* emilie inc.: Abbi + Aaron's engagement session at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Abbi and Aaron decided to brave the weather for their engagement session at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.  Glad they did, because the rain held and we had a blast roaming the park, capturing some sweet moments of these two lovebirds before their Portland wedding next June.  Little pooch Brooklyn even joined us for a bit, providing canine kisses and showing off her sit-and-shake-paw skills.  Abbi and Aaron's reception will be held at Ocean Gateway, and to our hilarious surprise, the Nova Star ship that will be docked there for a bit during their wedding, appeared on the horizon - clearly there to photo bomb their engagement session as well!  I can't wait for the big day - I have no doubt it'll be a fun one!

Please visit the emilie inc. blog to view the original post.

* emilie inc.: Emily + Patrick's Engagement Session on the Eastern Prom in Portland, Maine

Emily and Patrick's engagement session was so much fun!  When they arrived, they were a little nervous, but after a little direction they were off and running.  Funny stories about the other, jokes, fish kisses, and infectious laughing made these two giddy the entire time.  The gorgeous weather added to our already happy session, and their easy-going natures shined through.  Already 10 years together and still going strong, it is apparent Emily and Pat are meant to be.  Emily told me a funny story about how a lot of their friends think she and Pat look alike.  After editing their session, I think I understand what those friends are seeing.  These two have the biggest smiles and happiest laughs, similarities that just radiate from both of them constantly.

Engagement sessions are a great way to shake those camera jitters, and they agreed it was worth the investment and two-hour drive up from Massachusetts to put them at ease for their wedding day photography.  It calmed their fears about being in front of the camera and the center of attention, and I love as much time with a couple pre-wedding day as possible.  Plus, it puts everyone in the mood for the big day! 

Emily and Pat, you were great!  So much fun and so much love.  I can't wait to document your Cape Cod wedding, and meet your family and friends!  September will be here before we know it!

Please click here to see the original post on the emilie inc. blog.

* emilie inc.: Tara + Sean's engagement session at Fenway Park

An engagement shoot in Fenway Park?!  Sign me up.  I was psyched when I learned Tara and Sean had access to a sky box at the ball park.  And during the Frozen Fenway event, no less -- an ice hockey rink is thrown on the field for collegiate games (Maine beat BU, my grad school alma mater, that day).  Ironically, it was a balmy 60 degrees and raining that day, not dumping snow and frigid like you'd imagine an event like that to be.  However, I think Tara, Sean, and I welcomed the warmth.  We were limited to the sky box for photos, but it was still so cool to shoot there -- we had plenty of photos to make and not enough time.  We wanted to make sure to hit the other spots in their former Boston neighborhoods that also had meaning to them.

While the rain was a bummer, they were such troopers traipsing around the city.  We made it to all the locations they wanted photos at, and they even had time to grab a beer at one of their favorite pubs, 21st Amendment.  Tara took full advantage of stealing snuggles and smooches from Sean throughout the day.  And while Sean says he's not a fan of public displays of affection, I am certain that deep down he did not mind one bit :)

I am photographing their September wedding at Bald Peak in Moultonborough, NH and can't wait to meet both their families!  Tara's mother is so excited for these two, she made a save-the-date sign for them to take a photo with.  After our engagement session, Sean and Tara were headed to Sean's brother's house for the Patriots football game.  They were told to bring festive signature cocktails and Sean impressed me with his array of red, white (well, clear), and blue vodka-themed recipes he concocted.  See what I mean? I can't wait to meet everyone!  September will be here before we know it! 

Enjoy planning in the meantime, Tara and Sean!  I know your wedding will be just as fun as your engagement session was -- can't wait!

Please click here to see the original post on emile inc.'s blog.

* emilie inc.: Engagement Session of Nicole + Sean, Old Port + Eastern Prom, Portland, Maine

I have known Sean for years, starting as co-workers back in the day at Pierce Promotions & Event Management.  He's been a friend that I didn't realize until now how long we've been friends for.  And by friends, I mean I've been able to witness him don a female cheerleader uniform around Portland.  Don't judge, folks, it was Halloween.  Despite this, he is an extremely talented graphic designer, web designer, animator, etc., the list goes on.  Hire him.

