When Meghan and Jamie reached out for their engagement session, they had a very clear vision for their session: european romance, vintage flair, and editorial moments. Having seen countless replicas of the same beachside shots, they wanted something that felt unique to them and that more closely reflected the romantic, European aesthetic they'd planned for their wedding in southern Spain.

We designed a route through Boston that would capture that elegant, old-world feeling they were after. Starting in the Boston Public Garden for classic willow tree moments, we'd move to the architectural beauty of the Boston Public Library, and finish at Trinity Church—each location adding layers of vintage romance and stunning architecture.

Natural Chemistry

What struck me most about photographing Meghan and Jamie was their effortless connection. I never once had to prompt a kiss or suggest they move closer. They had this magnetic pull toward each other—whenever they drifted apart, they naturally gravitated back together moments later. My role became less about directing and more about staying present and occasionally offering gentle suggestions. By the session's end, these two were completely in their element, playfully exploring the architecture and even climbing walls together.

Art Deco Elegance

Meghan's emerald cut engagement ring immediately caught my eye—it was such a perfect extension of their sophisticated, vintage-inspired aesthetic. The clean lines and geometric precision of an emerald cut have that unmistakably Art Deco elegance, speaking to timeless style rather than fleeting trends.

The Art of the Dip Kiss

One highlight of any engagement session is coaching couples through their first dip kiss. My approach to this is deliberately editorial—after all, if you want this dramatic moment in your wedding photos, you might as well perfect it! My advice? Keep your foot on the ground for the most natural look, though you can certainly lift it if you prefer. If you do bring your foot up, bend fully at the knee, point your toes, and keep everything aligned with your other leg.

The Timelessness of Black & White

To enhance the vintage aesthetic Meghan and Jamie were seeking, I incorporated black and white photography in my editing. There's something magical about how black and white images soften the passage of time—they remove some of the visual markers that date a photograph and create an almost dreamlike quality. By stripping away color, these images focus purely on emotion, light, and composition, adding another layer of that old-world European romance they wanted.

Film Moments

Since all my engagement sessions include film photography, I captured several shots on my medium format film camera at each location, adding that timeless quality that perfectly complemented Meghan and Jamie's vision.

When Meghan received the gallery, her reaction was everything: "Allie!! You are sooo talented!!! I'm with my friend now and we opened them and gasped! She said she has goosebumps!! I love them so so much! THANKYOU!"

Moments like these remind me why I love what I do—creating images that not only capture a couple's connection but truly reflect their personal vision and story.