Paige and Grant won a date giveaway I hosted last year and it was SOOO freaking fun to do this session with them! They had the absolute best time taking a swim in Mirror Lake, Alaska for their fun lake couples photos. Trust me, you won’t need any more lake photoshoot inspiration after seeing these cuties. Be sure to read all the way through for 5 fun lake photoshoot ideas!

Paige + Grant’s Mirror Lake Couples Photoshoot

Floaties, beach balls, & a swim in the lake

Paige and Grant were READY to take full advantage of this cloudy Alaskan day (any day without snow or rain is one you have to enjoy). Boy, did they do it perfectly! We headed to the beautiful Mirror Lake and they immediately pulled out their adorable avocado floaty and an orange inflatable tube. Plus a beach ball(the avocado seed omg!) to toss around – duh! Luckily these two were totally game for all my prompts & all the fun despite it being a cloudy & cold day.

After floating around on the lake & laughing their heads off. They ended the session with a cute little snack tray I prepped for them, & a cold, refreshing AK Lake Day Pale Ale from Kassik’s Brewery(How perfect of a drink for the occasion right?!). This photoshoot is the perfect example of how neat it is to think outside of the box for a couples session or engagement session. A lot of people focus on Alaska’s dramatic landscapes & doing something epic, which of course is AMAZING, but these fun and silly themes are so freaking fun as well! Paige and Grant got to have a fun date together, looking at the gorgeous Alaskan scenery and ignoring the stresses & worries of the real world.

A fun lake photoshoot film

I decided to take some videos throughout this session because it felt like SUCH a fun session to watch back in a video. Especially with their floaties and playfulness in the water together!

Check out the 1-minute highlight reel below that I put together to get a better look into how much of a blast this day was!

Behind-the-scenes shots from the day

I brought a photographer friend along with me for this shoot, and he took some awesome behind-the-scenes shots for me! I always love getting to see how I interact with my couples from behind another camera, so much fun. Thanks a million to Brett Pitts Photography for the fun BTS photos!

About Mirror Lake

Where is Mirror Lake, Alaska?

Mirror Lake Park is located in Chugiak, Alaska. Just a 30-minute drive northeast of the main area of Anchorage & about 35 minutes from the Wasilla area.

I love this lake sooo dang much because of how easy it is to access from Anchorage & The Valley and the mountain views are amazing. You simply arrive, park, and immediately get to take in the gorgeous mountain & lake scenery. It’s amazing to be surrounded by lush greenery and calm atmosphere!

Hike the Mirror Lake & Edmond Lake Loop Trail

If you’re looking for a place to go for a walk out in the fresh air & see the beauty of the Alaskan landscape, Mirror Lake is perfect! There’s an easy 2.8-mile loop trail around Mirror Lake & Edmond Lake that’s perfect for walking, hiking, and even bird-watching if that’s something you love to do! How fun would it be to do a bird-watching engagement session at sunrise out by the water?! There’s also a bike-track around there as well if some adrenaline and racing through the forest is more your speed!

5 Fun Lake Photoshoot Ideas

1. Have a lakeside picnic

What’s more fun than packing a picnic full of your favorite food & eating it by the water on a cozy blanket?! Feel free to pack some candles and pretty glassware to elevate your picnic a lil’!

2. Bring along a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard

Rent a piece of water equipment or bring along anything you own. Head out on the water in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddleboard! Heck, an inflatable mattress could do the trick!

3. Go fishing

If you’re into fishing or just want something relaxing to do, bring fishing equipment and try your best to catch a fish, either from the shore or a small boat! Make sure you’re allowed to fish at the lake you’re visiting (fishing is allowed at Mirror Lake!), and that you get any proper licenses you’ll need.

4. Pack your favorite books

If you both love to read in your spare time, bring a blanket or a couple chairs, sunglasses, a couple of cold drinks, and your favorite books! Lounge around on the lakeshore and enjoy the fresh air while you dive into your newest mystery novel or nonfiction read. I’ll snap some cute photos of you while you do it!

5. Have a bonfire

If fires are allowed at the lake you’re at, have a bonfire & bring some ingredients to make s’mores, have a little barbecue, or just enjoy some laughs around the fire!

Alaska Adventure Couples Photo Packages

If you’re feeling inspired by Paige & Grant’s fun Alaska couples photos at Mirror Lake, I’d freaking LOVE to come up with a unique couples photoshoot for you & your honey! Take a look at my adventure session package, and when you’re ready to start planning a super fun afternoon for the two of you, you can contact me here!