Grayce K. Barck North Beach Community Park Engagement Pictures

I’d love to welcome you to Catie & Jason’s engagement blog post by a New Smyrna Beach photographer, H Hawkins Photography! Catie and Jason, both involved in the hospitality industry, met while working at the same hotel. He was a bartender, and she worked in the restaurant. Although they don’t work at the same hotel or restaurant, they are now both employed by Disney at two different hotels!

These two dated for four years before Jason proposed. While Catie was visiting family back in Upstate NY one December, (big shout out for Upstate NYers!), Jason decorated their apartment for Christmas, complete with a tree and a mantel he had built. It was there he proposed and of course, she said yes!

When I started chatting with them about a location for their engagement photos, I thought they might I assumed they might opt for a spot on Disney property. Instead, they said they’d rather do them at the beach! Being a New Smyrna Beach photographer, I suggested we do them at Grayce K Barck North Beach Community Park! There are a handful of reasons why I love taking pictures here!

The Wooden Walkover

One of the reasons I often recommend going to Grayce K Bark North Beach Community Park is the wooden walkover and boardwalk area through the palm trees and tropical foliage. I will most often start my evening photography sessions here because the sun is still very bright on the beach, causing harsh lighting, squinting eyes and blown-out backgrounds. By starting here, the trees diffuse the sunlight and make for the most magical light for engagement pictures (or really, photos of any kind)! I just LOVE how the sun bursts through the palm trees in this picture!

I should also mention that Grayce K Barck Park right off Sapphire Rd and Atlantic Ave has a public parking lot, showers, and a few pavilions. Finding a spot to leave your car is clutch! (Find more parking info here!)

I seriously love Catie’s quick smile!

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I love that you can see the fun and friendship that exists between these two!

As you can see, the walkover area at Grayce K Barck North Beach Community Park is an amazing spot for your pictures by a New Smyrna Beach photographer!

New Smyrna Beach Photographer

The Sand Dunes

Another huge reason I love being a New Smyrna Beach photographer and shooting in this location is the sand dunes! Some beach access points only contain sand and ocean. But the dunes and beach grass add so much color, depth, and variety to beach photos. This photo below is probably my favorite that we took in this spot!

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I love that you can see the ocean in this picture!!

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I thought Catie’s choice of a flowy skirt for her New Smyrna Beach engagement pictures was perfect!

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Sunset at New Smyrna Beach

But honestly, my favorite part of being a New Smyrna Beach photographer is walking down to the ocean, waiting till the sun is low in the sky, the light softens, and the colors of the sunset begin to appear.

The way Jason spun Catie and the wind caught her hair!… just magical!

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The beach at sunset is always my favorite place to photograph, not only for the simple backgrounds but the pastel pinks and blues!

Again, can I just applaud Jason and Catie for their amazing outfit choices?!

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Jason was such a great sport during their New Smyrna Beach engagement session!

Towards the end of their engagement photo session, I spotted a bit of water on the sand and knew we could get a really cool reflection shot! These are some of my favorites!

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I am so looking forward to capturing Catie and Jason’s wedding day at the end of July this year at the Highland Manor! We had so much fun together during their engagement session! And check out this beautiful ring that Jason picked out for Catie!

If you’re looking for a New Smyrna Beach photographer, I’d love to hear from you here! Whether you’re looking for family pictures, engagement photos, or a wedding photographer, check out my work by clicking on the title of each blog you find on the landing pages!

And to keep up with all of Catie and Jason’s photos, be sure to follow me on Instagram to see all their wedding sneak peeks and wedding blog post after their wedding! I can’t wait for July!

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