Hailey Lauren Photography

06/19/2026

There are certain moments in this job that feel especially meaningful.

When Sophie first stepped in front of my camera, she wasn’t the bride. She was standing beside her sister on one of the most important days of her life, celebrating someone she loves. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching so many families grow through weddings, babies, anniversaries, and milestones, and it never stops feeling special when someone I first met as a bridesmaid eventually finds herself planning a wedding of her own.

So when Sophie reached out about photographing her wedding, I was absolutely thrilled.

As much as I loved spending the evening wandering through German Village with these two, I have to admit their engagement story may have stolen the show.

After visiting Oktoberfest in Munich with Conner’s family, they continued their travels through Europe and found themselves at one of the most beautiful destinations imaginable: Lake Como.

It was there, surrounded by the stunning scenery of northern Italy and the people they love most, that Conner asked Sophie to marry him.

Honestly, I’m not sure you could dream up a more romantic proposal if you tried.

The combination of family, travel, adventure, and one of the most breathtaking places in the world feels so perfectly fitting for these two.

If these photographs look comfortable, let me assure you they were anything but.

This session took place during one of the hottest stretches of summer, with temperatures soaring well into the 90s. The kind of evening where you expect everyone to be counting down the minutes until it’s over.

Instead, Sophie and Conner spent the evening laughing, exploring, and simply enjoying being together.

You would never know how warm it was from the photos.

One of the things I love most about engagement sessions is watching couples settle into their own rhythm. The nerves disappear, conversations take over, and eventually it starts feeling less like a photo session and more like a date night that just happens to have a camera tagging along.

That’s exactly what this evening felt like.

By the end of the evening, I found myself even more excited for what’s ahead for these two.

Sophie and Conner have a way of making each other laugh that feels completely effortless. They are kind, adventurous, and clearly happiest when they’re together, whether they’re exploring the streets of Columbus or traveling across the world.

After meeting Sophie years ago as a bridesmaid, getting the opportunity to photograph her own wedding feels incredibly special.

I cannot wait to celebrate alongside them and document the next chapter of their story.Blog: https://haileylaurenphotography.com/2026/06/19/sophie-conner-german-village-engagement-session/

06/18/2026

When Jenna and Joey began telling me about their story, Goodale Park came up again and again. It has been woven into so many chapters of their relationship that there was never really a question of where we would start their engagement session.

Of course, no engagement session with Jenna and Joey would have been complete without bringing along their pup. While Jenna and Joey were perfectly content strolling through the park together, their companion had other plans. The water quickly became the main attraction, and it took every ounce of self-control not to dive right in. Watching the three of them together brought so much personality and joy to the session, and some of my favorite moments happened in between the posed photographs.

One of the things I love most about engagement sessions is getting the chance to slow down and simply spend time with my couples before the wedding day. By the end of our evening together, I felt even more excited for what’s ahead for these two.

In just a few short months, I’ll be photographing Jenna and Joey’s wedding, and if their engagement session is any indication, it’s going to be filled with laughter, genuine moments, and the people they love most.

Jenna and Joey, thank you for sharing a place that means so much to you with me. I can’t wait to celebrate with you both soon.

Blog: https://haileylaurenphotography.com/2026/06/17/jenna-joey-goodale-park-engagement-session/

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

When I first met with Courtney and Hunter, Courtney said something that stuck with me throughout the entire planning process.

“I don’t want to lose the forest for the trees. It’s not about becoming a bride, it’s about becoming a wife.”

As a wedding photographer, I hear a lot of conversations about flowers, timelines, color palettes, and seating charts. Those things matter, of course. They help create a beautiful day. But from our very first meeting, Courtney had already identified something many couples spend months trying to remember.

The wedding wasn’t the destination.

The marriage was.

Ironically, she also happened to plan an absolutely beautiful wedding.

As I watched the day unfold at The Dempsey Event Center in Delaware, Ohio, I found myself thinking about that conversation often.

For years, The Dempsey had been one of those venues I hoped I would eventually have the opportunity to photograph. The estate feels tucked away from the rest of the world, surrounded by mature trees, gardens, water features, and winding paths that make every turn feel a little bit magical. Inside the historic home, the original French flooring immediately caught my eye. It is one of those details that gives a place a sense of history and character, and it perfectly matched the timeless feel of the entire property.

The day began with a bit of unexpected excitement when a bird somehow found its way into the house while everyone was getting ready. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love birds, so I was more than happy to volunteer for rescue duty. Somehow I managed to catch it and release it safely outside before the festivities began, which felt like a pretty memorable way to start the day.

As beautiful as everything was, the weather spent much of the day threatening to steal the show.

Storm clouds lingered nearby, and there were several moments when it looked as though rain might completely change our plans. Radar apps were checked frequently, conversations shifted toward contingency plans, and yet through it all, Courtney and Hunter remained remarkably calm. The two of them never seemed preoccupied with what could go wrong. They were simply excited to be getting married.

In the end, we were given exactly what we needed.

A beautiful break in the weather arrived at just the right time, allowing us to create portraits outdoors and celebrate their ceremony beneath a stretch of sunshine that felt especially earned after spending the day watching dark clouds circle around us.

What I loved most about Courtney and Hunter’s wedding was the way they embraced joy at every opportunity.

The girls turned getting ready into their own dance party. The guys had one of their own. Laughter seemed to follow both groups from room to room, and there was a lightness to the entire day that felt contagious.

That energy carried straight into the reception.

After dinner, Courtney changed into the most fun feathered reception dress before making her way to the champagne tower. Later in the evening, guests were treated to a surprise Mamma Mia flash mob that somehow managed to be both hilarious and impressive at the same time. It was exactly the kind of moment that perfectly reflected the spirit of the day.

For all of the beautiful details, the stunning venue, and the dramatic weather, what I will remember most is how genuinely happy these two were simply to be married.

Courtney’s words from our very first meeting turned out to be true.

They never lost the forest for the trees.

They planned a beautiful celebration, surrounded themselves with people they love, danced through unexpected weather, and ended the day exactly where they wanted to be: husband and wife.

And honestly, I can’t think of a better way to begin a marriage.

Blog: https://haileylaurenphotography.com/2026/06/16/the-dempsey-event-center-wedding-delaware-ohio/

Venue: Dempsey Event Center

Design: -thornsberry

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Dress: La Jeune Mariee

Menswear: Ticknors Men's Clothier

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Caterer: Hudson's Edge Catering & Events LLC

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06/10/2026

You’d never guess it was 90+ degrees outside from these photos.

I had the best time wandering around the city with Sophie and Conner, hearing all about their wedding plans, and getting to know them a little better before the big day. The heat was no joke, but they made it look effortless.

Counting down the days until I get to celebrate with these two.

06/09/2026

It’s almost wedding time for Jenna and Joey at the Ellis and spending the evening with them last night has me even more excited.

06/08/2026

Courtney and Hunter’s wedding day at the Dempsey Event Center kept us on our toes from start to finish. Between rescuing a bird that had become trapped in the the home (a personal bucket list moment for me) and racing incoming thunderstorms, it felt like the weather was determined to make things interesting.

But through it all, Courtney and Hunter never stopped laughing, dancing, and soaking in every second together. And somehow, between the raindrops and the chaos, we created some truly incredible images that feel every bit as joyful as the day itself. I want to do it again.

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