Taylor & Brian's Windy Summer Engagement Session at Popson Park
Lethbridge Engagement Photographer
When couples are willing to drive hours for their engagement session, it always means so much to me. Taylor and Brian made the trip from Calgary to Lethbridge for their summer engagement session at Popson Park, and despite some incredibly strong southern Alberta winds, we had an amazing afternoon exploring one of my favourite locations in the city.
As a wedding photographer, engagement sessions are about so much more than simply creating beautiful photos. They give us the opportunity to get to know each other before the wedding day, build trust, and help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera. By the time the wedding arrives, we're no longer strangers—we've already spent time together, practiced posing and prompts, and figured out what feels natural for each couple.
That's exactly why, beginning in 2026, I include a complimentary engagement session with every wedding booking.
For Taylor and Brian, this session was the perfect opportunity to slow down, spend some time together, and get a feel for what their wedding photography experience would be like. From the moment we met, they were relaxed, easygoing, and excited to embrace whatever the afternoon brought. I love when couples are open to trying new ideas and we jumped straight in.
With gusts reaching nearly 60 km/h, most people might have been planning on rescheduling. Instead, Taylor and Brian leaned into the conditions and trusted the process. The result was some truly stunning movement throughout their gallery. Taylor's flowing dress caught the wind beautifully, creating dramatic, romantic images that simply wouldn't have been possible on a calm evening.
I often remind couples (and myself) Lethbridge is one of the windiest cities in Canada (and maybe even the world), so do not be surprised to see a wind symbol on your weather app. My recommendation for extremely windy days is to have a hair style that can withstand gusts – either half up, half down, a ponytail or even a bun – depending on the look you are going for. Securing your hair ensures that even in windy conditions, you won’t be wearing a hair mask for our session, and we are still able to get incredible shots and lean into the dramatic movement that Lethbridge wind adds to our session.
Popson Park provided the perfect setting for their session. One of the reasons I love photographing here is the incredible variety of landscapes packed into one location. Throughout the evening, we explored the rolling coulees, open grassy fields, and river bottom trails, each offering a completely different backdrop while still showcasing the unique beauty of southern Alberta.
As we wandered through the park, we worked through a variety of prompts and poses that would help them feel confident, prepared and comfortable on their wedding day. By the end of the session, any nerves had completely disappeared, and the focus shifted entirely to enjoying the moment together.
Some of my favourite images came from the simplest moments—walking hand in hand through the fields, laughing between prompts, and embracing the windy conditions that made the afternoon feel uniquely their own.
Engagement sessions are often overlooked as simply another item on a wedding photography checklist, but they are one of the most valuable parts of the entire experience. They allow couples to become comfortable being photographed, learn how I work, and create beautiful memories together before the wedding day even arrives. I often book engagement sessions for mid afternoon, so couples get to sample photographs being taken during the same hour that their couples/family or ceremony images will take place. This helps couples set realistic expectations for shadows and harsh lighting conditions in certain situations. I am comfortable photographing in any light and lean into the challenge of perfecting portraits during what most photographers deem the worst light hours of the day.
Next up, the wedding day!
xx Allie