Engagement

Jake + Karen | An Engagement Session at Sunken Gardens

Mar 20 2023

A couple of months ago I was putting together my wording of what I might say on a post for the Rochester Area Wedding Swap Facebook Group and advertising for fun Engagement sessions in the snow. I put together the post and sent it on it’s way. A little while went by and I received a notification that Karen mentioned they needed an Engagement session and she wanted to have theirs in the winter also! Yay! We booked their date for this past week and luckily there was still snow on the ground, even following a couple of warmer days!

As we pondered over what time we should meet due to the sun’s activity, we decided to meet at noon, a time that I normally do not shoot at due to over powering sun rays and shadows underneath eyes, etc. But this day was perfect for a 12 o’clock session and Jake and Karen brought their A game.

Within minutes I could tell they were going to be easy to work with and they were nailing their poses effortlessly! We moved onto more advanced poses and some from Karen’s Pinterest inspiration board within no time and I am in LOVE with how they turned out!! Here are just some of my favorites from their session!

Tyler + Maryna | Engagement Session

Jun 02 2022

Maryna and Tyler contacted me back in March of 2019 to book their Wedding date and before we knew it – Covid was taking over the world. They contacted me and asked to move their date to September of 2022, I was so glad I wasn’t booked! We moved their date and just scheduled their Engagement session a couple months ago. Our first session date got completely rained out so we shifted to this past Tuesday and we met at the beautiful Webster Park in Webster, NY. Let me tell you – it was meant to be! The lighting was perfect, the air was not too hot, not too cold, slight breeze, it was gorgeous!

We started at a section of the park where I spotted some sun coming through the trees while scoping the parks out and knowing it would grow dark in this location first, I knew we had to start there.

We made our way from this part of the park and went down to another little section that would soon be dark and used the bridge! They were such naturals!! They picked up on my posing within minutes and magic was happening!

After the bridge we made our way to the water front part of the park, giving the sun just enough time to start departing for the evening and gave us an awesome show!

We ended our evening and I knew I had to come home to edit these right away! I couldn’t wait! Here are just a few of my favorites from the session! They brought the HEAT and I can’t wait to celebrate their wedding in September!

Joel + Katie

Apr 07 2022

Katie’s Mom contacted me a few months ago asking if I was available for a date in June for her daughter’s wedding and was elated to say that we were! I chatted with her about their day and when I looked up their venue (to be announced at a later date), I was over the moon in love! Joel, Katie and I discussed some of their details and I knew it would be a dream wedding!!

Over the next few weeks, Joel and I texted a few questions and answers back and forth and we finally landed on a date for an Engagement session! Yay!! We met at Black Creek Park in North Chili and the weather was nice 61 degrees, little breeze and some nice clouds but I could tell Katie was a little chilly so I knew tonight was about cuddles to keep warm!

Within 3 minutes I could tell we were going to have a great session! Their smiles were contagious and immediately I could see why they were getting married, they beamed for each other. They told me they hadn’t had a lot of practice before and I told them I didn’t believe them lol, they were NATURALS! No fake smiles here guys!!

We had so much fun walking around the park and showing them our posing techniques for their wedding day and by the end, I knew we would be golden on their wedding day. I can’t wait to celebrate with them in June but for now, here are a few of our favorites!!

Matt + Sarah

Feb 11 2022

Matt and Sarah contacted me last year to discuss their wedding plans for May of 2022 and all the beautiful details to come. I couldn’t wait to start planning their Engagement session this winter however the snow didn’t seem to come at the times we needed it to or with little warning for planning so instead I suggested one of my favorite locations, Lamberton Conservatory at Highland Park. I love the gardens inside and the private session time gives us the freedom to walk through without anyone in our shot. I must admit though, the cactus room is my favorite, it has the most beautiful glowy light coming in!!

We made our way from garden to garden and while I was showing them some of the most common posing we will be using for their wedding day, little by little their confidence started to come out and their natural smiles started to shine! It’s very normal to feel a little shy when first starting your engagement session but it is my job to show you how to relax and enjoy your time with your fiancé. They did just that! I am so excited I had the chance to work with them for the first time in a non stressful environment, they will be ready for their wedding day when we are in much more of a time crunch!

Here’s a few of my favorites from their session!

Dan + Amanda

Aug 23 2021

Amanda and Dan both connected with me back in 2019 regarding their wedding planned for October of 2020. As the story goes for 2020, Covid brought everything to a screeching halt and Dan and Amanda chose to postpone the wedding until it was a bit safer for everyone. They planned their new wedding date for October 2021 at a beautiful location (that you will see coming in a future blog post!).

As I always tell every couple, their Engagement session is more than just pretty pictures to have in your memory box of a short lived milestone but a great way for you to learn how your photographer will work with you on your wedding day. We met at Al Lorenz Park in Mt Morris and after just a few short minutes, Dan and Amanda were like naturals and gaining confidence throughout their session. It wasn’t long before I had them doing some advanced posing techniques and the sun was falling right into line behind them! Their Engagement photos are forever documented and they will also be a lot more confident on their wedding day with their posing! I am so excited to share this next chapter with you when they finally say “I do!”

Here are just a few of my favorite images of their Engagement session!

Matt + Nichole

May 20 2021

I first met Nichole when my daughter was in cheer camp a couple of years ago. While we didn’t have a chance to really get to know each other, but I always was excited to see her whenever I did the teams annual Christmas photos. When she contacted me that she was going to be getting married in May of 2021, I was elated to hear that she was going to be marrying a colleagues son that I had a chance to work with before a while back. We discussed their Engagement Session and when we would like to schedule it and they booked their wedding after our bridal consult!

We had their Engagement session at a private location in Caledonia and it was so fun to teach them the simple poses we use the day of their wedding to get natural and beautiful images.

