Courtney & Ben’s Wingaersheek Beach Engagement Photos

Courtney and Ben flew in from Washington, DC for their engagement session. I could not have asked for a better couple to work with. Their photos are romantic, playful, and full of movement. Honestly, they were just so fun to be around.

This stretch of beach is special to them. Ben’s parents live on the private side of Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. That meant we got a quiet part of the sand most people never get to use. Add in their sweet dog Dan, a gorgeous sunset, and almost the entire beach to themselves. You get a session full of running, dancing, kissing, and eventually a walk right into the water.

If you want a peek at what a relaxed, joyful beach engagement session actually looks like, keep scrolling.

How Courtney & Ben Met

Courtney is from California. She moved to DC for work, and that is where she met Ben on Hinge (classic). Ben was born and raised in the DC area, but his family has roots in Massachusetts. His parents now live right on this stretch of Wingaersheek Beach.

They have been together for a few years now. Ben proposed at a lake, and when it came time to plan their engagement photos, Massachusetts made perfect sense. It was not just a pretty beach. It is a place that actually means something to them. They visit his parents as often as possible!

I love when a location has real meaning behind it. Picking Wingaersheek Beach was not about finding somewhere Instagram-worthy. It was about finding somewhere that felt like home. But it also totally is Instagram-worthy!

Beach Engagement Photos at Wingaersheek Beach

The private side of Wingaersheek Beach gave us so much to work with. Soft sand, open water, and a sunset that lit everything up in gold. Because we had the beach mostly to ourselves, Courtney and Ben could run, dance, and play with Dan. No crowd to worry about.

That kind of space matters. It gives a couple room to actually be themselves instead of feeling like they are on display. We got quiet portraits, playful movement, and even some drone shots from up above. Those aerial shots ended up being some of my favorites from the whole session.

A beach like this can give you photos that feel candid and polished at the same time. There is no complicated setup needed. You just need the right light, some open space, and a couple who is willing to have fun.

From Camera-Shy to Completely Comfortable

Here is something I loved about this session. This was Ben’s first real experience being in front of a camera, and he crushed it.

It took about ten minutes for both of them to loosen up. Once they did, they could not stop touching, laughing, and holding onto each other. That is a photographer’s dream. When a couple gets comfortable, the photos stop looking staged and start looking real.

If you are nervous about your own session, know this. You do not need to walk in already knowing how to pose. That goes double if it is your first time in front of a camera. You just need to trust your photographer and give yourself a few minutes to warm up. The best photos usually happen once you stop thinking about the camera at all.

Their Dog Dan Stole the Show

I have to talk about Dan. He ran alongside Courtney and Ben the whole session. He even barked a few times when they kissed or hugged for too long. He is a very, very good boy, and he posed perfectly every time we needed him to.

Having Dan there made the whole session feel more like them. Funny enough, I had to stop myself a few times from calling Ben “Dan” by accident. That is what happens when a dog has that much personality on set. And a name with the same number of letters

If your dog is part of your family, bring them along too.

Adding Movement to Your Beach Engagement Photos

Courtney used to dance, and it showed. She was completely comfortable spinning, walking, and moving with Ben, and it made for some gorgeous shots. Movement is what keeps photos from turning into a row of stiff, standing portraits.

You do not need to be a dancer to get great movement in your photos. A few simple prompts go a long way:

• Run toward each other
• Walk hand in hand
• Spin your partner around
• Chase each other down the beach
• Dance together in the sand
• Pick your partner up
• Walk into the water together

Small moments like these usually turn into the photos people love most.

When to Take Beach Engagement Photos

Golden hour is almost always your best bet for beach photos. The light is softer, the colors are warmer, and everything just looks more romantic once the sun starts to dip.

Timing shifts throughout the year, so sunset in July looks different than sunset in October. Summer is popular, but it is not the only good season for a beach session. You also want to think about tides, crowds, and weather when you are picking a date.

Courtney and Ben’s original session was actually supposed to happen the day before, but it rained. We rescheduled, and the new evening gave us one of the best sunsets I have seen all year. Sometimes the backup plan turns out even better.

What to Wear for Beach Engagement Photos

You do not need to match outfits exactly. Coordinating works better than matching, and it usually photographs more naturally.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Stick with neutrals and soft colors
• Avoid busy patterns, they can be distracting in photos
• Pick fabrics that move well and photograph nicely against sand and water
• Bring a second outfit if you want some variety
• Wear shoes you can easily take off, or plan to go barefoot
• Choose something you feel good moving around in
• Think ahead about whether you actually want to get in the water

Courtney and Ben kept things simple and relaxed, and it matched the whole vibe of their session perfectly. And Courtney made sure her second outfit was one she didn’t mind getting wet!

Why Engagement Sessions Are Worth Doing Before Your Wedding

An engagement session is not just about getting pretty photos, though you will get plenty of those. It is a chance to get comfortable in front of a camera. You also learn how your photographer directs you, and what feels natural for the two of you together.

Those photos also come in handy for save-the-dates, invitations, your wedding website, or a guest book at your reception.

Ben is a great example of why this matters. He had barely been photographed before this session. Within ten minutes, he was completely at ease. That comfort carries right into your wedding day. You will not be learning how to be in front of a camera for the first time while everyone watches.

If you are planning a beach session in Gloucester, Cape Ann, Boston, Cape Cod, or Newport, I would love to help. That goes for anywhere else in New England or anywhere in the world! Let’s capture a day that feels just as real.