kim + kyle | fall engagement photos in old town alexandria

Kim and Kyle’s love story started many years ago, simply and sweetly… :)

“We met in eighth grade on the bus. His friends were messing around and caught my attention. Later he got my number from a mutual friend and we’ve been talking ever since!”

These two have such a beautiful, natural connection built on a strong foundation, being together since middle school. Since Kim and Kyle live close to historic Old Town, Alexandria, VA, we spent our time exploring all the cobblestoned alleys, the waterfront that had this amazingly perfect public art installation up (we got so lucky with the timing as it was only going to be up for a few more weeks), the colorful rainbow ALX mural and Wilkes Street tunnel in addition to the most adorable and quaint homes along Prince St.

We could have easily spent the whole day together in Old Town -- talk about photogenic — I can’t handle it!!

They got engaged at home with wine in hand and a favorite dinner ready, thanks to Kyle (it happens to be my favorite too!)…

“Kyle had two of my friends keep me out after work on a Friday afternoon. When I got home, he was dressed up with dinner made (tomato and feta pasta, one of my favorites!). We went out to our balcony to eat, which he had decorated with lights and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Before pouring a glass of wine, he pulled the ring out of his wine glass!”

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Kim and Kyle, I can not wait to celebrate your long-awaited wedding day (…decades in the making!!) with you and document all the love and happiness surrounding you at Rust Manor House in the Fall! It’s going to be absolutely incredible.

I’ll see you soon, lovebirds!
xo, Naomi

kylie + nate | a relaxed at-home kitchen engagement in baltimore

When Kylie and Nate approached me with the idea of taking their engagement photos at the new home they were renovating together, I was so excited for their plans!

We started in their kitchen to show off their love of cooking together and all the adorable and unique ways their relationship has grown — and then we went outside at golden hour to take in all the beautiful garden vibes on their street. Kylie and Nate, I could have photographed you both all day!

I arrived and everything was ready to start with; they had a personalized cutting board saying ‘Nate and Kylie’s Kitchen’ with fresh lemon, parmesan cheese and herbs set out that were incredibly fun to photograph with Kylie’s solitaire ring and some champagne to enjoy while cooking, of course ;) …I don’t think it gets better than this!! You two are so stinkin’ cute!

“We met at Johns Hopkins freshman year. Nate lived above me in our dorm. We had Calc III together and became friends doing homework together. We started dating a few months into college and have been together for over 9 years!”

“Nate proposed at a rooftop bar in Tampa. I was on a business trip in Tampa for the week and he met me down there on Thursday and we extended our stay through the weekend. He proposed on Saturday night and it was pretty cold for Florida so there were very few people outside on the rooftop. We had to go up to a group of strangers after he proposed to ask them to take some photos, lol!”

When I asked them their favorite things about each other, their words brought tears to my eyes:

“I love how smart and confident she is. She truly wants the best future for us together and is committed to making us both better to get there.”

“I love how dependable he is. I think the best possible attribute you could wish for in a partner is for them to be someone you can count on and that's Nate. He's my best friend and I love that he's always there for me no matter what it is.”

Kylie and Nate, your future is SO bright, I can’t wait to see what you continue to accomplish together! If your home renovations and cooking skills are any indication, you’re destined for amazing things!

Thank you for the honor and opportunity of sharing in the official start of your love story - we can’t wait to celebrate and party with you at the Belvedere this weekend!!!

xo,
Naomi

jessica + mike | a vibrant engagement at the waterfront arches in baltimore

Jessica and Mike, your relationship is an inspiration to so many… I have a hunch that these qualities are part of the reasons why. ;)

Jessica: “My favorite thing about Mike is his total, complete lack of arrogance. It shines in so many contexts—in his curiosity for learning new things, from anyone he meets; his willingness to listen and empathize with people's feelings and experiences; his humility regarding his own gifts and talents; and his celebration of the people he loves and all their triumphs. There is not a self-serving bone in his whole body.”

Mike: “My favorite thing about Jessica is how she believes in me and us relentlessly. The way that she gives herself to people without expectation of reciprocation, and without bounds. The way that she can make you feel like the most powerful, capable, and loved man in the world but somehow still finds a way to remind you she's running the show, and you may suddenly remember how ludicrous the dreams you've now achieved sounded out loud before you met her. I love her persistence, her soft spots for those she loves, and how she allows me to see a little more of her that nobody's ever seen everyday.”

Here’s the story of their meet-cute:

“We met at a local gym—Mike was a personal trainer and Jessica taught yoga part-time. We crossed paths in the morning, when Jessica started noticing Mike reading books in the office, in between seeing clients. After a few inquiries, Jessica found out that Mike was recently single (and another coworker suggested that he "had a line" of women awaiting his attention). Jessica found that a little off-putting, but she gently touched his arm one morning after an awkward conversation anyway— which was perhaps the only sign that Mike registered as a potential indicator of romantic interest. Several days later, Jessica stopped going to the gym due to the emerging pandemic, but she had a book that Mike had loaned her and thought that she may see him again one day. After the gym shut down, Jessica noticed that the avatar on Mike's private-setting Instagram profile had changed from a photo of his late dog, Sophie, to a photo of his very handsome face. She took it as a sign that he was maybe ready to start dating, so she sent him a friend request and he immediately accepted and slid into those DMs. Two days later, Mike invited Jessica to stop by and take a break from the cold while she was on one of her COVID-season walks around the Inner Harbor. We ended up spending over three hours talking that first Sunday... and even though Jessica refused to touch any surfaces in Mike's apartment or come closer than six feet, we knew we had found a connection. We've been together ever since— with the exception of a couple "I might have been exposed, see you in 7 days" apart.”

