Blog— 2022 —
Roger Williams Park Engagement Photos
Lindsay & Joe
Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
October 21st, 2022
I'm not a big fan of gimmicked engagement sessions. What do I mean by that? Well, if you browse social media and you take a look at a LOT of the engagement sessions shared online, you'll see out of place props that don't belong or weird editing trends that are popular for a few weeks and then horribly dated afterward.
I want all of my couples to have engagement photos that last forever and that means telling my brides and grooms to stay true to who they are and what is important to them.
Lindsay and Joe really took that message to heart and that's why I had no problem when the groom-to-be wanted to wear his cowboy hat. Or incorporate his firefighter helmet. Or when the couple wanted to take some photos with the American flag to go along with their patriotic-themed Fourth of July weekend wedding for next year.
Because all those things are who Lindsay and Joe are. It's their identity and I wouldn't have expected to see anything else on the beautiful afternoon we got together at Roger Williams Park back in October.
Lindsay and Joe's engagement session started with a chance break of luck as we managed to pop into the Roger Williams Park carousel for a few minutes before it closed. I always like to start somewhere silly where how good or bad the photos are doesn't matter so that I can get a good feel for the couple I'm working with before really diving into their pictures but Lindsay and Joe were a blast to work with right from our first few shots.
That's why I was confident I could take them a spot I REALLY wanted to photograph them in: The Japanese Gardens at Roger Williams. I knew right away it was a great call as it led to my favorite photos of the whole day, right away.
I'm not above being silly and ridiculous to bring out genuine smiles and fun from my couples and I think that's why when Joe asked to use his firefighter helmet in some of the shots, I didn't really mind. Were some of these photos a bit cheesy? Sure.
But it's important to me to make sure a couple feels like themselves and, surprisingly, we were able to get some great photos with said helmet even if it was a bit awkward at first.
The American flag Lindsay and Joe brought to their shoot was much easier to work with ... once we figured out how to have them hold it.
I'm so glad we waited to incorporate the flag into Lindsay and Joe's photos as the Temple to Music was the perfect spot to really make the colors pop.
After spending a couple of hours together, Lindsay and Joe only had one last request of me: Find a way to take some sparkler photos. It took a little doing but, as the sun came down, I knew I had to try on the park's Iron Footbridge and I love the contrast between the fading light in the background and the bright light of the fireworks Lindsay and Joe are holding.
By the time Lindsay, Joe and I headed out of Roger Williams Park, I think we were all a ton more comfortable with each other and able to laugh and joke around and I think that bodes very, very well for their wedding next summer.
If nothing else, I am eager to see how we top their engagement session in terms of theme and props and I know they'll crush it for sure.
So thanks Lindsay and Joe for a fun engagement session and I can't wait to see you in 2023!