Fall Engagement at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens feels like stepping back in time. The grand estate and its lush gardens hold a quiet magic, especially in the fall. That’s where I photographed Marise and Philo on a crisp autumn day, just as the leaves were past their peak but still hanging on to their color. The light was soft and golden, filtering through the trees, and the air carried that gentle chill that reminds you autumn won’t last forever.

My aim was to let their connection shine through without forcing it. A little guidance here and there, but mostly letting them be who they are.

The gardens gave us plenty to work with. The winding paths, the stone archways, the ivy-covered walls. Philo wrapped his arms around Marise, and she leaned into him, her laughter filling the quiet. Those are the moments you hope for as a photographer—when the couple forgets the camera is there and all that’s left is the two of them.

We moved through the estate slowly, stopping when the setting called for it. The Great Meadow, with its open space and golden light, gave us a chance to play with movement.

Stan Hywet is one of Ohio’s treasures, not just for weddings and engagements but for anyone who wants to feel the weight of history and the beauty of nature in the same breath. For engagement photography, it’s perfect. The mix of architecture and gardens, of open spaces and quiet corners, gives every couple a chance to find something that feels like theirs.

As the sun dipped lower, we ended near the Birch Tree Allée. The trees stood tall, their leaves scattered on the ground like a golden carpet. Marise and Philo walked hand in hand, the moment both timeless and fleeting. That’s what Stan Hywet gives you—memories that feel like they’ve been there forever.

This session wasn’t about perfect poses or grand gestures. It was about capturing who Marise and Philo are—two people in love, walking through the changing season, holding on to the warmth of each other. Their wedding is on the horizon, and if it’s anything like this day, it’ll be something to remember.