Engagement
Allie & Josh Patapsco Valley Park
Engagement Photographers in Maryland
It's no secret that Patapsco Valley Park is one of my top locations. It's such a wonderful spot with a little bit of everything. There are fields of grasses, waterfalls, and stonework bridges. Some of my favorite sessions have been at Patapsco Valley Park. So when Allie and Josh chose it as their engagement location, we were so on board!
We ended up getting a little bonus out of our evening with these two, since it was both an engagement AND family session. Allie's two adorable children were there to keep us all laughing and thinking. For real, some of the comments that Allie's son, Parker, would make were SO smart and interesting. I knew at the end of the session that Shawn wanted to sit down with him and have a full discussion about Super Mario and molecules.
With their wedding just a few days away, we cannot wait to see this adorable family again! I'm so happy to be reliving their session today! These four are incredible and getting to be their wedding photographers is going to be an absolute dream. We know the day is going to be fun, filled with joy, and LOADS of cuteness. What more can you ask for on a wedding day?
Enjoy their Patapsco Valley Park Engagement
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Becca & Cassin Sherwood Forest
Engagement Photographers in Maryland
There are some session locations that feel straight out of a movie. Becca and Cassin's engagement happens to be one of those! Not only did they choose a sentimental location (Cassin's and his mom moved to Sherwood when Cassin was in high school), but they also picked one that is so friggin' gorgeous! Sherwood Forest is a community unlike any other. It's kind of like stepping back in time. There's summer living cabins, camp activities, their own postal service. It's truly idyllic. So knowing that this is also where Becca and Cassin are getting married, we did a [secret] little happy dance :P.
Something important about Becca and Cassin: they are extremely easy-going. They were a little nervous before we started the session, but, man, their total relaxed nature made it easy to jump in and feel comfortable. They had fun with the poses, with each other, and NEVER showed those nerves. I kind of also attribute the lack of nerves to the golf cart ride chats between spots. We all got to know each other as individuals a bit better, which naturally will create a very comfy environment.
We cannot wait until September when we get to see these two again and celebrate their wedding. It's going to be a gorgeous day. I maybe, kind of, a little bit was freaking out when we got to peek through the windows of the ceremony and reception space. SO PRETTY! I have small problem containing my "too much" gene...
Tori & Mason Kinder Farm Park
Engagement Photographers in Maryland
I. Am. Beyond. Obsessed! Tori and Mason's session at Kinder Farm Park is easily one of my favorites. Not only are these two friggin' cute together, but Tori is also one of my dearest friends. We've known each other since high school, which, for those of you who require numbers, is 10+ years. It's always such an honor to photograph any couple's wedding, but when it's friend's, there's a little extra magic involved.
We absolutely adore Mason and Tori. They fit together so incredibly well, and it's no surprise that they are each other's match. There's something about the two of them that just makes you feel really comfortable. You can see it clearly in the photos, they are people you want and need to be friends with.
Their story is unique with the two of them meeting because of a study that Tori was conducting for grad school on twins (Mason and his brother were one..two? of her subjects). What followed were very long date nights and loads of romantic comedy moments. If it sounds like a movie that's because it should be, haha!
There's going to be nothing better than seeing these two on their wedding day and witnessing one of their biggest moments together. Shawn and I are honored to be their photographers, but we're even more honored to know Tori and Mason, and call them friends. UGH! I've got to save some of this sap for the wedding blog!
Enjoy their Kinder Farm Park...
Rachel & Jake Rock Creek Park
Engagement Photographers in Maryland
I am so excited to share Rachel and Jake's engagement session! In June we met up at Rock Creek Park in Washington DC for a gorgeous evening. This park is so cool. There's so many different mill areas, hidden monuments, and a beautiful river. It's an amazing spot that I'm really happy Rachel and Jake introduced us to.
We have been looking forward to meeting Rachel and Jake for months. We actually had an earlier session date scheduled, but with the crazy weather of Maryland, it got pushed back. Thankfully, the end of June was much better with its rain and we were able to FINALLY meet. These two are as sweet and kind as we imagined they would be. They are so easy to chat with! Strolling around Rock Creek Park with them we got to know them so much better, which as everyone knows, is the reason we love engagement shoots!
Now that we are in the wedding month for Rachel and Jake, I am so happy to share their engagement session and kick up the celebrating to a new level! This time next week, Rachel and Jake will be Mr. & Mrs. and I for one, cannot wait! Cheers to the wedding countdown <3.
Enjoy their Rock Creek Park Engagement
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At Home Engagement Sweetness in Essex, Maryland
Krystle & David
If you aren't sure if you want an engagement session, I urge you to keep reading this post. Eventually the words will turn into photos, which should sell you completely. Krystle and David's session is LITERALLY what I love about engagement sessions. They had fun ideas, a clear vision, and dove right in. There was a comfort level right from the start that really made this shoot fantastic. It helped that they chose such a special location: their home in Essex!
There are seriously not enough adjectives to describe Krystle and David's relationship. There aren't even enough to describe them as individuals. They are one of a kind! The way these two snuggle together and fit so neatly into each other's arm just...AH! It makes me eyes tear up. Seeing a love like their's is like watching the last 5 minutes of romantic comedy, you feel every ounce of happy emotion and really excited for the future. The best part of Krystle and David's movie, though? They are real and we get to celebrate them in person, haha!
Not only do these two feel like friends already, but their day is shaping up to be spectacular. It's important to note that I'm not just saying that because they gave us two bottles of DELICIOUS wine, haha! Krystle and David put so much thought into their engagement session. They made sure it reflected both of them, and all of the love they have for one another. David is...
Kinder Farm Engagement Complete with Rain
Andy & Arthur
What do I love about engagement sessions? Well, many things that I have already mentioned dozens of times. But what do I love about THIS session? Oh man. To start, I love that even with the threat of rain, Andy and Arthur went ahead with their session. They didn't hesitate about it at all. Second, they picked the gorgeous Kinder Farm Park, which is always a favorite for us. Lastly, THEY ARE SO FLIPPIN' ADORABLE!
They both were mentioning at our first meeting that they aren't photo people. They feel they look awkward, which is so insane I can't even. The second they stepped in front of the camera, they were giggling and snuggling up to each other. Andy and Arthur are total naturals! I'm now thinking that they were just tricking us about their photo history. There's no way that these two could ever be described as awkward. We had a blast wandering around Kinder Farm with them. They were up for any pose, or location we suggested and they made every single section of the park their own. We can't adore these two more!
We are in the final days leading up to their Manor House at Commonwealth wedding, and we cannot be any more excited. It's going to be a stunning day that matches their gorgeous romance. We have something really unique planned in lieu of a first look or first touch. I'm so giddy about it! This is what we love most about Andy and...
Waterfalls and Love at Patapsco Valley Park Engagement
Emily & Jake
Holy cows and wows, am I obsessed! Emily and Jake's engagement session at Patapsco Valley Park is one for the books! Not only are there beautiful waterfalls, but their dog, Roscoe, makes an appearance. Seriously a model in his own right, this pupper steals the show, haha!
I am SO happy when a couple wants to include their pets in a session. When Emily asked if it was okay to bring Roscoe, I almost jumped out of my chair saying "yes!". If you don't know by now, I'm a big dog lover, haha!
Engagement sessions are one of my favorite parts of photography. Not only do you get to meet and chat with people, but you also get to see them at a very unique time in their relationship. Getting the chance to photograph those giggly and giddy moments is something I adore seeing. Witnessing a little bit of Emily and Jake's connection just made the time spent with them that much more fantastic.
These three were up for any adventure during their session, which makes sense since they hike often. We went for a small trek up a mountain, fought a crowd of people for prime waterfall real estate, even stopped off the side of the road for photos. Their images are some of my absolute favorites because Emily and Jake (and Roscoe) were up for it all!
We cannot wait to celebrate Emily and Jake! If their engagement session was any sort of...
Sunrise and DC Architecture Engagement
Leni & Danny
Oh my goodness - BEST! Leni and Danny's engagement session gives me so much inspiration. Even though it's been about a month since their shoot, I cannot get enough of these two. We covered every beautiful spot in Washington DC and I can keep thanking these two for getting up early!
Sunrise is not entirely my favorite time of day. I'm usually either finishing up work or snoozing when the sun decides to come up. However, for an engagement shoot of Leni and Danny's caliber, I'm up and dressed 2 hours before go time. These two are the reason I say sunrise is a great time for photos. They are up for adventure, exploring, and suggesting places for us photograph. Not to mention, the way they look at each other is next level adorable! Leni and Danny COMPLETELY made our morning amazing!
I feel like over the time that we all spent together, we really got to know each other a little better. We got to hear stories of their energetic puppy, get the inside scoop on things to see in DC, and we got to hear the story of Danny's proposal to Leni. Danny's advice: If you don't have a photographer available to photograph the moment, sneak a sticky note onto your phone explaining your plans to get on one knee, then find a millennial to snap away. Genius! You get to have all the beauty of the surrounding area without having to worry about someone camping out...
Washington, D.C. Tidal Basin Sunrise Engagement
Michelle & Arby
There hasn't been too many glorious, gorgeous days this summer. There's been a few, but not enough. It's been so humid that sometimes it's hard to breathe. However, that all changed for Michelle and Arby's engagement session. On the morning of their session, it was breezy, sunny, and cool. It was honestly the most perfect morning to be out and about at the Tidal Basin. Every second spent outside was enjoyable and - for once this summer - we didn't leave a session needing to tap into our spare clothes that we keep in the trunk :P.
This will be the 6,403,692 time I say this, but it rings true all the time: make your engagement session location special! Michelle and Arby chose the Tidal Basin for their engagement because it was where Arby asked Michelle to be his wife. They were surrounded by cherry blossoms and the cool spring air. There wasn't another place for their session to take place at because the Tidal Basin WAS it. It's such a sentimental place for these two. So when they mentioned they were interested in doing their session there, I was immediately on board. We also don't get to do too many sessions in DC, so a change of scenery was very welcomed :P.
Getting to spend the morning both of them was so great. They are easy to chat with and, um, REAL adorable. They just look at each other and start giggling. If that doesn't...
Flower Heaven Engagement at Butterbee Farm
Christine & Neville
Last Monday, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Christine and Neville at Butterbee Farm. This special spot provides wedding florists and couples with locally grown flowers, and they also allow engagement sessions to take place on the property (with permission). Butterbee Farm has made my list of really awesome places! The weather, on the other hand, was looking a bit not ideal. We weren't really sure what the evening was going to be. Luckily for us, the rain held off and we were able to completely explore this beautiful farm.
We were so excited to be at Butterbee Farm, it was our only choice for the session. I had met Christine during a Local Color Flowers event at the beginning of the month. As it turns out, both Christine and I were interested in doing an engagement session at Butterbee Farm. We had chatted with the owner of the farm, Laura Beth, at two different time. We sort of eavesdropped on each others conversation, which is how we found our joint love and decided to exchange information.
The incredible thing about Butterbee Farm is that the blooms change week-to-week. You can never guarantee what will be on display, but it's always sure to be fabulous. During our session, we discovered a whole row of huge sunflowers. We all were pretty excited for those! There was so much greatness to check out at the this beautiful location. Every turn there was something new and interesting to check out...
Sunrise and Capitals in this Downtown Annapolis Engagement
Emily & Matt
My love for Downtown Annapolis truly knows no bounds. Every time we meet a couple that says they live for the waterfront views, cute houses, and friendly people, I know that couple is stellar. Anyone with the dedication to do a photoshoot at sunrise (my preferred time for city sessions) is amazing. But these two are real trophy winners for waking up before sunrise, right after celebrating the Caps Stanley Cup win.
The funny thing is, I actually met these two (along with Emily's mom) by total chance. Back in April, I was taking a tour of Main Street Ballroom to for the Big Fake Wedding. While touring it with two other vendors (Rachel Kendall Events and Flour De Casa), one of the site coordinators pulled me aside. She said a future Main Street couple had some questions. Enter: Emily and Matt. There was a level of comfort that I felt immediately when we all started chatting. The conversation flowed so naturally, and when I got home, I was greeted with an email from Emily asking me to be their wedding photographer! I still feel a multitude of emotions, but the one that takes up the most room is joy. Joy in getting being there for their big day, and joy that we made the random connection that we did.
