“Tristan is the nicest, sweetest, most likable, loving and caring person you will ever meet. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about him. Everyone loves him! It is actually kind of annoying! Haha.”
See you in T-4 days… here’s to ending the year with the best celebration!!!
ashley + jake | an avam + federal hill engagement full of love + bubbly
/As a native Marylander, Ashley has a ton of pride for Baltimore (and Jake, a native Texan, is quickly learning how great it is here! ;)), so choosing to take their engagement photos at the American Visionary Art Museum then walking atop Federal Hill Park as the sun was setting, made for the most iconic Baltimore photos that I can’t wait to share with you!
If you want a glimpse into why these two are so special, cue the happy tears when you read the simple trait that is Jake’s favorite thing about his fiance:
“When she laughs, it lights up my day in an amazing way.”
I love the details of their college meet-cute! (and totally random fun fact: the architecture firm I used to work for, designed Turman Hall at Emory University where they first met… how’s that for a small world!?)
“Jake and I met in the very stereotypical way: we lived one floor apart from each other in the same freshman dorm, Turman Hall, our freshman year at Emory University. We both had kind of odd roommates, so instead of spending time in our dorm rooms, we both spent a lot of time in the dorm lounge at the end of the hall – myself and Nneoma (a girl in my hall who became my best friend and now bridesmaid) downstairs in the girls floor lounge, and Jake upstairs in the boys floor lounge, which was open to our lounge below. We spent sooooo much time in that lounge our first year, including one memorable night where the 3 of us legitimately stayed up from 6pm until 6am talking about anything and everything. Jake and I had very different experiences growing up. Our story-sharing provided a really great foundation of friendship that I was totally clueless as to any potential feelings starting to get involved until it came out that Jake was interested in me around December of our first year. It came as a total shock, but once I calmed down from my fear of the risk of hurting the friendship if something were to work out (always a concern but was even more terrifying as an 18-year-old at the time where EVERYTHING is a huge deal), I realized how well we could work. We spent all of winter break texting nonstop and I remember being so excited to go back to school in January to see him and start to try things out. We started “officially” dating the day after Valentine’s Day and have been together ever since – 10 years by the time we get married!”
And it just keeps getting sweeter — Ashley was serenaded during Jake’s proposal. You have to read their proposal story below!!!
“Jake and I spent a lot of time during the pandemic in Patterson Park in Baltimore, lying out on a picnic blanket and reading, people-watching, and just enjoying the sunlight (grabbing some ice cream from Bmore Licks or a pizza from Verde on our way out!). It definitely became a “thing” so it was only natural he worked it into the proposal. We were sitting on a blanket under a tree not far from the pagoda, and Jake got up to go “get something from the car” – and returned with a barbershop quartet who sang and serenaded us before he got on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was in an a cappella group in college (on top of many other choirs throughout my life), so the music was a nod to that and overall just the most charming thing – it was a group of four older men who traveled all the way from Reston, Virginia to come and sing for us, and they seemed almost as excited as Jake was! We got Bmore Licks and spent some time relaxing at home (Jake passed out on the couch from relief and I remember taking a picture of my newly-ringed hand next to his sleeping self lol) and celebrated with dinner at Fells Point that night. It was an awesome day.”
Ashley + Jake, honored and excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about photographing your decade-in-the-making love story; you are very clearly meant to continue laughing together for many, many years! Let’s get you two married!!!
xo,
Naomi
laura + bryan | an artful engagement at avam with their dog
/I met up with Laura and Bryan (and their #urbanrowpup, Marlow!) on a bright January day at the American Visionary Art Museum near the Inner Harbor and Fed Hill park. We chose this location knowing it was still very much winter outside and because of the mosaic facade at AVAM and all the harborfront views, you wouldn’t be able to tell there were no leaves on the trees or flowers in bloom!
I’m just so excited to be around these two - they have such a natural connection and are so sweet together, radiating happiness and love!
And here’s how the proposal happened - I love how they both had a hand in planning the proposal trip in their own way for each other!
