Archive for the “Engagement” Category
Cori and George’s E-Session
Meatpacking District, New York City, New York
When George asked us to help celebrate Cori’s Birthday, with a fiery engagement session in the Meatpacking District, we couldn’t wait! These two have great chemistry and (despite any insistence otherwise) amazing camera presence. Way to rock out guys!
We can’t wait to celebrate with George and Cori this September at the Westmount Country Club!
Red hot!
Love and fun on the cobblestones.
George giving in this his animal instincts!
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Double Engagement Session
Weehawken Recreation Center, Weehawken, New Jersey
We recently did back-to-back engagement sessions at the Recreation Center in Weehawken, NJ. We thought it would be fun to blog a sneak peak from both sessions together. Yes, we used a lot of the same spaces and places, but every couple has their own unique energy. Enjoy!
First up, Lorianne and Dan - can’t wait to celebrate with these two on New Year’s Eve at the Graycliff:
Christa and Nick - their wedding is fast approaching at The Stone House at Stirling Ridge!
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Elizabeth & John’s Engagement Session
Weehawken Waterfront Recreation Park, Weehawken, NJ
We say it all the time, but it begs repeating…. Every engagement session ends up being a very different experience. Every couple has different chemistry. Every day has different weather and different lighting conditions. And even within the confines of a familiar park, we are constantly finding new places, new angles and new ideas.
We had a blast with Elizabeth and John visiting some of our “usual” spots - shooting by the NYC skyline, walking along the Hudson River, sitting on benches, and so on… but we loved being creative with these two. Getting romantic on the track and conquering the soccer field was a definite score!
Can’t wait to celebrate with these two in August at the Ritz Carlton!
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Dana & Joseph’s E-Session
Central Park, New York City, NY
There is just something romantic about Central Park. Maybe it stems from all the television and movie scenes filmed there - maybe it is that you don’t need to venture far to see couples strolling hand in hand or exchanging sly kisses under bridges… whatever the magic, we find that it is simply an iconic place for love.
We met Dana and Joe at the entrance to the park. After a short walk through Strawberry Fields, we arrived at our intended portrait spot, Bethesda Fountain. Despite the waning sun and always abundant NY pedestrian foot traffic, we got right down to business — using the facade on the steps, the terrace area, the arcade’s tiled ceiling, the archways and the view of the Loeb Boathouse.
Such a sweet couple - can’t wait to celebrate with them in June at The Empire Club!
The best moments are the real ones.
Bethesda Arcade Silhouettes - 2 views:
Fun under the minton tile ceiling.
Drama and the Loeb Boathouse.
These two just look so comfortable together.
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Anastasia & Scott’s E-Session
Lackawanna Train Station, Hoboken, New Jersey
Scott is a train conductor for NJ Transit. Not coincidentally, his love story, began on a train. Anastasia was traveling alone, and it was love at first ticket. Well not exactly, but in one conversation spanning between NJ and NYC, romance started.
When it came to choosing a location for their engagement session, Hoboken’s Lackawanna Train station seemed the perfect backdrop. We had fun exploring the platform, the awesome architecture, not to mention Scott’s access into the restricted areas! Loved the chemistry and all the spontaneity! Fun session!
Can’t wait to celebrate with these two later this month at The Pines Manor in Edison.
We started by the bus terminal. Love in silhouette.
Anastasia just seems so natural in Scott’s arms.
Sometimes when there is no light, we have to bring our own.
Making good use of Hoboken Terminal’s Tiffany Skylight.
Taking advantage of the lines and bold color on the train platform.
Love this.
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Sonia & Joe’s Engagement Session
The Boat Basin, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Every year we are happy to do our small part to help out a few good causes. So when Michelle Lo Conte of Pink Comb Salon asked us to be a part of her “Combs for a Cure,” Breast Cancer Fundraiser, we were excited to donate a free engagement session. The winners, Sonia & Joe!
We took these two lovebirds to The Englewood Boat Basin, for a romantic and fun photo shoot by the George Washington Bridge. Enjoy a glimpse into their session.
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Kelly and Jeff’s E-Session
Dave & Buster’s, Palisades Center, West Nyack, New York
When Kelly and Jeff said, “Dave & Buster’s,” we immediately said, “YES!” When we arrived, our creative juices were flowing, and their fun was raring to go. A perfect combination for an off-the-wall, out-of-the-box, whack-a-moleariffic engagement session!
To make it even better, it was Kelly’s Birthday! So there was plenty of celebrating to be done as we explored the restaurant, bar, video arcade, air hockey tables….
