Central Park, Manhattan, New York | July 9, 2017

Written by Alan

Before we moved to Sacramento, California, we lived in the high rises of New York City — specifically the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. One of our perks was being a 10 minute walk from the famous Central Park, where we both had the privilege of photographing this engagement session on a warm Summer evening.

This photoshoot in Central Park brings me feelings of serendipity, defined as “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” In essence, our meeting with this vivacious couple eventually helped Shana transition to a new position at a different hospital, where she served on a team of pharmacy managers. The culture at that new hospital was one of daily community and camaraderie, where lunch potlucks were common and where Shana was surprised with a work sponsored bridal shower. In the end, it was a difficult goodbye.

Since we moved to California, I witnessed Shana bring along the same thirst for forming friendships and connections as we settled into our new home in Elk Grove, a city that’s well known for having a park within 10 minutes walking distance from almost every home, like Central Park was for us in New York. It’s been thanks to these local parks that we have quickly met new families who have become close friends in California.

When I think back to Central Park in New York, I can’t help but think: serendipity led us to a new life here where we can continue to create new stories, finding new opportunities getting to know and photographing families in our local parks.