NYC Engagement Session: Amanda + Grady

It was an August evening in the Hamptons and they were hanging out with mutual friends.  And once introduced, their conversation flowed late into the evening and again the next day.  Their connection was instant, and Grady asked if he could take Amanda out for a date once they were back in the city.  But Amanda didn't expect to hear from him so soon - he called her up the day after they returned and asked her out for that evening.  Without hesitation she accepted.  He told her he was headed out for a run first, and she said she was going to do the same, but instead she ran out for a manicure.  She wanted to look her best for this handsome gentleman she had already fallen for.

In a whirlwind romance, they had already met each other's parents within 5 months of meeting each other.  And though they quickly fell for each other, they dated for about two and a half years before getting engaged.  Grady chose the perfect spot in Gramercy Park.  They had always talked about staying in a nice hotel in the city, and Gramercy Park Hotel was near where Amanda used to live, so the area was already special to her.  Grady found the perfect bench in this private park to propose, and turning to her he said, "I have something important I want to ask you."  Amanda was in tears before he could even pop the question.

And so we started Amanda and Grady's engagement session in Gramercy Park.  At the very bench where Grady proposed.  The park was quiet and beautiful, and the light was divine...

About half way through our session, we stopped by Amanda and Grady's beautiful apartment building and took more photos in their courtyard before they changed into something a little more casual...

In true New York style, Amanda hails us a cab to head down to Tribeca.  These two look like they belong in a movie!

And we ended our session down at the Piers, with beautiful light and an amazing skyline...

Amanda and Grady, I had SUCH and amazing time with you both in NYC!!  Thank you for having me there to document your love for each other in the place you call home (and for the delicious dinner at the end of our evening)!  SO excited for your wedding in September!!  xo...


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Old Town Alexandria Engagement Session: Julie + Brandon

I asked her how she found me, and she said she had been following my work for a while and knew she wanted to hire me as soon as she got engaged.  And that right there is when I became smitten with Julie.  It's a photographer's dream to hear those words.  As for Brandon, well, he became smitten with Julie the first time he laid eyes on her.

Out playing pool with his roommate and roommate's cousin, the latter two were betting they could spot the other person's "type" if they saw them.  While this discussion took place, Julie, who wasn't even in the mood to go out that night but was eventually convinced otherwise, walked in with a friend.  Brandon stepped over to his roommate and his cousin, stating, "I can tell you exactly what my type is.  She just walked in the door."  Playing wingman, the cousin invited Julie and her friend over to play pool with them.

Julie didn't think much of it all night.  She actually thought Brandon's roommate was interested in her friend.  She didn't realize Brandon was actually interested in her.  And Brandon, almost forgetting to ask Julie for her number, ran out to the parking lot at the end of the night to catch up with Julie and suggest maybe they could go out some time.

The third time's the charm, as they say.  It wasn't until date #3 that Julie became interested in Brandon as more than just a friend.  It was their first "real date" where Brandon dressed up and they went out to a nice dinner.  He treated her like a lady, being a gentleman and opening doors for her.  He was unlike the guys she had dated before, and she knew he was a keeper.

Julie is a photographer herself, and it can be a little nerve-wracking photographing a peer.  But being around the two of them and enjoying getting to know them helped to ease my nerves.  They were fun and sweet, not only to each other, but to me as well.

Julie and Brandon, I'm so excited for your wedding at Bluemont Vineyard in September!  Until then, STAY GOLD!  ;)


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Old Town Alexandria Engagement Session: Amanda + Dave

He asked if she needed a date to her senior prom.  He had escorted her during her previous year as a junior (after she went in a roundabout way and had her aunt set them up together), and thought she might need a date again that following year.  While nothing really materialized after junior prom, enough sparks flew at her senior prom that they started dating full time after that night, now over 7 years ago.  Amanda says she knew he was the one from the very beginning.  I asked Dave when he knew, and he replied, "Two years ago when I asked her to marry me."

Bigger sparks flew the night they got engaged.  It was the 4th of July and they were with Amanda's family in Havre de Grace, waiting for the fireworks display to begin.  Amanda sensed it was going to happen at any moment.  She had been hugging on him that evening and (discreetly) felt his pockets for the ring box.  Not finding it, she realized it wouldn't be that night.  But after the National Anthem played out its tune, she turned around to find Dave on one knee.  Her mom was so surprised watching the moment unfold in front of her that she stood there in shock, camera in hand.  But didn't take any pictures.

