ashley + jake | an avam + federal hill engagement full of love + bubbly
/As a native Marylander, Ashley has a ton of pride for Baltimore (and Jake, a native Texan, is quickly learning how great it is here! ;)), so choosing to take their engagement photos at the American Visionary Art Museum then walking atop Federal Hill Park as the sun was setting, made for the most iconic Baltimore photos that I can’t wait to share with you!
If you want a glimpse into why these two are so special, cue the happy tears when you read the simple trait that is Jake’s favorite thing about his fiance:
“When she laughs, it lights up my day in an amazing way.”
I love the details of their college meet-cute! (and totally random fun fact: the architecture firm I used to work for, designed Turman Hall at Emory University where they first met… how’s that for a small world!?)
“Jake and I met in the very stereotypical way: we lived one floor apart from each other in the same freshman dorm, Turman Hall, our freshman year at Emory University. We both had kind of odd roommates, so instead of spending time in our dorm rooms, we both spent a lot of time in the dorm lounge at the end of the hall – myself and Nneoma (a girl in my hall who became my best friend and now bridesmaid) downstairs in the girls floor lounge, and Jake upstairs in the boys floor lounge, which was open to our lounge below. We spent sooooo much time in that lounge our first year, including one memorable night where the 3 of us legitimately stayed up from 6pm until 6am talking about anything and everything. Jake and I had very different experiences growing up. Our story-sharing provided a really great foundation of friendship that I was totally clueless as to any potential feelings starting to get involved until it came out that Jake was interested in me around December of our first year. It came as a total shock, but once I calmed down from my fear of the risk of hurting the friendship if something were to work out (always a concern but was even more terrifying as an 18-year-old at the time where EVERYTHING is a huge deal), I realized how well we could work. We spent all of winter break texting nonstop and I remember being so excited to go back to school in January to see him and start to try things out. We started “officially” dating the day after Valentine’s Day and have been together ever since – 10 years by the time we get married!”
And it just keeps getting sweeter — Ashley was serenaded during Jake’s proposal. You have to read their proposal story below!!!
“Jake and I spent a lot of time during the pandemic in Patterson Park in Baltimore, lying out on a picnic blanket and reading, people-watching, and just enjoying the sunlight (grabbing some ice cream from Bmore Licks or a pizza from Verde on our way out!). It definitely became a “thing” so it was only natural he worked it into the proposal. We were sitting on a blanket under a tree not far from the pagoda, and Jake got up to go “get something from the car” – and returned with a barbershop quartet who sang and serenaded us before he got on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was in an a cappella group in college (on top of many other choirs throughout my life), so the music was a nod to that and overall just the most charming thing – it was a group of four older men who traveled all the way from Reston, Virginia to come and sing for us, and they seemed almost as excited as Jake was! We got Bmore Licks and spent some time relaxing at home (Jake passed out on the couch from relief and I remember taking a picture of my newly-ringed hand next to his sleeping self lol) and celebrated with dinner at Fells Point that night. It was an awesome day.”
Ashley + Jake, honored and excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about photographing your decade-in-the-making love story; you are very clearly meant to continue laughing together for many, many years! Let’s get you two married!!!
xo,
Naomi
36 ideas for where to take your engagement photos in Baltimore
/The most common question I’m asked after a couple books Urban Row Photography as their wedding photographer is…
WHERE SHOULD WE TAKE
OUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS?
So, I’m devoting an entire series on the blog specifically to help answer this and demystify the process of where to take your engagement photos in Baltimore! Starting with my list of favorite locations in Baltimore first, but a separate post is in the works for locations in the greater Maryland, DC and PA area to plan your engagement session since there are so many incredibly picturesque spots outside of Baltimore!
I want to show you how to make your engagement photos memorable, fun, un-awkward and full of important aspects that are meaningful to you both. Without further ado, here’s a list of 36 locations to take your engagement photos in Baltimore (those with a $ next to them require a permit + nominal fee):
Patterson Park: pagoda, lake, hilltop views at sunset…
Lake Roland: trails, lake views, gorgeous leaves in the Fall
Union Craft Brewing: a series of bold, graphic and colorful murals
Bmore Licks: fun murals + pupsicles for your #urbanrowpup!
Druid Hill Park: especially in the spring with all the pastel blooms, Druid Hill Park shines! It also happens to be the home to Rawlings Conservatory… more on that below! ;)
Henderson’s Wharf / Broadway Pier: one of Baltimore’s oldest warehouse buildings and public spaces full of charm, character, lots of brick and amazing waterfront views… and breezes! This esesh is also a fun one to relive!)
Frederick Douglass Maritime Museum: views of the iconic Domino Sugar factory sign are unmatched from this pier!
