When Dana told me she and Tyler wanted to do their engagement session in the downtown area, I cheered – I LOVE Youngstown’s downtown vicinity, and Federal Street has some real gems!  In recent years downtown has really been making a comeback, so there’s some new faces mixed in with the iconic Youngstown storefronts. Dana and Tyler live in Bloomington, Indiana, but Dana grew up in Youngstown and her rust belt roots run deep!  I love that we got to tie in some of those roots for their engagement photos!  Let me just say that these two drove in from Indiana to do this shoot, and I was SO THANKFUL when the days of non-stop rain finally came to an end and they had the most gorgeous evening for our time together!!  What luck!!!  We met up at Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts for beers and hot dogs and pierogies, which of course was the most delicious way to begin our session!  We wandered around Federal Street and dodged the massive crowds of people who were there for the Gucci Mane concert happening at the new Youngstown Amphitheater – I never actually heard of this guy, but apparently he’s a big deal and it was a huge event!  So. Many. People.  If you’ve ever driven down Federal Street, then you no doubt have passed Silver’s Vogue Shop, which looks like something from another era entirely. I have never photographed anyone in front of this vintage store front, and Dana and Tyler finally made all my dreams come true!!  We ended our night together in a field at Mill Creek Park with the final bits of sunset lingering in the sky.  I can’t help but smile looking at these portraits, because they genuinely showcase the special love that these two have found in each other.  They are something special.  SO excited for their wedding next year, it’s going to be such an incredible celebration!

Federal Street Downtown Youngstown Engagement Session | Dana + Tyler