Engagement Pictures in the South End, Boston, MA :: Stephanie + Rob

I recently spent a lovely evening with Stephanie and Rob walking around the South End for their engagement pictures. We started with a glass of wine at Barcelona (if you haven't eaten the tapas and small plates there, run don't walk!), strolling along the streets, stopping at Coppa (another excellent dining location) and even making a stop to pick up Stella the dog for a picture.


Stephanie and Rob were working at the same hospital. They both remember the first time they saw each other; the attraction was immediate. There was much conversation and maybe just a little flirting. During a particularly tough shift, Stephanie announced that she'd definitely need a glass of wine at the end of the day. When she finished, Rob was waiting (despite his shift being over hours earlier) to take her for that glass of wine. They'll get married at Rosecliff in Newport, RI later this year and I can't wait!

Stephanie and Rob, I hope you like this handful of favorites! Super excited for September!

Engagement Pictures in the Boston Public Library :: Katie + Zirui

Katie was a student at Harvard and Zirui had just graduated from Harvard when they were introduced at a dinner.


The conversation didn't stop that night as Katie and Zirui had so much in common. 

Over the next year, a friendship was struck up and Katie and Zirui got to know each other much better. 

After a year of an ever-deepening friendship, Zirui asked Katie out for dinner. A real date. And boom! They've been together ever since. 

We met up to do a little mini shoot before all the leaves fell off the trees and I'm super excited to photograph Katie & Zirui again in the spring and at their Castleton wedding next summer! 

Engagement Pictures in the Boston Public Library :: Katie + Zirui

Katie was a student at Harvard and Zirui had just graduated from Harvard when they were introduced at a dinner.


The conversation didn't stop that night as Katie and Zirui had so much in common. 

Over the next year, a friendship was struck up and Katie and Zirui got to know each other much better. 

After a year of an ever-deepening friendship, Zirui asked Katie out for dinner. A real date. And boom! They've been together ever since. 

We met up to do a little mini shoot before all the leaves fell off the trees and I'm super excited to photograph Katie & Zirui again in the spring and at their Castleton wedding next summer! 

Boston Engagement Pictures in the Public Garden :: Claire + Kevin

Before we start today's blog post, I have a couple of definitions for you. As I went to school in the UK, we don't have the Greek system, I thought there might be others out there unfamiliar with the terms "Big" and "Little" but they're kind of critical to this romantic story so here you go:

“Big” A term assigned to the elders of a Greek organization. Becoming a “big brother” or “big sister” in a Greek organization denotes that you get to become a role model to a “New Member” or “Pledge”. As a big, you essentially become their advisor throughout initiation and during their time in college. The bond between big and little is very special, and often times a lifetime bond is forged.

“Little” In order to become a “big brother” or “big sister,” you have to become a “little brother” or “little sister” first, and pledge to join a fraternity or sorority. While this position isn’t an enviable one, especially when rushing, you get an older friend who can help you navigate the entire process of pledging.

Are you all caught up? OK, then let us begin. Once upon a time, at the University of Pennsylvania, there was a girl named Allie. Allie's Big was Claire. Allie was dating a boy named Bobby. Allie kept hinting about Bobby's Big to Claire:
- Oh, I think you'd really like Bobby's Big....
- Guess what? Bobby's Big looked you up on facebook and really liked what he saw!
At the same time, Allie was talking to Bobby's Big, Kevin:
- You should really meet my Big, I think you'd really get along
- My Big has a crush on you!
- Why don't you ask my Big to the formal dance?

Allie was particularly persistent and so Kevin texted Claire and asked her to formal. Claire said she gave in partially to placate Allie.


The morning of the formal, Kevin sent a quick text to Claire suggesting they meet for lunch before the big night out. Claire remembers running home after class to quickly do a little hair and make up and arriving a little flustered to lunch. Kevin just remembers Claire carrying a backpack almost as big as she was.

The "quick lunch" wasn't exactly quick. The Bigs found they had so much in common and the conversation just flowed. Kevin ended up completely missing his study group and Claire arrived late to class all starry-eyed. The formal no longer felt like an obligation and Claire and Kevin were pretty much inseparable after that except for Kevin's time studying abroad in Copenhagen. Visits to Nantucket and even a faux love of hockey (on Claire's behalf) brought them even closer together.


