Many couples become a little wary when I bring up planning their Salem or Adventure Session (a.k.a. an “engagement session”). They envision awkward poses and forced emotions, but that isn’t at all my approach because….yuck! I explain that the point of an adventure together session is for us to have fun, get comfortable around each other, and for me to get to know them as a couple so I know how they connect and interact together naturally. When words don’t convince them, I offer examples, and this recent November session in Brooklyn is a perfect example of how dynamic Salty Raven adventure sessions can be- I know I had a blast!

Jenny and Ethan were married in Brooklyn, and their wedding day was as “them” as I had hoped it would be- we covered a good bit of ground in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn- see more here!

Gloucester, MA may be my new favorite town on the North Shore; it was a dream location for Leigh and Glen’s Adventure Session. We started off at Cape Ann Brewing which was perfect for this adorable couple that loves exploring local craft breweries. (For those of you who are counting, this was my second Adventure Session this season that started out at a brewery- I hope to see this trend continue!)

After a tasty flight of beer and a quick session in front of some colorful lobster traps (Glen was even wearing a lobster shirt!!!), we took a jaunt around town and then journeyed out to a lighthouse.

And….woah. The light at sunset out on the jetty was incredible, and I can’t get over how amazing and romantic these two were.

I can’t wait for their wedding next June!

Salty Raven is once again seaside! We moved to Salem, MA in March of this year, and I’ve been itching to explore the North Shore with a couple ever since. When Mark and Victoria mentioned that they love good craft beer, rocky shorelines, and arcades, I knew Salem would be a perfect fit for an epic Adventure Session. We had a blast, and I’m so excited to photograph their wedding in New Bedford next month!

We started at Notch brewery, and if all my Adventure Sessions could start with delicious session beer, I would be a happy camper!

Who can endure driving through hours of stop-and-go traffic while an infant screams at the top of her lungs and still remain kind, cool, and generous? A real keeper, that’s who!

The backstory: in 2009, I photographed the wedding of a college friend in New England, and Sarah was a bridesmaid in the wedding. My then 3 month old daughter was too young to leave at home with Dad (we lived in New Mexico at the time), so she and a friend/baby wrangler came along for the adventure.

Sarah had just begun dating Jenny, and they were adorable together! I clearly remember them stealing glances of each other over the breakfast table at the inn where we all stayed. After the wedding weekend was over, Jenny offered me a ride to the airport, and what a ride it was! My daughter’s hair-splitting screams were relentless, but Jenny and Sarah were nothing but kind to me.

Fast forward 3ish years, and I received the kind of e-mail that makes a photographer dance around the house with giddiness: “Ever since Sara and Devin’s wedding I’ve been waiting to send you an email like this! Jenny and I just looked over your website again and we loved what we saw.” Seriously, getting inquiries from guests of past weddings I’ve photographed is the best, and I was thrilled that it worked out for me to be their photographer (and fly out to Oakland sans kiddos this time!).

For Sarah and Jenny’s engagement session we visited two fantastic locations in Oakland that they enjoy often as a couple: Oakland’s Lake Merritt, and a nearby cozy spice shop, Oaktown Spice Shop. Notice how they still, years later, like to steal glances of each other!