Sam and Joe's Beacon Engagement Session

I will preface this by saying this isn't my typical engagement session. I love connecting with my clients and that's part of the beauty of my mission as a photographer, to learn about the couple's relationship and to portray it authentically. In this instance, I am photographing engagement portraits of my best friend of 25 years and her amazing fiancee. 

When Sam started dating Joe in 2012, I was ready for them to become engaged and have them in front of my camera then. I sensed in the beginning that these two were in it for the long haul and I'm so glad that is the case. When you know someone as well as Sam and I know each other, you only hope the highest for their choice in their significant other, and Joe has not disappointed anyone. 

Since Sam and Joe live in the Hudson Valley, it was important for them to have a local session. We decided that exploring Beacon would be an excellent backdrop. Sam is a photography professor at SUNY Orange, and Joe works there as well - the artsy vibe of Beacon suited them perfectly. 

In September, I will be their maid of honor, so I was thrilled to be able to do this session for them since I'll be busy on their big day. I suggested a handful of amazing photographer's for them to look at and I'm so excited that Sam chose Michelle over at Wandermore Photography to capture their wedding day! 

Sarah and Dan's Berkshire Wedding

One of the most exciting aspects of being a wedding photographer is traveling. On October 1st, 2016, I traveled to the Lennox Massachusetts to photograph Sarah and Dan's amazing wedding. Sarah was raised in the area, but she and Dan live in Brooklyn New York. Being from England, all of Dan's friend's and family crossed the Atlantic ocean to celebrate with the couple. These two are so charming and lovely together, it doesn't surprise me in the least that so many people would come far distances to be with them on their special day. 

Thank you to my second shooter, the very talented Kathryn Cooper. 
This wedding took place at the stunning Seven Hills Inn, Lenox Massachusetts. 

Dina and Rebecca's Surprise Proposal

When Dina contacted me saying she had devised an elaborate scheme to surprise her significant other, Rebecca, with a proposal, I knew I was intrigued. Through email, Dina let me in on her meticulously considered plan and we met day of to go over the details in person. The best part of the whole thing was that after the proposal happened, there was another surprise in store for Rebecca. Dina had arranged family members and friends from all over to meet at Krupa Grocery for a surprise engagement party. 

For about half an hour before the proposal was scheduled to happen, I stood in the woods in Prospect Park at our agreed upon location. I shooed people off of the dock that Dina designated as their spot, and stood at alert until they showed up. As I watched Dina get down on her knee it was amazing to see Rebecca's shocked and thrilled reaction. After the initial proposal, we took a walk to take portraits, then I left. As far as Rebecca knew I was going home, and her and Dina would go out for dinner to celebrate. 

In this time, I rushed to Krupa Grocery and helped all of the eager party goers to hide so Rebecca wouldn't see them as she approached. When the waitress escorted the couple to the backyard Rebecca had no idea what was in store. Seeing her face - yet again - shocked and thrilled was so special. Then to capture the immense love that blanketed Dina and Rebecca as they began the next chapter of their lives together was absolutely amazing. 

Frank and Joel's PFO Engagement Session

Photographers for Orlando is a fundraising collective of photographers from all over the world that are donating sessions, pro bono to LGBTQ members and their allies in exchange for donations to victims of the Pulse Orlando massacre. We support OneOrlando.org and gofundme.com/pulsevictimsfund If you haven't read about it yet, you can check out our website at www.photographersfororlando.org

Through my original Queer Exchange NYC post on Facebook, I connected with Frank and Joel, a newly engaged couple from Manhattan. Frank was one of the first to message me expressing interest and gratitude in my offer to pay-it-forward to members of the LGBTQ community. We exchanged plans to meet up last Saturday, and much to my delight, he and Joel donated to each of the charities that PFO supports. 

When we met at a coffee shop near the Highline, the first thing I noticed were the garment bags. It turns out that Frank is a lead visual merchandiser for Neiman Marcus as well as a venue manager for Mens Fashion Week. Already impeccably dressed, I was thrilled to see what options he supplied for our session. 

Upon meeting Joel, I was struck by his cool demeanor and put togetherness. Joel is an accomplished musical theater composer in his own right. Together, these two are a powerhouse of creativity. 

As we discussed their relationship, I learned that they became engaged abroad in Paris while they traveled for Joel's participation in a concert for Broadway Au Carré. Joel told me that he knew he wanted to propose to Frank in Paris, and brought rings with him. Intuitive, he decided to wait to see if the moment arose. While Joel worked at the event, Frank explored the city. One evening, when they reunited, Frank expressed his excitement over finding Coco Chanel's apartment. Sensing the moment, Joel encouraged Frank to bring him there. Upon their arrival, Joel found himself proposing, dropping to the ground in front of the apartment. 

What struck me the most about these two was their ability to be so totally in sync. Whether they were goofing off or posing in the most perfect way, they were on the same page. I know that their life together will be full of beauty, creativity, and most of all, tremendous love. 

If you are interested in following either of them, both are active in their fields on social media. You can find Frank and his mens style feed on tumblr at ManYourFashion, Instagram at ManYourStyle and Twitter at Man_Your_Style
To hear his music and more, please visit www.joelbnew.com