There isn't a day that goes by that both Matt and I feel incredibly blessed and excited by our job as photographers. We've said it before, and we'll say it again; our clients are awesome. Not only do we get to experience a period of peoples lives that is full of love and excitement, be right by their side surrounded by the people they love most as they become a family...we also get to meet new friends. Melissa and Jonathan are no exception. You may remember that Melissa and Jonathan were the masterminds behind our new website, logo and branding. They are both Graphic Designers living in Brooklyn who are not only incredibly talented at what they do, they are also really splendid people. We've gotten to know them both professionally and personally throughout the last year and we're getting excited for their June wedding which will be at Melissa's father's Farm in New Hampshire. Jonathan proposed to Melissa at a bookstore in their neighborhood (as seen above) with an amazing project that he crafted by hand with a mini accordion booklet of their love story hidden inside an old expenses journal (also seen above). The old book was hidden in the shelves of the store and Jonathan helped guide Melissa to look at it, open it and read what Jonathan has written. Then he got on one knee and asked her to be his wife. How sweet is that? They are going to be incorporating the accordion style paper goods into their wedding, along with dozens of other personalized touches. We more than enjoyed our time photographing them around their neighborhood in Brooklyn and know that it's just a small taste of the goodness that is yet to come!
Annie + Kevin = Engaged
We couldn't think of a better photo session to share with you on a Monday than Annie and Kevin's New York City Engagement Session. These two. I tell you. Matt and I had the privilege of watching them perform last winter up in Lowell during part of their comedy tour, and they. are. hilarious. On top of that, they are some of the most down to earth, sweetest people you will ever know. In fact, It seems that we are not alone in our adoration for Annie and Kevin. We met up with them in the big apple a few weeks back where they work and live, and we decided to photograph around the famous toy store, FAO Schwartz, where they first met (she was a princess and he was a soldier...btw.). During the brief visit to FAO, Annie and Kevin bumped into a half a dozen people who they knew during their employment there so many years ago, and they made not one but THREE grown men cry at their presence. THREE. Everyone who knew them couldn't stop hugging and congratulating them on this exciting time in their lives (their wedding is next week after all). It was adorable. They are also even friends with the Muppets. Doesn't that compilation of images above crack you up? Because we can't stop laughing over here. Annie and Kevin, we can't wait for your wedding. You guys are awesome.
Erin + Steve = Engaged
We had the privilege of meeting Erin and Steve in Portsmouth, NH a few weeks back for their engagement session. They will be getting married in the south this November and wanted a photo session to capture a glimpse of their lives in New England and wished to take advantage of the beautiful backdrop in Rye Beach and Portsmouth. Steve spent summers on Rye Beach with his family, so of course you know that we always love when couples incorporate their personal histories into their photos. When we arrived to shoot around the incredible Heritage Houses on Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, Erin mentioned that they were really nervous and had never done anything like this before. We assured them that we don't usually work with models, and that feeling nervous was totally normal. Little did we know just how incredibly photogenic these two are. I mean seriously, go back to the top and look through these photos again. Don't they look smashing?! We loved their little touches of having a beach picnic with Prosecco and their rad sunglasses. So much fun. They were troopers through the beach photos because although the light is gooey and lush, behind those cameras are coats, hats and mittens. It was freezing, so Erin and Steve also win the 'keeping their cool' award for looking so care free and warm in the chilly temps. Congrats, Erin and Steve, we know you will have an amazing wedding and we wish you all the best!
Moriah + Ned = Engaged
Boston in the fall is gorgeous. Tourists flock, locals savor and the trees show off their brightest shades. Boston in the spring? Boston in the spring is a little secret that only locals know. For three weeks each spring, the cherry blossoms and magnolia trees bloom as if it's going out of style. There is nothing more romantic or hopeful than the sight of flowering trees against the aged streets of Boston. We couldn't have picked a better day to capture Moriah and Ned's Engagement Session. They live in Beacon Hill and wanted a relaxed engagement session showcasing their neighborhood. We're suckers for local history, and both Moriah and Ned knew a lot about the history of Beacon Hill - which we thoroughly enjoyed. We also couldn't help but notice how well these two worked together. We especially loved Ned's ability to get Moriah to laugh. If that isn't the sign of a successful future marriage we don't' know what is!
Hermionie + Mathieu in Paris
We're rushing around the office a bit today as we prep to go shoot a wedding this afternoon (whohoo!) but we couldn't resist sharing a few more photos from our trip to Paris. This session is near and dear to our hearts since it took place in our most favorite little neighborhood of Paris; Montmartre! One of my best friends lived in Paris for a year when I was in college, and after visiting her and getting to know the ins and outs of Montmartre, I've made it a priority to always stay there when I visit Paris. It's becoming a contagious habit! There is an old world charm in Montmartre, and every little nook and cranny feels like a storybook. We can't get enough of it, so when deciding on a location for local photographer Hermionie and her beau Matthew's photo session - Montmartre was our first choice. Hermionie is a photographer in Paris and does photo tours for visitors, teaching them how to use their cameras to capture environment shots around Paris, and also takes portraits of couples and families while they are visiting Paris - how cool is that?! We had a blast chatting about the photography scene in Paris and taking photos of her with her boyfriend, Matthew. If you could have a photoshoot with your love in any place in the world, where would it be?
