Crissy and Josh's engagement session in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Sometimes fate has a strange way of intervening in our work lives. Crissy and Josh were not my couple to begin with. In fact they were the couple of my colleague, childhood neighborhood adversary and superb photographer Jon Pivko. Visit him here. Then of course, Covid hit and threw everyone’s plans in a blender. Jon and I have been no stranger to the bizarreness of the last year as far as scheduling goes. Turns out the couple’s new date just did not line up with Jon’s new schedule.

Enter me! I happened to have their wedding day open and Jon was nice enough to recommend me to them. After our first call I knew we would be an appropriate match. It’s important that couples and their vendors mesh well. I’ll dedicate an entire blog post to that later.

We all had ties to North Carolina and Boston and shared similar ideals of what they wanted as far as photography was concerned so they pulled the trigger and welcomed me on board.

Everyone knows engagement shoots are fabulous test runs. They are a wonderful way for the couple to get to know the photographer, their style and how well they mesh well together in person. You also do not have the looming anxiety of deadlines as a wedding may produce. I was so excited to hear they wanted to do their photos in their neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. I have had so many lovely times in this borough and was excited to be back photographing in NYC as Covid(slowly) subsides.

We started at Grand Army Plaza where Josh proposed. It’s a lovely keystone to the park and even more wonderful when the giant ugly crane isn’t present so I don’t have to spend hours photoshopping it out.

Look at Crissy’s dress! Completely adorable and of course, with pockets! Josh was no slouch either. I pride couples that take consideration into their wardrobe. It’s important that you do feel comfortable but also show your best self.

From there we entered grabbed some coffee(my fave) and entered the actual park. Don’t be fooled. The park was as busy as any day but with some creative angles and well, Photoshop, they magically had the entire place to themselves.

We then headed into their neighborhood and actual apartment for a quick outfit change(super casual and fun) and checked out one of their favorite eateries, Barboncino. Then it was off to their subway stop and a French Pastry Food Truck! Did I just say French Pastry Food Truck? I did! This is why I love these guys. Well, also because they are super sweet but they also know the right food to feed the photographer.

I don’t like to make these photo blog posts too wordy because I want the pictures to speak for themselves so please enjoy our little excursion through Brooklyn, New York.

As always, like what you see? Leave a comment but more importantly, book with me!

Anayet and Lindsay at Skylands Botanical Gardens in Ringwood, New Jersey

I could not believe I did not have this engagement session up on the blog! I photographed Anayet and Lindsay on one of the last beautiful days of fall in 2020 at the Skylands Botanical Gardens in Ringwood, New Jersey. I am talking one of the literal last days where the temp was above 50 and golden leaves still adorned the trees. I am no stranger to Skylands. I grew up two towns over. Though, there is art in not being complacent. On any beautiful day the 300 acre grounds will be filled with photographers all doing pretty much the same thing. My duty is to make sure my photographs are interesting and not stereotypical to this location. It’s a beautiful place. I can see why it’s flooded daily with photographers but it doesn’t mean my photos have to be boring!

We were blessed with low humidity and a gorgeous(quickly) setting sun so in my head I was planning out the spots I wanted to hit. It may look like there is nobody there but these to gorgeous kids but that’s a bit of photography magic. Here’s a magic photo tip, patience. Too many people in a scene will ruin that scene. Sometimes the difference between taking a standard photo or an amazing one is mere seconds. Sometimes it can be 15 minutes. The first image you see in black and white took those 15 minutes to create. The facade of the manor house is very popular and getting a clear shot with no human obstructions can be difficult. In the end I put my big boy voice on and asked politely, yet firmly, if a family could get out of the way so I could take this shot.

These two were absolute gems and you’ll be excited to hear that I will also be photographing their wedding at the Crystal Plaza later this year. Lindsay even remarked that I made Anayet actually laugh which is a high bar to cross. I knew clown school came in handy. Anyway, enough talk. Please enjoy these images from a place I know too well but always want to experience for the first time each time I photograph there.

Tim and Liz's "engagement" photo shoot in Weehawken, New Jersey.

This blog post is a little on the late side. In the beginning of December I left the states for a month in Cartagena, Colombia. I am half Colombian if my website hasn’t drilled that into your head already. I was visiting my family. That is entirely other blog post for another day. Now, I am back and ready to tackle 2020, BUT FIRST I wanted to share a session with you that I photographed right before I left. Tim and Liz were George Street clients( I am a contract photographer) but I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter pair of people. They live in Weehawken, New Jersey, just blocks away from the waterfront which gives you a lovely view of New York City. The cold winter was already upon us but they were still able to dress appropriately and still look rather dashing. Note to any brides to be, fun fairy skirts are things every person should wear. We started in the cozy warmth of their building and then ventured outside where the sun decided to cooperate at times but the cold was continuous. Liz wore these amazing red gloves as you’ll see. I think they popped the right amount of lovely red, so chic! Tim wore a classic blue blazer with a monogrammed cuff, absolutely dashing. And now I’m British. This wasn’t necessarily their engagement session but a year after their actual marriage. Regardless they displayed the love and fondness of newlyweds. Please enjoy our photo shoot “engagement” on the lovely edges of Weehawken, New Jersey. And also, if they holidays gave you a wonderful engagement it’s not too early to book the wonderful Michael Jacobs Photo . Send me a note.

Michelle and Paul at Little Egg Harbor

When chatting with my clients about engagement shoots I usually ask if there are places that are special to them. As much as a nice park or generic scenery work, I find having a place special to a couple’s history makes the most sense. It just gives it that little something extra. So when Michelle and Paul told me their family had a house not too far from Long Beach Island, New Jersey I squeed. Yes that’s a word. A fall beach engagement session you say? Count me in. Fall is probably the most beautiful time to photograph anything at the beach. There are less people, less humidity and everything is slowly turning those golden hues. It is just gorgeous. Most couples haven’t been photographed professionally. I completely understand this and it can be pretty daunting to be the star of the show but Michelle, Paul and their totes adorable puppy were absolute models. Aside from picking an impeccable wardrobe they are also just beautiful people, inside and out. All you need to remember during your engagement shoot is to keep yourselves at the forefront of the experience, literally focus on each other and of course, have fun. I will be photographing their wedding next summer and cannot wait to make even more gorgeous photographs with them. Special thanks to Paul’s parents for being extra helpful with their pup(a must if you bring your animal child to an engagement shoot).

Please enjoy Michelle and Paul and their engagement at the beach.