And the proposal, which I can’t read without happy tears streaming down my face:

“In January 2021, Mike surprised Jessica with a birthday present... that would not arrive for 9 more months. He had planned a trip to Jessica's favorite place in the U.S.: Acadia National Park. At the end of semester, we set off on the trip, taking a long roadtrip to Maine. We spent two days hiking in Acadia and tent camping at Blackwoods Campground. On a rainy, foggy Saturday morning, we left the campground and headed into Bar Harbor, where Mike had booked a luxurious suite in Jessica's favorite bed-and-breakfast, the Saltair Inn. What could have been a very happy morning was actually quite grumpy for Jessica, who was tired and annoyed with some loud campers from the night before. Unbeknownst to her, Mike was walking around with the largest ring box known to man inside his shorts pocket. He kept looking for moments to propose, but Jessica kept spoiling each second with general grumpiness. It wasn't until Mike suggested they walk along the Bar Harbor Shore Path that her mood—and the rain clouds—started to lift. Mike asked to see her favorite rock—the one she used to crawl out to and spend her afternoons on when she used to visit Acadia on her own, several trips prior. They found the big rock and crawled out onto it and began to enjoy the view of fog-covered islands against a beautiful backdrop of purples, blues, and pinks in the sky. Then, Mike asked the most annoying question known to man: "Can I take your picture?" Jessica, who hates having Mike take her photo—because he loves her so much that she could be sprouting a mushroom-covered dinosaur from her head and he would still say she looks great—promptly refused. After Mike persisted and reassured Jessica that she didn't even have to look back at the camera, she begrudgingly agreed, looked out over the water, and waited. As she grew increasingly agitated, Mike got into position and then, in typical Mike fashion, poked her in the butt. Jessica turned around to find Mike waiting on one knee. When he asked her to marry him, she even forgot to say yes before she knelt down to hug him and began to cry.”

Jessica and Mike, I’ve been looking forward to your wedding from the first conversation we ever had. Jess, your love for food and your furbaby Waffle, vibrant color, organization, design, clarity and kindness in everything you do and touch is an inspiration (seriously, I don’t want our time together to end!) -- and Mike, you compliment Jessica in every single way with a genuine love and respect that makes it so clear to see why you’re soulmates.

I can not wait to celebrate you both and document every glance, moment, touch and festive twirl that your wedding day brings. It’s going to fly by so I recommend lots of deep breaths as you take it all in from the mezzanine at The Winslow. ;)

xo,
Naomi

joslyn + andrew | pizza, skeeball + patterson park pagoda engagement

When you live across the street from the best place to get pizza, beer AND play skeeball near Patterson Park, your engagement session essentially designs itself!

Joslyn and Andrew, are two of the most fun-loving, relaxed and kind humans… they also own Dexter, a lovable beagle who made a short and sweet appearance during their engagement photos but was a rockstar from every angle.

We had so much fun walking around the park and pagoda together! The trees were showing off with their early spring blooms, Joslyn’s floral heels added the perfect pop of color and pattern to their classic navy wardrobe and I simply loved watching how J+A interact; they were up for anything and overflowing with joy!

Joslyn + Andrew, if your engagement photos are any indication of how much fun your wedding day is going to be… your guests are in for quite a treat and I’m so honored and excited to document it all!

xo,
Naomi

rachel + jordan | baltimore clock tower engagement + colorful fun at nacho mama's

“Nachos are our love language.”

As soon as I learned this fact about Rachel and Jordan, it was a no-brainer that we’d have to recreate the start of their first date with a stop in front of Lee’s Pint and Shell, ending with an enormous plate of nachos at Nacho Mama’s in Canton! We even met up with their close friends, just like the night of their first date…

But first, we started at the Bromo Seltzer Clock Tower for some portraits of these lovebirds in formal attire with a modern, neutral and monochromatic look.

Everything about their engagement session date night was colorful, fun, unique, memorable and one of the best ways to celebrate their love of all the quirky charm that earns Baltimore it’s Charm City nickname. With that, I can’t wait to share some of my favorite photos from Rachel + Jordan’s fun and formal engagement session at the Bromo Seltzer Clock Tower and along the Canton square and waterfront!

I love their meet-cute story! Here it is in their words…

“One summer night in August of 2019 Rachel was playing dating app roulette with a friend when she came across Jordan's profile and messaged him to come meet them at the bar they were at in DC. Unfortunately, Jordan was out of town that night. They traded phone numbers and began trading messages, Rachel making sure he didn't go to THE Ohio State University and Jordan making sure Rachel could pass the "sloth astronaut" humor test [when they first connected, Jordan sent Rachel a picture of a sloth dressed as an American Astronaut. Rachel then sent the picture to their mutual friend Naomi (Rabbi Howard's wife) because she thought it was weird he sent that picture "no context". Naomi responded that it was a little weird but he's a really great guy and his parents are her favorite people. Rachel then responded to Jordan, is this what you send girls to see if they have a sense of humor? and Jordan responded "it's objectively funny". Jordan now shows sloth astronaut to everybody (he's Jordan's phone background) and everybody laughs and Jordan continues to prove to Rachel that she was wrong and everybody thinks it's funny].

Soon after, Jordan was at a birthday party for the child of a family friend who went to the University of Michigan. Remembering that Rachel went to Michigan, Jordan asked if they knew each other and as it turns out they were close friends from college.

