Real NYC Engagement Session l Shantel + Benjamin at The Brooklyn Bridge

With the frenzy that was Bridal Fashion Week {more here}, we were so excited to peruse these heartfelt pictures sent to us from Katie Slater Photography. Shantel and Benjamin met during their freshman year at the University of Connecticut. Although too shy to speak to one another at first, they finally worked up the courage to exchange numbers... and the rest was history! We love the ways Katie captured Shantel and Benjamin's sweet chemistry against some of the city's most romantic backdrops.

Living in New York City for 3 years, Shantel and Ben knew it was the perfect place for their engagement shoot. They wanted to capture the two sides of the city, both uptown and downtown. Katie started the two at the Central Park Conservatory Garden. They said it was romantic and secluded like a secret garden. The couple also selected the lower Manhattan skyline including the new World Trade Center as it is being built. They wanted to capture history in the making. 

Shantel on her proposal: "Last May we traveled to Puerto Rico on vacation. Our trip started heading east as we circled the whole island staying in different places along the way. Toward the end of the trip we stopped in a town called Cabo Rojo which is the south west tip of the island. My family is from Puerto Rico, and I used to go to this specific beach with my family on vacation. I would always tell Ben how it was my favorite beach for its serenity, calm Caribbean water, and seclusion. We went for a sunset stroll on the beach to take pictures. As I was taking pictures, he bent down on one knee to propose! I collapsed in the sand with him as I was overcome with emotion. We had the whole beach beach to ourselves, and stayed to watch the sunset. It was perfect. The next day we went to share the news with my grandmother who lives there." 


The bride-to-be wore a mint green dress from Limelight NYC as well as a vintage lace dress. She wore {her favorite} nude peep toes, and to complete the look, an "S" necklace charm to symbolize her future last name. How charming!

"There is no possible way to chose a favorite! Katie did such an amazing job. They are all so romantic. If I had to, I would chose the ones from the beginning of the shoot in Central Park. They were actually our first few shots of the day. When we started, Katie could see that we were nervous and made us do an exercise. She made us close our eyes and wish for something we wanted to happen for the other person by the time of our wedding, then open our eyes and tell each other the wish." Bejamin's wish was so sweet and heartfelt I couldn't help but tear up. These are my favorite because there was such true emotion between us and you can really see my face how happy I am to be marrying this amazing man," said Shantel of the shoot. We absolutely love how the emotion of that special moment translates into the photos!

The couple was excited to share "If the engagement pictures were this amazing, we can't to see how the wedding pictures turn out!"
 
All photos courtesy of  Katie Slater Photography.