Well, haven’t we had enough snow already? I know I’m over it! The snow does make for some pretty images though. When Jamie and Josh approached me about this “snow session” I was like sign me up already. I just knew it would be a fun look for their images. Jamie also asked if she could bring two of their very close furry friends with them. I knew she was talking about their English Bulldogs Oscar and Zoey. We all know I have a think for bulldogs right? I just happen to have the French version. Anyway I like when people incorporate their dogs into sessions. It’s fun! You’ll be seeing Jamie and Josh on this blog again later in the year after their October wedding which sounds like it’s going to be quite the party! I had fun guys! Thanks again!

Peace,
JP

On the right is the old man Oscar and his 6 month old sister Zoey.

They were funny snorting their way through the snow.

I like this one..

how stinking cute? really, if you don’t like bulldogs you can leave the blog now ;)

each one had to get their official solo photo.. Zoey is a little more of a ham for the lens though.

Ever see Goodfellas? to quote Joe Pesci ”Oh I like this one… One dog goes one way, the other dog goes the other way, and this guy’s sayin’, “Whadda ya want from me?”

Now we’re onto the human only portion of the session..

They look good for probably freezing their butts off. It was like 20 that day.

Always searching for that good golden backlight.

Wardrobe change for Jamie. I loved the white dress.

I bet these two have one hell of a first dance… no pressure now…

because Josh can sweep her off her feet!

Just a nice simple portrait..

For it being freezing cold it really was a pretty day.

a forehead kiss..

this is one of my favorites from the whole session..

My first “bling shot” of 2011… many more to come.

For those of you who’ve been following my blog for a while might have noticed a trend in my engagement sessions. It’s alway the last image you’ll see in my engagement session blogs. It might be silly or whatever but it’s become a must get shot for me. It all started back in the summer of 2008. June 9th to be exact. I call it my “bling shot”.

So here’s the deal. I was shooting Jaimee and Sean’s engagement session and we were just winding down. I had them sitting on the ground next to one another. I actually wonder if they even remember me saying to them, “Jaimee, show me your ring like you would show someone after you just got engaged.” Isn’t the universal “I’m engaged” sign left hand up facing outwards ladies? Sure you can point your hand down but thats wack. I prefer digits up so you know. Sean naturally looked at Jaimee when she stuck her hand up shook his head and smiled. Anyway after I took that shot I looked at the camera and said ” Yes! This is how I’m ending all my engagement sessions from now on.”

Peace,
JP

Had there been no bling shot this is how their session would have ended..

Here it is.. my first ever bling shot. Who’d a thunk it would become a must do shot for me.

The bling shot does get around… Last June the famous bling shot was spotted in Hoboken… check it out

and a couple years ago it was spotted in Fenway Park too. Click to see their awesome e shoot.

This past December a freshly “I just got engaged” bling shot was captured.. check it out here.

Even when I proposed to my now lovely wife Kris Ann I was able to capture a bling shot of her.. You can still see the tears in her eyes.

All kinds of trademarks in this one.. Red Sox, Starbucks and oh bling shot. Have I mentioned yet I’m a Yankee fan? You’d think from this blog post all my couples are Sox fans.. boo to them! Their engagement session.

Big rock alert. A big bling shot of a stunning couple.. their session is here

Sometimes you might bump into a potential bride who happens to be a mega blog stalker.. When she told me she’s now engaged and planning her wedding I said “Well you need a bling shot then.” Not shortly after I captured this image Marie made it official and added us to her wedding day roster for this upcoming May…

But before her and Chris would tie the knot they needed a bling shot. Here’s their session..

Jamie and Eamon at the fair.. A favorite of mine. Have a look.

I love when couple’s have fun with the bling shot.. Here is Elisabeth and Jon’s awesome summer session..

Keeping with the fun factor Alissa was never too shy to ham it up for the camera. See theirs.

A diamond blings and so does the backlight in their engagement session.

Even the famous Mona got her bling on back in September of 2009

Bling it up with airplanes.. check this one out.. one of my favs from 2010.

I’ll end this one with my favorite “bling shot” of 2010. Julia was so funny with this… have a look at their session.

