New Jersey Wedding Photographer
The Ashford Estate Allentown, New Jersey
Crystal Plaza Livingston, New Jersey
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Located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey RYAN SANDS PHOTOGRAPHY

Monthly Archives: June 2014

Princeton Engagement Session • University Campus • Lina & Tim

Princeton Engagement Session

Lina & Tim’s engagement session took place on the gorgeous Princeton University campus. My wife Melanie and I frequent Princeton quite often for dinner & drinks and have always wanted to shoot on their grounds. So we discussed the idea with Lina & Tim and they happily accepted. Luckily we had amazing weather for their session and their images turned out absolutely beautiful. There are tons of cute nooks and crannies to shoot in and the architecture on the Princeton campus is nothing short of breathtaking. If you ever get the chance to visit Princeton, New Jersey for the day be sure to walk through the campus and don’t forget to stop by the Episcopal Church. Not only is the exterior of the church beautiful but the interior is astounding and simply must be seen to be believed. If you’re there for the afternoon and want to grab a bite to eat definitely check out Princeton Soup & Sandwhich Company. Their lobster bisque is to die for! If you’re looking for a Princeton Engagement Session please contact me any time. My full pricing is available on my website as well as contracts, FAQ and much more. I would be delighted to be your photographer!

Princeton Engagement Session - On the Princeton University campus a beautiful couple sits together during a warm summer day.The architecture of Princeton Campus is so beautiful. An easy backdrop for a beautiful couple’s photograph.
Princeton Engagement Session - The future bride and groom spend a moment together on the university campus.I enjoy using leading lines to draw your eye to the subject of my photograph, which in this case is Lina & Tim embracing. I also framed them using the archway in the background.
Princeton Engagement Session - Lina & Tim grab the iron gates of the university campus and pose for a cute engagement photo.Here is another great example of how to use leading lines in a photograph to really move your eye right to the subject. By incorporating shallow depth of field I was able to really blur out the lines of the iron fence and create a wonderful blur that fills the right side of my image.
Princeton Engagement Session - In front of Princeton Campus, a couple poses for the camera.Even though we were under some patchy light from the trees above us, it’s actually quite easy to get even light by simply finding a shaded spot to sit my couple. I asked Lina & Tim to simply sit together and by shooting very shallow I was able to blur our the crowds of people around them and create a more intimate photograph. Again, using leading lines such as the iron fence, the cement wall behind them and the cement ledge they were sitting on to draw your image right to them.
Princeton Engagement Session - A Large row of trees is the perfect shade for a couple in love.Whenever I see an arch of trees like this I immediately try to imagine how I can use them to my advantage. In this shot we even had just the perfect amount of light coming through the trees to illuminate the leaves. This gives us a nice mixture of bright green/yellow leaves and dark green leaves.
Princeton Engagement Session - Princeton has no shortage of beautiful areas. Here the future bride and groom share a moment on the streets of Princeton.In case you can’t tell by now I’m a big fan of shooting very shallow. In this image I knelt down on the ground and shot up towards my subjects. This way, I was able to add in the potted flowers that were hanging on the light post. Without changing my angle I would have never been able to get their heads even with the light post. Being creative and using different angles for your images is a great way to make your couple’s images stand out and provide them with something unique.

Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer • Engagement Session Princeton University

Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer

Lisa and Rob moved to Flemington, New Jersey from Bucks County, PA over the summer of 2014. After they purchased their home the first thing they did was plan their wedding and after an exhausting search settled on The Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Once their venue was booked they searched for a wedding photographer and happen to stumble across my facebook page. They contacted me, dropped by our home for a consultation and we immediately hit it off. They signed with us that very day and we have been great friends ever since. Lisa & Rob live just minutes away from us so it was a match made in heaven. Are you looking for a Princeton NJ wedding photographer? Not only do I offer wedding coverage but also separate engagement sessions. If you book your wedding with me an engagement shoot is included as a bonus! My full pricing is available on my website and blog so feel free to look around. Contact me with any questions you may have or if you would like to book a consultation.

