Engagement sessions are a weird things for couples.  I always get two types of reactions to them:
"We can't wait for our session! (ok this is usually the bride to be, the groom is rolling his eyes in the back) we are going to mail out our save the dates ASAP!"
or 
"We're not camera people, the wedding will be bad enough."
And both answers are totally ok. 
Posing, kissing, pinteresting, location scouting - engagement sessions can be a daunting task. 
Listen, I can't fix that your fiancé is whining about missing the big game or your spanx just aren't hitting in the right place that day, but I am here to talk you through what can be a really enjoyable, engaging, and memorable moment for the two of you; To simplify the tasks and let you know, its ok to be you and be comfortable with who you are as a couple.

Shelby and John definitely didn't start their love story the traditional way.  They welcomed to the world their beautiful baby girl and made her the priority while putting their wedding on the back burner.  Being a fellow mom, I feel like mom brides are a different breed.  They do hair, they breastfeed, they brush teeth, give medicine, and take care of meals, all while you know, planning a wedding and putting everyone else before their needs.  I've had quite a few mom brides (is that even a thing? Mom brides?) and Shelby stands up with the rest.  There's just something different about weddings where kids come before the hoopla. The priorities are different, the ceremonies don't just involve two people, and theres just that much more love to go around.  John and Shelby's fall wedding included all of this and more.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful November day and John and Shelby's purple color scheme complimented it perfectly.  We had a super sweet first look at Minerals Resort, followed by portraits and the rest of the eventful evening at Black Bear Country Club.  Thank you to Shelby + John for having Jess and I celebrate their day with us! And congratulations on adding another addition to the clan this year!

Hoboken - a "mini-city" as Colton calls it.  I love Hoboken for so many reasons, yes being mini means its much easier to get around to different locations, perfect city views + sunsets, and fantastic architecture.  And even though I wasn't much of a Hoboken bar hopper back in the day (Philly took care of that for me) I still admire the history and love that goes into Hoboken.  Hoboken is a hop, jump, and skip away from Eli and Krystle so it was the perfect setting for their New Jersey Fall engagement session.  We did their session in November so it was definitely bordering on winter temperatures but these two were such troopers! Krystle and Eli definitely became more than just clients, they have become friends that make you feel so comfortable to be around.  I can't wait to show off their winter wedding at the Brownstone!

Besides always looking forward to being with a couple and all their amazing guests, as a Bergen County Wedding Photographer, the reception venue definitely plays a huge role in a couples' day.  When I found out Megan and Mike were spending most of their day at Ramsey Country Club, So, maybe I'm a bit biased, but since it was Joe and I's venue, it happens to be one of my favorites.  Mike and his staff truly make their couples, guests, and other venders at home.  Besides having the same reception venue, Megan, Mike, and I had a ton in common.  In between mutual friends, Megan and I being teachers, and fixing up our old/new houses, I think we spent more time talking about life rather than weddings. Not only did they celebrate at one of my favorite Bergen County Wedding Venues, but they also had their ceremony at one of my favorite churches, Our Lady of Victories in Harrington park (Gina + Sal also had their ceremony here). I've loved looking back at some of the best moments from Megan and Mike's wedding, I hope you do too!

So excited to finally show off Kyle + Sarah's beautiful fall wedding! Sarah and I ended up having a ton in common from the get-go, both graduates from ESU, both teachers, and both of us in the wedding industry.  And Kyle? Well Kyle is just down to earth, kind, easy going, thoughtful, and will do anything for his bride.  I was looking forward to Kyle and Sarah's wedding all fall, Sarah's attention to detail truly brought to life the most personal and romantic reception that fit them perfectly.  The room was filled with burgundy, gold, and candles everywhere you looked.  Sarah and Kyle were on the dance floor all night long, as were their guests who you could tell were having the best time, as were Jess and I! Thank you Kyle and Sarah for sharing your incredible day with us!

