Ogunquit Beach Engagement Photos

and my top three tips for effortlessly happy engagement portraits

March is known as my planning month. Updating this website, blogging content, and updating all of my styling and planning guides. For each session that is booked I send out a lovely little canva creation giving people ideas about everything from wardrobe to bra bla. A lot of thought and detail goes into these planning guides and I feel like they always help set the tone for our shoot day.

I always tell my couples that 99% of the gorgeous faces I see and meet and photograph have never done this before. No one usually blazes in to a shoot knowing what they’re doing. That part is on me. The more I can prep all of you gorgeous friends for what to expect from our portrait session the less stress everyone has driving into the parking lot. So, without further ado, here are my favorite tidbits on how to create natural candid portraits full of life and movement.

Number one: Have some inspiration. Look through insta, Pinterest, my webage and see what you like. There are so many different and beautiful spots I work at thought the years, but finding inspo that fits your vibe is so important. If you like the looks of beach portraits but hate getting sandy, then pivot away from the beach. If you and your partner are city lovers who love to bop around the North End on the weekends, lean into it! Find a comfortable location that speaks to you both and doesn’t push you too far out of your comfort zone. Cookie cutter is boring, find your uniqueness and we will roll with it!

Number 2: Hype each other up! Again, most people are not super comfortable going into their photo session. Be each others cheerleader. I always recommend a good playlist on the ride over full of your favorite songs. Connect with each other and talk about how exciting this whole adventure- marriage, joining of fams and friend groups. Being so in love that you choose each other. That’s what matters most, and in the age where wedding planning can get a bit out of hand and stressful, coming together for these moments and refocusing on what is most important (aka the both of you) well that’s why were here babes. Roll into it feeling those hearts, letting go a little bit, forgetting that I am even there.

Which brings us to…

Number 3: DON’T STOP MOVING. This might be a light exaggeration.. but like very light. We move a lot. Standing still is played out. I promise I will get many of gorgeous portraits of you both standing and smiling but usually (and feel free to dm any one of my couples for verification) I give you an idea or a prompt and I walk away. I give us space to move around, so that portraits feel more like a glimpse into private moment rather than a posed stiff flat picture. I want you to look at your gallery and feel the air around you. I want you two to see how you look at each other, with love and admiration. I want to have silly outtakes and genuine laughter. I want you guys to start on one end of the beach and walk until blue hour.

And that is exactly the three things that occurred before, during, and after this beautiful night on the beach in picturesque Ogunquit Maine. True authentic love and moments. A bunch of silliness and hyping each other up. And a banging sunset followed by a delicious blue hour.

Get inspired!

xo, AM

Not chat gpt. Just me.