A one-year dating anniversary is a wonderful time for a session— you’re just far enough along in your relationship that you know it has staying power, but it’s still pretty fresh, too. A one-year dating anniversary session has the potential to become one you’ll look back on for decades to come, remembering early days of your relationship.

This session is proof that engagement is just one reason to hire a professional photographer. Lillie and Caleb received this session with me as a gift from Lillie’s mother as a commemoration of their recent move to New York City. She wanted them to have portraits to remember this time in their lives, and I was touched to be the one chosen to mark the occasion.

Engagement sessions are such a great opportunity for everybody involved, and that’s why I include them in many of my wedding photography collections. There’s the most obvious benefit: really great photos of the two of you. For many couples, their engagement session is the first time they’ve been photographed professionally together.

I once read that a great default question to ask couples you may meet in social situations is how they met. Clare and Chris are a couple who will always have a wonderful story to share. Once upon a time, Clare was a somewhat recent college grad, back in her hometown to see her family and catch up on some appointments. She went to her childhood dentist for checkup and found that she’d been assigned a new practitioner, who she found distractingly handsome and agreeable. She went home, found him on Facebook, messaged him, and… well, it worked out really well. 😉

As far as I’m concerned, one of the most charming times to experience New York City is around Christmastime. It’s cozy and jolly from the subway platform to the Top of the Rock. Dropping a couple as kindhearted and handsome as Andrew and Scotty into this scene really can only sweeten the deal for both parties. I had so much fun with these two, capturing holiday spirit and smiles in the West Village— notably, Abingdon Square and a Village classic, the annual Romp Family Christmas Tree pop-up shop at Jane St. and 8th Avenue.