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Chris & Heather: Engaged! 07.25.11 | Newburyport Engagement Photos

melissakoren — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:02:58 +0000

Meet Chris & Heather.

Hi Chris! Hi Heather!

This dynamic duo was referred to me by another duo of the same caliber: Jenn & Jason. After a myriad of emails, we decided on a summer evening engagement session in “Salisburyport.” Mother Nature pretended she was going to do us in, but we chose to ignore the reports and trudge on ever stalwartly. (Actually what I said was “I laugh in the face of 25% chance of isolated showers. We can call the delay whenever you think you need, but I’m gangbusters to go for it — - If it starts to look more sure of crappy later, I can start earlier if you can/want — But my meteorological skills (2 predictions & some witch dr) currently say we’ll be fine.” And we were. [woot!]

We were more than fine. These two have all the qualities one should strive for in a relationship.

Trust & Comfort

Silliness & Romance

Creativity & Tenderness

and a healthy dose of “You’re not a suave as you think you are” <3

Did I mention they’re committed to bringing sexy back?

all the way back.

I think the best adjective of the ones so far though is comfortable. They’re just a perfect fit.

We finished up in the first part of Saliburyport and headed over to the second part of our adventure.

We kept willing the sun to come out and play and give us some happy light, but it only listened for 90 seconds or so.

Their one request was to incorporate this awesome mural. check and mark.

I have a thing for arches, and the sun complied for another few minutes.

blingity bling!

After we finished up shooting, they invited me to join them for dinner at the Grog. We had a great time laughing and talking and chowing down. I think i got the Sweet Potato Burrito: Spicy mashed sweet potatoes and black beans wrapped in a tomato tortilla. Topped with melted jack cheese and salsa .. and if I didn’t I should have, it’s my favorite thing there. And if I did, it’s been a long time and I could go for another one. Photoshoot in Newburyport anyone!?

Just short of six months until I get to hang out with these two again. I can’t wait!

Stephanie + Kevin: Engaged! 05.20.11 | Portsmouth, NH Wedding Photography

melissakoren — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:03:35 +0000

You know, its nothing new,
Bad news never had good timing,
But, then the circle of your friends,
Will defend the silver lining.

Pain throws your heart to the ground,
Love turns the whole thing around,
No it won’t all go the way it should,
But I know the heart of life is good.
“The Heart of Life” ~JM

Stephanie’s emails close with these John Mayer lyrics. And its completely obvious that Stephanie + Kevin most certainly know that the heart of life is good. The way they love and laugh with each other is phenomenal.

After postponing due to a billion soggy days, we finally had some nicer weather and met up in Market Square to shoot their engagement photos.

When I asked them where they were thinking, I was pleasantly surprised when they were more interested in shooting IN town than in Prescott Park. I love Prescott Park with all my heart — but the chance to adventure around Portsmouth itself was SO exciting! And just look at all the fun we found!

They indulged my craziness as we snuck down a new stairway and I saw this little peek through. It’s kind of like their baking in a brick oven, but I love it anyway.

They are absolutely sweet to each other. And snarky. Sweet and snarky are two of my favorite characteristics.

Bow Street, Ceres Bakery, Decks, Tugboats– we wandered all over to see what we could see, and I loved everything I saw!

Thank you thank you guys for a spectacular evening. I’m super excited for your wedding next month at the Moffatt-Ladd house in Portsmouth, I just know it will be smashing!

Sarah & Rich: Engaged! — 05.14.11 | Portsmouth, NH Engagement Photography

melissakoren — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:11:12 +0000

If you look up smitten in the dictionary, you’ll find Sarah & Rich. These two are absolutely and completely enamored with each other and I was honored to spend a little time with them witnessing such fantabulousness.

We met up at Great Island Common in New Castle for our wild rumpus. I wanted to entitle the one on the left “taking the plunge” but jumping didn’t seem as good of an idea as come back up towards me and being in love.

Yay adorableness! Sarah — you’re so pretty! Thanks for the bright colors and killer smile!

I don’t give tons of direction, but sometimes I suggest crazy ideas — mostly to get you laughing. They had me laughing harder trying to figure out what the other was doing in response to what I was saying.

I told Rich to walk up to her and try and hit on her — he’s got some smooth moves!

They’re really really good at snuggling, I think it comes with the smittenness. My favorites.

I cannot wait to see the overflow of love from these two at their wedding in August.

Keep being so fantabulous!

Ana & Chris: Engaged! 05.13.11 | Billerica, MA Engagement Photography

melissakoren — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:01:39 +0000

Meet Chris & Ana.

