Photographer Rick Messina says he and his shooting partner and wife Melanie felt like they were documenting the relationship between close friends during this Central Park engagement session in New York City. Both of the bride-to-be’s sisters hired the Messinas to shoot their weddings two years earlier, so, Rick says, “I have grown close to Theresa and her family.” It’s an ideal situation for any photographer since, says Rick, “Theresa and Ryan were both completely relaxed in front of the camera and totally enjoying each other’s company. I’m not even sure they heard any of the directions I was giving them!”

Using only natural light, Rick says the architecture worked in his favor for a brief moment as it allowed for a small spotlight to shine on the couple. “The light was gone almost as fast as it came,” he explains. Another lucky factor was the way that the crowd was gathering during this part of the shoot. “It’s Central Park, so there are always going to be people around,” he notes. “We ended up liking the movement in the background, and how the couple didn’t even notice!”

(Captured using a Nikon D750 and a 35mm f/1.4 lens at 1/400 of a sec and ISO 100.)

Photo © Rick Messina

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