to be strategic. We claimed a stretch along the ridgeline and made it our own, and the light there was worth every bit of the hustle.
Utah offers so many incredible locations for engagement photos beyond Tunnel Springs, including mountain settings in Provo Canyon, desert landscapes near Moab, the white sand flats along the Great Salt Lake, and even vibrant Salt Lake City cityscapes. Part of my job as a Utah engagement photographer is helping couples find a location that actually feels like them, whether that’s a sweeping southern Utah landscape or a cozy neighborhood in Davis County.
Engagement Session
Starting at $325
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 50+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable retainer to book
- Remainder due 2 days before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
Coordinated Outfits Done Right
One of the first things I noticed when this couple arrived was how effortlessly put-together their style was for both looks. Aubrey wore two different dresses throughout the session, and Jared coordinated each look with a complementary tee and jeans. Nothing too matchy-matchy, but everything cohesive and intentional in the best way.
Outfit coordination is something I always encourage couples to think carefully about when planning their engagement photos. The colors they chose worked beautifully with the warm tones of the golden hour light, and the relaxed-but-styled vibe fit their personalities perfectly.
Choosing outfits that reflect your personality and style is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your engagement photo session. It can impact the overall feel of the photos and how comfortable and authentic you feel in front of the camera.
Coordinated Furry Friend
This couple brought their pup along for the session, and in true coordinated fashion, their dog had a matching bandana for each outfit change. If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about this couple, I don’t know what will.
Including your pet in your engagement photos is something I absolutely love helping couples plan. Here’s my go-to advice for making it go smoothly:
Give me a heads up beforehand. I’ll always confirm the location is pet-friendly before your session so there are no surprises on the day.
Bring a helper. Having a friend or family member there to wrangle your pup for the poses where they aren’t included makes a huge difference in keeping the session flowing and capturing those best moments with just the two of you.
Or bring a leash stake. If you can’t bring someone along, a leash stake is a great way to keep your dog secure and settled between shots.
Know your dog’s motivation. Treats work great for food-motivated dogs; a favorite toy works better for others. Bring whichever one gets their attention so we can capture those natural, genuine expressions.
Their dog was an absolute natural in front of the camera. Honestly, when you’re wearing a coordinated bandana, you just know you look good.
Movement, Pampas Grass, and a Dip That Delivered
After working the ridgeline, we moved over to the pampas grass for some of my favorite frames of the entire session. There’s something so dynamic about shooting in that environment. The tall grasses move with the breeze, which naturally lends itself to more movement-based photos that feel alive and full of energy.
Jared fully committed to the moment. He did lifts, dips, and spins throughout the session. Those are the kinds of engagement pictures that end up at the top of your wedding website, framed on a wall, screenshot-and-shared-immediately photos. Pure joy, and one of the best moments of the entire gallery.
As a Utah engagement photographer, one of my goals is always to create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages couples to interact naturally. Posed or candid, the best photos happen when you forget the camera is there.
The Outfit Change, Soft Light, and the Final Golden Minutes
After the pampas grass, the couple changed into their second look and we moved into a series of more relaxed, posed shots before heading back toward the rolling hills. By the time we wrapped up that portion of the session, the sun had shifted into this perfect soft, fully diffused position.
We used those final minutes to let them just be together. Frolicking, laughing, walking hand-in-hand through the open field. No forced poses. Just two people who are genuinely excited about their future, and a camera pointed in their direction. It’s honestly my favorite way to close out a session.
The photos from those last few minutes are some of the softest, most romantic in the entire gallery. Beautiful diffused light, a couple completely relaxed and in their element, and engagement photos that feel like real memories rather than a staged shoot.
\What to Expect from Your Utah Engagement Session
I want couples to feel like they’re spending time with a friend, not performing for a camera. My approach blends posed and candid portraits to reflect your personalities authentically, with editing consistency across the full gallery so every photo feels cohesive. Whether your style is bright and airy or warm and moody, I tailor the session to match your aesthetic and the natural light we have to work with.
Utah’s diverse landscapes also require real geographic knowledge. Managing high contrast desert sunlight, positioning couples on a ridgeline for the best golden hour angles, knowing when a location will be accessible and how crowded it gets, all of that is part of the job. You shouldn’t have to think about any of it. That’s what I’m here for.
Preparing for your session can feel a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Discussing the plan with your partner beforehand, reviewing examples of engagement photos you love, thinking through your outfits, and knowing that optimal light conditions like golden hour or sunset will be built into our schedule are all things that help. I walk every couple through the process before we ever pick up a camera so you feel present and comfortable when the day arrives.
Looking Ahead: Bridal Session and October 2026 Wedding Day
I am so genuinely excited for everything still ahead with this couple. A bridal session later this year, and then their October 2026 wedding day: fall light, fall colors, and a couple who already knows how to work with a camera. It’s going to be incredible.
Sessions like this one are exactly why I love being a Utah wedding photographer. Being trusted for an entire chapter of someone’s story, the proposal, the engagement photos, the wedding day coverage, is something I never take for granted. Jared and Aubrey, thank you for welcoming me into yours. Photographing your love story has been one of the great joys of my year.
Ready to Book Your Utah Engagement Photographer?
If you’re newly engaged and looking for a Utah engagement photographer who will show up prepared, help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and deliver photos you’ll genuinely love, I’d love to connect.
Whether you’re based in Salt Lake City, Davis County, or anywhere across northern Utah (and yes, I photograph elopements and couples in southern Utah and Moab too), I book sessions throughout the state and love finding locations that feel personal and meaningful to each couple.
I also offer full wedding photographer packages that include your engagement session, bridal session, and wedding day coverage, so you work with the same photographer every step of the way. Reach out today to book your engagement session or full wedding package in Utah!
