ali + cody | candid, elevated, elegant night out downtown

…an elegant + chic night out starting at Ali + Cody’s apartment with champagne near the fireplace, kisses outside their Mini Cooper and cocktails at the Ivy Hotel’s bar in Mt. Vernon, Baltimore…

who says engagement photos can’t be sophisticated AND full of personality?

I loved Ali’s vision for these photos: Cody in a fitted black suit with a skinny tie, a strapless tulle dress with pearl accents followed by a strapless, deep plunging white dress with a high side slit, mainly black and white candids, lots of steamy romance…

Ali + Cody, you have my heart and then some!!

xo,
Naomi

emily + tristan | a chic, modern waterfront engagement at dusk

The way Emily describes her favorite thing about Tristan is not only true, it’s adorable. You two have the sweetest love story and make an incredible couple — you compliment each other in every way.

“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.”

We had the best Fall weather during their engagement photos along the water in Baltimore and as the sun started to set, all the light from the buildings across the harbor appeared to twinkle just for them. I can’t wait for you to enjoy these as much as I did taking them!

So glad there are no rules anymore… Emily and Tristan’s meet-cute was perfect for them! And, I love the Bluebird Cocktail Room for a first date spot: so romantic and delicious.

“Tristan and I meet November 2020 through the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel with our first date at The Bluebird Cocktail Room in Hampden. Tristan was a bit quiet, reserved and I showed up at my normal 11 on a scale of 1-10! I actually ordered an Absinthe Drip! Probably not the best idea on a first date, but it was 2020 and there were no rules anymore at that point, haha!

At the end of the date, I thought that maybe I was a bit too much for him, but he texted me later and asked to schedule a second date. We had our second date at Sally O's and we've pretty much been together ever since!”

I love their proposal story, as told by Emily…

“We spent the day at the BMA and went to dinner at La Cuchara. It was a nice night out, so we went on our normal walk around the harbor when we got home. We were walking along the water by the Ritz Carlton when Tristan decided he wanted to sit down on one of the benches. I thought this was weird b/c it's not something we normally did, but once I sat down, he turned around with the ring and proposed! I was so confused as to what was happening (I'm sure the 3 gin & tonics I had a dinner had nothing to do with that!) and just kept yelling "what is happening!" Hahaha. Tristan was actually planning to propose a couple weeks prior when we were in Cartagena, Colombia, but the ring didn't come in time ("supply chain issues"), so the next plan was to do it in Turks & Caicos during our birthday trip at the beginning of June, but once the ring arrived, he couldn't wait and did it in the spur of the moment. It was very sweet, but it's also a bit blurry.”

Emily + Tristan, I can not wait to see you two married on Saturday! You’ve been patiently waiting and planning for this day for such a long time, it’s going to be your best day yet… but believe me, the best is yet to come. ;)

See you in T-4 days… here’s to ending the year with the best celebration!!!

xo,
Naomi

caroline + brian | a colorful mural engagement in dc at alethia tanner park

As soon as I learned Alethia Tanner Park in DC has a huge variety of creative murals and Caroline + Brian live within walking distance, I knew their engagement photos in DC were going to be fun, relaxed, colorful and joyful!

We met up on a warm and gorgeous June evening where we had most of the park to ourselves other than a few bicyclists strolling by; while these cuties enjoy going on nature walks, they are city people at heart and felt the bright, energetic vibe of this spot made them feel most at home… I couldn’t have loved our time together more!!

Give me bright + bold color with a sweet couple to add adorable smiles to such unique murals any day of the week; enjoy these favorites from Caroline + Brian’s DC engagement session!

Caroline and Brian, I am beyond excited to spend the day with you celebrating your wedding at The Butterfly Room in Baltimore SO SOON! Until then, keep dancing together, visiting your favorite local spots and making each other laugh — it’s a recipe for the best memories!

xo,
Naomi

keri + joey | a cute, candid engagement atop federal hill at sunset

Down to earth, fun, thoughtful, stylish, kind, warm and genuine… if you were wondering what it’s like to be around Keri and Joey, it’s all of those adjectives and then some! You instantly feel at ease in their presence and like you’ve been friends with them for years.

