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!

Ready for your own photo session? 

Introducing: 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. First up are Danielle and Ryan. Their engagement photo session took place at West Chester University where they both proudly attended college.

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

Danielle K. (DK): Ryan and I are both elementary educators. We live in Lancaster City, and we love the community here. On a weekend, you can usually find us going to shows or concerts, traveling, or hanging with our three cats.

CCSP: How did you first meet?

DK: We met on Match.com. Our first date was at Loxley’s Restaurant, where we met for lunch but ended up staying until dinner! I think Ryan was quiet for the first hour of our date, and I did most of the talking. But eventually, he warmed up, and we had a wonderful time. Two months later, we went to the beach together, and I knew on that trip that this was the man I was going to marry.

CCSP: What is your engagement story?

DK: Ryan took me to dinner before we went to see a show at the Fulton Theatre (which is one of our favorite things to do as a couple). We went to Aussie and the Fox (now Max’s Eatery). Unbeknownst to me at the time, he had arranged for the server to take pictures of the proposal, so I have pictures of the event. Fun fact – it was also April Fool’s day, so when he got down on one knee, I said, ‘This better not be a joke.” Luckily, he was very serious!

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

DK: We knew that we wanted to use pictures on our wedding shower invites and for our newspaper announcement, so we knew we needed high quality photos.  Our engagement photos were also fantastic to have framed around our house. Also, let’s face it – everyone posts pictures on social media nowadays, so it’s nice to have something that looks awesome in online posts.

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

DK: We had seen his work online through social media and knew that we wanted him to take our photos, because we liked his work. Also, after talking to him, we could see that he was a laid-back person but also very professional at the same time. It fit with our vibe.

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

DK: Absolutely! It was so fun to do as our first engaged couple event. And now we have beautiful pictures to look back on from that time. We had our photos taken at our alma mater, West Chester University, so not only are the pictures of us special, but they are a reminder of the wonderful years we spent at the university.

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

DK: I would definitely recommend Chris Corrao: Stories & Portraits to other engaged couples. He is professional but also fun, which is great for those couples a little more nervous to be in front of a camera. He will take the pictures you want, not the pictures he thinks you should have. But he will also make suggestions from the point of view of an artist, and because of that, you will end up with photos that you never would have thought of (but look amazing!)

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

DK: I think the best part is just having a partner to take on the world with. It’s awesome to wake up every day and be with each other!

CCSP: What has been the most unexpected aspect or part of being married?

DK: The most unexpected? How much MORE laundry there is to do.

Ready for your own photo session?