Kelly and Jeff snuggle up to the bar.
And got cozy on the felt. Glad we got there early enough to take advantage of the open pool tables.
The session had an overwhelming amount of silliness.
But we balanced it nicely with some seriousness.
Just kidding!
And when we ran out of places inside D&B’s, we ventured outside.
You would never know that while we were taking this romantic photo, a dozen little kids were shouting, “get a room!” It added to the moment. Really.
We cannot wait to celebrate with these two this May at Shadowbrook! Kelly and Jeff are a blast!
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Priscilla and Stephen’s E-Session
The W Hotel, Hoboken, New Jersey
Cold weather doesn’t mean that environmental photography stops. For Priscilla and Stephen’s engagement session, we got inventive and decided to use the lobby of The W Hotel in Hoboken, NJ. We knew the spot was hip, because we had been there a few months prior for a wedding and enjoyed the modern lighting and cool lounge-y furniture. So off we went…
Getting cozy against the mesh wall.
Some of our favs from the session. I rocked the fisheye - Steven kept a little tighter…
Classic.
Love splashed in purple!
We can’t wait to celebrate with Priscilla and Daniel this May at The Round Hill House in Washingtonville, NY!
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We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your business, your support, and in many cases, your friendship.
It’s been great working with you this past year!
May your New Year be as Picture Perfect as the last!
Steven & Brooke
Tackeff Photography
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Rachel & Charles’ E-Session
Fort Lee Historic Park, Fort Lee, New Jersey
After some discussion, we decided to take Rachel and Charles to a secluded lookout point for their engagement session. The spot is literally hidden down a trail in the middle of the woods, but the view is totally worth it. And while they couldn’t take their eyes off the George Washington Bridge and the NYC Skyline, we couldn’t take our lenses off of them!
I’ve known Charles my whole life. In fact, when I was little, I used to think he was my cousin! It was awesome to reconnect, and equally amazing to get to know Rachel (and see how happy she makes him) as well.
We can’t wait to celebrate with these two next August at Meadow Wood Manor!
Love this silhouette by the George Washington Bridge.
Best photos have personality!
Classic fall photo in the leaves.
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Lisa and Michael’s E-Session
Davis Johnson Park, Tenafly, New Jersey
You know you’re behind in blogging when there is snow on the ground and your photos show people in tank tops… but we didn’t want to let Lisa and Michael’s Engagement Session get lost in the blog shuffle.
We have since photographed and blogged their Nanina’s In The Park wedding (former blog entry: here), but looking at these photos, brings us right back to this sunny July day and the fun we had exploring Davis Johnson Park with these two lovebirds.
Lisa’s smile is infectious.
Kissing in the flowers.
Happiness.
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Regina & Mark’s Engagement Session
Weehawken Waterfront Recreation Park, Weehawken, NJ
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Daphney & Osten’s E-Session
Weehawken Waterfront Recreation Park, Weehawken, NJ
For those that keep current with our blog, you will realize that we are posting a little out of order. We actually blogged Daphney and Osten’s Rockleigh CC Wedding the other day. But because of an abundance of rain-outs, we ended up shooting their engagement session, just days before their actual wedding. Enjoy!
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Joyce & Brian’s Engagement Album
Central Park, New York City, NY
There has been a lot of album design and editing taking place at Tackeff Photography these days - so we thought we’d try something new with the blog. I know this isn’t the greatest little slide show, but we wanted to show off a recent engagement story we put together for Joyce & Brian after their central park engagement session. Some of you might remember their photos from a few weeks ago (click here to see).
Enjoy!
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Andrea and Adam’s Engagement Session
Private Residence, Upper Saddle River, NJ and Apple Ridge Golf Club, Mahwah, NJ
Andrea and Adam’s engagement session was like a preview of their wedding day. Due to a string of HOT weather, we decided we’d try holding some of their session indoors. After some brainstorming, we decided to start the session at Andrea’s parent’s home (where everybody will be getting dressed in a little over two weeks). And once the sun started to set, we finished up across the street at the Apple Ridge Golf Club where at actual wedding festivities will be held.
Andrea, Adam and some unexpected company…
Quick shot on the stairs before heading to the golf course.
This photo reminds me of sitting on the moon…
Getting a little arty with the fish eye on the golf course.
And a little goofy! 
We couldn’t move around too much for fear of walking into somebody’s golf game! But we had fun taking advantage of this small patch of sun and sand. We conquered it - oh yeah, we conquered it.
We can’t wait to celebrate with these two in October!
