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Have you ever met a couple whose energy just lights up the room?
That’s Yael and Doug for you!Where do I even begin with Yael and Doug?! 🥹
From the second our session started, it was clear that these two are absolute magic together. ✨ Their playful energy is contagious—constantly teasing each other, laughing at the little things, and just fully embracing every moment. You can tell they love every single part of each other, from the quirks to the strengths and everything in between. 💕
What struck me most is how they’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Whether it’s supporting each other’s dreams or just being there on the tough days, they’ve built this incredible foundation of love and support. And let me tell you—capturing that on camera? Priceless. 📸
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Brett had the perfect plan to surprise Jenna… and it started with breaking a few rules!
Jenna was nervous as Brett led her through the gates of Gramercy Park—a place you can only enter if you have a key. But Brett? He had something else up his sleeve. As they ‘sneaked’ in, Jenna’s face was priceless. You could just tell she was not on board for sneaking in, but did it anyway for her Brett…
Little did she know, Brett had this entire thing planned! When he dropped to one knee, Jenna’s worry instantly melted into pure joy. Her hand flew to her mouth in total shock, and suddenly nothing else mattered.
The way she looked at him? You could feel the love. This was more than just a proposal—it was a moment where they threw caution to the wind and embraced a future full of love, laughter, and maybe just a little bit of rule-breaking.
Brett and Jenna, I could not be happier for you!!! Cheers to this incredible season in your lives!!
Capturing moments like these, where love surprises even the most careful hearts, is why I love what I do.
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” You are my world, and I wouldn’t change a thing…”
Flushing Meadows Corona Park was the perfect location for an engagement session for Rachel and Shai. Not only is it a place that means a lot to Rachel, but the fact that these two love each other with all their hearts, made it even more incredible.
There is nothing like photographing two people who look at each other with so much love and admiration that you know, they mean the world to each other.
Rachel and Shai definitely share that connection, the kind of connection where their days always with one another, every time something good or bad happens, they are the first people each other calls and they have secret smiles saved for only each other.
Those secret smiles give me ALL the butterflies in the best way : )
That is the kind of love we all dream of. That is the kind of love that will grow, flourish, and thrive with all of life’s challenges. Rachel and Shai, I know your love is out of this world and one of a kind, and I am honored to have been a part of this special season in your life together!
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Picture this… You are at Maynard’s on the Jersey Shore with the rest of your friends. It is a typical summer shore weekend when you notice your friend is talking to the cute brunette you JUST matched with.You walk right up to them and completely ignore your friend and spend the rest of the night in the corner talking to the cutest and sweetest girl you have ever met…
and that was JUST the beginning.
Fast forward a few years and you are at the same bar posing for your engagement photos, looking super cute with your pup Reese.
I mean, can it get better than that?!!!
I am absolutely blown away by these two…or should I say three!
Little pup, Reese, almost stole the show with her sweetness, but nothing could beat the love and joy that feels electric whenever Shelby and Danny are together.
Their love is fun, silly, full of respect and support, and there is really nothing better than that!
Their easygoing nature and excitement for life is something I deeply admire, and I could not be more excited and happy for these two!
I already know your wedding day is going to be a special one!
Shelby and Danny, I can’t wait to continue celebrating the two of you!! Xos!
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“I’m covid free” Kruti screamed out to Neel and the next thing she knew Neel was down on one knee asking her to marry him. A negative covid test and a proposal? What could be better!
They weren’t even engaged yet when I first heard from Neel and something about that just warms my heart in the sweetest way. He was ready, he was just so ready to be engaged to his Kruti that he didn’t even wait to propose to set up an engagement session.
The second I saw them together, it made sense, they were each others perfect match and nothing was going to keep them from celebrating their love.
Fairmount Park was packed that day, but as we walked around and avoided the crowds of people, it was as if Neel and Kruti didn’t notice anyone else. All they saw were each other. Neel looked at Kruti with so much love, so much admiration that I was smiling from behind my mask and my camera all evening long. Kruti’s love for Neel shined through every time they locked eyes.
