A Plum Island Engagement Session with Maddie & Rebecca

Maddie told me on our check-in call that she doesn’t like cake. She was also, at that very moment, making a cake for Rebecca. I knew right then this was going to be a good session.

We met at Plum Island in early August, and I was thrilled to be back. This is one of my favorite places to photograph. It had been a couple of years since I’d last shot there, and walking in felt like coming home. The light is gorgeous, the scenery changes every few steps, and you get so much variety without going anywhere. For an engagement session, it’s hard to beat.

The one thing we couldn’t plan for was the wind. It was a pretty windy day, and I always tell my couples that wind can be annoying but is totally worth it when it plays nicely. Rebecca & Maddie took it in stride. Hair flew everywhere, but the wind kept landing on the right side of dramatic.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when two people genuinely enjoy teasing each other, it looks like Rebecca & Maddie. They’re relaxed, goofy, and constantly ribbing each other. There was a running stream of jokes, and the laughs were happening nonstop. I’m pretty sure I spent half the session laughing along behind the camera.

But my favorite part came in between the jokes. Every so often the goofing around would soften into something quieter: an affectionate touch, a gentle kiss, a moment that wasn’t for me or the camera. It felt like getting a peek into their day-to-day lives, just the two of them being themselves together. Those are the moments I love to photograph.

Then there’s their engagement story, which might be my favorite part of the whole afternoon. Rebecca & Maddie proposed to each other, and in the middle of it, a wave swept them both off their feet and into the ocean. Maddie’s phone was destroyed in the process. She showed me photos of the exact moment they went under, and I have to admit I laughed pretty hard. It’s the kind of story that gets better every time it’s told.

Something about a couple who can laugh that hard at their own proposal makes an engagement session easy. There was nothing to pose or perform. We walked around Plum Island, they did what they do, and I got to follow along and catch it.

I’ll remember this session for the wind, the teasing, the kisses, and the love of not liking cake but baking one anyways. Rebecca & Maddie, thank you for spending a breezy August afternoon with me at one of my favorite places.

Julia Webb is a New England wedding, engagement, and portrait photographer. Fun, relaxed sessions — for first-timers and seasoned pros alike. Contact Julia to book your session.