How They Met
Some love stories take the long way around, and Marjorie and Raymond’s is one of my favorites for exactly that reason. The two of them actually go all the way back to middle school, sharing a tiny class of about ten students. Fast forward years later, and they reconnected on Bumble of all places. Marjorie didn’t recognize him right away, but Raymond knew it was her instantly. He just kept it to himself until their first date, when he finally let her in on the secret.
I love a couple who can laugh about how their story started, and these two have that easy, knowing kind of love that comes from really seeing each other, then and now.
The Sandy Hook Proposal
When it came time to propose, Raymond knew exactly where it had to happen: Sandy Hook, the same beach where they’d taken photos together before. It was April, the air just starting to warm, and they brought their dog Indy along for what Marjorie thought was a regular walk and a game of fetch by the water. Instead, Sandy Hook became the spot where their forever started.
Why They Came Back to Sandy Hook for Their Engagement Photos
So naturally, that same Sandy Hook beach is where we headed for their engagement session. Indy came along too, because he’s every bit a part of this family, and you can’t tell Marjorie and Raymond’s story without him. Sandy Hook is one of my favorite spots for NJ engagement sessions — the dunes, the lighthouse views, and the easy beach light make it a stunning backdrop for couples (and their dogs) all year round.
If you know Marjorie and Raymond, you know their happiest days are spent outdoors with Indy by their side, whether it’s a local trail, a stretch of upstate New York, the mountains of Vermont, or yet another dog park they’ve talked him into visiting.
Beach Days, Good Food, and Indy
Marjorie and Raymond are also self-proclaimed foodies, always chasing down a new restaurant to try. It helps that Raymond is a trained chef and pastry chef, so date nights often turn into something straight out of a cooking show, right in their own kitchen. There’s a warmth and ease to how they take care of each other, and it showed up in every frame of this Sandy Hook session: quiet jokes between shots, Indy weaving in and out of the dunes, and the kind of laughter that only happens when two people are completely comfortable being exactly themselves.
Congratulations, Marjorie and Raymond. I can’t wait for the wedding.
Looking for an NJ or NY engagement photographer for your own Sandy Hook session, beach proposal, or dog-friendly shoot? Get in touch — I’d love to hear your story.
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