Nicole + Yussuf by Amali Studios – Engagement Shoot - Together Journal

I’ll likely want more candid, fun, and detail-oriented shots to capture the atmosphere of the day.

Please tell us a little about yourselves. Where are you based, and what do you do? How did you meet?

My name is Nicole DeNardo, and I’m based in NYC. I am currently a full-time student at NYU, studying politics. Alongside my studies, I’ve been working part-time as an actress, something I’ve been passionate about for years. My partner, Yussuf Aleem, is a law professor. We started dating in 2019 while we were both in Atlanta, Georgia.

Was there a proposal? Can you tell us a little about it? 

The proposal wasn’t part of the engagement shoot. The proposal was intimate and took place in Atlanta during the holidays while we were visiting family. It was a special moment between the two of us on December 15th. I planned the engagement shoot afterwards so we could have photos to use for our save-the-dates and other keepsakes.

Day One

Please tell us about your gorgeous outfits—brand names, accessories, etc.

I wanted to take advantage of living in NYC and chose outfits that felt like a reflection of me while still being timeless and elegant. After turning to social media for help deciding, I ultimately couldn’t pick just one look and ended up shooting all three:

The Stone Cold Fox X Revolve Katie Gown (a white halter dress).
The Bristol Midi Dress by Acler.
The Leonor Crepe Midi Dress by Monique Lhuillier.

I paired these looks with white Tony Bianco pumps and my crystal-embellished strappy Prada heels (which I wore with the Acler midi dress), diamond stud earrings, a tennis bracelet, and my diamond engagement ring. To make the shoot easier, we booked a room at the Hotel Hendricks, just two blocks away from the library, so I could change into my different looks throughout the session.

How did capturing all those romantic moments during your engagement shoot feel? Did any particular shot steal your heart?

I had a vision for a New York City shoot and chose the New York Public Library as our main backdrop because it’s so romantic, and I’ve always loved a marble structure. It felt like it really represented us. My favourite shot actually ended up being in front of the moving NYC train—it captured the city’s energy and our connection perfectly.

The day of the shoot, it started raining during the entire session, and I was extremely stressed about it at first. However, it ended up being a special part of the experience. The rain added such a unique and cinematic feel, and since the weather kept most people away, we practically had the New York Public Library to ourselves. Despite my initial nerves and the rain, our photographer, Wei-Ting from Amali Studios, made everything feel so smooth and effortless, and it turned out to be an unforgettable day.

What was it like getting comfortable in front of the camera—did you find yourselves more natural, or did it take a few poses to warm up? 

I’m very comfortable in front of the camera because of my acting background, but I found myself adjusting my hair constantly during the shoot. One of my TikTok videos about my engagement shoot blowout had gone viral that day, and I was reading all of the negative comments, which made me really insecure about how my hair looked. Thankfully, Wei-Ting was incredible at helping me relax, let go of my insecurities, and stay fully present in the moment, making all the difference in the experience.

Did you discover any poses or angles that are now your go-to for looking fabulous in photos, and will you use them on your wedding day?

I used Pinterest to collect inspiration for poses, which made it easy to reference ideas during the shoot. It was so helpful in getting the variety of shots I wanted. This engagement session made me even more excited about planning wedding day photography, and I’ll definitely incorporate some of the same poses and ideas. Initially, I considered a small courthouse ceremony, but this experience inspired me to take my time and plan a full wedding.

How did the shoot help you get to know your photographer better—do you feel like you’ve got a new friend behind the lens now?

I came across Amali Studios on Instagram, and I was so lucky to book Wei-Ting while she was in NYC. She exceeded my expectations and truly captured my vision while adding her own creative touch. I feel like I’ve gained a new friend, and I can’t wait to have her photograph our wedding!

Which part of the shoot felt the most ‘you’—the playful moments, romantic ones, or maybe the candid in-between shots?

For me, the serious, editorial-style shots felt the most like me. I knew exactly what I wanted to get done going into the shoot. Yussuf and I didn’t have any professional photos together, so I wanted more serious portraits that truly represented us as a couple. These photos will have a lasting place in our lives, and I’m especially excited to use some of them in Yussuf’s office. That said, we also captured a ton of playful, candid moments during the session, which feel just as special to us and really reflect our dynamic in a more relaxed way. The combination of both styles made the shoot perfect.

Now that you’ve had your engagement shoot, how excited are you to see how your wedding photos will turn out? Any ideas brewing for must-have shots on the big day?

Now that the engagement shoot is done, I’m even more excited to explore wedding photography! I’ll likely want more candid, fun, and detail-oriented shots to capture the atmosphere of the day.

Day Two

Did the shoot inspire any fun ways to use your photos—like maybe a photo guestbook, save-the-date card, wedding website, etc.? 

I plan to use the engagement photos for our save-the-dates and also create a scrapbook to document our time in NYC together. My favorite photos of us in front of the train are so special to me, and I plan on getting them printed and framed together:

After having this little photo adventure together, do you feel more connected and ready for the whirlwind of the wedding day?

This experience has made wedding planning feel more exciting and meaningful. It gave us a chance to slow down and focus on creating something special together despite how busy our professional lives are. It’s inspired me to put more energy into planning things we’ll cherish for years to come.