When an adorable boyfriend from across the pond calls to plan a surprise engagement shoot, we answer! Dion and Meg traveled from London, England, to visit Universal Studios in Orlando. Little did Meg know, her trip to Orlando (and the rest of her life) was about to get way more exciting!
We can’t even begin to explain the excitement we feel when we have the chance to capture a surprise engagement! As you can tell from these photos, Meg was totally shocked, and Dion was so happy! The plan came together without a hitch, and we captured every moment. The energy between these two was electric, and it was obvious how much they loved each other! There’s no doubt in our minds they’ll have a very happy life together 🙂 You’ll have to scroll to the very end to see just how happy their lives are about to become!
Photos That Don’t Scream Theme Park
At Universal Studios
there are tons of areas that easily pass as alleyways or cityscapes and don’t immediately scream theme park! This makes for a great photoshoot backdrop. I love the pictures we took in front of the cool brick walls with interesting signage and the incredible set of huge green doors. And, of course, no Universal Studios engagement would be complete without visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Coordinating Photoshoots Across Continents
We photograph tons of special moments at the Orlando theme parks. As in the case of Dion and Meg, we’re happy to coordinate with you from across the world! If you’re going to come all this way for your special day, you deserve to have some incredible photographs of the experience.
Engagement photoshoots are kind of our thing! We’d love to be part of your special day. Whether you’re local or coming from thousands of miles away, we can help make your day special. Contact us today to start planning your engagement photoshoot.
There’s nothing more heartwarming than the love of a mother. We got to see it firsthand on a lovely sunny day spent with Ebony and her family at Hammock Resort in Palm Coast. Hammock Beach Resort is known for its stunning facilities and excellent hospitality, but to us, it’s more than that. It’s the perfect backdrop for a joyful family photo session.
Coordinating but not Matching Outfits
We’re often asked how to dress for a family photo session. The clothes worn by Ebony and her family are a perfect example of outfits that coordinate nicely but aren’t too matchy-matchy. The white theme stands out beautifully against the bright blue skies, and each person looks great in an outfit that shows off their sense of style.
A Combination of Candid and Posed Photos
Ebony’s children were a joy to photograph. As you can see from the photos, they have tons of personality, and Ebony is a lovely subject! We love capturing a combination of posed family photos and unposed candid photos. The results are photos that look very natural and give you a peak into the fun life of this young family. The time we spent with Ebony and her kids was so much fun. We love any opportunity to be around a happy family!
Family photo sessions are some of our favorites because the energy is always positive! Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of photographing the same families over and over again. It’s so fun to watch kids grow up! This particular photoshoot took place at Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast. But we’ve had the privilege to travel to beaches and other beautiful locations all over Central Florida.
If you’re ever having a bad day or need a little pick-me-up, spend a day with an engagement photographer. You’ll be filled with hope once again! There’s something about being upfront and center for a huge act of love that makes you see the world in a more hopeful light. The day we photographed DJ and Amanda’s engagement was super special.
The Proposal
When DJ contacted us to photograph his proposal to his beautiful then-girlfriend Amanda, we could tell they were going to be a fun couple to work with. We met up with the pair at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The resort’s stunning interior and beautiful architecture are perfect backdrops for a surprise proposal. We spent the first moments of their engagement with them, and we think the pictures speak for themselves. These two are crazy about each other.
We left them that night in a cloud of bliss and met up with them again the next day for an engagement shoot at the Magic Kingdom!
The Engagement Shoot
The awesome thing about Disney engagement photoshoots is that they truly have something for everyone! If you want classy engagement photos in front of an adorable storefront, you’ve got it. Or, perhaps you want a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle. We can do that, too! Disney’s parks are so vast and stunning that we can definitely find the perfect backdrop to represent your special day.
We loved the idea of a 2-day photoshoot! Day one was full of all the expected excitement of a proposal, but by day two, after the excitement settled in, DJ and Amanda were relaxed, happy, and extremely photogenic! If you’re considering a Disney proposal, we highly recommend this idea.
If you’re ready to pop the question to your beloved, contact us!
We are so lucky to have amazing clients who turn into friends and call us year after year to photograph their families. It’s so fun to watch these boys grow! Elise and Giovani have hired us for many years, and we have done lots of headshots for their company. I can not believe that their two boys are already pre-teens! You can see their first beautiful family sessions through the years here and here.
