cynthia + dave | a breezy and beautiful tide point engagement

Cynthia and Dave’s love story began at college (UMBC to be exact) and I love how theirs has always been a fun, easygoing and playful relationship from the start… even though Dave was commuting, they spent time together at Fancy Fridays and Dance Party Thursdays; it’s clear that these two have an amazing bond that is so easy to photograph!

How they met, in Cynthia’s words:

”Dave and I both attended UMBC when we first met; Dave was a Junior and I was a Sophomore. As a commuter, Dave spent most of his time in the student org or in the commons building waiting for classes. I had just moved into my new dorm building and I was getting to know my new hallmates (one of them being Chris, aka Dave's best man). This was the second week of school starting and our hall was really getting along and doing activities together almost every night from dressing up for Fancy Fridays to deciding on a Dance Party Thursday. Chris decided to invite Dave to join us since Dave had no plans and was waiting for traffic to die down before going home. Chris introduced Dave to the rest of the hall and I remember my first impression of Dave was that he was an easy going guy. At the time, the song for Gangnam Style was very popular so our hall wanted to spontaneously recreate the music video. We even prepped outfits, camera, accessories, and practiced the dance! Dave was now considered a friend of the entire hall so he started coming more often to hang out and we added each other on Facebook and started to chat. After a few weeks of talking and hanging out frequently, we started dating and 7 years later here we are…

Fun fact: we are still close friends with the people from Harbor Hall! Chris is now Dave's best man and two of my bridesmaids are the two girls I lived across from in Harbor Hall. We have all been friends the same amount of time Dave and I have been together. :)"

And how did Dave propose? I love their story! Here it is, in Cynthia’s words…

“I'm usually the romantic one in the relationship so I would plan little surprises for Dave. One thing I like to do is to line up plush dolls that lead to a gift. When Dave and I first started dating he got me a BOO the dog plush and soon he started giving mini BOO the dog plushies as a little gifts so we have slowly created a small collection now in addition to many other stuffed animals over the years.

The proposal itself was on Valentines Day. Dave wanted to give me my gift after dinner so I didn't think much of it. After we got home, Dave asked me if I could walk around the apartment building so he could set up something romantic to give me my Valentines day gift since he never gets to set anything up. I told Dave he has 10 mins before I come back, so he frantically starts to set up. I ended up walking around longer so Dave calls me and asks me where I went and was I coming back up. I open the door and see a line of BOO the dog plushies that lead up to our bedroom. He made it look like an audience of plushies staring at the bed. There were also other plushies and balloons surrounding a basket. Dave was nowhere to be seen when I told him he could come out. I continue to take my time turning on all the lights and petting the cats until I go into the room. I opened the card and it said "To my wife...". I can honestly say that I was in shock because I did not see it coming at all. I turned around and there Dave was on one knee with the ring. I still remember that he had this smile on his face that showed how nervous he was. And yes he was slightly awkward and he didn't have time to plan a huge proposal, but it's exactly Dave. It wouldn't be us if it wasn't quirky and sometimes doesn't work out exactly how we planned. Thinking back to the proposal it was very adorable and I'm glad that Dave did it as he did.”

One of the best parts about the Tide Point / Under Armour waterfront is the promenade, with 180 degree views of the harbor, downtown Baltimore, Fells Point and Canton… and full-length floral maxi dresses (like this one from Lulu’s) make it extra breezy and beautiful! ;)

The blue hour skies covered in clouds were the perfect shade of dusty blue to match Dave’s shirt and the blues in Cynthia’s dress, so of course we had to took advantage of the harbor water taxi stop to frame an epic silhouette!

Can. NOT. WAIT (!!!) for your wedding at Main Street Ballroom this month! Knowing your eye for detail and love for each other, being married is going to be your best look yet… ;)

xo,
Naomi

guienen + ed (+ sadie!) | an industrial baltimore waterfront engagement

While living in Baltimore city near the Natty Boh tower, Guienen and Ed have a playful, sweet and loving relationship that often finds them on outdoor adventures by the water with Sadie, their pup! I have to say, Sadie was a PRO at modeling - her multiple colorful and floral bandanas were the perfect compliment to her parents’ happiness!

