SOI | Swoon Over It » Engagements

GAYLE & SAM’S UPENN CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT SESSION – PHILADELPHIA ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

amandabyoung — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:45:37 +0000

Today, as I wandered outside with a fresh coat of snow blanketing the ground, I shivered and – though I do love the snow – I instantly thought of how lovely spring will be. Though Philadelphia has had a mild winter this year, I feel like instead of getting the snow and icestorms it has just been that awful range of coldness where it’s too cold to be comfortable but not cold enough for snow. Seriously? Give us one or the other. This inbetween weather is miserable. (Sidenote: I know ~~some~~ most people don’t like snow, but as a Florida girl, I’m still a bit enamored with it. Just indulge my childish fascination, ok?) So, as I stood outside for 45 minutes today waiting for a bus that never came (that’s a whole other story), I was thinking about how lovely my spring sessions were last year. Those weeks where the occasional chill of winter air would still sit lightly, but it was warm enough to ditch the puffy jackets and wander the streets mesmerized by the transformation that takes place – even in the city – during the transition of seasons. And then I thought of Gayle and Sam. And, well, I thought you should too.

Gayle and Sam are one of those couples…. one of the ones that complain that they aren’t “natural” in front of the camera and say they never like pictures of themselves – but then you meet them and they are as natural as can be. All I had to do was take a step back and tell them to pretend I’m not there and…. BAM, instant smiles.

They wanted to get in an engagement session done in Philadelphia before they moved to Singapore (!!) just a few weeks later since Philadelphia is where their love story began. And, since Philadelphia ultimately played a huge part in their relationship. Really, can you blame them? Even with an overcast day, I think you’ll agree that the University of Pennsylvania campus makes a perfect backdrop for the documentation of their love.

Here are just a few of my favorites from our afternoon together…

I don’t know if you guys will be as excited as I was about this, but UPenn campus has a MINIATURE LOVE SIGN. And it has a prettier backdrop than the real LOVE sign. Seriously!? I was beside myself! Of course, I couldn’t resist making them climb up on it.

Then we hit up Bartram’s Garden, which is right around the corner, for a few.

And for a little change of pace, we headed down to South Street for a few… have I mentioned how much I love South Street?

…and ending with one of my favorites. Tell me that isn’t love.

What about you? Are you doing something more fun than pointlessly standing outside for 45 minutes in the snow this weekend? Are you as anxious for spring to just get here already as I am?

JESSICA & DAVID’S ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT STETSON UNIVERSITY

amandabyoung — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:37 +0000

So, in my whirlwind trip to Florida, the day after shooting Brittany and Shawn’s wedding I met up with my friend Jessica (one of my very good friends from high school) and her fiance David. We wandered around the campus of Stetson University, the place where it all began for them, and grabbed some shots to document their love for one another.

Here are just a few favorites from our afternoon together. I think if you can tell anything from these images it’s that David makes her happy. Very happy. And I couldn’t love that about them any more.

And, since my posting of this session is ~~epically late~~ a bit belated, here’s a sneak peek from their October wedding in Savannah, Georgia. Cannot wait to share more of those!

[SNEAK PEEK] SITTIN’ IN A TREE

amandabyoung — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:02:31 +0000

[Sing it with me now.] Sam and Jesse, sittin’ in a tree… k-i-s-s-i-n-g.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But isn’t that tree amazing? Actually, Sam & Jesse’s session at the Villanova campus was pretty unreal, and features even more amazing trees. Just you wait!

[SNEAK PEEK] A LITTLE FALL FOR YOUR THURSDAY

amandabyoung — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:25 +0000

When Halle and Dave said they wanted to get some leave changing action in their engagement session I was all over it. Because – truth be told – I haven’t actually gotten the chance to capture much “Fall foliage” in my year and a half in the northeast. In fact, it hasn’t even really felt much like Fall to me yet this year. All the outdoor work I have done over the last month the leaves have still been, well, they have still been pretty green. But, I guess Snowtober meant that the trees finally had themselves kicked into action? Who knows.

And, the weather – and foliage – was pretty perfect for Halle and Dave’s shoot yesterday. Thus, with my hot apple cider in the morning and surrounded by leaves all shades of yellow, orange, and red in the afternoon, I was definitely feeling the Fall vibe by the evening.

We started out in the city, and then snuck out to one of my favorite’s – Bartram’s Garden – to snag a couple more. Stay tuned for the whole session and a peek at their adorable little white fluffy puppy, Georgie.

So what about you…. are you feeling Fall or did you skip right on over into winter and start playing Christmas music like me some people I know?

