Allison + Mike’s Adventure Engagement Session at New River Gorge National Park
Permits Needed: NO ENTRANCE FEE required
As adventure wedding photographers based in Northeast Ohio, we were beyond-the-moon excited when Alison and Mike asked to do an adventure engagement session at New River Gorge in West Virginia. New River Gorge follows one of the oldest winding rivers on the continent, and we knew the views would make this National Park engagement session one for the books.
Planning a New River Gorge Adventure Engagement Session
When Allison and Mike reached out, they already knew they wanted to do an adventure session at New River Gorge National Park. From there, Ezra and I got to work planning a laid back itinerary where all they had to do was come along for the ride!
Adventure Engagement Session Planning Checklist for New River Gorge National Park
- First, scout the park on Pinterest and Google maps. We do this for every adventure session (and especially for National Parks and other wilderness areas).
- Scope out all the hidden gem spots and the best trails & photo locations.
- Check the National Park page for any trail or road closures in the park.
- Create the adventure session itinerary from all the Pinterest/Google scouting and research. We keep in mind which spots we think will have the best light during different parts of the day.
- Make sure you have all the right park passes and permits.
- Don’t forget to plan meals or scope out local restaurants!
- Check the weather before your trip so you have all the proper gear. We went in the spring season, so the weather was in the high 60’s low 70’s.
Once the planning and itinerary was complete, we packed up for our 5-hour road trip to West Virginia from Ohio! When couples book an adventure session with us, we take care of all the planning and travel details. So all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. We do all the driving, which meant Allison & Mike could soak up every second New River Gorge had to offer.
Fayette Station Road | Scenic Lookout Engagement Photos
Adventure Accessibility Level – Easy
The lookouts are along the roadside, making them just a couple yards from your car.
As destination photographers, we’re seasoned explorers who love a good road trip, and New River Gorge was a destination that did not disappoint.
We started our session in the late afternoon, taking a scenic drive along Fayette Station Road. The winding road offered stunning views of the gorge and its surrounding landscape – and of course we stopped at a few lookout points to capture some breathtaking shots of Alison and Mike taking it all in.
Beauty Mountain | Engagement Photos + Hammock Cuddles
Adventure Accessibility Level – Easy to Moderate
This is a 1.1 mile trail with moderate inclines
After grabbing lunch at Pies & Pints in Fayetteville, WV (an easy 10 min drive from the park), we made our way over to Beauty Mountain. Here we found a secluded spot to set up a hammock for Alison and Mike to cuddle in and watch the fog move over the gorge. We always love when we can capture our couples doing something they love, and these photos were a sweet expression of Alison and Mike’s adventurous spirits.
Endless Wall Trail + Diamond Point | Golden Hour Photos
Adventure Accessibility Level – Easy to Moderate
This is a moderate 2.4 mile trail.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we made our way to the Endless Wall Trail, one of the most iconic hiking trails in New River Gorge National Park. The trail winds along the edge of the gorge, offering breathtaking views of the river below. We made our way to Diamond Point where we were able to capture golden hour illuminating Alison and Mike’s faces. Moments like these where the couple is simply enjoying the journey + the land is radiating its natural magic – these are the moments we love to document as destination photographers.
Long Point Trail | Sunrise Engagement Photos
Adventure Accessibility Level – Moderate
Most of the trail is a slow descent, but does have a steep section right before reaching the point.
As night approached, we parted ways for the evening, but made plans to meet up the next morning for a sunrise hike on the Long Point Trail, known for its gorge-ous (couldn’t resist!) panoramic views.
We met early the next morning before sunrise and hiked to the top of the trail. The early morning light cast a warm glow over the landscape, and once again made for some incredible shots of Alison and Mike surrounded by the stunning scenery.
As adventure photographers based in Cleveland, Ohio, Ezra and I are always up to travel beyond state (and country) lines for our couples. We love exploring National Parks and taking advantage of the organic beauty they offer for couples photography and engagement sessions.
From the Station Road scenic drive to hiking Endless Wall Trail and Long Point Trail, our adventure engagement sessions are all about the journey. We’re still pinching ourselves that Alison and Mike trusted us to capture every wondrous & wild second. We can’t wait to see what their futures hold next.
A NOTE FROM THE ADVENTUROUS COUPLE
“Emma and Ezra are an amazing couple, and even better photographers! Not only did they drive from Cleveland, OH to New River Gorge, WV for an adventure engagement session, but they also spent an entire day and early sunrise driving and hiking with us to take the most beautiful photos. Emma is a born natural when it comes to photography and made us feel super comfortable throughout our session, and Ezra captured the most stunning macro photos. Equilibrium photography is nothing less than exceptional and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a wonderful experience.” – Alison & Mike
Searching for adventure wedding photographers to capture your engagement photos, elopement, or destination wedding? Dreaming of a couples session in a National Park? No destination is too crazy or too far for the Equilibrium Photos team. We’re here to keep your love wild and free.
We’d love to hear where you’d love to wander with us – fill out our Contact Form here.
