It’s always a happy day when we get to feature work from our friends at Henry Photographers! Getting to share this super pretty beach-y day after session makes this a very happy day! Because not only do I love day after sessions but I am also craving a wondrous day on the beach. And this shoot is the exact beach-y pick-me-up I needed. Especially since it’s filled with a couple very much in love!

Nora and James met in college where James turned Nora down not just once, but twice(!!). The first was after she’d worked up the courage to ask him to be her date to her spring cocktail party. He had had other plans. The second time she learned that he was actually dating someone. (Sad trombone.) When James graduated later that spring, the two lost touch.

The following year, Nora was out with friends at a local restaurant celebrating her graduation. James, now a single man, was at the same restaurant with some of his friends. As Nora and her friends got up to leave, James, who had never shaken the memory of turning down Nora’s invitations, suddenly noticed her from across the room. James made the split second decision to approach her before she left, hoping to reintroduce himself and recapture her attention. Unfortunately for him, Nora was now the one in a relationship. She remembered him, of course, but merely exchanged brief pleasantries with him before continuing on her way.

Two and a half years later, James, who was now living in New York City, received a message on Myspace from Nora. A very brief hey, how’s it going? hope you’re doing well kind of message. Not willing to let yet another opportunity pass him by, James responded with overwhelming (jubilant, creepy? his words) enthusiasm, writing about a page and a half response pouring his heart out about how much he wished he’d gone on that date with her in college. Six months later, she was living in Brooklyn. :)

Sometime later, off Popham Beach, Maine is a small island only accessible during low tide, James and Nora walked to it’s highest point. There waiting for them stood an easel with a painting. Upon closer inspection, Nora realized it was a painting of a man proposing to a woman. Confused, Nora turned to James to find him already on bended knee. Yes, was the only thing on her mind after that.

{Behind the Lens with Katherine Henry} Nora and James have been so great to meet, photograph, and spend time with. We met a year before the wedding when Craig and I went to NYC to shoot their engagement session. After the session, we went to dinner and we knew at that point how fun this was all going to be. Nora and James are the type of people we love to have as friends, they are caring, sweet and so in love.

We were so excited when they requested a Day After Session. I really think this is something all couples should consider. Just think about it, it makes so much sense! On the wedding day, you can be very limited in the amount of time you have for your photography. Sometimes you have under an hour and that just flies by! Couples put so much thought into the location of their weddings, sometimes it’s a special spot they went on a date or maybe where they like to visit on vacations. These locations have so many fun spots to use, but when time is limiting you just can’t get to them all.

Nora and James were married in Ogunquit, Maine, a town with tons of amazing picture spots. On the wedding day, we were able to run to one little spot downtown and then had to quickly get to the reception. There was so much more to explore! For the Day After Session we were able to really explore and take our time. We walked through the woods to find a beautiful beach. This is something we never would have had time to do on the wedding day.

The other advantage is you don’t worry about your dress, since the wedding has already happened. Nora did bring a second dress since she had been envisioning some photos in the water. There are so many beautiful white dresses out there and not enough wedding events to wear them too, so this is a great chance! James also changed his outfit from the day before and went for a black jean look. I loved how both looks worked together.

I hope couples will consider doing beautiful Day After Sessions and really take advantage of the beautiful locations their weddings are held. A Day After Session is not a “Trash the Dress” session for us. How can anyone do that to an amazing gown?! We look at these sessions as more time to explore and capture beautiful timeless images.

Beautiful and timeless, they certainly are. Thank you so much Katherine and Craig for sharing this gorgeous day after session with us today and for unknowingly fulfilling my beach day craving. Thank you also to Nora and James for sharing their sweet love story with us. Congratulations and so much love to you both!

xoxo