Laura planned a fall trip to Asheville with very little input from Bryan. About a week before the trip, Bryan said he didn't know any details and wanted to know where we were staying, eating, and what exactly we were doing. Little did Laura know, Bryan was planning the proposal. He even had a new selfie stick shipped to the hotel in preparation for the moment. The day we were leaving, Laura happened to mention to Bryan that he never takes photos - setting Bryan up for the perfect excuse as to why he had a new selfie stick shipped to the hotel. Fast forward to our first full day of the trip, we had plans to go for a hike. After breakfast at a local spot known for their biscuits (where Bryan left the ring in the car...!), we headed to the mountain. Half way through, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bryan set up the new selfie stick to capture some photos. Right then and there he said "I have a very important to question to ask you"...and the rest is history!
Laura and Bryan, you have been so thoughtful, attentive, organized and fun to get to know throughout the wedding planning process, I can not wait to see how your spring wedding comes together at The Loom - the first wedding at this new Baltimore venue! Let’s go and get you two married!!!
xo,
Naomi
noey + peter | a locust point engagement with their corgi pup
/Having met at Loyola their senior year, Noey + Peter share a deep love of Baltimore — buying a house in SoBo meant finding themselves in a new neighborhood to explore with their adorable dog Sasha…
Noey + Peter both have gorgeous, contagious smiles and a sweetness about their relationship that was so much fun to photograph; I was so excited when they decided to take their engagement photos in Locust Point near the Domino Sugar mural and factory, Little Havana and the waterfront promenade! Their stomping grounds are places that are very familiar and near and dear to me too since I used to work in Locust Point (during my architect days!) and love it when #urpcouples choose spots that are meaningful to them AND allow us to easily have their adorable pup involved!
“Peter and I met at Loyola University in Maryland. It was a relatively small school, so we were peripherally aware of each other since our freshman year, but we never spent time together or had the opportunity to become friends. But then Peter studied abroad in New Zealand with a few of my closest friends during our junior year (I studied in Spain), so we saw each other a lot more often at parties and social events when we all returned to campus for our senior year. After running in the same social circle for a while, Peter and I started talking, and the rest is history!”
And their proposal story as told by Noey!
“Peter's parents have a home in Long Beach Island in New Jersey; Peter and I spend every 4th of July weekend there with his family and friends. Last year, Peter invited my parents to join us up there for the holiday (this probably should have tipped me off that something was up, since they live pretty far away, but I didn't catch it!). We took that Friday off from work to enjoy the beach, but unfortunately, it was raining on-and-off, so we were a bit cooped up. Peter asked if I wanted to go for a walk on the beach, but it was raining, so I said no thank you (this should have been another tip-off, but nope!). A bit later, Peter's mom asked us to go to the beach to collect some shells for a baby shower we were going to the next day; I agreed since at least we had a reason to be out in the rainy weather now. So, Peter and I walked over to the beach in a mist of rain and wandered down to the surf to look for some shells. At some point, I walked ahead, and when I turned around, Peter was down on one knee! When he asked if I would marry him, I actually said "Are you sure?" instead of yes at first. Since it was raining, it was just us on the beach, which made it even more special. When we got back from the beach, the house had been decorated, and our families were waiting to congratulate and celebrate us. We spent the rest of the day surrounded by family and friends, and it will always be one of my most favorite days.”
“My favorite thing about Peter is the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles.” :)
”My favorite thing about Noey is her thoughtfulness and genuine kindness/care that she puts toward all aspects of her life.”
…those are my favorite things about both of you too! :) I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day at Loyola University and the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House with all your nearest and dearest family and friends coming together to celebrate. It’s going to be an amazing day in Baltimore!!
xoxo,
Naomi
36 ideas for where to take your engagement photos in Baltimore
/The most common question I’m asked after a couple books Urban Row Photography as their wedding photographer is…
WHERE SHOULD WE TAKE
OUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS?
So, I’m devoting an entire series on the blog specifically to help answer this and demystify the process of where to take your engagement photos in Baltimore! Starting with my list of favorite locations in Baltimore first, but a separate post is in the works for locations in the greater Maryland, DC and PA area to plan your engagement session since there are so many incredibly picturesque spots outside of Baltimore!