Ana is the type of person that you can’t help but just feel happy around. She’s effervescent and adorable. I dare you to meet her and not smile. Go ahead I double dog dare you. Chris obviously already lost that dare because he’s all smiles when she’s around.

Chris is handsome and kind and SMART. He’s going for his PhD in nutrition at UConn — Ana refers to him as “Mr. Nutrition” — and now I refer to Ana with questions for Mr. Nutrition

A plan ahead sort of girl, she and Chris booked me for their 2012 wedding this past February. In March, 2 months before the e.shoot, this arrives in my email - Melissa, I just had to share this with you, then I promise to stop emailing you like a crazy person! I was SO excited over getting our pictures taken, that I went on Etsy bought a prop… It’s the CUTEST sign! It says, “The Blesso’s, est. August 17, 2012″ I CANNOT WAIT!” (sign made by etsy vendor MRC Wood Products)

Now first things first, HOORAY for props! Secondly, I’m just as likely to “email like a crazy person” and I love every second of it. Third — can you see how infectious her excitement is?! I couldn’t wait to meet them in person. They did not disappoint!

Seriously — how gorgeous are these two? Is that even legal?

They’re just so NICE. We met up at Chris’ parents house and hung out. I wanted to have a bbq and tie up a hammock and read a book. They are all just that relaxed and inviting.

As we wandered out back I noticed the shed and said “oooh I like that door!” Chris informed me that that’s where he had his prom photos taken. So I required him to reenact it, this time with his permanent prom date. He’s such a good sport.

Having to think outside the prom box I used the other side of the shed. Smooth huh? I’m such a genius I tell you. HAHA. Still though — I love these two (pictures and people.. but I bet you’d picked up on that by now)

Chris’ parents lawn was immaculate so I thought I’d get up close and personal with it

Oooooh Bella… Bella is their sweet puppy, most definitely a daddy’s girl. She joined us for the photos after putting her owners through a particularly rough night by deciding to snack on some rat poison. Having taken the proper precautions they were sure they were all set and ready to roll. Less than 5 minutes after shooting with Bella her poor face started to swell up and Chris’ dad rushed her to the emergency vet — seems somewhere in a split second she was stung by a bee and had quite the reaction but not knowing or seeing the bee we could all only hope it wasn’t related to the rat poison. Talk about a Diva Dog! <3 I’m SO relieved she turned out to be just fine though.

Since Chris had just changed into his button down, we snagged a few more photos then called the session finished so they could follow over to the vet and check on their furry kid.

I had so much fun falling for these two. Ana’s already started the countdown to the wedding — - only about 62 more weeks to go! I’m super proud of these photos — but I was really relieved when Ana passed Chris’ response on to me .… “Can we blow one of them up HUGE and run through it at the reception?” (yes! please do!) and then even more relieved when I found out his mom loved them too!

Yay Blessos!

Angie & Russ engaged! 04.08.11 | Salisbury, MA Engagement Portraits

melissakoren — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:55:18 +0000

I got this great email from Angie in January… “I actually stumbled upon your facebook page pretty much accidently via my friends Chris & Sara. I checked out your photos and fell in love with them!” Things that make it a great email? 1)people “accidentally” finding me on facebook (tag yourself!) 2) Chris & Sara are two of the best people I know. 3)It makes me crazy giddy when people fall in love with my photos and 4)ANGIE + RUSS!

They were the first of my engaged couples to come out of winter hibernation and take on April spring. And a beautiful morning we had! They had fierce down to a science right out of the gate.

Angie is so adorable — she’s got these crazy blue eyes that you can’t quite believe are real. And Russ is a sweetheart and so totally smitten with Angie.. as it should be!

A self proclaimed photo nerd, she came full accessorized and ready to rock out. Don’t be afraid to color your shoot YOU. Bright colors, headbands, sass and spunk — all things fully welcomed in an MKP session!

We had a blast at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation -

And I KNOW we’re going to have the.best.time at their wedding this October!

Thanks for braving the uncertainty of spring in New England — it totally paid off!

Nicole & Shawn: Engaged! 10.25.10 | York, ME Engagement Photographer

melissakoren — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:39:47 +0000

A blog! A blog! .. I was on such a roll too. I’ve been busy booking Spring Fling Sale portraits (Sale ends soon book yours now!) and celebrating birthdays and milestones. Now, back on the wagon

On a late fall day on York Beach I found out a few things about Nicole & Shawn.

They are creative & fun-o!

They are also full of infectious smiles…

And quiet loving moments.

Braving the beach in October.

