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Blog— 2020 — 

Goddard Park Engagement Photos

Goddard Park Engagement Photos

Jaclyn & Corey

     No matter how many engagement sessions I shoot, I have this habit of telling my brides and grooms right from the start that the first 10 or 15 minutes are going to be awkward. It's my way of helping ease them through their understandable nerves as we get started and, when they relax and feel more like themselves, you can see the difference as the couple becomes much more comfortable and personable in front of the camera.

     Jaclyn and Corey were slightly different in that regard and, during their October engagement session at Goddard Park, they made sure to let me know the whole shoot would likely be awkward because they're "awkward people."
     In other words, they're my favorite kind of couple.

     Jackie and Corey are one of the most fun brides and grooms I've had the pleasure of working with this year and their fall engagement photos couldn't have been more perfect. From the beautiful weather to the hilarious posing and jokes the couple brought with them, it was the exact type of engagement shoot I love to capture and if this is any indication of how their May 2021 wedding day will go, I'm already looking forward to the new year.

Goddard Park Engagement Photos

     It didn't take me very long to get a solid read on Jackie and Corey as we began our session in the beach parking lot at Goddard Park. I always like to choose an offbeat location to begin engagement photos at this particular spot as Goddard has some of the best colors and foliage of anywhere in New England and it's important for me to get a feel on the couple I'm working with before we "waste" one of the prime shooting spots with so-so photos.

     That was never an issue with this couple, though, as even the test area itself was beautiful and, despite Jackie's slight awkwardness with being the center of attention, and Corey's inability to stop laughing when his soon-to-be wife cracked jokes, we put together a great string of early photos that showed off both their serious and romantic sides.

Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos

     One of my favorite features of Goddard Park is the way it looks in the fall, particularly once the fall foliage kicks in and on this October afternoon, we were met with absolutely stunning colors and took full advantage.

     Jackie and Corey were pretty flexible with my posing suggestions early on but it wasn't until we got to the giant bridge near the old carousel that I could see the session really take shape. I especially loved their "rap album" pose they created on their own as it showed they were having as much fun as I was and that's always a surefire sign that you're working with the exact right type of couple for your photography style.

Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos

     I'm a photographer who always encourages his couples to speak up if they have ideas or want to visit a particular location and, so, when Jackie and Corey told me they wanted to head over to Goddard's beach, I couldn't help but say yes and I'm glad we did as the location led to one of my favorite photos of the entire day as Jackie jumped on her soon-to-be husband's back. 

     It was also a great contrast to my next location as I had the pair follow me to the midway point of the park to stand for some simple portraits in front of one of my favorite trees in Goddard Park, one with beautiful orange leaves that I swear are only in bloom for one week a year.

Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos

     I could have worked with Jackie and Corey for hours and never gotten bored and, thankfully, we had just enough time in our shoot to hit my preferred final location in the park: a tucked away corner near a stone wall at the equestrian-side of the park. 

     I'm so glad we did as this little spot was LOADED with beautiful, multi-colored leaves and really popped against the couple's fall-inspired outfit. 

Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos
Goddard Park Engagement Photos

     As Jackie, Corey and I headed out of Goddard Park, I couldn't stop telling them just how much fun I'd had and how much I can't wait to shoot their wedding day. I also let them know that my time with them was the first of three consecutive engagement photo sessions at Goddard Park that weekend and I can't think of a better way to have started that period off.

     I love working with awesome couples and Jackie and Corey more than meet that threshold. In fact, they're the type of quirky, offbeat couple that reminds me exactly why I started doing this photography thing so long ago ... and why I'm not sick of it yet.

     So thank you Jackie and Corey for a VERY memorable engagement session. I can't wait to see you guys walk down the aisle next year and know, when you do, the laughs and love won't be far behind.

-Paul J. Spetrini

Goddard Park Engagement Photos

Check out some of my recent wedding blogs:

Squantum Association Wedding Photos

Squantum Association,

East Providence, Rhode Island

September 27th, 2020

Zukas Hilltop Barn Wedding Photos

Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish &

Zukas Hilltop Barn, Spencer, Mass.

September 20th, 2020

Connecticut wedding photography

Private Residence,

Franklin, Connecticut

September 19th, 2020

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