We were also happy to take some photos at their new beautiful restaurant Otto’s High Dive in the Milk District of Orlando!
When a family is spread as far apart as Molly’s, it can be difficult to get everyone together at the same time. Molly’s big family is spread from Ukraine to Ohio! How do you organize a family reunion photoshoot when your loved ones live on different sides of the globe? Fortunately, Molly’s parents had the perfect plan! They treated their whole extended family to a Disney-themed spring break trip at a beautiful resort in Kissimmee, Florida. They could finally be all together!
We can’t share this special family reunion portrait session without a rundown of all the beautiful faces in attendance! Molly is the oldest; she and her husband, Jamie, have two kids, ages 10 and 7. Then, her middle brother, Kyle, and his wife have two boys, ages 13 and 11. Her youngest brother’s family is huge! He has 7 children, including a set of twin boys, ages 10, a 9-year-old, an 8-year-old, and two more twin girls, ages 5. He also has a new baby on the way! As you can see from these photos, there are a lot of adorable children in this family!
We met at the stunningReunion Resort and Golf Club in Kissimmee and took photos all over their grounds. They had so much fun, and so did we 🙂 We took photos of each family, the siblings, the kids, and the parents. We always enjoy family portrait sessions because they’re filled with love and laughter and the experience is as fun for us as it is for the family! We have had the pleasure of photographing several families at Reunion Resort and Golf Club, and it never disappoints.
If you’re traveling to Central Florida with your family and would like a group photo session to commemorate the occasion, we would love to help! Contact us to schedule your family portrait session or to learn more about our rates and services.
We LOVE all the Disney Parks so much! We spent this day visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom and it was pure magic! From savoring delicious treats to marveling at majestic creatures, every moment was a delight.
We couldn’t resist the temptation of the park’s culinary delights. And the animals! From giraffes (my favorite) to the meerkats, each encounter filled me with joy.
We spend a lot of time at the Disney Parks in Orlando, Florida photographing couples and families. You’d think by now we’d get tired of it, but every visit makes us love this place even more!
That day, we got to hang out with some good friends, and we took as many photos as we could. The highlight for me was watching Finding Nemo: Big Blue and Beyond! It is a fantastic live show and is as good as any Broadway show I’ve ever seen.
As the day ended, I left with a heart full of memories of the day’s adventures and gratitude that we’ll get to come back here soon to photograph the special moments in our clients’ lives.
Over the years, we have had the pleasure of capturing tons of exciting family events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From Animal Kingdom engagement photoshoots to family reunions, this park is a perfect backdrop for photographs you’ll treasure forever.
If you’re looking for a unique location for your Orlando proposal or simply want to capture a special day at the parks, give us a call! We’d love to join you at one of our favorite places to capture one of your favorite moments. Until next time, Animal Kingdom! Contact us!
Whether you’re six or thirty-six, graduating high school, getting engaged, or capturing special moments with your young children, there is nothing not to like about a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We’re grown adults with grandchildren and still get excited every time we walk into the park.
We do a lot of photoshoots at Disney parks, and one of the top questions we get from our clients is, “What should I wear for my Disney engagement photos?” Below, we’ve curated a list with six of our favorite styles that look great in Disney engagement photos.
1. Dress In the Spirit of Your Favorite Character
Unfortunately, Disney does not allow visitors to dress in full costume at the parks. But you don’t need a full costume to get into the Disney spirit! Lots of couples take inspiration from their favorite characters or films to choose unique outfits for their engagement sessions. Check out these adorable couples giving a nod to Sleeping Beauty and Harry Potter for their Disney engagement photos.
2. Choose Your Favorite Super Cute Disney Ears
Disney fans know there are Mickey and Minnie ears for any occasion. If it seems like your Disney engagement photos are missing something, choose your favorite ears and some cute outfits to match. You’ll be giving “adorable engaged couple” vibes all over the Disney parks! Are you a classic Mickey and Minnie ears couple, or do you prefer something a little different?