Shawn wasn’t so sure about this whole “engagement photo” thing, but being a good fiance he followed along with his wife-to-be’s wishes; and I’m certainly glad he did.

And he was a good sport about it (my favorite!)

And those smiles again! Every time I see these two I grin right along with them.

Nicole & Shawn — thank you SO much for meeting up with me to roam around the beach. Just a few more months til we return to the scene of the crime on York Beach for your wedding! I’m super excited

Don’t wear yourself out with all the day-caring and pizza-making before then!

~melissakoren

Lauren & Patrick: Engaged! 10.22.10 | Concord, NH Engagement Photos

melissakoren — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:00:40 +0000

Lauren & Patrick are fantastic. Hands down just good people to know. I was overjoyed when they asked me to be their wedding photographer and elated when they wanted to take advantage of some fall fun at Carter Hill Orchards in Concord.

I loved that they came ready for anything and fully embracing the slight chill in the air.

Everything including almost sitting in rotting squashed left over fruits Thanks guys!

I’m always (quite pleasantly!) surprised by how mountainous the Concord backdrop is.

I have a tendency to follow the sunset — in doing so we wandered down the steep hill and past a fence and stumbled onto this beautiful little pond.

And into some forest. I can’t get over how easy these two are in front of the camera.

Patrick accused me of being distracted from the task and taking photos of only the trees; when I showed him the photo on the right he was surprised they were in the shot too. Go go gadget wide.angle.lens!

Full color or black and white, these two are superstars!

Thanks for a great afternoon guys — next time I need to not forget the whoopie pies!

~melissakoren

Michelle & Tim: Engaged! 10.22.10 | South Berwick, ME Engagement Portraits

melissakoren — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:38:21 +0000

I met Michelle & Tim at the Exeter Inn Bridal show in 2010. I was very excited when they asked me to be their wedding photographer! Once the details were in place, Michelle asked if we could meet up at the Hamilton House in South Berwick, ME. One of the things I’ve found is another fabulous benefit to my ‘job’ is learning about all these gorgeous places that I never even knew about before! The grounds were absolutely lovely, but not as lovely as Michelle & Tim.

Oh fall, how you taunt me with your colors! (Although, it was not even a little bit warm when we started this shoot, but the sun made a very welcomed appearance by the end!!) I LOVE old barns. Aren’t they awesome? So completely at ease with each other. Then we headed over to nearby Vaughn Woods for a few more shots in the fall fabulousness. Yum! These two are serious cuteness. I cannot wait for their wedding in September!

Hope the plans are coming along! Happy Almost Spring!

~melissakoren

Nicole & Haven: Engaged! 10.18.10 | Exeter, NH Engagement Photos

melissakoren — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:02:46 +0000

Nicole & Haven and I met up at Applecrest Farm Orchards for some engagement photos. Usually it takes a little while for people to warm up to the camera — but right out of the gate Nicole had her ANTM face on.

They are two of the sweetest people ever. And so made for each other!

She has a great laugh — and she’s not afraid to use it!

The photo on the left looks like some spoofed studio shot. I assure you, they picked their own flower and we were hiding in an alcove right off Rt. 88!

Um, Haven? Whacha doin?

We played until just about sunset — And I loved every minute of it.

They both work at Mombo Restaurant in Portsmouth and casually mentioned we should come over sometime for a drink. Well, little did they know — - we’ve since spent two AMAZING evenings at Mombo and I can’t even begin to put into words the quality of the food. From appetizers to dessert everything is fantastically conceived and executed. If I could, I would eat there nightly. And Nicole is one of the best bartenders I know! I HIGHLY recommend the experience!

I’m sure I’ll be seeing them again before their, what I’m sure will be exquisite wedding on 09.10.11!

Lots of love guys!

~melissakoren

Lauren & Kate: Engaged! | Portsmouth, NH Engagement Photos

melissakoren — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:33:45 +0000

Lauren and Kate found me on So You’re EnGAYged and after meeting for coffee, we met for more coffee and then some engagement photos!

I love love love the colors with these two. From their hair to their eyes to their wardrobe. It’s just awesome.

They’re the perfect definition of love.

A yin & yang

After some play time at Prescott Park we headed over to an amazing cemetery with a view (to die for.. sorry I couldn’t resist)

These two are forever cute. I cannot WAIT for their wedding this July!

~melissakoren

Sara & Jordan: Engaged! 09.05.10 | Deerfield, NH Engagement Photographer

melissakoren — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:41:02 +0000

Sara & Jordan are a ton of fun. And bold! They wanted a vast open field and they saw just what they wanted, behind someone’s house. So they pulled over and asked for permission to use their grounds! And what an amazing place it was too!

