Photo by Matthew Rigby Photography

LOCATION INFORMATION AND TIPS FOR WINTER PHOTO SESSIONS

A magical setting in the hudson valley for engagement photos


I was ecstatic and excited when Tara and Eric mentioned doing their winter engagement session at the scenic Vassar College. Firstly, it made total sense for them, since this was the location where they first exchanged "I love you's." Secondly, I had long seen photos of Vassar and really looked forward to the opportunity to explore the beautiful campus.


Just a few minutes from downtown Poughkeepsie, it is set in a scenic and quiet part of town. Its campus feels almost like a world of its own, with incredible architecture in every building around its campus green. We started at the main gate and found the most amazing door underneath vaulted archways and ceilings. Then, we walked out into the green, through the middle of the lawn and back to the library. The library doors and facade were gorgeous, and we could see stained glass windows through the front door. Unfortunately the library is only open to cardholders (students and faculty) on Saturdays, but I would love to take portraits inside the library during a future session, it is a gorgeous building.


Walking around campus, hearing more of Tara and Eric's story, we were able to get to know each other in a relaxed way. The two of them gel so naturally that I was really just there to document how they interact. Of course, I did pose them in front of some of the doors, but they quickly let prompts evolve into natural interactions. It was a ton of fun, and a great way to get to know each other before their fall wedding day.


Of course, it was also 25 degrees Fahrenheit and despite the hand warmers and toe warmers that I brought for everyone we were starting to feel the cold, so we started to look for a place to warm up. On the way into the main campus building I spied a cute bench where we did a few more photos.

Two people stand beneath an ornate stone archway with Gothic vaulted ceilings and hanging lantern at a historic building entrance.
A couple shares an intimate moment under a stone archway with hanging lanterns in a Gothic university corridor.
A couple embraces intimately in front of an ornate wooden Gothic door with arched windows at dusk.
A couple in winter coats poses separately in front of an ornate wooden door during a portrait session.
A couple shares an intimate moment under a stone archway on a snowy university campus with Gothic architecture.
A couple shares a romantic moment while standing in the snow outside a historic brick building with dormers.
A couple shares a romantic winter moment in front of a historic brick building with snow on the ground.
A couple stands on a snowy path in front of a historic brick building during winter.
A joyful couple holds hands and laughs together in front of a Gothic stone tower on a winter day.
Two people embrace while standing in front of a Gothic-style university building on a winter day with snow on the ground.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

Indoor locations, the final walk around campus, and important tips


I had arrived to Vassar about 30 minutes before the engagement session and had scouted out some indoor locations (and the bathroom!) to do some creative off camera flash portraits. There was a cool metal cutout that I envisioned using with some colored gels (from MagMod), and an awesome glass door with flying bird silhouettes and the Vassar logo. There was also a cool common area with old brick walls, which gave me Amsterdam vibes. In truth, the whole campus made me feel like I had fallen asleep and woken up in Europe, but the brick walls in the common area brought back serious flashbacks to my trip to Amsterdam last year with my wife, and were bathed in the most beautiful light from a skylight above.


After warming up inside and taking photos at these few locations, we geared back up and headed outside for some final portraits in front of a few buildings we hadn't visited, on our way out to our cars. This being Super Bowl Sunday, we swapped stories about what we were going to do with the rest of the weekend, and I told them about the Buffalo Cauliflower dip that I was going to make (and that they ended up making as well!). It ended up being such a perfect and enjoyable day hanging out with Tara and Eric, and I will definitely be back to Vassar soon to explore on my own and take more pictures!


Pro tips for winter engagement sessions:

  • Wear multiple thin layers that you could take off or put back on easily
  • Wear comfortable but warm and possibly water resistant shoes
  • Bring gloves, hand warmers and/or toe warmers
  • Bring a bag to carry layers, hats, gloves
  • Have an indoor location for some photos, or a place to at least warm up
  • Check the weather multiple times leading up to your photoshoot
  • Have fun :)
Two people laughing together against a dark background with blue spiral lighting effect.
A couple shares an intimate moment against a dramatic blue spiral background.
Black and white romantic portrait of two people sharing an intimate moment against a dark circular background.
Couple sharing an intimate moment against a vibrant blue spiral backdrop in dramatic lighting.
Couple sharing a joyful moment laughing together against a rustic brick wall exterior.
A couple shares an intimate moment outside a brick building with an illuminated doorway.
A couple embraces against a vintage brick wall with arched windows in dramatic black and white photography.
Silhouetted couple in an intimate moment on a porch with trees in the background.
A romantic winter kiss between a couple wearing plaid flannel and white sweater on a rustic porch.
A couple shares an intimate moment together in a rustic doorway with autumn scenery in the background.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography