Best of 2016

Happy Friday, friends!  It is the last Friday of the year, which means I'm SO excited to be sharing some of my favorite images of 2016 with you!  As I was gathering the photographs for this post, I was brought back to so many beautiful moments I shared with all of those I had the pleasure of working with this year.  I don't even know where to begin to describe my gratitude for you all!  2016 was an amazing year for me and for Shaina Lee Photography.  You each made this year one of my best yet, and I couldn't thank you enough.  For those of you who were married this year, I shared so many wonderful emotions with you on each of your beautiful wedding days.  I carried trains, pinned boutonnieres, and most importantly, formed new friendships.  I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without you.  Your continued love and support has given me the encouragement and inspiration to try out some new business ventures in the coming year, and for that, I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.  I look forward to celebrating more engagements, wedding days and anniversaries with all of you in 2017!  

I had a blast kicking off my season by photographing Tanya and Manny for their first anniversary at Woodmont Beach in Milford!

I am so grateful to have had the pleasure to photograph these two.  Andrea and Israel are two people who I'm so excited have turned from clients to friends!

I LOVED the vintage cars that complimented Lauren and Nyle's wedding day!  See their full post here.

At the end of 2015, I had set several goals for 2016.  One of those was to photograph a surprise proposal, which I was so excited to achieve this past August!  Andy's wedding proposal to Melissa at Cranbury Park in front of Gallaher Mansion was absolute perfection.
See their full post here.
This sweet couple was also featured on Reverie Gallery, which you can see here!

I loved assisting my dear friend Emily of Emily Kirke Photography on Christina and George's wedding in August!  They were married under a beautiful old tree at FEAST Caterers at Round Hill, and flooded with warm golden light for some romantic portraits later in the evening.  Their intimate wedding was filled with plenty of style and lots of love.
See the full post here.

Barbara and Pat are two of the most influential people I met this year!  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the same venue where Arturo and I were married just over two years ago.  These two are a beautiful example of love and marriage, and I adore them for it!

I enjoyed photographing Renee and Matt's engagement session at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford.  The rose gardens there serve for the perfect backdrop for some super romantic portraits!
See their full post here.

Amanda and Heath's engagement session was quite possibly one of my favorites of the year!  Not only did I get to photograph these two lovebirds who are madly in love with each other, but I also got to work with two of my fellow creatives and wedding professionals!  I co-photographed this with one of my best friends, Kristina, of Kristina Staal Photography, as our good friend, Kate, of Kate & Company Events, styled everything for the session from the florals to Amanda's attire and jewelry!
See their full post here.
These two were also featured on Reverie Gallery, which you can see here!

Nicole and Andrew's first look was one of the best I photographed this year!  Andrew's surprise and excitement of seeing his soon-to-be wife was absolutely spectacular!

Melissa and Matt kept me laughing throughout the duration of their engagement session at Waveny Park in New Canaan.  I'm so excited to be photographing their wedding at The Waterview in April!
See their full post here!

I loved assisting my friend Rachel of A Storybook Image on Amanda and Will's October wedding at The Water's Edge Resort and Spa.  From her cathedral length veil and Calla Blanche gown to the stunning florals, I was truly in awe of their elegant wedding style!
See their full post here.

Andrea and Israel were married in a beautiful church flooded with plenty of natural light.  Look at these two-- could they be any more in love?!
See their full post here.

Renee and Matt did their first look in the courthouse where Renee works in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Since it was a Saturday, the beautiful building was empty, which meant we had it all to ourselves!

Another goal I was excited to check off my list was a sunrise session!  Most people aren't willing to wake up at the crack of dawn to have their photos taken for an hour in 45 degree morning air, but Lisa and Matt were more than ready!  I loved capturing the colors of a Connecticut sunrise at their Waveny Park engagement session.  These two are getting married in September, and I couldn't be happier for them!
See their full post here.

Jacqui and Avery are madly in love.  Their engagement session in early November at Boothe Memorial Park was simply gorgeous as we caught the last of the autumn leaves.  I'm so excited to photograph their wedding in July at Tashua Knolls!
See their full post here.

Monica and Kevin's big day was my last wedding of 2016.  I couldn't have been more honored to document it all for them!  It was filled with timeless elegance and style, and most importantly, endless love.  They were celebrated by family and friends at Aria, where it even snowed for their first dance!
See their full post here.

Jasmine and James are high school sweethearts who will finally be tying the knot after more than nine years together!  Last week, I photographed their engagement session at Walnut Beach in Milford.  They're getting married at Saint Clements Castle & Marina in August, and I simply cannot wait!

I hope you've enjoyed re-living some of my favorite 2016 moments with me!  I can't wait to share more of my beautiful couples in 2017!

If you liked this post, don't miss my Destination Photography Work Bucket List!