Harkness Eolia Mansion Sunset Engagement

From the moment we first met up for their sunset Engagement Session, I could tell that Alana and Bobby are just the kind of people full of the best energy - easygoing, silly, fun, and so dang in love. I also got a sense for this on our first phone call, but it’s always fun to meet in person and get a real sense for their personalities and relationship. These two make conversation easy and hanging out with them was like reconnecting with old friends as we chatted about all of the plans for their wedding day.

Engagement & CouplesCora ProperJune 28, 2021eolia, mansion, connecticut, connecticut wedding photographerComment

Connecticut Birthday Sail Celebration

Birthday celebrations after going through a global pandemic feel a little bit different. We’ve always had good reason to surround ourselves by those closest to us - our village - but after over a year of staying away from family and friends for the safety of all, coming together just feels a little bit sweeter, am I right?

When Becky and I first talked, I immediately got a sense for her beautiful and fun personality. You know when you meet someone and you leave the conversation thinking DANG, this person is just so full of light, I feel a little bit brighter? That’s Becky through-and-through. She’s genuine, kind, and loves her people. Throughout the pandemic, living in the urban area of Stamford, Connecticut, she would purchase a ticket frequently to sail on one of the Public Schooner Sails and hit the water leaving the city and building and confinement behind just for a couple of hours. Everything she told me indicated that the water is her place for calm and she joked that she thinks she’ll own a boat before she owns a house. And I love that, #priorities. Her dream was to gather her friends and family for a sail together to celebrate her 30th birthday. Having grown up sailing, I appreciated knowing that Becky feels a calling to the water and I couldn’t wait to help her celebrate and capture so many amazing memories after such a long year.

Classic & Quaint New England Engagement Photos

When Ally and Colin were dating they used to walk in the Stony Creek area, and if you haven’t had a chance to visit the Branford Trolley Trail I suggest you add it to your list! Connecticut has so many unique coastal areas to experience and this is definitely a new favorite of mine. They had sent me a lot of information before our time together (they know how much I love details!) and this level of preparation always helps for us to make the most of our time together, especially when visiting a new place for photos. After stopping at a few of the landmarks on the trail and seeing the scenery, we finished our time together in the downtown area - which has much more of a small seaside village vibe than a downtown, it’s perfection - and the light at sunset was, dare I say it, completely dreamy. They even indulged my request for a few photos on the swings, and I’m loving all of the different vibes we achieved in the course of a little over an hour: elegant and poised, playful and fun, and a romantic sunset walk on the beach.

Intimate Backyard Connecticut Wedding

Joe & Tori’s wedding plans, along with so many other of my couples this year, were affected by the global pandemic. They moved their original wedding date from June to August and ultimately had to push their larger celebration until 2021. But that didn’t stop these two from saying “I Do.”

In fact they didn’t just face a pandemic, in addition to COVID-19 they also had a tornado touch down in their town the night before their ceremony (yes, we are still talking about Connecticut). The neighborhood where they were married was greatly impacted, so much so that Joe spent the morning cutting and clearing trees from the place where they were to officially tie the knot. I honestly couldn’t believe the destruction from the tornado when I was driving in to photograph their wedding. A date change, canceled rehearsal dinner, a downed cell tower that resulted in communication with their loved ones being difficult, a broken wedding dress strap (from Tori sharing a tight hug her dad at the end of the aisle - the best possible reason for a slight wardrobe malfunction) and a power outage - these two truly faced just about all of the obstacles in their wedding planning.

But on a Friday afternoon in August these two spoke words of truth, standing back to back, as they read their vows in a quiet moment before the ceremony. They tied the knot with their closest friends and family there to witness and they kept one another grounded in the things that they know to be true.

Branford House Wedding | Regan & Dayne

Regan and Dayne are some of the sweetest people with the most genuine hearts you’ll ever meet.

Years ago they first became aware of each other when Regan attended Freshman orientation at the Branford House where Dayne was giving a presentation. How cool that they can now say they were married in this same place (the exact same room, in fact). Their day was filled with all kinds of sentimental touches, woven together with the history of the legacy of their loved ones - fitting, considering they are both passionate historians. The dress Regan chose to wore was previously worn by her grandmother and mother and it was an absolute honor to photograph such an heirloom. And Dayne, a pianist having performed at hundreds of events at the Branford House previously, finally had the opportunity to sit and play for his wife. So many gorgeous long-awaited meaningful not-soon-to-be-forgotten moments are what this day was comprised of.

It was an absolute pleasure getting to know these two and walking alongside them capturing the next chapter of the beautiful story they are writing together. Thank you, Regan and Dayne, for trusting me to capture your wedding!

Christmas Tree Farm | Couple's Session

Christmas Tree Farm session - the perfect setting for Christmas card photos!

Downtown Mystic, Connecticut | Engagement Session - Taylor & Sean

Remember these two cuties from their Lighthouse Point session a while back with their precious pups?

They’re back…and cuter than ever (if that’s even possible)!

Taylor and Sean are a bit unique because they will be tying the knot where my husband and I had our wedding reception! We’ve had a special bond from the very beginning just because of that and I couldn’t be more excited to capture their day.

Counting down the days until they say “I do” in Mystic.

Pond House Cafe Hartford, Connecticut Wedding | Rachel & Harrison

From the first moment I met these two their genuineness and ability to truly have fun together was infectious.

Maybe it’s in part because they’ve known each practically since birth, but they are so comfortably themselves with each other. After sporadically keeping in touch over the years, Rachel tells the story of them reconnecting when they happened to be at the same restaurant one night and Harrison made a funny face at her from across the room - the more time I spent with them the more I realized that this interaction is so them.

