ENGAGEMENT SESSION CROSS ESTATE GARDENS
Isabella and Daniel’s Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens was beyond spectacular. My vision for this session truly came to life. The all-black outfits, cold winter day, muted color palette, and stunning sunset was a recipe for an amazing setting for my first session for the 2021 season. I have photographed in many places and done countless sessions, but the sessions where the setting is near perfect are the sessions I remember for years. Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
I met Isabella and Daniel from our free engagement session contest that they entered, and we hit it off immediately! I knew from our initial phone call that we would create some serious magic together. Isabella brought up the idea of doing all-black outfits, which as photographers, we don’t get very often. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this location, but I am so glad that we went because the images we were able to capture at this place was something I won’t be able to do for a while.
We started at the Estate on the porch area. It was beautiful, and the lighting was superb except that the images were soft, so that I couldn’t use them as much, but the lighting was stellar. Next, we moved to the front of the building, where the sun was peering over the building, and I had a great rim light around their bodies. It gave such a dreamy look to the images.
Then it was time for the second all-black outfit. This one was a little more formal, and we could get some more serious looks with this outfit. The place has a tower that resembles Repunzel’s tower from Disney’s Tangled. It was so cool. At one point, Dan said, “I’m surprised that we haven’t seen a ghost in the tower yet,” because let me tell you, it was a creepy tower from the inside but really cool from the outside. It adds a ton of texture in the background for some of the images. If you scroll, you’ll see what I am talking about. Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
We did some beautiful twirls in front of the tower, and Dan almost dropped Izzy, but he caught her, so nothing to worry about there. The walk to the next area was beautiful, and we stopped them for some photos with the sun behind them and boy, let me tell you, these are some of my favorites from this session. Sometimes I have so many photos from a session that I absolutely love.
There was a set of pampas grass that I was able to use. The setting was perfect for that area because the sun peered through the trees at the perfect angle. The contrast of the black and the pampas grass really made them stand out in the images, and their images are like something I haven’t created in a very long time.
We ended in this beautifully textured garden area, which was the best way to end the session! Sometimes sessions run so smoothly that we shoot everything we need in 45 minutes to an hour, and it’s awesome to have it run so smoothly. Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
I truly enjoyed working with Isabella and Dan, and I cannot wait to see where their love blossoms from here. Isabella and Dan are tying the knot in September 2021 at Pocono Palace. Congrats to the future, Cianfaglione. Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
A LITTLE Q&A FOR THE BRIDE & GROOM
HOW DID YOU MEET?!
“We met on Tinder! After we matched, he sent a super cheesy GIF of Joey from friends saying “how you doing” with finger guns– that was our first exchange. We still laugh about that, but luckily, I saw in his profile that we had a loooooot in common, and he was charming!”
“My profile only said, “I’m short,” and being that he’s a short guy himself, that was all he needed to know, haha!! He got his redemption with his immaculate writing skills and deep conversations.” Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST DATE!
“Our first date was two months later at a Starbucks, and my first impression was “wow, this guy can really talk,” which worked out because I was so nervous I could barely get a coherent word out. Even with all of the nerves, I felt as though I’d known him my whole life.” Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
“We actually had such a great time that neither of us wanted the date to end, so we left Starbucks and went to a cool arcade around the corner. When I got home after the date, I told my sister, “I’m going to marry that guy.” I just knew.” Engagement Session Cross Estate Gardens
‘Our first date was to Starbucks in February 2018.”
HOW DID YOU FALL IN LOVE?
“It was weird. There wasn’t a specific moment where I suddenly realized I was falling in love with him. The thought always lingered there and got louder each time we spoke and hung out. But I guess it started even before we met in person if you believe it or not.”
“We got to know so much about each other in the two months leading up to our first date, and we had such deep, meaningful conversations. Once we met, it was like full speed ahead. I was actually the one to tell him I love him first, about 2 months after our first date.”
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
“We had both planned a day trip to our favorite spot, Asbury Park. The morning of while getting ready, I hopped in the shower and completely unknowingly walked out (in my underwear) when I was done, to him kneeling on the kitchen floor with a ring box in his hand.”
“He had apparently written “will you marry me?” on the foggy mirrors expecting me to see it when I walked out-. I didn’t. I was so shocked and taken by complete surprise that I just froze there for a few minutes. We spent the rest of the day at our favorite place on a gorgeous summer day. It was the perfect day.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR ABOUT YOUR WEDDING?
“The whole dang thing! I can’t wait to call him my husband. Though, if I had to choose one specific moment, it would have our first dance.”
YOUR LOVE STORY IS MADE INTO A MOVIE; WHAT IS THE TITLE?
“She’s the boss.”
DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP IN 5 WORDS
“Trust, respect, smartassery, fun, safe.”
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT MEANS THE MOST TO BOTH OF YOU?
“Our two psycho dogs- Hank and Otis!”