Grace and Matthew’s summer engagement session in Genoa, Nevada was seriously SO good. If mountain engagement photos are what you have in mind, this area of Carson Valley is hard to beat! We started their first look during golden hour with all that gorgeous scenery around us, then they changed into a second outfit as we moved into blue hour, when the views of Jobs Peak really showed off.

Genoa has that dreamy Northern Nevada scenery I love. Since it’s near Lake Tahoe without actually being right at the lake, you get a totally different feel for mountain engagement photos. Between the changing light, two outfits, and some film-inspired edits, this session had so much variety. And Grace and Matthew being so cute together made it even better!

Golden Hour Mountain Engagement Photos in Genoa, Nevada

We started Grace and Matthew’s session out in the open fields around Genoa during golden hour, and the light was SO good. Everything in Carson Valley was green in early June, and their first outfits fit right into that relaxed summer feel. Grace wore a floral dress while Matthew kept things simple with a light shirt, which worked perfectly with all that open Northern Nevada scenery around them.

They also brought their dogs along for this part of the session, and obviously I loved that. The open space gave us plenty of room to walk around and let them join in. We still got a mix of fun, candid photos and those wider mountain views. If you want your engagement photos to feel laid-back, beautiful, and actually like you, Genoa and the surrounding Carson Valley are so good for it.

A Second Look For Blue Hour Engagement Photos in Genoa

For their second look, we moved into blue hour and the whole vibe of the session changed. Grace switched into a white skirt with an oversized sweater, and Matthew went with jeans and a tan jacket. Their outfits fit the softer evening light SO well and felt perfect with the open fields and mountain views around Genoa.

I love how much an outfit change can shift the feel of an engagement session without needing to go anywhere else. We stayed in the same spot in Carson Valley, but between the blue hour light and their second look, this part of the session felt completely different.

Planning Your Own Mountain Engagement Photos in Nevada or Beyond?

If mountain engagement photos are what you’re picturing, Genoa is definitely worth considering. You get huge Jobs Peak views and open Carson Valley scenery. It also feels totally different from being right at Lake Tahoe. And since Genoa is less than an hour from Reno, it’s an easy option for mountain engagement photos without heading all the way into Tahoe.

I love that there’s plenty of space to move around, bring your dogs, switch outfits, and make the session feel like you while still getting that big Northern Nevada mountain backdrop. And if you’re booking one of my two highest wedding packages, your engagement session is included! It’s the perfect chance for us to hang out before the wedding, get you comfortable in front of the camera, and make some really damn good photos while we’re at it.

Planning something in Genoa, Lake Tahoe, Reno, or somewhere completely different? Tell me what you’re thinking! I’m also a destination wedding photographer, so if your plans are taking you outside of Northern Nevada, I’m always down to travel with you.

You can learn more about me on my about page. If I sound like the engagement or wedding photographer for you, inquire with me on my contact page. I can’t wait to hear what you’re planning! Not done looking at pretty photos yet? Same. Come hang out with me over on Instagram at @ambermcnealphoto.

Amber McNeal Photography | Tahoe Engagement & Wedding Photographer