Lake House Lifestyle Engagement Session

When I read Shelley’s email - I had instant butterflies. I told Greg after I read it to him, “I’m pretty sure I’ve just met a new best friend.” Her vision and the relationship she wanted with her photographer landed her in the category of “Dream Client”. Why you may ask? Well - her ultimate goal was not to just hire someone who will show up and photograph her wedding and then be on their way, but rather someone who will be there to document ALL their exciting times in their lives. To say I was “on board” would be an understatement but also appropriate since we have to get on a boat to get to her. This is exactly who I love to create with, people who turn into longtime friends who I can truly get to know, enjoy time with, and the icing on the cake? Her vision and style of photography is right up my alley. Candid, organic, and GOLDEN.

For their engagement session, Shelley and Matt invited my family over to spend the day at their lake house on Lake Winnipesaukee. Queue the anxious countdown from my boys who asked every day, “how many days until we go to your friends lake Winnposhki? Winnapee? Winnawhat again?” Sometimes I wonder why I tell them about exciting things before we go, because of the constant questions like, “how many days? how many hours? how many minutes?” BUT the day finally arrived and it felt really special to be picked up by Matt and Shelley on their boat to head to their house. The looks on the boys faces when Matt shifted into a higher speed was priceless. Joy was exuded in all of their faces - it was a special moment that I’m really thankful for. My farm boys turned into little captains. They asked for weeks after we left if we could get a boat. My oldest even dreamt and was sleep talking on the car ride home that night, “I’m in a boat!! I’m in a boat!!”

The lake was BEAUTIFUL. The water was the PERFECT temperature. Matt and Shelley are quite the power couple and yet they are such gracious hosts making my family feel at home. They had everything for us, but made it look easy. How they did that I’m not quite sure, but we soaked it all in and truly enjoyed every minute of it. I’m also pretty sure my middle son has his first crush considering anytime Shelley was out of his site he’d ask, “Where’s Shelley??” Heart. Melted.

As the sun dropped a little and started giving us it’s golden glow, I casually went into the house to check in on the couple getting ready. The light coming into the kitchen was soooo dreamy and romantic I knew this is where we had to start as they started pouring their evening drinks. I loved how it all flowed. The connection between Matt and Shelley is pretty electric. You’ll see what I mean. I really enjoyed photographing them because I could take a backseat in giving direction because they just treated the night like I wasn’t there and did their thing. They started pouring drinks and flirting in the kitchen with their adorable pup, Dixie. The playfulness lead to enjoying the lake from the deck. They have this undeniable sexiness about them that even the sweetest embrace can look quite HOT. Effortless on their part. I’d squeal “LAKE LIFE” occasionally because what we were creating was just so hot I couldn’t help it. I followed their lead to the hammock and fire pit. Slowly making our way down to the lake as the fiery sunset matched their steamy love. Ending the night cooling off in the water under the sweet moonlight.

Shelley and Matt - you are a couple to be reckoned with. You are eachothers person…Wait… ;-) No but in all seriousness, you have each others back and have a really beautiful connection, the kind that shows you don’t settle and you are exactly meant for each other. I’m really honored AND excited to see all the exciting seasons in your lives and what you accomplish together. Thank you for asking me to be your photographer.