New Year’s Eve, the last hurrah of the holidays, is a time to rock glitzy outfits, reflect on the past and ponder resolutions. Nina planned to spend the evening with her girlfriends at a nearby New Year’s Eve hotel party. The night was full dancing, celebrating, and meeting new people as Nina and her girlfriends soaked in all the fun. She wasn’t planning on meeting her last boyfriend that evening, but as fate would have it, Chris was at the same party among a group of mutual friends.

As the clock ticked down to midnight …. ten … nine … eight … seven …. Nina walked right up to Chris and gave him a New Year’s kiss. Chris was surprised and thrilled. However, Nina wasn’t sure she was ready for a boyfriend like the folklore of a New Year’s Eve kiss suggests, so she dashed away moments later and left Chris to track down a way to see her again.

Chris managed to find her phone number from a friend and the two started dating. Two years later, Chris asked Nina to spend forever at his side on New Year’s Eve just moments before midnight at the same hotel party where their relationship started.

I met Nina and Chris at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville for their engagement photos. It was the perfect fall afternoon.

We wandered into the woodsy trails tucked away from everyone to start the session, and I just loved the location.

The main goal of my engagement session was for Nina and Chris to have FUN — even if that means we have to be a little silly …. like throwing leaves.

Nina and Chris were complete naturals during their engagement session … cuddling up and falling even more in love.

A total favorite below …

The leaves were just starting to change colors throughout the forest preserve.