A Golden Hour Engagement Session at Valley Forge National Park | Melanie + Thomas | August 23, 2025
As Melanie and Thomas settled into a cozy seated pose beside the National Memorial Arch in King of Prussia, PA, I gently arranged Melanie’s hair for the sweet engagement photo I was about to take. The wind, however, had other plans and swept it away, so I tucked the curl behind one of her ears to keep it in place instead. Her glittery, green earring caught my eye as I did so, and I couldn’t help but compliment it. Instead of the usual “thank you,” she burst out laughing for a moment, then explained her reaction seconds later: “Tom bought me these earrings when we were first dating about eight years ago, and this is the first time I’ve ever worn them!” “You’re kidding?!” I responded. Thomas must have been fashion-forward back in college!
These two made the first request I’ve ever received for Valley Forge National Park in King of Prussia, PA. Knowing how large the park is and that it's well over an hour away, I knew I would need some help and wanted to have a chance to try it out. First, my fantastic PA Area Photographers’ Facebook group provided me with all the information I needed about using this location, including permits, spots, and parking (thank you, everyone!). Then, one of my past wedding clients, now a long-time family portrait client, agreed to have their annual shoot at the park. Shoutout to the Woodcock family! So, I went into Melanie and Thomas’s shoot prepared and excited to meet them and to utilize the space for an engagement photo session.
Like many before them, these two were nervous about posing and unsure of what to do, but they were absolute rock stars, taking my direction more literally than any other clients I’ve ever posed before. I loved working with them, and I think the pictures speak for themselves as to how well they did! Wouldn’t you agree? Scroll down to see a sample of photos from this gorgeous Valley Forge National Park engagement session. What do you think? How did they do? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts and wish them well as they make this last and most sacred commitment to each other.
They will get married at River House at Odettes in New Hope, PA, next July, and I can’t wait to meet all the friends and family I’ve heard so much about. If they're anything like Melanie and Thomas, we're going to have an incredible day!
Mel and Tom, my favorite part of your session was when Melanie instantly agreed to lie down in the grass, and how Tom quickly took off his jacket to use as a blanket so Melanie wouldn’t get grass clippings in her hair. As I mentioned on Saturday, not everyone gets to do that pose, so I was thrilled when you fully committed to it.
Enjoy this special time in your lives. The engagement is one of the shortest chapters of your story. I’m so happy you’ll have these photos to remember it by. The golden light was perfect, just like you two, and I’m absolutely in love with your photos. I hope you are, too! And, because I know how tough it can be to wait, a surprise will be in your inbox later today, so don’t forget to check your email! I can’t wait to see you and photograph you again next July at Odette’s.
Hugs,
Megan
