Gabriella & Brad 

Gabriella and Brad’s engagement session at St. Pete Beach was joyful, unfiltered, and completely true to who they are. From the very beginning, they approached their session with openness and intention, embracing every moment exactly as it unfolded. 

They brought along their dogs, Carl and Gus, and from the first frame, the energy of the session felt alive in the best way. 

Bringing Real Life Into an Engagement Session 

Before the session, Gabriella gave me a heads up. Carl and Gus were energetic and a little rambunctious. My response was simple. The more energy, the better. 

Engagement sessions are at their best when couples bring pieces of their real life into them. The things that matter most. For Gabriella and Brad, that meant sandy paws, spontaneous movement, and lots of laughter woven throughout the evening. 

Rather than trying to control the moment, they leaned into it. They stayed present, laughed through the chaos, and allowed the session to unfold naturally. It made the experience feel honest, relaxed, and entirely theirs. 

A Film Session Along the Shore 

This session was photographed on film, which felt like the perfect match for the evening. Film has a way of grounding a moment. It slows everything down and allows space for authenticity. 

On the beach at St. Pete, the light was soft, the breeze steady, and the movement constant. Carl and Gus darted in and out of the frame, while Gabriella and Brad stayed connected through it all. Film captured not just the beauty of the setting, but the feeling of the moment. Playful, imperfect, and full of heart. 

You can learn more about my approach to film photography here: 
👉 https://havgoodphotography.com/investment

Why St. Pete Beach Is Perfect for Engagement Sessions 

St. Pete Beach offers an incredible backdrop for engagement sessions. Open shoreline, gentle light, and space to move freely. It is especially perfect for couples who want their session to feel relaxed and unposed. 

Whether you bring your dogs, your favorite traditions, or simply your personalities, St. Pete Beach allows your story to take center stage. There is room to be yourselves without interruption. 

As a Tampa-based photographer who travels throughout Florida and along the East Coast, St. Pete Beach remains one of my favorite places to create imagery that feels timeless and true. 

Letting the Moment Be the Moment 

What made this session so special was not perfection. It was presence. Gabriella and Brad allowed the session to be exactly what it was meant to be. Joyful, messy, energetic, and deeply connected. 

When couples trust the process and bring pieces of their real life into their session, the result is imagery that feels honest and lasting. These are the sessions that stand the test of time. 

You can explore more engagement sessions here: 
👉 https://www.instagram.com/havgoodphotos/