Brianna & DJ’s Wildwood Engagement Photos | A Jersey Shore Engagement Session

Brianna and DJ wanted beach engagement photos, but there was a little more behind that choice than wanting pictures by the ocean!

They had actually planned to have their engagement photos taken on the beach before and their photographer never showed up.🙆 So when they told me the beach was something they had always wanted and one of their favorite places to be together, I knew we had to make this session count!

As a Wildwood engagement photographer, (and as a Jersey girl that has vacationed at the Jersey Shore her whole life,) I loved that the North Wildwood already had a place in their story. We started along the seawall, made our way to the beach, stopped at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and eventually ended the session at MudHen Brewery. And because these two are self-proclaimed beer connoisseurs, that last stop was pretty much perfect! 😂

Starting Along the Wildwood Seawall

We started their Wildwood engagement session along the seawall before making our way toward the beach. It gave us an easy place to start, get comfortable and let the session unfold without immediately jumping into a bunch of posing.

Brianna and DJ told me they wanted photos that felt in the moment and heartfelt, but they were also worried about feeling comfortable in front of the camera. That’s one of the biggest reasons I like giving couples some direction while still leaving plenty of room for them to interact with each other.

You don’t need to show up knowing what to do with your hands. I promise! 😂

If you’re nervous about that part, I talk more about how I approach this in my post on 7 Engagement Photoshoot Ideas to Make It Personal. The short version? You don’t need to become a professional model for an afternoon.

Beach Engagement Photos in Wildwood

Once we got to the beach, we had exactly what Brianna and DJ were hoping for.

We walked, talked, played around and let them enjoy being together. Some of my favorite Wildwood engagement photos are the ones where they weren’t focused on the camera at all.

That’s always what I’m after. I’ll guide you when you need direction, but I don’t want you spending your entire engagement session thinking about what you’re supposed to be doing.

And because the beach already meant something to them, It was a place they already loved being together.

That’s something I talk about in my Cape May Engagement Photos post (in-case you’re interested in another part of the Jersey Shore!), too: sometimes the best place for your engagement session is somewhere that already feels like part of your relationship! 

The Best Engagement Sessions Feel Like You

Brianna and DJ described themselves as fun, outgoing, funny and weird, which I feel like tells you quite a bit about what this session needed to be. 😂

They love traveling, trying new places, breweries, pizza shops, golf, movies and spending time with their nephews. So there was no reason to turn their session into something overly serious or overly posed.

The beach already meant something to them! We just built around that and let their personalities take over from there.

If you’re planning South Jersey engagement photos, I always think it’s worth asking yourself one question first: What do we actually like doing together?

That answer can tell you a lot more about where your session should happen than a Pinterest board ever will.

A Stop at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse

After the beach, we headed over to Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and found some secret gardens! 

There was actually a bench right in front of gorgeous hydrangeas, so of course we took that opportunity! I genuinely felt like I was a character inside of a fairytale book. 

This is one of my favorite ways to approach a Wildwood engagement session! Start somewhere that feels like you, then discover another nearby spot that adds a little mystery to keep the entire session feeling like magic.

And Yes, We Went to a Brewery 🍻 

This part was never really up for debate.

Brianna and DJ told me they love breweries and consider themselves beer connoisseurs, so ending the session at MudHen Brewery felt like the most obvious thing in the world! They actually stopped here the day before when they got into town! 

I LOVE when couples include something they actually enjoy doing together. It doesn’t have to be some elaborate setup! If you love going out for drinks, let’s grab a drink. If pizza is your thing, let’s get pizza. If you spend your weekends at the golf course, give me a putter and let’s go! 

Your engagement session shouldn’t feel like somebody else’s, it should feel like YOU! 

Worried You’ll Feel Awkward?

Brianna and DJ weren’t sure how comfortable they’d feel in front of the camera and that’s probably one of the most common concerns I hear from couples!

You’re in very good company!

I mean, who the heck is used to having someone follow them around with a camera?! I’m not lol! But here’s my promise to you: you don’t need to show up knowing how to pose or knowing what to do. I’ll give you enough direction that you know what’s happening, then I’ll let you get back to being yourselves!

Usually, once you’re walking, talking and paying attention to each other, the camera becomes a lot less scary.

That’s also a big part of how I approach weddings. If you’re interested in seeing how I work with couples throughout the entire wedding day, you can check out my South Jersey Wedding Photographer page.

Two Outfits, Two Different Looks

Brianna and DJ also wanted some variety with their outfits for their Wildwood engagement photos! 

