Olivia and James

About Olivia and James Summer Elizabeth Park Engagement Session

Olivia and James’ summer engagement session at Elizabeth Park is one of my favorites. I shoot engagement sessions at Elizabeth Park, but for this one I added a new spot that will be a spot in my rotation. If you have ever shot a summer engagement session at Elizabeth Park, you know a couple of things: 1. It’s hot. 2. It can be very crowded. This particular evening it was probably the most crowded I have seen it (and yes, it was very hot). There was a concert by a popular local Hartford band, and there were people sitting as far back as the road that goes through the garden.

With it being as crowded as it was I had to game plan quickly. I started in my normal spot, which has great light and is kind of hidden to help ease couples into the session. I followed with the bridge, because Olivia liked a photo I had done there in a previous session. After bobbing my head to the very well-sung Motown music as we made our way past the concert, we went to my next go-to spots.

Then the famous rose garden that looked like summer was in full swing. Not everything looks brown, but it was definitely not spring anymore. I just had to be strategic and work around the dying flowers, and of course, the many people taking photos. I try not to have to edit out people in post, so I do what I can by choosing a less crowded area and giving posing cues while people move.

Since it was really hot, I was moving very fast and realized I needed a new spot to give Olivia and James the time they were promised. This is when I saw the greenhouse closer to the parking lot had a lot of flowers, and I headed there. After being a wedding photographer for about ten years now I have never used this spot. But I will be from here on out. It had great lighting, variety in the foreground, and some benches that provided some cute sitting photos. These photos ended up being some of my favorite engagement photos I have ever taken. This is also where I took a Pinterest-inspired photo Olivia liked that focused on her ring with their faces blurred in the back.

Last, we headed to the spot I have come to end most sessions with. This time, it was where we parked because the parking lot was full. The sunset looks so pretty in this spot, and the tall grass is a client fave.

Summer Elizabeth Park Engagement Photos

As you can see, even the things I mentioned earlier were part of the day, and neither the heat nor a free public concert took away from this summer Elizabeth Park engagement session. The new spot really gave us a beautiful canvas. I had such a great time shooting this session with these two. They were chill, relaxed, and easy to work with.

While their wedding is not soon, I look forward to spending time with these two in a couple of years.

Fun fact about Olivia and James: They met at the same school my parents did (University of Hartford). Even though they didn’t meet like my parents did, playing football in the quad. I think they will be just as happy as they are 46 years later.

Til Next Time

Raina

Looking to have a pretty summer Elizabeth Park engagement session

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Click here to see my last wedding at Elizabeth Park