During their session we talked more about their wedding details, their love of the Washington Capitals, and the houses we would buy if we won the lottery. I'm pretty sure...
Music at Sunset in Herrington Harbour, Maryland Engagement
Brianna & Ryan
Ohhh, my goodness! Are you all ready for an amazing engagement?! On Wednesday of last week, we traveled down to Herrington Harbour and North Beach for Brianna and Ryan's session. The day was made 100% fantastic thanks to gorgeous weather, scary cool clouds, and music! I'm tellin' ya, we may not have very many weddings this year, but the sessions we do have are out of this world!
We started the session at Ryan's parents house in North Beach. A gorgeous place with beautiful views of the water. It just so happened that on the day of their shoot, there was a sailboat race happening, so speckling the horizon were dozens of crisp white sails. It was honestly just the beginning of the coolness. After admiring the waterfront, Bri and Ryan busted out their guitars and jammed together. They both went back and forth, choosing songs to serenade another. They started with You Are My Sunshine and finished with Take Me Home, Country Roads. It was such a touching moment watching these two that I had tears in my eyes. An engagement session first for me, haha!
Bri and Ryan are incredible. They have such a sweet and genuine relationship. While we were in both North Beach and Herrington Harbour these two made sure they were always having fun. Whether the fun was striking a silly pose, or hopping on a swing set, they were constantly laughing. Typically, the time that I'm photographing the ring is pretty quiet. But...
Colorful and Warm Summer Engagement in Baltimore
Clara & Alec
Wandering around Sherwood Gardens and Federal Hill with Clara and Alec is absolutely something I want to fill every single day with. I am beyond excited to be sharing their summery Baltimore engagement session. Now, I know it's not quite summer yet, but it felt like it last week. The air was warm, the sun was bright, and the trees were the perfect shade of green. Last Tuesday we got a taste of what summer would look like, and besides being sweaty, it was pretty friggin' great!
I've been eagerly awaiting getting together with Clara and Alec since January, when we first started chatting. Moreso, I've been absolutely ecstatic over their engagement session since March. You see, we initially were going to meet up later in the summer, before these two-headed off to Missouri for Alec's chiropractic schooling. BUT, when Clara received her dream job in Missouri with a start date of June 4th, they had to move up their engagement session date. Totally sending my hyper levels into outer space.
These two are so much fun, and the sweetest. I swear, we have the greatest couples. Not only are these two ridiculously in love, but they are basically models. For awhile now, we've been trying to combine minimal posing with goofy prompts to bring out real emotions. It's been difficult for me - as a total introvert - to really feel comfortable giving those ridiculous, silly instructions. However, with Clara and Alec, I immediately felt like...
Snuggle Up with This Centennial Park Winter Engagement
Caitlin & Sean
Throwing it back to December with Caitlin and Sean's engagement session! Meeting up with these two was such a treat. They chose Centennial Park, which I have a history of loving. From their drives in Ellicott City and enjoyment of the water, it was an easy pick for them. If you haven't been to the park, plan a visit right now! The lake at the park is at the center of everything, with good reason! If you visit in the Spring/Summer you can rent kayaks and paddle boats. It's pretty cool! Needless to say, I was stoked that they chose Centennial Park.
We had such a great evening with these two. I always, ALWAYS feel that an engagement puts the planning and relationships into perspective. You take a moment for yourselves cuddle up for some cute photos while all fancied up! But the best thing about an engagement shoot is that WE get to see you two together. The goofy faces, the inside jokes; your personalities shine during engagement sessions and we soak it all up. We learn so much, and during Caitlin and Sean's session, we got to see how much Caitlin lights up around Sean. How much Sean loves making Caitlin laugh, and the enjoyment they get from being together. Their ability to be open with us allowed us to capture some incredibly sweet and silly moments.
After holding onto this session since December, I am so happy to show off more of these two...
Rewinding to the Fall for this Loch Raven Engagement
Leise & Chris
I have simultaneously been super excited to share Leise and Chris's engagement and also desperate to hold onto it. Their session at Loch Raven Reservoir was during the height of the Fall season. The sun was setting early, the leaves were changing, and the air was cool. We actually weren't too sure the weather would hold out, but luckily, the drizzling subsided just in time for the evening session.
Now, this wasn't a normal engagement shoot. We also had the added bonus of a family session! Leise and Chris each have a daughter, and the greatest thing about things their girls? They get along just like sisters! I grew up in a similar way; I had a step-sister that at some point lost the "step" and just became my sister. We laugh, fight, and miss each other just like siblings and it's been a relationship I always hold close to me. GD, if you're reading this, I love ya!
This entire session was filled with laughter and joking. Kaylie, Chris's daughter, has an amazing sense of humor that had Leise, Chris, and Nev cracking up the whole time. There's a level of comfort with this blended family that sometimes takes a lifetime to achieve. Seeing these four together is a beautiful, wonderful thing. The whole session has made the wait for the wedding feel SO long!
We cannot wait to be in the presence of these four again. Leise has given me some insight in what their day...
Weddings, Engagements, Families - OH MY!
2017 Yearly Review
Welp, 2017 is drawing to a close, and it's that time again. Time to look back on the year and talk about the good, the great, and the surprises! In previous years I've made multiple posts for weddings and engagements, but I wanted to switch it up a bit and have them all together. A few of our wedding couples this year also had their engagement photos done in 2017, so I figured it would be adorable to do little side by side comparisons for those! Kind of like a before and after, only both times it's pretty and sweet, haha! But before I get to sharing, I have to gush a little bit first.
Weddings
This year's weddings have been phenomenal. We've learned a lot, met a ton of great people, and have experienced some truly amazing events. Every time I think a wedding can't reinvent itself, it does! I'm honestly shocked at the amount of heart, love, and the occasional tears that go into every single wedding to make it unique and one of a kind. This year, we photographed 19 weddings. N-I-N-E-T-E-E-N. That's the most we've ever had and we can be more grateful for everyone that we got to capture.
I'm tearing up a little bit, because I want to be honest and say that next year isn't shaping up to be the same. It's a little bittersweet to reflect on this time now, because I don't think next year will be even remotely as...
Love, a Puppy, and Sparkle at Susquehanna State Park
Emily & Mario
I cannot tell you how stoked I am to be sharing Emily and Mario's engagement session. Their engagement at Susquehanna State Park was amazing! This was our second time at the park, which means we were able to explore even more! We may have gotten a little lost in the woods, but hey, that's all a part of the adventure 😛.
Meeting up with Mario and Emily was already something we were looking forward to. I went to middle and high school with Emily, and we also played on the same soccer team, so reuniting was going to be a blast! Not to mention, we were getting together to photograph such a special time in both Emily and Mario's lives. I was over the moon with excitement. When you're kids, you don't think how your paths will intersect with some people, so getting the chance to reconnect with Emily and meet Mario has been remarkable, and being able to capture both their engagement and wedding is incredible.
Bonus points for the fact that they involved their precious girl, Bailey, in the shoot! Bailey is a ball of energy and full of spunk. By the end of the session she was truly the star of the night. Playful, adorable, and giving us tons of puppy smiles - seriously nothing better!
The thing I love most about Emily and Mario's engagement shoot is how open they were to us. They were willing to wander all over Susquehanna State Park, which - if...
Beauty at the Loch Raven Reservoir Engagement
Amanda & Jim
You may have noticed that Shawn and I have been playing around with some different shooting techniques. Prisms, string lights, old cell phones; it all lends something unique to our shooting while we overhaul our style. I have a future post in mind to explore this topic more, so I won't talk too much about it now. What I will shout about from the rooftops is Amanda and Jim's engagement session. Serious beauty happened on Sunday night at the Loch Raven Reservoir, and I don't think I will ever be over it.
We met up with these two at the Loch Raven Morgan Mill Road area, which was right at the heart of all the gorgeousness. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect since we had never been to Loch Raven Reservoir, but I'm now an eternal fan. There was ridiculously tall trees, sandy beaches, and way the light played on the water - STUNNING! I don't think we've ever had a greater introduction to a location. If everyone could have their engagement at Loch Raven Reservoir, that'd be great :P.
I feel so thankful that we are Amanda and Jim's wedding photographers. They not only are up for an adventure, but they also are incredibly east to chat with. Jim quickly became our tour guide on Sunday, given that Loch Raven is where he grew up. The stories and bits of history were so fun to hear. It created conversations that flowed so easily and naturally. Amanda and...
A Historic Engagement in Savage Mill, Maryland
Brittany & Dan
The thing I love about living in Maryland is that there is no shortage of great backdrops. We have mountains, we have fields, and we have Historic Savage Mill. The most perfect little place for an evening engagement session. There are trails close by, a gorgeous bridge, and cute buildings! Does it get any better?
For Dan and Brittany's engagement session, they really wanted to include the historic area. They'll be getting married in just over a month very close to Savage Mill, but their schedule will be a little full that day. They didn't want to miss the opportunity to shoot by all the amazing buildings, so they opted to do their engagement there! Truly the best of both worlds.
Now, I don't think any of us expected the bridge to be closed. Kind of a bummer; however, it gave us the chance to explore the area more. I've never leapt over giant logs and limbo'd under caution tape with a couple before. First time for everything, though, right? Haha! There really is so much to see and do in the area. I'm so happy that Brittany and Dan were up for the adventure!
Hanging out with these two for the evening was so great. We got to have a ton of fun, both in our wandering Savage Mill and photographing. Shawn and I have been playing around with some different shooting techniques, and Brittany and Dan were receptive of that. There's nothing better than us cheering on...
A Naval Academy Engagement You'll Absolutely Love
Eliza & Taylor
Even though the summer is coming to a close, the amazing engagement sessions are just starting! Sunday morning we met up with Eliza and Taylor in Annapolis. The morning was bright and the air was cool. It was arguably the best August morning ever. Eliza and Taylor were incredibly charming the second we met up with them. They came relaxed and ready to have an incredible session. Conversation came easily and was very revitalizing despite having to wake up before the sun even started to appear.
We never miss an opportunity to be out by the water for our Annapolis engagement sessions. But we always longingly look at the great waterfront rocks over in the Naval Academy. Shawn and I have just never had the opportunity to go past security to have a session there, but Eliza and Taylor were the perfect ones to explore with. Taylor is a Marine and Eliza's brother goes to the Naval Academy, so they both had a ton of knowledge about the area and various interesting facts. It felt like a tour with some friends in addition to a session!
There were so many spectacular places at the Naval Academy, including a gorgeous fountain, lots of greenery, and some very awe-inspiring buildings. We even experienced reveille as the academy began its Sunday. Afterwards, we took a trip outside to downtown Annapolis and the Statehouse for some more great photos. These two didn't need any instruction on how to pose, and were like pros as...
A Foxhill Park Sunset Engagement Session
Erin & Chris
Last Wednesday, Shawn and I traveled to Foxhill Park in Bowie for Erin and Chris's engagement session. Shawn and I were so excited to meet up with Erin and Chris along with Chris's sons, Carson and Reece. Erin and I had been texting back and forth leading up to their session, so I already felt like we already knew each other. As an added bonus and making us love them even more, they got us a bottle of wine as a gift! How friggin' sweet?!
My favorite part of their engagement shoot is it doubling as a family session. Involving Chris's sons really made the evening extra special. Carson and Reece added a lot of laughs to the photos as they heckled Erin and Chris from afar, hahah! But seriously, these boys are so well behaved and kind. It was amazing getting to meet them and see their excitement for their dad and Erin's big day.
It's important to note that this was our first time at this location and, oh my goodness, what a hidden gem! There's such an old world charm to this park with a stone bridge and towering trees. I seriously felt like we accidentally traveled to Ireland for a second. On top of all of that, the park is pretty small, so it is incredibly easy to navigate around. Everyone needs to check this park out!
Before the evening ended, there was a quick outfit change and a stop at the baseball field...
Jerusalem Mill Engagement Session
Melissa & JJ's Spotlight!
The day is finally here! Melissa and JJ's wedding has arrived. Last Fall, we met up with Melissa and JJ at the always beautiful Jerusalem Mill. We made sure to get there early to beat the crowd, and we were lucky enough to catch some morning fog. It was so wonderful seeing these two and hanging out for the morning. Anyone that gets up at sunrise for their session wins so many respect points from us, haha!
