Julia (Jules) said "Yes!!" to James early last winter-

maybe you'll remember the photos from their paparazzi proposal....

But finally, with the wedding approaching this October, the date arrived for their actual engagement session!

James is a talented musician, and both he & Jules are creatives who enjoy photography-

They wanted to make this session a special memory, so decided to create their own musical picnic - in -the -woods themed engagement session.

We found an abandoned road into the woods, and Ken found the perfect light...

They had brought along a bistro set, place settings, candles, backpack and guitar-

After setting it up carefully, lighting candles, and savoring the beautiful private setting,  he sweetly played his guitar for her.

I hung back for a while and shot through a long lens till it seemed ok to 'intrude' : ).

It was pretty amazing, and the night was still young!

   guitar and picnic in the woods engagement session   After this perfect  private concert in the woods, it was time to change and leave Wallkill for New Paltz, where we would trade wildflowers for the chic college-town feel.

It had started pouring, but we decided to go for it. Personally, I love shooting in the rain, and hoped they would too!!

Think it was worth it??

Maybe I overuse the word "epic" in everyday life when talking about photography, but this one really was. How often do you get to photograph a couple in love under an incredibly beautiful Divinely-provided rainbow during their engagement session??!

We parked in New Paltz as the rain let up.

But that parking lot- I just had to photograph them in it!! Maybe to onlookers it looked insane,  but hey, these two  trusted me as they stood amongst not-so -pretty cars and I shot through unmown weeds.

The photos below are the result.

Um, yeah.

Can't exactly go wrong with these two, could I?!!

Then it was off to find something a little less country and an little more college town-

Can't wait for their wedding this October- maybe we'll be graced with  Northern Lights for it, the way things seem to align perfectly with these two beautiful souls!