Location: Hyde Park, New York
Venue: Vanderbilt Mansion
Type: Engagement Session
Photographed on: Digital
A Love Story Full of Almosts
Some love stories begin with one unforgettable introduction. Meg and Garrett’s story began with a series of almosts.
They first met through mutual friends when Meg was a senior in high school. At the time, Garrett was a freshman at Le Moyne College. Their meeting was brief, and Meg admits that Garrett remembers it much better than she does.
The next year, Meg began college at Marist. She later made the unexpected choice to transfer to Le Moyne. Just like that, their paths crossed again.
Meg and Garrett had similar friend groups throughout college. They sometimes attended the same parties and would always stop to say hello. Still, they remained friendly faces in each other’s lives.
After graduation, Garrett planned to move to New York City. However, he changed his plans and stayed at Le Moyne for one more year to earn his MBA. Meg was entering her senior year, and the timing finally felt right.
Meg and Garrett call their relationship their own version of the invisible string theory. Different schools, other relationships, and Garrett’s possible move could have pulled them apart. Instead, each choice brought them closer together. When they finally spent time alone, they discovered the connection that had been there all along.
Their First Date in Syracuse
Garrett was the first man to ask Meg on a proper date. Naturally, that earned him some immediate bonus points.
Their first date took place on an October evening in Syracuse. Since they are both Libras with October birthdays, the timing felt perfect. They went to Alto Cinco, one of their favorite college spots. Over margaritas, they talked for more than three hours. They were so focused on each other that they barely stopped to look at the menu.
A Romantic Vanderbilt Mansion Engagement Session
That same easy connection followed them throughout their Vanderbilt Mansion engagement session in Hyde Park. Meg wanted their photos to feel romantic, natural, effortless, and happy. She also loved the idea of a vintage garden setting.
The mansion’s historic architecture brought that vision to life. Warm brick archways, lush greenery, and quiet garden spaces surrounded Meg and Garrett. Every part of the property felt like it belonged in their story.
The Everyday Moments They Love
Meg and Garrett balance each other with ease. They love being social together, but they also value quiet time at home.
Their ideal Sunday starts with coffee and breakfast. After resetting the house and running a few errands, they enjoy an early dinner. Their choice is almost always Asian food. Then, they end the day by catching up on their favorite shows.
Friday nights mean homemade pizza. Meg and Garrett have mastered their pesto and margherita pizzas, making the tradition a favorite in their home.
They also love trying new restaurants, working out at Hotworx, and camping during the summer. Recently, they have started spending more time skiing and golfing together.
More than anything, Meg and Garrett make a great team. They know each other so well that words are not always needed. That connection appeared in every quiet glance, laugh, and natural moment throughout their session.
A Love Worth the Wait
Meg and Garrett’s story shows how surprising timing can be. Sometimes the right person does not suddenly appear. Sometimes they have been a familiar face in your life all along. You simply need the right moment to truly see each other.
Meg and Garrett, photographing this chapter of your invisible string love story was a dream. Your Vanderbilt Mansion engagement session felt true to who you are together. I cannot wait to see where your story takes you next.
Planning Something of Your Own?
Planning an engagement session in Saratoga Springs or elsewhere in Upstate New York? I photograph couples with a balance of thoughtful direction and room for real interaction, creating images that feel artful without losing the people inside them.
I photograph weddings, intimate celebrations, and sessions throughout Upstate New York, the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Adirondacks, and beyond. If you’re looking for photographs that move between honest documentation and thoughtful direction, tell me what you’re planning.
