Sunrise Beach Post-Engagement Photo Session in Nice¶
Earlier in the summer, V and J got engaged during a trip to the Dolomites. The proposal was a complete surprise and incredibly romantic, but like many spontaneous moments, it happened without dressed-up photographs to mark the occasion. When their travels later brought them to Nice, they decided it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate their engagement properly with a dedicated photo shoot.
Post-Engagement Planning¶
Rather than recreating the proposal, this session was about slowing down, dressing up, and enjoying the experience together. It was relaxed, joyful, and full of meaning, making it feel every bit as special as a traditional engagement shoot.
Sunrise Golden Hour Colours¶
We met on July 16th at the very start of the day. Sunrise was at 6.04, and we met just after, at 6.05. Because the sun rises behind Mont Boron, there is a short window after sunrise when the light remains soft and pastel before the stronger golden light appears. This gave us around 20 minutes of the most beautiful pink and pastel tones, which was a key part of the vision for this shoot.
We began on the beach, making the most of the gentle colours reflecting across the sky and sea. The atmosphere was calm and quiet, with the city only just beginning to wake up. J had organised a bouquet of flowers as a surprise for V, which she did not see coming at all. The moment he presented them was incredibly sweet and added an extra layer of emotion to the start of the session.
As the light slowly changed, seagulls filled the sky, drifting through the background of the images. Seagulls are not always the most cooperative subjects, but they added a sense of movement and character that felt very true to Nice.
When the sun finally rose above Mount Boron, the light became richer and more vivid, bathing the beach and promenade in a warm golden glow.
The flowers J chose were stunning. Soft pastel tones that complemented the early morning light perfectly, they quickly became one of our favourite bouquets we have ever photographed. We spent time capturing portraits with the flowers, along with close-up details of V's engagement ring, which was truly beautiful.
Promenades des Anglais Photos¶
After finishing at the beach, we walked along the promenade, following the light as it moved across the architecture.
The way the sunrise hit the buildings created striking contrasts and added depth to the images.
This session was not about a proposal, but about celebrating a moment in their lives in a thoughtful and intentional way. Meeting early, trusting the light, and embracing the quiet of the morning made this shoot unforgettable, and it was a joy to document such a meaningful chapter for V and J.