Karena & Jackson – Fall Engagement Photos at Ault Park in Cincinnati, Ohio

I met Karena and Jackson at Ault Park on a crisp November afternoon — the kind of day that feels like fall’s last hoorah. The trees still held onto pockets of warm color, the rose bushes were somehow still blooming, and the air had that unmistakable end-of-season feeling. It was the perfect backdrop for their engagement photos.

This session was extra special because Jackson planned it as a surprise. Engagement photos weren’t included in their wedding package, and he wanted her to have the full experience. I quietly wondered if Karena would know to dress up since she had no idea what she was walking into — but she showed up effortlessly put together. Seeing her face when she realized why they were meeting me was such a fun moment.

One meaningful detail that shows up throughout their photos is Karena’s bracelet. Each charm tells part of their story, and they’ll be adding more during the wedding events over the next year. Hearing her talk about what each piece means — why she chose it, when they got it — gave the whole session this intimate, layered feeling. It’s those small, personal elements that make documentary-style photography feel so honest.

This wasn’t actually the first time I’d photographed Karena. The first time was last year at her sister’s wedding, where she was the kind of person you instantly remember — warm and genuinely present. Seeing her again for this session felt like picking up a familiar thread in their family story.