Reilly and Zach’s Shelburne Farms engagement session featured blooming peonies, lilacs, Lake Champlain views, and a perfect Vermont summer evening. See why Shelburne Farms is one of Vermont’s best engagement photo locations.
Reilly & Zach's Shelburne Farms Engagement Session
Some engagement sessions start with a location.
This one started with peonies.
When I first spoke with Reilly and Zach about their engagement session, Reilly immediately told me she wanted photos in the formal gardens at Shelburne Farms during peony season. Not just because the flowers are beautiful, but because peonies are her favorite.
That single detail became my mission.
As a Vermont photographer who spends a lot of time exploring the state, I found myself checking bloom reports, watching gardens, and paying close attention every time I drove through a different part of Vermont. The peonies in the Champlain Valley were running ahead of some other areas, and I was crossing my fingers that everything would line up perfectly for their session.
Thankfully, Vermont delivered.
How Reilly and Zach Met… Me
Reilly and Zach were introduced to me through one of my favorite kinds of referrals. I photographed their friends Zach and Marina’s wedding at Jay Peak, and Reilly later told me that one of her favorite photographs of herself and Zach was an image I had taken at that wedding.
As a photographer, hearing something like that is one of the biggest complements I get.
One of the best parts of my job is when past couples trust me enough to recommend me to the people they care about. It usually means I’m about to meet another wonderful couple, and Reilly and Zach are exactly that.
Peonies, Lilacs, and a Perfect Vermont Evening
Before heading to Shelburne Farms, we met at Fiddlehead Brewing Company to catch up and finalize our plans for the evening.
Reilly mentioned that the peonies where they lived still hadn’t bloomed yet.
I leaned over the table with a little smirk, “Did you see, they’re here!” The peonies were starting to coming to bloom.
The look on her face of pure joy was priceless.
When we arrived at the formal gardens and rounded the corner, there they were. Rows and rows of gorgeous blooms in every stage, from fluffy marshmallow-like buds to fully opened flowers filling the air with their incredible fragrance.
The timing could not have been better. I was really proud of myself, although I had nothing to do with the actual blooming of the peonies. My deep local knowledge in this beautiful garden helped to make it all come together.
The gardens were stunning, but the experience was even better. The sweet scent of peonies mixed with blooming lilacs, warm evening light, and one of those classic Vermont summer evenings that reminds you why people fall in love with this state.
I even tucked a few lilac blossoms into Reilly’s hair and onto Zach’s shoulder for a little hidden detail in their photographs.
Later, while walking back to the car, I noticed Zach repeatedly smelling his pocket.
Apparently a few lilac blossoms had ended up there, and he couldn’t stop enjoying the scent.
Shelburne Farms remains one of my favorite places for engagement photos because of the variety it offers.
Within a short walk, couples can enjoy formal gardens, historic architecture, open fields, stone walls, lake views, barns, and even a few curious cows and sheep.
The Inn itself feels like something from another era, with beautiful arches, elegant details, and incredible views of Lake Champlain.
My biggest tip is to consider scheduling your session on a weekday whenever possible. Popular areas can become busy during peak foliage weekends, but weekday sessions often provide more freedom to explore the grounds and enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace.
As the evening came to a close, Zach convinced us to create a few intentionally cheesy 1980s department store-style portraits.
They were hilarious.
The two of them spent the entire time laughing, which perfectly sums up their relationship. They’re playful, kind, and clearly enjoy making each other smile.
This fall, they’ll be getting married at Old Lantern, one of my favorite Vermont wedding venues. We already have a few fun surprises planned, and after spending this evening with them, I cannot wait to celebrate alongside them.
Reilly and Zach, thank you for trusting me with another chapter of your story. I am counting down the days until your wedding.
If you’ve been dreaming about engagement photos surrounded by Vermont’s incredible scenery, Shelburne Farms is hard to beat. Between the formal gardens, historic architecture, Lake Champlain sunsets, rolling fields, and yes, even the cows and sheep, there is an incredible amount of variety packed into one beautiful location.
Whether you already have a favorite spot in mind or need help choosing the perfect season, I’d love to help you plan an engagement session that feels like you. After photographing couples across Vermont for more than two decades, I know where to find the best light, the hidden corners, and those fleeting seasonal moments that make each session unique.