Deciding this was a sign they should meet in person they arranged a date on a night that Rachel had dinner plans in Baltimore. After meeting each other for a pretty typical first date drink at Lee's Pint and Shell, Jordan walked Rachel across Canton Square to Nacho Mamas where she was meeting her friends for dinner. To both of their surprise, Rachel's friends invited Jordan to join. He agreed and the date continued as a double date kibbitzing over Nachos. After such a successful first date they decided to see where things would go and began seeing each other weekly sometimes in Baltimore and sometimes in DC. Then, in March 2020 the pandemic of a century arrived and Rachel, anxious about what was to come, announced that she would rather quarantine together than apart. Jordan agreed and showed up at her apartment with a month's worth of clothes, a jumbo pack of toilet paper and three pizzas and said everything was going to be ok.”

And the proposal story… (peek Rachel’s adorable ring dish below!)

“On a crisp fall evening, Jordan made dinner plans with another couple at an Argentinian Steak house they had been eager to try. Unbeknownst to Rachel, this was just a yummy diversion because as they were out to dinner, other friends were at Jordan's house decorating the rooftop deck.

After dinner, Jordan suggested that since they were having so much fun, the other couple should come back to his house for drinks on the roof. As they got home, Rachel climbed the spiral staircase ahead of the rest of the group and gasped as she saw the beautiful rooftop scene. As she took in the stunning decorations - red roses, rose petals and candles - Jordan got down on one knee. When Rachel turned around they held hands as he proposed. After Rachel said 'Absolutely!' cheers began from a neighboring rooftop. She looked over to see the friends who had secretly decorated climbing over from their hiding spot on a neighbor's roof to celebrate the engagement.

Prosecco was popped, calls were made and tequila shots were had. With COVID restrictions lifting, a local Karaoke bar, Waltz Inn - a favorite of both Jordan and Rachel that they had never been to together - had just reopened and the group continued the celebration with jello shots, and singing and dancing into the night.”

Cheers, cuties!! I can’t wait for your wedding at The Belvedere in just a few weeks… getting to know you both has been such a joy! Rachel, your impeccable sense of style, love of delicious food and travel and Jordan, your sense of humor and thoughtful kindness are just some of the ways your love story continues to inspire me… here’s to your best day yet, happening SO SOON!!!

xo,
Naomi

rose + ryan | an adorable sunset engagement in fells point

Ryan and Rose are honestly too cute for words. We had so much fun in Patterson Park and Fells Point as the sun set with a cotton candy colored sky behind the Domino Sugar sign shining brightly behind them… since one of their first dates was at Abbey Burger Bistro, we had to stop for some photos in front of it in Broadway Square (scroll down to see those)!

I love that their “how we met” story basically comes down to dogsitting:

“We met in passing through Rose's workplace where Ryan had previously been a law clerk while in law school. While we never worked together, Ryan came back to help out when the firm needed help during busy times and has always kept in touch with the owners of the firm. We were both dog-sitting for them while they were away one weekend so we had to keep in touch to hand off the dogs in the mornings. Ryan used this opportunity to ask Rose out to dinner.”

Their proposal story involved trash in Ryan’s pockets…!

“We were in Ocean City, MD for a relaxing weekend celebrating the recent engagement of our friends, Jamie and Jackson. The weekend before, we had planned and pulled off an elaborate surprise proposal and engagement party for them at our house. It was supposed to storm that day with Hurricane Laura on it's way so we wanted to get some beach time in; we went to the beach early even though it was cloudy and cold and almost no one was out there. I handle doing the laundry in the household and Ryan has a chronic case of putting trash in his pockets (wrappers, receipts, twigs, paper towels, napkins, leaves, etc.) and I am always having to clean them out before doing laundry and getting on his case about it.

Ryan said he was going into the water and started handing me trash from his pockets, which I could not understand since I had washed his swim trunks since the last time we went to the beach and then he handed me a folded up note that said "Will you marry me" and the ring. I had no idea, with my mind still on Jamie and Jackson's engagement. He only told Jamie and Jackson about 5 minutes beforehand too. All of our friends say, in true Jamie and Rose fashion, we would get engaged only a week apart and she will be getting married a month before! (we do everything together).”

I can’t wait for your wedding at Main Street Ballroom! It’s going to be the perfect blend of fun (hi skeeball!), romance (marrying your favorite person!), laughter and lots of love… and of course, delicious food, flowers and fun socks.

See you cuties, SOOOOON!

xo,
Naomi

ilana + ben | spring engagement at Rawlings Conservatory

Ilana and Ben chose to celebrate their relationship and newly engaged status in the place where it all officially started, Druid Hill Park! I couldn’t have been more excited for our time together since Ilana actually proposed to Ben here… more on that below…

These two share such a thoughtful, sweet, caring and intellectual chemistry together and inspire me with the way they strive for social justice in so many aspects of their lives.

We had the most lovely weather in Druid Hill Park for their engagement photos and with a ton of spots on our list to explore together, I’m so excited to share these vibrant yet relaxed and effortless, fun, candid moments with you!

Here’s more about the start of their meet-cute:

“We met at a rotating egalitarian, vegetarian, potluck Shabbat dinner in early 2018. The group is called Harbor Minyan and friends from that group are among our closest in Baltimore today! We talked about studying economics and travels to India over Ben's classic bean salad and Ilana's dish-of-the-month (always something different!) Ben made an impression by sharing a video of his Indian dance moves the that first night, and later invited Ilana to a small dinner party he was hosting.”

