Why Your Engagement Photos Should Tell Your Story — And How to Make It Happen.
This authentic Austin engagement session featured baking, poetry, gardening, and a backyard sprinkler — everything that made it personal to the couple and resulted in meaningful, documentary-style engagement photography.
If you’re dreaming of an engagement session that feels more you than posed, you’re in the right place.
Sarah and Sean’s session wasn’t just beautiful — it was intentional, emotional, and so personal. From baking lemon blueberry scones in their kitchen to dancing under the garden sprinkler they built together, this shoot was everything I love about documentary-style engagement photography.
This is the kind of session I live for as a cinematic Austin engagement photographer — the kind that captures who you are in this exact chapter of life.
🌿 An Intentional, Story-Driven Engagement Session
What started as a simple picnic idea turned into something so much more. Because Sarah and Sean filled out the engagement questionnaire I send all my couples, we uncovered the kind of personal details that made their shoot completely their own:
They love to bake together → so they made scones during the shoot.
He wore a shirt that she hand-stitched herself.
They read poems from a book she bound and gifted to him.
Their photos took place in the home garden and greenhouse they built together.
And yes — their dog Wally made an appearance too.
✨ Tips for Planning an Engagement Session That Feels Like You
Every couple is different, which is why I design each session around your relationship. Here are some ways you can make your shoot truly personal and unforgettable:
✅ Complete your engagement session questionnaire thoughtfully.
This helps me get to know your real life — not just what you look like together, but who you are.
✅ Think of activities, not poses.
Do you love to cook together? Garden? Go on walks with your dog? These everyday moments make for the most cinematic and emotional photos.
✅ Wear clothing and bring items that have meaning.
Whether it’s a shirt you stitched, or something you always wear on cozy nights in — those details matter. Incorporate thoughtful props, such as a hand-bound poem book or flowers from the garden you grew together.
✅ Say yes to getting messy.
Flour-covered hands, muddy shoes, or getting soaked in the garden sprinkler? Yes, please.
📌 [PHOTO: Couple reading Mary Oliver poems outdoors. ALT: “Authentic Austin engagement photo of couple reading poetry together in golden hour light.”]
💛 What Their Engagement Session Looked Like
Here’s how it unfolded:
Scone baking in the kitchen – a perfect way to ease into the session and shake off nerves.
Couch cuddles with their dog – their usual cozy spot.
Reading poetry – from a handmade Mary Oliver book gifted for Christmas.
Exploring their garden and greenhouse – yes, the one they built themselves!
Running through a wildflower field – laughter, movement, and golden light.
Sprinkler kisses under their wooden arch – the one they almost used as their wedding altar.
📌 [PHOTO: Dog sitting still with couple on garden bench. ALT: “Dog joins couple for a candid moment during natural engagement session in Austin, Texas.”]
They ended the shoot soaked and laughing, and I left with two scones in hand. These are the moments I live for.
🎥 What Is Documentary-Style Engagement Photography?
“Documentary-style” means I won’t pose you every step of the way — instead, I’ll guide you through scenes that allow space for real connection and natural emotion.
Think less “smile at the camera” and more “remember that thing you always do together and let’s photograph that.”
I believe that the most cinematic, emotional engagement photos come from just letting you be yourselves.
💌 Planning Your Austin Engagement Photos?
Whether you want a cozy in-home session or an outdoor adventure, my job is to help you feel like yourselves — and walk away with photos that feel like home.
Sarah and Sean’s session is a perfect example of what’s possible when you slow down, trust the process, and let your love speak for itself.
📌 [PHOTO: Sprinkler chaos moment. ALT: “Couple laughing and playing under the sprinkler in backyard garden engagement session in Austin.”]