I would also like to mention another beautiful part of their story that I think made their wedding day even more intimate and precious. Harrison serves with the United States Air Force (thank you for your service, Harrison!) and he and Rachel have had several seasons of time apart in their relationship. The more I think about it, watching the two of them together there’s really no other way to put it (sorry for the cliche) but they’ve found home in each other. From short visits and moves around the country, they’ve stood one another. Watching them embrace is like getting a little window into the immense comfort and safe space they’ve created together.

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Nope, actually I was definitely crying. Especially watching Harrison’s reaction to Rachel walking down the aisle and then when they literally did a little *completely* adorable jump together in the first few moments after sealing their union with a kiss.

Lighthouse Point Park New Haven, Connecticut - Engagement Session | Taylor & Sean

The only thing I love more than photographing couples in love is photographing couples in love with their dogs.

Taylor and Sean were another couple that we had to reschedule and move locations due to predicted weather, but the great part about all of this meant that they were able to bring these cuties with them. And, really, that because of that I got to meet these cuties! If you can’t tell just by the photo above these two pups are simply full of love. I didn’t even have any treats on me and look at them cheesin’ for the camera.

We only had a few minutes together before the real rain started coming down, but it was a few minutes well worth it. Keep an eye out for their continued engagement session later this month…. and then for their wedding in 2020!

Lighthouse Point Park New Haven, Connecticut Engagement Session | Kelly & Stephen

We had to reschedule this session…. two times? Maybe? I felt bad every time we touched base and made the decision to call it and hold out for better weather. I mean, it’s New England and we’ve got to roll with Mother Nature’s punches, but I was crossing my fingers the day we ended up getting together that the stars would align and give these two the best weather. And align they did.

Kelly and Stephen, you guys are awesome. An absolute blast to be around and the smiles you bring out in one another are making me smiling just writing this.

Looking forward to your 2020 wedding! Thanks for asking me tell your story.

Couple’s Session | Downtown Mystic, Connecticut

This session was the foggiest I think I have ever seen it in Mystic. And I’m completely obsessed with the magical quality that fog gives couple’s photos, particularly when they are by the water.

These two are so full of love and laughter it just makes my heart burst. There is nothing I love more than standing back and getting a little window into the giggles and romance in everyday fun shared by two people committed to each other forever. Don’t you just love love?

2 Things to Consider When Planning Your Honeymoon

Chances are if you’re Facebook status currently reads “Engaged” you’ve likely spent so much time bogged down by invitation lists, seating charts, and floral choices that you’ve forgotten there’s even such a thing as a honeymoon. I’m here to remind you that after all of the celebration with friends and family you can make the decision to celebrate just you and your forever! Here are two simple things to think about that will hopefully make planning your honeymoon a whole lot less stressful.

Sticky Note Series | The Beginning

I could start by saying something extremely vague, such as, “I don’t know when sticky notes in our marriage became a thing…..”

Buuuuuut that would be a lie, so let me give you the specifics.

Mercedes McCoy, Makeup Artist & Facialist | Studio Tour

Spring is finally feeling like it’s here to stay and I don’t know about you but this warm weather and sunshine on my face has me thinking about staying more active, letting my inner beauty shine, and taking proper care of my skin to keep it looking healthy. I thought there no better time than now, with wedding season on its way, to talk about one my favorite local Makeup Artists, Mercedes McCoy, and to take you on a little tour to show you the inside of her gorgeous studio.

Personal Branding | Tara with Rodan & Fields

You know when you meet someone and think - they’re just so genuine?

I think that word sums up Tara best. Full of life and grace, a beautiful spirit, fiercely compassionate with a thirst for knowledge and understanding - I’m grateful to have met her and to have had the honor of getting to know her. And especially stoked to give her images showcasing her personality, priorities and her journey in business with Rodan & Fields.

Baby Girl & The Longest Week of My Life

I remember the weekend like it just happened. My husband was, at the time, working in Hawaii. On Friday night I drove to a wedding in upstate New York (then back to Connecticut that night) and left for a family session in New Hampshire early Saturday morning, followed by another family session in CT for sunset that evening (you can see that session here - one of my faves!), and then the next day a commercial photoshoot. It was busy and I remember thinking a couple of times “I feel real weird.” Long story short, it was that weekend I realized I was pregnant. And I couldn’t tell my husband for a week.

It's a BABY!

For several weeks before we found out the gender of our precious little one, scheduled to join us sometime in early June, anytime someone would ask me if I had any inclination of what “it” was I would make the *super lame* joke, “Definitely a human?”

I feel like most people talk about dad jokes… I’m totally going to make mom jokes a thing.

Family Session | Stonington Borough, Connecticut

Though my calendar is often filled working with couples documenting love stories and wedding ceremonies, I absolutely love having the opportunity to work with couples in a different - yet equally beautiful season of life - raising little ones whose smiles and laughs melt hearts! Seriously, as soon as you see these cuties you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

5 Date Ideas for the Engaged Couple

Looking for ideas for a date night with your loved one in the midst of the chaos of planning a wedding? Look no further! A few ideas to help inspire taking time to spend together and making the most of your engagement season.

Lifestyle Newborn | Groton, CT

I don’t often have the opportunity to photograph newborns, but when I do I enjoy every single minute of squishy legs, tiny fingers and toes, wide eyes, dramatic facial expressions, and the interactions of a brand new beautiful family.

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