Jen Araya

I love meeting couples who have inquired about photographing their wedding.  In general, I think it’s super important to meet up with your photographer before you book them.  There is a HUGE amount of trust being placed in them on one of the most important days of your life.  With that in mind, I’ve made it a part of my business to take my couples out for drinks and appetizers as we start to discuss and plan for their wedding day.  Meeting them beforehand allows me to learn about the couple and what makes them tick.  It’s a great way to build a connection and learn how I can make them feel special from that first meeting all the way to presenting them with their finished photographs.

This brings me to Liz and Jason.  One of my goals is to shoot more Cape Cod weddings/become a preferred photographer for Cape Cod weddings, so when I get an inquiry for a wedding on the cape I can’t help but become excited!  I knew Jason from high school but had never met Liz, and was excited to see Jason again as I knew he’d be a fun and caring fiancé.  I had a good feeling about working with them from the word go, and they were incredibly gracious the night we met up.  I was unfortunately tied up in that famous Boston traffic and it was also the Patriots home opener, but I eventually made it and we had a great time.

For their engagement shoot we met up down in Falmouth, MA.  It was a humid Sunday morning in September, and we started off in Falmouth Harbor.  One of the keys I always focus on for engagement shoots is helping the couple become comfortable in front of the camera, because it can be intimidating the first time.  I know I’m still shy when the lens is pointed at me!  In talking with Liz and Jason that morning I told them it’s kind of like a first date, and it went really well.  Once we’d gotten through the “warm up” we met up with their dog Will B and then headed to their favorite secret spot, The Knob at Quisett Harbor.  This area has a lot of meaning to them as it was where Jason had proposed.  I love being able to incorporate special places and moments into my shoots where I can, it just enhances the experience and makes that already special place even more meaningful.

I had a blast walking around the beach with them, and tried something new to challenge myself.  I like to push myself past my comfort zone, so for this shoot I went out into the water to get a different angle.  This beautiful couple was up for it and we were able to create some incredible shots!  It was a wonderful day getting to know them and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding this coming August.  It will be a really fun day catching up with some old high school friends!

Liz and Jason, I hope you enjoy these pictures as well as the special times together being engaged.  It’s the best feeling in the world!

Xoxo Jen Araya