laura + bryan | an artful engagement at avam with their dog

I met up with Laura and Bryan (and their #urbanrowpup, Marlow!) on a bright January day at the American Visionary Art Museum near the Inner Harbor and Fed Hill park. We chose this location knowing it was still very much winter outside and because of the mosaic facade at AVAM and all the harborfront views, you wouldn’t be able to tell there were no leaves on the trees or flowers in bloom!

I’m just so excited to be around these two - they have such a natural connection and are so sweet together, radiating happiness and love!

And here’s how the proposal happened - I love how they both had a hand in planning the proposal trip in their own way for each other!

Laura planned a fall trip to Asheville with very little input from Bryan. About a week before the trip, Bryan said he didn't know any details and wanted to know where we were staying, eating, and what exactly we were doing. Little did Laura know, Bryan was planning the proposal. He even had a new selfie stick shipped to the hotel in preparation for the moment. The day we were leaving, Laura happened to mention to Bryan that he never takes photos - setting Bryan up for the perfect excuse as to why he had a new selfie stick shipped to the hotel. Fast forward to our first full day of the trip, we had plans to go for a hike. After breakfast at a local spot known for their biscuits (where Bryan left the ring in the car...!), we headed to the mountain. Half way through, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bryan set up the new selfie stick to capture some photos. Right then and there he said "I have a very important to question to ask you"...and the rest is history!

Laura and Bryan, you have been so thoughtful, attentive, organized and fun to get to know throughout the wedding planning process, I can not wait to see how your spring wedding comes together at The Loom - the first wedding at this new Baltimore venue! Let’s go and get you two married!!!

xo,
Naomi

noey + peter | a locust point engagement with their corgi pup

Having met at Loyola their senior year, Noey + Peter share a deep love of Baltimore — buying a house in SoBo meant finding themselves in a new neighborhood to explore with their adorable dog Sasha…

Noey + Peter both have gorgeous, contagious smiles and a sweetness about their relationship that was so much fun to photograph; I was so excited when they decided to take their engagement photos in Locust Point near the Domino Sugar mural and factory, Little Havana and the waterfront promenade! Their stomping grounds are places that are very familiar and near and dear to me too since I used to work in Locust Point (during my architect days!) and love it when #urpcouples choose spots that are meaningful to them AND allow us to easily have their adorable pup involved!

“Peter and I met at Loyola University in Maryland. It was a relatively small school, so we were peripherally aware of each other since our freshman year, but we never spent time together or had the opportunity to become friends. But then Peter studied abroad in New Zealand with a few of my closest friends during our junior year (I studied in Spain), so we saw each other a lot more often at parties and social events when we all returned to campus for our senior year. After running in the same social circle for a while, Peter and I started talking, and the rest is history!”

And their proposal story as told by Noey!

“Peter's parents have a home in Long Beach Island in New Jersey; Peter and I spend every 4th of July weekend there with his family and friends. Last year, Peter invited my parents to join us up there for the holiday (this probably should have tipped me off that something was up, since they live pretty far away, but I didn't catch it!). We took that Friday off from work to enjoy the beach, but unfortunately, it was raining on-and-off, so we were a bit cooped up. Peter asked if I wanted to go for a walk on the beach, but it was raining, so I said no thank you (this should have been another tip-off, but nope!). A bit later, Peter's mom asked us to go to the beach to collect some shells for a baby shower we were going to the next day; I agreed since at least we had a reason to be out in the rainy weather now. So, Peter and I walked over to the beach in a mist of rain and wandered down to the surf to look for some shells. At some point, I walked ahead, and when I turned around, Peter was down on one knee! When he asked if I would marry him, I actually said "Are you sure?" instead of yes at first. Since it was raining, it was just us on the beach, which made it even more special. When we got back from the beach, the house had been decorated, and our families were waiting to congratulate and celebrate us. We spent the rest of the day surrounded by family and friends, and it will always be one of my most favorite days.”

“My favorite thing about Peter is the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles.” :)

”My favorite thing about Noey is her thoughtfulness and genuine kindness/care that she puts toward all aspects of her life.”

…those are my favorite things about both of you too! :) I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day at Loyola University and the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House with all your nearest and dearest family and friends coming together to celebrate. It’s going to be an amazing day in Baltimore!!

xoxo,
Naomi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xo,
Naomi

nora + ross | bright and colorful federal hill engagement

If there was a consistent theme running through Nora + Ross’ engagement session, it was complete and utter joy in being around each other. Nora’s sense of style (that bold red lip with those glasses and a vibrant orange-y red patterned jumpsuit!) paired with Ross’ easygoing and thoughtful nature was so much fun to document - these two have so much personality!!

The 4 reasons Nora + Ross’ engagement photos at AVAM and Federal Hill will inspire you:

1. Exploring the American Visionary Art Museum’s outdoor sculpture gardens together made for so many fun backdrops to their photos; brick, mirrored mosaics, bright colors, texture, ivy-covered walls… I could have easily spent all day with them and I’m so glad they felt at ease being themselves here!

2. Since Nora grew up in Baltimore but they currently live in New York, choosing an iconic Baltimore location along the Inner Harbor meant their photos would hold special meaning to them while allowing us to incorporate 3 very different settings; the waterfront, a modern art museum and Federal Hill, a park with hilltop views like no other.

3. The way Nora’s smile and laughter lights up every image. When you love being around your person, it shows…

4. Speaking of, their love story is like something out of a movie. It all came to be because of a missed subway connection. And that subway line and stop is where Ross proposed after careful planning “and nearly torpedoed Nora”.

Are they not the sweetest couple together?! I’m such a sucker for black and white images where genuine emotion shows through and this one just makes me smile from ear to ear.

I know this weekend is bittersweet since we were supposed to be celebrating together at Frederick Douglass Maritime Park, but thanks to COVID demanding we spend another year looking forward to it, I hope you’ve been able to celebrate in your own way!

Here’s to more epic golden sunsets along the Baltimore waterfront the next time we’re together! *fingers crossed*

xo,
Naomi