I want to show you how to make your engagement photos memorable, fun, un-awkward and full of important aspects that are meaningful to you both. Without further ado, here’s a list of 36 locations to take your engagement photos in Baltimore (those with a $ next to them require a permit + nominal fee):
Patterson Park: pagoda, lake, hilltop views at sunset…
Lake Roland: trails, lake views, gorgeous leaves in the Fall
Union Craft Brewing: a series of bold, graphic and colorful murals
Bmore Licks: fun murals + pupsicles for your #urbanrowpup!
Druid Hill Park: especially in the spring with all the pastel blooms, Druid Hill Park shines! It also happens to be the home to Rawlings Conservatory… more on that below! ;)
Henderson’s Wharf / Broadway Pier: one of Baltimore’s oldest warehouse buildings and public spaces full of charm, character, lots of brick and amazing waterfront views… and breezes! This esesh is also a fun one to relive!)
Frederick Douglass Maritime Museum: views of the iconic Domino Sugar factory sign are unmatched from this pier!
Harbor East waterfront: a fun, chic waterfront spot
Canton waterfront: sunset views from here are wide open and shimmery!
Sandlot: as beachy as Baltimore gets… drinks, sunset views, sand and cafe lights with views of the downtown skyline
Streetcar Museum: if you share a love of transportation and/or met on a subway (one of my couples did!), engagement photos at the Streetcar Museum would be such a unique way to commemorate it!
The Guinness Brewery: Baltimore is home to the only Guinness location in the US?! Helloooo fellow beer lovers! There’s tons of outdoor space, a fun mural and beautiful design to incorporate as you sip a freshly poured pint of yummy beer!
Charmery (the OG location in Hampden): a turquoise mural on the corner of this iconic and quirky Baltimore ice cream shop with some of the most unique flavors you’ve ever had make it a really fun place to start or end your photoshoot!
The Ave in Hampden: all the kitsch with lots of fun, independent shops and storefronts
Cylburn Arboretum: a historic old mansion, enormous old trees, tons of nature to explore and gorgeous no matter what season…
Rawlings Conservatory ($): a lush, tropical greenhouse oasis in the city
Maryland Zoo in Druid Hill Park: your portraits could include penguins, polar bears and pygmy goats! What else could you want?! ;)
AVAM: mosaics, ivy covered brick walls and lots of fabulous, fun sculptural art
Federal Hill Park: one of the most iconic views in Baltimore, overlooking the Inner Harbor - sunsets here can be cinematic!
Artifact Coffee: rustic, cozy coffee shop near Hampden + Clipper Mill
Clipper Mill: love the industrial grit here… think loading ramps, rusty window panes, fire escapes…
Brewer’s Art: a brewpub in Mt. Vernon with craft beers and a unique atmosphere - the windows near the main bar overlook bustling Charles Street and have a really cool, classic + vintage vibe
Mt. Vernon Place: feels like you’re in Europe without the travel! ;)
Rye Street Tavern: cocktails on the lawn with water views and clean, modern design… Baltimore perfection.
Under Armour HQ / Tide Point: views of the Inner Harbor skyline along a waterfront promenade and industrial buildings… bonus if the Domino sugar boat is docked at their factory next door!
Fort McHenry: for the history buff who loves big trees and green spaces and the water’s edge… a relaxing picnic on a summer’s day here would be perfect!
Bromo Seltzer Clock Tower ($): a historic clock tower in the heart of downtown Baltimore that evokes another era and is like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
Sherwood Gardens: this spot is best during spring blooms when the tulips are at their peak! Typically peak bloom occurs the last week of April through the first week in May, depending on weather conditions. In the heart of the Guilford neighborhood, this community park and rolling lawn were designed by Olmsted and has beautiful vistas at every corner.
BMA Sculpture Garden ($): lush garden oasis in the city adjacent to Johns Hopkins Homewood campus with modern sculpture throughout.
Pratt Library: love the architecture of the historic main branch facade downtown - where are my book nerds?!
Graffiti Alley: an ever-changing alley of colorful graffiti; the graffiti walls make for a really fun contrast of a backdrop when paired with formal attire and long/flowy dresses!
Mt Washington Tavern: a modern tavern with crisp, clean and inviting architecture, bright spaces and a fun neighborhood feel
Monument City Brewing: local Baltimore craft brewery in a warehouse space adjacent to Haven Street Ballroom and Urban Axes… such a fun date spot!
