Welcome to the Blog!
I’ve had the privilege to be part of so many incredible days and here you’ll find a collection of them as well as some tips and suggestions for making your best day ever come true — with a few personal posts sprinkled in every now and then too! Take a look around and find inspiration for your best day!
location guides
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.
Charming Snowy Winter Connecticut Engagement Photos
Sitting at my desk watching the snow fall in April - got to love New England - and it reminded me that I haven’t had a chance to blog Nicole and Dan’s cozy winter engagement photos at Heavitree of Griswold B&B. From a few warm indoor photos with tons of historical character, cozying up on a couch together with gorgeous exposed beams, fireplaces and a taproom, to some outdoor moments with gorgeous rock walls, a red barn and a Christmas tree farm backdrop of Geers Tree Farm, this session was filled with all of the reasons I love New England and the moments it inspires in love stories.
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.
Spring Engagement Photos Harkness Park
This Engagement Session actually happened last May. Whoa. I can’t believe I’m just now sharing this gorgeousness, but when I photographed these sweethearts I was actually about 8 months pregnant, and well, that was a pretty crazy season of life - I’m kind of loving revisiting these images just a few weeks before their celebration with friends and family.
I began working with Whitney and Dylan back in 2018, if you can believe it. I still remember sitting at Starbucks chatting about the dreams they had for their wedding day (plans that were ultimately altered a bit by COVID-19). Well, I’m happy to say, not only did these two have an intimate ceremony and still get married on the original day they had planned, although they had to postpone their larger celebration, the party will be happening THIS month and we’re all pretty excited.
Since I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know them they’ve bought a house, added fur babies to their pack, and actually gotten married - it feels like a lot of life has happened since we met and I couldn’t be more excited to stand with them in celebration as they are able to have their closest friends and family witness their commitment to all of life’s changes and challenges ahead.
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.
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.
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!
Harkness State Park, Romantic Engagement | John & Natalie
A beautiful sunset engagement session at Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, Connecticut.