DUMBO Brooklyn Engagement Photos

DUMBO Brooklyn Engagement Photos | NYC Wedding Photographer | Industrial Engagement Session in New York | Apollo Fields

I absolutely love shooting in DUMBO but unfortunately, the secret is out. This spot is incredibly popular for locals and tourists alike, and on a nice weekend during the summer, you can bet it is going to be flooded with people and cameras.

There are only a few ways to make DUMBO engagement sessions feel less crowded and that is either to pick an “off peak” time or to work around less-than-ideal weather conditions. Since Michelle and Rob only had weekend availability and I love to shoot during golden hour, we were braced for it to be SUPER busy down by the water, but ended up getting lucky when a flash rainstorm rolled in and cleared out my favorite spots!

However, most couples that want to shoot there, I do suggest either doing a sunrise session (especially if you want to hit the Brooklyn Bridge because DON’T EVEN TRY for sunset), or heading out during the weekday. Luckily, this spot has ideal light for both golden hours (sunrise and sunset) because of the way the light moves across the city skyline and then glistens over the river. I’m sure that this has leant to part of the popularity of this spot, besides the obvious jaw dropping NYC skyline as your background.

DUMBO stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and has an interesting history. It wasn’t always the booming spot that it is now, and its seedy reputation does not actually date that far back and did not officially become known as DUMBO until the 1970s. The area was originally a ferry landing before it became a hotspot for the art scene and loft apartments.

Photography: Apollo Fields for Salzman and Ashley

Brooklyn Bridge Park DUMBO Photography

Katie & Anthony’s Anniversary Session | DUMBO Brooklyn Photography | Top of the Rock Session | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography

From a Colorado mountain engagement sunrise session to an anniversary celebration in New York City, the early hours of daylight continue to breathe new life into our work. Who knew that the Brooklyn Bridge is literally empty at sunrise? Or that you can basically have a private session at the Top of the Rock if you show up around opening time? By utilizing the sunrise rather than our beloved “golden hour” sunset, we captured one-of-a-kind moments of Katie and Anthony that they will cherish forever.

Katie, a fellow photographer based out of Illinois initially found us through our shared network of shutterbugs. This made taking their anniversary photos a breeze! There’s nothing like working with professionals who know what they’re doing. It was refreshing despite the fact that it required us to get out of bed at 4am. Through yawns and coffee we all powered through and had a magical morning.

I say magical because you will never find a time where the Brooklyn Bridge is completely empty — it was like stepping onto the front of the stage at Carnegie Hall to an empty auditorium — and the silence and solitude allowed the immensity of the structure to sink in. That’s because a moment of peaceful reflection in New York City is more rare than an empty, clean air conditioned subway car. You gotta get real lucky to find one. Or maybe you just gotta get up as bars are just closing and the morning papers are hot off the presses (Do people still say this in the 21st century?)

The point is, if you have your heart set on a certain shot in a certain spot in New York City, you have to make a concerted effort like Katie and Anthony to get it. Otherwise it’s a battle against a city of 8 million people who all have a place to be. At Apollo Fields, we are more than willing to schedule a sunrise session because of what it avails us — whether in New York or in the Rockies (or anywhere else for that matter!) — because there is an undeniable peace or resetting of the mind that comes with the real beginning of the day.

Don’t settle for the cookie cutter images that other people have. Don’t settle for what is easy. Pursue the photo or the life you imagine because the world outside of your body should reflect what’s on the inside. The kids say that they’re “woke,” and Childish Gambino tells ‘em to stay that way, but we’re telling you to wake up early, reset your mind, and truly embrace the peaceful light of the day—at least once in awhile.

Enjoy these photos from Katie & Anthony’s anniversary session:

New York City Photography: Apollo Fields
Locations: Brooklyn Bride | DUMBO | Top of the Rock

From our family to yours!

There are bumps in every road and our wheelchair-bound badass Jack Russel, Riddle, handles them better than most. For those who aren’t afraid of life’s curveballs, drop us a line, we’d love to be your friends or your photographers!