Mary & Doug, like almost everyone on the planet, love the beach. We brainstormed together for a few different locations. They wanted something unique and different, so we ultimately chose a Barnegat Lighthouse engagement session. I love shooting here in the early Spring as it is pretty empty. Also, take note that Long Beach Island turns off most of its traffic lights and increases the speed limit in the off season, so you can get there much faster.
Barnegat Lighthouse, known locally as Old Barney, has stood at the northern tip of Long Beach Island since 1859. Built after a series of devastating shipwrecks on the shoals offshore, the 172-foot brick tower is New Jersey’s second-tallest lighthouse and one of only a handful in the country you can still climb. The beach just north of the structure is a well-kept secret: a long trail over dramatic dunes keeps it quiet even on warm weekends, and the wide stone jetty stretching into the inlet gives you open sky, moving water, and a classic Jersey Shore horizon. Sunset from the bay side turns the water copper. It is one of the most naturally cinematic engagement session backdrops on the East Coast.
Barnegat Lighthouse Sand Dunes
Not many people when they go to Long Beach Island go all the way north by the lighthouse to go to the beach. Be warned, that it is a long walk and you have to go over large dunes to get to the beach. The trail is similar in length to some of the locations in Wildwood. However, getting to the beach in Wildwood is flat, and Northern LBI has winding hills and dunes. It is excellent for photographs with the sweeping dunes and very fun with my drone!
The abandoned boat
While we were leaving the beach to go towards the lighthouse, I noticed a vintage sailboat on wooden blocks. We made a slight detour and found a beautiful backlit spot behind the boat. The sun was still pretty high in the sky and had time to kill before sunset. I love exploring areas with couples and finding unique locations to shoot. Sometimes we will come up with a place to photograph at and then just drive to different areas depending on what is there and the quality of light at that time of day.
Barnegat Lighthouse Engagement Session Photos
I love the Barnegat Lighthouse. I use to go out the Barnegat inlet on my parents’ boat as a kid and always remember how rough the water was at the inlet. They have a long jetty where you can walk along and also a cement pathway with railings, so you don’t fall in. I would not suggest falling in there! Although we did have two gentlemen that photobombed our shoot that were in wetsuits jumping in the water. We could not figure out what they were doing, but they were fun!
The Barnegat lighthouse wraps around into the bay so you should wait for sunset. People park there and watch the sunset over the water. It is New Jersey’s little slice of a West Coast sunset. Mary and Doug were so great to work with they have a beautiful album from this session and used it as a sign-in album at their wedding as well.
Engagement Sessions on the Jersey Shore
Long Beach Island is one of our favorite spots for engagement portraits, but it is just one of many stunning locations along the coast. If you are looking for ideas for your session, explore our guide to the best Jersey Shore wedding venues for more inspiration on beach and bayside locations.