This engagement session at Piedmont Park is a great example of why this is one of my favorite spots for engagement photos in Atlanta! It has so much variety, feels relaxed and natural, and lets couples get a little bit of everything in one session.
We shot this session in early mid-December, which is honestly a very underrated time of year for engagement photos.
Winter Golden Hour at Piedmont Park
Since the sun sets earlier in December, usually around 5:15 or 5:30, we planned this session for 4:00pm to catch that soft golden hour light. Even in the winter months, Piedmont Park has plenty of spots that photograph beautifully.
During this session, we shot at:
- the Oval
- the gazebo
- open green spaces
- around the pond
- spots with skyline views
Meet Tommi & McKale
Tommi and McKale are one of my 2026 wedding couples and added engagement photos to their wedding package!
They originally found me through a TikTok I posted about looking for couples in Atlanta to photograph. They reached out about wedding coverage, booked me for their wedding, and then decided to add an engagement session so we could work together before the big day.
This was also their first professional photo session together, which is super common for a lot of my couples!
They, like all of my couples, did a wonderful job! I always tell people, “If you love each other and like to spend time together, there is no one way you can mess up these photos.” And it’s so true, if you are willing to laugh, follow my silly directions, and go with the flow, your session will be so much fun, and your pictures will show how much you love each other.
Outfit Planning for a December Session
One thing Tommi was worried about was the park feeling too bare since it was December. To help with that, I sent over a few past galleries from winter sessions I had done in Knoxville and Charleston. Living in the Southeast makes a big difference! While some trees lose their leaves, things are usually not completely barren the way they might be in more northern cities.
I also sent over my outfit guide to give them some direction. Since we were shooting in a park, we let the location guide the outfits and landed on a casual jeans and sweater vibe, which worked perfectly for December and for Piedmont Park.
They also brought:
- baseball caps representing their NFL teams
- a coat Tommi layered on and off during the session
Small additions like this are an easy way to add variety without needing a full outfit change.
Variety in One Location
Because Piedmont Park has so many different areas, we were able to get a lot of variety in this gallery. We captured candid moments, close-ups, wide shots, skyline photos, and a mix of color and black-and-white images.
I love including black-and-white photos, especially for engagement sessions! They feel classic and timeless and work really well for save-the-dates, wedding websites, and printed pieces.
Why Engagement Sessions Are Worth It
Doing an engagement session before your wedding is such a good idea, even if you have never loved having your photo taken.
It gives you the chance to:
- get comfortable in front of the camera
- get to know my shooting style
- see how you and your partner photograph together
- figure out what poses and prompts you actually like
All of that happens before the wedding day, when timelines are tighter and nerves are higher.
What Engagement Sessions with Me Feel Like
Most people have never had professional photos taken before, and I completely get how intimidating that can sound. I never want sessions to feel stiff or overly posed. My goal is for them to feel more like a date night than a formal photoshoot!
I am very extroverted, I like to joke around, and I spend time getting to know my couples before the session. For my wedding clients, we usually do a phone call. For engagement sessions, we text back and forth quite a bit while finalizing details and getting comfortable before shoot day. That way, it never feels like I am showing up as a stranger.
I always start sessions with an easy, natural pose, usually something like standing how you normally would if someone asked to take your photo together. From there, I give gentle direction and prompts that let things flow naturally instead of telling people exactly where to stand or what to do with their hands.
Is Piedmont Park Right for You?
Piedmont Park is a great option if you want:
- a casual, relaxed feel
- lots of variety in one location
- photos that reflect Atlanta and the city you live in
- images that feel natural, fun, and effortless
If you are considering adding engagement photos to your wedding package, I highly recommend it! And if you are thinking about an engagement session at Piedmont Park or anywhere else, I would love to work with you.
Feel free to reach out anytime. I cannot wait to help you plan a session that feels like you!
