kristen + eric | a chic + fun fells point engagement on the water

These college sweethearts have a love story that spans years and multiple states and down-to-earth personalities that immediately make you feel like you’ve known them for years… you know what that adds up to?

…I didn’t want our time together to end and I felt like I could have hung out with these two ALL DAY LONG! Good thing their wedding is coming up because I don’t think I can wait any longer to see their moves on the dance floor!!

3 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT KRISTEN + ERIC’S OVERCAST FELLS POINT ENGAGEMENT SESSION:

1. The clouds in the sky didn’t get them down one bit - their laughter, playfulness and adorable loving glances made every photo better than the last!

2. Their outfits… Kristen’s jumpsuit is giving me all the heart eyes and Eric’s blazer gives off the perfect amount of waterfront date night vibes.

3. The bottle of champagne they enjoyed during the photos; their friends had made it for them with a photo of when they got engaged! So sweet!

Cheers, cuties! T-1 more week until you’re officially husband and wife!! I can not wait! Your wedding day at Belmont Manor is going to be simply beautiful and more importantly, the most fun… because you two are absolutely both of those things and more!

xo,
Naomi

kristen + leo | a breezy, romantic summer engagement in fells point

So many words come to mind when I think about Kristen + Leo and the time we spent together for their engagement photos in Fells Point on a perfectly breezy and calm summer evening on the water…

But all of those words are actually escaping me right now as I compile their photos into a cohesive story and can’t stop staring at the cozy, cuteness they exude! This engagement included the most adorable polka dot dress on Kristen with skinny straps and strappy heels, Leo looking dapper in a linen shirt, gentle embraces, dancing on piers and lots of kisses in the wind…

Here are some favorites!

I can not wait for your wedding day at the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House, Kristen + Leo!! You share a love that is so full of genuine respect, mutual admiration and a fun blend of both of your family’s traditions and cultures, making everyday a new adventure… it doesn’t get better than that!

xo,
Naomi

christina + tony | a historic fells point engagement session

Spending time together in Fells Point with a stylish and fun, beautiful, dog-loving couple on a crisp Fall evening by the water is what I dream about… honestly! There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, than documenting an incredibly inspiring love story with soulmates that are passionate about their relationship, excited for the start of their marriage and choose to live and love in Baltimore.

THE TOP 5 REASONS CHRISTINA + TONY’S FELLS POINT ENGAGEMENT SESSION WILL MAKE YOU SMILE:

1. Christina wore a flowing and full-length black floral Anthropologie dress for a moody, modern and romantic look at their waterfront session

2. Tony wore a solid burgundy sport coat paired with dark jeans for a crisp Fall look that was the perfect compliment to Christina’s dress and all the industrial character of Fells Point

3. They brought their shih tzu pup Marcel along for photos and he was spoiled with snuggles (just look at his face! how could you not squeeze him!? He’s the most adorable little ‘fluffball’ as my son called him when he saw these photos!)

4. Christina had a vision for the look to their engagement photos that I absolutely love: romantic and industrial chic with a touch of urban grit and texture, just like their wedding venue, The Winslow Room

5. These two simply exude love in every sense of the word! From a gentle touch to a loving glance, there is a comfort and confidence between them that is such a joy to document. Christina is simply one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet and Tony compliments her in every way.

Here’s to celebrating this October AND next, at The Winslow Room… you both deserve all the love and happiness in the world and clearly celebrating over the course of one year isn’t enough! ;)

xo,
Naomi

ashley + nat | a patterson park + fells point sunset engagement

Ashley + Nat are huge soccer fans… so much so that they traveled to London to watch their favorite team play a match which (unbeknownst to Ashley), was the same trip Nat was going to propose on! So, naturally they began their engagement session in Patterson Park wearing those same soccer jerseys and Chucks… the perfect way to lend a carefree and energetic feel to their date night in the park with me tagging along!

Movement and an active lifestyle have been a part of their relationship from the beginning: “We me while Ashley was working at the gym - she was behind the front desk on the days that I went to work out. One of the first things I remember, is her kicking me off the squash courts while I was playing with a friend. From there, we met randomly out on Halloween weekend in 2013 and I knew that I wanted to be with her…”

6 REASONS THIS PATTERSON PARK AND FELLS POINT ENGAGEMENT SESSION WILL MAKE YOU SMILE:

1. Their smiles say it all. Ashley + Nat were so fun to be around and relaxed together while exploring the most photogenic parts of Patterson Park! The pond, the pagoda and the boardwalk are such perfect late summer evening spots.

