As a track athlete, Corrie was frequently in the gym, training and lifting and staying in shape. She knew the regulars in the gym and became one of them. One of those regulars was Brendan, a reserved upperclassman who often saw but rarely spoke to. She nicknamed him “gym boy” and talked with her friends about the guy she couldn’t stop thinking about. It didn’t take long before they went on their first date since Brendan had clearly been noticing Corrie the whole time. She programed him into her phone as “gym boy” and has kept it like that till this day.

On a warm sunny day I shot Brendan and Corrie’s engagement photos in Letchworth State Park and had a great time getting to know them as a couple. They were pro’s from the start and I can’t wait for their August wedding. Besides Letchworth’s natural beauty I feel like it looks different every time I photograph there. Of course, there is so much space you don’t have to be in the same place twice. Since Corrie is a painter and art teacher we planned to incorporate some painting in the session for an active and personal element. Brendan got a mini painting lesson and I think for the first time together they shared a canvas and enjoyed the outdoors while making art. Thanks to both of you guys for being up for an adventure at Letchworth and I hope you enjoy all of the images!

It all began with a new relationship, back in college where Bruce and Janet met. Sure, they learned how to be teachers and took other classes in psychology, language and history… but more importantly they learned about each other. They grew close and learned they never wanted to be apart. Bruce had plans to ask Janet to marry him on a gorgeous afternoon overlooking rolling New York hills, but as engagement plans often go awry, they did. We all know it’s not the actual engagement story but the relationship that matters, and Bruce and Janet have what it takes to make a marriage work. They can roll with the punches, even when things don’t go their way, and enjoy the journey together.

On a sunny spring day in April Bruce and Janet were married. It is always amazing to witness the joining together of two people. Getting to know them as a couple over the past year made it even sweeter. The friends and family that gathered witnessed the start of a marriage that will surely have it’s stories to tell, it’s adventures to go on, it’s celebrations to be a part of. Bruce and Janet I couldn’t be happier for you guys – that the rain held off, that “skull mountain” was successfully covered, that you found each other in the first place.

Janet’s lace Maggie Soterreo dress was perfectly delicate a beautiful – love the lace in that light! The girls arrived at the church to finish their preparation and I love this image of them below!

Janet wore a crocheted anklet made especially for her wedding day by her grandmother. I love photographing those thoughtful details that make up a wedding day.

A palette of bright blue was vibrant against the afternoon cloudy sky. The dramatic light was beautiful to photograph in.

The ceremony that joined them together was compelling. It was personal, meaningful and challenging to both them and everyone in attendance. It was easy to photograph Bruce and Janet afterwords since there was clearly a change that had happened.

While it was a gorgeous and moody day outside, daisies carried the spring theme into the reception, decorating the cake and place card seed packets that were assembled for each guest.

There was food, celebrations and dancing and it was a wedding in every sense of the word. Congrats again Bruce and Janet and thanks for letting me be a part of the day!

Megan and Brian sitting in a tree.

If you saw my post I most definitely did get a flat tire on my way to their shoot. I was several miles out and hit a huge rock in the road – think chunk of cement from construction or something – and in slow motion I saw it coming as I could do nothing to avoid it. I owe it all to Gary, a stranger that stopped to help me change my flat and speed up the process so that I wasn’t out there alone. Thanks, Gary.

I called Megan and Brian to let them know I would be a few minutes late and it was perfect timing for them. Megan was busy washing off her makeup and reapplying to her liking- she had her makeup done at a salon as a trial for her wedding and it was not what she was looking for. (Amen to trials for hair + makeup, since it’s good to know what you’re getting before hand)

We met in Highland Park and honestly guys, you were naturals. Before I took the first picture they warned me about being camera shy… but I don’t know what they were talking about. You’ll see what I mean. Until then is that not the best climbing tree you have seen?

If a relationship was charted on a map, getting from point A to B would a cross-country journey. It may even be around the world, crossing through deserts and oceans, mountains and valleys, forests and plains. While you can take clues from others on the direction to go and the path to take, most often the trail you look back on is unique.

