Love at the Derby – Sea Bright Engagement session – Tia & Brian

Though an unconventional site for an engagement shoot, we shot Tia & Brian’s Sea Bright Engagement session at the Monmouth Race Track to recreate their first meet at Preakness. It was incredible working with such a fun, relaxed, and naturally happy couple. We planned to begin their GTKY session at the Monmouth Race Track and to finish their session at their favorite beach location.

Monmouth Park in Oceanside, NJ is one of the oldest thoroughbred racing venues on the East Coast, tracing its roots to 1870. The grandstands, the sweeping turf oval, and the sheer scale of the facility give engagement sessions a completely different energy than a garden or city street. For Tia and Brian, it was not just a cool backdrop but the place that mattered, because they first connected over horse racing at Preakness, and that story deserved to be in their photographs.

The Derby

When I arrived at the derby to meet the couple, the sunny and warm weather allowed for an awesome atmosphere! The minute we walked onto the track, Tia’s dress flowed with the breeze as the couple held hands. It was my first photo of them taken during the session, and ultimately one of my favorite shots.

How they decided on locations

GTKY (aka: engagement) sessions not only allow couples to learn more about their photographer before their wedding day — these shoots also allow couples to travel to locations that are meaningful to their relationship together in order to capture their story. Tia & Brian’s canvas wall art piece pictures the couple relaxing on the second floor of the race tracks’ seats, happily overlooking the track.

Tia and Brian laughing together at the Monmouth Park race track during their engagement session. Tia's dress flowing in the breeze as she and Brian walk along the Monmouth Park track. Tia and Brian portrait at Monmouth Park, warm sunlight across the grandstand. Brian pulling Tia close on the rail at the Monmouth Park race track. Tia and Brian smiling at each other in the grandstand seating at Monmouth Park. Tia and Brian holding hands as they walk along the track at Monmouth Race Track. Vertical portrait of Tia and Brian at Monmouth Park, recreation of where they first met at Preakness. Brian looking at Tia as they stand near the finish line at Monmouth Park. Tia and Brian vertical portrait, soft afternoon light at the Monmouth Race Track grandstand. Tia resting her head on Brian's shoulder on the track at Monmouth Park. Tia and Brian relaxing in the grandstand seats overlooking the Monmouth Park track. Tia and Brian smiling together in the grandstand at Monmouth Race Track, Sea Bright engagement. Tia and Brian close-up, golden light at the Monmouth Park race track. Brian and Tia laughing candidly at Monmouth Park during their engagement session. Tia spinning in her dress on the Monmouth Race Track turf. Tia and Brian final embrace at Monmouth Park before heading to Sea Bright beach.

Sea Bright Engagement session

The Sea Bright beach Tia & Brian chose for their shoot had been harshly battered from past storms — however, the rebuild of this site is amazing. The entire town surrounding the coast elicits a feeling of welcome and comfort. It’s no easy task to find good pizza in beach towns, but we ate lunch at a phenomenal pizzeria by the location they selected. A modernized boardwalk provided for not only a beautiful background but also a fun experience. I highly suggest visiting this lovely shore town with the family.

Tia and Brian at Sea Bright beach, waves behind them on the Jersey Shore. Tia and Brian vertical portrait, Sea Bright boardwalk engagement session. Tia and Brian walking along the rebuilt Sea Bright boardwalk together. Tia and Brian close together on the Sea Bright beach, Atlantic Ocean behind them. Tia and Brian on the Sea Bright boardwalk, wide shot with beach in background. Tia and Brian embracing on the beach at Sea Bright with the Jersey Shore behind them. Tia and Brian walking into the waves at Sea Bright beach during their engagement session. I can’t wait to get back to the beach with Tia & Brian for their wedding at Windows on the Water in Sea Bright this summer, and I’m equally as excited to do another Sea Bright engagement session with future couples at this stunning location. I will always love going to the Jersey Shore for work or to dunk my dad bod into the Atlantic Ocean! If you are planning a Jersey Shore wedding, check out my guide to the best Jersey Shore wedding venues.