A Mount Assisi Gardens engagement session has a way of feeling completely removed from the ordinary, and Lauren and Shay's golden hour session in Loretto, Pennsylvania was exactly that. Tucked into the grounds surrounding Saint Francis of Assisi, Mount Assisi Gardens is one of our absolute favorite locations for engagement photography in Central Pennsylvania, and this session reminded us exactly why.

We are Josh and Taylor, a husband and wife photography team based in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. We specialize in engagement sessions and weddings across Central PA and beyond, and sessions like this one at Mount Assisi are why we fell in love with this work. Our couple were naturals in front of the camera from the very first frame, which gave us the freedom to move through the gardens with intention and make the most of every beautiful corner the property had to offer.

Golden Hour at Mount Assisi Gardens

There is something about golden hour at Mount Assisi Gardens that feels almost unfair. The warm late afternoon light filters through the trees and across the manicured lawns in a way that wraps around couples naturally and gives every image a depth and softness that is nearly impossible to replicate at any other time of day. We always recommend golden hour for engagement sessions here and Lauren and Shay's session is a perfect example of why.

As the sun began its descent the light shifted constantly, giving us a variety of tones and textures throughout the session without ever moving far from where we started. That quality of light combined with the architecture and natural beauty of the gardens meant every frame had something working in its favor from the very beginning.

The First Look of the Session: Romantic and Elevated

Our couple arrived in their first outfits and the tone for the opening of the session was set immediately. Dressed up and polished against the backdrop of the stone archways and carefully maintained gardens, the images from this part of the session have a romantic and refined quality that feels elevated without ever feeling stiff or overly posed.

The stone walls and archways throughout Mount Assisi Gardens are one of our favorite features of the property from a photography standpoint. They create natural framing that gives images structure and depth without requiring any additional setup. We moved through several of these architectural details during the first part of the session, using the stone as both backdrop and framing element to create a variety of compositions that feel intentional and visually distinct from one another.

Lauren and Shay brought a natural ease and genuine connection to every pose which made our job feel effortless. When a couple is comfortable with each other and comfortable with the camera the images reflect that immediately. There is a softness and authenticity to the photos from this part of the session that comes entirely from them.

Open Lawns and Wide Landscapes

One of the things that makes Mount Assisi Gardens such a versatile engagement session location is the variety of settings available within a relatively small area. Beyond the stone archways and garden paths the property opens up into wide expansive lawns that give us room to create a completely different style of image within the same session.

On the open lawns we pulled back and let the landscape do the work. Wider compositions with the gardens and surrounding greenery in the background gave the session a sense of scale and place that the more intimate architectural shots do not capture in the same way. For couples who want their engagement gallery to feel like it tells the full story of a location rather than just a few beautiful corners of it, these wider landscape shots are essential.

The open space also gave Lauren and Shay room to move naturally, walking together, turning toward each other, and simply existing in the space without feeling directed into a specific pose. Some of our favorite images from any session come from these in between moments when couples forget they are being photographed.

The Outfit Change: Relaxed, Playful, and Completely Them

Midway through the session they changed into their second outfits and the energy shifted in the best possible way. Jeans and a more casual look brought out a playfulness that felt like a natural evolution of the session rather than a jarring change in direction.

This is one of the reasons we love encouraging outfit changes for engagement sessions. The two looks give the gallery a natural variety that makes it feel like two completely different experiences rather than one long session that starts to look the same after a while. The first outfit tells one story. The second tells another. Together they create a gallery that feels full and complete.

With the sun continuing to drop lower in the sky and the light becoming warmer and more golden by the minute, we leaned into the relaxed energy of the second outfit fully. Running through the gardens, laying in the grass as the last light of the day stretched long across the lawns, laughing and moving without any particular destination in mind. These are the frames that couples always come back to. The ones that feel the most like them.

Why We Love Mount Assisi Gardens for Engagement Sessions

Mount Assisi Gardens holds a special place for us and not just because it photographs so beautifully. Taylor attended Saint Francis University and spent time walking these grounds, which means we know every corner of this property intimately. We arrive with a plan, move through the session with purpose, and always know exactly where the best light is going to be at any given time of day.

The gardens offer something genuinely rare for Central Pennsylvania — architectural details that create an almost European feel, wide open landscapes for variety, and a natural beauty that shifts with every season. Spring and summer bring blooming flowers and lush greenery. Fall wraps the property in warm golden tones. Even in the quieter months Mount Assisi Gardens has a stillness and beauty that photographs with its own unique character.

For couples who want an engagement session that feels romantic, personal, and visually stunning without leaving Central Pennsylvania, this is one of our favorite recommendations!