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Joyce and Brian’s Engagement Session
Central Park, New York City, NY
We met Joyce and Brian at the entrance of Central Park. All we really knew was that these two lived near Atlantic City and were getting married at La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes, California. So we enjoyed our stroll through the park, getting to know Joyce and Brian a little better. What we quickly found out is that they two are very much in love, settle down in front of the camera quickly, and share a fun goofy side.
On our quest for a quiet nook, we discovered Trefoil Arch. A three part series…
Dancing in the dark.
Joyce rockin’ the ivy!
Reflective. Serious. Dramatic.
Fun. Goofy. Awesome.
We ventured to Bethesda Fountain and Terrace for another set of pictures. There was some dipping & some jumping…
Inside the Bethesda Arcade. Love under the Minton Tile Ceiling.
Finally, some summer relief… chilling in an air conditioned Starbucks. Fun fact: Joyce was Brian’s Starbucks barista in Los Angeles, whipping up his morning coffee, which is how they met. How cute!
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Susan & Rich’s Engagement Session
Recreation Center, Weehawken, New Jersey
We met Sue and Rich at the Recreation Center Park on the Weehawken Waterfront. Despite these two swearing they had no idea what do to in front of a camera, they were completely comfortable and confident together. What struck us most, is how these two can have a good time doing just about anything… laughing, jumping, standing on benches, rolling on the ground, running the bases on the baseball diamond…
We can’t wait to celebrate with Sue and Rich in October (on my birthday) at Perona Farms!
Kissing in the weeds, I mean wildflowers. haha.
Somebody is excited to see Sue!
Fun with the fisheye under the baseball diamond backstop.
Love the NYC Skyline View!
We are so happy with how the pictures came out and had a blast taking them. We can’t wait to celebrate our wedding (and your birthday) with you in a few weeks!
Sue & Rich
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Christine & Thomas’ Engagement Session
14th Street Pier, Hoboken, New Jersey
We met Christine and Thomas in Hoboken by the pier near 14th Street and Sinatra Drive (a nice spot near Pier A Park, but a little quieter). We wandered down by the water admiring the skyline and eventually when we had enough of the wind, ventured to Shipyard Park with its bird fountain and brick walkway. The session was filled with bench sitting, railing leaning, walking, strutting, diping, kissing, posing, some funny “oops” moments… and finally finishing with Christine & Thomas working the giant arches!
No matter how you focus in on it, these two look comfortable together!
Love this candid moment!
And this one too!
Hoboken has such great architecture. Fun ending silhouette by the double arches. We can’t wait to celebrate with these two next month at Liberty House!
Just checked out the blog, we love the photos and can’t wait to see the rest! We had so much fun working with you guys, can’t wait to do it again in just 2 weeks!
Christine & Thomas
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Monica & Alejandro’s Engagement Session
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, NY
Monica & Alejandro’s engagement session was cool. I mean really cool. We had discussed a few potential NYC locations for the shoot, but when we found out that these two had a membership to MoMA, Steven and I were sold. The museum has such a great collection, hip architecture, an outdoor sculpture garden and so many colorful backdrops… we were excited.
When you throw in that it was also Alejandro’s Birthday AND that he was planning to surprise Monica with a little red Cartier Box, even cooler.
We started in the outdoor sculpture garden. The patio was pretty packed with museum goers but we did happen to snag a bunch of photos by the fountains & several of the more abstract sculptures.
Then we headed into the museum. Love this shot through the green sculpture net wall-thingy in one of the exhibition halls.
And by this beautiful Mark Rothko Painting. What an amazingly vivid backdrop!
And a romantic moment in front of Jackson Pollock!
We asked Monica & Alejandro what was their favorite painting in the collection, and both replied “Starry Night” by Van Gogh in unison. So a quick detour was a must.
We even had fun creating our own art with Monica & Alejandro in the Museum of Modern Art’s cool windowed staircase. We knew these two were amazing models when other museum visitors whipped out cameras of their own to snap a few. hehe.
Then Alejandro surprised Monica with a beautiful Cartier diamond engagement ring (on his birthday no less - now that’s smooth)!
We can’t wait to capture more of your memories at your Destination Wedding at the Quinta Real Hotel in Acapulco, Mexico at the end of the Month!
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Caitlin & Mark’s Engagement Session
Pier A Park & The Lackawanna Train Station, Hoboken, New Jersey
Steven and I are generally very healthy people. Occasionally, one of us does get a cold (in this instance I blame this crazy summer rain). While we have never missed a wedding EVER, we decided after much discussion that because we like Caitlin & Mark (haha), Steven should keep his germs to himself and that I should head out to Pier A Park in Hoboken, solo.