College campuses (Loyola, JHU, UMD…): quintessential higher-ed vibes with beautiful quads and tree-lined brick paths; love this idea if you met at college!
Ceremony Coffee: Mt. Vernon (urban city vibes) and Harbor East (glassy and minimalist modern) are my 2 favorite locations!
Cross Street Market / Broadway Market: recently renovated in the heart of Federal Hill and Fells Point, grab a drink at your favorite spot and explore these picturesque main streets together!
Other unique engagement photo ideas in Baltimore… if you have access to any of these, let’s do it!
A sailboat
A rooftop deck
A carriage house / loft for a cozy in-home session
Bring some bubbly to pop and enjoy no matter where we go!
Bring your #urbanrowpup. Don’t worry, we will get good photos no matter how excited your dog is!
If you have your heart set on a location that’s not on this list, even better - I love discovering new spots to bring my camera! The most important thing to remember when choosing a location is to make sure you’ll be comfortable there. If you’re most comfortable being outdoors together in nature, let’s find the perfect park setting. If you love going out to eat and grabbing a drink, let’s take your photos in and around that bar or restaurant; urban signage and historic streetscapes can make really unique portraits!
Hope to see you in front of my camera soon, friends!
xo,
Naomi
nora + ross | bright and colorful federal hill engagement
/If there was a consistent theme running through Nora + Ross’ engagement session, it was complete and utter joy in being around each other. Nora’s sense of style (that bold red lip with those glasses and a vibrant orange-y red patterned jumpsuit!) paired with Ross’ easygoing and thoughtful nature was so much fun to document - these two have so much personality!!
The 4 reasons Nora + Ross’ engagement photos at AVAM and Federal Hill will inspire you:
Exploring the American Visionary Art Museum’s outdoor sculpture gardens together made for so many fun backdrops to their photos; brick, mirrored mosaics, bright colors, texture, ivy-covered walls… I could have easily spent all day with them and I’m so glad they felt at ease being themselves here!
Since Nora grew up in Baltimore but they currently live in New York, choosing an iconic Baltimore location along the Inner Harbor meant their photos would hold special meaning to them while allowing us to incorporate 3 very different settings; the waterfront, a modern art museum and Federal Hill, a park with hilltop views like no other.
The way Nora’s smile and laughter lights up every image. When you love being around your person, it shows…
Speaking of, their love story is like something out of a movie. It all came to be because of a missed subway connection. And that subway line and stop is where Ross proposed after careful planning “and nearly torpedoed Nora”.
Are they not the sweetest couple together?! I’m such a sucker for black and white images where genuine emotion shows through and this one just makes me smile from ear to ear.
I know this weekend is bittersweet since we were supposed to be celebrating together at Frederick Douglass Maritime Park, but thanks to COVID demanding we spend another year looking forward to it, I hope you’ve been able to celebrate in your own way!
Here’s to more epic golden sunsets along the Baltimore waterfront the next time we’re together! *fingers crossed*
xo,
Naomi
kim + brian | a sandlot baltimore waterfront engagement
/“Brian's favorite thing about Kim is her positivity. Kim doesn't really care for Brian, but likes his height, and his face is alright… our actual favorite thing about each other is our senses of humor!” ;)
And one of my favorite things about these two is how they prioritized a fun, dog-friendly and waterfront location for their engagement photos. Sandlot Baltimore checked off all of those boxes and then some!
4 reasons why this fun Sandlot Baltimore beach engagement was so memorable:
Dale was the most relaxed pup I’ve ever met! He would hang nearby and sit patiently waiting for his pawrents to take a few photos, no big deal…
Despite a threat of storms, imposing clouds and a few sprinkles, the rain held off and ended in a beautiful bright, warm golden sky!
Kim and Brian were so at ease and relaxed while we found the most picturesque waterfront backdrops Sandlot had to offer; while living near DC and planning a Baltimore wedding at Habitat Seya, I love that they prioritized spending time in Baltimore together.
Pairing summer engagement photos on the water with fall wedding photos in Patterson Park and an industrial chic wedding venue in Baltimore allow them to have two very different looks within their photos and a variety of memories to relive and hang up on their walls!