A Charleston Beach Engagement Session for Jay + Shreni

I was delighted to meet Jay and Shreni at Isle of Palms in Charleston, SC for a beachside engagement session.

Jay and Shreni are both in medical school here in the Charleston area, and wanted a session to commemorate this season of their lives and their love for Charleston. I loved learning more about these two as I started photographing them. My whole life, I have loved two things: making art, and people. I love getting to know people and hearing about them. It was so cool to hear that Jay proposed to Shreni on a private boat in Capri, Italy–that has been a dream trip of mine since I was in high school! It was important to them to tell this chapter in their story, because Charleston will be their home for the next few years, and they wanted to incorporate traditional Indian dress, which turned out so beautifully.

I have had the opportunity to shoot a traditional Hindu Indian wedding before, and I was completely enraptured by the cultural beauty and symbolism. My favorite part was when the couples put their big toes on top of seven flowers, to represent being married for seven lifetimes. How romantic is that?!

I always tell couples, I totally understand being a bit shy in front of the camera (because, let’s face it, I am too!), but the magic happens when you let me in on the “secret”–that is, the secret side of your relationship that only you get to see, the love that you share, and what makes your relationship so unique and beautiful! Jay and Shreni came to our beach engagement session ready to do just that. They were open and vulnerable, and ready to play. This is one of my favorite sessions I’ve ever done, because it reflects the values I hold–these two were so authentic, so in love, and ready to play. I think that energy really shines through in their photos. I’m wishing them every happiness!