Their Session: Belmar Marina Maternity Session
This Belmar Marina maternity session was so so special to me. Nothing makes me happier than when I get to photograph my couples’ love stories beyond the wedding day! I was so excited when Alessandra reached out to me about photographing her & Jim’s maternity session!! They recently welcomed their beautiful baby girl into the world, and I’m so happy for them and this next adventure!
It was an honor to photograph their maternity session, and capture the simultaneous start and end to different chapters in their love story. To make the session extra special we had another beautiful sunset as a back drop! (Their engagement session & wedding both had beautiful sunsets on the water, too!) We started with some cozy photos in their home, and finished up on the water at the Belmar Marina! I had a the best time photographing these two, per usual! I’m so excited to share these photos! But first…just a little bit of their love story!
Their Love Story
When I asked these two to share one thing the love about each other, they had such sweet answers. Alessandra said, “I love how Jim supports me and loves me and is always so sweet and loving. I also love how much he loves [our dogs].” Jim said, “I love that she is so caring to everyone and how selfless she is. I also love that she cracks me up all the time.”
Alessandra and Jim started talking online, but as Alessandra puts it, they “don’t feel like this is how they really met.” Alessandra said, “We consider the first time we met to be at Anchor bar in Belmar. The cubs were playing that night so we instantly bonded over our love for baseball. We continued talking and quickly realized everything we had in common and the rest is really history.”
Their Proposal
“We were on vacation in Puerto Rico, I am Puerto Rican and my dad lives there so we were visiting him. My dad, his wife, my aunt, uncle, myself and Jim had rented a house right outside of Rincon. The house was so beautiful and right on the beach so it was the perfect spot to see the sunset. We were sitting around relaxing and Jim said he was going to take a shower and asked if I was going to shower before dinner. Which I said “of course!”
“As I was in the shower Jim is telling me to hurry up, I am going to miss the sunset…my response was, “I just saw some of it! Did it change colors?” He said, “yea it did.” So I begin to get ready…and Jim asks, “are you doing your hair?” I said, “yea a little bit”, and he’s like “your makeup?” I am like, “is everyone waiting for me for dinner..should I be rushing?” He’s like, “no everyone’s ready but no one is waiting.”
“I am all ready for dinner and Jim says “let’s take a picture on the balcony with the sunset in the background.” I said, “okay we can take a selfie or a self timer.” Jim said, “no no let me get Juany (my dad’s wife).” We went back and forth a few times of me saying not to bother her. Jim and Juany come back with the rest of family behind them which I did not notice. He comes up to me and kisses me and in a very high pitch voice I ask, “what is happening??” He grabs both of my hands says “I love you” and then I blacked out and all I heard were my tears. My sobs were uncontrollable!”
“I was just so surprised and happy that I was so overwhelmed. Puerto Rico holds a very special place in my heart and having my dad there made it even better. It was such a beautiful, wonderful surprise.”
Alessandra and Jim tied the knot in 2021 at the Columns! I had the honor of photographing their big day! It was so much fun; filled with pure joy and excitement!
To the New Parents
Congratulations on welcoming your beautiful baby girl into the world, Alessandra & Jim!!! I am so beyond happy for you two, and excited for all this next chapter holds! Sending you three (and the pups!) a huge hug!! Love you guys so much!!! xoxo
