rachael + guido | a lake roland dog engagement session

It was warm enough to wear short sleeves while also being cool enough to wear a blazer during Rachael + Guido’s Fall engagement photos at Lake Roland. These 3 (hi Ode!) were laughing from the second we started, showcasing their playful, “natural weirdness” and I couldn’t get enough of them!

4 REASONS THIS LAKE ROLAND ENGAGEMENT SESSION WAS SO PICTURESQUE:

1. Because it included Ode, of course. ;) But in all seriousness, R+G’s mini Aussie was so adorable and well-behaved; he stole the show! Rachael’s mom came to help as the dog-wrangler and it was perfect.

2. We waited until late October (the 29th) to be sure the leaves had color and man, did we get lucky!!

3. Rachael wore a black floral dress that had just the right amount of pattern to really pop against the trees and golden light.

4. They didn’t take themselves too seriously and are completely head over heels in love together! Knowing how to completely relax and show your genuine emotion will pay off in beautiful candids…

I can’t wait to FINALLY celebrate your wedding day with you (and Ode)! It’s been such a long time coming and you’ve gone through so many changes from your original plan… but you know what that means, right? This one will be perfect for you!

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

2019 In Review | candid, fun and vibrant wedding photography for modern couples

Getting married is definitely one of those pinch-me moments in life, but I continue to pinch myself after 10+ years of marriage because I am lucky enough to document authentic love stories, full-time. I truly mean that; I feel so lucky every single day to celebrate love and document memories for future generations as my career and passion.

2019 was quite a year… I’m going to let these photos do the talking since they do a better job than my words ever could. The joy and energy that our couples bring to every interaction I have with them is refreshing, energizing and so full of love and personality. I was honored to be the wedding and portrait photographer for these fun, genuine and passionate couples and families, with even more Baltimore and Maryland weddings to come in 2020!

Here goes… enjoy these highlights from the year, all chosen to show off a variety of locations, light and love.

kelsey + bryan | a clipper mill + artifact coffee engagement

As soon as Kelsey + Bryan told me they were thinking of taking their fall engagement photos at Artifact Coffee since they love their maple lattes, I knew we were in for a treat (and I don’t just mean the delicious maple lattes!)… add in their pup Camden and a love of the Clipper Mill / Woodberry industrial sites around the corner and I was feeling all the ‘how-did-I-get-so-lucky-these-are-my-people’ feels!!!

We talked about our shared love of the texture throughout the stone and wood historic mill buildings for probably more emails than I should admit… ;) You both are too cute for words; words can’t express how happy I am that our paths crossed!!

Camden has the most alluring eyes and was such a wonderfully sweet little model! He rocked his status as the newest #urbanrowpup and coordinated with the warm fall color palette so well…

But enough of my commentary, I can’t wait to share THEIR love story: one of perfect timing and location. While Bryan and Kelsey both grew up in North Carolina and spent their college years at UNC-Chapel Hill, it wasn't until a year and a half after moving to Baltimore for graduate school that they ended up meeting at a school formal. Bryan tried to woo Kelsey by bringing up their similar roots, but Kelsey was extremely unimpressed. A year later, after several crossed paths and attempts by friends to bring them together, Kelsey accepted Bryan's request for a date. Bryan cooked Kelsey BBQ, they talked, laughed, and watched Game of Thrones. Kelsey fell for Bryan's sense of humor, good cooking, and kind heart while Bryan fell in love with Kelsey's intelligence, compassion, and of course, her beautiful smile (it didn't hurt that she laughed at his dumb jokes too). A year and a half passes. They explore Baltimore, get a dog, travel together, do Whole30, meet each others families, and decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together…

Once we decided that we wanted to get married, Bryan got to work designing a custom ring using the diamonds from both his maternal and paternal grandmother's engagement rings with Ron at Stonehaven Jewelry in Cary, NC (Kelsey always wanted a family ring!). Kelsey is someone who is very hard to surprise and Bryan decided to propose when she'd least expect it - on a trip to visit Kelsey's best friends in Atlanta. Bryan got Kelsey's friends Kaley and Emma in on it to help with logistics and decided to ask in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. When he found the perfect spot, he got down on one knee and asked Kelsey to marry him, and the first words out of Kelsey's mouth were, "Stop it.". Nevertheless, Kelsey said yes and we celebrated with her best friends. There was champagne, confetti, and of course pizza to end the night.

You two have such an undeniable chemistry, we’re SO excited for your September wedding at Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park!! The menu alone (featuring Copper Kitchen’s catering and ice cream cookie sandwiches for dessert) is already making all of my fall waterfront wedding dreams come true!

xo,
Naomi

elizabeth + donald | a classic mt vernon engagement

When Elizabeth and Donald are together, they exude calm and gentle love one minute and adorably sweet laughter the next… these two are the perfect blend of fun, sophistication and classic style with a love of city life!

We started in Mt. Vernon since the Walters holds a special place in their love story and finished by the water in Fells Point… you don’t want to miss Donny’s incredible proposal that involved a Faberge egg exhibit, one of Elizabeth’s favorite things to see at the Walters Art Museum!

In Elizabeth’s words, this is how it all started…

”At a coworker’s going away party, a few people from my office got together at Ryleigh’s in Federal Hill and each coworker brought friends along. We met briefly and then Donny left and went to the bar next door. I went to the guy that brought him and said “…where did your cute friend go? …bring him back.” And Donny came back. A few fireball shots is all it took and since that night, we have been together.”

And as for the proposal?

”It happened at the Walters Art Museum. We had an action packed weekend with Happy Hour and dinner with friends planned but before it all started Donny suggested we go to brunch and he had a surprise for me. First instinct, I asked if we were going to SPCA to be annoying and get another dog since I would like another... he said no, its a surprise. We pulled up to the Walters and we were just there a few weeks before so I was suspicious why we were here again, since he knows this is one of my favorite places in Baltimore. But he said there was a Faberge exhibit so I really believed we were going to see this and the suspicion went away. Then he asked if we could go to the Chamber of Wonders and in there he got down on one knee after asking what was my favorite thing in the room. Afterwards we still went to HH and dinner with friends and were able to celebrate with them!”

I’m so excited for their wedding day one month from today at the Baltimore Country Club in Roland Park; I can’t wait to share their engagement session with you since Jayce, their cute little pug was the most perfect dog model!

We CAN NOT wait until your wedding day is finally here, lovebirds!! It’s going to be such an incredible moment when you become husband and wife!

xo,
Naomi