The #1 advice I give to my couples when planning their engagement session is: choose somewhere that has meaning to the both of you. Whether it’s a beach you visit in the summer, or a cozy coffee shop you had your first date at. I’m a firm believer that the location you choose for a portrait session will reflect the way you feel which will reflect how authentic and natural the photos come out.

When I told this to Grace and Pat when planning their session they answered with, say less. Maybe not in those specific words but in the fact that they chose a location that most would agree would be a spot that they felt most at home at: Their home and their neighborhood.

I started the session with a literal tour of their home in Brookline while Grace finished getting ready. Being in their home and chatting with them made me instantly get a feel of how they were as a couple, which as a photographer who prides herself in observing and capturing couples in the realest way possible, I found this very helpful.

The first first few shots during this session was in front of their front steps, which we later re-visited because the light was still a little bit too harsh for my liking. We then headed for a walk around their neighbourhood. We walked through a park, I had them hangout on a park bench for a little and then headed over to one of their favorite bars, which also happens to be where they are having their welcome dinner. I truly felt like I was tagging along on a date that they’ve been on a thousand times before.

After they grabbed a couple of drinks and I captured them sipping and hanging out by a window, we treaded over to the green line for some subway/city vibe photos which I personally think came out so dreamy and intimate. We had exactly one stop to get a few shots of Grace and Pat hanging inside the actual T before getting off and walking back to their house.

This is going to sound a little cheesy but this session truly felt like I was just hanging out with a couple of friends. Most importantly, I could really feel how much fun they had together on their “date” and I totally didn’t mind third wheeling.

Just got engaged?
I’d love to help you celebrate by following you around in your neighborhood with a camera (or anywhere that feels like you). 

📩 gabby@gabbytorresphotography.com
📍 Serving Boston, New England, and beyond