Annie + Brandon's Dreamy Hilltop Arboretum Engagement Session | Baton Rouge Engagement Photographer

Some engagement sessions feel like a photoshoot. Annie and Brandon's felt like a summer evening walk with two people who can't stop making each other laugh. We spent the session wandering through LSU Hilltop Arboretum, and I love how these turned out. Light, airy, full of greenery and full of joy. It's the kind of session that reminds me why I love being a Baton Rouge engagement photographer.

All-White Engagement Outfits

Annie and Brandon both wore white, and it was a great choice. Annie wore a romantic white blouse with puffed, ruffled sleeves and a long, flowy tiered skirt. Brandon kept it relaxed in a crisp white button-down and light-wash jeans. Against all the green at Hilltop, the soft neutrals gave the gallery a timeless, airy feel. If you're planning engagement photos in Baton Rouge and want something classic that won't feel dated in ten years, coordinated whites or creams are hard to beat.

Starting at the Pavilion

We started on the open lawn near the Hilltop pavilion, framed by the sweeping branches of a big old oak. It's one of my favorite spots at the arboretum because it feels so Louisiana. This is also where we got the ring close-ups: Annie's hand resting on Brandon's shoulder, their fingers laced together, and a few soft, almost-kisses in between.

Laughing Through the Wildflower Meadow

Next we headed into the meadow, and this is where these two came alive. Tall grasses, yellow wildflowers and a winding mowed path made the perfect setting for walking hand in hand, spinning and a few dramatic dips. Annie has one of those full-body laughs that makes you smile, and Brandon was clearly trying to bring it out of her every chance he got. Some of my favorite frames from the session are Annie with her head thrown back laughing while Brandon holds her close.

And I have to mention the tiny bug that landed on Brandon's hand. Instead of swatting it away, Annie leaned in and pretended to eat it, and yes, I got the shot. It sums up these two: sweet, playful, and not taking themselves too seriously. That's my favorite kind of couple to photograph.

Quiet Moments Under the Trees

As we slowed down, we found spots under the canopy where the light filtered through the leaves. Brandon wrapped Annie up from behind, they rested forehead to forehead, and we got a few close, cheek-to-cheek portraits. There's also a black-and-white close-up of just their eyes side by side that I can't stop looking at.

Palmettos and Gravel Paths

We finished on one of the arboretum's winding gravel paths, lined with palmettos, tall grasses and trailing branches. It's a lush, almost tropical corner of Hilltop and one of the best spots for those walking-toward-the-camera shots.

Why Hilltop Arboretum Is Perfect for Baton Rouge Engagement Photos

LSU Hilltop Arboretum sits on 14 acres off Highland Road. Emory Smith and his wife started the gardens in 1929 and later donated them to LSU. They designed the grounds like a house, with grassy clearings as the rooms and trees, shrubs and bamboo as the walls. That's exactly why it works so well for engagement sessions. In one session, Annie and Brandon got a classic pavilion and oak backdrop, a wildflower meadow, shady tree-lined corners and a lush palmetto path, all without getting back in the car.

Annie + Brandon, Congratulations!

As a Baton Rouge wedding photographer, I love doing an engagement session with my couples before the big day. It gives us a chance to get comfortable together, so on the wedding day you already know what it's like in front of my camera and can just enjoy it.

Annie and Brandon, thank you for being so fun and for laughing through all the Louisiana humidity. I'm so happy for you two!

Looking for a Baton Rouge Engagement Photographer?

If you're newly engaged and looking for a Baton Rouge photographer who'll help you relax and have fun in front of the camera, I'd love to meet you. I photograph engagement sessions and weddings all over Baton Rouge and south Louisiana, from Hilltop Arboretum to downtown, the LSU campus and beyond.