Luxe Crane Estate Engagement Ipswich Engagement Photography

Capturing Samantha and Alec’s luxe Crane Estate engagement session in Ipswich, MA was truly a dream come true! From the moment we met, I felt an instant connection with this sweet couple. Their love, energy, and vision for their engagement session made this entire experience so much fun to photograph.

Their Story

Samantha and Alec’s love story started through mutual friends in college. They started communicating through social media and texting, even though they hadn’t officially met in person. Fate soon stepped in, as one night, Alec was celebrating his birthday at a restaurant and sent Samantha a photo of the cappuccino machine. Samantha immediately recognized the spot, as she and her family were actually on their way there for dinner!

While Samantha and her family were seated on the patio and Alec’s family was inside, a waitress brought Samantha a drink and said, “this is from the young gentleman inside.” Though they had still never officially met, Samantha knew exactly who had sent it. After dinner, she walked inside to thank Alec, where he was enjoying his birthday desserts. They exchanged a hug, smiles, and light conversation, with their families looking on. From there, the rest is history! Samantha and Alec will celebrate six years together on their wedding day, September 27, 2025!

When it came time to propose, Alec planned a special night in the city at The Lenox Hotel, something they had done before, so Samantha didn’t suspect a thing. A rainstorm made Alec extra nervous, but just in time for sunset, the skies cleared. Samantha thought they were heading to the hotel bar, but instead, Alec led her up the stairs to the rooftop, where music began to play as Alec asked Samantha to marry him.

Luxe Crane Estate Engagement Session

If you’re dreaming of a classic, high-end location for your engagement photos, The Crane Estate is absolutely perfect. With its historic architecture, sprawling manicured lawns, and stunning coastal views, it’s one of Massachusetts’ most iconic and luxurious venues. However, while it is available for weddings and photography sessions, both do require a special permit. Samantha and Alec’s desire for a classic, high-end engagement session fit this location perfectly. The Crane Estate provided the perfect grand and romantic backdrop for their vision.

Timeless Outfit Choices

These two absolutely rocked their outfit choices! For the first part of their session, Alec wore a sharp, black tuxedo, while Samantha looked incredible in a long, fitted, off-shoulder, strapless white gown. The two of them looked elegant, refined, and so in love!

For their second look, Alec kept his black tuxedo on, and Samantha changed into a shorter, strapless white dress featuring a dramatic bow in the back that flowed beautifully as she moved. The combination of the formal attire against the historic setting of The Crane Estate was pure magic.

One of the things I loved most about photographing Samantha and Alec was how natural they were together. Their laughter, the way they looked at each other, and interacted all came effortlessly. I barely had to direct them; they simply enjoyed the moment, and it shows in every photo.

A Relaxed, Beach Session

I had the absolute joy of capturing a second session of Samantha and Alec. This was a more relaxed session at a nearby beach with their adorable golden retriever, Murphy! Samantha and Alec wore neutral shirts and jeans, keeping the look casual but still perfectly coordinated for a beach vibe.

Watching them walk hand-in-hand along the shoreline, laughing, playing with Murphy, and kicking up water was so special. It was the perfect way to capture another side of their relationship. Including Murphy made the session even more meaningful, and I loved that they prioritized having these candid, fun moments documented alongside the more formal, classic portraits at The Crane Estate.

Now, they are planning a stunning wedding day at The State Room in Boston, dreaming of a modern and luxe aesthetic where guests will feel like they are floating above the city. With breathtaking views, a timeless style, and a whole lot of love, their wedding day is sure to be unforgettable, and I for one, cannot wait to capture it and continue telling their beautiful love story!