The fall morning at Jerusalem Mill was a perfect atmosphere for Melissa and JJ's session. The red barn, the ruins, and the river all offered a unique vibe to the session. I loved how rustic, but modern their engagement felt. Not to mention, adding in a couple that is really, really fun pushes the session to a whole new level. From the very moment we kicked off the shoot, Melissa and JJ were smiling and having a good time. Is there anything better than a cool location and a great couple? I don't think so!
As we get ready to head out to Melissa and JJ's wedding at Liriodendron Mansion, I am overcome with joy. If I have to guess how the day will go, the only word I can think of is: flawless. I think their day is going to be very heart-felt and beautiful. They have a terrific relationship, and their love for one another will shape this day into everything they ever dreamed of.
Ahh! Shawn and I cannot wait...
Susquehanna State Park Engagement
Jillian & Robbie's Spotlight
It's wedding time! I cannot believe that it is Jillian and Robbie's big day tomorrow. It seriously feels like yesterday when we met up at Susquehanna State Park for their engagement session. In actuality, their session was way back in October, haha! I don't know where the time has gone, but I'm really happy it's finally here. That said, it's not really wedding time until I revisit their engagement in a spotlight post!
The thing I loved the most about their engagement was the incredibly special spot they chose. Susquehanna State Park is a place that is familiar to these two. They are so attached to it, Robbie actually proposed in the park, with a photographer in the bushes capturing it all. When Jillian and I were first emailing, she sent me the proposal photo, and it was in that moment I fell for these two. They are 100% the sweetest pair, and it shows in everything they do together!
From beautiful fields to gorgeous water front, Susquehanna has it all. Wandering around the park with Jillian and Robbie, it became obvious why they love it. The park is amazing, and they even have some old railroad tracks going right through it. I'm going to anxiously awaiting our next visit, haha!
I already know their day is going to be memorable. They are exchanging vows at the Liriodendron Mansion, which is breath-taking. Witnessing their day is going to be a dream come true. Jillian and Robbie are wonderful...
An Unbelievable Annapolis Engagement Session
Christa & Grant
There's something special about sunrise engagement sessions! I don't know if it's the way the world looks or what, but sunrise may be my new favorite photo time. Everything seems so soft and airy. Pair that with the Annapolis waterfront and - my goodness - it's Heaven!
I think it's safe to say that Christa and Grant are phenomenal. Not only did they drive an hour for their session, but they were so full of energy for their engagement. They had no problems walking around Downtown Annapolis just exploring. The best part is that they were just as amped over cute doors as I am, haha! The true test of a BCP couple is being excited over interesting buildings and cobblestone ❤️.
Every second of the morning spent with Christa and Grant was fun. Interestingly, they had never been to Annapolis before, so Shawn and I also got to be mini tour guides. We took them around Ego Alley, Main Street, the State House. We even saw Larry Hogan out in his yard walking - our very own Maryland celebrity sighting 😛. I'm so glad that Christa and Grant were staying in Annapolis for a little bit after the session, because it's so full of amazing things to see.
One thing that is easy to say about these two is how they have such a wonderful spirit. About a week before the session, Christa emailed me saying how it might rain, but that they didn't want to reschedule, and were...
A Lovely Middle Patuxent Environmental Engagement
Michelle & George's Spotlight!
It's wedding time for Michelle and George! Shawn and I are so excited to see these two and celebrate their love. But, if you haven't noticed by now, I really enjoy reliving engagement sessions. It's a wonderful time to reflect, and I just adore looking at the photos again. Michelle and George's session at Middle Patuxent Environmental Area was ah-mazing! The area is right in Michelle's (and now George's) backyard and they are always spending time on the trails. That special aspect to their location only added more fantastic feelings to the e-session.
Leading up to Michelle and George's day has not been easy. Michelle's father passed away in December, and then their furry friend, Wrigley, also left the world this past April. It's been a hard time, so seeing these engagement photos fills my heart with so much happiness. We were able to include Wrigley in a lot of the photos that I know fit in perfectly with Michelle's collection. Chatting about wedding plans while also laughing about Wrigley's puppy-like attitude was a memory I will cherish. Shawn and I enjoyed getting to know these two so much during their engagement session. It felt like we got such a deeper glimpse into their relationship that has made me 10 times more ecstatic for their wedding.
Their wedding day is going to be one filled with so many beautiful emotions. For one, the day is a celebration of so many relationships. Michelle's parents were married on June 10th 50 years...
A Snuggly Clarksburg Engagement
Kaitlin & Ben's Spotlight!
I am so unbelievably excited for Kaitlin and Ben's wedding today! I've been anticipating this for so long, and I'm ridiculously happy it's arrived! I cannot wait to see all of their planning come together. Their big day is going to be at the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House, which is beautiful on its own. Seeing it all happen for these two is going to be the best. But, first, I need to revisit their at home engagement in Clarksburg, Maryland.
I've talked a lot about Kaitlin and Ben's session. For starters, we got cookies, which instantly makes any couple our BFFs. However - more than that - I feel like we gained two friends. From our time with these two, we were not only able to see how well they fit together, but how well our own personalities mesh with theirs. They welcomed us into their home and it immediately felt comfortable. There wasn't any awkward moments of all of us getting to know one another. We simply walked in and stood around their kitchen island chatting about TV shows. Best.
Everything about their engagement session was marvelous. Kaitlin and Ben are such a wonderful pair. They have this spark between them that you can instantly feel, which leads you to feel so incredibly comfy around them. I cannot even begin to imagine the energy Kaitlin and Ben are going to have today. There are already butterflies fluttering in my tummy just thinking about it!
Shawn and I are...
A Brookside Gardens Engagement
Katelynn & John's Spotlight!
Oh my goodness, I have been waiting for this Brookside Gardens spotlight for an entire year. I'm so happy to finally be posting it! Katelynn and John are getting married tomorrow in Jamaica (Montego Bay, to be exact). Shawn and I could not be any more pumped for their day if we tried. Seriously, their day has been a countdown since our first meeting, and it's almost here!
However, before we start getting enthralled in Montego Bay, I need to revisit their engagement session. Seeing their e-session always gives me butterflies, so this spotlight definitely has me giddy. They chose the beautiful Brookside Gardens as their location, and we were so excited to shoot here. We had tried for years to get a session at the exclusive gardens, but never made the cut. The officials must have known Katelynn and John were special, because their sunrise session went off without a hitch.
It was fantastic getting to wander around Brookside Gardens with these two. I feel like we always get a greater sense of a relationship during an e-session, which just solidifies why it's my favorite part of the process. We became friends right from the beginning, so chatting and laughing with them was second nature. Shawn and I have loved every second of getting to know these two. Through the #JamaicaMeAdams Pinterest board, to celebrating Friendsmas, it's been an incredible joy to have these two as friends.
I'm feeling all emotional as I gather images for this post...
Quiet Waters Park Engagement
Alyssa and Ryan's Spotlight!
We are gearing up for another wonderful wedding weekend! Alyssa and Ryan are getting married this Saturday at Robin Hill Farm. The weather is looking truly fantastic, and I just cannot wait to see these two again. But, before we get to the wedding, I have to revisit their stunning engagement session at Quiet Waters.
I love the Annapolis area, and that has probably became very obvious over the years. It is - of course - on my list of favorite locations. There's so much greatness in the area from downtown to the parks - Annapolis has everything. So when Alyssa and Ryan chose Quiet Waters for their engagement session, I did a little dance. I mean, on a bad day, the park is beautiful. So on a great day, it's phenomenal, haha!
Ryan and Alyssa's engagement session was so much fun. We started off in the garden area, just getting warmed up. I remember very clearly that these two were naturals from the start. They are so comfortable with each other, it was easy for them to have a good time together. Even when our plans in the park changed, they were willing to adventure around. It was their cool and calm demeanor in hiking that ended up paying off big time with a breath-taking sunset. Seriously, the most glorious orange and pink sky I've seen. I really don't think I'll ever be over it.
I'm confident that, much like their engagement, Alyssa and Ryan's wedding day will...
A Patapsco State Park Engagement Adventure!
Leah & Kevin
When I think of the most fun I've had on a session, I'm forever going to think of Leah and Kevin's engagement. They have made Patapsco State Park my number one favorite location. Not only were Kevin and Leah amazing, but the weather yesterday - my goodness! It was completely out of this world! I don't know why Spring keeps coming in and out, but if it could stay 72 degree, I would be happy with that, haha!
Before completely diving into the session, it's important to note that I'm a complete dog freak. It takes a strong hold on my dignity to not roll on the ground with a fluffy puppy. So when a couple tells me they are bringing their dog, my excitement level goes through the roof. When Leah emailed me and asked if it was okay they bring their pup, Union, I just about squealed with joy. That handsome man of a dog is so sweet and photogenic! I was in the love from the very first second. Note: if you don't want to fall into an adorable hole, please do not go and search the #germanshepherd tag on Instagram. You'll have a good time, but you may end up adopting 29 dogs.
Enough about fur-children, let's get back to Leah and Kevin. From the very start of the session, these two were flawless. They non-stop joked with each other and just had a blast. These two are a couple that you can look at and...
A Gorgeously Serene Engagement at the Peace Park
Jeannine & Pema
Sunday was such a perfect day! We met up with Jeannine and Pema at the Peace Park and - wow - what a beautiful place! It was so calm and serene. The world felt so wonderfully still for those couple of hours. The rushing cars and busy areas around us just sort of went into pause mode. It was an incredible feeling.
In addition to being such a stunning location, the Peace Park also carries some sentimental value, since it's where Pema proposed. The lush gardens within the meditation areas must have soothed any pre-engagement nerves. I'm so happy that Jeannine and Pema chose this spot for their session. It holds such a special place in their heart, and getting to experience it with them was really fantastic.
It's also safe to say that Jeannine and Pema are total rock stars. My greatest fear for the session was rain. The weather called for partly cloudy weather, and during our ride out to Poolesville, it's down-poured. I kept worrying that at any moment, Jeannine might reschedule, but they luckily pulled it out. Even when it started sprinkling mid-session, they shrugged it off and kept posing expertly. It was a great lesson in "don't sweat the small stuff," because not even a minute after the drops started falling, it totally stopped. These two are definitely my new heroes!
Walking the trails and going through the meditation areas really put us all at ease. It's a powerful location that I totally...
Patapsco & Ellicott City Engagement
Megan & Dave's Spotlight!
It's Megan and Dave's wedding day! Oh my goodness, I feel like I've been anticipating this day forever. I know I normally post spotlights during the week, but for these two, I wanted to change it up a bit. Their session at Patapsco Valley State Park and Ellicott City was perfect. So I thought, "Why not look back at their engagement session on their wedding day?"
Seeing their session again has me all sorts of excited. From the gorgeous waterfall at Patapsco, to the stroll down Main Street in Ellicott City. Their engagement just fills me with so much happiness! The thing I love about this session, besides Megan and Dave's wonderfulness, is seeing the city restored to its former glory. We photographed this engagement two months before the fateful flooding that happened in Ellicott City. The devastation to the shops, the sidewalk, and the people was immense and something no one will soon forget. However, Megan and Dave's session allows me to jump back in time, where I can catch a glimpse of the city I used to take for granted.
We are more than ready to see Megan and Dave exchange vows. Meeting them for the first time at our local bakery was like sitting down with two friends. It carried over to their engagement session where we met their furbaby, Izzy, and continued to get to know their relationship. Now we are at the wedding day! I just know these two are going to...
College Park, Maryland Engagement
Chelsea & Ryan's Spotlight
It's crazy that we are now two just DAYS away from Chelsea and Ryan's wedding. Our countdown has been going since June of 2015, and I'm totally stoked we are this close to the big day. I feel like the time has gone by so quickly, especially after their engagement session at College Park last year. It is so true that once the e-session is complete, the rest of the time goes by in the blink of an eye. At least for me it's that way, haha!
If you follow me on Instagram (@britneyclause), you are probably very familiar with these two. I'm pretty nuts over them since they are ridiculously sweet and so kind. Shawn and I had never seen a lot of College Park prior to their session, and they took the time to give us little facts about the campus and guide us to the best spots. It's such a beautiful location with huge colonial buildings and a really wonderful atmosphere.
