When I met Ly and Tony for their Center City Philadelphia engagement session, I knew immediately that we were about to have an amazing evening together.

Ly and Tony chose Cira Green for their engagement session, an iconic rooftop location with epic views of the Philadelphia skyline. As soon as I exited the elevator at the top of the building, I immediately knew who they were by their impeccable style (even though we had never met in person before)!

We started on the rooftop, with Ly and Tony looking so elegant and sophisticated to match the location. We even got some beautiful sunset glow despite a very unpromising forecast that day!

The second half of their engagement session was jaw dropping–and almost never even happened.

You see, the most important thing about working together with your wedding photographer, someone who is capturing one of the biggest days of your lives, is having trust. We changed our plans at the very last second to end their engagement session at the Merchant Exchange Building, and Ly and Tony fully trusted in me to create the perfect photos.

And man, did we ever.

It’s crazy because the only reason these classy, gorgeous portraits of the two of them happened is because my clients fully trusted me. They never questioned me, they didn’t give me a list of things they wanted me to capture; they just said, “I want you to do your thing,” and this is what happened.

They were more perfect than we could have imagined.

There is no lack of Philadelphia engagement sessions, but honestly? I know I’m biased, but I think these are among the best I’ve seen.

Ly and Tony first met at Temple University when they were students. They started out as friends but eventually and inevitably started dating a few years later.

Ly and Tony are partners and best friends, and you can absolutely tell from spending just a few minutes with them that this is true. The way they cozied up to each other naturally, looked to each other for support, gently leading each other and naturally embracing–I know I guide my couples pretty well, but there are some things you just can’t teach.

Their wedding next year is at Waterworks at Cescaphe, another truly iconic Philadelphia venue.

From the bride:

“The art museum has always been a location Tony and I have gone to: to think, to go on dates, to go on long late night walks, to go on runs, bringing our first furbaby there together, you name it! Because it’s such a sentimental location, it’s always been a dream of mine to celebrate our love at the one location that has been through it all. Being able to show our friends and family that this location is where it all started is how we want to start this new chapter in our lives.”

Looking forward to dancing the night away at your wedding at Waterworks at Cescaphe!