And the proposal:

“Ben lives for puzzles, so Ilana planned a scavenger hunt for Ben throughout Baltimore, leading to her in Druid Hill Park. She popped the question on a picnic blanket, they popped open champagne provided by a friend, and moments after they finished their glasses, the sky opened up with a major late August rainstorm! They celebrated and shared the news with family and friends during their lake getaway the following week.

Earlier this month, Ben surprised Ilana with a full-on at-home date night for Valentine's Day, with candles, music, dressing up, and take-out from one of our favorite restaurants. Ben suggested Ilana put a record on while Ben poured drinks, and she found a box of chocolates in the record player! Along with the chocolates she found an even more sparkly surprise - a ring!”

5 spots in Druid Hill Park we took Ilana + Ben’s engagement photos

1. their proposal spot, big trees and an intimate feel with a picnic blanket, a surprise chess set for Ben and margaritas

2. Taylor’s Grove (one of my favorite spots!)

3. Alllll the cherry blossoms near the Reservoir

4. Rawlings Conservatory gardens

5. Not location related, but I have to give a huge shoutout to Ilana’s outfits! I loved how romantic, relaxed and stylishly perfect the dress and tulle skirt paired with an off the shoulder lace top were for a garden, park engagement… and her curly hair still leaves me speechless!!!

I can not wait to celebrate with you and your families at Tusculum Farm! It’s going to be an absolutely beautiful June day in such a lush and relaxed garden setting… see you soon, cuties!

xo,
Naomi

francesca + zach | a modern Gunther & Co. engagement

Francesca and Zach were so relaxed in front of the camera, making them an absolute joy to photograph… these two are model material and seriously set the bar so high! Their relationship is effortless and so full of joy - not to mention, incredible style…

5 REASONS WHY GUNTHER & CO. WAS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR FRANCESCA + ZACH’S ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

1. Francesca + Zach had their first date here…

2. …and named their dog Gunther, since that’s where it all started!

3. The modern design of Gunther & Co was a beautifully simple backdrop to show off their love and relationship.

4. We had the back patio at Gunther & Co to ourselves and it was the perfect spot for a relaxing cocktail!

5. The golden hour sun peeked around the front of the building at just the right time for us to take advantage of it - this light is what all engagement session dreams are made of!

I love the way they look at each other and how Zach makes Francesca smile. It’s so genuine and full of excitement for what’s to come!

When golden hour came out to play, we were ready and waiting for those glowy shots… and they CRUSHED it!!

Francesca and Zach, I’m SO excited to see you again and document your wedding day in May - I know you’ve been waiting for this day for years, literally!!

xo,
Naomi

jessie + will | a Bmore Licks, Patterson Park + Fells Point engagement

“Moving away has shown us how much we love the city! We are really looking forward to kicking off our return to Baltimore, starting with our wedding…”

As soon as I first chatted with Jessie and Will, I learned 4 things very quickly:

1. We share a love of cheese, pizza (from Verde), and ice cream (from Bmore Licks of course!)… all of the most important dairy-filled foods!!

2. They love to make each other laugh and are one of the most down-to-earth couples to be around. I honestly wanted to hang out with them ALL DAY - they are ADORABLE, gorgeous and the perfect compliment to each other.

3. I am honored and incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to document their love story. Seriously, how did I get so lucky with these two!? #couplegoals 100%

4. The vision for their Mt. Washington Mill Dye House wedding is one that will celebrate their amazing sense of style in a simple, elegant, genuine and fun way…

They chose to focus their engagement session in and around my 2 favorite neighborhoods in Baltimore: Patterson Park and Fells Point… there was no shortage of genuine fun! ;)

I absolutely love their love story and had to share it with you…

“We both went to Loyola. Will was a year older, finishing up his extra semester and coaching golf, and I was a senior. We had never met or really even crossed paths during our college careers until early in the school year of our last year. Will bravely introduced himself on the dance floor of Ropewalk Tavern on a Thursday night out (Thursdays were always our favorite night in college and boy do we miss them!!). After exchanging numbers at Ropewalk, the weeks to follow were filled with many anxiously typed texts back and forth trying to make the perfect impression. We started to spend more and more time together and cross paths on campus after the night we met. We aren't ashamed to say that many of our early moments together were in Ropewalk Tavern or Zen West Cantina, two of Loyola's best known bars, having a little too much fun but that's what senior year is for! Over several months our relationship evolved from the guy or girl we both hoped to run into at the bar to each others best friends. As the end of senior year approached and Jessie had plans to go to dental school at Creighton in Omaha NE there were many difficult and teary eyed decisions which ultimately ended in Jessie moving to Nebraska and Will working and living in Baltimore. We spent more weekends in airports that first year of dental school than either of us ever anticipated. The weekly Omaha to Baltimore commute became evident that we had something really special. As hard as that year was, for as many tear-filled phone calls, and for all the heavy hearts as we flew back to our respective places we grew A LOT and learned even more about each other and how much we were in love. After tons of job applications many that seemed to be pushed aside considering the difference in location, Will finally landed a job at Gallup in Omaha and moved this past May. We are now happily living together and learning even more about each other every day. We feel extremely lucky that we "found" each other and will be forever thankful for dance floors way too late on Thursday nights in Baltimore.”

I remember when they described the proposal to me… it brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart (and stomach). ;)

“After I moved to Omaha and we were settled in our new apartment; the timing truly felt right. We spent an entire year commuting back and forth every weekend and it seemed fitting to take some time to cherish how far we had come. On the morning of July 3rd, Jessie went for a run and when she came back I had made a full breakfast that was ready and waiting for her. I knew this was the time and I was so excited for the feeling of this step forward that I could not wait any longer. I don't think either of us actually remember what came out of my mouth while asking to Jessie to marry me, but I will never forget the feeling that we had that day. A big part of what made it so special was our commitment to each other during challenging circumstances and an unwavering belief that we had each others backs through anything.”

