Living in Florida means we loveee a laid back vibe, so your engagement photos should not feel like a chore. This isn’t a high school yearbook photo. This is about you two—your inside jokes, your favorite spots, your real connection. And the best way to get photos that actually feel like you?
Turn your engagement session into a full-on date night!
Mallory & Chris wanted to make their session an experience. They rented a colorful Airbnb for cozy, at-home vibes, that were very playful and relaxing, then we hit up a local brewery—because that’s what they actually love doing together. This one choice resulted in photos that feel effortless, fun, and totally them.
Now, let’s talk about how you can do the same thing in Tampa or anywhere else in Florida! Whether your ideal date night is craft cocktails in a rooftop bar like the Tampa Edition, tacos and tequila in Ybor, or hitting up a hotel pool with a good book and a margarita, let’s turn your engagement session into a fun, laid-back experience you’d actually want to do.
Step One: Start Somewhere That Feels Like You
If your go-to vibe is “chic but relaxed”, consider starting at an Airbnb or boutique hotel. It’s private, stylish, and gives us endless photo options (lounging on the bed, sipping drinks on the balcony, dramatic doorway moments—the works).
Tampa Airbnb ideas: A modern downtown loft, a colorful bungalow in Hyde Park, or even a waterfront rental in St. Pete if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Boutique hotel options: Hotel Haya in Ybor (gorgeous interiors), The Edition (hello, rooftop bar), or The Don CeSar for those vintage beachy vibes and a whole lotta pink.
More of a cozy, at-home couple? We can shoot at your actual place! Perfect for pet owners.
Step Two: Go Somewhere That Feels Like a Night Out
This is where the date night magic happens. Instead of awkwardly posing in a random field, let’s go somewhere that means something to you!
Brewery lovers? Let’s hit up Green Bench Brewing (St. Pete), BarrieHaus Beer Co. (Ybor), or Woven Water Brewing (Tampa).
Lounge bar kinda couple? Try Grand Cathedral Cigar, its a lounge type cigar bar inside an old church in Tampa Heights so the vibes are really cool and they have an outdoor area too.
Sweet tooth? Grab ice cream at Bright Ice, Diary Joy or The Hyppo—because ice cream photos are always cute and Florida is always hot.
Wherever we go, it’s going to feel natural. And when you feel natural, you’re more inclined to do things like make weird faces at each other or throw up the peace sign (Mal & Chris literally requested 3 different times the peace sign pose because its what they do with each other at home)
Step Three: What to Wear for a Tampa Engagement Session
What you wear sets the whole vibe for your engagement session. And since this isn’t just a photoshoot—it’s a date night—your outfit should feel like something you’d actually wear out, just slightly elevated.
Go for bold, solid colors. Mallory rocked a red jumpsuit (her fave color!), and it looked incredible in photos. Jewel tones, rich neutrals, or even a crisp white outfit always stand out.
Think about movement. Flowy dresses, tailored suits, or wide-leg pants photograph beautifully. If it makes you want to twirl, you’re on the right track.
Match the setting. A chic rooftop bar? Go glam. A laid-back brewery? Keep it casual but polished like Mallory & Chris did. Your outfits should fit the vibe of your session location.
Avoid logos. Solid colors and classic textures (like linen or silk) will always look timeless but we love texture like feathers and sequins too!
And most importantly—wear something that makes you feel confident. If you feel good in it, you’ll look good in photos, even if its something you wouldn’t wear every day.
Step Four: Keep the Night Going!
No reason the fun has to end when the photos do! After we wrap, make it an actual date night! Head to dinner, hit up a rooftop bar, or just grab tacos and celebrate the fact that you nailed your engagement session.
Dinner + spots to check out: Olivia for Italian, Rocca for pasta with that parmesan wheel, or Trophy Fish for a laid-back seafood vibe. Try CW’s The Gin Joint cocktail lounge for post-shoot drinks in a cozy atmosphere.
Best rooftops for a post-shoot cheers: M.Bird (Ybor), The Dewey (St. Pete), or The Beacon at The Edition (if you wanna feel very fancy).
Catchy a hockey game at Amelie Arena: If we time it right, and there’s a home game, finish off your night watching the Tampa Bay Lightning kick ass (best goalie of all time!!)
Why This Works (AKA, How to Get the Best Engagement Photos Ever)
Because when you’re doing something you actually enjoy, you forget about the camera. You stop overthinking. You relax. And that is when the best, most natural, most you photos happen. So if you’re planning your engagement session in Tampa, St. Pete, or anywhere in Florida, let’s make it an experience. Let’s make it fun. Let’s make it feel like a date night you’d actually wanna be on.
And if you’re looking for a Tampa engagement photographer who captures real, unposed moments with a fun, stylish edge, I’d love to document your engagement in a way that actually feels like you!
