Sunset by the Temple: A Bangkok Couples Session at Wat Arun

Session Type: Destination Couples Session

Photographer: Sarah Coates Photos | Documentary-Style Wedding & Couples Photographer based in Charlotte, NC

This session was one of those rare ones that just felt like a movie

Set against the golden glow of Wat Arun—Bangkok’s iconic Temple of Dawn—we documented a quiet, love-soaked afternoon full of real connection, laughter, and softness. It was a travel session that reminded me why I do what I do: to preserve the fleeting, in-between moments that say the most.

✨ First Stop: Soft Moments on Temple Grounds

We started the session on the lawn just outside Wat Arun, where the sunlight filtered through manicured trees and framed our couple in the softest light. They sat close, legs tangled, as the world slowed down around them. There were no big poses or forced smiles—just quiet intimacy and easy joy. My job was simply to observe and capture.

I always encourage couples to be, not perform. These photos are a reminder of how beautiful the everyday energy of your relationship is—especially when you’re halfway across the world, experiencing something new together.

🌇 Next: Riverside Golden Hour Magic

As the sun dipped lower, we made our way to a hidden riverside terrace with the temple glowing in the distance. The golden light wrapped around them as they leaned into each other, exchanged soft glances, and laughed between whispers.

Bangkok’s rhythm was all around us—boats drifting by, the distant sound of bells, the scent of street food in the air—but somehow, they felt totally alone in it. That contrast of intimacy in a vibrant city is something I always look for.

🚤 Final Moments: A Boat Ride at Sunset

To close the session, we boarded a small boat and cruised down the Chao Phraya River. Wat Arun towered behind us, glowing as the sun dipped below the skyline. The couple curled into each other on the bench, the breeze ruffling their clothes, the water catching every bit of the sunset.

It was the perfect ending—simple, cinematic, and full of presence.

Why I Love Destination Sessions

Travel sessions let us hit pause. They strip away the distractions and let your relationship breathe in a whole new environment. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon, or just want to remember what this chapter of your love looks like—photos like these become your time capsule.

I'm a documentary-style photographer based in Charlotte, NC, but my heart’s always ready to travel. These sessions aren’t just about pretty backdrops (though Bangkok definitely delivers)—they’re about feeling alive together in a new place.

Interested in Booking a Destination Couples Session?

Let’s go somewhere that means something to you. Whether it’s the streets of Paris, the temples of Bangkok, the quiet mountains of Asheville, or the city of Charlotte North Carolina, I’ll help you create honest, artful memories you'll want to return to again and again.

→ Inquire about travel sessions [here]📍 Charlotte, NC + Worldwide📸 Sarah Coates Photos | Documentary Wedding & Couples Photography