For Sophie and Peter that path started in college, where they met and became friends… took them to Africa where they studied abroad together… kept them apart as they started careers after graduation… and brought them to a point where Peter asked Sophie to marry him and she said yes.

Of course, that sentence does not even begin to delve into the details of their lives, what kept them together through the tough times and turned their friendship in to love. What’s beautiful is where they are now, and being able to look back on those times and see why they are stronger together than they are apart. So how do you sum up that relationship, and more importantly retell it visually?

When Sophie and Peter submitted their inspiration board they ventured to document all of the highlights of their traveling, academic, and long distance lives for the past few years. I loved their ideas and prospect of being able to collaborate with them. I say collaboration because with all of the ideas they brought to the table it inspired me and I readily accepted the challenge of creating images that told their story.

Looking back I couldn’t be happier with the finished images. Not only was it a blast to hang out with them but I think their photos hold true to their original intent. Here is an excerpt of what Sophie + Peter’s sent with their submission so you can judge the success.

We have spent a lot of our relationship traveling to see each other and perfecting the art of long distance communication. We’re finally engaged!, and are so excited about getting out into the world with each other. While away from Houghton over summers and even post-graduation we have spent countless hours on trains traveling to see each other. We can see ourselves talking, surrounded by books, newspapers, (things that we love) and being playful with old-fashioned telephones–looking at maps together, talking about where we’ll go next, doing things that best friends do.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Sophie and Peter – I’m planning to meet you at Ted’s next time I’m in DC so save me a poptart.

To tell you that Liz and Matt met over donuts at work simplifies the story of two interesting and complex people to a casual everyday encounter. It leads you to believe that their relationship is ordinary when it is so much more than that. For these engineers, meeting over donuts was just the beginning. They soon hit it off and began their adventure together sharing their love for food, fun, and dressing up in the most creative Halloween costume.

I know Liz from way back; we went to high school together back in Michigan. Matt on the other hand is from the Syracuse area, which is not that far from where I currently live in western New York. Rather than try and meet up in either of those two places, Liz and Matt decided to have their engagement session out in D.C. where it all began. They wanted to capture their time living in the city so incorporating landmarks was a priority. I came out there last week just in time for the cherry blossoms and had a great time photographing them around the city and getting to know them as a couple. They shared their love for food with me and took me to some fabulous spots – including a trip to Georgetown Cupcake for a post birthday treat. Honestly they couldn’t have been more welcoming and I can’t wait for their wedding this summer at the Grosse Pointe Academy. I hope you enjoy all of the variety and Liz + Matt I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Can you believe we got a picture here without any other people? Right after a big bus group walked up the stairs, so it was perfect timing.

Gorgeous day and of course gorgeous couple. Liz and Matt decided to go with a color palette of navy and pink, which will also be present at their wedding. The blossoms were a perfect fit and added a delicate touch to the scene.

Love this view of the city from the bridge. I was actually here just over a year ago, you might remember this photo I shot here from Dawn + David’s wedding. The second part of the session took place on the roof and clubhouse of the building Liz and Matt live in. The views were amazing and we thankfully avoided the rain we were dodging to shoot at both of these locations.

I’ll end it with this photo to leave these two alone. Looking forward to August!

I love the days – when the snow is nearly melted and the sun is shining – that remind you of what summer feels like. Something about warm weather (especially after very cold weather) is so very hopeful. Today was definitely one of those days, so I took a few breaks from my computer and cold office (it’s not east facing so it doesn’t warm up in the morning) to be outside. We ate lunch on the porch, walked the dog, and went for a 21mi bike ride. We are both in terrible cycling shape so if we want any chance to succeed in triathlons this summer we have a lot of work to do. I guess it’s time to sign up for a few races. Anyone have some races planned for the spring + summer? I’d love to hear what you’re training for, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing although my top choice is the Musselman triathlon as it’s always a great event and was actually the first tri I ever did three years ago. Wow I can’t believe that much time has gone by. I just have to add that the highlight of our ride today was when we had to stop because there were three cows loose in the road. We were back on country roads so you can’t turn around and go back very easily… so we just had to wait it out. Thankfully it didn’t take too long for them to corral them back into the right field. Does that happen in other places or just in Virginia?