Sunrise Island Beach State Park Engagement Session| Kerry Anne Photography

Callie and Nick met ten years ago when they were both working at Villa Barone in Collingswood. Nick sent Callie a text that said, “So I hear you have a crush on me?” and right as she was about to text back something along the lines of calling out this creepy text, a photo of Nick came through. She SHRIEKED because the cute guy she DID have a crush on was texting her! And then, as they say, the rest is history.

 

 

One of my favorite things about these two is how they’ve navigated their relationship on their own time and terms.

Right at the perfectly planned moment, Nick popped the big question. On Callie’s family’s annual vacation. Even though Nick had Callie TOTALLY convinced it would NOT happen that week.

Nick proposed to Callie on Bird Island, at the Kindred Spirit mailbox, tucked in with the sand dunes in the Outer Banks. It was her dream proposal, dream ring, and needless to say, her dream guy.

  

So when we were talking about where to do an engagement session, it only made sense to head to the beach too. Nick grew up in Tom’s River and his family has always gone to Island Beach State Park. We planned to meet as his parent’s house an hour before sunrise and head to the beach together. And I have to say, for as early of a wake-up call that meant, I couldn’t have been more excited to get in the car and go the morning of our shoot.

We COULD NOT have planned better weather and as we pulled onto the sand, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon.

  

     

 

Callie and Nick, thank you two for going along with my ridiculous direction, for dancing in the morning light, and for just being you. Your love is so freakin’ love-able. The morning we spent together will always be one of my favorite memories.