Paula & Matt’s Ogunquit Engagement Session | Marginal Way Cliff Walk

There’s nothing wrong with revisiting your favorite photo locations, but I’ll always get a little excited when I get to explore somewhere new. And that’s exactly what happened when I met Paula and Matt for their engagement session at Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.

I’d never photographed here before, so I was pretty excited to see what we could create. Ocean views, rocky shorelines, winding paths, gorgeous light, and plenty of spots to stop along the way? Yeah, this place was right up my alley.

And the best part? I got to spend some time getting to know one of my 2027 wedding couples before their big day next May.

From Mutual Friends to a Proposal in Saratoga

Paula and Matt met through mutual friends, and their relationship eventually led them to Saratoga, where Matt proposed.

But this wasn't just any random spot. Saratoga was where they went to their very first concert together, making it a pretty fitting place to start the next chapter of their story.

Now they're planning their wedding for next May at Wentworth by the Sea in New Hampshire, and I couldn't wait to meet up with them, hear more about their plans, and spend some time photographing them together before the wedding day arrives.

Engagement sessions are one of my favorite ways to get to know my couples. We get to hang out, talk about the wedding, make some photographs, and get everyone a little more comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. No pressure, no complicated production. Just time together and some good photos along the way.

Exploring Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine

Marginal Way was a new location for me, and it did not disappoint.

If you've never been, it's a beautiful coastal walk in Ogunquit that winds along the rocky cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Some sections have fences along the path, while other areas open up to rocky beaches right beside the water.

We spent our session wandering along the coast, stopping whenever we found a spot that caught our eye. There was a little bridge that made a great place for portraits, winding paths surrounded by greenery, and plenty of rocky shoreline with the ocean stretching out behind them.

One of the things I loved about this location was how easy it was to move between the walking paths and the beach without having to make the whole session an extreme sporting event.

Because as much as I love a good rocky shoreline portrait, I'm not about to make my couples risk an ankle injury for it. Paula could comfortably navigate the areas we chose without worrying about slipping around on wet rocks in her shoes, and we could focus on enjoying the session instead of watching every single step.

That's always the goal: find beautiful locations, make great photographs, and make sure everyone actually enjoys the experience.

Beautiful Coastal Light and a Little Creative Lighting

The scenery at Marginal Way was gorgeous on its own, but I also wanted to play around with different lighting throughout the session.

I'm a big believer that the light is what creates the mood in a photograph. You can have the most beautiful location in the world, but how you use the light can completely change the final image.

We worked with the natural light along the paths and near the ocean, using the surrounding landscape to create a variety of looks. We also incorporated different lighting techniques to add depth, shape, and a little more drama to certain portraits.

Some spots were perfect for a softer, natural look, while others gave us the opportunity to create something a little more dramatic and cinematic.

That's one of the reasons I love photographing along the Maine coast. Between the open sky, the changing light, the textures of the rocks, and the movement of the ocean, there's always something to work with.

And when you combine all of that with a couple who are simply enjoying being together, you don't need to overcomplicate things.

Getting to Know Paula & Matt Before Their Wedding

One of my favorite parts of this session wasn't even a particular photograph. It was getting to walk around with Paula and Matt, chat about their plans, and hear more about the wedding they're putting together for next May.

Their wedding at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire, is something I'm already looking forward to photographing.

Having this time together before the wedding day is so valuable. By the time May rolls around, we've already spent time together, they've had a chance to see how I work, and being in front of my camera won't feel quite so unfamiliar.

I'm a pretty laid-back photographer, and I want my couples to feel like they can just be themselves around me. I'm not going to spend an entire engagement session barking poses at you or making you feel like you're auditioning for a toothpaste commercial.

We'll get you in a good spot, find some beautiful light, give you a little direction when you need it, and let things unfold from there.

Sometimes the best photographs happen in between the planned ones, when you're laughing, talking, or just enjoying the person standing next to you.

A Beautiful Evening on the Maine Coast

Paula and Matt's engagement session was the perfect excuse to explore somewhere new, spend time by the ocean, and get to know a couple whose wedding I'll be photographing next spring.

Marginal Way gave us beautiful scenery, plenty of variety, and the chance to create portraits with a mix of natural light and a little cinematic drama. More importantly, we got to enjoy the experience without rushing from one spot to the next.

Paula and Matt, thank you for spending the evening exploring the coast with me! I'm so glad we got to meet up before the wedding, and I'm already looking forward to celebrating with you both next May at Wentworth by the Sea.

Until then, enjoy being engaged. The wedding planning will keep you busy enough soon!