Their beginning:

Not all relationships start with the picture-perfect first date of going out to eat and then going home to gloat to their friends about how much fun they had. J+B had they’re first date at a restaurant in Marlboro, New Jersey. Instead of going home, J went to a McDonald’s because she was still so hungry from B not ordering enough food for them. B never made that mistake again and they were able to call themselves a Bumble success story!

The proposal:

Later into their relationship, they booked a trip to California to check off a bucket list item of doing the Pacific Coast Highway drive. When they arrived at the gate, B looks at J, smiles,  says, “that went well”, and gave her a kiss. She was confused but didn’t care for clarification since it was 5am.  Can you guess what was in his carry-on?!?!

They pranced around PCH, going on dreamy drives, rugged hikes and hidden beaches. B didn’t know when he would propose. Maybe during sunset? Maybe during sunrise? He just knew it had to feel right. Alas, he found his moment! They were on an excluded beach, J was doing her traditional tripod set up to snap a photo of them together. He knew she would want to take several because the photo had to be perfect. With each click, he practiced his timing with the camera’s 10 second timer. At one point he asked her if she could run back a little faster, with the roll of her eyes and a spicy, “OMG. Relax”, she obliged. She tapped the button. 10, 9, 8, she ran back quicker than before. 7, 6, 5, nerves kicking in. 4, 3, knee drop. J photographed her own proposal without knowing it! She was so surprised and in shock that all she could muster was, “oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God”. Till this day, B still asks her what her answer is.

The Sandy Hook Beach engagement session:

J+B’s engagement session was at Sandy Hook, in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. The beach is important to them so it was a must! Sandy Hook is probably one of my favorite beaches to photograph at. This recreational area has a vast amount of beautiful photo location options so we have to be strategic! We started at one of my favorite corners where I knew the sun would be perfectly peaking over the trees. It also has enough space to walk around because you aren’t statues; I try to make sure you’re moving around, interacting with each other, and having fun. We then made our way to one of my other favorite locations where, depending on the weather, it can look like you’re on a sand bar. The sand bar area is such a unique location because it is distinctive from the traditional beach session where you have waves and spanning ocean on one side and shimmering sand on the other.

Why have an engagement session at Sandy Hook, New Jersey?

If you want a beach session, Sandy Hook Beach, also know as Gateway National Recreation Area, in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey is a great option! Not only can you get a vast amount of serene beach views but you can also get so much more! You are able to photograph on the beach without ONLY seeing water and sand! You get the options of greenery – whether it be the tall grass on the dunes or forestry along the trails. You can be close up to the greens or you can have them in the distance so that it’s not just open ocean. You have the option of not getting your toes in the sand by staying on the paved walk ways where you can also bike if you’d like. Several spaces at Sandy Hook Beach offer wooden fences that add texture and compliment the the sand, water, and greens. Simply put, Sandy Hook Beach has a plethora of photo location opportunities!

Best time to have a beach session:

Truly, you can have a beach session anytime between the spring and fall but the ideal time to have a beach session in New Jersey, or if you are traveling in from Pennsylvania, is the late spring or early fall. It’s not too hot and not too cold. Not only is the weather perfect for a beach engagement session but the crowds are minimal. During the summer, the beach will ultimately have beach-goers excited to bask in the sun’s rays with their toes digging into the grainy sand–making it close to impossible to avoid them from being in the background of your photographs. For even less crowds (and less traffic) a weekday engagement session is the way to go! To get the dreamy golden light and the soft cotton candy colors that all light and airy photographers, as well as, true-to-color photographers crave, the last 1-1.5 hours of light is the best time to have your Sandy Hook Beach session.

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