Despite considering a lot of different locations for their engagement session both in DC and Baltimore, they ultimately ended up at Federal Hill and I’m so glad! This iconic Baltimore hilltop spot has incredible skyline views, a gorgeous grassy park feel with tree-lined paths and perfect golden light as the sun is setting just west of both Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium… it doesn’t get much more quintessential Baltimore than this!

“My favorite thing about Joey is truly that he is the most thoughtful person I know. Not in the over the top I’m going to spoil you way, but more about the small details that others would miss. He listens to everything I say even when I can bet he isn’t listening, he thinks of how something will make me feel and will then find a way to “make it happen”. ~Keri

“It is hard to name just one favorite thing about Keri. The first thing that comes to my mind is how selfless she is. She will go more than out of her way for her friends, family and coworkers. No matter how big or small she is always looking to brighten someone’s day or to help them even if it makes things harder on herself.” ~Joey

These two share a love of laughter, making pizza at home together while hosting friends, playing Triomonos while sipping wine and old-fashioneds and trying new restaurants in their hometown of Alexandria, VA — however, Baltimore holds a special place in their heart since Joey’s family lives nearby and they’re getting married at The Winslow, just a few blocks from Federal Hill!

We were so lucky to have the most incredible golden hour light during our time together and almost no one around in the park. I don’t know how it happened but I do know that Keri and Joey deserved every minute of the perfect radiant glow during their last few weeks as an engaged couple!

Keri + Joey, I can’t wait to document your love story and celebrate your wedding at The Winslow!! I know how excited you are to have all your people together in the same place with you — it’s going to be more memorable than your wildest dreams!

xo,
Naomi

kelly + colin | a relaxed and radiant sunset engagement at cylburn arboretum

Kelly and Colin make my heart so happy. They are 2 of the most incredible humans I’ve met… passionate, hardworking, kind, considerate, thoughtful, smart, funny, have impeccable taste in what they wear, who they surround themselves with and how they move through life.

Our time together at Cylburn Arboretum in late May was nothing short of MAGICAL. The gardens were showing off, the sun was golden and glowy and Kelly + Colin were easy, breezy and beautiful in love.

I can’t get over Kelly’s dress (from Lulu’s — always my favorite!) and how her gorgeous blonde hair fell in romantic, soft waves at her shoulders where the dress tied with the cutest long ribboned bows!

And their meet-cute story:

“The short version is through mutual college friends at the University of Maryland. The long version is this: Colin adopted his first ever dog, Goldie, the summer before our senior year of college. Kelly’s roommate at the time was a huge dog lover and as a good friend of Colin’s then roommate, would often take Goldie for walks or watch her on weekends that the boys were away. Colin would always come pick up Goldie after a play date or sleepover and would always take some time to sit and chat. After several of these Goldie-related hang outs, Kelly soon developed a crush on Colin. On a Saturday night out about a month before graduation (with some liquid courage on board), Kelly made the first move and planted kiss on Colin. The rest is history!”

Their proposal story is so incredible, I love it — who knew a day spent getting baby pee on you, paying taxes and getting a flat tire could end up being such a beautiful day!?

After almost 6 years together, Colin decided the time was right and started planning all the proposal details. He asked Kelly’s parents for permission, got the ring, and hired a photographer to capture the moment. He even got in touch with the student coordinator of Kelly’s anesthesia school program to sneakily give Kelly the day off from the hospital, with the disguise of Good Friday as the reason for the day off. Excited to have a rare day off, Kelly quickly decided to spend the day with her sister and 6 day old nephew to get in some baby snuggles. Kelly helped give baby Jett his very first bath, but not without getting a golden shower herself. Being the natural procrastinator she is, Kelly also had to file her taxes that day as it was literally the last day to submit them. This process brought on several frustrations and maybe a few tears. As the afternoon turned to evening, Kelly’s sister and parents kept asking when she was leaving to go home for her dinner date with Colin at Kooper’s Tavern in Fells Point. Kelly was enjoying her time with the family and jokingly said to them, “are you guys trying to kick me out or something?!” Spoiler alert: they were!

