New York City in the spring is a fever dream of warm—but not hot—days, sipping red wine in Central Park and people watching. When the torrential rains hit, duck under any overhang be it a store front or next to the doorman at a place you can’t afford to live. The opportunity as a New York wedding photographer to shoot a Central Park engagement completed that dream for me.

Haley has been my best friend since freshman year of high school. I’ve seen her go from being unsure in her body to being a confident and cool New Yorker. Her fiancé, Teddy, born and raised in New York, is the perfect match for her. They could have had any New York photographer, but they choose me to come over from the Pacific Northwest to get their engagement photos.

We started with some author photos for Haley, as her book came out in May 2022, and she needed a fresh look for her website. I had to get a little artsy with it, and was inspired by the row of trees to get something reminiscent of a romantic, Parisian photo. (Not-so-secretly, my other dream, to shoot a wedding in Paris!)

When Teddy met us, he immediately declared himself an awkward person in front of the camera, which is a routine line for engagement shoots. I’ll let you in on a secret, everyone thinks they’re awkward in front of the camera. And 9 out of 10 times, it’s just about finding our pace in the shoot and being yourself. Because that is what engagement photos are about, being yourself, having fun, letting the photographer do their job to make you look good. You do look good! Trust me!

My goal with an engagement shoot, especially in an amazing spot like Central Park, is to use the architecture to our advantage while also capturing the realness of your love. We’re highlighting who the two of you are together. Just like I want you to know my heart, I want to know yours!

I’d love to be a part of your New York wedding or your Central Park engagement pictures! Please reach out so we can talk about it!