Justin + Justine - Fort Tryon Engagement Session

It was the kind of drip that startles you.

You know, those big, fat, heavy rain drops that make you flinch when they land on you?!

We had planned to meet at Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan for Justin and Justine's engagement session

and literally five minutes before our schedule time it started to rain.

While I love the rain...I didn't necessarily want it to rain on their parade.

Especially when Justine was going to be sporting some heels, 

and I was going to be carrying around some expensive gear.

****

I was eight or nine when I was sitting on the floor looking out the screen door at the left over remains of hurricane Gloria.

The large oak tree's that stood next to me at the bus stop across the street had their bark peeled away

and the sun glistened off them,

while it poured in a sideways swoop.

The tree's were a magical color of amber gold, and it was spellbinding to watch.

My Grandma Adryanna sat beside me and said, 'don't you just love the rain?'

I never really thought of it that way I guess.

It was always something that I had a negative connotation with.

We were always stuck inside the house to play then.

We watched the rain together pound the pavement and splash into the big puddles.

'When I see those raindrops hitting the ground it looks like they're tap dancing, doesn't it?

It reminds me of Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger's dancing,' she said.  

I have never looked at rain the same way since.

From that day on it was special.

****

When they arrived they were all smiles and I was relieved.

We were indeed the right fit.

We couldn't do anything about the rain, so we had to make the best of it.

It was the perfect example of trying to make lemonade out of lemons.

I ain't gonna lie...it was a doozy.

Walking in sandals and heels is not easy on cobblestone, or on a 90 degree wet angle!

It was also not to easy looking out of a lens with humidity, fog and rain on the glass.

There was no complaining though.

We just enjoyed the moment as it was.

As we should...always.

****

   Hmmm...should have been my first indication of the rain.

Right under the GW bridge is where Justin asked Justine to be his wife!

There was no time to 'warm' up.

I was kinda nervous that it was going to down pour at any minute so as soon as we finished saying hello,

I started snapping away.

They obviously needed no warming up.

Fort Tryon has a section called 'Heather Garden'.

It has a beautiful section of wildflowers.

I like a casual, relaxed shot. The expressions are soft and natural.

Such a beautiful couple...

The first thing you notice about Justine are her amazing eye's.

They are big like saucers and have these to die for lashes.

Justine. You. Are. Stunning.

Okay...you're damn good lookin' too Justin.

Fort Tryon has a section that is dedicated to a branch of the MET called Cloisters Museum.

Who knew?

It's actually devoted to the medieval architecture of Europe.

A frame within a frame.

Happiness...

Seriously. Check out those legs!

They're fabulous Justine.

This park has so many fabulous nooks to have a wonderful little picnic in.

A lot of the area's over look the Hudson River too.  

This is one of my faves. It was one of the last frames we shot.

By this time it was coming down pretty heavily...you can tell if you look close at Justin's shirt. 

Walking in the rain...

***sighhh***

There is just something romantic about it.



Life really never goes as planned.

We only really have two options.

We can sulk or adjust our attitude.

My most favorite quote ever is by a man named Charles Swindoll.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.

It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances,

than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, gifted-ness or skill.

It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.

 We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.”

Thank you Justine and Justin for reminding me of just that.

I can't wait for your BIG day in November!

p.s.

Thanks to Fred and Ginger for making a special...guest appearance!

p.p.s

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