Taylor & Nate | Engagement Session in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Some love stories come full circle in the most beautiful ways. Last year, I met this incredible couple on a cruise, where they got engaged in the Bahamas. We spent nearly the entire trip together, and by the time we returned home, we had built a friendship that felt like it had existed forever. Fast forward a year later to this February—we went on another cruise together, and I had the absolute joy of capturing their engagement session at Cocoa Beach, Florida.
A Dreamy Beach Morning
Cocoa Beach was the perfect backdrop for this special session, but the morning didn’t start quite as planned. Just before the session, the rain started, leaving dark clouds and fog behind. But that didn’t stop us. As we started shooting, the sky began to open up, and the most stunning light peeked through the clouds. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I love natural light photography—unpredictable and absolutely breathtaking.
The sound of the waves, the salty breeze, and the soft morning light set the stage for some of the most heartfelt and intimate moments. The way they looked at each other, laughed together, and embraced the adventure of an early morning beach session made every frame feel effortless and real.
Traveling for Love Stories
As a Pennsylvania wedding photographer, most of my sessions take place in rolling hills, open fields, and charming historic towns. So getting the chance to shoot at the beach was an exciting change of pace! There’s something so freeing about a destination engagement session—it turns into more than just a photoshoot; it’s an experience, a memory, and a celebration all in one.
Whether you’re engaged and dreaming of a beachside session or planning something completely unique, destination engagement shoots allow couples to connect with a place that means something special to them. And for these two, Cocoa Beach became another unforgettable part of their journey together.
A Session Filled with Love
Some of my favorite images from this session were the ones that felt completely unscripted—the way they danced in the sand, played in the waves, and stole quiet moments just taking it all in. One of the most breathtaking shots happened as the sun finally broke through, wrapping them in golden light as they laid on the beach together, gazing out at the ocean.
This session was a reminder that the best moments happen when you let go and just enjoy the experience. Rain or shine, the love these two share radiated through every image.
Essential Tips for a Beach Engagement Session
Timing is Everything: Shooting during golden hour, either early in the morning or in the evening, provides the most beautiful light. Unfortunately for our session, we weren’t so luckily when it came to the golden hour but the cloud cover casted a soft light that is still super flattering!
Dress for the Location: Flowy dresses and neutral tones work best against the sandy backdrop. Taylor and Nate picked out the perfect outfits to complement the beach vibe!
Barefoot Bliss: Going barefoot adds to the natural, romantic feel of the session. It will also allow you to dip your toes in the water for a few pictures!
Interaction Over Posing: Embracing movement, playful moments, and genuine interaction helps create natural and timeless images. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous, run around, play tag, even splash in the water a bit!
Some Love From the Couple
Taylor & Nate's experience during their engagement session at Cocoa Beach was truly unforgettable.
Here's what they had to say about their session:
“To our lovely photographer: We love you so much and are so incredibly happy that we gained an amazing friendship with you and your lover and were able to experience such an amazing time photographing such an important part of our lives for us! We are so happy with the way these pictures turned out!”
It was an absolute honor capturing their love story!
Looking for a Pennsylvania photographer to help capture your moments?
If you’re planning your engagement session and dreaming of a meaningful location—whether it's a sunlit beach, a cozy mountain overlook, or your favorite city street—I’d love to help tell your story in a way that feels uniquely you. Let’s turn your love into something timeless.
As a Pennsylvania-based wedding and elopement photographer, I'm all about working with couples who are fun-loving, adventurous, and deeply in love. If you're ready to embrace spontaneity, dance in the rain, and make memories that will last a lifetime, then we're definitely a perfect match!
Ready to plan your dream session? Let’s make magic together!