Love Shoot : Sylvia + Stefan : Hammonasset Beach, CT

Paul + I cannot wait for Sylvia + Stefan's wedding this Saturday; this couple is so warm and chill all at the same time, and we know their wedding is going to be great! The first time we met Sylvia + Stefan, we were drawn this couple's contrasting characteristics and how well they complemented one another. Sylvia, we swear, is always happy, postive, with a contagious smile and laugh, and and is incredibly playful. Stefan is very kind, comtemplative, and totally adores his little lady. She thinks she's a big cornball (and she claims she doesn't drink any liquid during mealtime, but that girl put down a whole big soda when we had dinner : ) but we think she is in touch with her inner child, and more people should be like her. The quote "Live, Laugh, Love" could absolutely be her motto. In fact she wore her very favorite earrings that Stefan gave her, which are silver words that say "Live" on one ear and "Love" on the other. She laughs saying that she never wears the fancy diamond ones he also gave her! I laugh saying that she needs to get a nose ring so that she can have "Laugh" hanging from her nose! Stefan swears he never smiles, but Sylvia had him grinning ear to ear the whole time we were fotographing. They are the perfect balance to one other....they are each other's yin and yang. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute we spent together, both fotographing them and just chilling, getting to know them better. Paul + I believe that these "double dates," if you will, are one of the most important things we do in preparing to fotograph our couple's wedding days. By the end of our Love Shoot and day together, we all come away feeling very comfortable with one another, like we have known each other for awhile- like we go "way back". Come wedding day, everyone is relaxed, both the couple in front of our cameras, and Paul + I in fotographing with a better understanding of how to capture the personality of our bride and groom. It's a win-win situation, and we highly recommend a loveshoot if possible if we are fotographing your wedding.

So, on to the fotos of this lovely couple! Because June was so very rainy, we had to postpone Sylvia + Stefan's Love Shoot until the last minute, but we had an incredible time, and the weather was great! One of their favorite spots to hang out together is at Hammonasset Beach State Park so we decided to get together for a late afternoon shoot down at the beach. And we didn't know it at the time, but we were in for a beautiful sunset towards the end of our shoot!

Enjoy Sylvia + Stefan's Love Book design here!!!

....and enjoy Sylvia + Stefan's Love Shoot Slideshow Premier here!


But we first decided to meet up at Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale down by the shore in Madison, CT for some yummy fried food. I was a BIG fan of the fish & chips!!! Sylvia + Stefan frequently grab grub at Lenny & Joe's on beach days, and I definitely know why....it is very yummy : )




Tail-gating at the Fish Tail....ah, does life get any better than this?




After the grub, we headed down to Sylvia + Stefan's favorite beach, Connecticut's own Hammonasset! It brought back many childhood memories for me....my parents used to bring me and my siblings there all the time. I hadn't been there for YEARS, but I remembered it quite well.

I did tell you how cute this couple is, right? Well prepare yourselves for CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!








Hanging in the pavilion area.








One of my favorite shots of the year. Ironically enough, I was composing this shot and said out loud that I wished a seagull would fly into the frame. No sooner than I said this, a bird flew into the perfect spot in my compostion! I immediately looked up to the sky and wished for 1 million dollars outloud, but to my dismay, it didn't work : )








Contagious, right? The smiles that is....




Simply beautiful....








Sylvia's ring was very pretty with a vintage feel. The shells at Hammonasset are crazy, so we found a great spot to fotograph the ring.




Yup, that's right.....more smiling!!! : )








Playfulness to the brim...




I couldn't decide which one I liked better, so.....




We love when are couples are so comfortable in front of our cameras, that they truly relax and they're love for one another shines through. Quiet, soft, and beautiful. Paul's unique perspective...




....and mine....
















Thought provoking and so sweet...




Have you fallen in love with this couple yet? We have : )





I love this perspective that Paul captures....this just proves that every part of your body can convey emotion.




A few more favorites, but really all of the fotos in this post are my favs.




And back to the playfulness! Sylvia's so petite that Stefan could literally "throw" her around!




...and she tried to reciprocate, but she was no match.




Another lovely ring shot, this time on the green, green moss that was covering the rocks by the shore.




Stealin' Stefan's hat...




There was no shortage of great spots to put the ring, so here's another....




More cuddle time.




















The boardwalk at Hammonasset is so great...it stretches on forever!








Sylvia's eyes were killer....check them out!




So sensuous....












Sexy toe shot...




Another of Paul's beautiful, sensual fotographs.....LOVE IT!




















And the sun officially started to work it's magic in the sky.












Isn't this shot just the coolest?! So fun!




Paul's perspective of the same moment.




How romantic! It's not every day that we get to fotograph and incrediblely romantic couple and sunset!
















We did not stage this one...or even coach it!




This one, however, was a re-enactment of Stefan's proposal to Sylvia, which they planned to do in front our cameras.




Funny enough, there was no food available in the vending machines under this huge sign.




Stefan sure thinks Sylvia's yummy though!




Speaking of yummy, Cold Stone Creamery, which I tried for the first time that night after the beach, was AMAZING!
I'm hooked! Apparently, so are Sylvia + Stefan, whom we followed in our car, and drove there straight after the beach. How very refreshing and sweet!




Sylvia + Stefan, we will see you Saturday- cameras ready- to make some fantastic images of you guys and all your cuteness. Can't wait!!!!

All the best,
Paul + Krystal