Nathan and Jynna chose a surprisingly nice winter day for their snowy downtown engagement session. We started in Quarry Hills Park for the cool trees and the beautiful blanket of snow. Lucky for us, the snowstorm passed through the day before so the wind was calm and we got fresh snow. From there, we made a quick pit stop to get a few photos with their dog, Wilson, and then made our way downtown. The parking garage had the perfect view of downtown Rochester. However, being up higher the wind started getting to us and we didn’t last long before we got too cold and moved to our last location under string lights. All the locations made for the most perfect snowy downtown engagement session.

Nate and Jynna are a Tinder success story. And here’s an interesting tidbit, Nate is my cousin! If I know anything about Nate, it’s that he fell in love with Jynna the second he saw her. They had their first date at a rooftop bar 2 and 1/2 years ago, and have been smitten ever since. Jynna is brave for marrying into our family, as the most recent newcomer, she is the current target at family gatherings (pre-covid, so at least she gets a break until that is over). Our grandma actually couldn’t remember Jynna’s name last Christmas and didn’t want to leave her out so her present was addressed as “Nate’s girlfriend.” So that was her name for the rest of that holiday. Jynna is a good sport though, and even tolerates Nate’s teasing too. They’re such a good match and I’m so excited to photograph their wedding in September. I feel like I get a backstage pass to my cousin’s wedding and it makes the day that much more special!

Nate planned the proposal so well, Jynna even knew he had purchased a ring and was still surprised when he proposed. They go to an apple orchard every year, and Jynna’s sister usually tags along and takes photos so when she came this time there weren’t any red flags. Leading up to the proposal, Nate had been trying to throw Jynna off the scent by making little comments about how far off the engagement is and how he wasn’t ready to propose yet. So when Jynna turned around to find Nate on one knee she actually thought he was pranking her! They know someone who had just prank proposed to his girlfriend and with Nate telling Jynna how he wasn’t ready to propose, her first thought was that it was a joke. But then she saw the ring in the box and realized that it was a real proposal and obviously said yes.

For more winter engagement session inspiration, check out this sweet engagement session in downtown Kansas City.