What can I say? Caitlin and Mark are naturals. Within moments, these two were laughing it up - sitting on park benches, hanging on trees, sitting along the waterfront by the skyline and…
rolling in the grass in front of Lackawanna Train Station (Hoboken Terminal). Love this series:
Even after a blueberry incident, these two were still raring to go! So we ducked inside the station for a few more shots. Fun architecture, great benches, love the clock!
And the stairs…
We can’t wait to celebrate with Caitlin & Mark in August at their Tappan Hill wedding. We are also soooo excited to boogie down with The Original Faze 4, as we had the same band at our wedding - rock on!
Thank you so much for the photos. We had a blast at the shoot, including the blueberry incident! Sorry Steven couldn’t make it, but Brooke you took some amazing and extremely creative photos, we especially love the train station ones. You guys are the best and we’re so looking forward to having you at our wedding. Thank you again and we can’t wait for August!
- Caitlin & Mark
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Khalilah & George’s Engagement Session
The Dare Carnival, Garden State Plaza Parking Lot, Paramus, New Jersey
While at the Garden State Plaza one day, Steven and I noticed that they were setting up an outdoor summer carnival in the far parking lot. We briefly discussed with some excitement how much fun it would be go there with a couple for an engagement session. Well, when Lil and George walked in our door ready for their photo session a few days later, we couldn’t resist asking if they were up for a night of carnival rides and hot dogs. They were down!
We enjoyed wandering the grounds, navigating through the rides, playing the games of chance, watching Lil get her palm read by one of the fortune tellers & posing for photos all along the way (love the colorful fun house backdrop & the ferris wheel). And to cap off the evening, who could resist a ride on the tilt-a-whirl with the cutest little ring bearer ever!? Enjoy!
We can’t wait to celebrate a rockin’ wedding with Lil & George at The Westwood!
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Karen & Lance’s Engagement Session
The Boat Basin, Englewood, New Jersey
Karen and Lance are laid back. We attribute this to California. You see… While their wedding is east coast all the way, these two have it right living in sunny CA (and by the beach no less). So while we were running around like crazy snapping pics, these two were really rather chill. Man do we need to get out to the West Coast! 
We can’t wait to get them in front of our lenses again in October - next stop, their wedding at The Graycliff!
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MaryAnna & George’s Engagement Session
Allison Park, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
When possible, we like to schedule our engagement sessions for the hour or two leading up to sunset as the light tends to be the softest. Scheduling at this time of day has its perks - pretty light, cooler temperatures during summer months, warm colored skies, less crowded parks… but it also means that if the session starts late for any reason, we’re fighting the clock to take advantage of whatever light we have left. Unfortunately, MaryAnna and George got stuck in heavy traffic and by the time they arrived, Steven and I were concerned that we wouldn’t have much time to capture any real romance.
With sunset approaching, we scraped our original plans and headed to the closest park we knew, Allison Park. We made one quick detour on the way stopping at the Park’s underpass approach, but I’d summerize our journey as a bee line. But, voila, a session emerged! MaryAnna and George rocked it.
Enjoy a sneak peak of their engagement photos. If we get this much attitude out of a half session, we can’t wait until their wedding at the Manhattan Penthouse on 5th Ave in the coming weeks!
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Carol & Ramon’s Engagement Session
Recreation Center, Weehawken, New Jersey
When Carol and Ramon said they wanted a skyline view, we immediately thought of the new Recreation Center Park on the Weehawken Waterfront. We like this particular park because it’s different, less about the green space and more about the athletic fields and Hudson River views. We had fun with Carol and Ramon exploring the path along the water, leaning on railings, climbing on benches, and goofing around in general - but we especially love the series with tug boat. Enjoy their sneak preview.
We can’t wait until their June Wedding at Seasons Catering (yum!)
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Jessica & Mike’s Engagement Session
The Ross Docks, Englewood, New Jersey
Our first engagement session of the new year and well… it was COLD. The goal of any session is to get to know our couple better and let them find their comfort zone in front of the camera. However, the strong winds and blustery air were definitely not working in our favor! All that said, Jessica & Mike were real troopers - smiling on the outside, while shivering on the inside!
We can’t wait to celebrate their wedding with them in (a much warmer) July at the Hyatt Morristown!
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Some of our favorite recent engagement photos are being featured on a new blog called, “Are We Married Yet.” The new blog is a resource for newly engaged couples looking to find photographers from around the country (even the world)… so we’re excited to be a part!
Check out our featured post here. And the site itself here:
A stolen moment from Jen & Chris’ engagement session in Grand Central Station.
