Tom Keene

Jan 62 min

Czarina and Douglas' Engagement Photography Session January 4, 2024 The Arches at Dana Point, California

Engagement Photography LAdigitalPhoto - Life Event Photography by Tom Keene ©

Engagement Photography Location - The Arches in Dana Point, CA

What a way to start the year but with a slew of engagement and proposal sessions coming up. The first one of the year is always fun, because, well, it is a new year and we tend to push our boundaries a bit more and always look to make the most of the location. With the weather this one was great spot. It is always great to be at a new location. Having now started my 21st year as a full time photographer, I can't think of a better way to kick it off.

We got right into it when they arrived. After going over the basics of what will take place, I put them together and let them go!

Using the sun to capture both sides of them and the area was a great contrast to capture.

The ring... wow!

Such great smiles. It often takes a few poses before couples start to relax and show their genuine selves. The sun served for the perfect back light for this image.

Trying to keep in fun and get a reaction shot, I noticed Douglas as carrying two cell phones in his back pocket. My comment... "Are you expecting an important call?" I did also edit it to hide the extra phone but that will give the photo a whole different feeling.

I love doing a shot like this for the couple. They get real close and your eye goes right to the ring, but even blurred you can understand the love of this couple.

Oh, now we are cooking. Getting a bit tired of the fence in the shots, I asked if they would be willing to jump it. I don't think I have ever seen a woman jump a fence that fast! Especially not in a dress. It was so worth it.

I moved back behind the arch hoping to get a nice view. I did not jump the fence, too much equipment on me, but it worked out perfectly with being able to frame them with a hedge and the greenery from the ivy.

So here is a trivia question for anyone reading this. Is the photo above a crop into the photo below, are they two different shots taken seconds apart or did I use AI tech to add the sun and the hedge on the right?

With a nice shot of the background, the sun finally being in the right place for this shot and a ring that I will not soon forget, we took this moment to capture some of the last photos of the session.

Come see the rest of their engagement photos

Location of shoot: 24606 Santa Clara Ave. Dana Point, CA

Details of the shoot: Shoot Time - approximately 60 minutes, over 600 images captured, 3.5 hours of driving, 3.5 hours of editing, one hour to type this blog page... and a lifetime of amazing moments like this.

Can't wait to capture their wedding day April 27, 2024

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