A Penn State Couple’s Engagement Session in State College, PA | Gina + Alex | March 21, 2026
It had been ten years since Gina and Alex had been together at Penn State. It was the perfect spot for their engagement photos since it was where they first met. Luckily for me, this location also meant I got to have lunch at the Allen Street Cafe with my son, Andrew, a senior this year, before their session. After a good, long talk, delicious food, and some encouraging words to my oldest child, I walked across the street to meet Gina and Alex on College Street, right in front of Old Main. As I took a spot on the wall to people-watch while I waited, I wondered if I would have trouble spotting them in the crowd streaming by. Just as that thought escaped my mind, I looked to my left and saw a couple walking toward me that could only be them. They turned heads as they walked, dressed sharply in black and white, Gina’s beautiful curly hair bouncing as she stepped with her welcoming smile on display for everyone to see.
I waved high above my head and gathered my cameras to meet them. Giving Gina a big hug, I greeted her with, “It’s your turn!” You see, Gina has been watching on the sidelines as I photographed her cousins and extended family for years! The first was a bridesmaid in a wedding in 2018! And, I’ve since photographed that cousin’s wedding and another’s! I was so excited for Gina to be the center of attention with her handsome fiancé, Alex, this time.
We had a wonderful time downtown in State College, in their formal outfits. Old Main provided the perfect backdrop. And the weather? Oh my word. It was perfection!
Next stop was the creamery—or so we thought. Driving past to park in the East Deck, we saw the line for ice cream was way too long to wait, with the sunset teasing us in the distance. Clouds were forming, and it looked like we might lose the light earlier than I had planned. Gina and Alex made a smart choice by skipping it and heading straight to the Arboretum.
Some flowers were about to bloom, but on this day, their love and laughter were the real secret ingredients to their gorgeous photos. They laughed, played, and stayed fully in the moment. Since they had driven three hours to get there, they were surprisingly easygoing about the spots I picked for their photos. After seeing so many of her family members’ pictures year after year, Gina trusted me completely, which is exactly where I thrive.
Gina and Alex will marry in May 2027 at Historic Acres of Hershey, and I can’t wait to see them again and celebrate with their families. There will be lots of hugs! Until then, I have many beautiful photos from this shoot for them to enjoy. Scroll down to see a few highlights from Gina and Alex’s State College engagement session.
Gina and Alex, I’m so glad you managed to turn your engagement shoot into a mini trip. It sounds like you had an amazing college experience. I bet it was fun to revisit your old favorite spots. We really lucked out with the weather too! I hope you love this small sample of photos from your engagement shoot. And because I know how hard it is to wait, there will be a surprise in your inbox later today. So, don’t forget to check it!
Hugs,
Megan
