Engagement photos are some of my favorite sessions to photograph. There is no schedule to keep and no crowd watching, just the two of you laughing, leaning in and getting used to the ring. Below are three couples I have photographed: a sunset engagement session in the dunes and the surf, a secret proposal beneath thousands of lights at Brookgreen Gardens, and a second beach engagement session by the water.
Among the sea oats
Both engagement sessions on this page, Kaitlyn and Connor’s and Caroline and Dean’s, moved from the sand dunes down to the water, the setting for their Myrtle Beach engagement photos below. The dune grass and sea oats give a soft, golden frame for the first photos, and the open sand by the waves leaves room to walk, spin and sit together as the sun gets low. I like to mix a few classic portraits with plenty of candid moments in between.
Kaitlyn and Connor dressed in white for the first half of their session, standing among the sea oats as the sand glowed gold. There was a dip and a kiss in the dunes, and then two dogs joined them on the beach. For sunset they changed into jeans and white tops and waded into the shallows, where the sky turned pink, Connor gave Kaitlyn a piggyback ride and they finished sitting together in the water.
Kaitlyn and Connor
The dip
At the water’s edge
With the pups
Golden hour
Under a pink sky
Piggyback
Sitting in the shallows
Joshua surprised Hensley at Brookgreen Gardens, on a path beneath live oaks hung with curtains of white lights. Hensley, in a bright red sweater, turned to find him on one knee. Right after her yes, family and friends walked up the path to celebrate with them, and we finished with portraits of the newly engaged couple glowing under the lights.
Under the lights
The secret proposal
Right after yes
Everyone comes to celebrate
Newly engaged
Her ring
Beneath the oaks
On the path
Caroline wore a flowing blush dress and Dean a crisp white shirt, a soft pairing that matched the pale sand and golden dune grass. We began in the dunes with close portraits, then sat together in the sand before heading down to walk the shoreline. The bright, low sun lit them from behind for some of my favorite frames, and a close-up of Caroline’s ring made it into the set too.
Through the dune grass
Caroline and Dean
A quiet moment
Nose to nose
The ring
Close together
Settled in the sand
By the water
It starts with a conversation. Tell me a little about the two of you, how you met and the kind of photos you picture, and we will choose a setting that suits you: the dunes and the water, like the couples on this page, or the grounds of Caledonia Golf & Fish Club.
Sunset is my favorite time for an engagement session. The low sun gives the soft, golden glow you see in both beach sessions here, though other times of day are possible if they work better for you.
During the session I give gentle direction, where to stand, how to lean in, where to look, and then let you walk, talk and laugh so the photos feel like you.
A surprise proposal takes a little teamwork, so we plan it together on a call beforehand. We talk through where and when you will ask, and where I will be so I am out of sight but ready with a clear view of the moment.
After the yes, we take a few portraits of the two of you as a newly engaged couple, so you have photos of the ring and of each other while the moment is still fresh. If family or friends are in on the surprise, they can join at the end too.
Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery within two weeks, and usually sooner. You can download every image in full resolution, share the gallery with family and friends, and order prints directly from the gallery page.
An engagement session is planned photos of the two of you after you are engaged, like Caroline and Dean’s and Kaitlyn and Connor’s. At a proposal session I photograph the question itself, then the yes and the first few minutes as a newly engaged couple, like Joshua and Hensley’s at Brookgreen Gardens.
Yes. Joshua and Hensley’s proposal at Brookgreen Gardens was a secret proposal. The photos follow it from Joshua kneeling, to Hensley’s hug, to family and friends walking up to celebrate.
Yes. Kaitlyn and Connor started in white among the dunes, then changed into jeans and white tops for sunset by the water.
Yes. Two dogs joined Kaitlyn and Connor on the beach for part of their session.
Just engaged, or getting ready to ask? See my wedding photography or get in touch to plan your engagement session or proposal.
Together, let’s craft a narrative that is timeless, impactful, and beautifully refined. Let’s create something truly special.