Heading to their home in Canton to change from the aforementioned baby pee outfit into something clean for dinner, Kelly wasn’t 5 minutes down the road from her parents’ house when she heard a hissing sound coming from her right front tire and an alert for low tire pressure. After pulling into a Dunkin Donuts parking lot and confirming she had the flattest tire of all time, she called Colin for an update, who said he was getting ready and would call back soon. Kelly also called her dad, who would stop the world to help her with anything. But to her surprise, he told her to just call AAA rather than coming the 5 minutes away to change the tire himself as she expected he would. She quickly let the thought pass since that is what AAA is for anyway. Behind the scenes, Kelly’s family had immediately began changing when she left in preparation to meet them downtown for the proposal and couldn’t show up in nicer clothes then they’d just been wearing minutes before. Colin called back and said he was going to come pick Kelly up to take her to dinner because he didn’t want to wait for AAA. After finally arriving to Fells Point and parking the car, Kelly and Colin started walking down by the water to head to dinner — Kelly still wearing the sprinkled clothes from earlier with no time to go home and change. Colin suggested a quick stop to sit on a bench overlooking the water to decompress after an eventful afternoon.

While sitting together and enjoying the moment, Colin got down on one knee and proposed! Kelly was in complete shock and the tears of happiness came pouring out. Shortly after, Kelly and Colin’s parents and siblings joined to add to the surprise. The next day, a scheduled brunch date turned out to be a surprise engagement party with all of our closest friends. It was an unforgettable weekend filled with so much love and happiness!

Kelly + Colin, I can’t tell you how excited I am for your wedding day!!

Ever since we first had the chance to connect, you’ve brought such a huge smile to my face. Your love story continues to inspire me in the way you both support each other and prioritize time together amongst such busy and successful careers! I can’t wait to celebrate with you and document all the love, joy and candid emotion at your Heron Room + Cosima wedding!

xo,
Naomi

rachel + matt | a rawlings conservatory engagement with dogs

Self-proclaimed nerds who love their dogs (2 of the cutest chihuahuas I’ve ever seen!), Taco Tuesday, vibrant color and all things Baltimore… so much to love about these cuties!!!

Rachel and Matt told me they weren’t photogenic at all and then these moments happened. I honestly gave them no guidance — they just stole my heart and were adorably cute and cozy from the minute we arrived at Rawlings Conservatory!

Rachel and Matt are getting married at Vignon Manor Farm later this month and I couldn’t be more excited for all they have planned — it’s the biggest honor when a fellow wedding photographer reaches out to ask me to photograph their wedding and trusts me with their vision!

I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed getting to know them — from our constant pup convos to sneak peeks at the custom ring while they were designing it before it arrived, to sharing recipes and photographer problems, I never want our time together to end!

Rachel and Matt (+ Phoebe and Mia, #urbanrowpup(s)), I can’t wait to see you as Mr. & Mrs! You’re already such a great partnership, I can’t wait to see what comes next for you… :)

xo,
Naomi

tori + sam | a pizza + wine engagement at old westminster winery with their dog

Tori + Sam’s engagement session at Old Westminster Winery couldn’t have been more fun, picturesque and a feast for all the senses. I simply adore these two!! Their sense of style and down-to-earth, warm, genuine personalities and love of big dogs…

Peppery. Bright. Easy-drinking. “Aromas and flavors of lavender, green peppercorns, plums; blackberry, rosemary…”

Inside the intimate greenhouses at the winery, they sipped locally crafted Maryland red wine by the name of “Pepper” while their dog Brewer lied down beside them sipping his own wine ;) …his own wine bottle stuffie is his favorite toy! I KID YOU NOT! Unfortunately, their cat Brisket wasn’t able to make it out with us. Dinner was a wood-fired margherita pizza made fresh right on site brought to their private greenhouse.

But let’s just get right to their love story in photos, shall we?