They started with a dress and khakis (which were BEACH DREAMS. Like seriously, take a second and appreciate look #1) before changing into a more casual look with jeans and a laidback short sundress! I loved that choice because the two outfits gave the session a slightly different feel but kept it feeling coastal!

That’s actually why our sessions come with an online outfit stylist! It is there to help our couples plan outfits that match the vibe and color scheme they’re planning! 

You Don’t Need to Plan Every Second

We had a plan for Brianna and DJ’s session, but we didn’t need to script the entire thing!

We knew we wanted the beach and we knew we’d end at the brewery but everything in between (and the lighthouse!) happened naturally and made the whole night magic.

I think that’s the sweet spot for an engagement session. You want enough of a plan that you’re not wandering around wondering what we’re doing next, but not so much of a plan that you can’t actually enjoy yourselves!

Why I Loved This Wildwood Engagement Session

There were a lot of things I loved about this session, but the biggest one was that every part of it made sense for Brianna and DJ.

The beach was important to them. and finishing the day with a beer was very much on brand. 😂

This is exactly why I love being a Wildwood engagement photographer! We can meet at the beach you already love, a place you’ve explored together, a brewery you visit all the time or the place you grew up vacationing. 

Most importantly, they didn’t have to become a different version of themselves just because there was a camera around. They got to spend time together in places that fit them and I got to document it!

Planning Your Own Wildwood Engagement Photos?

If you’re thinking about Wildwood engagement photos, start with the places and things you already enjoy! 

Maybe it’s the beach or the boardwalk! (Have I mentioned Ice cream yet?) Or maybe you have a favorite brewery, pizza shop or restaurant. 

The best part? There isn’t a rule that says engagement photos have to happen in one particular type of location, so let the sky be your limit! 

And if you’re worried about being awkward, don’t let that stop you! That’s my job. You just need to show up, be yourselves and let me take care of the rest.

More Engagement Session Inspiration

If you’re planning your own engagement session, here are a few more ideas:

• 7 Engagement Photoshoot Ideas to Make It Personal
• Cape May Engagement Photos
• Bradley Beach Proposal Photographer

You can also see more from Brianna and DJ’s session:
See Brianna + DJ’s Engagement Session on Instagram

Looking for a Wildwood Engagement Photographer?

If you’re planning your own Wildwood engagement session and want a Wildwood engagement photographer who will help you feel comfortable and like yourselves, I’d love to hear what you’re planning! 

We’ll figure out the locations, outfits and general plan together and I’ll guide you through the parts where you need direction while giving you plenty of space to just enjoy being together. You don’t need to know how to pose or show up with a perfect plan, you just need to show up as yourselves.

If you’re also planning your wedding and you’re looking for a South Jersey Wedding Photographer I would love to hear what you’re planning!

Click here to chat about your wedding plans, ask questions and see if we’re the right fit.

Wildwood Engagement Photos FAQ

Where are good places for engagement photos in Wildwood?

The beach and seawall are great starting points, especially if the Jersey Shore already means something to you. You can also add another nearby location, like the boardwalk or Hereford lighthouse … or a place you genuinely enjoy spending time together!

Can we use more than one location?

Absolutely. Brianna and DJ’s session included the seawall, beach, Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and MudHen Brewery. Using a few locations can give you more variety while still keeping the session relaxed!

What should we wear for Wildwood engagement photos?

Choose outfits that feel like you and work with the locations you’re using. Brianna and DJ had a dress and khakis for one look, then changed into something more casual with jean shorts.

A second outfit can be a fun way to get more variety without changing the entire feel of the session. And if you work with us? Or sessions come with an online outfit stylist to help our couples plan their outfits! 

What if we’re awkward in front of the camera?

You’re in very good company! Most couples aren’t used to being in front of a camera for an entire session. I’ll guide you through it, you just focus on being yourself! 

Can we include one of our favorite activities?

Please do! I actually encourage it! 

If there’s something you enjoy doing together, bringing that into the session can make the experience feel much more like you. Brianna and DJ’s brewery stop was one of my favorite parts because it was something they actually enjoy doing together.

Do we have to be getting married at the Jersey Shore?

Nope. Brianna and DJ are getting married at Westwynd Gardens in Honey Brook, PA, but they chose the Jersey Shore for their engagement session because the beach is one of their favorite places together! 

Your engagement session can happen somewhere that means something to you, even if it’s completely different from your wedding venue.