We shot their engagement session in Princeton, New Jersey where Lisa & Rob had their first date. Since my wife Melanie and I love visiting the area it was the perfect spot for their session. We walked throughout the town shooting in different nooks and crannies and finished up on the Princeton University Campus. The Princeton area is absolutely gorgeous. If you have ever wondered about having a photography session there please don’t hesitate to contact me as it’s one of my favorite places to shoot.

Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - The happy couple stand in front of Teresa Caffe, where they had their first date.Lisa & Rob had their very first date at Teresa Caffe in Princeton, New Jersey and each year they go back for their anniversary.
Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - An engaged couple pose together on the Princeton University Campus.I prefer to shoot on a very sunny day. The weather in Princeton was perfect for their engagement session. Just make sure your couple is between you and the sun.
Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - The Princeton University campus has so much beautiful architecture.It wasn’t very hard getting Lisa & Rob to be affectionate for their photographs. All I needed to do was place them in beautiful light and let the moments unfold from there.
Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - Here you can see a happily engaged couple under a large tree on the Princeton campus.Princeton University Campus has a ton of large gorgeous trees. I placed my couple in some direct sunlight and snapped away.
Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - You can see the Princeton Campus in the background as the engaged couple looks and smiles at each other.I really enjoy shooting my couples with my Canon 70-200 2.8 IS mark ii lens. The compression makes all body types look very flattering. Women especially love this lens because it allows me to shoot from around 10-20 feet away, letting them become relaxed with their partner, instead of worrying about me being too up-close and personal.
Princeton NJ Wedding PhotographerWhenever possible I like to let the light spill through the leaves of a tree. It always add dramatic lighting to any photograph.
Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - A weeping willow tree hangs down towards the happy engaged couple.Framing your subjects properly is so extremely important to creating a beautiful image. In this photograph I placed Lisa & Rob at the bottom of my frame and allowed the leading lines of the hanging leaves to point your eye towards the subject.
Princeton NJ Wedding Photographer - The gates of the Princeton University Campus shine as the sun sets upon our lovely, soon-to-be bride and groom.Here is another example of using leading lines in order to move your eye to the subject of my image. In this shot I used the black gate to keep your attention on the couple. Allowing Lisa to be looking towards Rob in this photograph keeps your eye from wandering off the frame. If she was looking “off frame” or towards the outer right edge of my image, your eye would want to wander where she is looking, making for a less compelling image.

LBI Engagement Photographer • Long Beach Island, New Jersey • Stephanie & Marc

LBI Engagement Photographer

Stephanie and Marc had their engagement session in two awesome locations. First we went to Atlantic City and shot on the boardwalk and second we went to Long Beach Island, New Jersey to shoot on the beach and bay side. Even though you can’t even tell we actually fought the weather all day. Clouds were coming in and out, rain was stoping and starting but through it all we persevered and came away with some amazing images. If you are looking for an Atlantic City Engagement Photographer or are having your engagement shoot in LBI, NJ please feel free to contact me. During the summer I am frequently in LBI and would love to hang out with you and your fiancé for an engagement session. Full pricing and all my contact information is available here on my blog and my website. I look forward to hearing from you..

LBI Engagement Photographer - On the bay side of Long Beach Island, the happy couple poses together for a quick photo.
This image was shot on the bay side in LBI. I love putting my subjects either far to the left or right in my images because in most cases it makes for a much more interesting shot than if the couple were dead center in the middle of an image.

LBI Engagement Photographer - The sunset was absolutely gorgeous in LBI, NJ.
Since the sun was bursting through the clouds I decided to shoot a silhouette image. For this photograph I don’t even need to ask Stephanie and Marc to “pose”. Just simply hold hands and look out towards the bay.

LBI Engagement Photographer - The engaged couple shares a kiss under the sun in LBI, New Jersey.
With the sun behind my subject I’m able to capture a wide range of poses. A simple kiss shot in front of the shimmering water was all that was needed to showcase their love.

LBI Engagement Photographer
For this image, I laid down in order to get as close to the ground as I could. This provided me with a unique perspective and gave me the ability to really blur the bottom half of my frame.

LBI Engagement Photographer - The engaged couple sits on the beautiful beaches of long beach island.
By surrounding my couple with the fence leading onto the beach I’m able to keep your attention on them, instead of having your eye wander off the sides of my frame.