let's take it back...


...to the night when KaLynne and Ryan met each other at Play Arcade in downtown New Bedford. Ryan essentially saved KaLynne from having to talk to some other dudes who she had no interest in having a conversation with and ever since then, they've been inseparable. So it was a no-brainer that one of the backdrops for their engagement session should be the bar where their story started. And shout out to Adam, Play's owner who was so gracious to host us and let us have free-reign of the space- you're the shit and I appreciate you. Also, if you haven't been to Play yet, you really seriously need to go. It's such a neat spot with a full bar, tons of nostalgic arcade games, an 80s living room themed area, and even a rooftop area for the warmer months that has views of the wharf. I'm obsessed. Check out some of my favorite images we shot at Play:

An engaged couple embraces under a neon arcade sign with vintage posters in the background at Play Arcade.
A couple shares an intimate moment beneath a purple neon arcade sign.
Silhouettes of a couple sitting close together in an arcade with glowing game lights.
A romantic couple shares an intimate moment in an arcade bar.
A couple enjoys a playful moment at an arcade bar with neon lights and graffiti decor in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
A couple shares a tender moment at an arcade bar with purple neon lighting.
A couple poses in a dimly lit arcade room with vintage decor and neon signs in Massachusetts.
A casual couple shares a laugh in a retro-styled arcade setting with ambient lighting in New Bedford.
A couple sits together playing jenga at a rustic table in warm lighting.
Close-up shot of tattooed hands handling Jenga pieces.
Artistic photo of hands with tattoos in moody dark lighting against a shadowy background.
A couple at their engagement session in New Bedford, MA.
Dramatic black and white profile portrait in moody lighting showing intimate connection.
Romantic black and white photo in a vintage photo booth.
Playful engaged couple sharing a moment with retro white sunglasses in black and white.
Joyful black and white portrait of engaged couple laughing together with stylish sunglasses.
Retro sunglasses and film strips arranged on colorful vintage movie posters.
Dark bar interior with empty barstools and red striped decor illuminated by neon lights.

And it didn't stop there

After we got warmed up at Play, we decided to keep the flow going by shooting with Ryan's gorgeous antique Chrysler. Don't ask me what year the car is because I can't remember, but regardless, it's beautiful inside and out. I suggested we park the car on the roof of the garage nearby and lo and behold, that's apparently where Ryan proposed to KaLynne so CLEARLY I have ESP. Or something. Or maybe it's a coincidence idk but we'll pretend I had a sixth sense for a moment.

The photos we shot at the garage and around Fairhaven afterwards are some of my all-time favorite images I've ever shot. Ever. I mean, it IS like a cheat code when your subjects are this hot and well-dressed and obsessed with each other but I mean... still. I'll take a modicum of credit.

Bride-to-be in white clothing stepping out of car on sunny day, showing legs and heels.
A couple poses against a vintage car under bright blue skies in a stylish outdoor photoshoot.
A romantic moment captured between a couple in formal attire next to a classic car.
A moody urban photoshoot featuring an intimate moment against a vintage automobile.
An artistic through-the-window shot of figures in a classic car.
A black and white portrait of a stylish couple posing with a vintage automobile.
A black and white candid moment captured through a classic car window.
A nostalgic black and white shot of someone driving a vintage automobile.
A classic Oldsmobile front view with silhouettes visible through the windshield.
An intimate moment captured from the backseat of a vintage car during golden hour.
A fashionable couple embraces against a deep blue sky in an urban setting.
A couple embraces on an overlook with a harbor and industrial buildings in the background.
A retro black and white photo of a couple near a vintage car on a street.
Close-up of tattooed hands with rings holding each other tenderly.
Silhouetted profiles frame a small toy or charm hanging from a car's rearview mirror.
An intimate close-up moment between two people with visible ear jewelry.
A couple sits on pavement in summer attire with dramatic lighting and shadows.
A couple relaxes on a hilltop road with a classic car in the background.
A black and white photo of a couple resting on a hilltop with a vintage car silhouette.
A blurred artistic black and white photo of an intimate moment on a hill.
Tattooed arms reach toward each other with a classic car visible in the background.
A romantic monochrome photo of a couple sharing an intimate kiss through a car window.

They're super hot, right?

I know. And some of my other favs we shot I can't even post- gotta keep some things sacred to the couple, ya know?


Want to know the secret to getting engagement photos like this? Comfortability and access.


I had a bit of a leg up on this one because I've known KaLynne since elementary school. I actuallly have the cutest photo of her sitting in the bus seat next to me on the way to school when we were kids and I wish I had that easily accessible because I'd 100% toss that into this blog post. You're safe for now, K.


Being super comfortable around the person photographing you is so key to getting the results you want from your session. Make sure you're choosing a photographer who has work you really seriously love and can see yourself in, but also be sure that they are someone you want to be friends with.


The second part is access. You saw how close I got to these two in some of these photos- I was up in there like Barry Keoghan was up in that bathtub drain in Saltburn. IYKYK

I wouldn't be able to capture those really special, intimate moments if I didn't have access, which ties back in to comfortability. So keep that in mind when you (assuming you are a potential client searching for a photographer for your own wedding/elopement/engagement and if not, thanks for reading this anyway) are searching for a photographer to capture authentic, genuine moments of your own.


K off my soap box. That's all for today! Talk to you l8r

XO,

D