Kate + Sean: Engagement Session around South Philly

So let's talk about cute couples. Oh, here's one… Kate and Sean. Sean proposed to Kate on a freezing cold day in the fiction section of Baldwin's Book Barn in Brandywine – a rustic bookstore in an old dairy barn and one of Kate's favorite places. (It's for sale, by the way, and Kate and her friend, Emily, would be quite pleased if you bought it for them. Just saying.) The ring was custom designed by a friend, which I think is an awesome touch.

I met with them about two weeks ago to photograph their engagement session around the neighborhood where they live. I always think it's a blast to shoot around someone's home – the pictures represent such warm, familiar places and just give off comfort. The rain threatened us but mostly stayed away so Kate didn't have to break out her rain hat and I kept my white umbrella not-so-safely tucked into my gear.

We started out near a local park, Passyunk Square, and I got to see the very place of Sean's barber (who may or may not have cut Frank Sinatra's hair).


I love exploring new parts of Philly. They showed me some of the East Passyunk Crossing area. We spent some time around Passyunk and Tasker to take pictures around the fountain.



Kate pointed out an awesomely colorful mirror/mosaic/mural on the wall outside of Black n Brew.


And then the incredibly people over at Urban Jungle let us in to take some shots inside their aptly named garden store. (Shout out to Curt who was so friendly to us.) Definitely check this place out – they're planning on using it for events at some point too!



We took a pit stop at their favorite restaurants in the city, Mr. Martino's Trattoria. Despite the few drops of rain you see, the light was glorious!




We zigzagged around some streets on the way back to their house, stopping by one particularly creepy house where Kate and Sean fearfully let me sit them on the steps while some strange ruckus was going on behind the doors.

No worries, I brought them back to their street safely.


Back at home we got a few more of our snuggle wumpus couple (their name, not mine).



These two are great. Totally laid back and oh-so-cool. (I don't want to ruin any surprises but there might be a live owl at their wedding this October at the John James Audubon Center.)

Reebs and Brother Shizz (what Kate's students call Kate and Sean), I can't wait to photograph your wedding this fall.

"This is true love - you think this happens every day?"
~The Princess Bride