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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

Engagement Session - Abbie & Armando | Yale, New Haven & Hammonasset Beach State Park

Abbie is a dear friend of mine and having the opportunity to photograph her and Armando for their engagement photos was an experience I’ll never forget. Congratulations, you two! My hope is that you enjoy this season in life and that it's one filled with intense fits of laughter, talks about the future, and that you enjoy walking into it boldly hand in hand, side by side. Y’all are awesome!