Rachel + Jilali = Engaged
Where do we even begin with this one? Rachel is an American living in Paris (...jealous...) where she got a job after law school and met the love of her life, Jilali, who is French. They worked together, became friends, and fell in love. They are getting married in September in Paris and will be moving to London for work after the wedding. While we're not shooting their wedding, we were able to meet up with them while we were in Paris to capture a glimpse of their lives in together - in the city the met, fell in love and got engaged. We met up with them in the Tuileries Garden (where Rachel gifted me with the best present ever). The Tuileries are right in front of the Louve, which made a beautiful backdrop. We then made our way to the Pont des Arts, which is a foot bridge over the Seine River which has hundreds of love locks on it. Couples come from all over the world bringing a padlock along to lock on the bridge together and then throw the key into the water below. Rachel had an adorable lock custom made with their names and wedding date on it. (Collective awwww...). After we photographed them throwing their key into the water we jumped down along the Siene for a few shots of the two of them, and then grabbed a taxi to get some photos of in front of the Eiffel Tower as the sun was setting. We had an amazing time photographing these two and hearing all about their love story. Félicitations Rachel et Jilali!
Nicole + Jeff = Engaged
We couldn't think of a better set of photos to show you on Valentine's Day than Nicole and Jeff's Engagement Session in Minneapolis. We met up with them in early January at the Walker Art Center's Greenhouses and Sculpture Gardens to take advantage of the mecca of green in the middle of the winter, as well as the blanket of white that had freshly fallen the night before. It was bitterly cold (I believe it was -15F with windchill) but we bundled up while Nicole and Jeff put on their toughest Midwestern skin and bared a few shots without coats in the cold. Nicole and I grew up dancing together so we've known each other since we were tots (and yes, she has always been one of those tiny tiny tiny people. Which in turn makes me want to put her in a tea cup). When Nicole and Jeff met in high school, their paths crossed in an unexpected yet beautiful way. They have already weathered many storms together and I have no doubt their lives together as a married couple will be filled with joy. We are looking forward to their August wedding in South Dakota which will certainly be a day filled with tears and laughter.
Charlene + Andrew = Engaged
One of the most popular choices for Engagement Session locations in Boston span in about a six block radius. They include, The Boston Public Library, Commonwealth Avenue, The Boston Public Gardens and Common, and the Beacon Hill Neighborhood. It's a no-brainier of why this stretch hereby after known as 'The Classic Boston Engagement Session' (titled by yours truly) is so popular. It's quintessentially Boston and unabashedly gorgeous. Really, 'The Classic Boston Engagement Session' is a union of all things architectural, academic and pretty. You can't go wrong. You may have seen a few shoots that we've done in these locations, including this little number with Charlene and Andrew. They are getting married this summer at a beautiful Estate in Newport, RI, so it was only natural to have their engagement session capture their lives here in Boston. We've fallen hard for these two. They are charismatic, cool and totally cute together. We had a great time getting to know them during their e*session and think their photos are a great sign that they are going to rock out the lens this summer during their wedding photos. Naturals, I tell you. naturals.
Komal + Kunal = Engaged
We were able to catch up with Komal and Kunal in December when we were home visiting family. They were our first official Minnesota clients for 2012 (we're lucky to say that we've added a few more to the year) so pretty much every e-mail between Komal and Kunal and ourselves was filled! with! explanation! marks! Because, well....we love Minnesota. And because Komal and Kunal's wedding is going to be rocking awesome. We decided to brave the cold and to a snow-less, winter shoot with them at The Guthrie Theater, The Weisman Art Museum, and our old turf, the campus of The University of Minnesota (Komal and Kunal are also alumni...Gophers Represent!) In short, although the elements were neither lush green or a winter wonderland - we had a blast with them and found pops of color in the surroundings. The Guthrie has several windows that are yellow, hence the unique lighting in several of the photos. Work with what you've got, friends.
Elizabeth + Chris = Engaged
We have a strong affinity for Elizabeth and Chris. It might be because Chris reminds me of my younger brother Drew who is pretty much the sweetest guy on the planet, or it might be because Beth is all smiles, all the time (it was actually difficult to get to do a serious face), or it might be because they have such a warm adoration for each other that it feels like we're meeting up with old friends when we are around them. Either way, we're super excited about shooting their wedding in September. We met up with them at the Arlington Town Hall, which was a dream to shoot in with all of its nooks and crannies, and then finished off at Menotomy Rocks Park, which happens to be our favorite park this side of the river. And finally, can we all agree that Beth's shoes are rocking out in that last photo? Nice choice, Beth, nice choice.