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Hiking Thundering Falls Trailhead & Waterfall in Killington Vermont // 48 hours in Vermont in April

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April 15, 2019

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

Wedding season is coming- its so close and I CAN’T WAIT! I’ve second shot 3 weddings so far this year (gotta get my wedding fix) but am excited to see my Bright Lights Brides & Grooms get married in 2019! With Wedding Season kicking off as well as the weather warming up for more outdoor portraits, its about to get much busier this time of year. I am SO EXCITED to be out with my camera hanging out with my clients and doing sessions vs spending days in front of a computer doing all of the tech things. Chris’s busy season is coming too with his Magic Business and Videography gigs, so we thought it was the perfect time for a little getaway before all the long nights staying up editing kick in.

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

We choose Killington, VT for our 48 hour geteway for a few reasons:

  1. I’ve never been to Killington before and love exploring new places
  2. It was an hour closer to us than Burlington
  3. We REALLY liked the hotel we found.
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

We stayed at the Killington Mountain Lodge, which had the most amazing giant outdoor hot tub surrounded by two fireplaces with a mountain view, a heated indoor lap pool (which we used several times and were both sore the next day since we hardly swim), homemade cookies, a cool game room with pool and giant jenga + connect 4, and a continental breakfast with homemade yogurt. Perfect place for a relaxing weekend away!

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

We went to the Killington Visitor Center and they were so nice and helpful! They told us about Thundering Falls and we are so glad they did! Thundering Falls Trailhead is part of the Green Mountain National Forrest and is an Appalachian Natural Scenic Trail. Chris and I enjoyed the hike and did a little mini photo shoot while we were there. I couldn’t resist when I saw the tall trees! It was chilly but the sun helped keep us warm. We only ran into one other person the whole hike, so going off season has its perks.

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

The thing that got me started with cameras was nature photography. I got my first camera (a polaroid!) for my 9th birthday. Since I was little I loved exploring the woods behind my house, hiking and everything outdoorsy. I would bring my camera with me often to capture the beauty of nature. Then my senior year of college, after learning how to use a DSLR, I went on a nature and wildlife photography trip to Costa Rica and Panama. I came home and started my business shortly after. I am so thankful for that trip and for learning so much about photography through photographing nature and wildlife. I always love how peaceful hiking is.

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

The first half of the trail was on a pathway and some water on the side. Looks like in the summer it goes over a stream. After hiking for about a half mile, we saw SNOW on the path! 35 degrees in April, so its not super surprising. The snow on the pathway was nice and soft, easy to hike on. Good thing I brought my waterproof hiking shoes šŸ™‚

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer

Once the pathway ended, we hiked in the woods. The tall trees were so pretty! It was a bit icy here as you can see my slipping a little bit but it just made the hike more interesting šŸ˜‰ Highly recommend this hike! Its a quick hike to the waterfall so great for everyone. There were other trails too that we would have explored if it wasn’t so icy. Guess we will have to go again šŸ™‚

Vermont Destination Photographer. April in Vermont, New England in Spring, Snow, Bright Lights Imagery, Vermont Wedding Photographer
You will find the entrance to the trail at 2298 River Rd., Killington, VT. It is a short hike to the waterfall!

April 15, 2019

STEP 1: We arrive to the location!

I like to start off every session, no matter if I’ve meet you in person before or not, with a solid 5-10 minutes of us just talking a little bit before I take any photos.

My #1 goal is to make you feel comfortable, and if we rushed into the session I don’t think that would happen right away. I love getting to know my couples and hearing all about them!

There is no rush when it comes to having your photos taken and if the photographer is snapping a hundred photos from minute one, before even speaking with you, then it sets the session off on a rushed note and you will see that portrayed in the photos. 

April 15, 2019

Time to get ready!

After our short chat we have typically warmed up to each other, maybe even cracked a few jokes. Laughter goes a long way, so I like to find ways to make the two of you smile and laugh. Now we will begin your photoshoot.

At the beginning of every photoshoot, I will have you stand close to each other, most likely hip to hip, but recently I have loved having my couples stand facing one another. You will hear me say,ā€Ok, so I am going to check my settings to make sure everything is good. These are just tests, so go ahead and just talk with each other while I set up.ā€ 

I like to do this because it gives you and your partner the chance to see the camera go up, hear the shutter, but not really be too focused on what you are doing. It sets the tone for that natural candid capture.

Sometimes during these ā€œtestā€ shots, I actually capture some really cute moments between you and your partner. Like Ashley and Josh, in the photo above, you can see her laughing at something that Josh said to her while I was setting up. Because they are focused on each other, I was able to capture that true moment as it was.

April 15, 2019

Once the test shots are settled, the photoshoot will truly begin. Depending on the level of comfort and ease y’all show in those first moments, I will start one of two ways. The first is to have those more ā€œposedā€ photos of the couple holding each other close together, holding hands, maybe a few smooches.

I do this because, if you are naturally less expressive with one another and need a little more posing help, I can start that from the get go so that you are comfortable. If you and your partner are naturals in front of the camera, I know that sticking you into poses is going to make you look unnatural and uncomfortable, so instead, I will coach you through movement and moments to capture those candid photos of you two in your element together. 

In general I like to work you through movements because every person, every couple will have a different way of expressing themselves.

Some of my favorite, more intimate moments are when I ask you two to embrace, cuddle up and hold each other close. Another trick I like to use, is having one of you whisper something into the others ear that they know is going to get them to crack up. It’s gold I tell ya!

For the majority of your session, we will all be chatting back and forth. I like to keep communication flowing because the silence can be deafening and leave the two of you feeling uncomfortable. Once we have gotten into a flow of me helping you into poses, or the two of you moving in and out of them on your own, I will typically ask you two to remember back to those first couple of dates. I love to do this because it can be really humorous and lead to those genuine laughing photos! (aka: candid moments ? )

I’m also a big ā€œshow and tellā€ photographer. Meaning I will be showing you the photos from the back of my camera as we go so you can see how adorable you and your fiance are šŸ˜‰ This is also great, since I can get feedback from you to make sure you absolutely love the photos as we go. 

April 15, 2019

I like to throw out some experiences and just capture you and your bae’s interpretation of said experiences. A couple of my favorites are,

    Practice your first dance
    Go on a little stroll while holding hands
    Get in nice and close and visualize your wedding day

These are wonderful photography moments because it portrays who you are as a couple. Like I mentioned earlier, no two people are going to move in the same way as you both and it is so unique and memorable.

As we wrap up you session, I like to ask if there are any other poses that you envisioned that we didn’t capture and if so, let’s do them! If you are like me, you have several Pinterest boards full of poses that you have fallen in love with and I want to make sure they are all captured for you in the best way possible. I will say, it isn’t always 100% the same because every photographer is going to have different ways of photographing and different equipment. But I will try my best to get it just right!

And that’s about it!

Having your photos taken shouldn’t cause you anxiety, so if you are feeling nervous, let’s chat! I will always be up for a phone call or text if you are nervous about a photo session coming up. It is my job as your photographer to make you and your soon to be spouse, as comfortable as possible! And believe me, I work very hard to make sure every couple who works with me has an all time blast, that has them chatting about their session even after it is over!

So, let’s do it!!

x Kayla

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