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We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your business, your support, and in many cases, your friendship.
It’s been great working with you this past year!
May your New Year be as Picture Perfect as the last!
Steven & Brooke
Tackeff Photography
Let’s fill 2009 with lots of love & great photo ops! We will be doing our part by getting married May 3rd, at the Westmount Country Club!
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Holiday Gift Ideas & Ordering Information
One of the most treasured, most requested and easiest gifts for the Holidays is the gift of sharing memories!
Parents, grandparents, siblings & close family love receiving photos. They are proud to have shared in your moment, so consider giving them a joyous/romantic photo of you and your spouse in addition to the more traditional family photos. Also, don’t underestimate the power of ‘true’ moments. Mom helping you get dressed, Dad giving you that bear hug or twirling you on the dance floor, Grandma smiling at you… these are emotional moments that are definitely worth remembering.
Photos also make great bridal party gifts. You asked these people to stand with you for a reason. They are your nearest and dearest, so give them a photo to thank them for sharing your joy and helping you make it through your big day.
You can easily gift extended family and friends with photos if you have a nice moment of them posed together, enjoying a spin on the dance floor or congregated together sharing a smile. The possibilities are endless. And, they will always remember the special time they had at your wedding when they look at the photo(s).
We are getting a ton of emails regarding deadlines, so we wanted to put out a few key dates:
To receive Your Order by 12/25:
| Product |
Standard |
Priority |
Overnight |
| Final Prints |
10-Dec |
15-Dec |
18-Dec |
|
| Photo greeting cards/Fine Art Cards |
10-Dec |
|
All orders for prints placed after 12/10 are subject to rush fees if you need them for the holidays.
It’s still not too late to order HOLIDAY CARDS, especially to celebrate the New Year! These cards are a studio favorite and get rave reviews from our couples. If you’d like us to retouch an image for your card, please contact us ASAP.
Another popular idea, is to use the site’s BULK PRINT option to order 25 copies of your favorite 4×6, 5×7 or 8×10 to slip in with your holiday or new years cards. Bulk Prints are more economically priced and available through the website.
We are still accepting album and canvas orders. Even though we cannot guarantee these products will arrive in time to be placed under your tree, you can always wrap a framed print and tell the recipient that there are more memories to come…
Happy Holidays!
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Mary Ellen & Michael’s Engagement Session
Fort Tryon Park, New York, New York
Setting the stage for those who didn’t read the last post… After a rain out in which we tried to schedule two sessions in the same park, we ended up in Fort Tryon Park twice in the same week. Mary Ellen and Michael’s session was the later of the two and although we visited many of the same spots in the park (most recognizably the exterior of The Cloisters and the big Archway thingy), their session had a completely different feel. The light was very different, so many of the things we did in our previous photo shoot would not have “worked” like they did two days earlier. However, from new light, you find new opportunity! For instance, you’ll notice a big difference in the way we photographed the arches.
We are giving Michael the good attitude award for coming out and rockin’ it, considering he was getting over being sick. And we’re giving Mary Ellen props for swank. She knows how to work a camera. ;) These two are a ton of fun and we know that their wedding at The Crystal Plaza is going to be even more of a blast!
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Joyce & Clifton’s Engagement Session
Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY
We shot two engagement sessions in a row at Fort Tryon Park. Originally, both sessions were supposed to be on the same day, but rain clouds rearranged our schedule and we ended up going to the park Friday and Sunday of the same week. What’s consistently interesting about engagement sessions (just like with weddings) is that it doesn’t matter how many times you go to the same place, sessions tend to be amazingly different because different couples bring their own chemistry and flare with them. Plus, if you look hard enough you can always find something new - a new location, a different way of looking at the same structure, a new angle - even the light varies dependent upon time of day or even the time of year…
Clifton and Joyce definitely brought their own uniqueness to their engagement session. They brought a willingness to get in and try stuff. Their session was filled with adventure! They walked, jumped, leaned, piggy backed, kissed and even sat on the edge of a cliff in the name of photography! We had a great time with these two and are very much looking forward to all the new adventures we’ll share next April when they get married at the Crystal Plaza.
These are great pictures! Friends and family love them, too. Thanks for exploring new territory with us and for making us feel so comfortable during the session.
You guys are a great team. We’re looking forward to the awesome work you’ll do at our wedding!
Joyce and Clifton
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Steven/Brooke,
We LOVE the pictures you’ve posted on the website and can not wait to view the rest! Thank you so much for such a fun shoot, even though we didn’t know what we were doing! Best wishes!
Joyce and Brian