Okay I need to talk about this engagement session at the University of Tampa because I’m still not over it.
Caitlyn and Mikey reached out wanting something low-key and real with no stiff posing, no “okay now look at each other and laugh” energy. Just them, hanging out, being them. And honestly? They picked the perfect place for it! As a Florida wedding photographer team, we live for spaces that have real character, and this historic campus checked every box.
Choosing a Historic Engagement Photo Location in Tampa
So here’s the thing about the University of Tampa it’s not just pretty (though we all know she’s gorgeous), it has SO much going on historically and as a photographer who specializes in historic locations, I love that.
The big building you always see in photos (Plant Hall, with those wild silver minarets) was actually a luxury hotel back in 1891! Like a full-on Gilded Age resort built by Henry Plant who basically said “what if I built the fanciest hotel anyone has ever seen in Florida” and then just… did it. The park wrapping around it along the river is Tampa’s oldest park. Also, Caitlyn’s younger sister was actually a student there at the time of their session which made the whole location feel extra special for her.
The Wildest Historical Fun Fact
Right outside the entrance of the museum door, there are these two bronze hunting dog statues called Au Coup de Fusil (which means “At the Ready” in French). They were sculpted by a French artist named Eglantine Lemaitre and her dad was Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, the famous French magician that Harry Houdini loved so much he literally named himself after him!
When the hotel opened in 1891 those dogs were greeting guests as they stepped off Henry Plant’s private train line.
A Documentary Approach to University of Tampa Engagement Photos
Caitlyn and Mikey were SO easy. Mikey played hockey for the Tampa Lightning so you might expect this big intimidating energy and he is the total opposite just totally chill and very fun with Caitlyn! They were playful and natural together and genuinely made my job fun and easy.
My approach to documentary engagement photos is basically: we hang out and talk and I happen to be shooting the whole time. I’m asking questions, we’re laughing, and I’m catching all of it in between. I do give direction but it’s very loose. So at this engagement session, I’d suggest something and then let Caitlyn & Mikey run with it in a way that feels like them instead of feeling like they’re following instructions. The photos ended up looking like a snapshot of who they actually are together, not a snapshot of them doing what I told them to do.
The Spots We Hit
Plant Hall — this is where we did the motion blur shots. They were running and spinning in front of the building and I could have cried it looked so good! There’s something about all that movement against this grand old building that just works every time.
The River Walk — slower and more intimate here. Long walks, natural light, lots of genuine moments that just happened while we were talking. Some of my favorite frames from the whole day came from this stretch.
Plant Park — this is where I got the drone up. Palm trees, the river, a few Tampa buildings in the background. From above you really get a sense of the whole place and it’s stunning. Highly recommend for any couple who wants something a little different in their gallery.
It’s so close to downtown, making it incredibly easy for wedding portraits too if you’re celebrating at one of the luxury hotel wedding venues in Tampa nearby!
Their Outfits Were Actually Perfect
They kept it really simple, nothing flashy, just clean and classic. In the color photos it looks effortless and totally matched their vibe. But in the black and whites? Simple outfits are everything! You stop looking at what they’re wearing and you just look at them. Their faces. The way they look at each other. The building becomes the texture and they become the whole point.
It was such a good call.
Honestly Historic Places Just Hit Different
I will always say yes to a session at a location with real history to it because the place shows up in the photos without you having to do anything! The University of Tampa doesn’t need any help looking incredible (the light, the architecture, the park, all of it just does the work). When the location is that good and the couple is that easy to be around, it’s just a really really good day and get some really really incredible photos.
Planning a documentary-style engagement session of your own? If old-world architecture is your thing and you want documentary engagement photos in Tampa that feel real (not stiff and posed), let’s chat — reach out and we’ll find a date that works!