We had the best time together walking, laughing, dancing, eating ice cream and enjoying a beautiful day in Baltimore… these lovebirds are THE BEST. They were nervous at first (I know that’s hard to believe!) but chose the cutest set of outfits and I can honestly tell you, they were MODELS every step of the way!!

Jessie and Will, your love for each other is an inspiration to so many! You are destined for big things together and I can’t wait until you’re back in Baltimore to officially become husband and wife in front of so many friends and family - your wedding day can’t come soon enough! For now, I hope you enjoy all the memories of your favorite Baltimore spots!

xo,
Naomi

kate + cody | a laughter-filled clipper mill engagement

I met up with Kate and Cody for their engagement session 3 days before everything shutdown due to Covid… since they were visiting for a few days on a break from life in Texas, we were so lucky to have spent the afternoon exploring Artifact Coffee together and the Clipper Mill and Woodberry industrial buildings before life changed dramatically!

These two are such a beautiful breath of fresh air to be around! Their energy, laughter, lighthearted and easygoing nature made for the most fun candid photos in this location - we had room to walk, explore and admire all of the textures of these historic mill buildings while having the place to ourselves, it seemed.

Here’s how they met and how Cody proposed, in Kate’s words:

“We met in the West Virginia University Drumline. I (Kate) was marching on the cymbal line and Cody was marching on the bass line. He finally noticed I was there in the fall, and we quickly became friends. He asked me on a date by October.

Cody had switched to cymbals on the drumline by this point. I had just completed a practicum for behavior analysis at WVU and was preparing to start my masters at the University of North Texas. He told me he was going to go practice for an upcoming summer camp, and went off to go practice while I was reading something in the living room. About ten minutes later, after hearing strange sounds that didn't quite sound like practicing, he came back into the living room with a really concerned look on his face and said he though one of the cymbals was broken. I was the drum captain the previous season, so I said I would take a look at it, not realizing he was holding the cymbals together like a clam shell which is not how you typically hold a broken cymbal. When he approached me, he opened the cymbals and my ring was in the middle of the bottom cymbal.”

Their wedding day is going to be full of unconventional and unique details that are meaningful to their relationship (Kate told me her bouquet is going to be made up of musical elements) and will include board / card games for their guests to play and end with a variety of cheesecakes to enjoy as dessert! YESSSS, please!!!

I can’t wait for your wedding at the Riverview at Occuquan in Virginia! It’s a venue I’ve loved since they first opened. Your fun-loving personalities and sense of humor are going to be incredible to photograph during the Fall in this beautifully lit, nature-filled, modern waterfront venue!

Cheers, lovebirds… let’s get you MARRIED!

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

erin + nick | elegant historic hampton mansion engagement

The number 13 has always been Nick’s lucky number (ps: it’s actually my family’s lucky number too!) and so it was only fitting that on June 13, 2007, Nick asked Erin to be his girlfriend and they became a couple… in the hallway at the end of an eighth grade school day!

Erin and Nick have been through so much together in the course of their 13 year relationship leading up to their Maryland wedding day; having the honor of getting to know them and documenting their love story has been nothing short of incredible… from our very first conversation nearly a year ago, I could immediately see and understand how Nick’s favorite thing about Erin is her thoughtfulness.

While the pandemic threatened to move their wedding to 2021, and steal the perfect wedding date from them (originally planned for June 26, 2020… 13 years and 13 days exactly from the day they started dating), an incredible silver lining emerged during all of the wedding postponement conversations. The stars in fact aligned, and they are going to be able to get married on June 13, 2020 after all (which was the date they originally wanted!) - in a smaller, more intimate ceremony in Columbia, Maryland where they first met and attended grade school together. I’m pretty sure there won’t be a dry eye during their backyard wedding ceremony.

In Erin’s words, how they met (I still can’t get over how they’ve been together for half of their lives!):

We met at Harper's Choice Middle School in Columbia, Maryland, at the beginning of sixth grade. We had our very first period class together that year, as well as a few others, but didn't know each other all that well. Still though, I have a memory of sitting with my best friends that year blushing at talking about thinking he was cute. We got to know each other a little more over the next couple of years in orchestra (both playing the violin). The oldest photo I have of the two of us is that December, during our orchestra concert - I'm looking over my shoulder at Nick, and it's so precious! In eighth grade, we had most of our classes together again, and I started talking to my friends (at those stereotypical middle school sleepovers!) about how cute Nick was, and how much I liked him, but didn't think he'd ever really noticed me. Just before valentines day that year, they convinced me to tell him how I felt. I composed an elaborate note to be slipped to Nick during English class on valentine's day, but a snow day pushed it to the next day. I think I wanted to crawl under my desk and die of embarrassment when I saw him open and read it! He responded the next day with a note of his own that thanked me for wishing him a happy valentine's day, but told me that he didn't feel the same way, and hoped we could just be friends. Since we were the two kids in school who weren't cool enough to be on AIM with everyone else, he also included his email address, and we started exchanging emails. Over the course of the next few months, we started emailing every day, eventually a hundred times a day, talking all night after school about everything and nothing, and becoming closer and closer friends. A couple of weeks before the end of the school year, Nick stopped me in the hallway at the end of the school day, and passed me a new note saying that his feelings had changed, that he really liked me, that he hoped I still felt the same way, and asking me to be his girlfriend. I was over the MOON! I wrote back a note the next day to say yes, and passed it to him on June 13, 2007. Thirteen has always been Nick's lucky number, so he and his best friend Ethan had decided that was the right day for him to ask me.