Tori describes how they met… guys that follow through on a promise are keepers, if you ask me. :)

“We met during Dollar Beer night at Claddaghs in Canton! I was there with a friend, and Sam walked right up and said, "Hi I'm Sam, what's your name?" He then bought me (multiple) $1 beers, and I told him he could only have my phone number if he used it. Which he did!”

And Sam’s proposal incorporated lots of surprises on their rowhouse rooftop deck… :)

“Sam told me that we were going to a brunch for our friends 30th birthday (which was actually that weekend!) and to be ready to leave at 11am. Just before 11, he asked me to go onto our roof deck for a pre-brunch drink, which I happily agreed to! Once up there, Sam brought a speaker and played our song, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him with the most PERFECT engagement ring. We had never talked about rings before, but he asked my friends what I wanted (an emerald cut) and designed it himself with two baguette diamonds from one of his great grandmothers rings (my favorite part!). After he proposed, he grabbed a bottle of champagne that he hid up there and our two best friends popped out from the roof deck next to us! We all celebrated for a few hours at our house, and then I still thought we were going to our friends birthday brunch. But we arrived to a surprise engagement party with all of our closest friends and family. Sam’s family came from Cleveland and my family came from New York and Nashville. We had friends fly/drive in from Boston, Philly, Chicago, and New Orleans. They brought all kinds of decorations and we had the best engagement part ever! Sam had been planning for months without me knowing. As he says, I'm the perfect person for this kind of surprise because I am so oblivious!”

Tori: My favorite thing about Sam is his general calm demeanor. He is always so laid back, go with the flow, and finds ways to enjoy everything life throws his way. His personality compliments my uptight self so well, and I think his persona is the first thing that really drew me to him when we met. That, and his incredible brown eyes!

Sam: Tori's smile :)

Could you two be any cuter?! Absolutely not. You are THE cutest lovebirds and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day at Accelerator Space with lots of smiles, lots of family and lots of peppery and bright red accents. ;)

xo,
Naomi

cecily + stephen | candid and fun, urban industrial clipper mill engagement

When your time together starts with laughter like theirs, you know it’s going to be the best.

Cecily + Stephen are adorable, laid-back, loving, thoughtful and always up for having fun… which in my mind is the best recipe for genuine, candid engagement photos that show off both of their personalities! I’ve had the absolute honor of photographing the weddings of some of Cecily’s closest friends and family over the years which makes me even more excited for their wedding day at The Excelsior… if you’re not familiar with it, just picture exposed brick, ivy-covered walls, a chic yet historic industrial vibe and spaces full of natural light. It’s like if Clipper Mill in Baltimore got plopped down in downtown Lancaster, PA.

Can we also just admire their outfits for a sec? Cecily in a terracotta top with ripped jeans and nude sandals and Stephen in a black half-zip sweater, dark jeans and brown boots. I was lowkey obsessed. The perfect attire for trekking through industrial ruins and standing next to textured wood and raw brick walls. ;)

Cecily and Stephen, I CAN. NOT. wait for your wedding this weekend!! It’s been years in the making and I know your 3 pups are excited for their pawrents to finally make it official! :) Here’s to all the celeBraaten!

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

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

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

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

mekenna + nick | a fells point pier engagement with champagne

What better way to celebrate your birthday than spending the day getting pampered with your mom as you prep for your engagement photos and then walking hand-in-hand with your fiance along the waterfront on a quiet Tuesday night in Fells Point… it was cloudy and overcast but that didn’t stop the champagne and fun flirty looks flowing between these two!

In fact, the gray skies made it so much better: no squinting, no washed out colors and less crowds along the water… they had the entire Broadway Pier and Four Seasons promenade all to themselves! Consider it my birthday gift to you, Mekenna. ;)

Aren’t they such a gorgeous couple?!

When I asked them to share their favorite things about each other, they both didn’t know how to narrow their answers down… that’s when you know it’s meant to be. ;)

Nick: “There is not enough room on the page to write down all the things I love about Mekenna. I think what I love the most is how much attention and care she offers to those closest to her. She is truly the most amazing person I have ever met - strong, independent and brilliant. I am constantly in awe, and am not sure how I could ever be so lucky… she is also easy on the eyes. ;)”

Mekenna: “I also can't begin to narrow down my favorite things about Nick. I love that he can make me smile even when I'm in the worst mood. I feel safe and loved whenever I'm with him. He is the sweetest, most thoughtful, and the most genuine person I have ever met in my life. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with him!”

