Oh my goodness! I have been itching to share these photos from our engagement session with Alyi and Charlie!
This is a very special blog post for me as I grew up next door to Alyi and her family. I hung out mostly with Alyi’s older sisters since they were more my age, while Alyi and her brother spent a lot of time with my little brother. We all grew up together and have spent many Thanksgivings together. We really are a big family. So, as you can imagine, I was beyond excited (and maybe cried a little) when Alyi told me she was engaged and wanted me to do her engagement photos.
Being in North Carolina is wonderful, but being away from my family can be difficult. There are a lot of things I miss… like meeting Charlie. For one reason or another, I was never able to make it home when both Alyi and Charlie were home from school. My parents kept telling me how wonderful he was and how cute they were together. I might have been a little jealous and was so happy to have them both all to myself for a few hours.
When Alyi and I began planning the shoot, she sent me some photos of this white stone wall at Wharton State Park in New Jersey. She loved the look and wanted to make sure we got photos there. It was such a great spot we ended up spending a good 30 minutes there. Aren’t the pictures beautiful?
Alyi and I talked and planned the engagement session for a while. Alyi wanted a fall theme with lots of colored leaves. Once we picked the weekend, it was nothing but weather-stalking and leaf-watching. As the leaves began to turn down here, I started to worry that it would be too late in Jersey. But Mother Nature did me a solid. Not only was the weather perfect, but the leaves were bright and beautiful!
A few days later, a big storm came through and knocked all the leaves off the trees. Talk about perfect timing!
This is a very special picture for many reasons. The photo that Alyi and Charlie are holding is a photo taken by Alyi’s oldest sister, and my dear friend, Andrea. If you have followed my work for any length of time, you have heard me speak of Andrea. We got into photography together, among other things. She was a driving force behind me starting Alycat and pursuing my photography professionally. That is why I have dedicated my work to her and the things she was passionate about.
The photo is of the Chinaman’s Hat in Hawaii. Hawaii has always been a special place for Alyi’s family. In fact, we will be traveling to Hawaii for their wedding. So, to include a Hawaiian photo of Andrea’s in the shoot was a special and moving moment.
Alyi played rugby in college and Charlie played football. When Alyi mentioned including that in some way, my mind went to work on possible ideas. This is probably one of my favorite groups of photos from our shoot!
Alyi and Charlie, I can’t begin to say how special this shoot was for me! Thank you for allowing us to take these photos for you. Nathan and I had such a great time. Charlie, it was great finally getting to meet you. In just our short time together, I could see exactly why Alyi loves you! Alyi, I love you like a sister. I am so happy and proud of you! We cannot wait to be part of the festivities in Hawaii!
What a sweet blog….brought tears to my eyes 🙂 Alyi is such a joy….and while she is already considered part of the family I can’t wait to watch them make it official in August <3
Charlie thanks for making alyi so happy I know andrea would have been so greatful for u.
So beautiful!! Thanks again Alyson for sharing in our joy. You have captured the love and playfulness that Alexandra and Charlie share. They are each wonderful and great for each other. Love, Sandra
[…] past August, my family traveled to Hawaii for Alyi and Charlie’s wedding. If you read my blog post from their engagement session, you know how special Alyi and her family are to me. They are my […]