I wanted to share this LBI engagement session from this amazing couple that I photographed last summer down in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Long Beach Island is a barrier island in Ocean County, about 45 minutes south of Asbury Park and an hour from Philadelphia. It’s a string of small beach towns, 18 miles long, that runs from Barnegat Light at the north end down to Beach Haven. The terrain near Barnegat Lighthouse gives you exactly what you want for portraits: wide open dunes, tall beach grass, no shade to manage, and an iconic lighthouse backdrop for sunset. So when we originally planned out their Getting to Know You session, I had the idea of a super long, winding pathway with rolling sand dunes and high grass. I wanted to have this beautiful wide gorgeous shot of them on one of the dunes looking out towards the ocean. They had an incredible day for a Getting to Know You session. After spending time on the beach, they had to take a little dip in the ocean for me. Sarah remembered to bring a change of clothes for them before we went over towards the lighthouse for sunset. I wish Sarah and Kyle nothing but the best for their wedding at Maritime Parc.
This was one of my favorite photographs from their LBI engagement session and we printed it as a 5-foot canvas fine art piece. Unfortunately, it is not great on the web especially on a small mobile phone screen.
LBI Engagement session on film
So yes I shoot both digital and film photography. My true passion is film though. The tonality, color, depth, and softness of skin tones are just a few reasons why I love it. One thing I want to shoot more of is black and white film. I always capture a few rolls when I shoot but especially for men does it bode well. Black and white photographs are classic, composed, and focused entirely on personality. No distractions from color casts or wardrobe choices.
Kyle shines with a roll of Acros 100 black and white film!
Sarah and Kyle were getting married at Maritime Parc in Jersey City, overlooking the Hudson River with Manhattan in the background. The LBI session gave us a feel for how they worked together on camera, and that confidence carried all the way through their wedding day. We are based in South Jersey and cover the Jersey Shore wedding venues and beaches from Sandy Hook down through Cape May. Reach out if you are planning a beach engagement session or a shore wedding.