Urban Rooftop Engagement Session | Downtown Austin Photo Shoot | Tamara Merri Photography

Updated: May 11, 2020

The majority of engagement sessions I photograph are in nature, which I love since I'm a super outdoorsy person. However, sometimes it's awesome to change things up and get creative. Thus, the idea of doing a downtown / urban / city session was born.

I met Sara on Facebook and she was just as excited about a downtown session as I was. She is equally bubbly as she is gorgeous and her partner Adam is the most perfect handsome gentleman. I'm so grateful I got to photograph their session and I can tell they are in love because of the energy and life they brought to the photos.

The story of when Sara knew she loved Adam:

"We had been dating about 2 months and I was pretty sure of him from the first date but I am a firm believer that you have to get to know someone before you can fully know you love them. Well that weekend I traveled with him to his home town and I met his family and childhood friends for the first time. It was such a fun weekend and I was so happy to be around them and share stories. The next day we were seeing the Avengers and I have no idea why, but I looked at him during the movie and I just KNEW he was the one for me... it was such a random moment but I was filled with so much joy and had never felt that before. I still get the same feeling today!"

I hit the pavement the week before this session with my eyes towards the sky. There are a lot of buildings with rooftops downtown but I knew needed to find the perfect spot. I wanted the session to be both among the high rises, as well as having them as a backdrop. The Austin skyline is fairly recognizable and The Frost Tower is a pretty iconic building in Downtown Austin so I wanted to find a roof that would feature it. I also didn't want to have to worry about permits, asking permission, or having other patrons in the vicinity. So figured a parking garage would be perfect. The top level of parking garages are generally empty - especially at sunrise on a weekend.

I asked Sara to wear a more formal outfit to pair well with the urban landscape. She frigging hit it out of the park!! Look at that dress! Gorgeous! And Adam looked super handsome in his suit. I am so appreciative of their commitment to the session. Speaking of commitment - LOOK AT HOW SHE SCALED THIS LEDGE TO GET THE SHOT Y'ALL.

Granted, the potential drop was only one level down, not that 10 stories below to the downtown pavement - but super brave and amazing nonetheless!

I love this perspective because you can see that other people are going about their day on the streets below. Love happens during ordinary moments. Just like how Sara said she knew she loved Adam while watching The Avengers. No one on the streets below, getting their morning coffee, knew that a whole lot of love was being captured ten stories up.

Aggie & Texas State Pride

*show me your model faces*

It was an incredibly chilly morning (for Austin) which made these natural cuddle photos so authentic. Adam really was keeping Sara warm here which I love. The more real the connection, posing, the more it resonates with a couple. They are as sweet and cuddly as they are fun and rambunctious. Literally the perfect combination for a hit engagement session!

I just LOVE the chic blue color of the Frost building and the crispness it gives theses photos. After spending time on the same level, I had Sara and Adam go across the street to the next parking garage to get a bit of a different perspective. I love the results.