And now, the proposal in Nick’s words:

I proposed at the national cathedral in DC on April 21, 2019. We had been there before when we lived in DC, and I knew that the grounds and gardens were beautiful and would be perfect for pictures. April 21 was also Easter, so I figured it would be a good excuse for us to be dressed up nicely without creating suspicion. We were back in DC for the long weekend for the wedding of one of Erin's best friends. Erin was the officiant for her best friend's wedding on Saturday, and part of the bridal party, so when she had to be up in the bridal suite at 8:30 am for hair and makeup, it left me plenty of time to head over to the Cathedral with a good friend that Erin used to work with in DC to scope out the grounds, figure out where the best hidden vantage points for pictures would be, where the sun was, how we could approach the gardens so that we were aligned for pictures and also not make Erin suspicious about what we were doing there. Neither Erin nor I go to church very often anymore, and she most definitely did not want to go, but because it was Easter I convinced her that it was probably the right thing to do. Despite calls for rain all weekend, we had perfectly sunny skies. I had the Uber drop us off well out of the way so that we would approach the cathedral perfectly in line with where our friend would be hiding with his camera, and managed to time our approach perfectly so that the hundreds of people at the cathedral for easter were actually in the church just as service was beginning, which left us all alone on the grounds. The church bells were actually ringing as I got down on one knee and surprised Erin with a proposal that couldn’t have gone any better or more according to plan.

Erin is brilliant, and a meticulous planner, and just generally super thoughtful and aware, so I thought there was little to no chance of me pulling off a surprise proposal, but because she was so focused on her friend's wedding, and delivering a beautiful service, and ensuring that her friend had the wedding of her dreams, she was completely unaware of my plans.

We spent some time just us in the gardens, and then raced home to easter dinner where Erin only expected to see her family and mine, but I had also secretly arranged for all of our closest friends from home to be there waiting to surprise her, and help us celebrate our big day.

I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason and you both are proof that good things come to those who wait… I CAN NOT WAIT to watch you marry the love of over half your lives, 13 years in the making on June 13th in an intimate, small and ridiculously meaningful wedding ceremony among the presence of your closest friends and family!

Let’s get you MARRIED!

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

kathleen + ryan | an inverness brewing golden hour engagement session

Kathleen and Ryan wanted to try this photo during their engagement session at Inverness Brewing about 3 minutes after we arrived and got warmed up. It speaks volumes about their personalities and how perfectly in sync they are; while not our first take, this photo (that isn’t photoshopped!) only took 3 tries - timing truly is everything! ;)

Don’t take my word for it though, keep reading to hear their ‘how we met’ story to really understand why…

This golden hour magic came shortly after… how adorable are they? They literally fit together and complement each other in every way. Silly, sweet, sultry… they were such a dream and photogenic duo! I CAN. NOT. wait for their festive wintry wedding at Haven Street Ballroom!!!

In Kathleen’s words, how they met:

Flash back to 2012: Kathleen is living a quiet life with her friends Taylor and Michelle as they try to make it out of nursing school alive. Ryan is having the time of his life in Blacksburg, peaking in his college years with his friends. CJ, one of Ryan's Hokie friends, was high school sweatheart to Kathleen's friend Taylor. When visiting in Baltimore, CJ made sure to travel with 10 of his best Hokie friends, who always guaranteed a good time. It was during these fun Baltimore weekends, including New Years Eve and a Ravens SuperBowl win, that Ryan and Kathleen met.

Fast forward to 2014: Kathleen and Ryan hit it off on the dance floor at Taylor and CJ's wedding reception! However, the two failed to exchange phone numbers before parting from the wedding weekend. A few weeks later, as Kathleen was "showing her nightshift coworkers how Tinder works," she came across a mustachioed face that she recognized - none other than that of a sombrero-ed Ryan McGrath! Kathleen swiped right and the rest is history!

You have to hear the details of the super sweet Patterson Park engagement at the pagoda that Ryan planned…

“The proposal took place in the Pagoda in Patterson Park, just a few blocks from our house. We had always talked about checking out the inside of the Pagoda, and walked by it a zillion times, but we never timed it right during visitor hours. Ryan had planned a post-engagement brunch with both his and Kathleen's parents under the guise of Ryan's mom "just wanting to get everyone together because it had been awhile." Kathleen's parents threw her off by feigning to decline the invite, so suspicions were low.

On the morning of the brunch, we agreed to walk to brunch through the park. On the way, Ryan noted that there was someone attending the pagoda and suggested that we finally go inside to check it out (Ryan had arranged ahead of time for a special opening). On the way down from exploring the pagoda, Ryan escorted Kathleen to what he had determined would be the best spot for a photo op, as our friend Taylor (who introduced us, see above) was hiding in the bushes to capture the whole thing! Ryan dropped down on one knee, Kathleen gushed, and then we celebrated all day long, first with our parents at Mama's on the Half Shell, then with our friends at Fell's Fun Fest (Kathleen inadvertently planned her own engagement party by generating FFF hype).”

Here’s to snuggling up together as husband and wife VERY SOON! We can’t wait to celebrate alongside you and capture all the special details you have planned with the help of the one and only, The Otherside Creatives!

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:

1. 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…

2. Despite a threat of storms, imposing clouds and a few sprinkles, the rain held off and ended in a beautiful bright, warm golden sky!

