Joe, Tori & Benny at

Penfield Beach



Joe and Tori are college sweethearts who happened to meet right on this beach. These Fairfield University alumni are good friends of ours and I was honored when they asked me to capture their Christmas card photos. It helps that they could very well be professional models and that their adorable golden retriever, Benny, is as photogenic as they come. We had a blast taking photos at golden hour...

Couple in cozy sweaters embracing on winter beach.
Couple in knit sweaters and beanies laughing on beach.

Despite the warm look of these photos, it was an absolutely frigid day in Connecticut and the wind was whipping off the water.  Joe and Tori were rockstars braving the cold without their coats and defrosting their fingers with hand-warmers between shots. Benny even decided to go for a full dip in the Long Island Sound proving that a 'feels like temperature' of 16 degrees is no match for a golden retriever raised in the northeast.

Happy couple holding golden retriever on beach in matching sweaters.
Golden retriever wearing white bandana sits on dark ground with tongue out.
Golden retriever gets cuddles from companions at the beach shore.
Golden retriever swims gracefully in calm ocean water during daytime.
Golden retriever plays in shallow ocean water while companions enjoy the beach.

It was worth every second of braving the cold when we were greeted by an absolutely picture perfect sunset to end our session. There's nothing more beautiful than a pink winter sky in Connecticut. We took full advantage of our spectacular view and nailed the winning picture for their Christmas card. Penfield Beach surely delivered for these former college inhabitants.

Golden retriever stands proudly on beach sand during sunset wearing white bandana.
Couple in winter clothing embrace on beach during pink sunset.
Cozy beach portrait with Golden retriever wearing bandana and companions.
Couple in matching sweaters smile during sunset beach photoshoot.
Golden retriever poses with companions on beach during pink sunset.
Golden retriever wearing white bandana stands on beach during pink sunset.