As we reach the end of another year,  I always like to review the work I created, memories I helped to document and love I got to witness. This year, I decided to break it down into the sections of working with amazing couples, from first contact through the last dance. So here we start with engagement shoots, or as my cheesy butt likes to call them, sweetheart sessions.

Taking an hour or two before the big day to get to know a couple as they interact with each other and with a camera is a huge help when it comes to making pictures on the wedding day. I can see nervous ticks, ease out some comfort levels, and see what will make folks laugh a bit more. It’s great to see if PDA means is a simple intertwining of fingers or inhibition free make-out. Not to mention I like to learn is somebody actually has that fabled ‘good side.’

I typically like to focus these sessions in places meaningful to the couples, so here you’ll get to check out everything from lovebirds’ own neighborhoods to favorite places in the city to even venues where they’re going to eventually tie the knot. No matter what, I love their love, they love getting some practice in front of a lens, and hopefully everybody loves the images. I am totally obsessed with these.

As you might notice with my work, I really love using the amazing street art that is available to us in New York as a backdrop — although it’s not for everyone. If you’re an artist or performer, let the colors be as vibrant as you are. If you’re more reserved though, don’t get gobbled up by the scenery.

The Ravel Hotel is not only one of my favorite rooftop bars, but now one of my favorite shooting locations. See more of Ben and Paul’s sweetheart session on Catalyst Wedding Co.

Sometimes a grander background — whether under the Hell’s Gate Bridge or in the Brooklyn Museum — let’s a couple find new ways to play with each other.

Cecilia and Ron’s stunning Brooklyn Bridge Park engagement shoot was a blast, although may be my first and last sunrise shoot since I am NOT a morning person.

Tikola and Kevin introduced me to the Bushwick Collective, a community space where free walls and graffiti artists come together to create pure magic.

Couples are usually the sole focus of an image, but sometimes a four-legged-friend or Beyoncé-level wind in the hair makes a cameo.

I can never decide if I prefer strictly natural or more urban environments, so here’s a little bit of both.