Couples often feel like they have to choose between formal and fun when it comes to their engagement photos. Sam and Mike opted for both! After a more formal session at Longwood Gardens, we headed to Pickleball Paradise. I took their fun engagement photos while they played their favorite game. In addition to sharing highlights from Sam and Mike’s carefree session, I’m sharing tips on planning your engagement session to be fun and authentic to your relationship. You’re bound to find inspiration for your engagement session! 

Fun Engagement Photos at Pickleball Paradise

Taking Sam and Mike’s fun engagement photos was a treat for me! They’re a fun-loving couple and very sweet to each other. The couple lives in Jersey City with their dog Nora. Nora also made an appearance at the end of this session!

Even though Sam and Mike live in Jersey City, they spend a lot of time in Millstone, New Jersey. Sam’s mom transformed her backyard into Pickleball Paradise. Players can rent the court for hours at a time or buy summer group memberships. Sam’s mom even installed a lounge area with a custom neon sign.

Mike and Sam are avid Pickleball players. From their initial call, they knew that they wanted to take fun engagement photos incorporating pickleball. Pickleball is trending right now, but not many people have done a session like this, especially with this much style. 

These engagement photos are a joy to look at because Sam and Mike’s emotions are so genuine. They clearly have a blast together. I posed them a bit for photos between games, but they were having such a good time together that it didn’t take much to get amazing photos.

I love that Sam and Mike brought a lot of style to this engagement session. They wore sporty chic outfits. Sam’s bow, pleated skirt, and jewelry gave her a polished look.

Planning Your Engagement Photos

Having an activity planned is so helpful for creating fun engagement photos. Pickleball gave Sam and Mike a chance to loosen up in front of the camera. I got some really cool candid photos of them playing. It was like getting sports photography mixed into their gallery.

Between games, we did some more editorial posing. The colors at Pickleball Paradise combined with Sam and Mike’s outfits gave the session the look of a magazine spread. Sam and Mike are so in love that they took every chance to steal kisses and get those romantic photos in, too.

Whatever you decide to do for your engagement session, make sure it’s true to your relationships. The most fun engagement photos come out of genuine moments of joy and comfort.

More New Jersey Engagement Photo Ideas

If pickleball isn’t your thing, there are so many ways to take fun engagement photos. Here are some ideas from past engagement sessions that I’ve photographed around New Jersey.

Explore a beautiful town.

New Jersey has some truly beautiful towns. Princeton has gorgeous architecture and vintage restaurants. Tiffany and Marc opted for a styled shoot at a milkshake café and around campus. Check out these Creative Engagement Photos in Princeton. 

Head to your favorite town down the shore.

Let’s be real. New Jersey has so many cute shore towns, and every couple has their favorite. Asbury Park is a great town for funky photos with lots of color and art built in. It’s not just about the sand and sun here! Get inspired by this Asbury Park Engagement Session.

Rent a venue you love.

Everyone thinks about venues for their weddings. Did you know that you can rent a lot of venues for engagement sessions? Some even let you do them for free. I met up with Cailin and Ricardo for Smithville Mansion Engagement Photos on a sunny summer day.

Get cozy with your partner at home.

If you and your partner spend a lot of time baking and playing board games, why not have your engagement session at home? Your session should be about celebrating the life you’re building together. See Creative Anniversary Photos at Home to learn more.

Would you like me to take your fun engagement photos? I’m a New Jersey photographer serving the East Coast. Let’s document your love with joyful, eclectic photos! Inquire with me.