Romantic Documentary Engagement Photos at Washington Park

Kayla and Marcos’ engagement session at Washington Park in Denver was nothing short of magical! On a beautiful summer evening, we captured their portraits at one of their favorite spots in the city. With golden sunlight filtering through the trees and the park’s lush greenery as the backdrop, the evening was truly perfect for creating timeless engagement photos at Washington Park. I’m so excited to photograph their wedding this October! But for now, these photos are such a lovely preview of their loving and fun relationship.

A Stunning Summer Evening Engagement at Washington Park

Kayla and Marcos hold a special place in my heart because they were the very first couple to book their wedding with me after I moved to Denver! It’s been incredibly rewarding to celebrate their engagement and upcoming wedding. And, it marked a personal milestone in my business journey. They are such wonderful people and felt like fast friends as soon as I met them! Their warm personalities and the natural connection they share made every moment of their engagement session such a joy to photograph.

They’ve called Denver home for several years now, but their story began at Arizona State University. A mutual friend introduced them, and the rest is history! Last year, after receiving the engagement ring in the mail, Marcos couldn’t wait any longer to propose to Kayla. So, he popped the question right in their kitchen!

For their engagement session, we decided on Washington Park in Denver, one of the city’s most popular and picturesque locations. This little neighborhood is one of the prettiest spots in the city. I’ve been itching to photograph someone here for months! This park is huge and offers so many lovely opportunities for engagement photos. After doing a little location scouting, I landed on a spot over by one of the flower gardens. It couldn’t have been more perfect! We lucked out with the most gorgeous weather. We enjoyed a perfect August evening that hinted at autumn, with a soft breeze and warm sunlight steaming through the trees.

A Documentary Approach to Engagement Portraits

In the past year, I’ve been refining my approach to create portraits that truly reflect my clients’ personalities. This journey has led me to embrace a more documentary style, while also still incorporating elevated details and timeless portraits. While weddings naturally offer countless candid moments that require little direction, engagement sessions can sometimes feel more staged. That’s why I’ve made it a personal goal to apply this documentary approach to portraits, capturing photographs that feel as real as the relationships my couples share.

For Kayla and Marcos’ engagement photos at Washington Park, this came together so beautifully! From the start, they were so responsive to subtle direction, but what made their portraits truly stand out was how naturally they fell into just being themselves. Rather than relying on heavily posed portraits, I encouraged them to interact with each other. They did just that–laughing, snuggling up to one another, and exchanging sweet glances without any prompting. Their comfort in front of the camera allowed me to capture genuine, unguarded connection that felt true to who they are.

This, I believe, is the secret to creating engagement photos that feel unique and authentic to each couple. It’s not just about finding the perfect location and lighting–though Wash Park certainly provided both. It’s about allowing couples the freedom to be themselves! The result? Photos that feel timeless, playful, meaningful, and uninhibited. Kayla and Marcos are the perfect example of how a documentary approach can create portraits that are not only aesthetically beautiful, but emotionally resonant. When couples can embrace their genuine affection in front of the camera, it comes through effortlessly in every photo. This allows for preserving their memories in the most honest way possible.

For couples seeking this kind of documentary-style photography, it’s important to hire a photographer who knows how to guide gently, while also giving you the space to be yourselves. It’s so essential for couples to feel comfortable letting go and enjoying each other’s company during the session. When these to elements come together, your photos will feel undeniably “you.”

The Timeless Beauty of Film: Adding Nostalgia to Engagement Photos

For Kayla and Marcos’ engagement photos at Washington Park, I photographed part of their session using medium format film. I’m completely obsessed with the results! Over the past few years, I’ve been gradually incorporating film photography into my wedding and portrait sessions. I’m so thrilled to now offer this service to all of my clients moving forward. Film brings such an undeniable charm and depth to a photograph!

While I’ve been shooting film for my personal projects for years, there’s something uniquely special about blending it into professional work. Especially during milestone moments like engagements and weddings, it adds so much. The soft, timeless quality of film photography elevates the entire gallery, giving a variety of images that feel both nostalgic and meaningful.

I shot part of this session on Portra 400, one of my favorite film stocks for its ability to capture vibrant colors with a dreamy, vintage feel. I trust the incredible team at The Find Lab to develop my film. As always, they did an exceptional job bringing these images to life. The unique character of the film images made for a truly stunning gallery.

Kayla and Marcos will celebrate their wedding this October. They’re planning an amazing celebration with an “autumn in the city” vibe. Many of their friends and family will be traveling to Colorado for all the festivities. As I look ahead to their wedding, I’m beyond excited to capture the next chapter of their story. Their celebration is sure to be filled with even more incredible moments, and I can’t wait to bring both digital and film photography to their big day. I know their wedding will be as joyful, heartfelt, and fun as they are. I’m so honored to be part of it!

For couples looking for engagement photos that feel genuine, it’s all about finding the right photographer and letting go to enjoy the moment. This session at Washington Park is proof that when you embrace authenticity, the results are nothing short of magical.

More like this…

If you loved these dreamy documentary engagement portraits, check out this gallery at City Park in Denver, Colorado! Colorful vintage-inspired fashion and lots of candid smiles made for the sweetest gallery of couple photos.

Planning your Colorado wedding? Stay connected with me on social media for more inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes moments.

As a trusted Colorado wedding photographer, I’m dedicated to helping you bring your vision to life and documenting heirloom photographs. If you’re interested in scheduling a discovery call to discuss your wedding photography needs, I’d love to chat! Contact me here for more information.