[Engagement] Elisa & Joe – Manhattan, NY

I know I’ve said this before, but I’m probably the worst local non-local New Yorker one will ever meet. Despite being born and raised here (and now settled in the tree-lined suburbia of NJ), I’m completely clueless when it comes to anything related to folks who live, work and breathe everything New York City-related. Case in point, I’d only set foot into Central Park ONCE before I became a wedding photographer. Even more embarrassing, 2012 marked the year I would finally get to try a Gray’s Papaya hot dog and a Shake Shack burger…thanks to my wonderful clients who also seem to share my joy in consuming mystery meats stuffed between two buns :).

Elisa and Joe has a highly energetic little boy around the same age as our lil monster. When I first saw him, I just wanted to bite those cheeks (after I placed them between two slices of bread, of course). What’s even more awesome is that Elisa and Joe live literally 5 minutes away from our house (play dates for everyone!). So while I haven’t done many family sessions this year due to my hectic wedding schedule, I jumped at the opportunity to get those chubby cheeks in front of my camera. Hook. Line. Sinker!

Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

They wanted to shoot their engagement session in Midtown Manhattan. Bryant Park was their first choice.

Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bryant Park had all kinds of craziness going on in preparation for the holidays. We were forced to make our own private space :).

Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

New York Public Library is probably one of my favorite location for engagement sessions.

Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

After all, this is where they filmed Ghostbusters :).

Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Elisa + Joe | New York City Engagement Session by northern NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Mucho congrats again to Elisa and Joe! We hope you enjoyed our little Midtown adventure and we can’t wait to see you guys again in a few more days!

This is our last week of weekend weddings for the year, which means we’ll finally be able to get to sleep for more than 4 hours a night. But even more importantly, we’re going to have some very happy Fall brides before the year is over :). Hope you guys had a fantastic weekend, and we KNOW everyone’s excited for some yummilicious turkey in a few more days!

Gobble gobble!

Ben & Karis

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Northern NJ, NYC documentary Wedding Photographer, Educator & All-Around Nice Guy

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