From Baker Park to the Beach | A Naples Engagement Session
When this couple came to Naples from the Northeast for their engagement session, they knew they wanted something more than a collection of photos on the beach.
The groom-to-be had been visiting Naples with his family since he was a child, so the area already held a lot of meaning for him. So for their engagement photos they were back in a place that had been part of his life for years to document this next chapter together.
They also knew they wanted variety. There is absolutely nothing wrong with an engagement session that takes place entirely on the beach, especially in Naples, but they wanted their photographs to feel like more than sand and water. So we planned a session that would begin at Baker Park and finish at one of the beaches near downtown Naples.
The best part? It was a surprise for his fiancée. She didn’t know exactly what we were going to do, which made the whole evening even more fun.
Why I Like Using More Than One Location for Engagement Photos
Not every couple wants multiple locations, and that’s completely fine. A single-location engagement session can be beautiful and gives us plenty of time to settle into the environment and photograph naturally.
But when couples want more variety, Naples makes it surprisingly easy to build a session around two very different settings.
For this session, Baker Park gave us greenery, walking paths, bridges, and a completely different feel from the beach. We could photograph the couple moving through the park, interacting naturally, and enjoying some quieter moments together before changing locations.
Then we could finish at the beach with the Gulf, open sky, and sunset light.
The result is a gallery that feels much more varied without making the session feel like we’re constantly rushing from place to place.
If you’re trying to decide which setting might work best for your engagement photos, I’ve also put together a guide to some of the best places for family and couple photos in Naples.
Starting at Baker Park
We started the session at Baker Park roughly two hours before sunset.
That timing gave us plenty of room to enjoy the park without feeling like we had to rush through it. We could take our time walking around, photograph in the shade, and use the different backgrounds throughout the park before heading toward the beach.
One of the things I like about starting earlier is that it gives us time to let the session unfold naturally. The couple has a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera before we ever reach the beach, which usually makes the later photographs feel much more relaxed.
Baker Park is also a great example of why I don’t think every Naples session needs to start on the sand. The greenery and natural surroundings give us a completely different look.
I’ve photographed families here for the same reason, and you can see more of that approach in my Naples family photos at Baker Park
From Baker Park to the Beach
After spending time at Baker Park, we made our way toward a downtown Naples beach entrance.
The transition from the park to the beach is one of my favorite things about this type of session. Instead of spending an entire hour in one environment, we get two distinct chapters within the same evening.
The park photographs feel more intimate and surrounded by greenery. Once we reach the beach, everything opens up.
Suddenly we’re working with the Gulf, the horizon, the sand, and the changing evening light.
For couples visiting Naples from out of town, this can also be a nice way to incorporate more of what makes the area special. You aren’t just getting beach photographs. You’re getting photographs that feel connected to the landscape and experience of being in Naples.
Making the Most of Sunset Light
Timing matters quite a bit when we’re planning a session that ends at the beach.
I generally want to be at the beach for the final portion of the session when the sun is low and the light becomes softer and more flattering. On the Gulf, that beautiful golden light doesn’t last for an hour. I often tell clients that we get a golden 30 minutes.
That’s why starting at Baker Park about two hours before sunset worked so well for this couple. We had plenty of time to photograph in the park and still arrive at the beach with enough time to take advantage of that final window of light.
If you’re trying to decide whether you would rather photograph in the morning or evening, I go into much more detail about the difference in my guide to morning vs. sunset sessions in Naples.
The time of year also makes a difference in when we actually start a session. If you’re planning an engagement session during the winter months, when sunset comes earlier, the schedule can feel much more comfortable. I wrote more about seasonal timing in the best time of year for family photos in Naples , and many of the same considerations apply to engagement sessions.
Why I Photograph Engagement Sessions on Film
This entire session was photographed on film.
I’ve always loved the way film handles the natural environments that make Naples so beautiful. The greens at Baker Park, the soft tones of the sand, and the changing light at the beach all have a softness that works beautifully with film.
But I also think film fits engagement sessions particularly well because these photographs are meant to become something you keep.
You’re documenting a very specific moment between being engaged and beginning your married life together. I want the photographs to feel timeless rather than tied to whatever photography style happens to be popular at the moment.
Film gives the images a softness and character that I love, while still allowing me to photograph the session naturally and let the couple interact rather than constantly stopping to pose.
If you’re curious about why I choose to photograph families and couples on film, you can read more about why I love film photography
A Relaxed Approach to Engagement Photos
I don’t want an engagement session to feel like a series of poses.
There will certainly be some photographs where I direct you, especially when we’re working with the light or creating a particular portrait. But much of the session is about giving couples things to do and letting them interact with each other.
Walking together, talking, exploring a location, stopping for a moment, or simply enjoying being together can create much more natural photographs than asking you to look at the camera for every image.
That’s especially helpful when one person isn’t particularly comfortable having their photo taken. You don’t have to arrive knowing how to pose. That’s my job.
My goal is to create photographs that feel like you two, not like you were dropped into someone else’s engagement photography Pinterest board.
Planning Your Own Naples Engagement Session
If you’re traveling to Naples for an engagement session, I always recommend thinking about what you want your photographs to feel like before choosing a location.
If you love the idea of barefoot photos with the Gulf behind you, a beach-only session can be perfect.
If you want more variety, we can combine a park, garden, downtown area, or another setting with the beach. Naples gives us plenty of options, and the right combination depends on your personalities and how much variety you want in your final gallery.
For couples who want to finish at the beach, I generally prefer building the schedule around sunset rather than trying to squeeze the beach portion in too early.
You can also read my guide to the best beaches in Naples for photos if you’re trying to decide which beach entrance might work best for your session.
And if you’re wondering what to wear, I have a what to wear for photos guide that can help you coordinate outfits without making everything look overly matched.
Final Thoughts
I loved that this couple wanted their engagement photos to feel like more than just a beach session.
Starting at Baker Park gave us the opportunity to slow down and photograph them in a completely different environment before heading toward the Gulf for sunset. It also gave us a chance to incorporate a little more of Naples into their photographs, which felt especially meaningful given his history of visiting the area with his family.
And the fact that the session was a surprise for his fiancée made the whole evening that much more fun.
Engagement photos don’t have to follow a formula. You can spend an entire session at the beach, explore a park, or combine two locations to create a gallery with a little more variety.
For me, the most important thing is that the session feels like the two of you.
If you’re planning an engagement session in Naples, Florida, I’d love to help you find a location and approach that feels natural, relaxed, and true to you.
