When I meet with potential clients for a discovery call, I always make sure to ask about their ideas for their engagement session. It takes the focus away from the wedding day and allows me to see a little bit more of the couples connection to photography and creativity in a low pressure way. When I sat down with Jess and Reid, they truly surprised me with their idea and it’s how I knew we were going to be a great fit!

The Shoot

I took the train into Boston on a warm Friday afternoon in late June and met up with Jess and Reid just outside of their brownstone apartment. We started their engagement session right there on their steps. A cozy, familiar spot that already felt like it was theirs and meant something to them. Starting a session at home always feels so special – the nerves fade quickly and you feel much more natural. We wandered around their adorable neighborhood a bit before heading to catch the orange line to head to our next location: Versus Arcade Bar.

The staff there were incredibly gracious and opened the space early so we could have it to ourselves. This really allowed Jess and Reid to share a bit of their more competitive sides. They played a few of their favorite games, snuggled up in a little corner booth, and shared a drink while laughing and soaking up the moment. It felt like we were just tagging along on one of their real-life adventures. It’s exactly what I always hope for in an engagement shoot.

We wrapped the session in the Boston Public Garden, where Reid pointed out his favorite bench overlooking the pond and a bit of the city skyline. It’s a spot he visits often and I felt like it was a great spot to end our time together. We waited a bit for the bench to open up and I took a few photos of them looking over the city and just being together.

What Jess & Reid had to say:

We are so happy that we chose Sami to be our photographer! From the start, she was very flexible, professional, and fun. She has such an amazing vision, and we’ve been blown away by our pics from our complimentary engagement shoot and from our wedding. She also made the effort to really get to know us, and what our story was, and she helped us capture it perfectly. During the wedding weekend itself, she went above and beyond in capturing the exact types of shots we wanted, as well as her own creative and artistic shots. We’ve been showing our guests some of the photos, and they’re similarly impressed. If you pick Sami, you won’t be let down! Thank you so much, Sami!

Final Thoughts

Engagement photos have never been about finding the prettiest beach or mountain view for me. The goal has always been about showcasing the two of you as a couple, doing things you love. Now if you love going to the beach or hiking to a peak for a great view – great. Lets do it! But your engagement photos don’t have to look like everyone elses. They can reflect who you are and what you love.

Planning your own engagement session?

Let’s dream up something that feels true to you. Whether that’s your favorite weekend hangout, your go-to city stroll, or something totally unexpected. Reach out now and let’s start planning your story.