For our next to last installment of our review of 2009, I thought I’d share my favorite engagement photos with you. For me, engagement sessions can be a whole lot of fun. They’re really a "getting to know your photographer" session more than anything. And because there aren’t 200 or so guests waiting for us, we have plenty of time to be creative and use different locations.

One of the most popular questions I receive from my clients is "Where should we have our engagement session?" My immediate response is always, "What place holds special meaning to you?" That’s the best place in my book. I’ve traveled from the coast of Maine to the hills of Virginia and just about everywhere in between for engagement sessions. This past weekend, I was on Cape Cod and roaming the streets of Beacon Hill.

I love to try and capture the unique relationship and personality of each couple I work with. That’s one big reason that I much prefer to do engagement session on location than in a studio. A studio tends to give the photographer more control over the setting, but being on location allows for spontaneity and a different setting every time.

Below are some of my favorites from 2009. It was SO hard to narrow these down, but I didn’t want to put 200 pictures in one blog. Without ALL my amazing clients, I wouldn’t be able to write this blog.

Cindy and Mike – This one is all about balance. I love the simplicity of the bench and the fact that they don’t have huge smiles. They just look content. Shot at World’s End in Hingham, MA.

Nicole and Phillip – Without a doubt, one of the most memorable sessions of the year. Nicole had so many ideas, I had a hard time keeping up with her. But that’s what I loved about the session – the creative energy! The location was Wells Harbor in Wells, ME. A rain storm came in and we hid under a life guard chair on the beach to wait it out. Just a little later, a rainbow appeared. It was amazing!

Nicole and Phillip – Like I said previously, the weather this day was simply memorable. Sun, rain, rainbows and one amazing sunset. I absolutely LOVE how Nicole and Phillip glow in this shot.  

 Caroline and Tim – We shot their engagement session on Duxbury Beach on one of the most perfect weather nights I can ever remember. Seriously perfect. Tim brought his Jaguar along and I thought the hood ornament would make a great prop for Caroline’s stunning ring.

Heather and Pat – It’s not often (ha!) that I go to jail during an engagement session, but this was the exception. Pat serves on a local police force and we were able to snap a few photos in a holding cell at the station. Later, we headed to the waterfront where I took this shot of Heather and Pat walking back up the dock. I love that you can just see Heather’s smile in the corner of the frame.

Katy & Tommy – Brewster Gardens is known throughout the South Shore for its beauty. That’s where I met Katy and Tommy for their engagement session. The overcast skies gave us a wonderfully soft natural light. What I love about this particular photo is how relaxed they both look.

Amy & Ben – We shot Amy and Ben’s engagement session in one of my top secret extra special locations. Okay…we went to the Blue Hills. Other than it being a beautiful fall day, Amy and Ben were all about having fun. When I suggested that Amy tackle Ben, she was more than happy to oblige. The emotion and textures are what I love the most about this image. 

Michele & Sean – Sometimes the unexpected happens. When I planned to meet Michele and Sean at Castle Island, I never expected us to find an entire field of dandelions. But we did. Sean, without direction from me, picked a couple and handed them to Michele. I absolutely love the simplicity of this image.  

Megan & Devin – I also shot with Megan and Devin in the Blue Hills. Can you tell we laughed a little? Megan has a great smile and clearly thinks Devin is funny. The humor and ability to laugh at themselves is what draws me to this photo. 

Brittany & Craig – I shot with these two love birds in downtown Boston. Brittany has an incredibly infectious laugh and I know Craig is ready and willing to listen to her laugh the rest of his life. I consider this one of my all time favorite images. Why? Just ‘cause. 

Brittany & Craig – just one more from their session. Acorn Street is a great place to quietly shoot some fun photos. Just don’t disturb the neighbors. Seriously. I don’t think Brittany stopped smiling the whole time we shot – even when she was kissing Craig. The setting in this image makes the perfect backdrop. That’s what I like most about this one. 

 Lydia & Ken – You wouldn’t know it by looking at this image, but these two laugh together more than anyone else I’ve ever seen. The reason I picked this image is for the color as well as the composition. And I guess it proves we had one serious moment during their session…

Nichole & Chris – There’s no better way to end this blog than with an actual proposal. You can read the full story here, but essentially we told Nichole I wanted to build up my NYC portfolio and that it would be great if she and Chris would model for me. Right in the middle of the "shoot," he proposed. This shot was THE moment. Nichole and Chris will always remember this moment and so will I. 

 Nichole & Chris – Another all time favorite. Rain tends to mess plans up. Usually. But on this particular day, I think it made it that much more fun. Chris had just proposed. Nichole said "Are you kidding me?" I mean, she said, "Yes!!!!" We took a few indoor portraits and then at Nichole’s request, headed out into the rain – literally. I love how much they stand out, both physically and emotionally, from the crowd of umbrella-carrying NYC’ers. Love doesn’t get much more genuine than this.

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