Downtown Engagement Session | Nicole + Ben

When Nicole and Ben reached out to me about their engagement, I was so incredibly excited! I went to high school with the two of them, and played on the volleyball team with Nicole. In high school, Nicole was someone who took me under her wing. She was not just a teammate, but a friend. I will always appreciate and love her for that!

Over the past 10+ years, I have had many fun memories with the two of them both separately and together, and was honored when they chose me to be their official photographer for their wedding next spring.

 

Location 1- Bellevue Main Street

We started Nicole and Ben’s downtown engagement session on Main Street in Bellevue, Iowa; a city whose name literally means “beautiful view.” It overlooks the Mississippi River and is a quaint little, tourist town rich in history and rustic charm. Nicole and Ben will be having their wedding ceremony and reception here in May of 2022. I already know that it’s going to be amazing!

 

       

 

Location 2- The Private Dock

After images downtown, we headed down to Ben’s parents’ house just outside of town. They have their own private doc with access to the river, which created the most stunning backdrop for their engagement photos. The lighting was perfect and their neutral summer outfits contrasted marvelously with the scenery behind them.

 

      

 

Location 3- The Sandbar

A quick outfit change into something more casual, we took a short boat ride to a near-by sandbar to dip our feet in and cool off. It just happened to be one of the hottest weeks in Iowa during their July session. The heat and humidity had us all sweating by the end of the night, but these two were troopers! 

 

Engagement Outfit Tips:

I always recommend at least two outfits for every engagement session. This adds variety to your photos and will showcase your style in different ways. Example:

• Outfit 1- Classy, Elegant & Fun

• Outfit 2: Casual, Comfy & Relaxed

Stick to solid and neutral colors, avoid logos and choose fabrics with texture and movement for the best results!

 

     

Nicole and Ben were an absolute dream to work with, and I couldn’t be more excited for their wedding next year. 

If you are newly engaged, check out this blog on what the wedding process looks like with me from start to finish! 

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