Other things I learned about them, they love steak and we may or may not share similar qualities of road rage. (ahem.cough.sputter.what?)

Did I mention they like to have fun?

I’ve just now noticed how their hair is golden as the hay grasses. Perhaps that’s why they wanted this setting? Planned or unplanned, it’s completely perfect!

Then we walked 3 days to this AMAZINGLY GINORMOUS tree. Ok Ok, so I guess it wasn’t 3 days. It was probably only 30 yards, but it was down (and more to the point, back up) this crazy steep hill. Worth it though. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Yeah, totally and completely worth it.

The signature move; can’t wait to see more of this slickness at the wedding!

Sara & Jordan are a perfect fit. At ease with each other and the world around them. I cannot wait to spend more time with these two!

Oh my god Melissa! I am speechless. All of the pictures are absolutely perfect. I can’t thank you enough. You are amazing! & yes the steak was delicious! Take Care. ~Sara

only a few more months til our next adventure~

til then ~ melissakoren

Kristi & Steve’s Engagement Party 08.14.10 | York, ME Engagement Photos

melissakoren — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:38:13 +0000

I know Steve roundaboutly through good old Exeter High School. He came down to the Tavern one night newly fianced to Kristi and I tried to convince them to hire me for their wedding. Unfortunately it was not to be as their wedding was in Michigan. However, Steve’s mother (the fabulous Mrs. Conlan) asked if I could photograph the engagement party they were throwing for them and I couldn’t say no!

Before the party got rolling we took some engagement photos. Being short on time because of a parade in York we couldn’t make it to the beach but we worked it out in the back parking lot of Foster’s Clambake!

After a few shots we went back inside to celebrate! It was a very ocean themed event, quite appropriate for a clambake!

Chocolate candy rocks! I love it!

Such a great setup.

Kristi rented a cotton candy machine and quickly got to work flossing it up, it was really tasty.

If you’ve never been to Fosters Downeast Clambake it’s an experience! A lot of fun and entertaining to say the least!

A special ocean blue drink for the occasion. Cheers!

The girls & boys

And the bride & groom

And an uninvited guest! … well, ok, I guess he was invited but I’m guessing he’d rather not have been!

I scarfed my chicken (not of the sea, actual chicken, I don’t actually like lobster!) and headed off to shoot Lisa & Doug’s wedding. I don’t usually do two events in one day, but the Conlan’s are like family and I did my best!

I hear I missed a fun loving after party, and the wedding was lovely! And Steve nicely gave me my favorite title of “Best Photographer Ever” So a million points.. I mean thanks.. to him!

Congratulations Kristi & Steve!

~melissakoren

Chevelle & Brodie Engaged! 06.25.10

melissakoren — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:39:22 +0000

Chevelle and Brodie are cuteness galore. We met at Prescott Park to shoot some engagement photos, they’re planning their wedding for next July and as I went through their photos after the shoot I find myself smiling left and right at their infectious giddiness.

And we found this secret little hideaway in this very cool tree that bowed its branches over the ground.

I spent the morning shoveling and blowing snow it makes me miss the green grass and warm sunshine even more!

Do you see the smiles and the young love and the adoration? I love it!

Chevelle & Brodie have been hard at work at college this year and counting down till their wedding in just over 7 months!

Thanks guys for a fun afternoon! I can’t wait to see your plans finalized at the wedding!

~melissakoren

Jess & Tim: Engaged! 06.23.10

melissakoren — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:16:03 +0000

When I met Jess & Tim I knew immediately that they knew how to have a good time. When we met up in Prescott Park for their engagement photos we had a perfect evening for adventures.

I love how they intertwine with each other.

And a heart shaped puddle!

One of my favorite photos ever and I learned how to get to the other side!

I love the pavers, and I loved this shoot! Thank you thank you Jess & Tim!!

Just wait til I share their fabulous crazy wedding with you — if you look up fun loving in the dictionary, you’ll definitely see these two!

~MelissaKoren

Lisa & Doug: Engaged! 05.22.10

melissakoren — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:40:13 +0000

I met up with Lisa & Doug in Newburyport, MA for their engagement session. We had a great time roaming around the city and incorporating its’ details in our shots. I’m sucker for good door ways and Newburyport has no shortage of them!

They were up for anything — and they look so at ease posing with the (not actually) Gorton’s fisherman!

I loved this art installation! Its one of my favorite engagement photos so far

I can’t wait to share their wedding with you! We partied til we could party no harder!

~MelissaKoren