Tips for Engagement Photos in Asbury Park, NJ
Getting engaged is an incredible adventure – and these moments deserve to be documented! New Jersey has so many scenic spots perfect for an engagement session, including the beachfront city of Asbury Park, where you can take photos by the water, on the boardwalk, and plenty of other scenic spots on the Jersey Shore. This guide will give you some tips for Asbury Park engagement photos, and tell you everything you need to know to plan your session!
Reasons to Take Engagement Photos in Asbury Park
A lot of couples are on the fence about engagement photos, which is totally understandable! Being in front of the camera can be intimidating, but it’s so worth it.
Get Comfortable With You Asbury Park Engagement Photographer
One of the biggest reasons to book an engagement session is that it allows you to get comfortable with your photographer, and in front of the camera! Think about it this way – do you want your first time being professionally photographed to be on your wedding day, when there’s already so much to think about?
Working with the same photographer for the engagement session and the wedding photos is best, as you can meet them, get to know each other, and work together before the big day. You’ll get more comfortable with having your photo taken, and they’ll learn about the two of you and your personalities, and how to make being in front of the camera fun and easy for the two of you!
Documenting Your Engagement
The wedding is a big deal, of course. But, being engaged is big too! This time before you’re married but after the question’s been popped is really special, and you deserve to remember it. Getting photos of the two of you that reflect your personalities and memorialize the “we’re engaged” bliss is going to be so meaningful, and you can use these photos for save-the-dates, invitations, and more!
Scenery and Activities
Asbury Park in particular is a great place for engagement photos because it’s such a vibrant, fun beach city. There are gorgeous ocean views, a boardwalk with unique buildings and beautiful murals, and a lot of great backdrops for your photos. The Stone Pony is a rock club that’s been a part of the music scene since 1974, and is a very popular place for music in the summer.
The Best Time for Asbury Park Engagement Photos
When you’re planning an engagement session, it’s important to consider not only weather, but also crowds to help you decide when to have your photos taken.
Asbury Park is a popular beach destination, especially in the summer, when there are lots of outdoor concerts, fairs, shows, and other events going on. This means that it does get pretty crowded, and summer is going to be busy!
For engagement photos, most couples would prefer to have a little more privacy, and not having to navigate big crowds definitely makes things easier. While you probably won’t ever be the only people on the beach, there are a few things you can do to minimize how many people are around for your Asbury Park engagement session!
First, taking photos in the off season – spring or fall, will ensure way fewer people around. You can definitely do a session in the winter too, but spring and fall typically have nice, warm weather during the day that will be perfect for an engagement session.
Next, no matter what time of year you plan your session for, I recommend booking your engagement photos for a weekday. Weekends are busier no matter where you are, so a weekday, especially Monday through Thursday, will be less crowded – just make sure to avoid three day weekends and holidays.
Sunrise is also the best time for engagement photos when it comes to crowds, but it also provides gorgeous lighting! The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, so having your session early in the morning will give you beautiful lighting for your photos, and a special experience. Sunset is incredible as well, giving you amazing lighting and backdrops colored in oranges and reds!
Where to Take Asbury Park Engagement Photos
There are a few locations around the city of Asbury Park where you can take engagement photos, and going to a few different spots can give you some variety in your photos. Here are a few ideas for your Asbury Park engagement photos!
The Beach
Of course, one of the highlights of Asbury Park is the beach! Engagement photos in front of the water are a must, and the Asbury Park beach offers a perfect backdrop.
The Boardwalk
The Asbury Park Boardwalk runs along the beach, with lots of shops, restaurants, art and murals, unique architecture, and some old buildings. It’s a great place for some photos, and can also be a fun way to turn your engagement session into a date day by exploring the boardwalk afterwards!
Local Parks
If you want to venture a few blocks away from the beach, the city also has some nice parks with greenery and different views that would make for great engagement photo locations. Sunset Lake Memorial Park is a good one, with grassy lawns, flower beds, and views of the lake.
What to Wear for Asbury Park Engagement Photos
Choosing outfits for your engagement session can feel like a daunting task! You want to look your best, of course, and to be comfortable and feel good while you’re running around the beach.
The first thing to think about is weather – make sure you’re dressed appropriately and will be comfortable for a few hours during your engagement session. Be prepared for it to get chilly by the ocean if your session is near sunrise or sunset, as the breeze can definitely make the temperature feel quite a bit cooler.
It’s also important to consider comfort – both physically, and just how you feel in your outfits. You’ll want to make sure your clothes fit well and allow you to move around, because this isn’t about stiff engagement photos where you’re posed next to each other – you’ll be doing a little bit of walking, maybe some spinning, and just generally moving and having fun! Don’t opt for anything too tight and restrictive.
How you feel is just as important – wear clothes that actually feel like who you are! If you aren’t a couple that likes dressing up or who does that often, black tie attire won’t really feel authentic to you. It can be fun to buy new outfits for the engagement session, but make sure they’re something you would actually wear!
Some couples do two outfits – one more casual one, and one that’s more dressed up. This gives you some variety for your engagement photos! Check with your photographer and see how many outfit changes are included in your session, to ensure you’ll have time for everything. The Asbury Park Convention Hall has bathrooms that you can change in, along with coffee shops and small stores that are great for taking a break during hot summer days.
Finding a Photographer Asbury Park Engagement Photos
To take engagement photos in Asbury Park, you’ll need a photographer! Luckily, you don’t have to look far. My job as a photographer is to make sure each couple feels comfortable in front of the camera, and that your photo session is truly unique to you.
If you’re ready to book your engagement photos in Asbury Park, contact me!
