Sirena and Ian’s engagement shoot in Massachusetts started at one of their family beach houses, a place that felt like home with its cozy, laid-back cottage charm. The evening began with the two of them making mixed drinks and shucking fresh corn on the deck – a classic summer task that so many of us assisted in as a kiddo. Having a task to do during an engagement session makes the shoot feel more authentic and less of a foreign task with some stranger (hi!!).

After dinner prep, they took a quick canoe ride on the water behind the cottage, working together to bring the canoe onto the water and giving each other cutie kisses as I stood on the shore documenting them against the horizon. The sun sparkled on the surface, and they drifted quietly, sharing in this silly, fun moment while I provided prompts and direction on where to move and what to do.

Canoeing for an engagement session is somewhat nontraditional for most people. But any sort of recreation you and your partner can engage in will yield some naturally appealing, fun and engaging images that bring you two together in a new setting. There is also something about any activity in which you two need to engage together and work alongside each other that adds a level of intimacy and sense of oneness in the images.

As the day faded into evening, Sirena and Ian changed outfits for something a little more formal and different for the sunset portion of the photoshoot. We snagged a few informal shots their cottage looking *cool* and *saucy* before jetting over to finish our shoot at Elephant Rock for the final set of photos.

Elephant Rock is situated along the beach, offering an incredible vantage point of the ocean below, making it a popular spot for photoshoots, especially at sunset. The rock itself adds a unique, rugged element to the peaceful surroundings, and its elevated position offers a perfect vantage point to take in the beauty of the shoreline.

The sky was ripe with hues of pink, orange, and gold as the sun dipped below the horizon which made for the BEST light on skin – if you don’t know about golden hour honey, then let me tell you! The beach at sunset is the perfect setting for a photoshoot because of its soft, flattering light. The golden hour glow (the hour before and when the sunsets) creates a warm, natural look, helping avoid harsh shadows and making you look your best. The peaceful sound of the waves, the wild wind, the added element of ocean air and water, and the freedom you feel to roam around barefooted, sitting in the sand and feeling the sun on your skin makes it the ultimate engagement session location.

We traversed down the rock to the base to make our way to the nearby beach – my favorite spot for couple’s photos for SO many reasons – and played in the water, kissing and chasing and hugging each other as the wind whipped through their hair and clothes. This is a great chance to leave your shoes behind, connect with the ground and take in the elements as you realize – you did it, babe! You just finished an engagement session.

They did it right. Starting the photoshoot in a familiar place (like a home, a favorite neighborhood or coffee shop, etc.) allows you to relax into a flow state. Having tasks and things to do together makes you feel immersed into the shoot, versus staying still or simply following my every direction. And having a second location to finish out in nature at sunset brings a grounded element to something that can feel overwhelming or scary if you’ve bever had photos taken before. To capture their love in the beauty of summer, surrounded by nature and a place that they hold dear was an honor – I love returning to spaces that mean something to a couple.