I recently had the pleasure of photographing Jacob and Nadia’s engagement portraits in beautiful Downtown Rochester. We couldn’t have asked for a better day — the weather was absolutely perfect, with soft golden light that made everything look even more magical.

We started their session by exploring the charming grounds around the Royal Park Hotel. It’s such a picturesque spot with the lush greenery, elegant architecture, and the peaceful riverwalk. Jacob and Nadia were naturals in front of the camera, laughing and enjoying each other’s company every step of the way. After capturing some sweet moments there, we wandered over to the Rochester Mills Brewery area, which brought a fun, urban vibe to their session. I love how Downtown Rochester offers so many unique backdrops all within walking distance — it’s truly a photographer’s dream.

One of my favorite things about working with these two is how comfortable and genuine they are together. You can really see the joy they share, and it made documenting their love story such a breeze.

I’m especially excited because their wedding is this December at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. There’s something extra special about winter weddings. Maybe I’m biased since I was married in December myself, but there’s a cozy magic to them — twinkling lights, crisp air, and the possibility of a little snow to make it all sparkle. I can’t wait to see how beautiful their day will be and to capture all those unforgettable moments.

Jacob and Nadia, thank you for trusting me with these memories. I’m counting down the days until we get to celebrate your big day together!