My favorite portrait sessions are usually the ones where the couple surprise me. Case in point: Kimberly and Andrew. The two reached out to me a few months ago after having been inspired by Lucy & Wally’s portraits on my portfolio page. The two wanted engagement photos that captured both the grittiness of Jersey City’s urban jungle as well as the charm of its waterfront. I was enamored with them from the first phone call—they nailed my style perfectly. “We want nothing traditional,” Kimberly explained. “We want fun and different photos that don’t scream engagement session.” I was so happy to oblige.

We met up a few weeks later at a coffee shop in downtown Jersey City. I had never met them in person before, so I had to play a game of peek over the shoulder and guess if the next person that walks through the door is a coffee fiend or my clients. They weren’t too hard to miss. Kimberly and Andrew showed up dressed to the nines—a perfect contrast to the city around us. Along with Kimberly’s awesome sister Kristin and Allison, we spent a few hours touring the cobblestone streets capturing lovely photos and exploring the amazing old buildings that pepper Jersey City’s avenues.

We took a break about halfway through the shoot for an outfit change and a chance to pick up Kimberly and Andrew’s two beautiful puppies. With the whole family in tow, we headed out to the Jersey City waterfront just before sunset. After a few shots, one of the dogs decided it was time for a swim and made a break for the Hudson. I was shocked, but Kimberly just laughed and we proceeded to create some adorable portraits of the whole family once my new puppy friend dried off. Who says that you can’t bring pets to an engagement shoot? God created Allisons to play with cuddly animals while Georges shoot photos. It’s written in science journals and maybe even the bible. I swear.

I’m sometimes asked why I include engagement sessions in all my packages. The answer is twofold: First, I love spending an afternoon with a couple, capturing the emotion and love between the two in a setting that doesn’t include a church or wedding hall. But, engagement sessions also give me the opportunity to get to know my clients better, see how they interact or hide from the camera, an it allows them get a feel for my personality. This type of relaxed portrait session eases everyone and makes taking the wedding day photos even more enjoyable.

Enter Larissa and Anthony. When I met, Larissa made it very clear that she didn’t want engagement photos. “We are so awkward in front of the camera,” she said during the consultation. “You realize that I hear that same comment from 75 percent of couples that walk through my door,” I laughed. After explaining the benefits of an e-session, the two agreed and we settled on a hilltop location overlooking the Iris Gardens in Montclair, NJ.

Allison and I lived in Montclair for close to seven years and never once did we stumble on this secluded area near Montclair State University, overlooking New York City. I huffed and puffed up the hill as Larissa and Anthony showed us all the places they like to hike to and presented us with this stunning view from the summit. Larissa and Anthony were a joy to photograph. Anthony has this uncanny ability to make Larissa laugh at almost anything, and the smile on both their faces through the session spoke volumes about the love the two share.

When it was over, Larissa thanked me for the engagement portraits and admitted that it wasn’t too painful. Feeling the burning sensation in my calves from hiking with camera gear all afternoon, I chuckled and told her that the only awkward one on this shoot was me. Here are my favorite photos from our session. Larissa and Anthony, I can’t wait to photograph your wedding in a few weeks.

For two hours, we made our way through the massive park, dodging joggers and dog walkers, and listening to Michael crack jokes. Turns out that once you get him warmed up to you, he becomes absolutely hysterical, and the longer you hang out together the more hilarious he gets. A half hour into the session and I couldn’t stop them from pawing at each other. My fear to ask Michael to do something too cuddly vanished as the two embraced below the massive trees still dripping from morning dew. Here are some of my favorite photos from the session. Hopefully, Michael won’t shoot me for posting the flamenco dancing shot. You guys rock.

Before we even started talking about their wedding, Ashley was amped about the engagement session. “I want funky photos in downtown New York,” she said enthusiastically. “No Central Park, no Times Square, and no mushy walk in the park pictures.”

“Can I get a few romantic sunset photos at Washington Square Park?” I asked coyly. “Fine, but I want photos by the Joe Strummer mural.” I swooned. “Not a problem.”

We spent a long late afternoon hitting a ton of my favorite locations in the Lower East Side. Nothing was off limits. We stopped by Pomme Frites for lunch, grabbed a ton of great photos in front of the arch in Washington Square Park and on the streets of Manhattan, and finished off in Weehawken for a few photos at twilight in front of the skyline.

By the end of the day, I was wiped. I figured Ashley and Bill would be completely exhausted and want to get rid of us, but the first thing out of Bill’s mouth was, “Want to get wine and food at Zin Burger?” Like you had to ask. You guys rock.

Last week, Allison and I got our work out for the year climbing up this crazy dirt trail behind the Presby Iris Gardens called Mills Reservation. I hate to admit, but I lived in Montclair for close to seven years and I never heard of this beautiful little hideaway. Larissa and Anthony were a little apprehensive about doing an engagement shoot, but I promised them that they’d be in a good hands. This shot was taken at possibly the highest point in Montclair. We fought off massive mosquitoes, gnats, and evil trees, but the final shot was so worth it.

The couple is absolutely adorable together. Dan is as tall as an NBA forward, which means that he towers over me, let alone Jen. While that could pose some challenges for a photographer, these two had no problem getting cuddly while cracking jokes about everything from pro-wrestling to small-town life in New Jersey.

After getting our fill of flowers and pedestrians, we found a fun graffiti wall against an abandoned warehouse next to the park. I swear there’s nothing I like more than contrasting a fancy, elegant engagement shoot with an urban environment. The photos capped off a fun afternoon and gave a little bit of a mix to a traditional portrait session.

“I can’t wait to tell all my friends that I had my engagement photos taken in Newark,” Dan told me with a smirk after we finished a lovely session. I’m not sure if he was being facetious (Newark’s murder rate had dropped a percentage point in the past few weeks), but there are few locations more stunning than a cherry blossom orchard in full bloom. Here are a few of my favorite photos from their session. If you ever get a chance to visit Jersey in April, try to swing by the park to see the festival for yourself. It’s so worth it.

Needless to say, Brittany and Steve became an item and I had to listen to hours of stories about how awesome he was. Not that I minded one bit. In exchange, Brit was forced to hear me prattle on about how I was going to be a wedding photographer and she would eventually have to let me document her nuptials. Fast forward a few years—we both moved on from pharmaceutical journalism, she bounced between Florida and NYC, and I’m packing for a weekend trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls to photograph what might be one of the most stunning weddings ever—the marriage of Brittany and Steve. These two are fabulous together and I’m so proud to call them my friends. I’m so excited see them get hitched and can’t wait to celebrate their wonderful day with them.

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite photos from their engagement session. Brittany wanted a stylized shoot at the Waldorf Astoria (albeit, guerrilla style) followed by a stroll through Central Park. We happily obliged and capped off the evening with a night cap at their favorite bar. See you guys in a few days. Go Gators, woooo!!!