Harbor East waterfront: a fun, chic waterfront spot
Canton waterfront: sunset views from here are wide open and shimmery!
Sandlot: as beachy as Baltimore gets… drinks, sunset views, sand and cafe lights with views of the downtown skyline
Streetcar Museum: if you share a love of transportation and/or met on a subway (one of my couples did!), engagement photos at the Streetcar Museum would be such a unique way to commemorate it!
The Guinness Brewery: Baltimore is home to the only Guinness location in the US?! Helloooo fellow beer lovers! There’s tons of outdoor space, a fun mural and beautiful design to incorporate as you sip a freshly poured pint of yummy beer!
Charmery (the OG location in Hampden): a turquoise mural on the corner of this iconic and quirky Baltimore ice cream shop with some of the most unique flavors you’ve ever had make it a really fun place to start or end your photoshoot!
The Ave in Hampden: all the kitsch with lots of fun, independent shops and storefronts
Cylburn Arboretum: a historic old mansion, enormous old trees, tons of nature to explore and gorgeous no matter what season…
Rawlings Conservatory ($): a lush, tropical greenhouse oasis in the city
Maryland Zoo in Druid Hill Park: your portraits could include penguins, polar bears and pygmy goats! What else could you want?! ;)
AVAM: mosaics, ivy covered brick walls and lots of fabulous, fun sculptural art
Federal Hill Park: one of the most iconic views in Baltimore, overlooking the Inner Harbor - sunsets here can be cinematic!
Artifact Coffee: rustic, cozy coffee shop near Hampden + Clipper Mill
Clipper Mill: love the industrial grit here… think loading ramps, rusty window panes, fire escapes…
Brewer’s Art: a brewpub in Mt. Vernon with craft beers and a unique atmosphere - the windows near the main bar overlook bustling Charles Street and have a really cool, classic + vintage vibe
Mt. Vernon Place: feels like you’re in Europe without the travel! ;)
Rye Street Tavern: cocktails on the lawn with water views and clean, modern design… Baltimore perfection.
Under Armour HQ / Tide Point: views of the Inner Harbor skyline along a waterfront promenade and industrial buildings… bonus if the Domino sugar boat is docked at their factory next door!
Fort McHenry: for the history buff who loves big trees and green spaces and the water’s edge… a relaxing picnic on a summer’s day here would be perfect!
Bromo Seltzer Clock Tower ($): a historic clock tower in the heart of downtown Baltimore that evokes another era and is like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
Sherwood Gardens: this spot is best during spring blooms when the tulips are at their peak! Typically peak bloom occurs the last week of April through the first week in May, depending on weather conditions. In the heart of the Guilford neighborhood, this community park and rolling lawn were designed by Olmsted and has beautiful vistas at every corner.
BMA Sculpture Garden ($): lush garden oasis in the city adjacent to Johns Hopkins Homewood campus with modern sculpture throughout.
Pratt Library: love the architecture of the historic main branch facade downtown - where are my book nerds?!
Graffiti Alley: an ever-changing alley of colorful graffiti; the graffiti walls make for a really fun contrast of a backdrop when paired with formal attire and long/flowy dresses!
Mt Washington Tavern: a modern tavern with crisp, clean and inviting architecture, bright spaces and a fun neighborhood feel
Monument City Brewing: local Baltimore craft brewery in a warehouse space adjacent to Haven Street Ballroom and Urban Axes… such a fun date spot!
College campuses (Loyola, JHU, UMD…): quintessential higher-ed vibes with beautiful quads and tree-lined brick paths; love this idea if you met at college!
Ceremony Coffee: Mt. Vernon (urban city vibes) and Harbor East (glassy and minimalist modern) are my 2 favorite locations!
Cross Street Market / Broadway Market: recently renovated in the heart of Federal Hill and Fells Point, grab a drink at your favorite spot and explore these picturesque main streets together!
Other unique engagement photo ideas in Baltimore… if you have access to any of these, let’s do it!
A sailboat
A rooftop deck
A carriage house / loft for a cozy in-home session
Bring some bubbly to pop and enjoy no matter where we go!
Bring your #urbanrowpup. Don’t worry, we will get good photos no matter how excited your dog is!
If you have your heart set on a location that’s not on this list, even better - I love discovering new spots to bring my camera! The most important thing to remember when choosing a location is to make sure you’ll be comfortable there. If you’re most comfortable being outdoors together in nature, let’s find the perfect park setting. If you love going out to eat and grabbing a drink, let’s take your photos in and around that bar or restaurant; urban signage and historic streetscapes can make really unique portraits!
Hope to see you in front of my camera soon, friends!
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:
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!
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.
The way Nora’s smile and laughter lights up every image. When you love being around your person, it shows…
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”.