The thing I loved most about Chelsea and Ryan's engagement session is that they chose a truly special place. Their relationship began on the stunning campus and it only made sense to include that in their engagement. The university means more to them than just where they lived and walked to class. It will always be the very first stepping stone in their forever.
Shawn and I cannot wait to celebrate these two this Saturday. It's going to be an absolutely amazing time. I for...
A Comfy Cozy At Home Engagement
Kaitlin & Ben
This past Saturday, Shawn and I traveled out to Clarksburg for Kaitlin and Ben's at home engagement session. Now, before I dive in to all the amazingness, I just have to say: I love at home sessions! My absolute favorite thing about them is that the couple is comfy from the get-go. It's their space they are building together, and it has all the warmth and coziness they are used to. Not to mention, I feel like we get a better understanding of who the couple is when we are in a space that is so central to them. Everything from who does the cooking to how they watch TV is something we love learning about, but often don't if it isn't somehow brought up. Being in the place where couples do their day-to-day living inevitably brings up these little details and stories, and it's fantastic.
This weekend, oh my gosh! I'm going to kick it off by saying I'm totally crazy about Kaitlin and Ben. Any couple that is comfortable enough to bust out some goofy faces and admit they watch Real Housewives are my kind of people, haha! As soon as we walked in to their gorgeous house, we felt like friends. We stood in the kitchen for a little bit and just talked about their neighborhood and their wedding. It was so comfortable and natural. Honestly, after chatting on the phone with them a few months ago, I suspected this is how it would be. Kaitlin and...
The Why Behind Session Timing
"You want us up when?!"
This is the time of year when a lot of our couples are planning their engagement sessions. Whether they are dreaming of a "lost in the wood" session or high fashion city shoot, timing means everything. For Shawn and I, breaching this subject is a point of contention. We are both night owls, so whenever the thought of early morning comes up, we both kind of shudder. However, we recognize the beauty in small crowds and fabulous light. Our couples, though, don't always know of those benefits as well as we do.
It means so much to me through chatting with our couples that we are able to provide them with loads of session information. One of the biggest things we cover before an engagement session is the timing for a session. So what better way to benefit everyone than through a blog? There are pretty images below, so everyone stick around until the end :P.
What is proper timing?
One of the first things I want to touch on is the best hours of the day to be out. We have found that for sunrise sessions, we want to be shooting 30 minutes after the sun has risen. For sunset, we like to give ourselves 2 hours before the sun has fully fallen. These times are typically called the "golden / magic / perfect hour," but I just like to say "ohhhhh, mah gawsh! Best!".
Here's a cute little info graphic I've created...
A Fells Point Sunrise Engagement
Arianna & Tyler
On Saturday, we met up with Arianna and Tyler in Fells Point. It was such a gorgeous morning with these two. Admittedly, it was a bit chilly, but the stunning backdrop of the city was just too good to miss. Fells Point is so incredibly beautiful. Shawn and I don't go into Baltimore often, but when we do, we always go to Fells Point. I don't know if my love for stems from all of the restaurants, the shops, or the views. Actually, it's probably all three of those things, haha. Everything about the area is so unique, and it's absolutely perfect for an engagement session.
Speaking of perfect, Arianna and Tyler - I'm still not over their session. These two are total movie stars. There was a moment when we were out on the Fells Point pier, the wind was softly blowing, and the way these two were looking at each other - ahh! It was seriously something out of a romance film. I told them early on in the session that I would do a lot of squealing, but I'm not sure if they were quite prepared.
Watching these two interact, I fell in love with their relationship even more. All you need is just a few second with them to see the deep love that they have for one another. Arianna and Tyler fit so effortlessly together. They wrap each other up in each others arms and it's like the entire world disappears for them. Tyler...
Old Town Alexandria Engagement
Kristin & Andrew's Spotlight
I've been anticipating Kristin and Andrew's engagement spotlight since we shot their session back in July, haha! Their gorgeous e-session took place in Old Town Alexandria, and I am still not over how much fun it was. We met up in the early morning hours, and it honestly felt like they were life long friends. We had a great adventure through the city, and we also caught loads of Pokemon. Seriously, never in my life did I think we would play Pokemon with a couple, but Kristin and Andrew are that fantastic :P.
Engagement spotlights are some of my absolute favorite posts. Not only do we get to relive an awesome shoot, but we also get an extra day of celebrating the couple. Kristin, Andrew, and their families are working hard to bring everything together for this Saturday. They are tired, stressed, but - most of all - excited. My goal with this little injection of pretty is to ease some of the nerves and add to the anticipation.
Kristin and Andrew, I'm sure, are well aware of how fabulous they are. They are truly one of a kind and I'm hoping that post wedding we keep in contact and remain friends. Honestly, I have never had a bride put on their timeline that Shawn needs to be ready to play Super Mario with the boys. But that's different for this wedding, and I'm totally obsessed.
We've always said that our ultimate goal is to make our couples feel like...
All Time Favorite Engagement Ring Photos
Including A Bonus Tip!
Engaged, married, and jewelry loving friends, this post is for you! Have you ever been going about your day, catch a glimpse of the ring on your hand, and instantly feel a surge of happiness? This happens to me a lot. I'll be working on something really intense and then the sparkle from my engagement ring will draw my attention. It makes me pause what I'm doing, and think of every happy moment related to my ring.
Like many people, my engagement ring is very important to me. It's not only perfect, but it also has a special story behind it. During the creation process, Shawn actually got a diamond from my mom. She is a jewelry junkie who lives for the JTV (Jewelry Television). However, the diamond that Shawn asked for was from a ring that my dad had given my mom many moons ago. The value of my ring is priceless to me. Not only are the memories of our life tied to it, but the lives of my parents are also included. My dad may not have been able to walk me down the aisle, but having this ring on my finger made me feel like he was right there with me and my step dad.
The importance of sharing the story is because it taught me the value behind every ring. We get the chance to photograph so many stories and I am always giddy when it comes time for engagement ring photos. Every couple...
Engagement Favorites of the Year
Bye Bye, 2016!
I cannot believe how quickly 2016 has flown by, and that we are already at this point again. It feels like yesterday that we were doing our engagement favorites of 2015. How is it possible that we have already experienced another twelve months, and are merely a week and a half away from the New Year?!
This year has brought so many wonderful couples into our lives. Getting to be a part of their wedding planning process has been really fantastic. As the year winds down, I love reminiscing about all of their sessions. Every engagement shoot gives us a glimpse into who our couples are and allows us to make fun memories with them. This year, though, I feel as if we have personally been able to open up, as well. We've been sharing more of who we are in order to connect to our couples on an even deeper level during their sessions.
I don't think it's any secret that engagements are my absolute favorite aspect of wedding planning. They allow the couple to sit back and just be together. Sure, there is a little posing involved, but it always feels natural and comfortable. We want every engagement shoot to feel exciting, even to the most resistant partner. When we get emails or comments saying how nervous a couple was before their session, but became confident due to our encouragement and enthusiasm, it makes us feel so good. Our entire goal is for the couple to know ...
Why We Do Weddings
Hint: Because We Love You
The off-season always gives us time to reflect on our business. It gives us the opportunity to invest in our education and really dig deep while there's less on our plate. To answer the questions of how to improve, we have to first consider our foundation. For this reason, I've been spending time lately exploring about why we do weddings. No, I'm not suffering a quarter life crisis, and I'm not planning to do anything but grow, but thinking about our why helps me as photographer and entrepreneur.
I've been photographing weddings since 2011. While I enjoyed what I was doing back then, I never gave it much thought into why I was doing it. I certainly did not envision my business going this far, either. It wasn't until 2016 that I felt the strong urge to relax my brain, take a minute to unwind, and figure out my photographic drive. Shawn posted an article about a Groom's role in his wedding a few months ago, and I felt a fire light underneath me. I realized after reading the post and having more discussions that we've always focused on not just the bride but both people in the relationship.
We strive to make both sides feel important because they both are. We have been in their shoes, and know what it's like going through the wedding process. It's natural for us to be empathetic to all the love, concerns, stress, and gratitude that goes into such an important event. Feeling...
A Cozy Gettysburg Engagement
Sarah & Brandon
I am super excited to share our first ever camping engagement session! We met up with Sarah and Brandon at Gettysburg National Military Park on Friday evening. The forecast had been calling for storms all day, so Sarah and I were obsessively checking the radar. Luckily for us, the weather man was incorrect because the only thing in the sky were perfect clouds. It was honestly the best evening. Even with us having some slight trouble finding an accessible battlefield, this was a wonderful night.
Shawn and I were amazed by the historic beauty in Gettysburg, but what we were most looking forward to was photographing Sarah and Brandon at their campsite. Sarah has been coming to the Granite Hill Camping Resort with her family since as early as she can remember. When her and Brandon began dating, he was obviously brought in on the family tradition. It's a very special place to them, and surely one that will be special in the many years to come. I can already imagine their own children running through the fields and roasting marshmallows over the fire. It's sweet to think about what this place means to them and it's really awesome that they brought us into this sentimental spot to capture their engagement photos.
Chatting more with Sarah and Brandon, it's so easy to see how well they fit together. They both love telling jokes and being goofy, which I think is the most important aspect in any relationship. If you can't...
A Sunrise Engagement at Jerusalem Mill
Melissa & JJ
Fall is finally starting to make it's appearance, and I could not be happier about it! On Sunday, we met up with Melissa and JJ at Jerusalem Mill Village. It's a perfect little spot that offers up so many different looks. There's a field with terrific views of the changing season, ruins that create an old world feel, and a relaxing river that looks like a painting. Everything in this area is so beautiful, and I'm always in awe whenever we get the chance to photograph here.
Being with an amazing couple like Melissa and JJ in this surreal location that is out of a magazine makes me so giddy. Any time that we get to spend with a couple is fantastic. We get to know their relationship, how they interact, what makes them laugh. It's great to see and it makes us even more excited for their marriage. The best thing about Melissa and JJ is that they like to have fun with each other. They make each other laugh and do goofy things, which is the kind of love that makes me smile.
During every session, there is a point where we all get comfortable with one another. The walls come down and it's almost as if we have known each other for a long time. We reached that point in Melissa and JJ's session very early on, so the entire time shooting we were joking and laughing with small bursts of hilarious posing. My favorite pose from...
Middle Patuxent Environmental Engagement
Michelle & George
On Thursday, Shawn and I met up with Michelle and George for their cool autumn engagement session. The location for their shoot was, conveniently, right in Michelle's backyard. How cool is it that she lives right beside the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area?! Walking on the trails of this gorgeous spot, it was hard to believe that civilization was so close. It seemed like we had stepped into a totally different world. Middle Patuxent Environmental Area has so much to offer: there is a small pond area, a grassy field, and even a bridge that passes over a river. This location is so perfect, and I'm really glad that Michelle suggested it.
The greatest part about any session is getting to know the couple. Michelle and George are such an adorable pair. Shawn and I loved strolling through the environmental area with them because it allowed us to chat about everything. The biggest topic was Michelle's dog, Wrigley, who is a super handsome 12 year old Golden Retriever. Age is no hang-up for Wrigley, as he still possesses all the sass and spunk of a 4 year old pup. We really enjoyed watching these three interact with each other, since everything they did was sweet and fun. George even took a little break to run around the environmental area with Wrigley, which had us all laughing since Wrigley is still a speedy little dude.
I'm having the best time getting to know more about these three with every passing day. Shawn...
A Gorgeous Susquehanna State Park Engagement
Jillian & Robbie
October is off to a wonderful start! Yesterday, we met up with Jillian and Robbie at Susquehanna State Park for their engagement session. We met with them a few months ago, and we immediately were in love with them. They are so sweet, and getting to know them during their session was such a joy.
We kicked off their session in the field that Robbie proposed in (which was even documented by another photographer). I love that they chose this spot in Susquehanna State Park, because it holds such a special memory for them. Photos can feel really weird if you aren't in front of a camera for a living, so being in a location that is "yours" can make everything seem natural. As we approached the field, I was completely blown away. When Jillian described the field at our meeting, I was thinking of a typical, small, flat area with not too much going on. I couldn't have been more wrong about it. This field is humongous. There are hills, hay bales, trees lining the horizon - it is perfect. Watching Jillian and Robbie interact in their spot filled me with so much giddiness, I swear I just kept squealing with glee.
