A couple weekends ago Matt and I met up with Liz and Brian at Valley Forge Park, just outside Philadelphia for their engagement photos. It was our first time doing portraits there and it was hard to narrow down where to begin! Between the stone houses, wooden fences, rolling grassy hills, tall old trees and curvy jogging paths, Matt and I were brimming with ideas after our first loop around the park. We decided to base our shoot around Varnum's Quarters since it had a little bit of everything, plus some very bold deer grazing nearby. Add in the fact that sun had finally decided to show itself an hour before sunset on a cloud-covered day and the brightly-colored balloons that Liz and Brian brought along and it was pretty much perfect.

Couple kisses while holding colorful balloons with cloudy blue sky behind them

We were loving these deer. They didn't seem to mind how close we were at all. In fact, they kept grazing their way towards us until we changed locations.

Sitting in the grass at Valley Forge Park with one red balloon and deer grazing in background Couple walking through Valley Forge Park Couple kisses against stone house in Valley Forge Park near Philadelphia

Balloons are such a fun prop, and they can really add a sense of playfulness to an engagement shoot. I love the way that they add a pop of bright colors against all the soft natural greens, browns and yellows of the background. Colorfull balloons contrast against greenery at Valley Forge Park in Valley Forge, PA Two images of a couple holdeing hands, against a white sky and against a blue sky at sunset

Thanks Liz and Brian for suggesting Valley Forge Park! You guys are so much fun and we can't wait for your April wedding in Ocean City, NJ!