I’ve known both Bailey and Kyler for a very long time, and when they first started dating about four years ago, we began a tradition of taking fall photos every year. Each session is something we look forward to—we always try to switch things up with a new location, a fun theme, or something especially meaningful to them.
This year, Bailey and Kyler wanted to incorporate Kyler’s grandpa’s old truck into their session, which I absolutely loved. Of course, there were a few obstacles to work around—no gravel roads and staying relatively close to home (because there’s no air conditioning, lol!). After some planning, we landed on McCloud Nature Park in North Salem, Indiana, and it turned out to be the perfect choice.
I scouted the park beforehand and quickly realized it would take multiple visits just to see everything it had to offer. McCloud Nature Park is quiet, beautiful, and perfect if you’re looking for a location that gives off a peaceful, country feel in your photos.
Some of our photos were taken in the prairie field, which gave us gorgeous tall grass and a walking path cut right through it—perfect for adding variety. The light hit the grass just right, making everything glow with a warm, golden tone. We also explored some of the wooded areas, which added even more diversity to their gallery. The only downside to this park is that you’ll want to allow extra time, as it does take a bit of walking to get to all the different photo spots.
For the truck shots, Bailey wanted a mix of creative images along with a picnic setup to help prompt natural moments—and it was such a great idea. The picnic brought a completely different vibe to the session and added even more depth and variety to their photos.
I also loved how their outfits came together. Nothing overly fancy, but the colors complemented each other so beautifully and fit the overall feel of the session perfectly.