I love it when #urpcouples include their dog in engagement photos, it makes everything more fun! Believe me, I’ve worked with all sizes and types of dogs; most are energetic and excited so I’ve learned to work fast to make sure I can document amazing moments as soon as they happen!

Under Armour’s waterfront campus at Tide Point / Locust Point is one of my favorite locations for engagement sessions; the brick architecture of the historic warehouse buildings speaks to the look and feel of much of Baltimore city while the waterfront promenade facing the Domino Sugar factory has views back to Fells Point and Canton across the harbor, making it quite a unique and photogenic spot.

With extensive gardens in bloom, stone paths and waterfront views throughout the property, Guienen and Ed’s intimate waterfront wedding at Herrington on the Bay is going to be a perfect summer soiree - I can’t wait for their intimate guest list (+ a Sadie as their flowerpup) at the celebration!

Here’s how they met in Guienen’s words: (I love their sense of humor!)

“We met online! Which I actually tend to forget since it seems such a distant memory now. I do know I messaged him first. Ed had nothing written in the little blurb area and only two pictures - usually that would be an automatic left swipe for me so it’s a good thing he’s really cute… our first date was at 13.5 Wine Bar in Hampden. He left to go visit his parents in North Carolina a couple days later so he actually called me on the phone while he was driving back to Baltimore. Apparently I sounded like I would rather be doing anything else but talk to him! I was just so taken aback that he would actually call instead of text. We set up our second date then - and he continued seeing me after I ate a salad with no dressing because I happened to be doing Whole 30 at the time.”

And the proposal of course involved Sadie (who will be their flower girl/dog at the wedding!):

”It was actually the weekend before my birthday and we had plans to have people over for the Super Bowl as a birthday celebration. So we went out to dinner just us that Saturday night. When we got home I immediately changed because I was wearing all black and we have a dog who sheds like it’s her full time job. I got a little suspicious after coming downstairs in my pajamas because he called Sadie to come upstairs with him (she follows me around 85% of the time). A few minutes later Sadie comes back downstairs, making a bit of a racket on our twisty staircase, because she had a chalkboard tied around her neck with “say yes” written on it, as well as the ring box. She executed her role perfectly and came right over to me, followed by Ed, of course. And then I had to go back and put real clothes on so we could take a few photos and video call with our families. Also the visual of Ed wandering around in Michael’s buying craft supplies cracks me up every time I think about it because he’s so not crafty - so of course I kept the chalkboard and it’s displayed on the bookcases around our entertainment center now.”

Can’t wait to photograph you both (actually, 3 including Sadie!) again on the water, but this time as newlyweds at Herrington on the Bay!!

xo,
Naomi

lynn + nick | tide point baltimore waterfront engagement

I’m not sure if you can tell how much fun Lynn and Nick have together from their engagement photos we took at Tide Point at the Under Armour headquarters… these two didn’t stop smiling, laughing, snuggling and dancing as the sunset and I loved capturing it all!

It’s making me even more excited to capture their outdoor July wedding at Wyndridge Farm in Pennsylvania!

Here’s their proposal story in Lynn’s words, isn’t Nick the sweetest ever!?

”Nick proposed in Seville, Spain during sunrise. It was a complete surprise! We were up early and went for a walk across the city bridge. It was on the 7th day of our trip and I actually was not feeling too well the day prior (I got too excited with the Spanish food and ate too many unfamiliar things). I even said to Nick "I want to go home". While we were walking by the river, Nick goes to grab something from his backpack. Nick loves candy, so I of course thought he went to grab chocolate from his bag. I was thinking "Really Nick?! It's 8am in the morning, candy at this hour?!"

But then he pulls out a small box! I was so surprised...my exact response was "NO NO WTF!". This was not the beautiful "I love you" response I had imagined but I had no clue and was thinking - How did I not know this was happening?! Nick got on one knee and asked "Will you marry me" and I responded "Of course!!!". By this point my stomach ache went away completely and I was so happy.”

Let’s get you two MARRIED… Wyndridge Farm, here we come!! It’s going to be a beautiful midsummer’s night among the rolling hills, craft ciders and beautiful scenery of this unique farm brewery. We can’t wait for another Wyndridge wedding among all of your closest loved ones and District Remix mixing it up on the dance floor!

xo,
Naomi

erin + greg | tide point baltimore waterfront engagement

With winter allowing me some time to breathe and catch up with all the things, I can’t wait to finally share warmer weather vibes and all the madly in love 2019 urban row couples that I haven’t shared yet!

