Blog— 2020 —
Roger Williams Park Engagement Photos
Christine & Brandon
Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
October 3rd, 2020
I'm a big believer that your engagement photos should show off who you really are, not who you think you're supposed to be so I absolutely LOVE when couples come to their shoot with something different or uniquely "them."
That's one of the reasons I couldn't help but smile when I met up with Christine and Brandon in the carousel parking lot at Roger Williams Park on a beautiful October afternoon. As I do with all of my engagement session clients, I asked them what outfits (if any) they had planned to switch into and, with a nervous smile, Christine asked if I would be OK with her and Brandon putting on their cosplay outfits for a few photos.
OK with it? Um ... yes, please.
Suffice to say, it didn't take much to help this couple's unique personalities shine through in their portraits.
Chrissy and Brandon's engagement session started with off much more difficult than I imagined as Roger Williams Park was swamped with people and lit up like the Fourth of July with bright sunshine that took a little while to get adjusted to. But I always like this feeling out, semi-awkward period with a couple as it helps to ease out their nerves and see which poses work or don't work with them.
Thankfully, any awkwardness didn't last long and, though they say they don't take a lot of portraits together, these 2022 newlyweds really seemed to warm up to being the centers of attention as our time together went along.
One of the nice things about Roger Williams Park on a bright and sunny day, particularly in the early part of the fall, is there are so many trees in the massive park that you can pretty easily find some shaded spots with nice foliage to take your couple and that's what we did for Chrissy and Brandon's second location.
Together, we chose to visit a nice hill atop the carousel parking lot that I've had great luck in and this shoot was no exception as the beautiful fall colors looked great on this bride and groom's dark clothing. What's more, as we traveled through the park, I could see how much Chrissy and Brandon were legitimately enjoying themselves as drawing smiles out for their portraits got easier and easier.
About an hour into our session, and three locations scoured, it was time for Chrissy and Brandon to toss on their handmade outfits and I'm not sure what, exactly, I was expecting to see but I really loved the detailed cosplay they brought to the table.
What I loved, in particular, was the very clearly thought out accessories that made the outfits pop. You can tell a lot of time and effort went into putting these looks together and they worked super well as a couple's theme, especially as we wrapped up our session together at the park's Temple to Music, a Roman coliseum-inspired piece of beautiful architecture that looks timeless and fierce.
As Christine, Brandon and I wrapped up their engagement session, I could see how much fun these two were truly having and, honestly, I was so happy for them.
It's sometimes tough to bring out a couple's personality, especially when you're just getting to know them but the entire point of an engagement session is to break any ice between you and the future newlyweds so that, on their wedding day, everything runs a little smoother.
If Chrissy and Brandon's engagement session is any indication, their 2022 wedding is going to be one hell of a time and we'll have a blast documenting it together. Until then, I can hope the couple enjoys every bit of the wedding planning process and makes sure their big day is as spirited and unique as their engagement session turned out to be.
So thank you Chrissy and Brandon for the super fun session. I can't wait to meet up with you again in a couple of years and see just how much fun we have trying to top it. :)
-Paul J. Spetrini
