Ellen and Ken’s CT engagement session in Elizabeth Park in Hartford CT was filled with Benny the Vizsla and so much laughter! We met up at The Pond House and meandered our way around the park, guided by where the light was calling me. That’s just how I work when I do engagement sessions and have no hard and fast time limit with my couple. We have the freedom to roam where we want, and to be inspired by what looks great. One perk is that I know Elizabeth Park intimately, I grew up just down the street from it and spent many hours playing here, watching music in the park on beautiful Wednesday summer nights and over the past 17 years (eeeek!) have done countless engagement sessions and weddings here. I never tire of it, if I can be super honest! It sparks so much joy and excitement in me because I get to discover my childhood park and see it in a fresh way with each couple I meander with. Ellen and Ken are no exception! We started in a spot I have never started in, because, HELLO guys as you can see so clearly, the light was ridiculous and warm and felt like warm butter dripping from the sky.
See Below!
Ellen’s Mom Christine came along to be Benny’s handler and while I was photographing Ellen and Ken I kept saying SEE?? CAN YOU SEE THE LIGHT ON THEM!?? She was laughing the whole time with us while wrangling Benny and cheerfully agreed with me! Because hiiiiii…! Look!
For some strong and delightful reason Ellen and Ken King make me laugh and have almost no filter. I can’t hide what I am thinking so halfway through their session I just stopped trying! Ken saw me look over at the little creek spot – again never photographed anyone here before- and suggested they snuggle on it. I was like YES PLEASE! Ken is very familiar with Elizabeth Park as well, so he felt comfortable adding in his two cents and offering to go places that were risky but sure yielded some great pics!
This dahlia in the park’s raised bed dahlia garden was absolutely magnificent! Also: this very dahlia is the homepage flower for Elizabeth Park’s site right now! ha!
The herb garden was in a magical little spell of its own and we spent some time name dropping the herb types and rubbing them so we could smell like chives. I mean, we ended up with a palate cleanser of lemon mint and lavender to get rid of the BO smell, thankfully! Chives stink, y’all!
I was legit cracking up the entire session. You can scroll through my outtakes and see Ellen laughing and changing up her position, pose, where she is looking etc. as I encourage my couples to do! Then you have Ken, who locks eyes with my camera and will not look away! I’m all yelling ‘Ken King! LOOK AT YOUR FIANCE!’ And Ellen, of course is cracking up because she knows this goof ball best and it’s just his way! Aren’t they the cutest??
See though. He’s still not looking away! KEN!
Laughter after I tell Ken to stop looking so sour in the back ground.
Amidst all the laughing (which is my favorite) I wanted to really see Ellen. She is gorgeous!
OK, ok, back to our regularly scheduled show of…you guessed it: MORE LAUGHING
I KEPT SAYING OK, I’M DONE. Just kidding! Can we just bop on over here guys? The light is amazing….
So there was some tree climbing. (ken’s idea guys) … wait for it
Surprise! MORE LAUGHING
Quick snuggle…
Ken and his tree climbing! OMG!
Hello buttery delicious light! And just like at the movies, I want you to layer my butter people, LAYER IT!
Ken + Ellen. (and Christine and Benny!) I had the best afternoon with you all. Thank you thank you thank you for trusting me, and welcoming me into your family for your wedding. I am so excited to be spending my birthday weekend with you all! XOXOXO Thank you Emma at betrothed for connecting us all!
To see more engagement sessions by Carla Ten Eyck click the links below for more inspiration and lots and lots of snuggling!
Kristina + Joe’s Snuggle Sesh in Middletown CT
Mackenzie + Steve at Harkness Park Waterford CT
Sarah + Jim’s Rustic Engagement session in Granby CT
Jill + Mike’s Animal Filled Field Engagement Session at the Heritage Homestead CT
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