I'm gonna let you in on a little secret ... I get SUPER nervous for engagement sessions. Weddings are cool (I think because I have the whole day to pace myself) and portraits are more relaxed for me, but engagement sessions for some reason really get the butterflies going. They're really intimate, it's just me and the couple, and I have to bring it and deliver! It's a lot of pressure. :)
At the same time, I know most every girl ... and maybe guy too ... feels anxious before getting their engagement pictures done. It's totally normal! And it's my job to alleviate those nerves and make them feel at ease.
Just like my portrait session recap, I am completely blown away by this last year after looking at engagement sessions. I still can't believe how far I've come, in EVERY aspect of the job. It's like a different world! On that note, enjoy my favorites!
They were only together a few months before he left for boot camp. It was off to California, then Japan and soon North Carolina.To stay connected, they wrote letters, although he says he didn't get to write as much as he wanted to. Justin is a Marine and is always working, sometimes in the middle of the night.
As they were telling me their story, I mused that it's impressive that they've stayed together through all of the long distance. Not only together but connected. These two are definitely loyal and willing to do whatever it takes to support each other through the ups and downs. It makes me so happy to see couples with their priorities straight and in this for the marriage, not just the wedding day. That is what it's all about, people!
It was cold ... ridiculously cold ... the day of their engagement session. I honestly don't know how Amanda and Justin look so good in the photos on the beach. I would have been an eye-watering, frozen mess! They are obviously better models than me. :) Enjoy these two, and please give them props for withstanding the Northwestern Pennsylvania cold!
Right about here, standing on the beach of Lake Erie in January, was when we started to go numb. The wind chill had to have been -60 degrees. See how pleasant they look?!
Oh you know I had to use those cool red shutters that matched Amanda's coat perfectly!
And then it was off to warm up with some hot chocolate ...
Reading their letters they wrote to each other. :) I know they're so glad they won't have to do this much longer!
Amanda, you're gorg.
Are you kidding me?! I can't even take it! Hot tamales! :D
Your July wedding is going to be the opposite of this day! It makes me warm just thinking about it!
Oh, you guys. This post is so fun for me because Sharon is my BFF. We met at gymnastics when we were 12 and as we grew up we started sharing stories about boys. They were harmless crushes that we giggled about during warmup or while we were in line waiting to condition. We could never see very far down the road when it came to boys. Truthfully, we were all about hanging out with each other and the other gym girls.
When Sharon met Rob though, many years after gymnastics, I knew he was a keeper. Sharon has the most goofy sense of humor and I knew "the one" had to be someone special to match her wit. Rob can say almost anything with a straight face and I never know if he's kidding. No joke, he told me he was going to wear a cape at his wedding and I thought he might be serious. Either I'm really gullible or he's got the poker face down. I guess we'll find out in November!
You two life buddies, Nathan and I are so grateful for your friendship. I really, really, really can't wait to see you tie the knot!
We met at Sharon's house for some cookie decorating. I love when couples plan an activity for their engagement session!
You should know that there were bats flying above us during these shots. Rob was slightly terrified (sorry, Rob) but pushed through his fears for the sake of the photos. That is awesome.
When I met with Hailee and Stefan before they booked me for their August 2013 wedding, we talked for a loooong time. I absolutely love meetings like that because I know that the couple are my kind of people and they already feel like friends. Stefan is just as invested in this process as Hailee and photography is really important to them both. Like I said, my kind of people!
These two are high school sweethearts ... he played football, she was a cheerleader ... you know how the story goes. But Stefan treats Hailee like absolute gold, and it was so fun to watch them interact. Hailee and Stefan bring out the best in each other and are so fun. Thank you guys for being uninhibited in front of my camera. This is a favorite engagement session for sure!
Oh my gosh, Hailee. Could you BE any more gorgeous?? (I think my inner Chandler Bing just came out there. :) )
I loved the 1920s theme they had going on. So fun!
The light was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could always shoot in sun.
