Evan + Maddi | Chena Lake & North Pole Alehouse Engagement Session
There is something about late fall in Alaska that just feels calm and beautiful. The air has that mix of crisp and cozy, and the light hits everything in a softer way. When I met up with Evan and Maddi at Chena Lake Recreation Area, the colors were fading into gold and brown, but the light still had that perfect glow that makes everything feel warm even when the air is cool.
We started the session with their new pup, Greta. They had just adopted her from the shelter a few weeks earlier, and she had that sweet, high-energy personality that instantly makes you smile. We took a few photos of all three of them together before letting Greta relax in the car so we could focus on just the two of them. Toward the end of the session, we brought her back out for a few more photos, and she did great.
Evan and Maddi crouched down petting their dog Greta during their engagement session at Chena Lake Recreation Area in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Evan and Maddi are one of those couples that make you forget you are even at work. They laughed through most of the session, teasing each other and just enjoying being outside together. Every time I had them look at one another, it felt natural. They did not need much direction because their connection is already so easy and genuine. The way Evan looks at Maddi is the kind of thing you hope to capture every time you pick up a camera.
While we were shooting, I noticed how the light hit Maddi’s ring and stopped to take a few close-ups. It is a beautiful vintage-inspired design that Evan created himself, which makes it even more meaningful. He proposed inside their home before a party they were hosting for their friends, which felt so fitting for them — simple, relaxed, and full of warmth. I have always loved seeing unique rings and hearing the stories behind them, and this one stood out to me even more because my husband designed my ring too. I felt such a sweet connection to that part of their story and the way it reflected back on my own.
After the lake, we headed to North Pole Alehouse, which holds a special place in their story since it is actually where they first met. I love when couples include places that mean something to them because it makes the photos feel even more personal. Inside, the lights were warm, and the energy felt relaxed. They grabbed a drink, played a few rounds of pool, and of course, had to play some darts. Evan is really into darts, and they both have their own nice sets that they got while overseas. It was fun watching them slip right back into the kind of banter that comes so naturally to them.
Maddi and Evan playing pool during their engagement session at North Pole Alehouse in North Pole, Alaska, the place where they first met each other.
The whole day felt like a mix of playfulness and calm. We got to photograph them in the quiet of nature and then in a space filled with life and laughter. It was such a good reflection of who they are together. They have that kind of relationship that feels light but deeply rooted at the same time.
I am so excited to photograph their elopement at Salted Roots in Seward this coming April. They are planning an intimate weekend surrounded by the ocean, the mountains, and the people who mean the most to them. It already feels like it will be one of those celebrations that is simple, intentional, and full of meaning.
Evan and Maddi lying together on a blanket by the water at Chena Lake Recreation Area during their fall engagement session in Fairbanks, Alaska.
If you are planning your own Alaska engagement or elopement, I would love to help you tell your story. Whether you are dreaming of photos in Fairbanks, Chena Lake, or the coast of Seward, I aim to capture the real and meaningful moments that make your story unique.
