Engagement in Saugatuck, MI
Golden Hour at Oval Beach
This golden hour engagement session will always be a favorite for me. I actually ended up driving to this session twice. The FIRST time we arrived to see nothing but a dense fog. I remember looking at Liv, who I had just officially met in person, and saying, “This is a cool feel, but it is nothing like what we talked about when we discussed your vision for your engagement session.” With relief, she said, “Not really.” We had a good laugh about it and then I said, “Listen, your vision is really important to me and If you’re okay with it, I would like to come back another week to create beautiful art together when we can actually see the lake.” So that’s what we did.
ROUND TWO! The most absolute perfect evening at the beach. Not too hot or cold, a subtle breeze, and just enough sun and clouds to play with. What I love about Oval beach is that there are so many beach access points from the parking lots that it doesn’t feel like you’re stuck in one place and surrounded by regular beach goers. Also, this location has the loveliest rolling dune grass with set trails that give you a whimsical look. This way you can leave no trace and protect Michigan’s gorgeous beach fronts. Lastly, they have bathrooms to change. I always like to recommend wearing one elevated casual outfit and then one formal outfit to really round out your gallery. Most couples will choose to change in the car for ease but it’s so nice to have real bathrooms as an option.
Connor and Liv selected these perfect outfits that looked beautiful in the landscape, reflected their personalities, and they felt comfortable in. It’s SO important you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and that you’re not worried about an undergarment showing or having restricted movements. Their first outfits were simple jeans and neutral shirts. For this set, with the sun still high, we took to the dune grass.
I love to start an engagement session with you two lovebirds looking at one another and to remember the beauty of what we are celebrating. YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED! You rub noses, giggle, forget I’m even there and we settle into the tone for the session. Every couple is different, and this really is a defining moment for me as your photographer. I start to get some more insight on how you two relate to each other. Connor comfortably, and without hesitation or instruction, wrapped his arm around Liv’s waist and pulled her close. It was such a natural movement for him that I decided to use that movement as home base for building other poses. This was clearly a natural motion for the two of them and from there all the posing flowed. Some of it prompted and some of it candid or inspired in the moment.
If you ever need a guide on how to be in front of the camera, take some tips from these two. They stayed focused on one another until I asked them to look at me. I know, I know… It’s seriously so weird because I’m RIGHT THERE with a camera in your face but as much as you can find space to settle in and connect with your person the more authentic the photos will feel. Don’t worry about specific photos, that’s what you have entrusted me to do.
They also stayed relaxed. This really is an act of trust and hopefully your trust in your photographer is already built before you’re in front of the camera. Lastly what I loved about this session is their willingness to create with me. I knew ahead of time we really wanted a good mixture of classic portraits with photos you can feel. Some questions I asked to help support this feeling came from connection cards I found in a boutique and another deck that my husband, Matt, got for us, which I later gifted them their own because it was just so special.
Romantic Portraits on Lake Michigan
As the sun started to settle and we got into that dreamy golden hour, they changed into their more formal attire while still maintaining the appropriate feel for the beach. While they changed, I took some pictures of Liv’s engagement band. I always like to have pictures of your ring on your finger but it’s so lovely to have some stand-alone shots of the diamond.
Connor changed into a linen button down and Liv in this timeless white dress from Reformation. Your formal outfits are an opportunity for you to set the tone for your wedding day. Often these are the images you choose for your save the dates and it’s sending a non-verbal message to your guests of the kind of wedding yours will be. So, I really recommend something a little more formal than usual.
These portraits stepped away from more of the playful, flirting style and more into the romantic, quiet style. You’ll notice there’s a lot of hands delicately placed, often near the face or chest, they are very relaxed and cozy with one another, lost in a moment with each other. When I begin this part of the session I like to step out of earshot after offering a romantic prompt, sometimes I’ll be shooting wide for the full effect of the moment or zoomed in on little details while giving them a chance to take a breath, check in, and whisper sweet nothings. These portraits of them sitting in the sand were some of my absolute favorites from the whole evening.
SURPRISE! A third dress! I don’t usually recommend more than two outfits because it will cut into the amount of time we have to take your pictures and interrupts a flow. That being said, Liv was really torn between her two formal dresses and who am I to say, “no”? The silky dress encouraged more romantic poses and then by that time the sun was kissing the horizon, and they were all about going in the water. And if I’m at Lake Michigan for an engagement session, there’s nothing better than ending the night with a swim. (Or at least a little walk in the waves.) This engagement session will always hold a top tier place in my heart and these two became sweet friends.
