Central Park is one of the most iconic, if not THE most iconic park in the WORLD. It’s never lost on me how lucky I am to live so close to it! When my clients Adarsha and Jeremy wanted to do their winter engagement session at Central Park I was more than excited to take a quick drive into NYC for it!
Engagement sessions aren’t just for save the dates. They are the ultimate comfort test for us all. The majority of my clients admittedly aren’t comfortable being photographed, but they all have one thing in common; they all want photos of themselves looking natural while having fun! This is where my 20 years of experience can come in… and not just as a professional photographer. I am a people person by nature. I love getting to know new folks, asking questions, listening patiently as people open up, sometimes slowly sometimes in a rush of stories. Great photographs are about way more than knowing your camera and understanding light. To me it’s about the connections we make, together. It’s about the connections I witness between the two of you. Just like your weddings, your engagement session and your relationship are completely unique.
Engagement sessions always start off with me kind of farther away from you. I love to give you space to just feel it all out. Embrace that discomfort! I like to see what your natural chemistry together with my camera is like. I provide gentle direction after I see what your natural default is. Are you goofy, do you laugh uncomfortably when you aren’t sure what to do? This is honestly my favorite, and I work with you both to just embrace it and make natural photographs of you both, just being you.
I work my way to you slowly, building trust. Having a selection of photos that showcase where we are- because hello we wanted Central Park for a reason, let’s show it off!- but also who we are and what we look like. Having both is something I think is super important!
Starting at The Bethesda fountain puts you pretty much in a great spot to bop about to other iconic spots, like the terrace, the mall and Bow Bridge.
The stairs by the Bethesda Fountain can go from empty to crowded in a moment. I walked back around to the top and we waited patiently for the big groups to pass so I could get Adarsha and Jeremy cuddling.
The reliefs on and around the walls of the Fountain literally take my breath away. Designed by Calvert Vaux. Such an incredible backdrop, I can’t believe I hadn’t used it for any photos before!
The Bow Bridge is as iconic as it gets in Central Park! It’s featured in so many movies and tv shows!
We ventured into the Ramble, a place I get lost regularly, there are so many winding paths! We were hunting for a waterfall, which we never quite found but we did find this gorgeous little stream for some quick photos!
Adarsha and Jeremy, I am so happy to have spent the afternoon poking around Central Park with you both. I am even more excited for your wedding this coming September! Thank you for trusting me with your photographs XOXOXO
To see more engagement sessions with Carla Ten Eyck, click the links below:
Carla’s Engagement session favorites Autumn
Hilary + Jon’s CT apple orchard engagement session
Lisa + Liz’s Fall session at Smith College, Northampton MA
Courtney + Matt’s Portsmouth NH engagement session
Tricia + Bill’s Autumn engagement session, downtown Hartford CT
TJ + Shawn’s winter beach engagement session, Silver Sands Park, Milford CT
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