Before we dive into how wonderfully matched Erin and Greg are, I have to say how grateful I am not only for fun-loving couples like them, but how they came to be part of the Urban Row Photography family... Mandi and Miles, one of our 2016 couples (see their incredible July waterfront wedding in Baltimore here!), are good friends with Erin and Greg and connected us soon after they got engaged. Referrals like this mean the absolute world to us - there are not enough words to express how much we appreciate knowing you felt that comfortable and confident in sharing our work and your experience with your best friends!

Meeting up with Erin + Greg at Tide Point was the perfect spot to capture their love story since it all begin by the water!! I’m always amazed to hear stories like theirs! If this doesn’t make you believe in fate, I don’t know what will…

“We met at Seacrets in Ocean City! An unlikely spot! Greg was visiting Ocean City with a group of guy friends. It was the weekend he was supposed to be in Vegas for a friend's bachelor party. When that friend's wedding was called off, they decided to go on a quick trip to Ocean City instead of going to Vegas. Erin was staying in Fenwick DE (not far from OCMD) with her friend (and maid of honor) Maddy. Both groups ended up at Seacrets on Friday night. Maddy was dancing with one of Greg's friends, so when Greg saw Erin alone, he asked to buy her a drink. We exchanged numbers at the end of the night and have been texting daily ever since!”

As soon as we started, Erin and Greg fell into such a groove, they were complete naturals in front of the camera and if they didn’t feel like it, I definitely couldn’t tell… (that’s always the goal: I want you to have fun, be silly and belly laugh as much as possible… just so ya know!)

Erin’s favorite thing about Greg makes me smile since I could totally see it during their engagement session! Their faces both light up whenever they look at each other… “My favorite thing about Greg is his laugh. It sums up his care free attitude and overall "fun to be around" spirit. And, it's what stood out about him the first night we met.”

Their proposal story gave me butterflies and also involved a view of boats and Baltimore waterfront sunset perfection!

“Greg planned to propose at Erin's family's cabin on the Susquehanna River. They were supposed to spend a Saturday there so Greg could help put the docks in the water for the season. However, Erin was asked to go to Los Angeles for work last minute and booked a flight home the Saturday he planned to propose, so that plan wouldn't work. Greg says he couldn't wait until another weekend, so he decided to propose the night before Erin left for Los Angeles, on Wednesday evening. They went to dinner at Blair's on Hudson (favorite neighborhood spot where we always order the same thing - Guinness Filet!) and went for a walk on the water afterward. Greg proposed on the waterfront in Canton when the sun was setting. It was a beauuuuutiful early May evening. It was a pretty private spot, but after he proposed, a few people sitting on their boats docked in the water nearby started cheering! They continued walking to Fells Point for a celebratory drink and started making calls to family and friends to share the news.”

You both are the sweetest and we can’t wait to capture your wedding at the Accelerator Space in April! If you bring your best laughs and adorable carefree love, it will be a day to remember like no other!

Cheers to 2019 being your best year yet!

xo,
Naomi

sara + jake | tide point | baltimore engagement session

I knew from the first time we met at the Daily Grind in Fells Point, that Sara and Jake were an incredible couple and would be so much fun to get to know. As soon as Sara mentioned they just bought their first house near Patterson Park and wanted photos that tell the story of the start of their relationship together in Baltimore while living an urban lifestyle, I couldn't stop smiling - their story is so similar to mine! While celebrating Sara's mom's 60th birthday, Jake told Sara they should take their dogs, "Rizzo and Natty for a swim off the end of the pier..." With flowers and champagne setup , Jake knew how to not only surprise Sara but involve the entire family in celebrating their love. A homecooked shrimp scampi dinner was waiting for them after she said yes. :)

Your warmth is contagious and I love how genuinely happy you make each other. Congratulations again, Sara and Jake! So excited for your wedding this September (which happens to be a very meaningful date - the same September day that Sara's parents and sister were both married)! Isn't that just the sweetest tradition?!