Last week I headed to Manchester, New Hampshire, to meet up with Jenna and Karl for their engagement photos. Instead of choosing a scenic destination or traveling to the coast, they wanted to photograph the places that meant the most to them.

We started in the neighborhood where they first met and lived together. Their first apartment was just around the corner, so we spent much of the evening wandering the streets where their relationship began. It had only been about six years, but it was fun hearing stories and revisiting some of their old stomping grounds.

Although they now live a little closer to work in the Boston area, New Hampshire still feels like home. Choosing meaningful locations for engagement photos always adds another layer to the experience. The images become more than portraits. They become a reminder of a particular time and place in a couple’s life together.

After exploring downtown Manchester, we made a quick stop at a nearby park. We finished the evening on a refurbished pedestrian bridge spanning the Merrimack River. The evening light and river views made for a perfect ending to the session.

One of my favorite things about engagement sessions is getting to know couples outside of the pace and emotion of the wedding day. There is time to talk, walk, and simply spend an evening together. By the time the wedding arrives, it feels less like working with clients and more like spending the day with friends.

Jenna and Karl were relaxed, easygoing, and a lot of fun to photograph. I left the session even more excited for their wedding next year.

Below are a few of my favorite images from their Manchester NH engagement session.