The waterfront inspires many couple’s photos, but the challenge is standing out at a location that has been photographed millions of times before. This week, we highlight five couples waterfront photos that break from the stereotypical. Take a look at these emotional shots from Katie Bertagnolli, Duncan McCall, Lucy Schultz, Chelsea Cannar, and Bettina Vass. 

Katie Bertagnolli 

This photograph from Katie Bertagnolli is bursting with energy and emotion. The photographer says the couple was naturally playful and goofy together, so she encouraged that by having the couple run around together on Delray Beach. One of the biggest challenges to shooting couples waterfront photos, Bertagnolli said, is working with a bright sun when the ideal position for the light isn’t ideal for the background dotted with people and buildings. 

[Read: Kristina Wikle’s Tips for Photographing Couples in Love]

Duncan McCall Photography 

This aerial engagement photo by Newcastle wedding photographer Duncan McCall almost didn’t happen because of scattered rain showers. But once a break in the clouds revealed a bit of the sunset, McCall knew he’d be able to get the striking waterfront photos of the couple’s shadows that he was looking for. “Moments before the sun was blocked by low clouds but then a gap appeared and I got the drone up straight away. I asked the couple to walk towards the sun, forget I’m here and just enjoy the moment,” he said. The image was shot with a DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro at the beach on Lindisfarne Island in the UK. 

[Read: 10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Beach Photoshoots]

Lucy Schultz 

Working on a waterfront often means fighting the wind — but that was especially the case for this shot by destination elopement photographer Lucy Schultz. The photo was taken on a boat cruise at Milford sound, where the wind and cold spray of Stirling Falls helped create an authentic expression as the couple clung to one another. Schultz used the Canon EOS R6 and the RF 15-35mm at 15mm to get the couple and the falls in the shot on the narrow boat deck. 

[Read: Waterfront Weddings: Guests Boat in for “I Do’s”]

Chelsea Cannar 

Capturing couples photos at a popular waterfront tourist location usually presents some challenges. Photographer Chelsea Cannar captured this image at an unusually quiet time at Rydal Caves. Besides timing the shot for a clean background, the sun coming over the top of the caves creates interest with a flare at the corner. “This was just one part of Emma and Alan’s wedding hike, the whole experience was magic, and this shot just encapsulated that,” she said. This waterfront photo was taken with the Sony a7 III and the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. 

[Read: What Does it Really Take to Photograph Adventure Elopements]

Bettina Vass 

While her homeland of Iceland is the biggest inspiration for Bettina Vass, she took this couples waterfront photo at a workshop on the Faroe Islands. The sunrise shoot required waking up at 3:30 a.m. and a one-hour hike in the dark to arrive at the location. “I love to travel to new places on a regular basis for inspiration that I can later incorporate into my work. It’s very important to me,” she said. While Vass is no stranger to Nordic landscapes, the workshop was her first time working with professional models and she credits the group of photographers for the pose and the models for braving the cold wind. 

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