As we moved deeper into the park, the scenery completely changed. Susquehanna State Park has a little bit of everything: fields, historical buildings, beautiful trails, and river front views. The most interesting thing about the park is how the main trail is an old...
Engagement Session Preparation
Tips & Tricks
It is always a little daunting to have photos taken. It's not something that is normal for day-to-day life and can be one of the hardest things to prepare for. For me, I instantly clam up when a lens is pointing at me. Spending so much time around cameras does not prepare me for being in front of the camera. I know that most couples feel the exact same way as I do. The great thing is, there are ways to prepare for your engagement session that will greatly put your mind at ease.
Engagement photos can feel very strange and it can often times seem like your relationship isn't accurately portrayed in them. When we chat with our couples about their engagement shoot, one of the most common thing is someone in the couple not understanding the point of these photos. They don't care, they hate their photo taken, or they just want to hire us for the wedding and be done. Unfortunately, that's not how this all works. We want to experience your relationship in advance. With our photos, we get really wonderful emotion because we don't just show up on the wedding day. Our bond with the couple is what creates a genuine interaction and ability for them to show us who they are.
Your photos are important, and we want everyone to feel something when they look at your photos. The following advice to prepare for your engagement session all go hand-in-hand together. If each...
Beautiful Sunset Engagement at Great Falls Park
Aimee & Mike
Shawn and I explored Great Falls Park last month, which you can read more about here. From the very second we set foot in this gorgeous National Park in Virginia, we knew it was the perfect place for Aimee and Mike's engagement session. Not only does Great Falls Park have stunning overlooks of the Potomac River, but it also has tons of lush greenery. Pairing that with Aimee and Mike's adorable interactions, this spot is a photographer's dreamland.
We met with Aimee and Mike over a month ago on Skype. Even though we weren't meeting in person, we still got to know them a little bit. Shawn and I could tell that they have such an easy and calm relationship. They fit with each other so well, and watching them giggle through the retelling of the proposal story was the cutest thing. Speaking of the proposal story, I just have to say that Mike is a definite winner. He not only got down on one knee in New York City, but he created a monogram necklace with the geo location of the exact spot that he would ask Aimee to be his wife. It's a tremendous keepsake and story that gives me chills every time I think about it. Even over Skype I think I just aww'd for about 5 minutes to them, haha!
Meeting these two in person at Great Falls Park was such a joy for us. The most adorable thing was Mike helping Aimee over every...
Sara & Charlie Engagement Spotlight
Mount Aventine
I'm not sure if I can harness the excitement I have for Sara and Charlie's wedding day, but I'll try. We met these two over a year ago, and from that first meeting, we knew they were something special. That was reinforced at their engagement session in Mount Aventine a few days later. The day was warm and typical for July, but Sara and Charlie came ready to cuddle despite the heat.
When you meet a couple that just loves being in each other's arms, you know that you are in the presence of a great relationship. Sara and Charlie spent every second laughing and enjoying this moment in their engagement. Walking around Mount Aventine with them and their dog, Hazel, is something that I want to do every day. I'm serious when I say they have one of the best relationships. Charlie is the jokester and Sara is sweet beyond belief. They balance each other so well, and they are really adorable. Reading over their questionnaire, I couldn't help but smile and tear up over the evolution of their relationship. Everything about these two is thoughtful and respectful of one another. It's amazing to hear about and it's even better to see.
I know I said in their engagement post that I was starting their wedding countdown early, and I totally did. Luckily the days passed quickly enough to the point that we are only 1 day from wedding bells. I'm giddy and a bit teary over...
Alexa & Eddie
Centennial Park Engagement Session
The best thing about any engagement session is walking away from them with new friends. Getting the opportunity to interact with people that we may not have had the pleasure to otherwise meet always makes me so incredibly happy. On Saturday, we met up with Alexa, Eddie, and their pup, Benji, at Centennial Park. I love this spot, It is seriously one of my favorites because of how gorgeous it is. Centennial is a beautiful park with a lot of green, but tons of variety. It's perfect, and I was giddy the second Alexa and Eddie chose it.
Their engagement shoot had been planned for months, and I was eagerly looking forward to it from day one. Chatting back and forth with Alexa, I got the sense of how sweet and genuine her relationship with Eddie is. Getting the chance to see them interact with each other reinforced everything I already felt for them. When a couple spends their entire engagement session cuddled up with each other and giggling, you know it's going to be a fabulous shoot. That is exactly what these two did from the moment we arrived at Centennial Park. They have such a strong connection that is evident from just a few seconds of being in their presence.
Wandering around Centennial with these two and getting to know them was an absolute joy. We loved hearing about their adventurous date nights under the stars. Spending the evening with them and Benji capturing all of the...
Great Falls Park
Sunset Hike
This weekend, Shawn and I took a quick trip down to Great Falls Park and did some intense location scouting. We've heard of this amazing spot for years, but haven't been able to check it out. It wasn't until one of our couple's mentioned it that we decided to make the drive down to Virginia. There was no better time to visit, since it was the Centennial for The National Park Service. Not only was there free entry to the park, but they were also showing Wall*E in the evening. I don't think Shawn and I could have planned our impromptu date hike any better, haha!
Walking around the park, I honestly could not believe how beautiful it was. Sure, the temperature in August isn't ideal for a hike, but as we reached the edge of the cliffs the view took our breath away. There was a slight breeze from the falls below that filled the air with a wonderful crispness that cooled the scorching heat. As a result, near the edge of the rocks, it was as if fall had already arrived. Shawn and I found this amazing secluded spot to hangout and dream about the e-sessions that we hope take place here.
As the sun was setting we strolled around a little bit more. We found the Matildaville Ruins, which were incredibly interesting to see and learn about. Back in 1790, there was a town constructed whose economy relied on the Patowmack Canal. When the canal closed, the...
5 of Our Favorite Poses
Tips & Tricks
We enjoy giving our couples freedom in their posing. We try to do minimal directing, because we don't want the shoot to slip into being stiff. Don't get me wrong, though, we still give a fair amount of direction. But we give each pose the chance to evolve. When we start off the session, we go with easy poses. Those usually include the chest-to-chest position. Generally, our direction is "face one another and get close". That sets the couple up for the basic look of the image Shawn and I want. From that point, we start easing in to tiny tweaks like having the lady give a small leg pop or for them to start telling each other jokes. All of these are very small things that affect the mood and look of the shoot. When a couple is having fun together, they are more comfortable and confident.
When we set up our posing in a very basic way, it allows our couples to feel like they can breath. There is no way that Shawn and I can feel happy by precisely placing every piece of the shot. We know our couples won't be happy with that either. We need the couple to move and to naturally interact with one another. Once those first few shots are accomplished, the nerves melt away. In those instances, we're all able to learn about one another and have a really awesome session.
Nice and close bringing chest to chest
Think about whenever...
Kristin & Andrew
Old Town Alexandria Engagement
Bright and early on Saturday morning, Shawn and I headed down to Old Town, Alexandria to meet up with Kristin, Andrew, and their fluffy pup, Murdock. We also had our friend Karen with us to keep an eye on Murdock, and Andrew's cousin, Frank, was there to catch all of the Pokémon that were encountered, haha!
Kristin and Andrew's session was the first time that we were meeting in person. For their initial consultation, we had a Google Hangout's call that lasted over an hour, so I had an idea that when we officially met, we would be very fast friends. I'm not sure if it was the donuts that they brought to the session or just how sweet of a couple they are (probably a mix of both), but it immediately felt like we've known them for years. It made the entire session easy and comfortable.
Wandering around the empty streets of Old Town was a total goldmine. Every single corner, alley, and building offered something new and exciting. Whether it was a pop of color or an interesting roadway, we could have spent 10 hours just exploring all of the nooks and crannies of the small city. I loved that we got to this location at sunrise, because that allowed us the opportunity to avoid crowds that would have definitely distracted Murdock. Instead, he was a true model that complemented Kristin and Andrew's power couple status.
For the second half of the session, we took a 5...
Sam & Tim
A Comfy Home Engagement
I don't know about everyone else, but when it's storming outside, I just love being at home on the couch. That is precisely how the day was spent two weeks ago with Sam and Tim for their at home engagement session. It worked out pretty nicely that it rained most of the day (and even during their session) because it made the cozy vision that Sam had that much warmer. There was also a threat of a tornado in the early afternoon, which added a bit of excitement, but by the time evening came there was just a light stream of chilly droplets falling from the sky.
When Shawn and I arrived to Sam and Tim's beautiful home, we were greeted by their fur-child, Lincoln. He's probably the most calm and soft Labrador I've ever met and was SUPER snuggly. Lincoln was constantly checking out my camera and making his parents laugh. I'm sure if he could, he would have been the third photographer :P. At one point when Sam and Tim were cuddled up on their couch, Lincoln decided that it was his turn for photos. So after he smothered his parents in kisses, he went into his best America's Next Top Doggy pose; it was the cutest!
Shawn and I had the best time with these three. From Tim filling their home with music on the organ (and Sam's brave attempts at being his playing partner) to them being on the front lawn cracking jokes to make...
Emily & Cal's Engagement Spotlight
Rocks State Park
I get so excited when it comes time to prepare for a couple's wedding, and I've been anticipating Emily and Cal's wedding for what feels like forever. There are just three days until these two tie the knot, and I already know it's going to be a fabulous day. Emily and Cal are getting married at Overhills Mansion, which is definitely a favorite venue of mine (see Jennifer's & Brock and Kelli & Aswhin for more images of the venue). It's such a beautiful spot that feels very much like a hidden gem that is dropped in the middle of Catonsville. This venue is beyond perfect for Emily and Cal's classic wedding, and I'm super looking forward to seeing all of their decorations and planning come to life!
Thinking back to Emily and Cal's engagement session at Rocks State Park, I'm reminded of how incredibly sweet they are with each other. The way that they look at one another, you can tell that they share such a wonderful and deep connection. There was a moment when we were finishing up the session that they both changed into superhero shirts and had a stare down with each other. I think that was the exact second that I realized that this couple was going to be a dream come true, haha! I love re-living all of the fun times that were in their session, especially since they had their three dogs with them. Adding a furbaby to any session...
Alyssa & Matt's Engagement Spotlight
Ellicott City
I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am that Alyssa and Matt's wedding day is this Saturday! It's felt as though it's taken so long for this day, and it's less than a week away. For their engagement session, these two chose to have their session in one of my favorite places: Ellicott City. This beautiful spot is filled with colorful shops and variety of textures that create a huge unique space. It is a photographer's dream location; every corner of the city holds something new and exciting. Anytime a couple wants their photos in the city, I pretty much jump for joy, haha! I can't go the entire spotlight post without mentioning the fact that Alyssa and Matt's outfits were on point. I've mentioned in previous posts how coordinating outfits off complimentary colors is the way to go, and these two knocked it out of the park. I always enjoy getting to look back at their session!
Shawn and I loved getting to see these two interact with each other during their engagement. I don't think there was a time that a smile wasn't spread across either of their faces. Also, Matt's ability to make Alyssa laugh with a small look was beyond adorable. They are two of the sweetest people, and the fact that their nuptials are just a few short days away has me jumping up and down with glee. Their wedding is taking place at Billingsley House, which took my breath away the first...
Samantha & John's Engagement Spotlight
Shoemaker Homestead
I have been waiting for this day ever since I met with Sam and John a full year ago! These two are the absolute sweetest, and they are getting married tomorrow at one of the prettiest locations, Shoemaker Homestead. Shawn and I got the pleasure to see their gorgeous wedding location during their engagement session, and I was just blown away. There are horses, a beautiful barn and gardens that have the most colorful flowers. If you want to check out their full engagement session feel free to head over to their original blog post. It is truly going to be amazing to see this homestead all ready for Sam and John to be married. Tomorrow is going to look like it's totally out of a magazine!
Getting to know these two and their location over the course of their e-session was one of my greatest joys. It really did make this waiting game for tomorrow almost impossible. Leading up to this day, I do have to mention how incredibly organized Sam has been as a bride. I mean, she has been on top of her timeline and her family group shots, which is rare. It's been a total dream to have this super sweet bride keep us in the loop with everything. We get to attend and shoot a little bit of their rehearsal tonight, and I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to see these two again and meet their families! If their families are...
