Lu & Lulu
Engagement session at the Rhode Island Statehouse and on Thayer Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
May 20th, 2017*
Even though it may not have the same hustle and bustle of a wedding day, I love engagement shoots.
There's something so fun and carefree about spending an hour or two with an awesome couple and getting to know them in a stress-free environment and while weddings offer timeless moments that you can't get anywhere else, engagement shoots are where you can form a bond with a couple and interact with them in a much more personal way than is possible during the chaos of a wedding day.
And that's exactly what happened on the beautiful and sunny Saturday morning of Lucelene and Luis' engagement session in downtown Providence.
Lucelene and Luis, or Lu and Lulu as they prefer to be called, were referred to me by a high school friend of mine who will stand in their wedding party when they get married next month. I knew immediately after sitting down with them for the first time that I wanted to shoot their wedding as it promises to be an amazing and elegant affair at Waterplace Park.
And after shooting their engagement session in and around the downtown area of Providence, I can tell you confidently that I'm counting down the days until they tie the knot.
Lu and Lulu picked three locations that were close their heart for our shoot and, thankfully, all three held special meaning to the couple. First up was the Rhode Island Statehouse, one of the most iconic places to photograph in the Ocean State and a great representation of a true Rhode Island couple.
Despite the red-hot sun beaming down on us, the Statehouse proved to be an incredible location to get this soon-to-be bride and groom to open up and enjoy the process of engagement photos.
It was the second location, though, where the pair truly felt at home as Thayer Street, to anyone who has ever walked it, is a place full of vibrancy and character. To say an area personifies a couple is a bit of a stretch but it may well be true for Lu and Lulu. These two are among the happiest couples I've ever seen and both bring out the smiles in their significant others and I could tell they felt most comfortable walking down these streets of Providence, where all of those positive vibes and creativity fill the air everywhere you step.
For the finishing touches on this shoot, Lu and Lulu chose to take photos on the Providence River as it was the site of Luis' marriage proposal.
I enjoyed this location for a number of reasons but mainly as it was where the pair felt most creative and asked for a number of cool poses to wrap the session up. I was more than happy to oblige.
By the time my time with Lu and Lulu came to an end, I felt we had done a wonderful job exploring Rhode Island's capital city but, in truth, the area is so rich and wonderful that we could have spent another six hours walking around and still found places we hadn't explored.
Providence will always be my home city and it was a great reminder that some of the coolest and happiest people say the same.
While I normally photograph a couple's engagement shoot six months to a year before their wedding date, this shoot for Lucelene and Luis happened just four weeks before they head down the aisle.
Initially, that worried me as I wasn't sure how fast I could edit their photos but now that it's over? I glad the timeframe is so small because, like the bride and groom, I can't wait to experience their wedding day and am glad it's fast approaching.
See you soon Lu and Lulu!
-PJS