Welcome to Love Stories! In this series, I interview couples whose engagements I have photographed. I ask them about their love story, their decision to capture their engagement with professional photography, and about their experience. Meet Kelly and Tyler. Their engagement photo session took place at Wolf’s Hollow County Park where they spent time together while dating.

Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits (CCSP): First, can you tell me about yourself and your partner?

Kelly L (KL): My husband Tyler and I are high school sweethearts, and have been together for over 9 years. We grew up in Southern Lancaster County and now live west of Lancaster city with our cat, Peach. I work as a Graphic Designer and Tyler is a Virtual Design and Construction Specialist.

CCSP: How did you first meet?

KL: We technically met in 9th grade algebra class. We sat next to each other the entire semester, but never spoke to one another. However, in typical teenage fashion, we became friends on Facebook anyway. A little while later, Tyler commented on a photo I posted from a concert that we had both attended separately. This comment sparked a conversation that went on for months, and eventually led to us officially begin dating in our sophomore year. 

CCSP: What is your engagement story?

KL: Tyler and I knew for a long time that we wanted to eventually marry, but wanted to wait until we were both done with college and started in our careers. After we’d both graduated from college and began our careers, I shared my ring size and preferred ring style with him, but didn’t think too much about it afterward. Sometime later, just after our 7 year dating anniversary, while on a beach trip, while we walked in solitude on the beach, he completely surprised me when he pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him.

CCSP: Why was it important to you to have professional couple portraits taken for your engagement?

KL: Tyler and I had no professional photos in the 7 years leading up to our engagement, so we were overdue for a shoot. Engagement photos were the perfect thing to celebrate our engagement and capture us as a couple at such a special time in our lives.

CCSP: What made you choose Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits over other photographers in the Lancaster area?

KL: We knew Chris would make us feel comfortable in front of the camera, would be open to our ideas and would capture beautiful shots of us.

CSSP: Do you believe hiring a professional photographer to celebrate your engagement with portraits was worth the investment?

KL: Yes, I feel that it was worth the investment because we now have beautiful, high quality photos that we can enjoy for years to come.

CCSP: Would you recommend Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits to other engaged couples? Why or why not?

KL: I would recommend Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits to other couples because Chris was a pleasure to work with before, during, and after the shoot and we were overjoyed by the photos he provided us.

CCSP: Now that you’re married, what do you believe is the best part of marriage?

KL: The best part of marriage are the little moments when we are reminded why we chose to spend our lives together. Whether it’s a look, a moment of pure laughter, or lifting each other up when things get hard, it’s incredible to be reminded of the love and commitment we have towards each other, and to know we’ve chosen each other for life.

CCSP: Is there anything else you would like to share?

KL: I want to urge others to slow down and enjoy their time as an engaged couple, and to capture this time with an engagement shoot by Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits, you won’t regret it!

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