These two right here are giving us all the New York State of Mind feels with the city views and the Hudson River backdrop. Clearly, this is an advertisement for really expensive jeans or engagement rings… or are they?!

Nope, these photos are real, folks. Not stock images, not advertisements. These photos are not staged for our website. They are actual photos from a New York City engagement session of two real humans who are very much in love. Meet Doug and Aisha, two lovebirds who just happen to take incredible photos, even in their own home.

Getting to Know the Romantic Couple

The challenge in photographing a couple like Aisha and Doug is… oh wait. There are no challenges. These two allow their natural spirit to come through the lens with every snap, making our job as New York City engagement photographers almost too easy. Even their wardrobe style is perfect, with neutrals complimenting the existing views and Aisha’s bright whites and radiant reds.

You can actually feel the love in these engagement photos and see it in their eyes, but for Doug and Aisha, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Their story has a unique beginning, but so perfect for the couple that does things their own way.

Boy meets girl, they fall in love and get married. When you know, you know. Right? Isn’t that how all love stories begin? Not Doug and Aisha- they’re two adventurous souls that can’t follow in other people’s love story footsteps- they have to make their own.

The beginning of Doug and Aisha’s relationship got off to a slow start, as in no start at all- Aisha refused to go on a date with Doug, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Finally, one day that persistence paid off. It turned into the perfect love story, complete with a New York City engagement session, followed by an Italian wedding.

Choosing the New York City Engagement Session Locations

With all of the on-site locations available for NYC engagement photos, choosing one location is tough. So many New York City engagement sessions start out in Central Park. And of course, those photos always turn out lovely. There are also plenty of incredible sessions with the iconic NYC skyline in the background or the Brooklyn Bridge.

Location #1: An Intimate, Cozy Session from the Comfort of Home

But our engaged couple always does things their own way. The ideal location for this couple didn’t have to be in front of a well-known tourist spot or an easy to recognize museum. They wanted to make sure their photos showcased their New York.

Aisha is truly romantic. She wanted to make sure that theme was evident in their photos. Another essential element was capturing their overall vibe of natural, nostalgic, elegant, unique, and beautiful, without sacrificing on the fun. Because these two know how to have a good time. We think you can feel it in their smiles, don’t you?

All of these components made it easy to pinpoint the perfect spot for their NYC engagement photography session. They already had the perfect location for their photos in mind, without having to travel very far- no cars needed. Why leave home if you don’t have to?! Yes, that’s Doug and Aisha’s marble countertop in the perfectly lit NYC apartment, complete with an open bottle of wine for two. That chair they’re snuggled up in is the same one they use for watching TV on a regular weeknight. No need for staging here.

Panoramic Views for an Epic Backdrop

The window with panoramic NYC views from a downtown building in Tribeca? That also belongs to Doug and Aisha, of course. And seeing the rest of the city from the window while taking their engagement photos had my creativity reeling for our next New York City engagement session locations!

Location #2: Walking the Streets of New York City for Engagement Photos

They snagged a prime spot right next to Hudson River Park. So a river walk perfect for their NYC engagement photoshoot. And I was the lucky photographer that got to tag along with these two for the day, capturing them in their natural element.

We set out for Hudson River Park, but not before making a few stops along the way. After all, what’s a New York City photography session without capturing the essence of the city? And by that, I mean walking through the city streets.

As we made our way to the river, we gave ourselves plenty of time to stop and take natural plenty of photos with the magnificent city as the setting.

Location #3: Hudson River Park for Stunning Sunset Portraits During the New York City Engagement Session

With careful planning and timing, we took advantage of the stunning colors from the sunset. As we wrapped up our day next to the river, the stunning sunset provided us with the perfect evening backdrop.

Aisha’s beautiful red dress was such a wonderful complement to the colorful sky overhead. But more than that, the couple’s apparent love for one another made capturing each photo so easy! With a little bit of guidance from me, they were able to let loose in front of the camera, allowing me to snap incredible photos that will last them a lifetime.

With a Lake Como, Italy Destination Wedding to Follow

A destination wedding is the only option for a couple that spent 55 days traveling the world together. That’s right, just months after they started dating, Aisha and Doug were already committed to one another, and a lifetime of adventure. It’s only fitting that Doug proposed in South Africa. But out of all of their destinations, from Zimbabwe to Japan, Costa Rica to Morrocco, it was Lake Como, Italy, that won a special place in their hearts.

Doug and Aisha let me photograph them in their natural element for their New York City engagement shoot, so I was able to see how they are together as a couple without any outside factors. I am thrilled to be part of Aisha and Doug’s wedding day and to capture the spirit of these two adventurous and loving souls when they tie the knot. I look forward to once again photographing Doug and Aisha, along with their guests, and documenting every moment of their special day.

Discover Doug and Aisha’s Destination Wedding at Villa Erba!