2. Their outfits created such a fun pop of bold, vibrant color against the greenery within the park and the Fells Point waterfront.

3. Ashley wore chucks since she’s most comfortable in them (always DO YOU!) and will be wearing them at their wedding too!

4. What Nat loves most about Ashley: “…her loyalty to me through thick and thin, her constant support for me and no matter her age, she is still a child at heart. She is funny and doesn't know what makes her funny... I love to laugh with her.”

5. What Ashley loves most about Nat: “the way he goofs around with me and watches all my silly shows. He is my go-to when I don't know how my outfit looks or even what to wear that day. But most of all, I love that when I have a bad day at work or I am sad, he gives me a big hug and everything seems a little bit better.”

6. We ended our time in Fells Point on the Broadway Pier with the marquee ‘city pier’ sign at the Pendry in the background; it felt like they were all alone in Fells at that moment, illuminated only by the streetlights!

Here’s the proposal story in Nat’s words; I love how much it shows off both of their personalities and their genuine excitement for this fleeting time in their lives!

”We went to London to see our favorite soccer team play a match. We decided to make a long trip of it and go to London for 4 days and Paris for 3 days. On the second full day in London we went to Westminser Abbey in the morning and I had purchased tickets to go on the London Eye. Late in the evening the night before, I decided that I was going to purpose on the Eye. So I purchased the VIP champagne experience. We were escorted to our capsule and got right on. About a quarter of the way up, I worked up the nerve to do it. At first, she had no idea what happening. All of the sudden she figured out what was happening and started crying which made me emotional; finally I got down on one knee and opened the box. Ashley being Ashley...she reached in and grabbed the ring from it before I could put it on her. We then got to celebrate the rest of the ride with champagne and a complete view of the city. I spent the rest of our trip telling everyone that we got engaged. It didn't matter who they were, they were finding out.”

We can’t wait to be at Wyndridge Farm to celebrate with you, exactly 2 months from today!!!

While we’ve documented weddings at Wyndridge before, this will be our first time taking advantage of The Inn for all the getting ready portraits… so excited for all the spaciousness, natural light and endless views from the patio!

xo,
Naomi

marissa + brooks | historic fells point baltimore engagement

What’s the only thing better than new Urban Row couples that are best friends with past Urban Row couples (heyyyy Kathryn + Casey!) and dog lovers too?

When they meet simply because the groom’s family bought a house across the street from the bride’s family (literally across the street) and when their parents start talking, they discover that they were both going to be seniors at Stevenson University that upcoming fall. Marissa told me it's still up for debate who was peeking at who through the windows across the street. ;)

Everything about Marissa + Brooks’ Fells Point engagement session left me wanting more… their bright and colorful outfits, their adorable golden retriever (#urbanrowpup), the way they look at each other completely head over heels in love and the way Marissa twirled as the water glistened outside the Pendry hotel and Main Street in Fells Point was glowing…

And how sweet is their first date tradition?

”When we moved back to school for the fall of our senior year, we decided that one evening after my lacrosse practice and Brooks' baseball practice, that we would go to Five Guys for dinner. I guess that was our first date because Brooks generously paid for me. Every year on September 27th, we go to Five Guys to relive our first date. This September will be our 5th year together!”

I LOVE how much of a surprise Brooks’ proposal truly was! In Marissa’s words, here’s how it unfolded:

“I was always confident that I would know when Brooks was going to propose, he’s terrible at keeping secrets and I'm pretty good at finding things out! I was planning my mom a surprise birthday party but little did I know that Brooks and a select few that were also going to be at the party were planning the proposal. As the party was coming to an end, so I thought, my mom, step dad, and I were told that there was one more gift and that we had to leave the room for a minute. When we came back, Brooks had a huge sign made that read "Marissa will you marry me?" Not many people knew this was happening so everyone was just as shocked as I was. Brooks even arranged for my dad and brother and sisters to be there and snuck them in the back door. I was truly shocked and had no idea this was coming. To have my whole family along with close friends there to celebrate really made the moment even more special.”