Neel, Kruti your love is inspirational and I know that you two are going to be smiling at each other through it all!
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Sam and Jimmy just couldn’t wait to be married.
Sam’s excitement was infectious. From the moment we hopped on the phone to the moment we waved goodbye (it would have been a hug if covid wasn’t a thing) at our engagement session, I felt as bubbly as ever!
One thing was evident in everything she said and everything she did. She loved Jimmy. With her whole heart. When Jimmy was around, Sam glowed from head to toe. When their eyes locked, she grinned from ear to ear. And when he wrapped his arms around her, she looked like she was the most content person in the world. It was beautiful and inspiring all in one.
Jimmy’s love for Sam was just as big hearted, just as electric and just as amazing. He smiled every time he heard her name. He looked at her as if she was the only person in the world and nothing could keep them apart.
Even through the long distance and their crazy work schedules, they always put each other first. They always put each other first. And what could be better than that?
Sam, Jim, I wish you nothing but the best! This is just the beginning of your incredible, madly in love, big hearted life together and I cannot wait to see where life takes you!
Cheers to you!!
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I remember like it was yesterday… I was standing outside of Cornerstone (the college bar I worked at all through undergrad), in my dirty yoga pants that smelled like beer and my VOUS T-shirt that was still drying from my very busy happy hour which happened to include countless of vodka spills. I was surrounded by a bunch of the girls who were sticking around Collage Park for the summer when someone pointed out a beautiful brunette walking towards us. “I think that’s the girl you are going to be living with next year” she whispered to me. I looked up. Cassie’s eyes were sparkling. Her smile wide and inviting. She sported a high ponytail and looked like she was just about to hit the gym.
“Hi, I’m Cassie! I think we are living together next semester” she waved. I was already in awe of her.
“I’m Yael” I waved back. “I think you are right” Her smile grew. Mine did too. In that moment, I felt a strange sense of calmness and excitement all in one.
Cassie has always had such a big, loving presence. She is one of the most loyal friends I have ever met. Even as just a College senior, she was so honest and so aware of who she truly was. Her confidence and assurance, impressed me daily. Cassie is the sweetest combination of intelligent, fun, hard working and goofy. In other words, she is an incredible human and she deserves the best.
Thank god Chris is the best.
The second Chris opened the car door and smiled at me, I could feel his warmth. It was 5am, the sun wasn’t even in the sky and we were about to spend the next two hours taking photos. Yet, he was still smiling, ready to go and it felt like I had known him for years.
I quickly recognized that Chris is the perfect match for Cassie. His whit, charm and kind nature complements Cassie to the T. It warmed my heart to see the love and respect flow between them with every glance and every touch. Their love is strong, pure and overwhelmingly delightful. As we walked around Canton, chatting about their life together I felt myself getting more and more excited for Cassie, Chris, Kona, their adorable puppy and their future together. With those two together, nothing is going to get in their way.
Cassie, thank you so much for always being such a bright light in my life. Chris, thank you so much for loving my dearest Cassie. I cannot wait to see where life takes you two : )
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“This is actually where my Dad proposed to my Mom!” Crysta said with a huge smile on her face as she pointed to the park behind Independence Hall. And with that, my heart sighed. I was reminded of how important family is to this amazing and sweet couple. They wanted nothing more than to share their love story with their friends and family. They wanted nothing more than to spend their special day with all the people that matter the most. And they wanted nothing more than to laugh with each other for the rest of their lives.
As we walked around Philadelphia, Crysta and David sunk into each other with such ease and grace that it was obvious they are one heck of a match. In every move, in every touch and in every laugh, there was an abundance of love and admiration. The way Crysta’s eyes smile every time she looked at David made my heart turn to mush and my finger click the shutter as much as possible. Our session was even during the second half of the Eagles game and David didn’t complain once, that is how much he loves Crysta!