[SNEAK PEEK] BROAD STREET AT NIGHT

amandabyoung — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:16:31 +0000

To say that Nidhi & Kinshuk’s session was fun would be an understatement. I have oh-so much goodness from their session to share. Let’s just say this – it included handcuffs, rolling in the grass, and Broad Street at night.

And, well, there are few things in Philadelphia as beautiful as Broad Street at night.

LOVE IS A MERRY-GO-ROUND: ANNALILY & MICHAEL’S OLD CITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

amandabyoung — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

It’s true. Love is, indeed, a merry-go-round. Like many other things in life, there are so many different ways to experience love. And so many different ways to express it. Annalily & Michael did just that one sunny afternoon in April. We headed out to Old City in Philadelphia and wandered around shooting wherever we were struck. (For the record, this is one of my favorite ways to shoot. So much freedom!) Annalily, herself, is an incredible artist. Remember how I wrote eons ago about how much I obsess over the windows at Anthropologie? Oh yeah, it’s Annalily who designs them [insert squeal here]. No lie.

So, then I wasn’t really surprised when she showed up in an incredible gray and yellow dress from BHLDN and some adorable saddle shoes. Complete awe. I have no other way to put it. For her incredible model skills, her impeccable style, and her immense creativity. Michael, you are one lucky man. Behold the beauty that is their relationship:

We then swung back by their house for a quick outfit change and a couple shots with their furbaby. Tell me she isn’t the cutest. Love that sweet face.

And here’s where the post title came from…. yes, I came up with a whoooole post title based on two images.
What? That’s totally normal and you totally should have figured that out.

Love her boots with his New Balances. Seriously. Perfection.

And then, even though it’s totally out of order, we’ll end with one of my favorite shots ever. Just because it doesn’t feel right otherwise.
I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about this one that just really moves me.

So, what do you think? Does she not have the best fashion sense ever in the history of ever? I mean, c’mon. She has more fashion know-how in her left pinky than I’ve ever had in my life. I only wish I were kidding.

Psst – I know I’ve been featuring a ton of engagements recently, but you know what that means? I have a ton of weddings coming up next. Stay tuned.

MICHELE & ED’S GARDEN ENGAGEMENT – PHILADELPHIA ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

amandabyoung — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:27:05 +0000

You remember Michele & Ed, right? In case you don’t, let me jog your memory: here, here, or here. Which means…. you guessed it: I have plenty of Michele and Ed’s actual wedding images coming soon to the blog. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least post a few favorites from their engagement session first, right? Right.

So, without further ado, meet Michele & Ed:

And, ending with two of my favorite images ever. Seriously, to me the love in these is so palpable.

MARYAH & STEPHEN’S OLD CITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

amandabyoung — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:00:15 +0000

When Maryah told me she wanted to do her engagement session in Philadelphia, but they didn’t know the city at all, the pressure was on. She wanted something where we could get some greenery, but could also get some more urban shots. And, since I kind of have a love affair with Old City, it seemed only natural then for us to begin in Washington Square Park. As it turned out, we ended up spending most of our time there. And, as you’ll see, Maryah and Stephen didn’t seem to mind one bit.

Actually, as an update, Maryah and Stephen finally tied the knot just a couple weeks ago (and yes, I am the slacker who is now posting their session after their wedding – but rest assured, they received the images long, long ago even if I didn’t get to posting them here!). Nevertheless, you might even recognize Maryah from this.

In the meantime, here are just a couple of my favorites from their Old City session.

And, we’ll end with my favorite. I believe they were laughing at a passerby who said “what the heck!?” as I was explaining that standing in a dumpster alley would look amazing on camera, even if it smelled awful. Thank you for trusting me anyway. I still stand by that, if you were wondering.

[SNEAK PEEK] KATIE & BRIAN’S BEACH ENGAGEMENT SESSION – AVALON, NEW JERSEY

amandabyoung — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:00:44 +0000

Let’s just say, it took a lot to make this happen. A lot of hard work. A lot of persistence. And, a lot of stars aligning. More on that later.

In the meantime, tell me you don’t just love this adorable couple. Pretty sure I could have shot them all day, you know, if Brian would let me.

[SNEAK PEEK] BECKI & JEFF’S CENTER CITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

amandabyoung — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:54 +0000

Because I have so, so much to say about Becki and Jeff, I’m just not going to say anything at all just yet. For now, you just get a sneak peek.

Nothing quite like ending with a workout, eh? Seriously though, way to go Becki on some impressive push-ups. Though I was a brown belt at age 13, I still do the girly kind. What? They still totally count.