Relaxed Engagement Session in Brooklyn, New York City | Madi and Eric
At only eight weeks postpartum, my relaxed engagement session in Brooklyn, New York City with Madi and Eric was the perfect way to dust off my camera and get back in the rhythm of shooting!
Madi and Eric were the definition of laid back and down to earth, and while I knew they would be a dream to work with from the minute they booked with me, their engagement session set it all in stone. We were truly kindred spirits… board game-lovin, sports-playin, bbq-hangin kind of people… and I’m low key obsessed with their casual engagement shoot vibes.
When Madi told me her vision for their photoshoot, my jaw hit the floor… she used the words, “pizza, wine, and a chill Saturday afternoon,” and I knew the rest would effortlessly be magiC.
She and Eric live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which is truly one of the most unique neighborhoods in New York City! It has a charming sense of community and culture, and is notoriously one of the best places to live for young professionals. It’s known for its quaint atmosphere with vintage shops, rooftop bars, and boutique restaurants, and all around, it’s just a cool place.
They wanted their engagement photos there, in their backyard, so to speak, since this area has become so near and dear to their hearts. We chose a local park for our meeting spot, which is where they regularly walk their dogs, and it did not disappoint. McGorlick Park has a quiet and relaxed vibe, surrounded by quaint brownstones, and it was filled with weekend joggers, leisurely dog-walkers, and fall picnic-ers. Imagine an idyllic setting for a flourishing community, and you’ve pretty much got the idea – a peaceful gathering space for slow, simple, and intentional living.
This was the spirit that Madi and Eric wanted to lean into for their engagement photos.
They wanted to capture the essence and charm of Greenpoint and pair it with their playful chemistry, and we were able to do this so effortlessly on their home turf. Madi and Eric have such a natural connection, one that feels effervescent and easy, so capturing their raw, candid energy was a total joy. If you know anything about my approach to photography, you know that personality-driven imagery is my bread and butter, so I was 100% in my element. (Check out more about my approach to photography here! ✨)
We wrapped up the first half of our relaxed engagement session at the park BEFORE we headed OVER to Madi and Eric’s apartment.
There we planned to snap a few more photos of a casual date-day with pizza, wine, and their two pups, Luna and Abby. Afterward, we chilled on their couch, talked all-things Settlers of Catan, and laughed about big family upbringings over some delish donuts (shout out to the iconic Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop). Madi and Eric truly were instant friends, and I was so grateful for such a relaxed engagement shoot for my first postpartum travel session (when I had my whole family in tow! 🥲)
While we were there, I couldn’t resist scoping out a few of my favorite wedding venues in Brooklyn since it is such a trending, up-and-coming wedding hub!
Greenpoint specifically is home to the Greenpoint Loft, a pre-WWII warehouse venue that is an urban dream. It has exposed high beam ceilings, wooden floors, open window skylights, and a rooftop that boasts a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline and East River. Another waterfront oasis is Wythe Hotel, which is a historic Brooklyn factory turned boutique wedding venue. It is an intimate event space with exposed timber ceilings, ivy-covered brick walls, and twinkling string lights. And equally as charming is Brooklyn Winery, which is a beautifully restored venue in the heart of Greenpoint. This modern-meets-industrial wedding venue features chic accents and lush backdrops, like their signature living plant wall. All of these gorgeous wedding venues in New York City within what feels like a city block! 🙌🏼
Rather than stay in the city, however, Madi and Eric choose to retreat to nature for their big day.
They chose to host their wedding weekend experience at Full Moon Resort in the Catskill Mountains, which is an enchanting destination only a couple hours north of New York City. If you’ve read any of my past blog posts, you know that I’m obsessed with weddings in the Catskills! (Peep my past weddings there: Kat and Nitzan’s Magical Catskills Wedding at Full Moon Resort and Kelsie and Mike’s Adventurous Catskills Wedding on Belleayre Mountain.) Suffice to say, I cannot wait to get back there for Madi and Eric’s wedding!
Madi and Eric have tons of friends and family members traveling from out of town to be with them for the entire wedding weekend, so my “Weekend Experience” package was the perfect fit for them.
This includes photo coverage of their welcome dinner, full day wedding coverage (two photographers), a fine art album, and of course an engagement session. It will be the best way to capture the full ambiance of their wedding, especially because Madi told me, “I want for our pictures to look natural, casual, in-love, happy, and authentic to us, and for us to remember the love and joy we’ll feel on our wedding day.”
SAY👏🏼NO👏🏼MORE👏🏼 GIRLFRIEND… I am here for all the relaxed photo vibes!
Cheers to Madi and Eric, their once-in-a-lifetime connection, and their #goals relaxed engagement session in Brooklyn, New York City. In this same spirit of casual authenticity, I can’t wait to run to the Catskill Mountains with you and celebrate your beautiful love story this fall! Here’s to rolling hills, lush woodlands, majestic peaks, and cascading waterfalls, as well as to timeless beauty. We’re coming for you, Upstate New York!