Fall Engagement Session at Hiawatha Golf Course

Some couples choose engagement session locations because they look pretty.

Katie and Logan chose theirs because it tells their story.

Golf has been a part of their relationship from the very beginning. They got engaged on a golf course, they’re getting married on a golf course, and naturally, they wanted part of their engagement session to take place on one too. As soon as they told me that, I knew we had to make it happen.

Katie and Logan live in Iowa and found me through Instagram. I am honored that they chose Alyssa Thompson Media to capture both the photography and videography for their wedding day. They also added an engagement film to their package, which meant my associate was able to capture video throughout the session while I focused on creating their photographs.

You can watch Katie & Logan’s engagement film here.

When we first started planning their engagement session, there were a few challenges to work through. We were meeting in the middle, with me driving from Bemidji and them driving from Decorah, Iowa. Since none of us were local to Minneapolis, finding locations that fit their vision required a little extra work.

One of my favorite parts of the planning process is having my couples create a Pinterest board and talk through what they want their session to feel like. Through those conversations, I get a much better understanding of the emotions, scenery, and overall experience they are hoping for.

Katie and Logan knew they wanted three things: A golf course, beautiful fall colors, some fun city photos.

As I researched locations, reached out to local photographers, and spent far too much time on Google Maps, one location kept standing out to me: Hiawatha Golf Course. Thankfully, it checked every box.

What neither Katie nor I expected was just how incredible the fall colors would be. Since their session took place in early November, we were both worried that the trees would already be bare. Instead, Minneapolis looked like it was at peak fall color. Everywhere we turned, there were vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds lighting up the landscape. It honestly felt like we couldn’t have timed it any better.

Golf Engagement Session at Hiawatha Golf Course

The first portion of the session was exactly what every golf-loving couple dreams of. Golf carts. Golf clubs. And lots of laughs.

We spent time creating playful images around the course that reflected their personalities and love for the game. Some couples choose activities simply because they look fun in photos. For Katie and Logan, golf is genuinely part of who they are, which made these images feel even more meaningful.

One of my favorite memories from the entire session happened while we were driving around the course.

At one point, we ended up racing our golf carts.

And for the record, I won.

Sorry, Logan.

After finishing the golf-inspired portion of the session, Katie and Logan changed outfits, and we shifted into a completely different look. One of the things I loved about Hiawatha Golf Course was the variety it offered. Within minutes, we went from manicured fairways to open grassy fields surrounded by colorful trees.

The second part of the session felt relaxed, carefree, and full of movement. We ran through the fields. We laughed. We explored. And most importantly, Katie and Logan simply enjoyed being together. 

Their energy is genuinely unmatched. They are hilarious, fun, kind, and incredibly comfortable around one another. Throughout the entire session, they trusted every idea I suggested and committed fully to the experience. That’s one of the reasons their gallery turned out to be one of my favorites. They weren’t worried about looking perfect. They were focused on having fun.

One of my favorite things to watch was how effortlessly Logan could make Katie laugh. The entire evening was filled with giggles and inside jokes. At the same time, whenever I asked them to lean into a more editorial or romantic pose, they absolutely nailed it.

They are the perfect combination of best friends and future spouses. The kind of couple who can be goofy one second and completely lock in for a magazine-worthy portrait the next.

Night Engagement Session at Saint Anthony Main

As the sun disappeared, we headed to our final location of the evening: Saint Anthony Main. While the golf course and fall fields gave us a natural, outdoorsy feel, Saint Anthony Main offered something completely different: city lights and historic architecture.

I always love ending engagement sessions with a change of scenery when possible because it allows couples to have more variety in their final gallery. By the time we arrived, Katie and Logan were completely comfortable in front of the camera, which allowed us to create some of my favorite images of the night.

The glow of the city lights mixed with the cool November evening created the perfect atmosphere. It felt like the perfect ending to an already incredible session.

Looking back, this engagement session represents everything I love about photographing couples.

It was personal.

It was intentional.

It reflected who Katie and Logan truly are.

From racing golf carts at Hiawatha Golf Course to wandering through colorful fall fields and finishing the evening beneath the lights of Minneapolis, every part of the session told a piece of their story.

Katie and Logan, thank you for trusting me with your engagement photos and film. Your joy, energy, and willingness to fully embrace every moment made this session unforgettable. I cannot wait  for your wedding at Oneota Golf & Country Club in Decorah, Iowa this August and continue documenting the story you are building together.