Spring Engagement Session at The Crossings of Colonie | Upstate NY Engagement Photographer

Some sessions just feel easy in the best way — and Jonah + Aleen’s engagement session was exactly that.

I was looking for models to help build my portfolio before busy season started, so I put out a post on social media and Aleen reached out.

Being a photographer; I know how awkward it can feel being in front of a camera...but this one felt different right away. I’ve known J from church growing up, so there was already a level of comfort there that made the entire session feel natural, fun, and genuinely relaxed.

Bianca Merrell Media | Upstate NY Couples Photographer

A Fun + Romantic Engagement Session in Colonie, NY

We met at The Crossings of Colonie, one of my favorite locations in the Capital Region for engagement sessions. Early Spring in Upstate New York is such an underrated time - everything is just starting to come back to life, the light is soft, and it creates the perfect setting for romantic, natural photos. It was an overcast day but we didn't let the clouds steal the moment.

Jonah + Aleen brought such a playful, easygoing energy to their session, which made it so fun to photograph. They trusted the process, leaned into the prompts, and just enjoyed being together (you can really feel their love in the photos, the way he looks at her? SO SWEET).

Instead of stiff posing, I guide my couples with simple, movement-based prompts.

For Jonah and Aleen, some of my favorite moments came from:

• "walking toward me while bumping hips and laughing"

• "a playful “airplane arms” moment that turned into the sweetest bear hug"

• those in-between seconds where they forgot the camera was even there

Those are always the moments that end up being the most meaningful.

Can we take a moment for the outfits?

Since their engagement party colors are blue/light blue, they incorporated that into their session in such a cohesive and natural way. She wore a flowy blue dress that moved beautifully and added such a soft, romantic feel to the photos, while he kept it classic with a blue plaid button-down.

Outfits like this photograph so well because they:

• complement each other without being too matchy

• add movement and texture

• tie into their story and overall vision

A love to last a lifetime

Jonah and Aleen's love story is one you wish every couple to have. Their connection is magnetic, and you can really feel the love in their photos. Explore their gallery below.