Rhode Island Ocean House Sunset Beach Engagement

Every time I photograph a new couple, especially those first few moments after meeting, it’s uncomfortable. It’s 10000% normal to not feel instantly at ease being photographed and generally it takes a little while to feel like you can be yourself in front of the camera - I know, even as a photographer I freak out a bit when I’m on the other side. These are all emotions I’m ready for and prepped to guide my couples through to make for a positive and enjoyable experience. But truly, watching Chris and Sarah interact over the course of our time together was beautiful. There were moments when they were focused on each other that I felt like, and *really* hoped, that they had actually forgotten I was there. Chris looks at Sarah in a way that tells the whole world he knows exactly the gift he has in his arms - he’s so full of joy and contentment. And Sarah, well she lights up an entire beach with her smile and her calming and joyful demeanor brings an undeniable peace.

These are the moments and stories I live to photograph.

Mystic, Connecticut Summer Engagement Photos

If you’re one of my couples you know that during our inquiry call I spend quite a bit of precious time chatting about your Engagement Session and the importance of this time that we spend together. I have a whole list of reasons for this that I will share in another cohesive blog post, but can I just say that I love when my couples get excited about this and make the Engagement Session a priority?!

Fun fact! Courtney & Ryan will be getting married NEXT month. The photos they receive in their gallery won’t be used in the “typical” Save-the-Date fashion, as they’d already had that taken care of (although they did end up using a few to be in touch with their guests with some COVID-19 updates and information). But that doesn’t change the significance of this evening of exploring around Downtown Mystic, Connecticut along with one of my favorite local beaches. I loved having the opportunity to get to know them both better before their wedding day and it added an extra level of uniqueness because their wedding is so close and all of the details are falling into place. I know that the time we spent together in will make them immeasurably more comfortable in front of the camera on their wedding day and a huge bonus is that they also have some cute couples photos to hang around their home where they aren’t in wedding attire.

Destination Engagement Session - Portsmouth, New Hampshire | Amanda & Kevin

When Amanda first asked about making their Engagement Session a bit of a mini destination getaway to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, I was all about it. There is nothing I love more than exploring fun and unique locations with my couples, and their love for Portsmouth, combined with the fact that I grew up in New Hampshire, made for one very fun evening and a nostalgic little road trip!

We spent the few days before keeping a close eye on the weather (New England seems to have gifted us this year with an extra dose of random thunder storms), but ultimately we made the call to make the trip and I’m glad we didn’t decide to wait. An intense fog rolled in during our time together and we dealt with a light shower, but honestly I think the ambiance and few umbrella photos added a beautiful level of romance and there’s something about a little rain that brings couples even closer together that I appreciate. Pair that with a gorgeous dock on the New Hampshire coast, vibrant flowers filling every garden we visited (plus a hidden rose garden with an epic archway I had discovered while scouting), adorable rain soaked streets and urban brick buildings, cute restaurants with bistro lights… and a surprise building painting they agreed to take a goofy photo in front of - These two are so sweet and up for any adventure in any weather.

Engagement Session - Watch Hill, Rhode Island | Tori & Christian

Every once in a while life’s coincidences align in a way to connect you with people you wouldn’t have likely had the chance to meet, if not for the exact timing of a seemingly random series of events. These are some of the connections in life that I often feel most grateful for because my circle gets a little bigger and the world seems to get a little smaller all at the same time.

The way that Tori, Christian and I met and I came to photograph their elopement weekend was exactly that - a series of apparent coincidences that led to a phone call where we instantly connected and ended with Christian yelling in the background, “Let’s do it! We’re in!”

After getting to know them both over an extended weekend, I so appreciate their totally “here for it” approach to everything - they are two of the most genuine and fun people, full of laughter, inside jokes, and no reservation when it comes to snuggles. It’s clear that they show up for each other in their relationship, but they also show up for everyone they encounter with incredibly kind hearts.

Also worth mentioning is that Tori was totally up for rocking a bright red dress for a sunset session in Watch Hill, Rhode Island the weekend of their Elopement and we created some serious magic.

Tori & Christian, I can’t thank you enough for trusting me to capture this weekend for you. For allowing me a window into your love story and honoring me with the incredible privilege of capturing the intimacy of your relationship and marriage. I’m looking forward to seeing all of the crazy adventures life has in store for you both!

This Destination Elopement Weekend did not disappoint and I can’t wait to share more photos from our time together.

Engagement Session - Stonington Borough | Tiffany & Patrick

One of my absolute favorite things about photographing in New England are the amazing and vibrant colors you can find on the coast - in the landscape and the architecture. Tiffany and Patrick’s Engagement Session was no exception with a beautiful sunset and so many gorgeous flowers in bloom. These two will be getting married this Fall and were ahead of the planning process, choosing an intimate wedding celebration long before COVID-19 changed the world (and with it, the way we can currently gather).

It’s been encouraging to watch their plans fall into place and have a chance to catch up as we walked around exploring this stunning coastal town - making this location even more meaningful is the fact that Patrick proposed here!

Engagement Session - Harkness Memorial State Park | Sarah & Jordan

After months of quarantining, getting to spend a beautiful evening hanging out with Sarah and Jordan for their Engagement Photos - well, it truly meant everything to watch these two interact and chat about their wedding plans. Their outfit selections were on point, not to mention, Sarah’s doppelgänger might be Cinderella and they both have the most infectious smiles.

