Ryan & Sharon - Gloucester Eastern Point Lighthouse Engagement

I think it's safe to say that lighthouses are popular spots to get engaged in New England. There's definitely something quite romantic about being out on a point surrounded by the ocean with the sight and sound of waves crashing against the rocks, and the feel of wind in your hair. Gloucester Eastern Point Lighthouse definitely delivers on the dramatic scenery with its very long stone breakwater, perfect for walking on with loved ones. Unlike the Beavertail Lighthouse Engagement I recently did, the sky was almost completely overcast and threatening rain for this session. It even sprinkled a little while we were by the lighthouse, which worried Ryan & Sharon, but knowing that some of the most amazing images can be created with overcast skies I kept shooting and letting them know the results would be amazing. We still had the challenge of working with the wind, but as you know... I love a challenge. ;-) I know I'm completely biased, but I kicked some ass with this engagement session- everything just "clicked!" (I'm so punny!)















Ryan is an architect, and loved this building, which is also where they'll be having their rehearsal dinner, so I wanted to highlight some of the elements that Ryan loved about the building:






Seriously, could they be any cuter?!


There were a few dogs on the beach that day- which is rare for a lot of beaches, but this beach allows dogs during the off season when there aren't swimmers. Isn't he adorable?! Since I couldn't actually take him home with me, I took a photo instead. ;-)




It wouldn't be an Anne Ruthmann engagement session if I didn't manage to capture something completely ridiculous. ;-)


And something incredibly romantic... (this sky was insane- no dodging or burning needed!)

Casey & Jon - Scituate Lighthouse Engagement

I wouldn't call this a full engagement session because we were really just scouting potential portrait locations before the wedding. However, when I saw them together, I just had to grab a quick photo! Aren't they adorable?!

Nancy & Michael - Jamestown Beavertail Lighthouse Engagement

Most lighthouse engagement sessions are quite windy, especially in the fall on the Atlantic ocean. This day, however, was EXTREMELY windy- even for Jamestown, RI. I wish I had checked the wind speeds so I could tell you exactly how windy it was, I'm guessing it was somewhere in the tropical storm range. That being said, it was also an incredibly bright and sunny day with not a single cloud in the sky (they were all blown away), which we get much more often in New England than I've ever seen in the Midwest. I could have copped out and shot in the shade or in an area more protected from the wind, but Beavertail Lighthouse is where Michael proposed to Nancy, so I really wanted to show off everything that made it wonderful. Since the wind was moving in the same direction as the sun, I embraced the hard light and hard wind as an additional creative challenge. How do you create great images when people are being blown away and blinded by the sun? You work it.







This is how most of our in-between moments were spent...






It was pretty cool to see these birds fly by in perfect form...
























This wouldn't be a shot I'd normally include, but at this very moment, Michael looked at Nancy and said, "You're so beautiful right now" - I just had to capture it, no matter what.




Backlit...


Flare...


Shadow...


Lighthouse light...


In honor of their engagement, and as a thank you for keeping such lovely grounds, I've made a donation to Beavertail Lighthouse. If there's a lighthouse you love, I hope you will consider doing the same.

Pssst... people who "like" Anne Ruthmann Photography on facebook, got to see these photos before you did! Just sayin'. ;-)