LBI Sunset Engagement Session | Long Beach Island NJ | Kelly and Chris

LBI Sunset Engagement Session | Long Beach Island Engagement | Sunset beach session | Kelly and Chris

LBI Sunset Engagement Session. Sometimes we get the best weather for a beach session, which is exactly what Kelly and Chris had for their engagement session this past October. I met Kelly and Chris at the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park on Long Beach Island. This is one of my favorite places for a session. I love the lighthouse and the paths around the park.

Talks, dates, and Mini Golf

Kelly and Chris met in January 2020. After about a week of talking, Kelly finally got Chris to agree to go out on a date. He was new to the dating scene and a little shy, but Kelly wanted to meet him in person as soon as possible! They met at The Big Event for late-night bowling, which turned into a night they didn’t want to end. They bowled, played pool, and ended up at a bar for drinks. It was the best first date.

When Covid shut the world down, they decided to take time off from dating to focus on themselves while still remaining friends. They reconnected in August of that year to see if the connection was still there. And it was still there! So they went mini golfing on that date and have been together ever since! In May 2021, they moved into an apartment and adopted two kitties, Loki and Charlie. Then, six months later, in February of 2022, they bought a home together.

A Batsto Surprise Engagement

Chris proposed at Batsto Village in Hammonton, NJ, one of my favorite locations! He talked about going on a hike with his best friend Thanh for weeks. Things kept getting in the way, but eventually, they got to go on May 22, 2022. After walking around the village, they headed to the lake. Since Chris’s friend is a photographer, Kelly didn’t think twice about him having his camera with him. Little did she know it was all part of the plan.

Kelly wondered if something was up when they lingered too long by the lake. Finally, his friend, Thanh, told them to stand in front of the lake for a picture. Once he took the shot, Kelly turned to grab her bag off the ground and heard Chris call her name. When she turned around, he was on one knee and asked her to marry him. She immediately cried and, of course, said yes!

LBI Sunset Engagement Session

Kelly and Chris knew they wanted a beach engagement session and loved the idea of going to the Barnegat lighthouse state park. After the park, we would go to the high dunes and walk to the beach. I met them at the visitor center, and we headed down to the beach area in front of the lighthouse. I love including the lighthouse in the background of the photos.

These two posed so nicely together; I love how they smiled at each other. They responded well to my prompts and then would go just that little extra which was perfect. So they walked, danced, and snuggled, creating an ideal mixture of posed and candid shots.

The sun was setting fast, so we left the park and drove down to the high dunes. This is a spot that I love to photograph at, and everyone that I take to this “secret” spot agrees. We walked down the path to the beach at the perfect time for the sunset glow. A gentle breeze played with Kelly’s dress, and the golden sunlight created fantastic photo moments. I didn’t want to stop taking photos because they were all so good. I kept saying one more. Ha-ha

Finally, the sun was setting too low for the best light, and we ended the session. On our way back to the cars, we had fun talking about the session and their plans for the wedding. I enjoy these sessions because I get to know my wedding couples better, and we also have a fun, relaxed time taking photos.

A May 2024 Wedding

Kelly and Chris enjoy hiking, trying new food, watching tv, reading, dancing (when Chris has some liquid courage), playing with their cats, and tackling household projects. Kelly loves that Chris can always make her laugh with his silly jokes, and Chris loves how compassionate and caring Kelly is.

They are both looking forward to their wedding in May 2024 at the Valley Brook County Club and envision their wedding day to be exciting and run smoothly. They will get ready with friends and family at the venue and plan a private first look. I adore it when couples take this time to read their vows to each other. Kelly and Chris are also excited about the taco bar and chocolate lounge. Me too! Ha-ha.

I enjoyed meeting this sweet couple. We talked about their plans and love story during the session, and I look forward to capturing their day!