Sunrise in DUMBO & the Brooklyn Bridge Park

On the morning of their engagement session, I met Meghan + Stephen bright and early just before sunrise. We started by heading over to Brooklyn Bridge Park to kick off their session. Meghan + Stephen mentioned that they spent many days and nights simply wandering through the park together. Not only was it a special place to them, but with stunning views of the East River backed by the Manhattan skyline, the park provided the perfect background to tell their love story. 

Once a major landing hub for ferries and trade boats, Brooklyn Bridge Park has since been transformed into a wide-open expanse of greenery, gardens, and landscaped paths for DUMBO residents and visitors to enjoy. As we moved along the waterfront, the gentle breeze off the river and the early morning sun illuminated Meghan + Stephen as they walked and danced along the riverside.

After wandering through nearly the entire length of the park, we headed back into DUMBO to stroll through and capture the neighborhood that Megan + Stephen had built their life together in. One of the highlights of wandering through the streets of DUMBO so early was the clear view of the famous Manhattan Bridge shot from Washington Street between Water and Front Streets. This view of one of the bridge’s magnificent arches framed between two former warehouses with their restored original brick has been featured in both movies and TV shows. More recently, it has become a popular photo op site for tourists and influencers. Thankfully, it was early enough that we had the street mostly to ourselves giving Meghan + Stephen plenty of time to truly enjoy the moment. 

Getting Comfortable in Front of the Camera

When Meghan + Stephen first contacted me, they mentioned that they really liked the candid, natural style of my wedding and couple’s photos. They wanted that same look for their engagement session. However, they did mention that they were worried about feeling unphotogenic and uncomfortable in front of the camera. 

This is a common worry for many couples as they head towards their wedding – especially if they’ve never done a professional photoshoot before. It’s also one of the reasons why I always suggest couples do an engagement session. My approach to photographing couples is what I call, “guided candid.” I focus on capturing candid moments and authentic reactions, but with a very natural take on posing. 

My approach is meant to put my couples at ease when they’re in front of the camera and to help them get comfortable as they’re being photographed. Instead of giving couples stiff poses, I’ll give prompts instead. Things like ‘hold hands and walk towards the camera’ or ‘pretend you’re slow dancing’ are great for giving couples an idea of what they need to do while still leaving them the freedom to show off their personalities. This saves them from the awkwardness of wondering what to do with their hands while giving me plenty of opportunity to capture the genuine, spontaneous moments that shine through.  

By the end of their session, Meghan + Stephen’s initial anxiety about being in front of the camera had completely melted away. They felt at ease and enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to book me for their upcoming wedding as well. It was such a joy and an honor to see their confidence grow and to document their love story in a way that felt authentic and true to who they are.

Photoshoot on the Brooklyn Bridge

The last stop of the morning was on the Brooklyn Bridge itself. On warm and sunny mornings like on the day of their session, Meghan skips the ferry and leaves early to walk from their apartment to her job in Manhattan. Now, though, Stephen was able to join her in her walk as they crossed the bridge together. 

The Brooklyn Bridge was the first of its kind in many ways. When the bridge was built in 1883, it was the first steel-wire suspension bridge to ever be constructed in addition to being the longest suspension bridge in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge’s history adds a layer of significance to any engagement session held there. With its remarkable engineering and stunning architecture, it stands as a symbol of both strength, dedication, and timeless beauty – all qualities of loving and lasting marriage.

By the time we arrived for Meghan + Stephen’s session, the bridge already had a small crowd meandering along the pedestrian walkway. However, thankfully, vendors were no longer allowed to sell on the bridge so even though there were some people milling about, it wasn’t enough to prevent me from getting the beautiful shots Meghan + Stephen asked for. 

As the two walked hand in hand, the amazing panoramic view of New York City surrounded them. From the bridge’s height, the bird’s eye view complete with the clear sky and sun shining down from above, became a breathtaking backdrop for their photos. The quiet, uninterrupted stretch of the bridge gave us plenty of time to take as many shots as possible, truly capturing the admiration and love that shone between this beautiful couple.

Did you enjoy Meghan + Stephen’s DUMBO engagement session? If you’re a NYC couple looking for an engagement session photographer, I’d love to be of service!

Hey there! I’m Rachael Crowe of OkCrowe Photography. I’m a wedding and engagement photographer based right here in New York City! My goal is always to capture your love story in a beautiful and artful way. No matter where you are in the country or the world, I’m always ready to pack a bag and be right there with you. Whether it’s an engagement session, a wedding, or an elopement, I want your dreams to come to life and it would be an honor to be there to help you do just that. Have some questions? Feel free to reach out through my contact form!