Alyssa & Ryan
A Gorgeous Engagement at Quiet Waters
This Saturday, Shawn and I spent the day with an amazing couple at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. It was one of the few days in May that wasn't plagued with rain, so we were able to get outside and really explore the park for Alyssa and Ryan's engagement session. Unfortunately for us, everyone else seemed to have the same idea, so we had to be extra diligent in finding interesting spots that weren't crowded with photographers. The thing that I love about Quiet Waters, though, is that around every corner is something new. There's gardens by the Blue Heron Center, fields by the amphitheater, and tons of trails. Add in how adorable of a pair Alyssa and Ryan are, and the crowded park wasn't an issue at all.
My absolute favorite part about every single engagement session is getting to know the couple better over the course of shooting. We end up spending over an hour together, and typically there is a shared adventure mixed in there somewhere. For Alyssa and Ryan's session, there was the discovery that the road to the waterfront area was completely closed. I'm not a rebel in even the tamest sense of the word, so while it would have been easy to just hop over the barriers and try to make our way down the torn up road, Alyssa and Ryan were more than happy to go and explore an open hiking trail nearby. They were total troopers, and it definitely paid off, since...
Chelsea & Ryan
A Sunset College Park Engagement
It always fascinates me with how close we get to meeting our "other half" for the first time, but we don't actually interact with them until a much later because of life and timing. Chelsea and Ryan know this well, since they even shared a backyard, yet didn't formally meet until a mutual friend introduced them. It's pretty interesting to think about how life goes along until the perfect time when paths can cross, and everything can work out perfectly.
I had been eager to meet these two since Chelsea and I started emailing last year. Both of them live in Saint Croix, so our meet up had to wait for a little bit until they both returned back to Maryland. I can totally understand it not happening too frequently, since I'm sure their families always want to come to them, haha! Shawn and I are definitely envious of their island life :P. While we were emailing, Chelsea mentioned that since her and Ryan both attended The University of Maryland, College Park, they wanted their engagement photos to have the beautiful campus as their backdrop. I had never gotten the chance to shoot at the university, so I was definitely looking forward to their session. From the moment that Shawn and I pulled up, I could tell that every piece of the school was going to be fabulous. The grounds were well kept, and the colonial architecture of every single building was breath taking.
Every second with Chelsea, Ryan...
Megan & Dave
A Stunning Park and City Engagement
I am just about speechless over Megan and Dave's Sunday engagement session. We started the evening at Patapsco Valley State Park, and those of you that follow along know it's my favorite place. There was some comedic mishaps with finding each other in the part of the park without a signal, but when we finally all got together, it was amazing! Megan and Dave are seriously the cutest couple, and they just so happen to be the parents of the most adorable little Frenchie named Izzy. I love when couples involve their furbabies in their sessions, because it brings a whole new personality to the shoot. Izzy definitely brought a lot of extra fun and laughs to the park. By some crazy chance, we had the entire Cascade Falls trail to ourselves, which was shocking considering Sunday was the first sunny day in weeks!
After a quick wardrobe change and a short drive, we arrived at Ellicott City (another favorite) where these two took modeling to a different level. Megan and Dave are absolutely stellar. We were shooting well after the sun had already set, since I was pretty obsessed with their adorableness! The best part about these two was their excitement over their photos. They came ready with props, wonderful ideas, and ready for whatever we got into. It was simply fantastic. Ahhh! I adore them!
Shawn and I cannot wait to photograph their wedding next April at the Anchor Inn. It is for sure going to be the...
Katelynn & John
A Breath Taking Engagement at Brookside Gardens
I have almost no words to describe the incredible engagement session we had with Katelynn and John at Brookside Gardens over the weekend. It was seriously that amazing. I should first say that I have been wanting (probably more like needing) to photograph at Brookside for about three years. Shawn and I have stopped in there very quickly once before, but have never had the pleasure of exploring the grounds. When Katelynn mentioned that her and John wanted their photos to be there, I immediately started jumping up and down with excitement.
We arrived at the gardens on Saturday morning, bright and early. The day had a cloudy start, but that just meant that the flow of tourists Brookside normally attracts would be staying warm at home :P. While it didn't feel much like Spring, the gardens were still in full bloom. There were yellows, pinks and purples everywhere, as well as beautiful tulips blossoming on every side of the path. All of the beautiful colors took us by surprise, since we expected lots of prettiness, but this was just a totally different level of jaw dropping gorgeous.
Not only were the gardens perfect, but Katelynn and John were fantastically adorable. They were such naturals in front of the camera, and I loved watching how they fit so wonderfully in each other's arms. Being able to hang out with them for the morning made Shawn and I even more excited for their Jamaican destination wedding next May. We just...
Jessica & Frank's Engagement Spotlight
An Amazing Summer Shoot
This Saturday is Jessica and Frank's big day! I have been excitedly waiting for their day to come, and now it is almost here! I know if I'm getting giddy, then the soon-to-be newlyweds must be on a totally different level of eagerness, haha.
Way back in August, Shawn and I traveled out to Rocks State Park to photograph these two sweetheart's engagement photos. This park is seriously so beautiful. I just fell in love with the waterfall and all of the greenery in the surrounding area. We've shot here once before, and it is just incredible with all of the different looks it offers. I was even more excited to get to know Jess and Frank a little better, because one of my favorite things about engagement sessions is bonding with the couple. Seeing that they brought their adorable pup, Mufasa, with them made adoring these two even easier :P.
Shawn and I cannot wait for their wedding on Saturday. It's going to be such a wonderful day, especially now that Spring seems to be here to stay!
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Sarah and Kevin's Engagement Spotlight
Gorgeous Morning Baltimore Session
I'm so incredibly happy to say that Sarah and Kevin's wedding is just a few short days away! I remember meeting up with them in September at Federal Hill Park for their engagement photos and chatting about how much time they had for planning. It felt like the months would take forever to pass at that point, but here we are, just a handful of days away! On Friday these two will be exchanging vows and celebrating with family and friends at the beautiful La Fontaine Bleue. Shawn and I are ecstatic to witness and photograph their day.
Going through their engagement session for this little highlight reel brought back all of the giddy feelings I had while photographing them. These two are just the absolute sweetest, and the fact that you can see the love they have for each other is just amazing. I adore them so incredibly much. <3
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4 Ways We Prepare for Engagement Sessions
Tips & Tricks
The more days with perfect weather we have, the more and more I'm itching to get outside for some of this years engagement sessions. I am so excited for all of the couples that Shawn and I get to photograph, and all this sunshine is making it hard to wait for next month when everything fully kicks into gear.
I wanted to do tonight's blog on how Shawn and I prepare for engagement sessions after a few months of not being behind the camera regularly. For future brides and grooms who are reading this: you are not the only ones who get nervous before photos. I'm not going to lie, it can be difficult getting back into the groove, and when I feel an ounce of jitters I become a tongue tied mess, haha. However, after doing this for awhile, I've been able to come up with a process that has knocked out a lot of pre-session butterflies. My steps help me, and whether you are a couple preparing for your own engagement photos or a photographer gearing up for a crazy awesome season, I hope these will be useful!
My first step toward calming nerves is always getting to know the clients.
Shawn and I meet with our couples, we send them welcome gifts, and I try to be in almost constant communication leading up to the session. The main motivation behind doing all of that is for everyone to feel very comfortable with each other...
Meeting with Your Photographer
Conversations Beyond Email
This past weekend, Shawn and I had two client meetings. These chat sessions are always really exciting to me because it's the chance to get to know someone and have comfortable conversations with them. After the meetings, I started to think of how important it is to me that Shawn and I get to have this time with our potential couples. I know I'm not the only one that is at least a little different in face-to-face conversations versus email. I am well aware that while my emails are thought out with conservative exclamation point placement and carefully typed words, real life me is just a ball of excitement that makes a lot of high pitched sounds when proposal stories are shared. It's a high priority to make time to get to know who you will be capturing your love on your wedding day.
I know when meeting your photographer, there are time commitments to be considered and other places to be. But the best part about living in today's world is that we have the capability to meet over the Internet with services like Skype and Google Hangouts. For one of the meetings this weekend, Shawn and I got to virtually meet with the bride who was out of the country for school. Sure, we had to worry about the occasional lag, but the meaning and excitement behind the call was still there. Shawn and I still got to see the personality of this particular bride and she...
Remember the Big Picture
Something Borrowed, Something True
Weddings are almost always viewed as the beginning of a beautiful life with your partner. It's exciting and special, and most of the time our imaginations build a spectacular day full of sparkle. But our imagination rarely takes into account the stress leading up to the day or the cost of that dream wedding. Both stress and money together can lead to a lot of heartbreak throughout the planning process if you aren't well equipped.
Tonight's blog is about strategies to remaining sane when you are in the thick of planning. A few of our brides touched on this topic, and I found it fascinating how each couple dealt with things differently. From organizing finances to just remaining calm, the advice in this installment is very unique to the couple that wrote it. I must say, though, one of the common factors across the board is that at the end of the day you are marrying your perfect person. Even if the cake gets dented, or there is an accident which backs up traffic and delays your wedding, you still get to say "I do" and start your new beginning.
April & Corey "Really consider your dream wedding plans. It's so easy to feel pressured to find things that fit your theme, but really think about it because halfway through the planning process that probably won't matter to you anymore. Really all that matters is marrying the person you love."
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Venues I Hope to Photograph
Manifesting Dreams
As Shawn pointed out in his post on Monday, when he arrived back home from Arizona, he shared with me an itsy bitsy cold. I am a very dramatic sick person, so I was pretty much out of commission for a day or two. While sprawled out on the couch and binge watching Modern Family, I started to think about all the venues I've had the opportunity to shoot and all of the ones I have only been dreaming to photograph at. I've heard previously that when you want to make something happen, you should put it out in the world because it may manifest itself into reality. After awhile I started to really believe in that and started to be a little more genuine to myself. I was truly surprised in the effect that it had on my life and the positivity that it brought. So, naturally, I have started trying to work the magic into Britney Clause Photography.
When Shawn joined me in 2015, he started to experience these beautiful places and adventures with me. After he came aboard, I really started to expand my view on what, where, and who I wanted to photograph. The "where" got me especially excited because I know there are an extraordinary amount of amazing venues in Maryland alone. So when I opened up my mind to all of the possibilities - oh man - that made me start to imagine big things for the future. I have a ton...
Easy and Affordable Engagement Outfit Inspiration
Tips and Tricks
At some point during the planning for an engagement session, most of my couples will come to me and ask about outfits. Whether they are asking for advice on what would look good together, or just telling me their ideas, I love being involved in this process. When Shawn and I were planning our engagement session, the part that was most fun was choosing what we were going to wear. I've mentioned before how I had clothes picked out prior to knowing the location of our session, and I think it's safe to reveal that before our photographer was even booked I was scoping out color swatches that went well together :P. All of that to say, anytime I get to assist in putting some super cute outfits together is a good time for me, haha!
I've been working on a client lounge for my couples for the last couples of months, and in the lounge I have a space dedicated to engagement clothing and showing what works well together for couples. I find that section to be such a huge help that I wanted to share a few of the look-book type items I've put together. The outfits that I came up with for all of these were built from clothes at either H&M, Modcloth, or Charlotte Russe, so they are all easy to find and should be affordable. These are also ideas for you to see what goes together, and to really start mapping out how...
3 Tips for Choosing the Best Engagement Session Location
Tips & Tricks
One of the biggest questions I get from clients: where should we do our engagement session? I can seriously pick locations for days. There are a ton of parks all around Maryland, and urban locations like Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington DC are all within 30-40 minutes. The thing I can't search for in a location, though, is a place that you will click with and love. That's the reason I always suggest that you and your other half find a spot that you can envision yourself being in together. Imagine the session you want -- not one that you found on Pinterest or Facebook -- but one that you truly think will capture you two as a couple. Think of the environment that you enjoy and pick out certain aspects from it. Is there a lot of green? Water? Maybe there are some different unique elements like stone buildings? (If I just described everything that you are seeing, then I can suggest your session being at Savage Mill or Ellicott City.) Figuring out certain details that you want in a location can help immensely with searching for that perfect spot.
A great example of picking out a location is how Shawn and I narrowed down our own ideas for our engagement session. For starters, I had outfits picked out months prior: a lace salmon color dress for me and a maroon button down with khaki's for Shawn; then an outfit change into more casual jeans and sweaters for later...