3. 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.

4. 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!

Kim and Brian, we can’t wait for your Habitat Seya wedding!! Surrounded by so many friends and family who live all over the country, being able to get all of your favorite people in one place is going to be cause for a celebration in and of itself!

xo,
Naomi

10 tips for natural, non-awkward and real engagement photos

Ready to hear something crazy? Engagement sessions aren’t really even about the photos themselves. The photos are a bonus. Yup, I said it.

So what the heck are they for, then?! And how do we get those candid and unposed moments to our engagement photos? Hint: READ ON…

What are engagement photos really for?

1. Establishing a relationship between the 3 of us so you don’t have a stranger documenting the most intimate (and stressful!) days you’ve ever experienced.

   Why would you want to have the first time you meet the person you’ll spend the most time with on your wedding day other than your partner, be the afternoon of your wedding?

2. Building trust… between the 3 of us but also for your immediate family to see photos we took together, to know my style and work in advance.

   Once they do, they will know they can relax on the wedding day and trust us to work our magic and be creative while also capturing everything important to them, as it happens.

3. Enjoying a lighthearted night out together during the stress of wedding planning.

   An excuse to spend an hour outside together having fun with the person you love the most in this world during one of the most exciting times in your lives? Yeah, it could be a lot worse.

As a wedding photographer who prioritizes real moments, natural expressions and genuine laughter, my goal whenever you’re in front of my camera is to allow you to feel comfortable enough to laugh, cry, smile, kiss, hold hands and embrace the way you would (and do!) when no one’s watching. If there’s anything I hear time and time again, it’s one of these statements:

1. “We’re really awkward.”

2. “My fiance doesn’t like having his/her picture taken.”

3. “We don’t need engagement photos because we already have them / my friend / uncle / sister took them for us right after we got engaged…”

4. “Where should we take them? We don’t live in Baltimore and don’t know any places that would be meaningful to us.”

5. “What should we wear? We’re casual people and it’s not our style to get dressed up.”

I’m excited to share this list of 10 tips with you so that taking engagement photos doesn’t have to be something you dread. Instead, it can and should be fun, memorable and refreshing. If you think of it as just another date night, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to do it?

Without further ado, here are…

10 tips for achieving candid and non-awkWard
engagement photos (in other words, cheesy and overly posed is not my style either)!

Read it, save it and share it… and then read it again right before we meet up. ;)

1. DO YOU. If you take nothing else from this list, stop putting pressure on yourselves to be models or pose a certain way. None of my clients are and NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR HANDS WHEN THEY START! I’ll worry about how you look in front of the camera and give you tips, direction and confidence as needed, as long as you worry about having fun with your boo.

2. Wear what you feel best in and you will automatically feel less awkward. If your groom doesn’t go anywhere without wearing a hat, bring the hat (we’ll take it off for a few, I promise).

3. Put your ‘fancy’ clothes on. I personally feel that we don’t have enough reasons to get dressed up these days (hellooo, people used to get dressed up to ride trains!), but refer to no. 1... fancy can mean whatever you want it to. Maybe it’s just red and cute heels or new and crisp, dark denim!

4. Bring the champagne. Shake it up… magic! I don’t discriminate though and highly encourage all types of liquid courage to be enjoyed! ;)

5. Don’t wear your Fitbit. Take off your ️Apple watch. Give me your keys (but just remind me I have them when we’re done)!

6. Eat a snack before we start but save the meal for after. No one does well with a grumbly belly and dinner at your favorite spot will give you something to look forward to.

7. Choose your location strategically. Think through the places you’re most comfortable in together and the things you like to do in your free time.

8. Weave in your personality and story. Did you meet in college? College campuses are THE MOST photogenic. Do you brew your own beer? Let’s start at your fave brewery. Was your first date at a winery? Bring a bottle of that wine to enjoy. Do you run together? Let’s stroll the trails. Do you own a ️boat? Tell me when and where and I’m there.

9. Don’t bring extras... as in parents/friends. Unless they’re coming to bring home your pup once we’re done with them, I like being your one and only third wheel. Adding others is when it can actually get awkward.

10. Don’t rush the process. I’ve found one hour to be the sweet spot for getting comfortable and used to having a camera near you, having fun and having a bunch of conversations about anything and everything that will allow your wedding photos to be that much more natural and full of real emotion... because that’s the ultimate goal in the end, right?

After reading all of this, 1. you deserve a sweet treat and a glass of wine and 2. I hope you’re looking forward to your engagement session! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll share my thoughts and answers ASAP!

steve + joe | a bolton hill + brewer's art sailboat engagement in baltimore

Steve + Joe are such a perfect compliment to each other. This thoughtful, fun-loving couple incorporates a sense of spontaneous adventure and a love of art, architecture and culture into their busy lives. Knowing that, it was no surprise that they chose Bolton Hill, one of Baltimore’s most beautiful and historic neighborhoods, for the start of our engagement session together with their #urbanrowpup, Luther (always include your furry friends, please)!

Between the park they live near and the collection of magnificently restored 19th-century brick rowhouses on tree-lined streets among pocket parks and garden residences, Bolton Hill set the bar pretty high when we started out! We stumbled on my favorite urban backdrop: an ivy-covered brick wall that perfectly framed these two and set the tone for a relaxed, urban oasis feel to their Baltimore engagement session…

In Joe’s words, the story of how they met…

“We got together for our first date at Max's in Fell's Point. Steve had been running around for work the entire day and I had been planning to meet some of my friends from my masters program at Bad Decisions around the corner for drinks after my date was over. And then the date didn't end. We went for a walk along the waterfront (Early November so I'm sure it was chilly but I don't remember being cold) and had our first kiss on a secluded stretch between Fell's and Canton. Then we saw each other the next day and the next…”

With Brewer’s Art being one of their favorite local bars with Baltimore brews, we had to stop there on the way from Bolton Hill to Fells, where Steve’s boat was docked and waiting for us. I’m so glad we did - what an incredible place to enjoy a beer!

