Alanah and Drew’s engagement session this September was nothing short of magical! They took me to not only one of my bucket list Manitoba locations, but one of their most beloved locations: Tulabi Falls.
Tulabi Falls is technically located in Nopiming Provincial Park, here in Manitoba. This spot, tucked away near their friend’s cabin, holds so much meaning for them! They’ve visited annually for years, and the place has become a significant part of their love story. In fact, it’s not just another beautiful location—it’s where Drew proposed!
If you haven’t been to Tulabi Falls before, there are three locations to check out from the main parking lot: the cascades/falls themselves between the Bird Lake side and the Tulabi Lake side, the gorgeous inlet of Tulabi lake, and the Tulabi Falls Lookout. The road into Tulabi Falls is not paved, and can be pretty bumpy so make sure you factor that in if you’re planning a shoot here!
First we went to Tulabi Falls proper, which are these gorgeous cascades, there’s a little lookout spot that’s very accessible. We also got a little adventurous and took a tiny path down to the rapids so we could get a shot of Alanah and Drew with Tulabi Lake behind them!
The Adventure Begins: A Road Trip to Remember
One of my favorite things about this session was the adventure it took to get there! Tulabi Falls honestly isn’t close to Winnipeg; it’s about a 2.5-hour drive Northeast of the city! But instead of that feeling like a long trek, it turned into a fun road trip because we carpooled! We got to spend lots of time to chatting, laughing, and really get to know each other better. We talked about everything from our love of travel, local cafes we like, other Manitoba hikes to check out, and so much more!
There’s something special about road trips, especially when you’re heading to a location that holds such sentimental value. Along the way, Alanah and Drew shared stories about their past trips to Tulabi Falls, the memories they’ve made, and how much this place means to them. I asked about their proposal story, where Alanah was pretty sure Drew was proposing the entire time, and the different spots they like to hit while there. By the time we arrived, it felt like we were more than just photographer and couple; we were now friends!
Exploring Tulabi Falls: Beauty + Meaning Combined
Once we got to the falls, it was easy to see why this place holds such a special place in their hearts. The natural beauty was breathtaking, with cascading water, lush greenery, and hidden corners to explore. But beyond the scenery, knowing how much this location meant to them added another layer of depth to the session. It wasn’t just about taking pretty pictures; it was about capturing the essence of their connection to this place!
The falls had witnessed many of their memories together, including the pivotal moment at the Tulabi Falls Lookout when Drew got down on one knee and asked Alanah to spend forever with him! To be able to photograph them here, where so much of their story has unfolded, was such an honour. It was also pretty cool to hear the whole proposal story on the drive, then actually get to see the spot he proposed!
The third and last spot to explore is the little inlet at Tulabi lake, one of Alanah + Drew’s favourite fishing spots! From here we took some photos of them fishing, a great way to add their personality and unique touch to their engagement photos. This also helps to continue to weave that storytelling element in that I love so much!
Wanting a bit more variety to their engagement gallery, Alanah + Drew opted to do a quick outfit change into something a little more formal! I love how they kept their clothes really neutral and earthy to continue to let the colours of their surroundings shine. They picked things that didn’t look out of place at a Provincial Park, just elevated their appearance!
We ended up doing a bonus fourth location to finish off their session! Keep in mind, the first 3 were all within a short walk from the parking lot so it was all very doable within 45 minutes or so, without feeling rushed.
This next spot we hopped into the car and drove a short distance to a boat launch spot with a pretty sandy beach and another gorgeous view of the lake!
We kept their session very movement based, but focused on getting a variety of romantic, fun, and artistic moments. Alanah loooooves the landscape of Tulabi, for good reason, so she really wanted to focus on getting more wide angle, panoramic shots that accentuated that!
Capturing the Day on Film
Prior to our session Alanah had told me that she loves the look and feel of film, which gave me the perfect opportunity to do something extra special for their session! I shot almost a full roll of Kodak Gold film while we were there, which really accentuated the fact the trees were already starting to change colour!
Film photography has a way of adding a unique, nostalgic touch to moments and there’s just something about the texture and warmth of film that just felt right for this session. Tulabi Falls, with its timeless beauty, seemed to call for the richness and depth that film provides. And knowing how much Alanah loves film made it all the more meaningful to incorporate it into their engagement shoot!
Stay tuned for the film shots from this session—there’s some magic in those rolls that I can’t wait to unveil.
Thanks for the adventure, Alanah and Drew! Here’s to many more beautiful moments, starting with your wedding day next year! 🏞️✨
