Looking for a great place for beach engagement photos that’s conveniently located in the Midwest? Indiana Dunes is the perfect location for the beach engagement photos you’ve always dreamed of with bold sunsets and epic sand dunes as the backdrop of your love story.
As a husband-and-wife photo and video team who love the outdoors, we are always excited when we get to adventure outdoors with other couples. Whether it’s for an engagement session or couples photos, we love getting to visit Indiana Dunes State and National Park!
Indiana Dunes Photos
The Vallosios are mountain people, but rest assured that the occasional beach trip is still enjoyed and Lake Michigan is perfect for us to get our beach fix. Throw in some camping at Dunewood Campground, pizza + wine at Shady Creek Winery, and hitting up the 3 Dunes Challenge for a solid adventure.
Some Dunes in Indiana + Michigan for Beach Engagement Photos:
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Silver Lake Dunes State Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Warren Dunes State Park
From our experience, the Indiana Dunes are a great option if you want to stay close to Indiana and are really wanting some sand between your toes. And it will be a lot of sand.
Couples Beach Photos at Indiana Dunes State Park
Courtney + Matt
Matt + Courtney were up for an adventure and we definitely had one! It was a warm evening, but the breeze coming off Lake Michigan felt amazing. They climbed up and down dunes, splashed in the lake, and even announced that they are expecting a daughter. Their dog, Hank, will be a big brother!
Courtney + Matt’s love for one another was so very evident. You could feel their chemistry from the way they looked at one another, to how they laughed together, and to how they held one another. It was beautiful and so was the bold sunset that shone brightly behind them.
Beach Engagement Photos at Indiana Dunes National Park
Colton + Bri
Colton wanted to surprise Bri with a proposal in a beautiful, scenic place. He knew that she wanted their engagement photographed so he reached out to me months in advance to begin planning. They were going to be traveling from Dallas, TX up to Michigan City, IN and he thought that Indiana Dunes National Park would be a solid location for his proposal to Bri.
After some calls to NPS rangers at the Dunes about locations for something like this, I was able to find the sweetest spot for this moment for Colton + Bri. But, as the date came closer, we realized that the weather was going to be rainy for our original plan. There was no reason to worry though. We pivoted by 1 day and had the PRETTIEST sunshine and warm temps for these two and their dog, Pi.
Following the surprise proposal was an engagement session. It was truly such a joy to photograph these two playing and having fun together—Bri’s excitement was so sweet, and the location was a stunning backdrop for such a special moment.
Jeremy + McKenzie
I was so happy when Jeremy + McKenzie reached out to me about capturing their engagement session while they were visiting Indiana Dunes National Park from Ohio. As a leave no trace outdoor photographer, getting to experience the national parks with my couples is a true delight. It’s fun to embrace nature and celebrate safely in some of the prettiest places in the world.
From a sparkling water pop, to playing in the water, and running around in the sand, Jeremy + McKenzie embraced the moment joyfully. The sunset was hazy and gave us the prettiest pink lighting. These two really lived in the present and you could see and feel how much they love one another.
Reviews From the Couples Themselves
“I have only amazing things to say about the Vallosio Photo + Film after using them for an adventurous couples photo shoot at the Indiana Dunes. In planning for this photoshoot, Ashley was a quick communicator and gave specific information on what the photoshoot would entail so we could plan outfits accordingly (she even sent outfit inspiration pictures to help!). I requested to bring our fur baby to get him in a few of the shots and Ashley was so excited to have him as an added addition.
The photos that we received were AMAZING! The quality and editing was extremely well done and the gallery sent over included the perfect number of shots where it wasn’t overwhelming, but wasn’t lacking either. We were so excited to post the photos on social media and would recommend Vallosio Photo + Film for any of your upcoming needs!”
-Courtney + Matt
“I had the opportunity to hire Ashley for a surprise photo shoot for my fiancés and I’s engagement photos at Indiana Dunes. You could not envision better service for such an important moment.
She found the best place based on the location preferences of my fiancé, she was flexible in being able to schedule to make sure it fit within the weather/our plans, and was incredibly helpful in making the shooting experience memorable.
If you are looking to do a surprise or nature/authentic/natural photo shoot, this team is your go to! Couldn’t recommend more highly.”
-Colton + Bri
“We booked Vallosio Photo + Film for our engagement pictures in Indiana Dunes National Park. Ashley was so helpful in giving outfit advice, finding a location to shoot, and weather monitoring. We had a blast during our shoot, and Ashley really helped us both feel comfortable in front of the camera. Her prompts/poses were fun and felt natural. She even brought a bottle of sparkling water for us to spray!! We received our photos quickly and will cherish them forever!”
-Jeremy + McKenzie
Planning Beach Engagement Photos
Indiana Dunes State Park and National Park are the perfect locations for beach engagement photos or even a beach-vibe couples session. The park is beautiful in every season for couples who love the outdoors and want nature as their photo backdrop.
In case you wondered, this is your sign to book a couples beach photography session. Why? Because who doesn’t love having a fun, playful date with their favorite person in the world and having a little sand between their toes? It’s an excuse to get dressed up and have a good time!
If beach engagement photos at Indiana Dunes are what you want, you can contact Jonathan and I here. Then, we can find the perfect adventurous spot for you and your favorite person.
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