Coastal New England Engagement Shoot in York, Maine || Rachel and Sam

Bright, cheery, and vibrant are words that best explain Sam and Rachel and their coastal New England engagement shoot in York, Maine.

From their hilarious chemistry and adorable antics, I knew their session would be such a breath of fresh air. “We have big teeth and huge smiles,” Rachel explained, “and honestly Sam is really funny, sometimes ridiculous.” But beyond the fun, laughs, and memories of our night together, it was our shared Christian faith that elevated our connection to something next level.

The place where Sam popped the question, York, Maine served as the perfect location for their seaside engagement shoot. Sam grew up in New England, and he had me starry-eyed on the phone as he described the most charming, picturesque village on the southern tip of Maine. It was known for deep-sea fishing, whale watching, paddleboarding, beachgoing, bike-riding, shell seeking, and more. Little did I knew what a gem York *actually* was, with its sandy beaches, coastal cliff walks, and breathtaking sunsets.

If you’re a New England newbie like me, let me clue you in— picture a quiet seaside town, both teeming with color with its many street shops, but also dozing with a slow, old-fashioned way of life. It’s exactly what you’d expect to see in a quintessential New England painting— a sleepy coastal village with A-frames dotting the coastline, water lapping on the rocks, and friendly folks nodding caps and extending heartfelt smiles as they pass you by on the street.

But more than that, York was equally as magnificent. Majestic inns and stunning oceanfront mansions glittered in the horizon, their silhouettes dancing before my eyes like prima donnas. York was a town that boasted old houses and historic architecture, as well as lavish vacation homes, boldly rich and extravagant. It was a juxtaposition of simple charm and exaggerated luxury, and it left me bewitched.

Rachel and Sam wanted to hit up their favorite spots for their engagement shoot, so we planned an evening split up between York Harbor Cliff Walk, Short Sands Beach, and Nubble Lighthouse.

We wandered about at each location, sharing our testimonies, how and when we came to Christ, and what inspired me to become a Christian wedding photographer, and we fell comfortably into a candor that was reminiscent of a long-time friendship. That’s what authentic storytelling tends to create— an intimate environment where the beauty of your love story can truly be captured!

The three of us, under the warm sunshine, baby blue sky, and salty, saline breeze, had so much fun exploring a place that held so much sentiment to Rachel and Sam. We took our time at the empty Short Sands Beach, frolicked amidst the quaint town shops and the honky tonk arcades, and at the first sign of sunset, made our way over to York’s very own authentic lighthouse, Nubble Lighthouse.

As we watched the sky shift from turquoise to deep sea blue to an indigo as dark as night, we marveled at the creativity of our King and rejoiced in our unshakeable hope in Him. It is a joy beyond comparison telling the love stories of couples like Rachel and Sam, who share in my joy in Christ and marvel at the true meaning of marriage: the revelation of Christ’s love for his church. I’m so thankful for these two clients-turned-friends, and truly can’t wait to make some more magic with them at their wedding this spring!

If you are encouraged by this couple’s faith, you have to check out Hannah and Sawyer’s equally awesome lighthouse engagement shoot in the Florida Keys here. They were another couple who’s testimony and commitment to the Gospel was so inspiring to me!