Fast forward to last December. Claire and Kevin were vacationing in Florida with Claire's family. Kevin suggested they take a trip to the beach to have a little time together and to exchange Christmas gifts. Claire had seen the gift box that Kevin had for her and it was far too large to be an engagement ring. The beach was quite the drive away and Kevin had a conference call for work so Claire was all "Let's just skip it and go another time."


What Claire didn't realize...the gift box was a DECOY. It was a deceptively large box holding that tell-tale ring-size box along with a photobook. Claire and Kevin had agreed to only exchange gifts they'd made themselves on this particular holiday and great minds think alike. Claire had made Kevin a scrapbook and Kevin had made the photobook. As Claire flicked through the pictures of them together over the years she said she could barely make out the words on the last page of the book through her tears. After she read, "Claire, will you marry me?" she looked up to find Kevin down on one knee with the ring.





Claire & Kevin, I hope you like this handful of pictures! I'm so excited to be your Wychmere wedding photographer next year!

Boston Engagement Pictures :: Erin + Dave

You know when you get called up for jury duty and you usually get excused or you're just there for a few days? Well, that didn't happen to Erin. She spent over 3 months on jury duty, which is a pretty long time to be away from your job. 

When Erin finally finished jury duty, her company threw her a "welcome back" party which gives you a pretty good idea of how much they love Erin and how awesome she is.

Dave was planning a quiet night at home, when his old college roommate (who happened to work with Erin) insisted that Dave come join everyone at the party (the college roommate had matchmaking tendencies and had already shared Dave's picture with Erin...)

As Dave arrived, the college friend announced, "Yooo hooo, Erin, there's someone I want you to meet!" The party was packed and all of the seats at the bar were taken. Dave is a gentleman (we took an Uber from one side of Boston to the other for pictures and by the end of the ride, our driver was his new best friend!) and he kindly offered his knee for Erin to perch on.
 
Work and travel plans meant that it would be two weeks before Erin and Dave would be able to meet  again so for the next fourteen days the emails and texts were flying. After the two weeks of remote flirting dating, there was an official first date and they've been inseparable ever since.
Erin & Dave - I can't WAIT for your Newport, RI wedding in October! It'll be here before you know it! :)

Boston Engagement Pictures in the Public Gardens and Esplanade :: Lan + Kevin

Ahhhh, fall. The leaves are just starting to turn and it's probably the most popular time for engagement pictures.

I met up with Lan and Kevin to take their engagement pictures in the always lovely Boston Public Gardens: 

Lan and Kevin originally met at work. Kevin said he noticed Lan straight away but as didn't work closely and they didn't really get to talk much. They're making up for that now - there was much giggling and laughter during the evening: 

Kevin continued to think about Lan and one day he decided to just go for it and ask her out on a date: 

A fabulous first date in the North End led to a wonderful relationship: 

Although you definitely don't have to, there's usually time for a quick outfit change mid-shoot if you'd like to mix it up. I usually recommend having your clothes hanging in your car or leaving them with a nearby hotel concierge.

We stopped by Commonwealth Avenue: 

We made our way down to the Charles River Esplande stopping on the way: 

The sunset was particularly colorful and Lan and Kevin are particularly sweet together: 

One last one! I can't wait to be Lan & Kevin's Boston Wedding Photographer next month! 

Beacon Hill Engagement Pictures :: Jen + Chris

Happy Tuesday! What's happening with you? I'm a busy bee in the office after having a great few weeks with my parents and in-laws visiting from the UK. I thought I'd get back into the blogging saddle with a pretty awesome Beacon Hill engagement session.

Cast your mind back to one week ago today, it was one of those uncomfortably sticky, muggy, humid days with crazy intermittent rainstorms. We probably would have postponed the shoot in normal circumstances but Jen and Chris live in San Francisco so we decided to forge ahead!

Growing up and through school Jen and Chris had a bunch of mutual friends. There were SO many near misses (think Sliding Doors but without the cheating!) when Jen and Chris were in the same places, nearly at the same events but their paths never crossed. At one point Jen was living in Pennsylvania studying at UPenn when her good friend Brian mentioned that his good friend Chris had a travel layover in Pennsylvania and maybe he could stay with her. Jen agreed but the travel plans changed and so Jen and Chris didn't meet. 