As the sun was setting, they changed into a classic and dressier outfit to end our time together; I love when couples incorporate an outfit change since it allows you to have more diversity in your photos and treat it as a really fun and fancy date night with your love!

Marissa and Brooks are getting married at Musket Ridge Country Club in June and we can’t wait for the gorgeous Catoctin Mountain views, clean lines of the reception space at Catoctin Hall (think vaulted ceilings, light walls and walls of windows with views of the golf course) and seeing them finally getting to celebrate after so many years of being together!

Let’s do this, cuties!!!

xo,
Naomi

admiral fell inn wedding photographer | baltimore, md | jordyn & tim

The first time I met Jordyn and Tim, it was a cold January day with windy snow flurries breezing through the city. During their engagement session, it was also pretty chilly and we had to get creative in keeping everyone moving to stay warm! On their wedding day, it was a perfectly warm June day with bright blue skies and beaming sunshine. Even mother nature was excited for their big day. :) They initially described to me that their vision for their wedding day was a romantic and elegant celebration that incorporated close family and friends; it was exactly that and more. I love, love, love seeing a couple's vision come together and tell the story of not only the day they become husband and wife, but the moments and stories that have gotten them to this day!

Timeless beauty found it's way throughout each and every detail; Jordyn's lace Maggie Sottero wedding dress, the floor length blush pink bridesmaids dresses and gold sequined junior bridesmaids dresses were ahhh-mazing and so perfectly complimentary to the soft, romantic theme.

Jordyn + Tim's engagement session also had a refined garden sensibility about it, where the girls wore the sweetest spring colored dresses and Jordyn had both pink and green on, a nod to their wedding colors?!

I absolutely love working with Ellen of Local Color Flowers and when I heard that she was providing all of the floral details, I knew we were going to be blown away... I could have photographed that bouquet all day, with every detail next to it. I honestly had to force myself to take it out of some of the photos, ha!

I was honestly speechless when I saw her shoes and the dress' edge detail together - it's like they were made for each other!

Tim, you had such dapper style with that bowtie, the green suspenders and matching socks...

Ummm, let's just talk about these flower crowns for a second, shall we? How sweet and adorable are they!? It doesn't hurt that Tim's 3 girls are the most down to earth, well-mannered, loving and gorgeous young ladies I've ever met. I can only hope my daughter grows up to be just like them.

First look LOVE! This spot in Mt. Vernon is one of my favorites: an incredibly lush urban space with numerous stately and historic rowhomes lining the park. All of the pastel color within the gardens and building details were THE perfect backdrop for their first time seeing each other!

Time for some of the best groom's looks ever, as he watched his stunning bride walk down the aisle to meet him... in one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen.

After portraits in the park, we made our way down to Todd Conner's on Broadway in Fells Point. This bar is where Jordyn and Tim met for the first time by way of their mutual friend Kevin, and it was so much fun taking a break from the formal nature of the wedding day, to toast to the happy couple in the spot where it all began!

The Admiral Fell Inn in the heart of Fells Point (one of my favorite historic Baltimore neighborhoods!), seemed to literally glow with golden love for these two. Every detail was thought through and perfectly executed by friends and family to add to the feel of their elegant reception. Jordyn's mom and Tim's daughter assembled the books that made up the table centerpieces; the table numbers were borrowed from a close friend of Jordyn's from JMU. Jordyn's dad built the gift card box and her mom made the ribbon - their whole family is so talented and creative!

And then this happened... :)

To end quite a memorable day, we had to head outside to capitalize on portraits during golden hour and celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs. along the water!

I can't say it enough, but you two are so, so perfect together! You completely compliment each other in every way; your passion and fun-loving nature will create the foundation for an incredibly joyful and successful marriage for years to come! Best wishes! xoxo

This day wouldn't have been possible without this creative and talented team of vendors!

hair and makeup: Beyond Brides Hair and Makeup

jewelry: Boone & Sons of Mclean, VA

dress: Maggie Sottero Melanie at Betsy Robinson's Bridal

shoes: Audrey Brooke

groom's attire: M. Stein & Company

flowers: Local Color Flowers

dj: Music Masters

reception venue / caterer: Admiral Fell Inn (special thanks to Vanesia George, in-house wedding coordinator)

ceremony: Corpus Christi Church

invitations: Minted

transportation: Special Occasion Limousine

cake: Sugar Bakers