When Gretel and David invited me to photograph their engagement session at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, I felt an immediate spark of excitement. I’ve photographed weddings here, but experiencing Hildene purely as an engagement session—unhurried, intimate, and quietly romantic—was something entirely different. From the gardens to the sweeping mountain views, the estate revealed itself in a slower, more personal way, and the entire session felt like pure magic from beginning to end. 

After Hours at Hildene

Once the last daytime visitors have departed and Hildene closes to the public, the entire estate becomes wonderfully private. That’s when the experience shifts into something truly special. We were greeted by the amazing Carmine Cole, whose warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine love for the property set the tone immediately. With a welcoming smile and a golf cart ready to go, Carmine guided us through the grounds, sharing exceptional photo locations along the way — from quiet garden corners to sweeping views — making the session feel relaxed, personal, and deeply cared for.

This kind of session is available to any couple, as long as the estate’s calendar allows, and it’s one of the rare opportunities to experience Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in a quieter, more personal way. From there, Carmine guided us toward the main house and through the formal gardens, moving effortlessly between grand architectural moments and intimate corners, each one offering a different sense of scale, light, and mood.

From Gardens to Open Vistas

From the formality of the gardens, we wandered outward into the wide-open views that Hildene is so beautifully known for. The landscape opens gently, revealing rolling vistas framed by magnificent mature maple trees, their scale and presence grounding everything around them. With the mountains stretching beyond and the light shifting as the afternoon unfolded, the feeling changed from refined to expansive — a perfect balance of elegance and freedom that made the session feel effortless and deeply Vermont.

Where Light Becomes the Design

It was a full, sun-filled afternoon, and as we moved onto the patio, I couldn’t help but notice the dramatic shadows cast by the towering ferns nearby. The light fell in long, sculptural shapes across the walls and floor, instantly transforming the space into something graphic and alive. This is where Hildene’s architecture truly shines — its clean lines and textured surfaces effortlessly bridging modern and old-world elegance. In moments like this, the estate becomes both timeless and contemporary, offering endless possibilities for photographs that feel artistic, intimate, and quietly bold.

A Playful Detour at the Goat Dairy

After exploring the gardens and open views, Carmine led us toward one of Hildene’s most endearing and unexpected stops — the goat dairy on the estate’s working farm. Home to a small herd of Nubian goats, this part of the property adds a gentle, joyful energy that feels worlds away from the formality of the mansion. Their presence is more than charming; it’s part of Hildene’s ongoing agricultural life. At certain times of the year, products made from the goat dairy — including handmade goat-milk soaps and, when available, fresh goat cheese — can be found in the museum shop, offering visitors a tangible connection to the land and the rhythms of life here. It’s a reminder that Hildene isn’t just something to admire, but something thoughtfully cared for and actively lived in.

A Cinematic Moment on the Rails

From there, Carmine took us to one of Hildene’s most unexpected and visually striking features — the Pullman Railcar. Built in 1903 and once used by Robert Todd Lincoln, the private railcar is a beautifully preserved piece of American travel history, designed for elegance, comfort, and long journeys by rail. Stepping inside felt like entering another era. The rich wood interiors, narrow corridors, and vintage details instantly added a retro, cinematic quality to the session, offering a dramatic contrast to the gardens and open landscapes. It became a perfect chapter in their collection — timeless, slightly moody, and filled with quiet storytelling.

A Setting That Holds It All

From quiet gardens and open mountain vistas to playful moments at the farm and cinematic scenes aboard the Pullman railcar, Hildene offers an experience that feels layered, intentional, and quietly extraordinary. Every corner of the estate tells a different story, allowing sessions — and wedding days — to unfold with both elegance and ease. Whether you’re dreaming of a full wedding celebration at Hildene or simply an intimate engagement session that feels personal and unhurried, I’d love to help you plan a photographic experience that reflects who you are and how this moment in your life truly feels. Reach out anytime to begin the conversation.

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