Springfield, IL Engagement Photos: Linzie & Griffin’s Sneak Peek at Southwind Park and Horace Mann

Some love stories start with a nervous first date. Linzie and Griffin’s did too, and it ended with a proposal outside a haunted house at almost 3 in the morning. I’ve been so excited to share this one.

These two matched on Hinge, and their first date was at Southwind Park right here in Springfield. Linzie will tell you she was such a nervous wreck that she couldn’t pronounce any of her words right. Griffin was sweet and funny, and that was pretty much that. Before long they were spending almost every day together, and on the nights they couldn’t, they’d hop on a video chat and play video games.

Now for the proposal. Linzie has been part of the Boo Crew Haunted House in Mechanicsburg for five years, and she talked Griffin into joining the crew. On the very first night of the season, his first time ever scaring people, he decided that was the perfect moment. Picture it: almost 3 AM, the two of them outside the haunted house, and Linzie’s brushing her teeth trying to get the black teeth paint off. Griffin takes the toothbrush, finishes brushing her teeth for her, and then gets down on one knee. She said yes, of course, and then ran straight back inside yelling “HE JUST PROPOSED!” to all her haunt friends. I honestly can’t think of a more perfectly them way to do it.

Since then they’ve made Springfield home with their two cats, and in Linzie’s words, they’re living life one laugh at a time.

A Session That Felt Like Them

When Linzie filled out her planning questionnaire, she picked “fun” and “awkward” for the vibe. And we’re talking cheesy, goofy, Sears-style awkward. When I asked about a place that feels like home, her answer was just being on the couch together, talking and watching TV. That told me everything I needed to know. These two have a great sense of humor and don’t take themselves too seriously, so I wanted their session to feel less like a handful of traditional engagement photos and more like a little editorial about the two of them.

We spent the afternoon of Monday, September 21st together, starting in the studio and working through careful compositions and a few unique lighting setups before we headed out to have some fun.

Back Where It All Started: Southwind Park

Our first stop had to be Southwind Park, where Linzie and Griffin had their very first date. There’s something special about bringing a couple back to the place their story began. We climbed up on the big boulders, tucked into the gardens, wandered up the ramp of the park’s treehouse and found the flower beds in front of the Selvaggio Arches. Then Linzie changed into a flowy light blue dress, and we found a patch of tall grasses and golden blooms glowing in that late-September light. Watching them walk those same paths together, this time with a ring on her finger, was such a sweet moment.

We even made a quick stop at Malibu Jack’s so these two could let their playful, competitive side out. For a couple who spent their early days playing video games together over video chat, it felt like the perfect fit.

A Little Downtown Magic at Horace Mann

For the last part of the day, we headed to Horace Mann, where the rock garden under the trees gave us some gorgeous, natural frames. Then we got a little creative downtown with a motion blur shot on the sidewalk and one of my favorites, the two of them looking up at me from between the concrete walls.

This is just a sneak peek. Their full gallery is on the way, and I can’t wait for them to see the rest.

Linzie and Griffin, thank you for being up for anything and for trusting us with your story. It was such a pleasure spending the afternoon with you both.

If you’re planning an engagement session in Springfield, Champaign or anywhere in Central Illinois, I’d love to hear your story. Reach out here and let’s start planning.