I’m just stoked to be sharing this with you all. It’s not often I get to capture something so special as a surprise proposal! On top of that in New York City and on top of that in Central Park of all places. It’s like the perfect scenario. Watching this couple brought me back to when I proposed to my wife. It’s one of those moments that unless you experienced it I just can’t describe. So I’ll try to let my images do that for you.

This all started in mid September when I received an email from Cory. Cory’s from Texas and had planned to vacation with his girlfriend Jackie from Oklahoma in NYC the weekend before Christmas. In his email he said he was looking for a photographer to capture his surprise proposal. He wanted to try it on the ice at Rockefeller Center however he stated he is a terrible skater. What he was sure about in his email was having a professional capture the proposal would mean the world to Jackie. After I read the email I was hoping I would be the lucky photographer to capture this all. I simply responded to the email telling Cory that Rockefeller Center was absolutely insane that time of year and I had another idea for making this work. We chatted and came up with an idea that I was a NYC people photographer who captures tourists on vacation(lol). He would tell Jackie that he hired a photographer to take some holiday photos of them in Central Park. Little did I know Jackie had no clue about this until she shook my hand. I’ll never forget the “and who are you?” look she had on her face when we met. It was pretty funny. All Cory told her was he got her a gift and she needed to dress nice because they were going to do their gift. After I met up with these two we started taking pics. Earlier that morning I scouted out Central Park and found the spot I wanted the proposal to go down at. I treated this as a portrait session of course with my style sprinkled in. We worked our way into the park and as we approached the spot I have to admit I was a little nervous. What if someone walked into the frame or the light was bad? You know those type of concerns. Since it was cold throughout the whole shoot they had gloves on. When we arrived at the spot I was like “let’s loose the gloves for this one.” Although that wasn’t “the code” I think Cory knew it was coming.  My code was basically to say “I think this is the most beautiful spot in all of Central Park.” When I said that without skipping a beat Cory’s right hand went into his pocket as he got down on bended knee and for that moment in time they were the only two people in Central Park. I have to say it was simply incredible to document this. Jackie had no clue! He reaction was just perfect. After the proposal went down a small crowd watching behind us applauded. I’m sure not only will Jackie and Cory share this story during the holidays but all the people who watched on will share it too. As Jackie stared at her new bling we continued to shoot a little more. Yes it was still cold but those gloves never covered Jackie’s hands again.

I can’t thank Cory enough for having me document this. I know he put a lot of research into this and I’m just thrilled I was the one who witnessed it thru my lens. As for you both, congratulations! Enjoy this special time in your lives. Being engaged is almost as fun as being married. Oh and if you want me to head to Texas or Oklahoma or wherever to shoot the wedding you just let me know ;)

Peace,
JP

Meet Cory and his then girlfriend Jackie..

We’re now in the park.

There’s something timeless about a b&w in Central Park..

There are all these great arches and tunnels in the park. It’s really an amazing place.

I just love this one.

this one too I love.

I can only wonder what they’re both thinking. Cory: “You have no clue I’m going to propose.”  Jackie: “Thanks for this spontaneous photo session.”

Ok so this is the spot. You see I had them take their gloves off? As I’m shooting this image I’m now saying the code: “I think this is the most beautiful spot in all of Central Park.”…

Yup… wait it gets better.

You can’t fake emotions like this.. insert tissue here.

She literately fell to her knees..

and said yes..

Then realized I was in on it too!

Without me even saying anything she did the “bling shot”!  You’d think she followed my blog?

We kept on shooting.. Ladies, after you get that ring the way you take pictures changes huh?

Classic Central Park.

She can’t stop staring at her ring. It was so cute.

I really love this one. Can we all agree that Cory looks totally relaxed/relieved here?

Another favorite of mine.

Just fantastic.

Christmas came early for these two. Here is my official “bling shot”! Congrats you two!!

Oh lastly… If you have a moment watch the proposal series below.

Jessica & Phil! What a heated competition we had going on here! Between Keather & Brad and these two it was like a constant seesaw of 1st place but in the end Jess & Phil took the cake with 815 votes! It’s amazing that overall I registered over 3000 votes! That being said the second place winner Keather & Brad will also be receiving a print wrap, it was just too close of a competition. The third place couple Marie & Chris will receive a $50 print credit too! Congrats to the winners!

Peace,
JP