My favorite thing about being a Bergen County Wedding Photographer is meeting up with old friends! When Stephanie contacted me, we hit it off right away.  Stephanie is an incredible stylist at LuLu Blowdry and beauty lounge as well as an on-site stylist with Pin It Up and Pout who has done quite a few of my previous brides! I'm so excited its finally her turn! It only got better when I found out Stephanie was engaged to an old high school friend Sully.  For their session, we stuck with our Bergenfield, Bergen County roots! We started off with Cooper's Pond, a hidden gem in Bergen County.  Growing up in Bergenfield, Cooper's pond was known for doing prom pictures and that was pretty much it.  All my Bergenfield Alum clients are always shocked when I take them to other parts of the Cooper's pond grounds.  It truly is beautiful and has so many different aspects and layers to it.  After exploring Cooper's Pond we hit up one of our old stomping grounds - Bergenfield High School! Having not been back there in over 12 years it certainly brought back so many memories. Between Sullivan and Stephanie wearing their old varsity jackets ( Don't worry Stephanie, we'll forgive you for the Old Tappan one ;), to the track memories, and even the marching band rehearsing for the next week's game, it really did bring us back in time.  Thank you Stephanie and Sully for allowing me to relive old and new memories with you guys!

i've absolutely loved looking at back Molly and Eric's wedding day! From the details, to the company, and of course the bride and groom, it really was an awesome day.  I felt like I had so much in common with these two, from where we grew up to where we now reside (and are practically neighbors!) It's so easy getting along with Eric and Molly and they were carefree their wedding day.  They smiled and laughed from the minute they go dressed before heading to the church to the very last song.  Throughout the day they were surrounded by friends and family but yet always found each other in the crowd.  I couldn't finish this post without giving credit to the amazing planning and details Molly and Eric put into their day.  Molly's rich fall colors were executed perfectly by A cottage Gardener and The Loft at Jack's Barn. We couldn't have asked for a better day, especially since the rain held off, but most importantly because Molly and Eric got to say I do! Best wishes you guys!

I've mentioned previously that shooting at Skylands Manor in Ringwood is relatively new to me. So to have the opportunity to be there twice in two months was pretty special.  One of my favorite aspects of Skylands is how varied the landscape is, you can even see how different it is within two months taking a look back at Kevin and Nicole's session.  While we may be in New Jersey, shooting in Ringwood makes you feel like you're on an endless county-side, complete of course with an amazing castle.  Along the way I kept thinking we were nearing the end of our session, but of course we'd come up to another amazing staircase or garden, and the setting sun just kept on getting better and better.  Kristen and Dom were incredible sports as the session went on, they were complete naturals by the end of it, and were really having fun with it! I'm looking forward to shooting their wedding in just a few weeks! 

Being a Bergen County Wedding Photographer, the truth is, New Jersey wedding venues can be kind of - blah. Endless grounds, a barn, and a beautifully restored colonial all in one place? The Glenburn Estate in River Dale truly does have it all, and I've been lucky to shoot weddings there not once but twice! My first time really set the standard high with Corey + Billy's wedding, but Katie and Rich truly outdid themselves! Katie's sister turned Glenburn from a blank slate to a truly personalized experience. Katie and Rich incorporated all of their favorite things, from cigars, to America, the beautiful deep purple tones that ran through their wedding decor, and of course their family and friends.  Katie and Rich wanted everyone to be incorporated in their wedding (check out their enourmous bridal party), even Katie's mom catered the entire wedding. Erica and I really had such a great time celebrating throughout the night, the dance floor was packed! We even stayed once our gear was packed up  for an extra dance.  Thank you Katie and Rich for having us, it was a blast!

This. Is Christina and Steve.

But I think I should back up.  See Christina and I have known each other since middle school.  We played soccer and clarinet together and ran with a pretty inseparable crew throughout high school that engaged in entirely too much insanity for this one blog post to handle.  We even took our antics on the road when we went to college together and while we both made new friends you could almost always find us meeting up somewhere in the Poconos.  When Christina reach out once her and Steve got engaged, I was so excited to get a chance to work with them on their road to marriage. Steve is such a great guy and is so easy going, he was up for anything! As a Bergen County Photographer, I love getting the chance to explore new places and Horseshoe Park in Roxbury. was perfect. Even though we had a cloudy day, the gorgeous lake and scenery made up for it.   This day was such a blast and I can't wait for their big day in September!