A fun and editorial engagement session featuring their dogs at Pasadena City Hall.
Pasadena City Hall Engagement Session with Athina & Ilyich
When Editorial Meets Playful: Athina & Ilyich’s Engagement Session at Pasadena City Hall
Athina and Ilyich reached out for their engagement session in late October, excited to include their two dogs in the photos. They wanted something that felt personal and true to them, a mix of elegant portraits and candid moments that show their real chemistry.
We started the shoot at the front of Pasadena City Hall, where the soft afternoon light hit the arches beautifully. I always like to begin with a few warm-up photos to help couples ease into the session, letting them move naturally, laugh, and settle into the rhythm. Soon after, we focused on a few intimate moments, quiet kisses, shared smiles, and playful walks that brought out their connection effortlessly.
Throughout the session, I leaned into shadows, silhouettes, and movement, elements I love using to tell a story without needing eye contact with the camera. Rather than posing perfectly, I encouraged Athina and Ilyich to simply enjoy the time together, talk about dinner plans, play with their dogs, or wander through the courtyard as if they were on a date.
The result was a blend of classic and editorial engagement photos that still felt warm and personal. The presence of their dogs added a genuine, family-like energy that made the shoot even more special. Between the refined architecture of Pasadena City Hall and the laughter they shared, the day became a perfect reflection of their relationship, sophisticated, playful, and full of love.
Storytelling
Photography
I’ve always loved framing my couples within their surroundings. Many of my favorite shots aren’t close-ups but wide compositions that blend people and place together. I like using the environment as a soft foreground, letting architecture, light, or movement lead the eye toward the couple. It’s a bit like watching a scene unfold in a movie, where the atmosphere tells as much of the story as the subjects themselves.
When they brought their dogs into the frame, the whole session took on a different rhythm. Everything felt more relaxed, almost like a real date instead of a photoshoot. They laughed, played, and walked together through the courtyard, and those moments brought a beautiful sense of warmth and authenticity to the photos.
Hi, I’m Francis, a photographer based in Pasadena, California
Cinematic, candid, and real — that’s my style. I’m Francis, a Pasadena photographer fueled by matcha and inspired by film. No stiff posing, just authentic photos that tell your story.
Francis Cinema Photography | Pasadena Photographer
Professional portrait photography, couple photography, and candid lifestyle photography in Pasadena, CA. Specializing in capturing timeless, artistic moments at iconic locations like Old Town Pasadena and the Pasadena City Hall.