Let me tell you somethin’ about Jen and Sam. These two know how to play and love on one another. This session was so much fun for me. They were down for whatever I threw their way and completely trusted me throughout the process, so I was able to really lean in. To try new things, get creative, and just have a good time with it. We ran around on a beach they enjoy on the Mississippi River, popped champagne, explored one of their favorite bluff areas, cheers’d to the boats below, felt seriously concerned for a drunk man standing too close to an edge, and even let a stranger’s dog photobomb.

Picking a location for your engagement photos

If you are in the process of picking a place to have your engagement photos done take a page out of Jen and Sam’s book. When working with couples I have resources such as a location guide to help make these decisions but an easy way to personalize your session is to pick a place that has been significant to your relationship. Sam went to St. Thomas so he spent a lot of time in college hanging out in this area and when he and Jen started dating, it was a place he liked to take her.

They both love this spot and it was a part of the relationship they had built. Therefore it quickly felt comfortable to them. When they look back on these photos in 10, 20, even 50 years, it will remind them of so much more than just their engagement session. It will be like falling in love all over again.

Celebrating (and also, juggling) in your engagement photo shoot

Y’all, I will never ever tell you that bringing along some props and things you like to do together is a bad idea because it just isn’t. These are things that can help you naturally interact with one another and totally forget the camera is even there. Just like picking a location that has history in your story, these sort of things create images that reflect your relationship. Who doesn’t want photos that do that?

Jen and Sam brought a couple of things- first of all, champagne. Tell me one time it hasn’t been fun to pop the bubbly and pour a couple of glasses? I don’t know about you, but I love anything that feels like celebrating. And what says celebrating better than champagne?

After sipping champagne on the bluffs overlooking the river, we ended their session with a little bit of juggling because yes, you guessed it, these two like to juggle together. It’s something that Sam taught Jen and we joked about them bringing it out at their wedding (personally hoping over here it isn’t a joke and they actually do it). While avoiding the occasional car, Jen hopped onto Sam’s shoulders in the middle of a quiet neighborhood and they showed off some of their best talents, giggling through every bit of it. It was such a blast that I’ve got my finger’s crossed they teach me how to juggle sometime.