Taughannock Falls Engagement Shoot in Ithaca, NY || Jordan and Casey
It was a gloomy morning in November when my car sloshed through TaughaNnock Falls’ parking lot for Jordan and Casey’s adventure engagement shoot.
The clouds hung low with a damp chill, but when I caught a glimpse of two huge smiles and ecstatic hand-waving from the parked car next to mine, I knew their engagement shoot would be nothing short of amazing.
Jordan, Casey, and I had spent the previous three months planning their session, and they chose Taughannock Falls for its raw beauty—and also because they had never been there! Having grown up less than an hour from Taughannock Falls State Park, Jordan had heard the praises of this gorgeous place, but hadn’t had the chance to make it up before. Well, we decided to change that!
Taughannock Falls State Park is located just outside the beautiful and bustling town of Ithaca, NY, and the park boasts this plunging 215-foot waterfall—honestly, a sight that takes your breath away! It is one of the tallest waterfalls in New York State and is accessible via a short walking trail through a 400-foot gorge full of layers upon layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone.
Taughannock Falls is one of the top attractions in the Finger Lakes region, not to mention one of the most outstanding natural attractions in the northeast. Taughannock Falls State Park is located on the Western flank of Cayuga Lake and features hiking, nature trails, camping, and picnicking. It is a 750-acre state park located in the town of Ulysses in Tompkins County, New York, and it commands the awe of all its visitors.
As soon as Jordan, Casey, and I landed on this Finger Lakes location, I knew our engagement shoot would be epic. They showed up with an equally palpable energy as me, and from the 15-minute walk from our cars to the falls, we talked work, family, travels, the Buffalo Bills, and everything in between. Their chemistry was electric, and they were down for anything when it came to getting the shot! Getting soaked? No worries! Possibly swept away in a tsunami? Also fine! Lol!
Standing at the edge of Taughannock Falls, we felt like tiny people as the falls loomed above of us, casting its shadow, mist, and fog over and around us. We were dwarfed next to it, in awe of its power and towering height, and we watched as it cascaded in upon itself with a force as strong as gravity. Standing there, its force made me think of the infinitely *more* powerful love of Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There have been only a few other places that have moved me like this, one of which was Yosemite. Peep my Laid Back Yosemite Elopement shoot here, which will give you a small peak-in-the-box at the type of beauty I’m talking about... Nature gives such a special vantage point at God’s creativity, power, and glory.
What a great hope we have in the God of the universe—the artist behind Taughannock Falls— whom I am so thankful to enjoy through his creation. My session with Jordan and Casey was, yet again, another reminder of how much I love this job, exploring the world around me, and creating visual narratives of the most epic love stories. I can’t wait to celebrate their marriage in the fall by documenting their wedding!
P.S. For the adventure-loving gal like me who now *has* to visit Taughannock, here are a few pointers:
There is an admission fee of $8 per vehicle daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, as well as on weekends from late April - Memorial Day Weekend and again from Labor Day Weekend - October. If you arrive prior to 7am or after 5:30pm or on a day when fees are not charged, you can avoid this.
This park can get BUSY, especially in peak season of summer and fall. If you want to soak in the falls when they’re quietest, most peaceful, and truly most enjoyable, I’d highly recommend coming at dawn… or as early as you’re able to pull yourself out of bed!
Finally, since Taughannock has such a small parking lot, parking can be tricky. I recommend pulling in their lot, doing a onceover, and if no spots are available, going across the street to the neighboring parking lot. (The fee will still apply, and you’ll have a short walk, but you shouldn’t have an issue finding parking here!)