We had a few phone calls the days leading up to their wedding day and we were growing more and more excited the closer we got! We met them at St James Episcopal Church in Batavia, NY for their rehearsal and got to see everything come together perfectly. Once everyone felt comfortable, we parted ways, but not for long. The next morning, I made my way to Oak Knolls Manor a little early to get a sneak peak at the barn and all of the glorious details that were waiting for everyone once the ceremony was complete. What a sight to see! What a barn! It was built by J.T. Wells & Sons which are known for their amazing structurally sound barns and it is still amazing people this many years later.

I made my way into the beautiful house where I first found balloons and sprinkled rose petals throughout the entire house. I found Nichole getting her makeup perfected and then hair. I went into the bedroom to find her breathtaking dress hanging on the mirror and a box full of invitations, rings, her necklace, ribbons and shoes and used her veil to create a nice little background for them to lie on.

After details, Nichole got in her dress and we made our way to a first look with her Father and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We then made our way to St James Episcopal Church in Batavia for the ceremony.

Violinists, scriptures, blessings, communion, piano playing and praying, were just parts of a beautiful ceremony in the church that has also married Nichole’s parents and grandparents; but after all that, they were now pronounced, Mr and Mrs Heins! After their kiss, they made their way outside to an intimate toast of champagne between the two of them.

After family formals, we made our way to a requested area of Caledonia on Main Street to capture a few images and then back to Oak Knolls Manor for their reception and of course we had to wait until sunset to go capture the bridal party and bridal portraits of the day! We then made our way back in the barn for cake cutting and dancing the rest of the night away. I also couldn’t help sneak their rings and STUNNING wooden flower bouquet out for a quick photo session while everyone was eating. (Bouquets and boutonnieres made by the incredibly talented Dusty Dog Designs)

Their day was filled with such love and laughter and I am so humbled to have been trusted with their memories. Here’s just a few of my favorites from their day!

Sean & Helen

Jan 08 2020

Sean and Helen called me about a month ago to discuss their wedding day plans for next September. They shared their dreams and hopes of their big day and Helen goes “Oh! And I would LOVE snowy engagement photos!!!” Shriek! I LOVE winter engagement sessions!

After Mother Nature had other plans for our first date, we decided that everything happens for a reason and rescheduled to the following weekend. What a great decision! We arrived to find a soft blanket of snow across the beautiful Livingston County Park in Mt Morris which offers a beautiful gazebo, snow covered bridges and some beautiful walking paths.

We walked the length of the park with their pup, Ellie and laughed our way through their session. It was chilly but so worth it! We had a lot of fun creating these memories and I’d love to share some of my favorites with you!

Joey + Dominica

Sep 21 2019

Lamberton Conservatory, Rochester, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Moss, Bride, Groom

The Couple

Dominica and Joey first reached out to me last year to set up a Bridal Consultation so we could meet and see if I was a good match to their wedding photography needs. Little did we realize, this would be the start to a beautiful friendship! As we sat at a diner and chatted, I realized this couple was exactly why I wanted to capture love; and they booked their wedding and engagement sessions with me that afternoon!

We arrived at their engagement session, the fireworks started and I began to LOVE working with them!! Here’s one of my favorite images from their engagement session last year!

Corbetts Glen Brighton, NY Engagement Photographer — Corbetts Glen

Growing their family

When Dominica contacted me and told me that they were so happy to announce they were expecting, I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to be chosen to photograph so many memories to come! From a baby shower, gender reveal, maternity sessions in the snow and Mommy and Me portraits with their new little bundle of joy, I have come to absolutely fall in love with this little family! Here’s a few of my favorite images from our sessions over the last year!

The Wedding Day

After many sessions with Joey and Dominica, I had no doubt that their wedding day portraits would be epic! We started at the Double Tree Hotel in Rochester where the girls started their preparations. Dominica’s dress hung on a personalized hanger on a beautiful mirror in the room. Her bridesmaids helping from all angles to make everything perfect.

Wedding, Photography, Double Tree Hotel, Rochester, NY

Once the girls were ready to go, we headed down to the limo and onward to Chapel Hill for their ceremony! I have never photographed in this church before so when I first stepped in, I was awe-stricken. What a breathtaking site. Dominica’s father walked her down the aisle to an awaiting and anxious Joey and for the first time ever, I saw a tear roll down her cheek and I was no longer able to separate photographer from friend and got a little choked up. What an amazing moment to be able to witness.

After some laughs, tears and a sand ceremony, they were introduced as Man and Wife! We headed outside for some family portraits and before we knew it, we were back in the limo to go tour some of Rochester’s best photo locations! We first stopped at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in Manhattan Square and took advantage of the gorgeous stairway falls.

Wedding, Photography, Martin Luther King Memorial, Rochester, NY, Photography

Dominica and Joey hadn’t eaten in a while so what’s a wedding party to do? Stop for some Wendys Spicy Nuggets, that’s what!

We then ventured off to the STUNNING Warner Castle/Sunken Gardens at Highland Park and had some fun with the arches, stone walls and stair cases!

From there, we hopped in the limo and took a short trip to the Lamberton Conservatory where we were greeted by some ducks, turtles, beautiful moss and more stunning views each room you entered and personally, my favorite part of the bridal portraits 🙂

After spending about 30 minutes here, we headed to our last stop and reception location, back at the Double Tree Hotel where there were tables of sweets, a beautiful draped dancefloor and all their friends and family waiting to spend their evening celebrating them. It was a glorious event and I am honored to have spent it with them!!

It was impossible to only choose a few but here are some of my absolute favorites from their big day! It’s amazing to watch your clients’ visions come to life and come together like a true fairytale. (And it helps when you look like a real life princess!)