Kati and Chris's Engagement
Bayside Bride Feature
Today I am so happy to have one of my engagement sessions featured on Bayside Bride! It's a total honor to have Kati and Chris's session showcased. Not only are these two the sweetest couple, but they have an adorable pup named Dempsey that I completely fell in love with during our session. You might remember their session when I posted it a month ago, but I wanted to post some of their images again because I am overjoyed that their beautiful session is being recognized. It's also thrilling and exciting when your work is appreciated, and from reading all that Kati said for the feature, I absolutely feel incredibly blessed. I have to thank Kati, Chris, and Dempsey again for waking up early and braving the chilly morning. Enjoy some of my favorite images from their session and be sure to check out Bayside Bride's feature! <3
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5 Reasons to Take Advantage of an Engagement Session
Tips and Tricks
Since I've been stuck indoors for the past 4 days, I've done a lot of thinking about engagement sessions. Weird? Maybe. But engagement season is here and, soon enough, the weather will be gorgeous, the sun will be warm, and the snow will be not trapping everyone to their house. Ahhh, a beautiful day-dream, haha. The main thing on my mind is getting clients to recognize the benefit of a professional engagement session.
It may be tempting to overlook engagement photos. The benefits of these sessions are amazing, not just for you as the couple, but also for Shawn and I as the photographers. I've taken note of the 5 main reasons to do an engagement session with your wedding photographer and I'm really looking forward to going over them:
1.) The biggest benefit is getting to know your photographer and their style.
Every photographer is different between their shooting and editing style. My shooting style is relaxed, romantic, and fun with a huge focus on your natural interactions rather than looking at me and cheesy smiling. That's not something that couples can necessarily see just by looking at photos on my blog.
2.) You get to have real and true stress-free fun!
There are so many things when it comes to wedding planning that get you into a hectic mood, but when you prepare for your session with your photographer you should feel at ease with the images from their portfolio and know that...
Happy New Year!
Reflection and Moving Forward
With the switching over of years comes making new optimistic promises, because a new number means a new start. I'm usually in that group of people, creating more things to do and vows to keep. Except for this year; this year, I am not making any new starts. My main focus is going to be expansion on what Shawn and I are already doing. I fell in love with all that 2015 has brought us and I don't want that to "end." Sure, we didn't buy a house, or check off a million things on our list of "things to do as an adult," but we were together. We got to fully start on this journey of being business partners and accomplishing so many great things. For Shawn, he got to have a few of his papers for his Ph.D. accepted into some huge conference. We also adopted our first dog together named Pony. He has brought nothing but joy and millions of laughs to our lives. I got to slow down a little bit and enjoy more time with my mom, drinking tootsie roll hot cocoa and crying over Hallmark movies. Together with Shawn's family we have set up family game nights that I really love, because I love getting to bond with my new family. Those family nights are very, very special to me. I also got to attend my first conference this year, which lit a crazy fire under me to...
My Favorite Engagement Photos of 2015
Year in Review
I am so shocked that the end of the year is already here! Today's blog has been an absolute breeze to write and a dream to pick images for. I've had in mind some of the images that I would use for today's post for quite awhile, but actually going through them brought back so many happy memories of the great people Shawn and I have gotten to meet.
Over the past year, I have felt so much growth in engagements sessions; from getting couples to feel comfortable, to putting on the final edits. It's truly been a wonderful year. We have had our share of challenges, but, through facing them head-on, we have been able to completely obliterate any problems (hulk style :P).
2015 was also Shawn's first full year of shooting along side me. I can't speak for him, but I can say it has been the most amazing thing. I love working with my husband, we can pretty much read each other's minds and he helps me calm down in times of high stress. He is my rock and I cannot thank him enough for all the hard-work and dedication he has shown to Britney Clause Photography. There are not enough jellybeans in the world for me to pay him back with <3.
Going forward into 2016, I hope to take my engagement sessions to the next level. Shawn and I are constantly learning in order to give every couple we have the best possible...
Kati & Chris
A Stunning Engagement in Annapolis, Maryland
We met up with Kati and Chris on a cool November morning at St. John's College in Annapolis. Though it was a sunrise session, these two showed up with bright smiles and a wonderful positive glow around them. They also brought along their sweet goldendoodle, Dempsey, who is so goofy and charming that you cannot help but laugh when you see him. We were just into the first few minutes of the session when the cops came and hauled us off to campus jail... Just kidding! Although we did have to take Dempsey off campus grounds, the security guard was totally nice about it and even hung around for a little to talk to us about how adorable dogs are. (Shout out to that awesome guy!) Once we stepped off campus, Dempsey he made his triumphantly adorable return for the rest of the session :).
Shawn and I loved wandering around downtown with these three, chatting about how nice of a day it was and about their proposal. Kati and Chris showed us just how crazy their height difference with a reenactment of Chris on one knee (so funny!). We made stops at the State House, Ego Alley, and then the William Paca House and Gardens. There was some construction going on out front of the house, which meant that the workers on this fall day got a nice little glimpse of romance, haha. Kati and Chris are so cute and fit together so well that they look...
Samantha & Doug
Patapsco Valley Fall Engagement
I'm not sure if it was the bright leaves or the crisp fall air, but Samantha and Doug's engagement session at Patapsco Valley was fantastic! These two are such an adorable pair. Samantha and Doug were constantly laughing and having fun with each other. It was so cute to see them interactj every time I would tell them to look at one another their faces would light up with huge smiles. Shawn and I could easily see that they just enjoy being around one another.
One of the many great things about this session was that it was at my favorite park. I know I've talked a lot about Patapsco in the past, so I won't waste too much time, but the amount of stuff that this location has is unmatched by anywhere else. For Samantha and Doug's engagement we got to check out a new spot, the Cascade Falls, and it was insanely beautiful! We definitely had a lot of adventures on this session, especially around the falls. Given that it was a new spot, I wanted to cover every nook and cranny around this area, so we attempted to safely climb a little bit up the side of the waterfall. I say attempt because Samantha and Doug had no problem getting into their spots, but I stumbled and almost rolled off the edge - typical Britney, haha! It's a much funnier story since I didn't fall and break anything :P.
I cannot wait to photograph these two sweethearts...
Alyssa & Matt
A Fall Engagement in Ellicott City
In September, I met up with Alyssa and Matt on Main Street for their Ellicott City engagement session. It was a perfect fall day with a little bit of summer warmth still lingering in the air. We began the session in a wonderful little garden right next to Patapsco river before strolling up and down the main strip of the city. The colorful shops lining the streets added a great touch to the location. It was pretty much like being in a candy store with all of the pretty backdrop opportunities :P.
Shawn and I really enjoyed spending the evening getting to know Alyssa and Matt. They are such a fun loving pair and I don't think there was a moment during their session where they weren't smiling or laughing. We are really, really looking forward to their summer wedding next June at the Billingsley House -- which I'm positive is going on my list of "best venues ever"!
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Sarah & Kevin
Sunrise Engagement Session in Baltimore
Early morning Baltimore sunrise sessions are some of my absolute favorite! It's so calm and peaceful that you almost forget you are in the middle of the city. Seeing the sun poke through the construction off in the distance gave the city a nice industrial golden look that was the perfect start to a wonderful session.
Sarah and Kevin chose Federal Hill Park and the Inner Harbor as the backdrops for their sweet engagement photos. It was such a fun day with these two; even some of the ducks crowding the harbor wanted to get into a few shots :P. Seeing how much love Sarah and Kevin have in their eyes for one another made me that much more excited for their April wedding at the La Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie! Ahh - I can't wait!
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Kristy & Jonathan
An Annapolis Waterfront Engagement
I had been looking forward to Kristy and Jonathan's engagement session since we first started planning it in June. We had some trouble finding a date that worked for everyone, but when we finally were able to meet, it ended up being one of the most beautiful days of the summer. Their session kicked off at St. John's College, which was an amazing location with tons of intimate and romantic spots. From there, we wandered around the streets of Annapolis taking advantage of the gardens and all the cute side streets.
Kristy and Jonathan are a really amazing couple. They are so laid back and - as everyone will see - adorable together! They have such fun personalities, which became really apparent when Jonathan changed into a button-up taco shirt. How fantastic is that? Their engagement session got Shawn and I even more pumped for their September wedding. They were discussing some of the details with us during our downtown stroll and I just know it's going to be a wonderful day!
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Kerry & Tommy
A Mountain Overlook Engagement
On Sunday, I had the pleasure of photographing Kerry and Tommy's engagement session at Sugarloaf Mountain. We had quite the adventure exploring this location, including: finding a baby snake (the area is home to the copperhead), an exhausting hike up the "stone steps", and a gorgeous view from the summit. Even though we were feeling that hike for a few days afterwards, it was a beautiful evening spent with such a great couple :).
These two are longtime friends of mine and (fun fact) I set them up! I've know Kerry and Tommy both separately since high school, and knew they would be perfect for one another back then. Now, playing match maker can be quite difficult: you have to know their personalities, their likes and dislikes, if they can get along, etc.. However, with these two, it was something pretty simple that gave me the light bulb that they would be great together - Anchorman quotes. Good ol' Will Ferrell, haha! It wasn't until college that I was finally able to get Kerry and Tommy to meet, but I think it was well worth the wait. They've been together ever since and have one of the most fun, strongest, and most adventurous relationship. These two really are a perfect fit <3.
That was all five years ago! It's incredible how fast time goes by; now these two are getting married and will continue the beautiful life that they have together. I can't wait to see what...
Samantha & John
A Lovely Homestead Engagement
On Sunday, Shawn and I traveled to the Shoemaker Homestead in Taneytown, Maryland for Samantha and John's wonderfully rustic engagement session! It was quite possibly the hottest day of the summer thus far, but that didn't stop these love birds from wrapping each other in sweet hugs. I was able to get glimpse of what their wedding day will be like since Shoemaker Homestead is where these two will be exchanging vows and dancing into the night. It is a breathtakingly gorgeous location and Laura, the owner, is as sweet as can be. I cannot imagine a more perfect place for Samantha and John to be married!
Samantha and John both attended York College in Pennsylvania where they actually were neighbors for a bit. However, it wasn't until they ran into each other in Baltimore that they started talking and eventually dating. Being so close to one another, but never even realizing it until your paths cross in some fateful way, is really an amazing thing. I adore when love stories begin before either person even realizes it!
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Sara & Charlie
An Engagement at Mt. Aventine Mansion
I met with Sara and Charlie last Tuesday for their initial consultation. From that first meeting, I felt like I had known them for years. Both Shawn and I were unbelievably excited for their wedding. Not long after their meeting, we set up their engagement session for that Thursday at Chapman State Park. I had looked up some photo's online and I was blown away at how perfect it was. A tree lined driveway, fields, and the gorgeous mansion - it was a dream! The two days that it took until their session felt like a lifetime, haha!
During their meeting, Charlie mentioned that the spot that he proposed to Sara at was the same spot that he fell in love with her, and that their relationship just played in slow motion for him while he was proposing (how cute is that?!). I can honestly say that certain parts of their session played very much like a romantic movie with how they lit up in each other's arms. Sara and Charlie were constantly giggling, smiling, and exchanging sweet kisses while overlooking this beautiful piece of land. They are adorable together; with their dog, Hazel, the cuteness is totally on a different level!
I'm starting my countdown early for their wedding in September 2016 :P!
:P
Look at those eyes! Such a beautiful dog!
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Hannah & Terry
Emory Grove Hotel Engagement
The morning of Hannah and Terry's engagement session was absolutely gorgeous. The sun covered the entire venue in a beautiful gold, which made every corner of Emory Grove breathtaking! The greatest part was that Emory Grove is where Hannah and Terry are going to be having their wedding. It was such a special morning and seeing these two in their wedding element just made me even more excited for their big day.
I'm fairly certain that I hit a new record in awwing, which I'm sure everyone will be doing when they get a glimpse of Hannah and Terry's adorableness. These two are just too cute, and I adore the way they both look at each other. Their moments together during the session were so sweet and genuine that I was constantly doing internal happy dances, haha!
I cannot wait for their September wedding! :D
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Emily & Cal
An Engagement Overlooking Maryland
A beautiful couple with beautiful doggies in a beautiful location; could there be anything better? Rocks State Park is such a great location on its own, but whenever I get to shoot in a place that is special to a couple, that location becomes even more amazing!
