I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph Ely and Maya around coastal Salem, Massachusetts on a foggy Sunday to mark their engagement. We even managed walk through the historic Chestnut St. neighborhood which included the “Hocus Pocus” house and it’s beautiful gardens.
June 2024 | Salem, Massachusetts, Katelynn Stalaboin Photography
I don’t know how to properly put into words how magical it was to capture my best friend’s engagement photos with the picturesque backdrop of Ocean Drive’s mansions and cliffs in Newport. We climbed the wildflower filled cliffsides and explored the grounds of an 1892 mansion with kindred curiosity.
I knew the importance of this moment required my subjects, A & A, to be comfortable and relaxed in front of my lens. In general, being at ease with your photographer is crucial in allowing couples to fully immerse themselves in the present, free from any self-consciousness. It fosters a genuine connection between photographer and subject, enabling me to encapsulate the raw emotions and authentic expressions that truly reflect the couple's love story. Encouraging laughter, conversation, and offering gentle guidance throughout the shoot ensured that their personalities shone through effortlessly.
The result of our relaxed, yet still adventurous, session was a series of enchanting photographs that I hope to show show their children someday... hopefully as Auntie Katelynn. No rush guys.
June 2023 | Newport, RI | Katelynn Stalaboin Photography
Whenever I approach a couples photoshoot, especially a photoshoot to mark a couple’s engagement, I always keep my core philosophy top of mind. My job is to capture the essence of my photograph’s subjects as I see them. Heather and Neil’s engagement session in Jamestown was no different.
Heather and Neil met in college and traveled to Europe together during the early days of their relationship. Their love is silly, pure and incredibly beautiful. They don’t take themselves too seriously but allowed moments of intimacy creep into the session at seemingly the perfect times.
Heather and Neil didn’t put on a show for the camera, hence why each image speaks so true to how they actually are in real life. I don’t put this lightly when I say they were a dream client, mostly because they were down to climb the cliffs of Jamestown with me in order to create these timeless images.
Heather & Neil, Jamestown, RI - 2022, Katelynn Stalaboin Photography
