Ashleigh + Brian - Engagement Photo Session in Downtown Demopolis / City Landing


Ashleigh reached out desiring to book an engagement session with me in early April. She said her Fiancé, Brian, would need convincing to even do this session, and therefore would only be able to handle a 20-min session. I typically encourage engaged couples to book an hour session so we have plenty of time to showcase the love they have for one another. It can take 20 mins just for a couple to warm up to having their photo taken. However, at the end of the day, if the client wants a shorter session, for whatever reason, I am willing to accommodate. I see on my Instagram feed all the time, big name photographers that are completely unwilling to do anything less than an hour session, and I just think their reasoning can be silly. Anyways, we booked our session for 20 minutes. Ashleigh also reached out about outfit options and we discussed those as well.


The session day arrived and there was not a cloud in the sky! Ashleigh wanted her session by the river and from experience I know the water can add a lot of brightness to an image, so I try to shoot images by water fairly close to sunset. Sessions in wooded areas need to be a couple hours before sunset so the sun is still high enough to sift through the trees, but water is different. I still want before sunset, because of the warmth of golden hour. Just after sunset is referred to as blue hour and while blue hour images are soft and gorgeous, I much prefer golden hour. So I set the session about an hour before sunset.


We proceeded to the dock for our first set of images and I am not kidding when I tell you that Brian was an absolute pro at taking romantic photos. He adores his bride to be, and was very willing to snuggle up to her and plant a few kisses on her. He was also having a little fun I think. We absolutely could have booked an hour session, but honestly, with how many fantastic images we got in such a short time (I ended up spending about 25 minutes with them), I really didn't need an hour.

Two people walk together and share a close moment on a wooden pier by the water.
Two people share an affectionate moment while walking along a riverside dock at sunset.
A couple interacts playfully on a wooden pier during a golden hour photoshoot.
Two people share an intimate moment during a sunset photoshoot on a waterfront pier.
Two figures walk together in silhouette along a wooden dock during sunset.
Two people share a joyful moment walking together on a waterfront boardwalk at sunset.
A couple smiles at each other while standing on a wooden dock by the water.
Two people embrace while sharing a happy moment on a sunlit pier.
A couple dances together on a wooden boardwalk overlooking the water.
Two people share a playful moment while walking on a waterfront boardwalk.
A couple enjoys a tender moment together on a sunny pier by the water.
Two people share a romantic embrace while laughing on a waterfront deck.
A couple poses for a portrait on a wooden pier during golden hour.
Two people share an intimate moment against a railing on a waterfront pier.
Two people share genuine laughter during a sunny waterfront photo session.

I would start them out in a simple pose, and they naturally would feed off of it into so many additional poses. It was so natural and effortless. While I am fully prepared to pose any type of couple, this session was one where I followed their lead.


After maybe 10 minutes, I had probably 100 images. I was confident we had captured plenty on the dock. To offer a little more variety in their session we walked up to the sidewalk that followed the river to capture a few more images.

A couple strolling hand in hand on a path with a water tower in the background.
A couple walking together on a tree-lined pathway during golden hour.
A tender moment shared between a couple against a large tree trunk.
A couple standing beneath a large tree with a river view in the background.
A couple sharing an intimate moment along a riverside railing during sunset.
A couple posing together against an iron railing with a scenic water view.
A playful moment between a couple dancing on a path under tree branches.
A couple sharing a romantic moment on a path under a leafy tree.
A passionate kiss shared between a couple under a tree during golden hour.
Romantic couple embracing under a tree during golden hour sunset by a lake.
Couple sharing intimate dance moves on a paved pathway during sunset.
Romantic couple in casual attire dancing together under tree branches at dusk.
Couple sharing tender moment under tree canopy with sunlit water in background.
Intimate couple embrace during sunset photoshoot beneath leafy tree branches.
Couple walking together on pathway lined with blooming red roses and trees.

I feel like I say something like this with every session - but what a treat to capture these images. I enjoy getting to create and photography is such a joy to me. I am honored that Ashleigh and Brian opened up their love story to me and were so willing to share their love for one another so I could capture a small piece of it. I only guarantee about one image per minute of shooting (so 20 images for a 20 minute session), however, true to Mary Harbin fashion - I delivered over 100 images. They were all too lovely to cull any further.


As always, thanks for reading.


Cheers,

Mary Harbin of Mary H Media, LLC


If you too would like to look into scheduling an Engagement session with me, please check out my website and you can contact me here.


This blog was originally published on 05/14/2025 and was republished on 07/16/2025 when it was migrated to my new site