We started off this wonderful engagement session with a visit to this really cool waterfall. Since it was such a great day out, there were loads of swimmers all around the waterfall, but Cal and Emily did not let that affect their model posing. I could almost forget the people around us, except for all the splashing, haha! As Shawn stayed back to hang on to the pups by the waterfall, Emily, Cal, and I traveled up the river and really explored more of the area. I just cannot say enough about this location. It was so green and bright - the perfect indication that Spring is here to stay!
Our next stop was to the King and Queen Chairs where the dogs were let loose to have fun! This area was gorgeous, and had a spectacular view of the park below us. As long as no one thought of how far up we were, or looked over the edge of the rock cliff, we were totally fine! The three dogs - Sarge, Harvey, and Pickles - acted as my assistants in getting Emily and Cal to burst with laughter. At one point, Emily and Cal were off being cute and as I...
Tips and Tricks: Kicking Up Your Engagement Session
I'm so excited to be starting a new section on my blog! I've been wanting for a really long time to offer informational posts to help clients. I've had many clients ask me for styling help, vendor help, location suggestions, etc., and now I finally get the chance to put my knowledge together and put it all out into the blog-o-sphere. Today's entry? Engagement session tips and tricks!
I absolutely adore engagement sessions, they are fun, can be super unique, and a great way for me to get to know my couples. Usually my couples aren't use to having a camera following them around, so this gets them comfortable with the process and makes the wedding day photos that much better. The best part of it all is that I offer these session as complimentary in all of my wedding collections. There is really no downside at all, haha! Today I want to share a few things I love about engagements and some tips on getting the most from these sessions.
Have fun!
Easy, right? The first thing I tell my couples when we are starting out is to get close together and to tell jokes to one another. Pretend you aren't in the middle of the city or the park with a camera next to you :P. If you want to make silly faces, go for it! I love the goofiness and I will often be laughing with you two. The reactions that come from being silly are the...
Michael & Lisa
Snowy Maryland Engagement
The first snow of the season was taken full advantage of for Lisa and Michael's engagement session!
I was so excited for this session. Every time the weather called for snow I would instantly get ready to email Lisa, but unfortunately, Maryland likes to play tricks and change the forecast at the last second :P. Finally, the snow fell and I had the best time photographing this adorable couple! Looking at these two, you can see how well they fit together. They are perfect for one another with Michael being really silly and Lisa always encouraging him with reminders of how much she loves him. They are a couple that you just want to be friends with.
Their engagement story from Lisa is so sweet: "We were walking down by the water in Fells Point. Michael stops and pulls me in close and says, 'Isn't this the spot where I asked you to be my girlfriend?' Me, not understanding what was going on, I start questioning him saying that I think we were a little further down the street when it happened. He said, 'No, I think it was right here and this is where I'm going to ask you to be my wife.' Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him :)"
I cannot wait to photograph their wedding this May. It's definitely going to be warmer (haha) and filled with an amazing amount of love.
Okay, models. Seriously...
Heather & Tommy
A Fall Engagement
I know I've probably said this a million times before, but my favorite spot to shoot is Patapsco Valley State Park. It seriously has everything anyone could ever need for photos: fields, a cable bridge, rivers, train tracks, and tunnels. Each session I try to get a different look from each spot and I never have trouble finding new and interesting areas.
Heather and Tommy are just under 5 months away from their May nuptials and there is no a better season than Fall to take engagement photos (I may be a little biased to the fall :P). The weather on this November morning was actually pretty perfect! The weather was cool, but it wasn't an unbearable freezing. These two just had to get close together in order to forget about the slight chill that ran through the air.
I think one of my favorite things from this day was how these two looked at each other. Every time Tommy would look at Heather, a smile would spread across his face that just made it obvious how much he loves her :D. I can't wait for their wedding this Spring!
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April & Corey
Sunrise in the City Engagement
I met with April and Corey in October to go over some of the details of their August wedding. In just one meeting I could tell that they were one of the loveliest couples I've had the pleasure of meeting. They had a few places planned out for a shoot, and the two that we decided to go to were Federal Hill and Patterson Park. I had shot at Federal Hill a couple times, but I hadn't ever had a session at Patterson Park, so I was pretty thrilled.
We started just before sunrise at Federal Hill and this was the morning to be out in Baltimore. The clouds were amazing, and it stayed dark long enough that the lights of the city lit up the background. Don't even get me started about the color of the sky: it was perfect! Since we were out so early, there was barely any traffic and no crowds, so we had the location to ourselves. We stayed at Federal Hill for about an hour and took full advantage of the city overlook and the beautiful fall colored trees.
Our next location was Patterson Park, which was easy to get to at 7:30 am. This park was wonderful for a morning session. The only people that were out were joggers and dog walkers - people that speed out of frame quickly and people with adorable puppies. April had looked up some facts about the park, so as we walked she talked about some...
Meghan & Morgan
A Fun and Fall Engagement
Meghan and Morgan's engagement session ended up being one of the windiest days in November, which wasn't any problem for us since it just made these two cuddle closer together :P. It was such a beautiful day: the trees still had all of their colorful fall leaves on their branches and there wasn't a cloud in sight to block the setting sun. Even though it was chilly, it really had no effect on the greatness of the day.
When I met with Meghan and Morgan back in August they mentioned that they wanted to do a comic book picnic. I was immediately on board and counting down the days until their session. I love having little scenes during engagement sessions, since it gives an extra pop to the already adorable happenings and I love when couples express themselves in super cute ways! I've seen vintage books, full picnic setups with food, and records sprawled on blankets, but I had never seen a comic book setup. It was really unique and something that just pushed this session to a whole new level.
I am so excited for their May wedding. I can only imagine how personalized and how wonderful it is going to be!
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Jennifer & Brock
Romantic Fell's Point Engagement
Even though Jennifer and Brock are getting married next May, it hasn't stopped me from counting down the day until I get to photograph these two again. They are seriously the sweetest couple and had no issues being close and cuddly for their session. They just naturally went in to it; laughing, and giving kisses, they even walk down the street adorably! Capturing their happiness and giggle inducing love is why I cherish my job so much.
This day was also extra special because it was Brock's birthday. I think that the universe knew it was his birthday/engagement session day and that all helped make the morning just amazing. The sunrise was pink and orange, the temperature had a refreshing chill to it, and the rain that was called for was no where to be found - it was like a weather gift from the gods :P.
I am beyond excited to share these images, so I'm going to get on with the presenting!
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Jenny & Kristina
An Engagement in Washington, DC
I adore these photos. These two women are the best. It was so easy to photograph them because they just make each other so incredibly happy. I'm pretty sure all I did this whole session was smile after every click.
Their session was my first one in DC and I do not think we could have had a better time. We didn't get chased off any monuments, we had a squirrel audience, and we checked out the Library of Congress - an all around fantastic first shoot in the city! The squirrel was literally the most entertaining animal I've ever seen - it was so interested in what we were doing that I thought for a second it was going to climb up Jenny's leg for a close-up view of their posing. Thank goodness that it didn't, but I did get some pretty funny shots to remember the moment by :P.
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Brittany & Steve
A Fall Engagement with Fur-Babies
I am so excited to share some of the beautiful photos from Brittany and Steve's engagement session! I am friends with both Brittany and Steve, and when I found out they were engaged I was super happy for the both of them. I remember seeing the photo on Facebook of a rock on her finger - seriously, it was a rock that Steve had taken from their garden and proposed with :'). Afterwards, Brittany and Steve went and got the sparkly ring, but the original proposal was so memorable, sweet, and perfect! Steve had really thought out his engagement; I find it adorable when guys think about the whole process and the person they are proposing to, and do it in a way that is tailored to them as a couple. It speaks volumes about them as a couple, and I love their story since it makes me smile! Their session was in November, during an autumn with particularly nice weather. I feel like the fall colors stuck around much longer, and the good weather was kind of consistent. This day was particularly great, and Brittany and Steve brought their two gorgeous dogs, which I think boosted the day by 50 points! I cannot wait to see how amazing their wedding will be :D!
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Mary & Justin
Sunrise Farm Engagement
I'm really excited to be sharing these images from Mary and Justin's engagement session. I went out to Laurel to shoot their engagement photos wayyyy back in October at an adorable farm owned by Justin's grandmother. It was a gorgeous morning and Mary and Justin are just so adorable and silly together. When we were finishing up, Mary and Justin busted out their Maryland Terp jerseys, a football, and started some of the cutest goofy photos I've ever seen. Their love for each other show's through in all of the photos and I'm really glad I get to share these because they make me smile. I am so excited for their April wedding and being able to witness a day celebrating them is just something that makes me so giddy! I cannot wait! :D
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:D Cute!
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Laura and Michael
Clipper Mill Engagement Session
I met with Laura and Michael at Clipper Mill in the early morning hours of a bright sunny Saturday. Before we even started, I could see the glances that Laura and Michael gave each other, the big smiles, and small excited giggles, and I knew this was going to be an amazing session. They radiate when they are together and they spread it to other people as well because all throughout the shoot I couldn't help but smile and constantly say, "Awwwww"! We spent a good portion of the morning in the Clipper Mill area, and when we had fully exhausted the area, Laura suggested another gorgeous spot in the city - Preston Gardens Park. All around that area is just highway and asphalt; then you come to the park and it's like a little piece of perfection smack dab in the city. We finished up at the gorgeous fountain with a little impromptu dance between these two lovely people. I love being right about a session being amazing :P.
Laura and Michael, I am so happy that I get to be a part of your big day and am looking forward to your beautiful December wedding!
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Thomas and Jessica
A Washington College Engagement
When I crossed the bridge into Chestertown, MD I was transported to a place I was not expecting. Washington College is set among a quaint little town right on the water with sailboats and fishing happening all around. I passed little shops and many people out and around a little fountain in the heart of the town. The campus is made up of classic architecture, which fit the name of the president the college represented. I understood why Thomas and Jessica picked the school that they attended to be the backdrop for their engagement session. Thomas and Jessica are not just normal alumni, that graduate and never look back, they told me facts about the campus and stories of their time there and really showed me how much they loved the school they hailed from. I enjoyed listening to all of their stories while they giggled to each other and made silly faces at one another. As the sun set, they showed me an area away from the campus that had views of the beautiful water. As I was snapping my last few images a lone, colorful, sailboat wandered into the shot. Perfect.
Thomas and Jessica, you both have so much love for each other and I can't wait to celebrate that in just a couple months!
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Lindsay and Stephanie
A Beautiful Summer Massachusetts Engagement
On June 1st, I had the pleasure of traveling up to Massachusetts to meet Lindsay and Stephanie and shoot their engagement photos. I had been in contact with them for a few months, but we had never gotten a chance to meet because of the distance in our home states. When my assistant (my fiance :P) and I arrived at their house (that they so graciously opened to us) I felt like I had known these two for years. They are absolutely wonderful and two of the nicest people I think I could ever have the chance to meet.
For their engagement session, they had two locations planned out, the first was very close to their wedding venue in Bradley Palmer State Park. The park was gorgeous, vibrant, and the sun coming through the trees just made everything so warm and comforting.
After about an hour at the park we ventured to our second location, which was Crane Beach on Crane Estates. The beach was absolutely fantastic! The weather was clear and perfect, the crowds were not overbearing and there was this great mansion on a beautiful green hill in the background.
I cannot thank Lindsay and Stephanie enough for allowing me to shoot their engagement photos. If this was any indication of how their wedding is going to go, well, I am ecstatic and looking forward to their wedding more than anything else!
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Glenn and Leah
Perfectly Rustic Barn Engagement
Since Glenn and Leah are getting married this Saturday (AHHH :D) I figured it was FINALLY time to buckle down and post their engagement session. They already had the location picked out, a gorgeous farm where they actually keep their horse, Doc. It was such a beautiful place and obviously the perfect location since they are getting married in a barn soon :P! I had so much fun with their session, they are pretty much the funniest couple ever, and they go together so well. I'm so glad that they allowed me into their world and that I get to photograph their wedding in a matter of days. Ahhhhh! Excitement!
The way Glenn looks at Leah is pretty much the cutest thing ever!
Looking at their pictures makes me SOOOO much more excited for the wedding. I was already excited, but now I'm on a whole new level :P
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