TIME OUT. Why are sunsets from a sailboat that much more amazing!? The breeze, the colors, the smells… life is so much fun while enjoyed by the water. I’m so glad Steve suggested incorporating his boat during our time together; it was the absolute perfect way to end a gorgeous summer night on the harbor!!

As if that all wasn’t enough, they were featured on Equally Wed, and I couldn’t be happier to have their love story and engagement photos shared with the world. Their vision of celebrating their life and love in Baltimore both during their engagement session and at their upcoming wedding at Mt. Vernon Park and The Assembly Room is simply perfect.

We are incredibly honored to be a part of your wedding day and can’t wait to capture all the urban art and industrial love you share with so many friends and family!!

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

courtney + dustin | rye street tavern cozy fall engagement

If this isn’t the best answer to what Courtney’s favorite thing about Dustin is, I don’t know what is… “just one?! I love that we compliment each other. We are opposites in the right ways and the same in the right ways.”

One of my favorite aspects of being a photographer is learning about what means the most to my clients (both in love and in life) and capturing the joy of their relationship TOGETHER in an effortless way. While Courtney told me numerous times how they are awkward in front of the camera, I beg to differ… these two ROCKED their photos and chose an amazing Baltimore location, Rye Street Tavern, adjacent to the Sagamore Spirit Distillery, to enjoy a gorgeous October night overlooking the water!

After I first connected with Courtney on Instagram, we’ve bonded over our shared love of wine, cheese, healthy and easy recipes, female small business ownership, a lifestyle full of approachable wellness, growing up in the tristate area… and the list goes on!

Here’s the story of how they met, in Courtney’s words:

“Dustin and I met at a bar on the University of Delaware campus. In my mind, it was a much more 'meant to be' moment than just meeting some random guy in a bar might sound. I went to UD for undergrad and when I stayed for grad school, I moved out of the college town and was alone with no friends in the area. There was a new grad student orientation happening my first true night 'alone' and my mom encouraged me to go. She called me and said she was worried about me and I better not be home alone all night. I was not planning to go to this event, I thought it was so silly because I had just spent four years at the school and I knew my way around. But I went in the hopes that maybe I would make a friend. I did meet a few people and had a nice time. At the end of the event, the organizers / leaders of the event invited us all to meet them at a local bar to hangout. It was still early in the evening and I called my mom to tell her about how I was glad I went to the orientation. I told her about the bar gathering but said I didn't think I would go. She told me I should go for at least 15 minutes if I had a good time because having some friends for this stage of my life was important. I said fine. I went and felt awkward but almost immediately one of the leaders, Ryan, came up to me and said hi and that he recognized me from the event and he was glad I came. He was very nice and was trying to make me feel comfortable. After a few minutes of talking a guy walked into the bar and up to us and Ryan introduced him as his roommate, Dustin. I immediately thought he was super attractive and I hadn't gotten a drink yet so the two of us talked while Ryan moved on. We ended up standing at that bar and talking for almost 3 hrs. I found out he liked Bruce Springsteen and was from Kentucky; being a Jersey girl, I was sick of east coast guys and had a love of Bruce. I thought he was funny and easy to talk to. We exchanged numbers and I went home. On my way home I called my mom and told her I met a 'really nice guy'...”

And then the most thoughtful clue-filled proposal…!

”We had a day trip to DC planned to see the cherry blossoms. I was running late (per usual) and we had a train to catch. Dustin was upstairs because I asked him to help me with my outfit choices. Once I was dressed, he came over and gave me a hug and said I looked nice and there was something he wanted me to do before we left. He reached into his pocket and picked out a slip of paper. It was a clue! I immediately knew what was happening and got all shakey. Clue 1: ‘You let me eat these when I have a sweet tooth (it was a box of sugary cereal)’. Inside that box was another slip ‘Thank you for feeding me nutritious foods and helping me be healthy.’ Clue 2: ‘We took one of this the first day we met' (a shot… it was a shot glass on our bar). Next slip said: ‘I love that you are fun and adventurous with me’. Clue 3: ‘This is where you organize all of your days, like today (my planner)’. Next slip said ‘I admire your ambition and I know it will pay off big soon’. Clue 4: ‘It's under the thing I worked on for six years (his PhD which is framed above our office desk)’. Next slip said: ‘Thank you for always supporting me and being there for me, even during hard times’. Clue 5: ‘hiding under your favorite sleep companion’ said "I want to be with you for all days" and when I turned around Dustin was there with a ring box open - just looking at me, for what felt like FOREVER. I was so tempted to speak but I didn't, I just smiled and nodded like come on, ask me, hahahaha and he asked "Do you want to get married?" in a Dustin fashion I would expect, and I said yes, and then we went and had a fun day in DC.”

Your wedding at Mt. Washington Tavern is going to be absolutely incredible - we can’t wait to be a part of it! I already love how your wedding date is the EXACT date you met… 1000% meant to be!!

xo,
Naomi

styling: Kristi Stevens of Shoptini
location: Rye Street Tavern + Sagamore Spirit Distillery
approachable wellness: Real Food Court

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