It is no secret that my husband Tom and I love all things architecture.So when we met this adorable couple, with an architect groom, we knew it was a match made on a blueprint. Hayley and John are getting married later this year in Annapolis but for their destination engagement shoot we headed north to Rhode Island.
Second only to architecture is our love for travel so we love a destination engagement shoot. We absolutely loved visiting Newport, Rhode Island for the first time. It is impossible to not feel like you are in a Diane Keaton movie as you stroll along the beach and staring up at the stunning houses. If only I hadn’t left my perfect cream turtleneck at home!
We will be back near the water in September as these to tie the knot with the help of Strawberry Milk Events and can’t wait get these two behind the camera again.
An Eastern Shore wedding was an obvious choice for Jackie and Ari’s wedding celebration. Jackie has been visiting Maryland with her family for years so the shore is already full of happy memories. Fast forward past a Bumble swipe and a waterfront proposal in NYC, it was time for Jackie and Ari to pick a wedding venue. The couple knew they wanted a spot where their guests could all be together, relax and enjoy a weekend away. Enter The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, Golf, Resort, Spa and Marina.
This gorgeous property gave the couple everything they wanted in a wedding weekend: a quick escape for their friends and family, a waterfront ceremony and a gorgeous ballroom (no rain plan worries here!). After a waterfront ceremony under a modern wooden chuppah the celebration moved indoors for dinner and dancing. Jackie and Ari worked with the amazing Leslie of Elizabeth Bailey Weddings and Jeff of Blue Vanda Designs to bring the outdoors in to the Hyatt’s ballroom.
Jackie envisioned a “California chic vibe” with decor that was “natural, lush, organic, effortless, and feminine.” Leslie and Jeff achieved this look with a mix of different sized tables and centerpieces including a tree centerpiece made of privet and camilla leaf branches growing out of the table, a head table with a runner of greenery, rocks, succulents, moss, and terrariums and place cards with names calligraphed on magnolia leaves.
The celebration was rounded out with a few quintessential Eastern shore wedding details. Nothing says Maryland more than a crab cake entree and Smith Island Cake wedding cake (the state cake of Maryland). Top it all off with a little confetti!
Around town, another shoot with creative direction and styling by Bridelan. Bridelan and I both have roots in Kolkata and a strong fondness for the city. My parents were born and raised in the city, although their stories imply that it was a very different place. I still remember going to visit my relatives and taking these yellow ambassador cabs everywhere.
The first few steps from the train station were always in a yellow ambassador cab going across the bridge from the train station to the downtown of the city. Which is why the Howrah bridge as an iconic symbol of Kolkata so we has to be featured in the background of this fashion shoot around town.
Poised on the banks of the Hoogly river our model imitated the structure of the triangulated bridge. The colors in her jewels and her golden Lehenga by Raw Mango are a nod to the fact that the bridge is one of the jewels of the state and region.
I met the amazing fashion stylist, Bridelan India, on Instagram a few years ago and that meeting has been such a bright spot in my photography career. We have become friends through Instagram, all while being halfway across the world. It had finally come time to do a styled shoot together in India, and I immediately thought of my birthplace of Calcutta (Kolkata) India.
While the majority of the aforementioned shoot consisted of traditional Bengali wedding style (coming soon), we couldn’t help but pull together a Muslim bride fashion look to highlight the Islamic culture that is prevalent in so many neighborhoods in Calcutta.
This DC engagement shoot is straight out of Italy (scooter and all!). Nicole and Matt won an Instagram portrait session giveaway we did in partnership with a few of our favorite wedding industry friends vendors: makeup artist Makeup by Kevan, wardrobe stylist Naina Singla, florist Sophie Felts and hairstylist Jewel Hair Design.
DC Engagement Shoot Vendor Team
Nicole and Matt were recently engaged (you can read their whole engagement story here) and knew they wanted DC engagement photos but were open to styling ideas. A photographer and stylists’ dream! We got to run with our creative juices! The process started with a moodboard I created on Pinterest of the look and feel to set the tone for the shoot.
I knew we wanted to lean into Washington DC and the classical architecture reminiscent of old Europe – enter Union Station in DC. Union Station provided the perfect old world feel and backdrop to allow for other details to pop. When in Europe this past summer I remember images of puffy pink peonies wrapped in brown paper. Sophie Felts created the perfect bright cheery and puffy bouquet all wrapped in kraft paper just like I had seen in Milan.
The shoot glam team came together with a classic, romantic and edgy look for Nicole and Matt’s ensembles. Nicole wore a gorgeous black lace dress selected by Naina and perfectly complimenting Matt’s dapper suit. Kevan and Jewel brought the whole look together with a fashionable ponytail and makeup that enhanced Nicole’s natural beauty. Finally, add in a scooter to the mix and you’re instantly transported to Italy!
