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Writer's pictureTamara Merri

Doyle Conservation Area Engagement Sessions

Updated: Feb 10, 2022

It's about that time of year when couples begin to think of what they might want to do for their engagement session. Where should they go, when should they go? Well allow me to introduce one of my very favorite places to take engagement photos in Central, MA: Doyle Conservation Area.


Doyle Conservation Area in Leominster, MA is a stunning, free park and trail system. There is a one mile loop from the parking lot that brings you past many scenic spots that are perfect to get a variety of photos in your session! Below are examples of photos from my favorite spots throughout the area at Doyle Conservation.


I know that seasonal elements and conditions are important when choosing a location for engagement photos. So I've captioned each photo with the date the photos were taken! That way, if you like the way the trees / flowers / anything looks, you can reference the date to hopefully choose a timeframe you like best for your photos. Of course, sometimes spring comes early / fall comes late, so it's hard to totally judge what the park will look like for each season.


For the most part, the order of these photos follows the same order you'd see the landscape when doing the loop around the park. For this first spot below, you'll arrive to the area after crossing the road. You'll arrive at long grass once you walk up the hill. This is a great spot for some golden hour photos with amazing light if the conditions are right.


Long grass on the side of the trail:

summer engagement photo with golden hour light
August 13

family poses on a trail between long grass
September 12

Then, when you keep walking along the paved pathway, it'll turn to gravel and you'll be sandwiched between tall trees. Not all of these are taken on the same spot on the trail. Some are off of the parking lot the other direction, some are at the end of the trail, etc. But I've grouped them all together anyways for category sake.


Pathway between the trees:

family photos on path between tall trees
September 12

candid moment of dad siting on log with son on his lap as he points to the tall trees all around them at doyle conservation area
September 12

couple walks dogs on path during engagement session
October 8

tall trees with ivy at doyle conservation area
August 13

couple kissing on path between tall trees at doyle conservation area
May 17

Eventually, the path opens up to a cute little offshoot that has a bridge and a wooden bench with a pond next to it.


On the bench near the pond:


couple sits on bench kissing with their wedding hashtag written out on a peg board next to them
August 13
family photo sitting on bench
September 12

engagement photos girl sitting on bench guy hugging her from behind sitting on arm of the bench
May 17

wooden bench at doyle conservation area
May 17

The boardwalk begins right by the little offshoot with the bridge. This is my FAVORITE part of the park!!! I just love the symmetry the boardwalk can create as well as the leading lines, and how the trees hang over the planks in some seasons. The light here is always fantastic.


On the wooden boardwalk:


family photos on wooden boardwalk doyle conservation area in Leominster
September 12

wooden boardwalk doyle conservation area
August 13

wooden boardwalk doyle conservation area in the fall
October 8

wooden boardwalk doyle conservation area
May 17

At both ends of the boardwalk there is an opening to a field. Sometimes the field is completely overtaken by weeds / long grass, and some times it's mowed short. It looks totally different but it's important to embrace whatever the park throws at us because it's all beautiful.


In the open field / in the weeds:


fall engagement photos at doyle conservation area
October 8

couple being silly dancing during engagement session
August 13

couple walks through long grass during engagement session at doyle conservation area
August 13

a couple dances in the weeds / flowers at doyle conservation area
August 13

In the spring there are so many beautiful flowers in bloom! It's worth it to go a little extra ways off the path back to the parking lot to discover the colors. The below photos were taken May 17, 2021.


When the flowers are in bloom:

only hands are in view as they reach for each other in front of flowers which are out of focus
May 17

couple walks hand in hand towards camera with flowers in foreground
May 17

couple poses together in front of red flowers for their engagement session
May 17

On the pathway back to the parking lot you'll see a stone wall next to the road. This is usually the very last place the sun touches in the park, so it's a good spot to grab the remaining glow before the sun sets.


At the stone wall:


couple poses together sitting on stone wall underneath a tree
May 17

couple plays with dogs sitting on stone wall
October 8

You need to cross back across the road to get back to your car. I thought this shot was pretty cool!


In the middle of the road:


couple stands in the middle of the road between tall trees
October 8

Then if you're up for it, we could always take some unique dusk photos with your car headlights!! I like this option for those who really love their truck, Jeep, etc.


With your car headlights:

couple sits on ground straddling each other with car headlights illuminating them from behind while their dog turns around to look at the camera
September 29

What's your favorite spot from the areas provided? Do you have a favorite spot that I didn't list? If you want engagement / family photos at Doyle Conservation Area, contact me! hello@tamaramerriphotography.com


xo,

Tam


Tamara Merri Photography

www.tamaramerriphotography.com

hello@tamaramerriphotography.com

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