Harkness Memorial State Park | Engagement Session Connecticut - Charlotte & Rob

This photo displays one of my absolute favorite moments to capture. It’s what I like to call, “The Smile Before the Kiss.” It’s the feeling of excitement in the anticipation of knowing what’s about to happen. It’s a great way to describe the season of being engaged as well. It’s a time filled with exciting to-do lists and decisions to be made, all in preparation for the exchanging of vows.

Charlotte and Rob live in New York City, so when we were trying to decide on a location for their Engagement Session I sent them some local options and they loved Harkness - it really is such a great choice to achieve different vibes and backgrounds all in one place!

We ended up moving their session up a bit to try to beat the rain and it luckily it worked! We started our time together walking around their venue, Jonathan Edwards Winery, and then made our way to the water for some cute photos of them (and their adorable dog, Scout)!

I’m already counting down the days until I get to see these two again and can’t wait to capture the joy on their wedding day and so many more smile-before-the-kisses kind of moments. Thank you Charlotte and Rob for trusting me to capture this season of your love story!

Downtown Mystic, Connecticut | Engagement Session - Amy & Tommy

There’s one main word that comes to mind after spending time with Amy and Tommy during their engagement session: chemistry.

These two have been together for 10 years, so their connection certainly makes sense. Watching them interact was honestly an absolute privilege. The best part for me was actually knowing they entered the session being a bit nervous (I mean, really, who isn’t at the thought of having a stranger in your face taking photos? I totally get it) - but as we walked around and found each new spot and I guided them into “poses” focused on movement and really just encouraging them to be themselves with each other, well, it was MAGIC.

The in-between moments are where you can really see a couple’s chemistry come through and their personalities show up and I’m just so obsessed with Amy and Tommy’s “in-between-moments” from our time together. Both genuine, sweet, and compassionate people (it’s no wonder they’re both teachers) they are two people I would certainly describe as being meant for each other.

And I couldn’t be more excited they’ve chosen me to photograph their 2020 wedding!

Boston, Massachusetts Engagement Session - Charles River | Sky & Chris

Meet Sky & Chris!

Everything about this sunrise session had me FALL-ing in love.

With traveling to Boston for their session amidst a crazy wedding season, in order to make it work I had a crazy idea and texted them asking… “any chance you would be up for a sunrise session?” and they responded with my absolute favorite phrase from any couple:

“We’re up for anything!”

So we set the date and I set my alarm (I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had my husband set another 10 alarms to make sure we got our butts out of bed and our 3 month old daughter bundled up for the adventure).

These two braved the cold morning air and were nothing but smiles. We were able to walk around, find this amazing tree and I watched them get more comfortable being with each other in front of the camera (helped along I’m sure by the increasing warmth as the sun came up). It was magic.

A little backstory to the location choice! Sky and Chris met because of rowing, and the Charles River holds a lot of significance for them, as does the sport. In fact, Chris proposed to (a very stunned) Sky in front of 200 high school students and their parents during an awards banquet for the athletes he had been coaching. It’s a story that will bring anyone to tears and one I know they will hold onto forever. So sweet.

Beyond excited to photograph their 2020 wedding!

Harkness Memorial State Park | Engagement Session Waterford, Connecticut - Jamie & Scott

Jamie and Scott were such a blast to hang out with. They pretty much had me in a fit of giggles the whole night and it was an absolute pleasure getting to know them both.

And as we were walking to the cars to say goodnight the sky put on a performance with some beautiful colors. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got in their car laughing with each other about one of my favorite phrases: “OK guys - let’s stop here for just one more photo!”

These are the sessions that give me life and make me beyond excited for all of the love I get to capture in 2020.

Harkness Memorial State Park Waterford, Connecticut | Rachel & Harrison

an we please just talk about how seriously stinking CUTE these two are?

Rachel and Harrison currently live in Arizona and when we chatted over the phone about their wedding, I encouraged them to still consider planning an “Engagement Session” even if it was just the week before so we would have the chance to connect and also give them some adorable New-Englandy photos while they were back on the east coast.

Well, I’m so glad we made the time. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to spend even more time with them in addition to their wedding day.

Elegant Farm Engagement Photos - Connecticut | Joe & Tori

When I received their inquiry several months ago, I remember smiling as I read that although from an outsider’s perspective these two seem like opposites, as they discovered their friendship and gave it the chance to blossom they often times couldn’t believe just how similar they really were. I love stories like this.

From the very first conversation we shared, I could tell that Joe and Tori were a couple full of life and fully in love. Their love for nature and genuine openness to each other and new experiences is not only sweet and infectious, it’s something I know will carry them through the ups and downs of marriage.

That first conversation also had me completely excited to finally meet them in person and see their love in action. From the moment we began and these two started interacting I could tell the whole night was going to be magic - and it was.

Olana State Historic Site: Hudson, New York - Engagement Session | Bridgette & Mike

If you follow my Instagram you may already know that my sister is getting married!!! While Bridgette is technically my husband’s sister, making her officially my sister-in-law, since the moment we met she’s been the sister I never had. From road tripping to Florida, watching her graduate from college, bar-hopping, hanging out and finding the best places to eat, to now watching her be the most amazing Aunt to our daughter - I simply can’t imagine life without her. And now she can’t imagine life without Mike!

By this time next year these two will officially be Mr. & Mrs. and I couldn’t be happier for them. Aside from just being thrilled to have watched their love story blossom from the very beginning, it’s also been a huge privilege to have been trusted with capturing some of the milestones along the way.

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