Brooke & Chris' Ash Cave Engagement Session
The most memorable sessions aren't always the ones that go exactly to plan. They are the ones that happen when you lean into the unexpected. Brooke and Chris’ morning required trust to navigate a last-minute location pivot, but the reward was a rare phenomenon—the kind of dramatic, ethereal light at Ash Cave that I haven't seen once in over a decade of photographing the location.
I Do Love a Good Surprise, But...
This story began when Chris reached out to plan a surprise proposal. He initially wanted me to photograph the moment from the woods outside their private cabin. While I love a good surprise, I have rules about photographing in private spaces.
Limited Lurking at Elizabeth Nihiser Photography
Hiding in the trees near a private space feels intrusive, and I never want a client's memory of their proposal to be tainted by a feeling of violated privacy. I wanted Brooke to look back on her engagement with pure joy, not the realization that a photographer was lurking nearby.
We Came Up with a Different Plan
After we discussed it, Chris decided to propose privately at the cabin so they could experience the moment just for themselves. And then we would meet the next morning for engagement photos.
But Then We Pivoted
Since Chris was shy about going to one of the busy, main park locations for his session, I recommended a hidden gem. It’s a spot that requires special permission from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). I checked in a few days before the session, and we discussed the weather ahead of time. Light rain was expected, but not at our session time so we decided to keep our original plan. But as we stood at the trailhead, the sky looked ominous. A fast-moving cluster of rain clouds was heading straight for us.
While I love the mood of a misty forest, I wasn’t confident I could photograph a full gallery before we were completely rained out at that location. I checked in with Brooke and Chris, and their response was the best three words a photographer can hear: "We trust you."
I followed my gut and suggested a pivot to Ash Cave. Its large overhang provides a built-in shelter, making it the safest bet during unpredictable Hocking Hills weather.
As we drove, the thunderstorm hit. By the time we made it to Ash Cave, the sky began to break. What happened next was a lovely gift from the universe.
Nature Approved 🎉
I have visited Ash Cave hundreds (maybe over a thousand??) of times over the course of 35 years, but I have never seen light like this. As the rain cleared, massive, dramatic light rays pierced the rim of the cave. It was as if Mother Nature was celebrating their engagement.
