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Melissa & Mike — Baltimore engagement photos — Baltimore wedding photography

I can usually learn a lot about what it will be like to work with a couple for their wedding photography during their engagement session. As I tell my clients — particularly those who would like to use their engagement session as a chance to “warm up” in front of the camera before their wedding — engagement sessions are a lot more work for them than wedding-day photography. On their wedding day, they’ll be jumping-out-of-their-skin excited and their emotions will be right on the surface. The smiles and the kisses and the tender moments will come so naturally, it’s like breathing. At an engagement session, there are strangers walking by wondering why you’re being photographed. (It’s obvious when you’re in a wedding gown or tux!) There are moments when you’ll wonder what to do with your hands (bouquets are good for this on the wedding day!) and how to stand. Essentially, it might be a little more work to look as loving and into each other as most couples would like to look in their engagement photos. However, I could tell right away that Melissa and Mike will be nothing but fun on their wedding day. We met one crisp fall morning at sunrise to catch the golden glowy light in one of their favorite parts of the city without encountering the bajillion people who are typically there later in the day. They brought along their rambunctious pup Mason for some of the photos. And we had great fun together. There was *lots* of easy laughter and smiles during this shoot! I’m so excited to work with them again TODAY at their wedding! Here are some of my favorites from our morning together last fall:

Nothing can beat the warm golden glow of sunrise or sunset. There is no post-processing that makes up for the real thing.

Wardrobe change!

I love how easy and affectionate they were with one another.

I love shooting little series of images on a wedding day to capture the string of emotions and glances between a couple. But I love them during engagement sessions as well. A few frames in a row can say so much about a couple and their relationship. Like the obvious playfulness in this next series between Melissa and Mike.

Or this next fun little series: Mike gently touches his forehead to Melissa’s. He catches my eye and flashes a cheesy, yeah-this-is-what-you-do-in-an-engagement-portrait-session thumbs up-exaggerated wink combo. And Melissa responds accordingly. So fun!

And lastly, a little fun with shadows. With the curves and detailing of the wall behind them, I think the shadows resemble chess pieces. Just a little something different!

It was an absolute pleasure working with you, Melissa and Mike (and, of course, Mason). I’ll see you soon soon soon!