ITHACA ENGAGEMENT SESSION

BUTTERMILK FALLS | MARCUS + KELLY’S ITHACA ENGAGEMENT SESSION | UPSTATE NEW YORK

Buttermilk Falls is one of those magical places where you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. The lush greenery, the dense forest, and the shimmering water create everything is Upstate New York to me in nutshell. Especially when you come from Colorado and your home is in a high desert. My second home a lot of perks too, but here, you can’t help but swoon over moss-covered rocks and the waterfalls falls. The trail, made of shale (a tad slippery at times) follows along the water and if you take it far enough, you can get to the swimming hole. Which is one of the many things Ithaca is known for as well as Taughannock fall, vineyards, Cornell and the quirky little downtown smack dab in the center of Ithaca. Growing up in Upstate New York, I’ve always treasured this gem in the Finger Lakes, especially as a backdrop for an unforgettable Ithaca engagement session.

THE RAIN WAS COMING, BUT THAT DIDN’T STOP THEM FROM CREATING MAGIC.

When it came time to plan Marcus and Kelly’s engagement session, I immediately thought of Buttermilk Falls. A few hours of driving felt like nothing compared to the beauty waiting for us. The forecast wasn’t promising, but we hoped the rain would hold off. For a while, it did. The overcast sky gave us the softest light as we explored the trails and took in the scenery. But alas, in New York fashion, the skies opened up, and we found ourselves under a canopy of leaves, hoping for some protection.

Instead of letting the rain ruin the day, Marcus and Kelly embraced the moment. As we laughed and ran through the downpour, they leaned into the magic of it all. Soaked but smiling, radiating and a little spicy if you ask me. We wrapped up our time at the falls with some of the dreamiest, rain-drenched photos before heading to one final spot.

Even though I ended up sacrificing my main lens to the rain that day (RIP), it was 100% worth it. The love and energy Marcus and Kelly brought to their session made it unforgettable. If you’re looking for a unique and adventurous location, Buttermilk Falls is the perfect setting for an Ithaca engagement session. If you also wanted to twist my arm to more falls in Ithaca, I wouldn’t be opposed!

Send me to Ithaca any day of the week—especially with couples like Marcus and Kelly!