3. Show Your Pride
Disney World is known for being open and affirming of all relationships, and so are we! If you’re an LGBTQIA+ couple wanting to celebrate your engagement at Disney, grab a Disney pride shirt and call us! I personally love the rainbow Mickey shirts in these photos!
4. Choose Outfits that Feel a Little Fancy
Want some special photos to celebrate your engagement but don’t really want them to be Disney-themed? We’ve got you covered. Disney World is packed with stunning engagement photo backdrops that don’t scream amusement park.
5. Be Relaxed and Comfortable
There’s a good chance your Disney proposal will be a complete surprise for your loved one. If you asked your spouse-to-be to get dressed up for a photo shoot, it might spoil the surprise. We love a casual, candid Disney engagement shoot.
6. Your Favorite Disney Tee Shirts
Finally, we love a simple Disney t-shirt look! Comfort is key if your plan is to stick around and enjoy the park after your engagement photoshoot. These couples look so cute and like they were dressed for fun!
But let’s be honest, what makes the best Disney engagement photos is your big, beautiful smile! Your photos will be perfect because the camera will capture two people in love, celebrating one of the most joyful moments of their lives.
We’ve been capturing engagement photoshoots at Disney World for years and would love to help you and your fiance celebrate this exciting new season in your life.
Contact us today to learn more about our rates and services, or click the links below for more examples of our Disney engagement photos.
We love a woman with a plan. So we were on board when Solara contacted us and had already chosen Kraft Azalea Gardens as the perfect spot for a surprise proposal photoshoot for her and beautiful Olivia! Like these two ladies, the location is gorgeous and has incredible secret garden vibes.
Solara told Olivia that she had hired a photographer to do a model photoshoot. Olivia was excited and dressed beautifully for the occasion. It wasn’t long into our session that Olivia was shocked and thrilled to discover that the model session was actually a sweet surprise proposal! Olivia was completely shocked and, of course, she said yes!
Solara and Oliva are the sweetest couple, and we could see right away that they are meant to be together. Nothing makes better pictures than two people who really love each other!
The Exedra in Kraft Azalea Gardens and Lake Maitland made for a lovely backdrop. We stayed until the sun went down, and we were happy to capture this beautiful day in the life of such a gorgeous young couple. Congratulations, Solara and Olivia!
We loved Solara’s unique plan to capture her surprise proposal, so keep it in mind if you’re looking for inspiration for your Orlando engagement photoshoot.
Of all the locations where we photograph Orlando engagements, Kraft Azalea Gardens is one of our favorites. In fact, you can see here several other stunning photoshoots we’ve done at this same spot. You can also peruse our other engagement photoshoots for inspiration.
Whatever the occasion, we’d love to help you capture your life’s most special moments. If you’re planning a surprise engagement here in Orlando, Florida, check out Kraft Azalea Gardens, or feel free to contact us for recommendations on any of Orlando’s other stunning locations.
Your engagement photos capture the essence of your love story. That’s why they should reflect your unique personalities as a couple.
Getting the perfect engagement photos can be a daunting task. However, with the right planning, you will both enjoy a fun, laid-back and memorable experience.
According to wedding-planning website The Knot, “While some to-be-weds may find certain aspects of the wedding-planning process slightly stressful, engagement photos are a chance to cut loose and enjoy spending time with your partner. An engagement shoot even allows you to feel more comfortable in front of the camera, which is great preparation for the big day.”
Here are three essential steps to help you achieve amazing engagement photos:
Step 1: Choose a Location That Reflects Your Personality
Select a location where you both feel comfortable and that resonates with your personalities as a couple. This choice will set the backdrop for your photos and create an atmosphere that allows your love to shine through.
Think about your shared interests. Whether it’s a cozy coffee shop where you had your first date, a scenic park where you love to take evening walks, or a vibrant urban setting that matches your energy, choose a place that holds special meaning to you both. This will add a personal touch to your photos.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, “A familiar environment will make you feel that much more like yourself, and produce some of the most genuine on-camera moments.”
Reflect on your personalities. Are you outdoorsy and adventurous, or do you prefer a more intimate and cozy setting? Your location should align with your unique styles and preferences.
According to Brides magazine, “If you have a special spot in mind—a first-date location, your favorite café or a local park on your go-to walking route—run it by your photographer first. Then, they can scope it out, get some ideas, and figure out any necessary permissions for photographing.”