Mekenna + Nick, I can’t wait for the honor of photographing your wedding! The way you love each other is not only inspiring but so full of respect, admiration, passion and genuine joy - it’s easy to see why you’re so adorable and perfect together!!

xo,
Naomi

allie + hunter | a spring mt. vernon engagement at brewer's art

On a beautiful Friday in Mt. Vernon, I met up with Allie + Hunter (+ Bruce, who was THE most well-behaved little pup!) for their spring engagement photos… it was so much fun because they have such a naturally adorable and sweet chemistry together — seriously these two could make a blank wall look amazing!

They started with a beer at Brewer’s Art and then we walked down to the Washington Monument to take advantage of the gorgeous magnolia blooms. We got so lucky with the weather and had a chance to stop in front of the Belvedere, an iconic spot in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood as well as timing it right to get that glowy setting sunlight streaming through the trees at the west side of the park in Mt. Vernon Place!

Allie + Hunter, you’re both such a joy to be around and deserve all the happiness life can bring! I can not wait to be a part of your wedding day at Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park on the water… you’ve been waiting so long for this day and it’s finally here!!!

xo,
Naomi

lily + andy | a relaxed, candid engagement at rye street tavern

When I met up with Lily and Andy for their engagement photos at Rye Street Tavern, it was a chilly yet beautiful November evening in Baltimore; we danced, we walked, we jumped and we snuggled up with Nyla, their adorable #urbanrowpup who seemed like she’d modeled at 17 photoshoots before this one… she was a pro! ;)

I love how completely at ease and comfortable you both are - up for anything and so sweet and silly together, Lily and Andy, you compliment each other in every way! I also have to say how much I swooned over Lily’s vibrant blue floor-length dress that added so much motion and movement to their photos.

But you know what’s even better? The story of how they met:

“After studying abroad for a semester in Sydney, Andy was apartment hopping; catching up with the friends he hadn't seen for a semester. On his way home, he decided to stop in at one last spot and visit a friend who he had known since high school. That friend happened to be throwing a small party, and Lily was there! After learning that Lily was interested in travel and Game of Thrones, Andy was hooked.”

And then how Andy proposed at a Getaway House (LOVE that!):

“Andy booked a Getaway House by Shenandoah National Park for a weekend trip. We spent the weekend there hiking in the park and taking pictures at many of the amazing outlooks. Although Andy was hoping to propose at the top of hike with a beautiful view, heavy cloud cover forced an audible. Andy suggested taking photos looking out the huge window in the Getaway cabin. While Lily's back was turned, and the camera was rolling, he got down on one knee and proposed. Nyla, our pup, was very excited.”

Lily + Andy, I can’t wait for your wedding day and all the jumping (for joy!) photos that are going to take place!! ;) You two are just the cutest!

xo,
Naomi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xo,
Naomi

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

meghan + justin | a lush, greenery filled engagement at rawlings conservatory

On a bright and beautiful sunny Fall day, I explored the lush Rawlings Conservatory with Meghan and Justin — they are absolutely radiant and perfect together.

Their love story started simply with a friendship and being in the right time and place. A mutual friend’s wedding was involved in taking it to the next level and the rest you can read below… ;)

What are their favorite things about each other…? Their answers left me speechless.

“Justin is incredibly thoughtful. Not just in the ways that selfishly I benefit, but in the way he loves his family and treats others, the way he is so intentional in making decisions to support the life he wants to live. He makes things happen, but is never reckless. Did I mention he still opens car doors for me and is the best chef/baker?”

“Meghan is a third-level thinker, something beyond intelligent. I can spend hours considering a dilemma and come up with a course of action.. but it wasn't long before I learned that running it by her will almost always lead to a more complete solution. She knows which subtle details are the critical points, and she explains them in an ego-less way that helps and encourages. I know it, her peers and colleagues know it, and it's why people (and I) place unparalleled value in her friendship (and future wife-ship).”

