Jon + Carly | Talleyrand Park and Bernel Road Park Engagement

It is such an honor to photograph people who we have known for years as they celebrate love and prepare for the biggest day of their lives! Carly was the grade between Samantha and me at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School. If my math is correct, we have known Carly since the Backstreet Boys released their Millennium album… I’m not sure where time has gone but I’m feeling old.

We jumped rope on the parking lot “playground” during recess at OLV. We transitioned from a tiny Catholic school to a massive public high school, where I could always count on seeing Carly’s smiling face. We have even run into each other at Jonas Brother’s concerts in Hershey, PA! Even though we don’t always see each other, Carly’s warmth always brings me back to such special times.

In November, Carly emailed me to ask if we could do a photo session for her family. I was so happy she reached out! It had been a long year of lockdown but through my mask and air-hugs, it was so nice to see Carly and her parents!! It was also the first time I had met Jon! Jon was easy to talk to and they both were so sweet recalling their “How We Met” story.

Carly and Jon met at a wedding! The bride, who was also from our elementary school, was a mutual friend of theirs! Jon worked with her and Carly was in her wedding party. It just so happened that Carly caught the bouquet and Jon caught the garter! I have never heard of the garter/bouquet toss working out so perfectly! We love that The Graduate, the venue at which they met, will also be their wedding day venue!

Speaking of special locations, Samantha and I try to encourage our couples to pick locations that they love because they are beautiful or because they are special or representative to their relationship. Carly and Jon picked Talleyrand Park and a Disc Golf course! Jon is an avid disc golfer and through their relationship, Carly has learned and loved spending time together at the courses around the area. These two locations were perfect on this chilly morning!

This blanket was going to be used for a picnic blanket set-up, but the morning was so chilly that we used it for a few other poses!

Off to the disc golf course at Bernel Park!

Carly and Jon got creative with the holes! We took photos by holes 5 and 14. Their wedding day is Saturday, May 14 or 5/14!

We had so much fun getting to know Jon better and reminiscing with Carly as we walked through the course. Thank you both for such a fun session and for letting me hold your blanket and warm up while Samantha snapped some photos ;)