A winter beach engagement session at Silver Sands beach in Milford CT has been on my mind for the past few months. I think I saw some friends post while down there alone, walking the desolate beaches in the off season that reminded me about this gorgeous park. I was aching to bring a couple down there for some winter beach-y fun… so I just kept thinking about this place. Early on in my career I did an engagement session here and I remember having so much fun! I returned a few times since then but this time, with Shawn and TJ, and the brisk winter winds, it felt different entirely. The really funny part is that THEY were the ones who suggested this location, I completely forgot when we discussed engagement session locations! I do keep lists of locations I want to work in, so when clients are open to ideas about locations, I have them at the ready. Well, in the end it all worked out, and there we all were, on a brisk winter day on the beaches of Silver Sands!
When I first chatted with Shawn and TJ about their wedding I asked how they found me. It’s an important question for a small business owner, especially now, during a pandemic when business is scarce. Google, they said! I believe they also mentioned feeling comfortable contacting me because they saw themselves in my work. This is super important to me, as a member of the LGBTQ community myself, I also look for that in others’ work. Now, I am nowhere close to getting married, but as a consumer I do look for representation. Does this business support the LGBTQ community- are they size inclusive, do they agree that Black Lives Matter?
A while back on social media I asked how inclusive my fellow wedding and event industry partners were. And if so, how did they share that with their audience? Many people claimed allyship but then were stuck in how to actually SHOW that, if they didn’t have imagery of anyone in those communities that they supported. A tricky spot, to be in, to be sure. I work really hard to show where my values are aligned in the clients that I feature on my site, and all of my social media channels. LGBTQ, size inclusive, Black, Brown, Asian, the deaf community. I support everyone and I really work hard to show that.
When I start engagement sessions I always ask if there is anything that they feel uncomfortable with; do they have a favorite side to be photographed on, or are there things they are self conscious about. PDA can be a thing for some, but especially for folks in the LGBTQ community. When I asked Shawn and TJ about this, Shawn mentioned that, saying he was happy that there was not a ton of people around. While I completely understand this, it also made my heart ache because I know it’s a reality. What ended up happening was way better! Shawn and TJ got so many well wishes and congratulations’ as the few other people at Silver Sands beach walked by us. We were all pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the revelry!
There were SO MANY NOOKS to duck into at Silver Sands, I was really excited about this, and even more excited that Shawn and TJ had the energy to bop around for as long as we did!
I absolutely could NOT believe how desolate this beach was, right during golden hour. Granted it was freezing out but I was also thankful that we could get images like these with just us!
The symmetry also made my heart skip an extra beat!
Then all THIS BIRD NONSENSE had me HOWLING inside myself!!!!!
Liiiiiike. WHAAAAT?????? I love these so much!!!
This little peninsula to literally nowhere was magical. Hello. Hi. Be my fraaaand.
We are literally at the edge of the world, it felt like. Just two handsome gentlemen in their snappy clothes and me! If that doesn’t spell ROMANCE I don’t know what does.
Also: THIS SUNLIGHT-Y BS!!!!
I think it’s so important to show the landscape of where we are and Silver Sands made it super easy by being so beautiful!
We timed our session to include sunset, and it did not disappoint! The boardwalk at Silver Sands is really beautiful and just sweeps around these corners…I love it.
Shawn and TJ I cannot WAIT for your wedding and to see the magic we will create there together. I am looking forward to being your photographer for life! XOXOX
To see more engagement sessions by Connecticut wedding photographer Carla Ten Eyck, click the links below:
Engagement session highlightsÂ
Maggie + Dave’s Winter Central Park Engagement SessionÂ
Jaine + Ken’s Autumn Engagement Session at Smith Farm Gardens, East Haddam CT
Jenna + Jasmine’s Engagement Session AT the Hog River Brewery and IN the Hog River, Hartford CT
I am in absolute awe of these photographs! So well done and the sunset was like the happy ending!
I rarely get on Facebook, but have not spoken to you in awhile because of Covid and no one getting together over the holidays. When a notification came up that people send me pictures, I usually click on them and press like and go to the next comment. but when I saw your pictures I just wanted you to know how wonderful they are and how they made me smile. First, that was a great idea getting engagement photos made and they were very well done .the best part however, was the joy and love that was captured on each and every photo! I have my favorites, but that is for a whole other time. Congrats to you both and please know how happy I am for you.