A Dauphin Island Engagement Session

My grandparents didn’t know anyone on the Gulf Coast when they moved to Mobile from Boston, Mass. in 1955. They were newlyweds and my grandfather had taken a job with Scott Paper Company here in Mobile. Leaving everything they knew in New England, they started a new life here in Mobile. If it weren’t for them taking that leap of faith and moving so far from home, I wouldn’t even be here writing this blog post! Isn’t that crazy to think about?!

Since they were so far from home and didn’t have relatives nearby, Memaw and Pop ended up having several close friends that were like family. The Gottstine family were some of those close family friends that were part of so many Gelineau family moments. Like my grandparents, they had six children and the stories of the families growing up together were ones that I heard often.

When I received Brooke’s email inquiring about availability for wedding photography, I was delighted to learn that she was one of Mrs. Gottstine’s grandchildren AND that she was engaged to the brother of one of my 2020 grooms, whose mother also happened to be good friends with my aunt back in high school! Talk about a small world!

Before I was a Professional

Fun fact, back in the day when I was still early in my photography journey, I photographed Mr. and Mrs. Gottstine’s 50th wedding anniversary party. I still remember being so nervous about capturing those photos and I probably reminded them several times that I wasn’t a professional photographer (because I definitely wasn’t back then!). I never imagined back in 2009 that I would one day own a photography business. It wasn’t even in the back of my mind at that time.

I told Brooke and Brendan this story during their engagement session. Brooke said she could barely even remember the party I was talking about, which made me laugh. That’s just how much time has gone by!!!

Brooke and Brendan chose Dauphin Island for their engagement session and I just can’t get over how perfect the weather was on this day. I had so much fun chatting with these two and getting to know them. I loved that they were so laid back and game for anything. They both have such joyful personalities and I know we could have kept chatting long after our session time ended if it wasn’t for it getting dark at the beach. I’m already counting down the days to their 2024 wedding! Enjoy some of my favorites from their engagement session.