engagement — BLOG — riley west photography - boston and new england wedding photographer

Diners, Dates, and I-Do's: Retro LGBTQ Engagement in Boston

I always love when I shoot with clients who feel like friends. Truj (they/them) & Brian (they/them) are just Like That - magnetic and companionable. When we first met, we talked for ages about everything: art, poetry, video games, tattoos, cosplay, music, travel, podcasts, food. They love everything, they want to know about everything, and they want to try everything, together.

It was clear to me that these are people who share a zest for life, and found each other to explore what it has to offer. That, personally, is what the Ideal truly is.

boston, engagement, lgbtqRiley VecchioneJanuary 16, 2024engagement, lgbtq, nonbinary, genderqueer, queer

From Cozy Nooks to the Open Road: A Stylish Boston LGBTQ Engagement

I've been told love comes to you when you least expect it, and Caitlin (she/they) + AJ (she/her) are evidence of that. I am constantly overjoyed to capture queer love and tell the stories of creative, passionate people who found themselves in this wild world.

For their Boston engagement photoshoot, we started off in their lovely home adoringly decorated and fabulously stylish, before moseying over to the Arnold Arboretum with AJ’s motorcycle.

boston, engagement, lgbtq, lifestyleRiley VecchioneNovember 8, 2023engagement, lgbtq, boston

Rooted in Community: An Earthy and Cozy LGBTQ Boston Engagement Session

These two are extremely dedicated and invested contributors to the local arts. Shira (they/them) works as a director and dramaturg and Colin (he/him) is an experienced stage manager.

Together they invest their time and skill in showcasing the talent, thoughts, and works of the LGBTQIA+ artists and activists in the greater Boston area. Their dedication is evident in the work they do, and I can tell they build off each other, inspire each other, and most of all, support and love one another.

lgbtq, engagement, bostonRiley VecchioneNovember 3, 2023lgbtq, trans, engagement, rhode island, transgender, nonbinary

Tea and Fantasy: An Enchanted Forest LGBTQ Engagement, Providence RI

Rae (he/him) and Marlowe (they/them) have what I personally believe to be the Ideal in a relationship: creative harmony. They constantly pursue enrichment through the arts: from their professions, to their communities, to the clothes they wear — often handmade. When they contacted me about capturing their engagement and wedding, I knew from our first conversation we would get along. Rae and Marlowe’s lives are opportunities for creating, and I felt that when I met them, and felt that even more when I captured their engagement.

engagement, lgbtq, transgender, editorialRiley VecchioneOctober 29, 2023engagement, rhode island, providence

Lifestyle East Boston "Eastie" Engagement Session at Piers Park

Em and Bryce met each other at Northeastern University and have been attached at the hip for six years now. Bryce popped the question during a recent trip to London this year. While they’re fans of traveling, these two are self-proclaimed homebodies, but there’s nothin’ wrong with that. Finding someone you can create a home with is what real love is all about! And these two have a cozy little nest in Eastie with their cat, Hunky Dory.

Yes. Hunky Dory.

He is as amazing as he sounds.

boston, engagement, lifestyleRiley VecchioneSeptember 19, 2023boston, engagement

Castle Rock Marblehead Engagement Shoot

Sav (she/they) and Matt (he/him) are all the things you love to see for people in love: excitable, curious, passionate, and creative. I met them both through my creative photography brand ChezPhoto, where I specialize in costume photography. Sav works in Biotech and is an extraordinarily skilled seamstress, always planning her next big build; she loves problem-solving and collaborating. Matt is a middle school teacher who is always looking for ways to enrich and foster the rapidly growing minds of his students. Together, they are adorable, dorky, goofy, and very in love.

boston, engagement, salemRiley VecchioneSeptember 19, 2023engagement, marblehead, salem, massachussetts, seaport, harbor, oceanside, beach, cliffs

Editorial Newburyport MA Engagement Session

Over the years of knowing her, Sam has become one of my favorite people. She’s hilarious, creative, ambitious and talented…so when I eventually met Connor, I was stoked to see she had someone just as amazing as her for a partner. Connor is a total sweetheart and also just as goofy as Sam, with an enthsuastic curiosity and thoughtfulness I really admire. Together, these two are a class act. Whenever I hang out with them, I leave with my face sore from all the smiling.

Plus, they’re damn good in front of the camera.

boston, engagement, editorialRiley VecchioneJune 19, 2023engagement, boston, newburyport

LA Engagement Session - Summer Love in Beverly Hills CA

Binx and Adam are two wonderful musicians who met each other as neighbors in LA and fell in love - like a fairy tale! We spent the day hangin’ out under the California sun, strolling through the palm tree-lined streets of Beverly Hills before heading to Rodeo Drive at sunset. I’m so excited to see where they head next together, hand-in-hand towards a journey of harmony and inspiration.

engagement, los angeles, californiaRiley VecchioneMarch 26, 2022los angeles, california, engagement