Documentary Style Engagement Session at Cape Kiwanda
Jacob and Brinae traveled from Washington to take their photos at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City. We spent the day climbing dunes, splashing in the waves, and enjoying the perfect cloudy, moody day while photographing their candid and documentary-style engagement session.
What is documentary-style photography?
You might be asking what exactly sets documentary-style photography apart and how do I know if that is what I’m looking for?
Documentary-style photography can be described as more relaxed and candid, resulting in opportunities for authentic moments. It focuses on capturing things as they happen, without intervention and less staging. Documentary photography is about telling your story as honestly and authentically as possible.
When photographing couples, I like to give prompts to add movement and allow for lots of interaction instead of just smiling for the camera. Those in-between moments will capture how beautiful your love is. This will make your engagement photos feel more authentic to you as a couple.
About the Couple:
Jacob and Brianae are both pretty laid-back individuals, which is what attracted them to the idea of an intentional elopement. Together they love new exploring places, along with hiking, snowboarding, and drinking cocktails.
For their February elopement, they are planning to have an intimate ceremony at a lake in Washington! Followed by a wine tasting at a local wine cellar with their families. They want something intimate for their families to spend time together. Brinae is from Germany so this is the first time their families will be coming together. The night will end with an intimate dinner that a chef will prepare for them at their Airbnb. I am so excited to be their elopement photographer and capture those sweet moments together.
Brinae and Jacob renovated an old van together and made it their own! Now they enjoy road-tripping and spending time together in it! For their engagement session, they enjoyed some Glühwein (a traditional spiced wine from her home country-Germany) that they warmed up on a camp stove.
How to make your Engagement Session more Personal:
- Think about what you enjoy doing together.
- Bring your dog!
- Choose a location that has sentimental value.
- Bring a drink that you both like! (Wine, coffee, cocktails etc.)
- Bring some records you enjoy listening to!
- Enjoy a picnic together.
Cape Kiwanda is one of the many options in the PNW for a gorgeous location for your engagement session! The variety of the dunes, the warm-washed rock, and the waves is perfect for a cohesive, but with variation to create a well-rounded gallery.
Before visiting Cape Kiwanda, I recommend checking the tide tables and if there are any current advisories. You can view that information here!
As your elopement and couples photographer, I am here for you every step of the way! I’ll learn what you are looking for and help you choose the perfect location that reflects YOU.
I want to be more than just your photographer, I want to truly connect and capture your story.
