From Cozy Nooks to the Open Road: A Stylish Boston LGBTQ Engagement

Caitlin (she/they) and AJ (she/her) are a modern-day-dating success story with a timeless vibe. Having swiped right on Tinder years ago, they never looked back! It was unexpected for the both of them; AJ was determined to have a "no strings attached" summer in Boston, and Caitlin, over in Providence, was recovering from surgeries when AJ decided to hit them with a "you're cute. Wanna go for a drink sometime?"

Once Caitlin was well enough to say yes, AJ was well on her way down to Providence from Somerville on her motorcycle.

I've been told love comes to you when you least expect it, and these two are evidence of that. I am constantly overjoyed to capture queer love and tell the stories of creative, passionate people who found themselves in this wild world.

They've created a wonderful home together that I was lucky enough to step into myself -- and I immediately felt just that: at home. There's a warmth within those walls that speaks volumes to these two people who inhabit it. And their critters! (Because what WLW couple doesn't have cats...come on now.) Jewel tones are abound in glass and textiles alike, while the walls are adorned with local art and beloved photographs of themselves, their families, and friends. A warm fire crackles in the corner, and bimbo pop softly plays on the Bose speakers (insert product placement...not sponsored by Bose. Yet.)

What I'm trying to say is this is pretty much a queer couple's pinterest fever dream come to life, and AJ and Caitlin are living it. And I got to capture it. Eat your hearts out.

Caitlin is a fiber artist, an engineer, and a bundle of energy from Atlanta. AJ is a therapist, musician, and an avid motorcyclist; she's a member of the all-women Boston motorcycle club The Moving Violations. Together, AJ and Caitlin enjoy the best of both worlds: cozying up at home together with their friends, and contributing to the local artistic and active scene of the queer community. They're very excited to tie the knot together next year in Providence, RI. And I'm very excited to capture their celebration.

Caitlin and AJ had a strong concept for what she wanted to portray in the engagement session: JOY. I'll let you in on something -- in the photography world, that can be a fine line. Sometimes, clients ask for "joy" in their photos and expect me, as the photographer, to "create" the joy for them. This was not the case with AJ and Caitlin.

Joy is just natural between them, and it enables me to truly put forth my energy to capturing it rather than fabricating that for people who, oftentimes, I have only spoken with on the phone once before we meet to shoot.

They brought the joy, and so much more. It was a smorgasbord for a visual storyteller such as myself.

We started off in their lovely home adoringly decorated and fabulously stylish, before moseying over to the Arboretum. It was a beautiful day! Not too cold. Not too hot. Not windy at all. The sun was veiled thinly behind the clouds, allowing for a gorgeous natural diffusion of light that painted the trees and their faces in soft gold. AJ had proposed to Caitlin at the Arboretum, and it was extremely special for them to bring the second half of the engagement shoot there. Styled to perfection, these two were head-turners on this busy Saturday along Bussey Street, where passerbys admired just how perfect they looked together. We had so much fun posing on the bike, which is such a gorgeous beast of a ride, honestly.

TBH These two looked like they were out of a movie or a dream. I had SO much fun capturing this for them, and LOVE when clients come to me with a vision. Your vision doesn't have to be extensive; you don't need a laundry list of props or a shot list (actually I'd prefer if you ommitted the latter entirely).