Enter Nicole.  She was friends with my friend Beth (Talbot) Geary who married another friend John at Laudholm Farm this past June.  Nic ended up a co-worker at Pierce with Sean, Beth, and myself and the rest is history.  She has become one of my best lady friends and graced emilie inc. with her amazing ol' "traffic ninja," multi-tasking, business, and marketing skills, serving as our Studio Manager before Megan Swann took over.  I loved the opportunity to work with Nic in a different capacity and industry.

This was also quite fortunate for Sean.  Having Nic work at a wedding photography company has made his own wedding planning a snap, no doubt.  I'm sure he was jealous that she had her wedding inspiration folder quietly tucked away at the studio.  He'd never admit it, but he had his own secret wedding inspiration folder hidden in his snowboard boot in the basement.  Don't lie, Sean.  Cat is out of the bag.

I cherish my history and friendships with each of them, and I love the moments I now share with them as they have grown together.  Marathon movie days at their house with Jan Mee Chinese food are some of my favorite memories.  I have progressed immensely with my crab rangoon sharing, and I have been able to provide valuable customer feedback on the various couches they've owned over the years through my lounging on them for movies or crashing on them after returning late from shooting a wedding and not making it back home to Peaks Island.

Nic and I were psyched she secured our Steve Phillips as her wedding photographer for the big day next June.  So Megan helped me with the fitting wedding present of me shooting their engagement session.  We sneaked one in this November on a gorgeous sunny Saturday, just as the chilly air rolled in for the season.  Nic and I knew our session had to start with a whiskey shot for Sean to loosen him up in front of the camera.  No whiskey was shot, but they enjoyed a couple beers while I snapped around them upstairs at RiRa.  Sean was definitely expelling some of his goofiness.  He is a total ham, as Nic says.  And I noticed it helped Nic get some nervous giggles out of her system.  In all my years of knowing her, I've never seen her just giggle for two hours.  Aw, such cute lovebirds.

We headed to the State Pier and Whale Wall next door to get some outside shots that highlighted Portland, before we hit the water's edge on the Eastern Prom.  I had a blast photographing my two friends who have decided to make such a huge commitment to each other.  Totally warms my heart and I loved that I was able to capture just a little bit of that for them.  To witness them together is honestly just perfect. Nic and Sean are two peas in a pod.  They balance each other, ground each other, and clearly love each other without question.  Honestly, I was a little nervous photographing such good friends.  The entire time I was shooting, I was trying to stay focused on making photos they would love for years to come and that fit their personality as a couple, but also to not get side tracked by this same fact.  I feared the images would lack emotional and visual depth, if I got distracted by my knowing them so well, that I wouldn't be able to see beyond "just two friends in front of my lens."  In the end, I feel I was able to overcome that and actually knowing them allowed me to be a little more frank with them -- ahem, mostly with Sean and telling him to stop making his eyebrow faces, which before this day, are the only types of snapshots I have of Sean.  Those crazy eyebrows.  In all of them.

Nic and Sean, I hope I have succeeded in providing some non-crazy eyebrow shots for you and captured a few moments you'll want to hang on your wall.  Thanks for allowing me to do this for you.  I am beyond happy for you both and cannot wait for the wedding!

The original post of Sean and Nicole's Engagement Session can also be viewed on the emilie inc. blog.  I couldn't resist -- I just had to include the entire write up here, too, because they're my peeps!

* emilie inc.: Engagement session of Xu + Peggy in the Old Port and Two Lights State Park

Xu and Peggy have visited Maine only one other time aside from their engagement shoot that I was honored to photograph.  Both times Xu has locked the keys in the car!  However, this did not stop these two cuties from fully enjoying their session in the Old Port and at Two Lights State Park.  

Please visit the emilie inc. blog to read more about their engagement session.