If you’ve ever had the pleasure of making the trip to Kaaterskill Falls, you know just how breathtaking it really is in person. Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains off of County Route 18 near Haines Falls, a short 1.4 mile hike brings you to the base of a 231′ waterfall that invites you to jump in for a quick swim or walk behind it for a front-row experience most waterfalls of its size don’t offer.

When Aubrie and Dolan first reached out to me about photographing their engagement session at Kaaterskill Falls, I instantly knew these were going to be some of my favorite photos I’ve had the chance to capture. Adding to the beauty of the waterfalls themselves, we were lucky enough to catch the Catskills just after peak foliage in late October and if you’ve ever been to Upstate New York in the Fall, you’ve probably been as speechless as I was driving the winding roads of Greene County. Staring up at the mountain views in awe with each new peak that revealed itself covered in hues of yellow, orange and red leaves, it literally felt like I was living inside of a painting for a few fleeting moments.

Having made their way to Kaaterskill Falls for the day to unwind from the hustle of their lives in New York City, the short hike to the upper and lower falls gave Aubrie and Dolan a chance to take in the sights and sounds that the Catskills have to offer and provided an incredible backdrop for their engagement photos. As is the case with any public hiking trail in the Fall, we arrived to a full parking lot but in being patient and waiting our turn in the prime viewing areas, we were able to capture stunning photos that would trick you into thinking we had the trail all to ourselves.

The lesson in all of this is that your engagement photos can be anywhere you want them to be. Whether you want to go for a hike in the Catskills, spend a day at the Saratoga Race Course watching the horses run or meet me at your favorite ice cream spot, my main priority is that your engagement session represents you and your love in the most authentic way imaginable.

To schedule an engagement session of your own or to inquire about my free engagement sessions included in all of my wedding packages on your hunt for a Catskills wedding photographer, fill out my inquiry form and I’ll be in touch with next steps!

As the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website states, “the 7,620-acre Kaaterskill Wild Forest, located in the Catskill Forest Preserve is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, due to the abundance of hiking and other recreational trails available, as well as the iconic Kaaterskill Falls. The terrain within Kaaterskill Wild Forest varies significantly in topography with sprawling mountains, dramatic cliffs, scenic waterfalls, and deep valleys.”

If you want to plan a trip of your own, I highly recommend parking at the Laurel House Road Trailhead where there’s ample parking, restrooms and a map of the trails. Parking may get crowded on busier days and there’s a chance the lot may fill up so be prepared to find an alternative parking option if needed. Once you arrive, the Laurel House Parking Area is off the road in a wooded area, and only a short walk to the top of the falls. For directions to alternate parking, consult the DEC website.