Why Have An Engagement Photo Shoot?
Your engagement photo session not only gives you a beautiful set of pictures to cherish, but it also is a great time for me to get to know you both as a couple. This is important because a huge part of capturing quality photos is being able to capture your unique personalities. That is a lot easier to do when I have a relationship with you. Not to mention you really don’t want to be stepping in front of a camera for the first time on your wedding day. It is much better to work out any kinks and allow yourself to get comfortable prior to your wedding.
Once you receive your final gallery, you can use the images to display around your house, send out “save the dates”, and frame them to display on your wedding day. These also make for great photos to use in a guestbook on your wedding day for your guests to leave a special message for you. I easily provide the printing service for my couples. I like to say it sets the stage for your wedding.
Last point if you are still wondering if it is worth it. You are only engaged for such a small blip in your life. It truly is a unique time that will never be experienced again. It is important to be able to capture this special time before you move into the next chapter of your life.
Top Tips To Having The Perfect Engagement Photo Session
Since this is such a short season in your life, and it sets the tone for your wedding journey I wanted to share a few of my top tips to make sure your engagement shoot is everything you want it to be.
Choose A Location That Is Special To You
Think of your favorite date spot in the city or where you met. It helps if it is also within walking distance to a second location to add variety in your photos. Beach, city vibe, cute park. The biggest suggestion here is don’t go where you see everyone else going to follow a trend. Go where it means something to both of you. This is about you and your love so the setting should enhance that.
Pick Two Outfits
This is a big topic and one that usually brings a lot of questions for my couples. It is always a good idea to go with two outfits. One more dressy and the other more casual. You want to feel your best and be comfortable in what you wear! So this is not the time to break out the new heels!
Also don’t pick something that isn’t you. It can be easy to get caught up in what we think we should look like and lose ourselves. These photos are only for you and should bring out who you are as individuals and as a couple. What you wear has a hand in that.
Then to help my couples make sure everything flows well I have color palettes for every location and I am here for you if you want a second opinion on any outfit ideas.
Add Props
So let’s be clear: too many cheesy signs is not what I’m talking about. This is not your opportunity to bring every Pinterest photo you pin to life. Simplicity is always best. The goal is not to create distractions from the both of you, but to allow the photo to come to life a little more.
A blanket, a bottle of champagne + 2 glasses, your favorite food/dessert or bring your pet if it’s allowed by location. Doesn’t need to be fancier than that. Those options I just listed can easily provide a hundred different photo poses and moments.
My Top Engagement Photo Session Locations For The Jacksonville / Saint Augustine Area
Ponte Vedra Beach
One of my favorite places is the beach and I always recommend a few great ones around here. But Ponte Vedra Beach south on A1A is my absolute favorite spot. Not only does it have a wide sand beach (when it’s low tide) but also great tall dunes that look like mountains. Just keep in mind that the beach looks different in different seasons and times of the day. I recommend a sunset or sunrise session if you are an early bird.
Some Key Features:
-Easy access and parking
-Secluded beach area
-Beautiful sand dunes
-Grassy area
– Wide sand beach
Downtown Jacksonville
If you are all about architecture, rooftop views, and city vibes this place will suit you well. Unique and Instagram-able clock stands by Jacobs store that gives a very chic style. Plus a cobblestone road that makes it even more charming. Celebrating the sunset at the parking garage rooftop with a bottle of champagne is the best ending for an engagement photo session.
Some key Features:
– Architecture, rooftop and city views
– Old Florida Theater
-Riverfront
-500 years old Treaty Oak Tree
Saint Augustine
One of the oldest towns in America and where every corner is so photogenic. From riverfront to cobblestone streets, from Flagler college to Lightner Museum. This old town city vibe is one of a kind. Be mindful it is a tourist town and could be very busy any day. Avoiding crowds and finding parking could be challenging but so worth it. If you want to have a special experience and see St. Augustine with barely any people, your best bet is sunrise.
Some Key Features:
– Countless amounts of backdrops with charming old buildings and streets, historical sightseeing everywhere
-Some places require a photography permit
-Most parking will have a fee. The parking garage is $15 for the day.
Washington Oaks Park
Stunning botanical gardens that surround ancient live oak trees and beachfront park all in one. It is an hour and a half drive from Jacksonville located in Palm Coast, Florida. On the beach side at low tide you can get a chance to see coquina rocks that provide beautiful photo opportunities.
Some Key Features:
-It is a state park so there is a small fee to enter
-There are bathroom facilities
-Unique backdrops from the sprawling oak trees, oriental garden, historic building, and the inter coastal
Let’s Make Your Dream Engagement Photo Shoot Happen
If you were on the fence about doing an engagement session I hope this helped bring to light the importance of capturing this special moment in time for you both. Then if you were already on board I hope this brought inspiration for you and possibly gave you a few tips to get the most out of your session.
One of my passions is being able to capture your love story through photos. That is why I love doing engagement shoots. It is so much fun to be able to be a part of the moment that will lead into a huge chapter in your life together.
If working with a photographer that is able to connect with your unique personalities to capture authentic and timeless photos, then I would love to meet the both of you. I provide multiple options for engagement shoots starting at $450, so I can accommodate your vision.
The first step is to reach out so we can book a time to talk and get to know each other first. Just simply click the button below and complete the contact form. I will be in touch shortly to set up a time to connect.
Capturing your special moments,
Oxana Rox
