Key West Destination Engagement Session
Engagement sessions
We, as photographers, just love engagement sessions, I’m not gonna lie. It’s wonderful to work with couples in love, about to embark on the next chapter of their lives, a new journey of destinies joined. It’s just a magical thing to behold and a true honor to be chosen to capture the moments, whether in the woods, in an urban area, in a studio, at the beach or in the back yard. It’s the emotion that is the most important thing. What can make it even better, though? Having the session at a beautiful location like in the Florida Keys, on a beautiful, sunny day with blue skies and a nice tropical breeze. That is exactly what we had the pleasure of experiencing, recently, for a lovely young couple from out of state who came to Florida for a beach engagement session.
Magic
Like I said, it’s always a pleasure to capture an engagement session, and I sincerely mean that. It’s an added bonus, though, when introducing someone to the location for the first time, especially someone who really hasn’t experienced it. With Mikala and Chris, she had been to the Florida beaches but he had not been to Florida (well, he visited Disney at age 4, he confessed, but I’m not going to count that). Chris had never been to the Keys or a Florida beach, so it was really extra special and added a little more magic to the session.
The ring
He told a lovely and touching story with the rings. He had been one to swear he wouldn’t get married but when his family met Mikala, they just knew she was the one. His grandmother wanted to give him the ring her late husband had given her at their 25th anniversary, so he could propose to his soulmate with it. He was supposed to propose in front of his entire family, at a gathering, but his nerves got the best of him so, much to the disappointment of his attending relatives, he asked her in private, at the end of the day, in their room. Of course she gave a tearful yes! So, of course I had to include some photos that showcased the ring, as well.
Mishaps and happy endings
Mikala chose a gorgeous white casual dress and Chris brought a change of shirts. However, that morning, something stained his white shirt so while I worked with them at the first beach (Bahia Honda State Park) in a flattering blue shirt , my husband, who happens to be the world’s greatest photography assistant, drove around the Keys until he found a store that was open (we started before 8am) and bought a white shirt to save the day for the second location. The white shirt and white dress were my favorite visual combination, against that lovely blue sky. The breeze was just enough to stave off overheating and to provide the perfect amount of movement in their clothing and her long hair. We all had a great time, with lots of laughter, and the images were loved by both. Mikala cried when she saw them and Chris got “choked up”, himself. I hope you love them, too!
