Sunset Engagement Photos in Southwest Michigan
Hannah and Emmanuel’s engagement photos in Southwest Michigan on New Buffalo beach may just be my favorite engagement session to date! Everything came together so perfectly. From the start, I knew it was going to be something special because their smiles were so effortless and contagious. The way they soaked in every moment and just had fun with each other made this evening everything I could have hoped for.
Hannah & Emmanuel’s Sunset Engagement Photos in Southwest Michigan
When Hannah and Emmanuel chose New Buffalo Beach for their engagement session in early May, I couldn’t have been happier. This spot is one of my favorites to photograph because it always delivers. Between the boardwalks, the dune grass, and the way the sun sets over the lake, New Buffalo Beach never lets me down. If you want to see more sessions I’ve photographed here, you can browse more New Buffalo sessions here.
These two met in college and it didn’t take long for them to fall for each other. That joy and comfort with one another showed throughout their session. My style is a mix of posed and candid direction, but I always encourage couples to take my prompts and make them their own. Hannah and Emmanuel did exactly that, filling every moment with laughter and movement that felt like them.
Their outfits were perfect for a casual beach engagement. Light denim and crisp whites looked effortless and timeless, while still being comfortable enough to run barefoot in the sand, dance in the dune grass, and cozy up on the rocks at sunset.
With golden hour light pouring over the shoreline, it felt like a scene straight out of a romance movie. From playful piggyback rides to quiet sunset snuggles, their engagement photos in Southwest Michigan captured everything sweet and genuine about this season in their lives.
Easy and Natural Engagement Photo Pose Ideas
One of the biggest things I tell couples is that your engagement photos don’t have to feel serious or stiff. It can feel a little awkward being in front of the camera at first, but my goal is always to make you comfortable and make the experience fun.
Take Hannah and Emmanuel for example. Some of my favorite shots from their session were when they were laughing so hard they couldn’t stop, wrapped up in each other on the sand. Those moments aren’t “perfectly posed,” but they’re perfectly them!
Here are a few relaxed pose ideas that worked so well during their beach session:
- Walking hand in hand down the boardwalk — simple, natural, and always a great way to ease into photos.
- Laughing together in the sand — a reminder that the best photos happen when you let go and just enjoy each other.
- Piggyback rides and playful spins — these add movement and make for fun, candid shots.
- Cozying up on the rocks at sunset — a chance to slow down and take in the view together.
- Running along the shoreline — perfect for golden hour light and genuine smiles.
If you’re planning your engagement photos in Southwest Michigan (or anywhere really), these pose ideas are proof that the best moments happen when you’re just being yourselves!
Ready to Plan Your Southwest Michigan Engagement Photos?
The beauty of the beach is that it’s timeless. It works in every season, even in the middle of winter. From glowing summer sunsets to cozy spring evenings and crisp fall skies, it always gives us the perfect backdrop.
My style is a mix of relaxed, candid prompts and gentle posing that feels natural. I want your photos to capture your real connection while still looking polished and beautiful. If these images speak to you and you’re looking for an engagement photographer in Northern Indiana or Southwest Michigan, I’d love to connect.
You can learn more about me here, and if I sound like the right fit for your engagement session, inquire with me. In the meantime, you can browse more couples and engagement sessions on the blog for inspiration!