Fortunately, Winter Park and Orlando offer a variety of beautiful locations for engagement photos. Here are some great spots to consider:
Kraft Azalea Garden: This scenic park in Winter Park features beautiful gardens, a lake, and a boardwalk, making it a very popular spot for engagement photos.
Rollins College: The campus of Rollins College in Winter Park offers a picturesque backdrop for engagement photos, with its Spanish-style architecture and lush greenery.
Lake Eola Park: Centrally located in downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park offers stunning views of the city skyline and a scenic walking path around the lake.
Mead Botanical Garden: This 47-acre garden in Winter Park features a butterfly garden, boardwalk, and amphitheater, providing a variety of eclectic photo opportunities.
Downtown Winter Park: The charming streets of downtown Winter Park offer a quaint and romantic backdrop for engagement photos.
Leu Gardens: This botanical garden in Orlando features over 50 acres of beautiful gardens, including a rose garden, butterfly garden, and tropical stream garden.
By choosing the ideal location for your engagement photos, you can capture beautiful and memorable photos that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Step 2: Choose a Photographer You Connect With
The connection between you and your photographer plays a crucial role in capturing genuine, heartfelt moments in your engagement photos. When you enjoy talking and working with your photographer, it creates a positive atmosphere that allows your true selves to shine.
Here are some tips for finding the right photographer:
Research photographers in your area. Carefully review their portfolios to get a sense of their style.
Schedule a meeting or consultation with potential photographers. This allows you to see if you connect on a personal level. Establishing a good “vibe” with your photographer can make all the difference in the final results.
Discuss your vision for the engagement photos. Make sure your photographer understands your preferences and is willing to collaborate to bring your ideas to life.
According to Cosmopolitan, “If you have a strong vision, convey that to your photographer. Not all photographers will be up for doing exactly what you want, so be sure to communicate upfront about the direction.”
Step 3: Prepare Your Skin for a Radiant Glow
In preparation for your engagement photos, don’t neglect the opportunity to look and feel your best. To ensure your engagement photos showcase your natural beauty, consider skin treatments from an established med spa in Winter Park. This can help you achieve a radiant and flawless complexion.
Here are a few immensely popular skin treatments to consider:
Hydrafacial: This non-invasive facial treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates your skin, leaving it refreshed and rejuvenated.
BOTOX®: If you want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, BOTOX injections help you achieve a smoother and more youthful look.
TruSculpt® iD: This highly effective body contouring treatment can help you get rid of those stubborn areas of unwanted fat, achieve your desired body shape, and boost your confidence.
Cherish the Special Moments Frame by Frame
According to Verily Magazine, “Engagement photos are one of the few tangible ways to preserve that perfect last sentence in this chapter of your life before you start the next great chapter.”
By following these three essential steps, you can ensure that your engagement photos truly reflect your love story and personality. So, get ready to step in front of the camera and capture the magic of your love!
Michelangelo was nervous when he called me to help plan his Disney proposal to his love, Anne. Walt Disney World is their favorite place and he wanted it to be perfect for her! Both teachers from New Jersey, our day started with a trip to EPCOT to capture the proposal she has always wanted. I love that they said, “Disney feels like home to us.”
Story of Anne and Michelangelo: We met back in 2020 right before the pandemic. It felt like we’d known each other for ten years. As months passed getting to know each other and how much we have in common, we started to plan our first Disney trip together, and didn’t work out as planned. Anne broke her leg and we were not able to go. They told her it would take 6 months to walk again but she did it in three because we planned another Disney trip for December. Disney motivated her. A year later we planned another Disney trip. Because Disney feels like home to us. We both love each other as much as we love Disney. Three years later another Disney trip and Michelangelo popped the question right in front of our favorite place in the world Epcot. 06-30-23 💍❤️
If you’re planning a proposal, we can be there to help you preserve the memories for a lifetime. Contact The Canovas Photography today and let’s chat!
Whether you’re six or thirty-six, graduating high school, getting engaged, or capturing special moments with your young children, there is nothing not to like about a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We’re grown adults with grandchildren and still get excited every time we walk into the park.
Your engagement photos capture the essence of your love story. That’s why they should reflect your unique personalities as a couple.
