“How about an Asbury Park engagement session?”

It’s a suggestion we hear time and time again when we first start discussing location options for a couple’s engagement session – and we can’t say we’re ever disappointed to hear it. Asbury Park has a lot of variety when it comes to a setting for your engagement session – from popular landmarks, to the eclectic boardwalk, to the dunes and jetties of the beach. We’ve heard that suggestion so many times before, and we know we’ll hear it again, so we created a little guide for you, all about Asbury Park engagement sessions!

The Beach, The Boardwalk, or the City | All About Asbury Park Engagement Sessions

Asbury Park has a lot to offer for an engagement session setting, and where exactly you choose to focus on depends on the vibe you’re going for for your eshoot! Personally, we think a large portion of AP is great for images that fall into the more ‘casual’ category – with the area being famous for its laid back and cool enviroment, this location may not be ideal for you if you’re dreaming of suit and gown shots. However, the beach of Ocean Grove (which is easily lumped in with Asbury Park considering they’re just steps away) provides the perfect setting for flowy maxi dresses and fancy vibes. Additionally, the Asbury Park post office is a stunning building that could trick you into feeling like you’re on the steps of a European chateau.

This is exactly why Asbury Park engagement sessions are so popular – we can utilize the entire town by taking dressier photos by the beach and P.O, and heading to the boardwalk and into town (from cute coffee shops to The Stone Pony or Wonder Bar) for more casual and adventurous images.

Will I Need A Permit?

Aside from what to wear, one of the biggest concerns with New Jersey brides and grooms for their engagement sessions is whether or not they’ll have to pay for a permit. One of the best things about Asbury Park engagement sessions? No permit needed! This popular location for photos allows us to journey wherever we please, no permit necessary.

What Time of Year Is Best?

What time of year you choose for your Asbury Park engagement session is entirely up to you and what you are envisioning, but when it comes to Jersey Shore photography, we recommend anywhere between April (if it’s warm) and September. We don’t want you to be freezing your bums off, and we want to avoid strong winds, which are common on the water!

I Want A Beach Session, Is Asbury Best?

As Central Jersey wedding photographers, we find ourselves doing a LOT of engagement sessions on the beach, so we always have our recommendations. Truthfully, when shooting an engagement on the water, we prefer either Long Beach Island, or Asbury Park/Ocean Grove. So, if you’re thinking of a session on the shore and had Asbury Park in mind, you’re definitely on the right track. How to choose? If you want a variety of beach and ‘city’, Asbury has more to offer. If you’re thinking of all things nautical, LBI is the place to be!

We hope these tips make planning your big day a little easier! If you are a bride searching for a light & airy New Jersey wedding photographer, you can learn more about our services here!