A Peaceful Morning Post-Engagement Session in Nice

Early summer in Nice is one of our favourite times to shoot. The days can get very hot, so for this session, we chose sunrise to make the most of the soft, golden light and to enjoy a quiet, peaceful time with few people around.

Romantic couple walking hand in hand along Promenade des Anglais Nice at peaceful sunrise morning

Photo Session Planning

K and M had just got engaged a few days earlier in the Italian Riviera. They wanted to keep the proposal private, which meant there were no photographs of the moment itself. Now, in Nice, they came to capture their newly engaged joy in a relaxed, romantic photo session. This wasn't about recreating the proposal, but about taking time to celebrate their engagement and have beautiful memories together.

Engaged couple standing together at Quai Rauba Capeu Nice with turquoise Mediterranean and morning golden light

We met in early June at 6:45 at Quai Raubu Capeu along the Promenade, almost an hour after sunrise. The sun had just risen above Mont Boron, giving us the perfect soft, golden glow on the Mediterranean without it being too bright or causing squinting. The morning light gently lit the tops of the buildings, the turquoise water, and the architecture in a way that felt effortless and romantic.

Romantic couple kissing on Nice waterfront promenade with bright Mediterranean Sea and soft sunrise light behind Engaged couple embracing at Quai Rauba Capeu with azure Mediterranean waters and golden morning sunshine in Nice

The session began along the promenade with the Mediterranean as a backdrop, then we wandered into Old Town. The flower market was still closed, which made the streets feel calm and private for the session.

Couple walking through quiet cobblestone street in Nice Old Town Vieux Nice during peaceful morning session Engaged couple kissing in charming pastel alleyway of historic Old Town Nice at sunrise with closed shops Romantic portrait in narrow Old Town Nice street with traditional French shuttered buildings and morning light Close-up of engaged couple smiling together in colorful Old Town Nice with pastel yellow building behind Couple embracing in quiet Vieux Nice alleyway with traditional architecture and soft morning sunshine filtering through Engaged couple laughing together in charming cobblestone street of Nice Old Town during private morning session

After exploring Old Town, we walked along the promenade, perfectly timed so that the golden morning light streamed through the trees, creating one of our favourite shots of the day.

Couple kissing under palm trees on Nice promenade with magical golden sunlight streaming through leaves overhead Romantic couple embracing on Promenade des Anglais with beautiful golden morning light filtering through Mediterranean palm trees Engaged couple standing together under trees on Nice seafront with dreamy golden sunrise light creating bokeh effect Portrait of couple on French Riviera promenade with whimsical golden light dancing through palm tree leaves

The light dancing through the leaves gave a magical, whimsical quality to the photographs, and K and M were a joy to photograph in these moments. The following picture was at taken at Pointe de Raubu Capeu.

Engaged couple at Pointe de Rauba Capeu Nice overlooking turquoise Mediterranean Sea with morning golden light

We continued down Quai Raubu Capeu towards the Port Lympia.

Couple walking along Quai Rauba Capeu Nice with stunning panoramic view of Mediterranean coastline and mountains Engaged couple embracing on Nice waterfront walkway with bright azure sea and French Riviera architecture behind Romantic couple standing together at Quai Rauba Capeu overlooking turquoise Mediterranean and Nice harbor at sunrise Close-up portrait of engaged couple on Nice promenade with bright blue Mediterranean Sea and coastal view Couple kissing on elevated walkway above Promenade des Anglais with panoramic Nice cityscape and sea view Engaged couple embracing at Nice seafront viewpoint with stunning Mediterranean waters and morning sunshine illuminating scene Romantic couple walking on Quai Rauba Capeu with Port Lympia harbor and Nice architecture in background Engaged couple standing together overlooking Nice waterfront with traditional French buildings and Mediterranean Sea view Portrait of couple on Nice promenade walkway with azure waters and coastal architecture bathed in morning light Couple embracing on Quai Rauba Capeu Nice with Port Lympia harbor and pastel buildings in soft sunrise Engaged couple kissing on Nice seafront with panoramic view of Mediterranean coast and harbor at golden hour

Once we got to the other side around Port Lympia area, we had direct view of the sun as it rose and lit up the sky.

Romantic couple silhouetted against bright sunrise at Port Lympia Nice with golden sun illuminating Mediterranean sky Engaged couple embracing with direct sunrise behind creating warm golden backlight over Nice harbor and mountains Portrait of couple at Port Lympia area Nice with bright morning sun rising over Mediterranean creating beautiful glow Wide shot of engaged couple at sunrise near Port Lympia with golden light flooding sky and Nice coastline

The final part of the session took us up to Colline du Château, about a fifteen-minute walk from the bottom of the hill. We avoided the main viewpoint facing the promenade, as it was still in shadow at this hour, and instead went to the side facing Port Olympia.

Engaged couple at Colline du Chateau viewpoint overlooking Port Lympia Nice with expansive Mediterranean and city view Romantic couple standing together at Castle Hill Nice with panoramic view of harbor and coastline below Close-up of engaged couple with wind in hair at Colline du Chateau overlooking Port Lympia in morning Portrait of couple at Castle Hill viewpoint Nice with stunning harbor cityscape and Mediterranean Sea behind Engaged couple embracing at Colline du Chateau with bright morning light illuminating Nice and port below Detail shot of matching engagement rings held together after dual proposal at Nice hilltop overlooking Mediterranean

The soft morning light hit this area perfectly, giving the last photos a serene, luminous feel. We captured some close-ups of K’s engagement ring as well, which was stunning against their matching white outfits.

The session lasted from 6:45 to 8:15, and every moment was effortless and fun. The morning light, the quiet streets, and the soft glow over the promenade and trees made the whole experience feel calm, romantic, and truly magical.

K and M’s engagement shoot was a perfect way to celebrate their love and enjoy the early summer beauty of Nice in a peaceful, intimate way.

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