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

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

kristen + leo | a breezy, romantic summer engagement in fells point

So many words come to mind when I think about Kristen + Leo and the time we spent together for their engagement photos in Fells Point on a perfectly breezy and calm summer evening on the water…

But all of those words are actually escaping me right now as I compile their photos into a cohesive story and can’t stop staring at the cozy, cuteness they exude! This engagement included the most adorable polka dot dress on Kristen with skinny straps and strappy heels, Leo looking dapper in a linen shirt, gentle embraces, dancing on piers and lots of kisses in the wind…

Here are some favorites!

I can not wait for your wedding day at the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House, Kristen + Leo!! You share a love that is so full of genuine respect, mutual admiration and a fun blend of both of your family’s traditions and cultures, making everyday a new adventure… it doesn’t get better than that!

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

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.

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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.

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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

julia + keegan | a waterfront summer engagement in Fells Point

Julia and Keegan both light up when they look at each other and it’s easy to see how even after 8 years of dating, they are not only passionately, head-over-heels in love, but SO. EXCITED to get married!!

While in Fells together, we took advantage of an empty Broadway Pier and all of the beautifully historic backdrops along Thames Street. The skies were cloudy with just the right amount of golden sunlight peeking through at the right time… I love the love these two share!

Their perfect Friday night? “Pizza. Popcorn. Movies... and potentially fireball.” ;) Enjoy these photos from their engagement session along the waterfront in Fells Point - they’re making me even more excited for their upcoming wedding at Main Street Ballroom in Ellicott City (another historic main street to document all the joy they exude)!

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How they met in Julia’s words:

“We met working together at a church camp! We were both camp counselors for a week in the summer of 2012. We had both worked at the camp before but had never actually met. But during a pre-camp meeting, we both took note of one another. We started talking a bit through the summer and then Keegan left for college. He eventually reached out through the second semester and we decided to meet up for Panera when I got back for summer vacation. We started formally dating shortly after, and 8 years later, here we are!”

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I love how their proposal involved popcorn and a movie…

“In early March, Keegan bought went out and bought an engagement ring and thought about proposing in a couple months. But the week later after he picked up the ring, we woke up to a beautiful sunny day and he thought, today is the perfect day. Keegan suggested we go to the restaurant outside of the movie theater and grab a drink and some popcorn (popcorn is a recurring theme in our relationship). Keegan left to go get the popcorn and when he came back, there was a card inside proclaiming his love and desire to spend the rest of his life with me. He then got down on a knee and proposed! I said yes! Later that night we went over to Keegan's parents house to tell them and unknowingly they we're throwing a St. Patricks day party, so once we told them it almost turned into an engagement party and instantly everyone knew we were engaged!”

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Their wedding day at Main Street Ballroom is going to be one full of family, friends and good food… Keegan’s dad created customized corn hole boards for the patio and they’re planning to end the night with an epic sparkler exit! Let’s do this, lovebirds!!!

xo,
Naomi

melanie + james | north point state park beach engagement with their dogs

There are so many reasons to love Mel + James, I don’t know where to start!! The first 5 that come to mind:

  1. They are not only dog people… they are double dog parents to 2 of the most adorable, photogenic, sweet, energetic and personality-filled pups I’ve ever met.

  2. Mel’s sense of style; she is my go-to resource for fall boots (Frye all the way!), summer dresses, blue-light glasses (she introduced me to the awesomeness of Felix Gray!) Anthropologie inspo, mood boards + color palettes, modern typefaces and dog-friendly bars + breweries.

  3. They brought 2 types of liquid courage with them to their esesh: one to drink and one to pop for the photos, obviously (scroll to the end). Yes and YES!

  4. She is a fellow small-business owner too; Little Orange Studio specializes in ‘thoughtfully crafted design’ (love that tagline).

  5. James proposal was a complete surprise, in a wine cellar of a local Baltimore restaurant with “a significantly large charcuterie board” (the BEST, right?)…more on the proposal details below! :)

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But how they got to this point is an adorable story on its own… in Mel’s words:

“We first met at a college pre-game party in Salisbury. The pre-game was at James' house and a mutual friend invited me and my roommate over. Naturally, I was underage and playing beer pong with Captain Morgan. Across from me on the table was James!

We bumped into each other back home on spring break at The Stalking Horse where we exchanged numbers and realized that we're both from Baltimore. We are laughing out loud right now because it seriously is so blurry we can't even get our story straight. There were so many fun nights following with friends where James and I would bump into each other. We both say that we're pretty sure we had the same conversations several times and it's the drunk college version of 50 first dates. We both also worked in Ocean City every summer when the spring semester was over. We had our first date that summer and some of our most favorite memories. I still can't believe it took us three years at college and three summers working down the beach to finally bump into each other because we had so many mutual friends.”

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I love these two photos paired up because it shows how cute they were at the beginning of our time together and how confident and much fun they were having at the end… not to mention, their perfect choices for a summer-at-the-beach vibe to their engagement photos! Mel’s dress is this Anthro one, if you were wondering… ;)

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And then the proposal story… in James’ words!

“I made reservations on the week of her birthday to throw her off the scent of me or anyone that could be getting overly excited, as well as going to a really nice restaurant. A week before I scouted out the wine cellar and met the manager and server who would be taking care of us and told them the plan.

I reserved the wine cellar in the basement of the restaurant where we had wine and a significantly large charcuterie board. We were hanging out, enjoying ourselves when I thought I saw something that looked familiar. (For anyone who has not been in their wine cellar, it is a narrow room, obviously with wine literally wall to wall. There are 3 long narrow tables for people to hang out and drink while they are down there, so when popping the question, I had to figure out how to get on the other side of this long narrow table.) I moved to the other side of the table to look at one of the bottles of wine on the lower rack, while on one knee and came up with the ring box in my hand and popped the question. She had NO IDEA and all the planning was well worth the reaction. We then went upstairs for dinner and a drinks, then went home and had friends and family over to celebrate!”

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It’s hard to pick a favorite of these two, but the black and white moments may be my favorite… they so perfectly show the way Mel + James compliment each other.

“If I could just name one thing [I love about James], it would be that I've never had more fun with anyone else in any given situation. James makes everything fun and I really love that about him. I've never laughed so hard in three hours of stand-still traffic. Some of my favorite memories are times where it was just him and I doing something impromptu and having a blast. Even arguments end up with both of us laughing. How lucky am I to marry someone that makes life so fun— never a dull moment.” ~Mel

“I love Mel's selflessness and how she always puts other people before herself. She is truly a genuine person and agrees with me when we say that its about the little things in this life. On top of that she always motivates me to be the best possible version on myself and keeps me young at heart. ~James

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You both are the definition of perfect soulmates and I couldn’t be happier to document the official start of your married life together! I know it’s bittersweet to have had to postpone to 2021, but know we are all celebrating with you this weekend in spirit and the party will be that much more EPIC when the big day finally gets here next summer!

xo,
Naomi