Lindsey+ Mark | Catholic Engagement Session

When Lindsey and Mark reached out to us to share about their Love story, we knew we would be impacted in a great way. From how they met to their engagement timeline, and to the day of their wedding, it was easy to see how God had blessed them. Even though it took some time and things were out of their control to get to their wedding day, from being friends first and always keeping God first, it was all worth the wait. God’s plan is better than our own! We were blessed to meet these two.

Here are some of our favorites from their engagement session - these were taken at the exact park and location where Mark proposed to Lindsey. Needless to say, Steph (I) was swooning the whole time, on how cute these two are. Just so beautiful when you have a Love rooted in the Eternal. God is good!

Also, fun fact: Lindsey’s patron saint is St. Joseph and they got married in October - the month of St. Joseph, during this year of St. Joseph! #prayforus

Which is your favorite below? Could not decide!

Congratulations Lindsey + Mark!! We were so grateful to be your Connecticut Engagement Photographer to capture such sweet moments.

Winter Maternity Session: Liz + Irvin welcome a baby girl | Central Park, New York

We are so thrilled to share these images from Liz+Irvin’s Maternity/family session. It was a cold winter’s day in Central Park, starting out at the Arthur Ross Pinetum, and then making our way through the park to Bethesda Terrace. Through it all, these two did an amazing job, letting their Love shine through and keep them warm, as well as have fun and laughs! A proud dad and mom, of a little girl who is already so loved! Please join us in praying for continued blessings for them and this next chapter of their relationship as they grow into their roles as parents.

We continue to be so honored by the opportunity to be present for such special moments. We look forward to many more beautiful moments like these, especially as we await our own little one to join us soon too!

Brooklyn Wedding in December: Liz + Irvin

We cannot believe that we are rounding up and nearing the end of this tumultuous, adventurous year of 2020. Like many people across the world, we have had many highs and lows this year. We have had the safe haven of our families to share tears and joys with, regarding the things we experienced this year, including losses, new diagnoses and other changes, big moves with loved ones, and new life. We have had the gift of faith to keep us going through it all. Through honest prayer, our hearts continue to be with those who are struggling, suffering, and facing continued challenges. We are reminded that Love is truly the most important aspect of our lives, and that Love continues to be worth cultivating and celebrating.

There is no better time to celebrate Love and Life than during the Christmas season (we say ‘season’ because Christmas is not just one day!). This year also marks our second Christmas together in our home, and since it’s been such a tough year, we are putting up more decorations, keeping it simple, and planning for some lasting Christmas traditions of our own. We asked each other, What are some of your favorite childhood Christmas traditions?, and then slowly, are building on them, to create memories as we expand in our own growing family.

December also highlights a photography first for us: our first full day, solo wedding (Thanks Liz+Irvin for trusting us with such a special job!!). Last year, we were so nervous and so darn excited to be part of Liz+Irvin’s December wedding day. So, this also means that the lovely Liz+Irvin are coming up on their one year anniversary!! Congratulations you two!!

We are so excited to finally share some of our favorite images from their gorgeous December Wedding. They wedding was hosted at Deity in Brooklyn, New York, which is truly an amazing wedding venue that got us all in our romantic feels (we have some behind the scene images on our Instagram, in the ‘about us’ highlight reel if you want to see more). Without further ado, please enjoy some of our favorite images captured from their beautiful December wedding day here below.

Oh, P.S. We are so excited to see these two again soon for their maternity session, as they welcome a baby girl very very soon! Love is amazing like that. Please join us in keeping Liz+Irvin in our prayers, for continued health, blessings, and all the adventures Love will bring, for many years to come. Coronavirus is not canceling Love!!

Best Rainy Day Photoshoot Locations in Connecticut

Your photoshoot is scheduled. You are ready. You have everything you need. And then, you check the forecast, and it starts to show signs of rain on the way. You hope. You pray.

What should you do?

