It was a beautiful spring day when I met with Allison and Hunter at the St. Louis Art Museum for their engagement session. The Blooming flowers and soft sunlight created the perfect romantic backdrop for a session that was filled with love and timeless beauty. We enjoyed the beautiful and picturesque backdrop of Forest Park and The Muny.

How they met

When Hunter was 8 years old, he met “Destiny,” an out-of town cousin of his neighbor. It was actually Allison, his neighbor’s best friend. They playfully tricked him for years. It wasn’t until high school, through facebook, that Hunter discovered the truth–Destiny was actually Allison.

Throughout high school, Hunter and Allison would occasionally see each other, but since Hunter was a year older, they didn’t hang out much. That changed during Hunter’s senior year when their friend groups began to mix. After a few parties and hanging out, Hunter finally asked Allison to get ice cream, and she agreed. They started dating in the summer of 2025 and have been together ever since.

How he proposed

Hunter orchestrated a clever proposal by telling Allison that his work was updating their company website and arranging headshots in Lincoln Park, Chicago. To make it believable, he had his HR department send a formal email inviting Allison, noting that employees could bring family for a few shots. Since his work had hosted similar events before, Allison had no reason to suspect anything. The perfect cover set the stage for an unforgettable proposal.

They dressed up and arrived to the park. The photographer took photos of Hunter by himself for a bit, then asked Allison to join. She had him positioned behind Allison for a photo, and when she turned around he was on his knee! It was a wonderful moment, followed by an entire photoshoot.

Afterwards they had “dinner plans,” but Hunter insisted they needed “stop and get something from his apartment.” When the elevator doors opened, they stepped out onto the rooftop to find 45+ family and friends waiting to celebrate with champagne. The weekend concluded with a lively brunch and a bocce ball tournament surrounded by their loved ones.

Their favorite things to do together

Hunter and Allison love spending time together surrounded by family and friends, and they cherish their daily walks with their puppy, where they catch up on each other’s day. They enjoy dressing up and going out, whether it’s to sports events, charity galas, or dinner with friends. At home, they love curling up on the couch with snacks, watching movies or TV series, and sharing laughs over TikToks or funny videos.

What they love about each other

Hunter describes Allison as one of the most passionate and hardest-working people he knows. When she sets her mind to something, she dives in without hesitation, and nothing can stop her. She has a giant heart and is incredibly selfless in every aspect of life—whether it’s with friends, at work, or with him. Allison’s thoughtfulness shines in the gifts she gives, whether it’s for Father’s Day, his brother’s birthday, or a Christmas surprise for him. Most of all, Hunter loves making her laugh, saying it’s his favorite thing in the world.

Allison describes Hunter as the life of the party, with a bold personality that lights up any room through his humor, charisma, and intelligence. She admires his genuine nature and how he’s always thinking of others. His patience and understanding, especially shown in how he grew up with a little brother with Down syndrome, reflect in every aspect of his life. Hunter consistently gives 100% to work, family, sports, and their relationship. Over the past nine years, he’s remained chivalrous and romantic, always opening doors for her and showing up with big bouquets of flowers. His friends and family often tell Allison how he’s the nicest and most genuine guy they know, and how deeply he loves her. Hunter is always focused on their future together, pushing her to be the best version of herself, and he’s her biggest cheerleader in everything she does. To her, he’s her best friend.

Their desire for the future

Hunter and Allison dream of a future where they travel the world, start a family, and continue to excel both personally and professionally. They envision living each day for each other, ensuring that every important decision is made with their happiness in mind. They look forward to building a life together; marriage, buying a home, and raising a family.

Hunter and Allison want their shared experiences to feel meaningful, whether it’s raising good humans or simply being kind to others. Hunter is eager to share all his stories with Allison and can’t wait to grow old together, cherishing every moment of their journey.

I was so excited to get to know them and capture this exciting time in their lives as we documented their engagement. I cannot wait for their fall wedding in St. Louis!

If you’re ready to chat about your engagement photos, you can reach me here! I can’t wait to connect!