Couple sitting in chairs in from of a Library laughing

When EunJi first reached out about planning their engagement session, I immediately knew this was going to be a fun one.

She shared that she and Min had been together for nearly ten years and wanted to celebrate this exciting season with photos that felt like them. They had been following my work for a while and especially loved one of my Long Beach engagement sessions, hoping for a date-night experience rather than a traditional photoshoot.

That's exactly my favorite kind of session.

I always tell my couples that the best engagement photos don't come from perfect posing—they come from creating space to simply enjoy being together. Whether that's grabbing coffee, exploring your favorite neighborhood, bringing your dog along, or watching the sunset on the beach, those real moments are what create timeless photographs.

close up photo of guys kissing girl on the cheek. She is smiling

Starting the Day on Retro Row

We kicked off the afternoon exploring Long Beach's iconic Retro Row. With its colorful storefronts, vintage charm, and walkable streets, it's one of my favorite locations for engagement sessions because it naturally encourages couples to slow down and simply enjoy the afternoon together.

Before we had even started taking photos, Min wanted to stop into a local flower shop. Inside, he picked out a bouquet for EunJi to carry throughout the session—a thoughtful gesture that perfectly reflected who they are as a couple. It wasn't something we had planned, but those spontaneous moments often become some of my favorites to photograph.

From there, we wandered through the neighborhood, popping into a few local shops, laughing together, and letting the afternoon unfold naturally.

Couple standing in from of a store picking out flowers.

Guy Leading girl as they run across the street

Coffee, Bluff Park & Their Favorite Third Wheel

After exploring Retro Row, we stopped by one of their favorite local coffee shops. Instead of rushing from one photo location to the next, we slowed down, grabbed coffee, and documented another piece of their everyday story.

Next, we headed to Bluff Park, where their adorable pup joined us for part of the evening. Including your dog in an engagement session is always a great way to make your photos feel even more personal.

To make the evening even more meaningful, they brought along a chess set and spent time playing together in the park overlooking the ocean. I loved that they chose an activity that reflected something they genuinely enjoy doing together. Rather than focusing on posing, they simply interacted with each other, laughed, and enjoyed the moment—which always makes for the most authentic photographs.

Black and white photo of couple laughing in a coffee shop

Couple sitting on a blanket in the park with their dog

Couple laughing as guys hugs girl from the side

up close photo of girl hugging guy around the neck

Ending with Sunset on the Beach

As the sun began to set, we made our way down to the beach to finish the evening.

Golden hour along the Long Beach coastline never disappoints. With the soft ocean light, gentle waves, and quiet moments between them, it was the perfect ending to a session that felt more like an unforgettable date than a photoshoot.

Their engagement session was a beautiful reminder that the best photos aren't about perfect poses or elaborate locations—they're about telling your story. From flowers on Retro Row to coffee dates, a game of chess in the park, cuddles with their pup, and a sunset walk on the beach, every part of this session reflected who Min and Rielly are together.

That's exactly what I hope every couple walks away with: photographs that don't just show what they looked like, but remind them how this season of life felt.