Melanie + Vincent’s engagement shoot at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay was a dream. I love this space because it’s so multidimensional: you can get a garden/meadow vibe, shots of the super cute cottage, and even the old school Gatsby vibe of the main building.

Melanie + Vincent are high school sweethearts who’ve been in love since ninth grade. Vincent meticulously designed Melanie’s ring and hid it from her in their tiny NYC apartment for weeks, surprising her with a dream proposal. So romantic!

ENGAGEMENT SHOOT TIP: I offer engagement sessions to all my wedding clients. It’s really important for my couples and I to get to know each other, but I also love it because it gives them a chance to get comfortable being in front of a camera. Most people aren’t used to being photographed a ton, so I really want my couples to get some “practice” before their wedding day so they’re not nervous about it when the day arrives. Melanie + Vincent booked their engagement shoot only a few weeks before their wedding, so they were total pros on the big day!