Sometimes love takes you to places you never could have imagined you would go. When Kaitlin met Nick she was in a place she knew quite well - Long Island in the summertime. She had taken a job at a country club not too far from where she grew up and was looking forward to spending the summer soaking up the rays. But while keeping watch at the pool, someone caught her eye. His name was Nick. A fellow lifeguard, he had the kind of cool confidence that drew her in and it didn't take long before they decided to spend time together outside of work. There was a natural chemistry that neither one of them could deny and they spent the next several months seeing quite a bit of one another, in and out of work. That summer it was easy to be together. But soon it wouldn't be so easy.
Nick got a job that required moving half way across the world. Knowing there was something really special between them, he asked Kaitlin to join him. And she did. Traveling nearly 12,000 miles away from home, from Long Island to Beijing just so she could be with the man she loves. It's not a journey she might have expected to take, but it's the one life laid out for her and she was willing to go just about anywhere in the world just to be with Nick. Once she arrived, it didn't take Nick very long to show Kaitlin just he felt about her in return. He took her on a surprise trip to Hong Kong, pulled out a stunningly beautiful ring and asked her to be his wife.
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We met Kaitlin and Nick for the first time just a few weeks ago as they were starting the process of planning their wedding while they were home in Long Island for the summer. We clicked with them right away and couldn't wait to hear more about all the things they had in store for their wedding next June. Since they have a limited amount of time here in the states, they decided to do their engagement session right away. They selected the Meat Packing district for the session since it has so much charm with it's cobblestone streets and old-school NYC vibe. We suggested that the perfect compliment to that would be to also head up to the High Line which would add a touch of nature and a cool perspective of the city with it's elevated views.
We started the session right at the top of the Meat Packing district. This is actually one of my favorite intersections in the city, the way the multiple streets flow together with the cobblestones really showcases the charm of this section of Manhattan.
If Kaitlin and Nick were nervous at all, we couldn't tell. They were so into each other, it was like no one else was even around them.
And they were totally up for anything - even willing to sit down in the middle of the street. In white pants, no less. Of course, it helps that in NYC no one even notices if you're sitting in the middle of the street.
We spotted this bright red wall down one of cobblestone streets and just had to venture down to take advantage of it.
Totally worth it. We loved the random artwork.
Before heading up to the High Line, we found a less traffic-y street so we could really play up the cobblestones.
And when traffic did come by, there was always a curb nearby to sit on! :)
And, of course, a few straight forward portraits are always a necessity.
Just as we were about to walk up the stairs to the High Line, we spotted this incredible wall. Our intern Kaitlyn was with us and she pointed out the best saying on the whole wall, "We artists are professional dreamers."
On our way into the High Line, Rob grabbed this shot which really played up the unique industrial-insprired architecture of the park.
What's amazing about the High Line (if you haven't been there to see it in person) is that it used to be a railway for trains to bring in materials to the big factories downtown. Now a lot of those factories are trendy stores and the railways are a park, complete with tons and tons of flowers. Perfect for snuggling in the middle of.
When Nick makes Kaitlin smile like that, you can completely understand why she would move to China. How could you not when someone makes you that happy?
It's really hard to believe that right in the middle of tons of buildings, just two stories above some of the most crowded streets in NYC there is greenery so lush that it could make you forget you're in a city at all.
This mix of the field of yellow flowers juxtaposed with the buildings in the background really demonstrate just what's so special about the High Line.
On our way back down to the street, we spotted this stairway and decided to wrap up the session there with a little more snuggling...
and one last kiss.
Kaitlin & Nick, thank you so much for braving the heat for your session. We had a great time with you both and can't wait until next June!