Ideally, when you schedule your photography session with us, we will also have a backup date and/or back up location, in case of inclement weather. If it is drizzling, we can still go ahead with the shoot, if you are comfortable with it (as we have some protective gear for our equipment). If it is downpouring, then, that is a different story. We can either reschedule if we have the time and available - or we can move our photoshoot to some awesome indoor locations. The following list of ideas comes found after doing some research and interviewing experienced photographers.

So, you might be asking yourself: What are the best rainy day photoshoot locations in Connecticut? Here are some of the best suggestions for locations for your photography session for an unexpected Rainy Day photoshoot- both indoor and covered outdoor locations in Connecticut:

1. Hotel lobby: Try finding one with a fireplace or some interesting artwork and décor. Just call ahead and tell them what you are looking for.

2. Favorite Restaurant, coffee shop or Bakery: Try finding one with a covered garden café area, like Victory Sweet Shop in Queens, New York, or elegant staircase like The Library Wine Bar and Bistro in Wallingford, CT (which, by the way, is where we hosted our first styled bridal photoshoot!). You may also want to consider your favorite restaurant, or where you had your first date!

   • Our personal favorite for an indoor photoshoot would be a coffee shop you love, with good lighting, some amazing coffee, tea, and pastry treats. Some we love are:

     • Ashlawn Farm Coffee, Old Saybrook, CT

     • Dom’s Coffee, Avon, CT

     • Qawa, Middletown, CT

     • Cafe Atlantique, Milford, CT

     • Cedarhurst Cafe, New Haven, CT

     • Book Trader Cafe, New Haven, CT

3. Libraries : There are few people who don’t enjoy the smell of a good book, both new and old. With that, a library is a cozy and meaningful place for a photoshoot, especially the Romance section, or for new parents, the parenting section!

4. Greenhouses: A perfect location to keep the moodiness of the rain and greenery. There is a small greenhouse in Elizabeth park, Hartford, CT near their outdoor rose garde. Also, both Logee’s Greenhouses in Danielson, CT, and Edgerton park’s Community greenhouse, in New Haven, CT, come highly recommended by our photography friends.

5. Covered bridges: This provides shelter from the rain and offers a wonderful location. Just be mindful of lighting, so either bring your own, or find a bridge that lets some light in. Check out this article for some images of possible places all over the state.

6. The church you will get married in: This would be our first go-to indoor location for rainy days. This is super meaningful to your love and would capture your holy union to come in a profoundly beautiful way. We photographed K+A in their church and the grounds of the church also offered many beautiful locations.

7. The Carousel, Light House point park, New Haven: This location might only be available during the Summer - but worth it if you want something more fun and colorful! Visit here for more information, including who you might need to contact, and be sure to visit ahead of time as you plan.

8. Art museum: If you and your loved one are fans of museums and art work, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London, CT also comes highly recommended from our photographer community. The architecture is beautiful and the art is worthy - be sure to call ahead of time!

9. Ender’s Island, Mystic, CT: This is our new favorite photography location in Connecticut - particularly because it is beautiful and holy. This is a retreat center, and open to the public. It was our first time visiting just recently for J+J’s engagement session. We called ahead of time to make sure we understood the expectations and that we followed the center’s protocols with flash photography. Also, to make sure there was no retreat going on and that we could travel the grounds for the engagement session. It was a beautiful rainy day and still beautiful experience for the couple we were honored to work with. (Stay tuned to our blog and Instagram for upcoming photographs from this session)

We hope you found this list very helpful. We made this list because of our latest session for J+J, where we had rescheduled due to inclement weather two times already, and could not reschedule again as their wedding is soon! We quickly got some great feedback and suggestions from our community of pro-photographers and wanted to have a place on the internet that we could easily reference in case we need a back up photoshoot location in case of rain or inclement weather, and all for locations in Connecticut. Please leave us some comments if you found this helpful, or have other places to add to this list!

#withscenescerity,

Tim+Steph