After the almost-meeting in Pennsylvania, Chris admits that he had a quick look for Jen on facebook, he thought she was cute but their lives carried on and neither gave the other one a thought

A few years later Jen and Chris would both be on Nantucket at the same time. Jen grew up spending July 4th on Nantucket with her family, this particular July 4th her family weren't there so she made plans with friends. Said friends and Jen partied a little too hard on July 3rd and as they made their way to the beach for July 4th Jen was feeling a little fragile. Jen and Chris were finally introduced in person but Jen admits she was feeling kind of miserable and not the best of company so she was surprised when Chris made an effort to talk to her.

After Nantucket, Jen and Chris would meet again! This time at an annual get-together at a friend's barn in NH. Jen was secretly a little excited about seeing Chris again. Chris was feeling the same. At one point in the evening Chris asked Jen if she'd help him find something he'd misplaced but it was all part of his master plan and as they walked towards the barn he kissed her.

Although they were only in NH for a few days Chris asked Jen if he could take her out for a date, Jen said yes but in the back of her mind was the fact that she was about to leave for Australia for a year as part of her nursing career. Even worse Jen came down with the flu and against the advice of her Mom insisted on going on the date with Chris. Despite feeling horribly sick, Jen and Chris had a great evening at trivia and when Chris dropped Jen back home to her parent's house they both wished they could have more time together.

The next day Jen was literally about to click on "book my flight" when her phone rang. It was her dream job offer from Children's Hospital in Boston. Unbeknownst to Jen, her manager had entered her for consideration for a program there. Jen accepted the job but didn't get back in touch with Chris. She says "I didn't want to presume that he'd want to see me again!" Jen might be a little nuts!

Luckily good friend Brian once again intervened and told Chris that Jen has stayed in the US. A short while later there was another trip away with a bunch of friends and ever since then Jen & Chris have been together.

Jen is a good friend of one of my favorite 2013 brides Laura who emailed me the night after Chris proposed to Jen on vacation in Hawaii. I was super happy to hear from Jen (gotta love it when couples check on my availability before booking their venue!) and it was so great to finally meet them in person! 

I'll be photographing Jen and Chris again in the spring at the place where it all began - Nantucket - and I can't wait for their fall wedding at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI. They've already started assembling a dream team of vendors - Wendy Joblon Events, Long Haul Films, Dani Wagener Beauty, Beantown Band (who just played at a recent Taj wedding and were SO good that I have no words!) - whoop!!!

Boston Engagement Pictures :: Alyssa + Will

Alyssa and Will sat next to one another in geometry class. Alyssa was fidgeting and playing with a piece of tape. She somehow accidentally flicked it into Will's face where it stuck. They laughed so hard that they weren't allowed to sit next to each other in class again.

The geometry incident led to a great friendship through school. Alyssa and Will would spend hours on the phone (remember when you used to call your friends vs. send a two line text?!?)

They stayed in each other's lives for the longest time and then there was this one night...and they started dating!

There were a couple of bumps along the way including a very sad time when they didn't talk at all but luckily a conversation about concert tickets brought them back together.

Alyssa and Will took a trip to Vermont and Alyssa reports that Will was most insistent that she visit the spa to get a massage. Will needed some time alone to put his proposal plan into place! 

While Alyssa was at the spa, Will spring into action, he hid the engagement ring under the table where he had Dom Perignon on ice waiting for Alyssa to get back. He knew that Alyssa would likely flop down on the bed after her massage so he even lay down to make sure she couldn't see the ring from that angle.

Alyssa foiled Will's plans when she insisted on moving the table to snap a picture of the champagne but Will forged ahead regardless and asked Alyssa to marry him

Alyssa said yes and they'll be married in September at Wentworth by the Sea with a great wedding team including Tangorra Wedding Planning, Flower Kiosk, Boston Wedding Films and Jennifer Tawa!

Alyssa and Will - I hope you like these previews! I had the BEST night photographing you both and talking about food and fish shares and lobster rolls and island cooking! I can't wait for your wedding!