While there are no photos of the actual moment Dave proposed, we did have plenty of time to walk around Old Town Alexandria and celebrate their engagement while capturing their love for each other.

Amanda and Dave, thank you for an AWESOME engagement session!  I'm so excited for your wedding that's just around the corner!!  xo Pin It

Old Town Alexandria Engagement Sneak Peek: Amanda + Dave

Posting a little sneak peek of Amanda and Dave's engagement session in Old Town Alexandria from this past weekend.  Can't wait to share the rest with you - this couple is AMAZING!!

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Old Town Alexandria Engagement Session: Julie + Paul

They met 4 years ago through a mutual friend.  Paul saw Julie standing there talking to her and thought she was cute, so he walked up to be introduced.  Their first few dates were hanging out with their friends - because they came to realize they had a lot of friends in common.  Little did Paul know that Julie wanted a real date - just the two of them.  But by then it didn't matter anyway; they already knew they wanted to be together.

Julie and Paul will be having a small, private marriage ceremony, but in keeping with their love of travelling they will be honeymooning in beautiful Ireland in May.  I told them, with my most charming smile, that I do travel documentary and portraits, but I don't think I'll be getting that invite to Ireland.  Ah well, maybe next time...  ;)

Aren't these two hoooottttt??!  And if you know my love for sportbikes, you know why I about died when I heard we were using Paul's new Triumph for the shoot!

It was seriously chilly during the session (in the 40s!), but Julie wanted some great photos in her super cute outfits, so she rallied through it for "high fashion!"

Julie and Paul - thank you for such a great session!  And Paul, if you need someone to babysit your Triumph while on your honeymoon...call me. Pin It

Country Engagement Session: Christine + Shaun

They must have been at the same bars and restaurants at the same time, and probably passed each other on the street, without even knowing it.  This was the conclusion they came to after they met in 2009 at a Red Sox vs. Nationals game and discovered they lived only blocks from each other.  After the game they went to a bar for drinks, and Shaun wasted no time asking Christine out on a date.

He caught her unaware this past March.  She should have sensed something was going on when Shaun, a guy's guy, was drinking a glass of wine with her on the patio of the beautiful Bluemont Vineyard.  As they headed back to the parking lot to continue their Sunday drive, she threw her arms around him and said, "I love you so much!"  Shaun then reached into his pocket, presented Christine with a beautiful ring, and said, "Well, then will you marry me?"

I'm so excited for their June wedding at the Blackthorne Inn!  They are both Irish, and the Inn is owned by an Irish family, so when they happened on this venue in the country they just knew it was the perfect place to celebrate on their wedding day.  Christine is also a bridal blogger.  She is Miss Irish Bride on It's a Bride's Life.  I love seeing her inspiration boards and all the ideas she has for her wedding day.  And as a graphic designer, I know she's going to have so many fun details that truly capture who they are as a couple!

Christine and Shaun decided to have their engagement session at their new home in Stafford, VA.  They have a beautiful house in the country, and it was so calm and peaceful...

Ohhhh, Christine....stop it!!  You are way gorgeous!

They had these fabulous Kate Spade glasses, a gift from Christine's friend, and we couldn't resist using them for the shoot!  (This made Shaun, a guy's guy, happy.)

This is the first time I've made my clients chug during a session (hey, we had to change locations to continue shooting!).  But they didn't mind...

Christine found these amazing custom burlap pillows on Etsy, and they made a perfect complement to their family room decor.  And knowing she's incorporating burlap runners into their wedding details also has me excited!

We had some amazing November weather during their session.  And the golden light in their back yard?  Peeerrrrfect!

Christine and Shaun exchanged furtive glances when we arrived at the lake and I spotted this run-down area at the back of a building.  "Trust me," I said.  And I love that my clients do trust me!  I couldn't resist the lines and angles back here...

The green coat?  Well, she's Irish, and it was a must-have for the shoot.  (And I secretly coveted it because my favorite color is green...)

Christine and Shaun, I had so much fun during your session and I'm so excited for your wedding in June!  Thank you for having me in your home - I hope you grilled an amazing dinner after I left!  ;)  xo Pin It