Even with the craziness of their work and school schedules, David and Crysta make one another a priority. They are a team, a united front to take on the world together and if you ask me, nothing is going to get in their way. They are both ambitious, extremely personable and kind in every sense of the word and I know they are going to have one amazing marriage and go on to have the most incredible family of their own.
Crysta said it best “your humor matches mine perfectly.” and what could be a better recipe for a happy life together?!
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“Kipper is shivering! Let’s finish these photos inside!” Brittany said. We all looked at Kipper in his adorable, yellow raincoat shaking from the cold. “That’s a good idea!” I said worried about their sweet, little dog. As we walked back toward Brittany and Will’s Fairfax, Virginia apartment in the rain, I smiled. Brittany and Will only adopted Kipper a few months prior to our session and they were already so in tune and such good care-takers. They had all the Kipper essentials and than some. It was clear, that they put Kipper first and were happy doing so.
Once we got into their homey, warm apartment, Brittany took Kipper’s raincoat off and they all began to play. All three of them looked so happy and content just hanging out together, throwing and catching a stuffed bunny. It made me think, this is what it is all about. Togetherness, happiness, love. And love there was! In every detail of their apartment, in every word spoken and in every joke made, you could see that their life was full of love and admiration for each other…. and of course Kipper too.
Brittany and Will have been together since before Instagram was a thing and I absolutely admire their commitment and connection to one another. It is evident that they are best friends, partners and each others biggest support systems. Brittany and Will’s personalities complement each other. From High School to College, all the way to moving to Fairfax, Virginia together, they have been a united front that can take on anything and everything.
These two are such a unique couple, and their puppy engagement session was no different! Once we realized that Kipper was not a happier camper outside, we moved our engagement session inside. It was no longer just an engagement session but a session about the home they built, the puppy they adopted and the life that they had created.
Brittany and Will, you have found it. The happiness, the love and the excitement for your future that everyone searches for and I hope your happiness and love grows until the end of time! I cannot wait to photograph your wedding! July is too far away!!
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You would think, by early April, it would be warm, the sun would be shining and the flowers would be blooming. Unfortunately, as we all know, this year mother nature had a different plan for us. But that did not stop Imani and Keon.
From the second I shook their hand to the minute I said goodbye, Imani and Keon had smiles on their faces and love in their eyes and I knew that they had something very special together. They were not going to let anything get in their way from these photos.
Imani, Keon and I met at the La Colombe in Fishtown. As soon as I walked into the cafe, my eyes went straight to them. They looked like the perfect match in their coordinated outfits. I couldn’t stop smiling. I was already excited for our session, but seeing how much thought and effort they put into this too, made me even more excited!
“So, I heard Imani’s perspective, but I want to hear yours… How did you propose?” I asked Keon as we were walking to our first location. Keon glanced over at his joyful fiance and then back to me. There was laughter in his eyes. “The best part about my proposal was that Imani was so nervous, she started fixing my bowtie as I was down on one knee!” Keon said with the biggest smile on his face. That my friends, sums up Imani all into one.
Imani is the epitome of good-hearted. She is the sweetest little thing. The way she talks about her life, her family and her fiance showcases her genuine goodness and I swear, being around her made me feel like a better person.
Keon, may be just as motivated as Imani is sweet. Don’t get me wrong, Keon is an extremely nice and amiable person as well, but the way he talks about their business and his excitement over property investment was infectious.
Together, they have created a beautiful life together and it is only the beginning. They may have just started their business, but I know with Imani’s kindness and Keon’s drive, they will flourish in every sense of the word both personally and professionally.
Imani, Keon, thank you for sharing your hearts, sharing your personalities and sharing this time with me! I feel so fortunate to be a part of your love story. I wish you 150 years of happiness together!
Cheers to you!
Work With Yael
My mission is to not only craft images, but really celebrate the unique spirit of Jewish love. I'm here to honor our culture, capture the magic of your love, create family heirlooms for your future and do it all with a whole lot of heart and soul.