Belle Isle Engagement Session: A Story of Love Across Borders

Two hearts. Two countries. One enduring connection.

This Belle Isle engagement session wasn’t just a beautiful afternoon in Detroit, it was a celebration of distance overcome and of a love story that began across the river and grew stronger through time apart.

Laura and Ryan met as resident medical students in 2019. Ryan, now a surgeon in Arizona, and Laura, a family medicine physician in Canada, spent the early years of their relationship balancing demanding careers and life in separate countries. At one point, due to COVID restrictions, they didn’t see each other for nearly a year. But through all of it, their connection deepened.

This session, set against the lush backdrops of Belle Isle and framed by the Ambassador Bridge, felt like a homecoming.

A Belle Isle Engagement Session Rooted in Meaning

We began their Belle Isle engagement session at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. It was chosen intentionally, not only for its timeless architecture and filtered light, but because it mirrors the couple’s wedding venue: Planterra Conservatory. It gave us a glimpse into the natural, romantic tone they’re curating for their day: lush greenery, Cabernet tones, and organic elegance.

As we moved through the conservatory, Laura’s ribbed knit dress and curled hair glowed in the soft greenhouse light. Ryan’s neutral-toned suit and calm presence balanced her warmth with quiet sophistication. Their chemistry was immediate, full of laughter, gentle touches, and that natural ease that only comes with a well-worn bond.

Framing Legacy at the Ambassador Bridge

The second half of their Belle Isle engagement session took us to a small park along the Detroit River. This location held deep emotional weight. When Laura lived in Canada, her apartment was visible from this side of the water. During their long months apart, it was the Ambassador Bridge that connected them physically, symbolically, and emotionally.

Seeing her old apartment in the background of their engagement photos was unexpectedly moving. It was the kind of full-circle moment that happens when love outlasts the obstacles, and you get to stand in the place where your future begins, while honoring everything that brought you there.

From Niagara Falls to a Belle Isle Engagement Session

Their proposal took place at Niagara Falls, a fitting spot for a couple whose love is bold, natural, and unforgettable. They’ve traveled together to Punta Cana, Egypt, New York City, Florida, and Mackinac Island but this day on Belle Isle felt uniquely tender.

Their favorite part of being engaged? Simply spending time together. Whether it’s a long walk around the Windsor Riverwalk, sharing ice cream, or driving with the windows down as potential first dance songs play through the speakers, they savor the simple, sacred things.

A Relationship Built on Kindness, Dedication, and Humor

Ryan describes Laura as gentle, elegant, and quietly brilliant. Laura treasures Ryan’s humor and his unwavering dedication not just to her, but to his work, his purpose, and their future. They both wear their curls with pride and their love with ease. There’s nothing performative about them. Just two people who choose each other again and again.

Detroit Engagement Photography with Purpose + Emotion

As a Detroit engagement photographer, sessions like this are why I do what I do. They’re not about perfect posing or viral moments. They’re about memory. Meaning. Creating timeless imagery that feels as personal as it does beautiful.

Laura and Ryan’s Belle Isle engagement session was full of those quiet in-betweens: hand squeezes, soft laughter, and shared looks that say, “I choose you.”

Planning Your Own Belle Isle Engagement Session?

Whether you’re drawn to the conservatory’s charm, the view from the river, or the memories rooted in the city, I’d love to help you tell your story in a way that feels artful and deeply personal.
Reach out to begin your experience.