How they met in Justin’s words:

“We originally met through friends just being in the same place at the same time. We saw each other infrequently for many years and didn't really share much time together. Some would say we barely tolerated each other. Five or so years later, some of those mutual friends had a wedding. I (Justin) was an usher and spotted Meghan walking towards the seating. I had two thoughts -- 1. we should be cooler with each other and 2. damn she looks good in that dress and with that hair (it was in this order, I swear). I skipped the line of ushers to be the guy to walk her to seat, said "hi" etc., and returned to my usher duties for about 5 minutes before coming back to sit with Meghan and talk. We slow danced once at the wedding. We talked a little more, walked to her car when she left, and that capped off what I felt was a good potential start. That start led to texting, a couple movies ... moving in together, and choosing 9/30/21 as a very important date.”

And the proposal (that brought tears to my eyes!) in Meghan’s words:

“It was a Tuesday and I had just gotten home from work. Justin let me know there was something in the mail for me and went upstairs to change into his gym clothes, totally normal. The envelope was so strange, addressed to me and my mother with a CT return address. Inside the mailing envelope, another blue envelope. Inside the blue envelope, a letter in Justin's handwriting to my mom. I froze. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to read this, or it had somehow gotten lost and mailed back to me instead of Justin? I finally went half-way upstairs and asked Justin if I was supposed to read this letter. I sure was, and it was the sweetest letter to my mom asking for her blessing to propose. I stood in the kitchen re-reading the letter, so surprised and in awe that it took me a good ten minutes to finally come upstairs where Justin was waiting. He got on one knee, said all the sweet things again, and I said yes.”

Cheers, cuties! Your gentle, sweet and genuine love is an inspiration… I can’t wait to celebrate alongside you at the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House SO SOON!!

xo,
Naomi

catherine + joey | a fun, historic main street engagement in Westminster

When your favorite thing about each other is basically the same quality/feature, you know you’re soulmates… when I asked Catherine and Joey to share their favorite thing about their fiance, they both said this:

Catherine about Joey: “His laugh - it never fails to cheer me up. I actively try to make him laugh as much as I can because it feels me with pure joy.”

Joey about Catherine: “Her smile - because it lights up the room.”

I love the love these two share! They chose to take their engagement photos in Westminster, MD (where they currently live) because the town holds lots of history and meaning for Joey and his family - bonus that it also has the sweetest classic Americana vibes, adorable tree-lined streets, quaint architecture and beautiful pocket parks!

I love the way their love story began over margaritas and burritos and business school…

“We were classmates in business school at Georgetown when we first met. Neither of us recall actually meeting for the first time - but we spent our entire first semester of school sitting across from one another (in a semicircle shaped lecture room). Our first date was on a Sunday evening - we went to a local taco shop and there was some confusion on whether we were just getting drinks or eating dinner... so Catherine ate beforehand and drank a margarita while Joey housed a burrito. That's how it started.”

Catherine and Joey are so full of joy and smiles that light up a room — it’s easy to see their chemistry and the love they have for each other, their families and Mosey, their adorable #urbanrowpup!

And how sweet was Joey’s surprise proposal?!

“We had really nice dinner at a lovely restaurant/hotel in Taneytown, MD called the Antrim. When we returned home, Joey sent me on a (short) scavenger hunt that involved finding some sparklers, putting together a mini puzzle of our dog and ending on our back porch - where flowers, champagne and balloons spelling "CFG MARRY ME?” were strung up. It was just us, at home (with our dog) and it was perfect.”

Talk about perfect… I’m OBSESSED with Catherine’s unique engagement ring!

Exploring downtown Westminster with you two was so much fun (I could have spent an entire day there!) and I can’t wait for your gorgeous wedding!! You’ve planned and designed such a beautiful day with Lauren Corrigan Events, I’m honored to be a part of it and can’t wait to celebrate you both!

Cheers, lovebirds!

xo,
Naomi