From their very first date at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Elizabeth says
she knew Claude was the one the moment she looked into his beautiful blue eyes.
The couple met in the fall of 1999 at PS 102 in New York City when Elizabeth was
visiting the school to complete some work for her Masters in Art Education. Claude,
who was working as an adaptive physical education teacher, was introduced to
Elizabeth by a fellow teacher. Elizabeth admits that she didn’t even notice him at
first, and even called him Clyde at first. But when he called her up several weeks
later to ask her out, Elizabeth beat him to the punch!
This May the couple will celebrate 20 years of marriage and all that that
encompasses; a home, three daughters, dogs, cats, horses, and a bunny.
What makes their relationship special, they tell us, is how much they have overcome
to be together for 20 years.
“So often in life, things happen to test our faith and strength. These obstacles can
either rip a couple apart and bring them closer together,” says Claude, adding that
they have only grown closer together as time goes on.
“We have reached a point in our lives where we put our love for ourselves and for
our daughters before anything.”
Elizabeth loves Claude’s loyalty and unwavering love for her. Claude has been there
for her through many happy and difficult times. He loves her no matter what. As
Elizabeth aged, she says she feels less attractive, but Claude thinks she is beautiful
all the time, a sentiment she holds dear.
Recently, Elizabeth and Claude experienced their second photography session with
us. While their first was our traditional Couples Boudoir, this time they experienced
one of our brand new Speakeasy sessions.
“We loved the glamour of the Speakeasy sessions. The idea of getting dressed up in a
different time period appealed to me,” Elizabeth says.
Unfortunately when they arrived at the studio, they’d realized that the Roaring
Twenties inspired garb Elizabeth had put together for their session was left in a
suitcase three hours away at home.
“The session became an exercise in trust that Erika and Mike could come up with a
new vision based on what was available in the studio. It also became an exercise in
restraint to not yell at my husband!” said Elizabeth.
Luckily we had a three-piece suit for Claude to wear and Erika lent Elizabeth a black
gown. As the session went on, Elizabeth slipped down into a bra and panty set and a
fur coat with Claude clad in an undershirt and pants.
“The poses were challenging. It took a lot of concentration to hold them and they
had to be held for longer periods of time than the boudoir session. Our favorite
poses are the ones that looked the most natural,” Elizabeth admitted, like the ones
where her guide dog, Crom, got to get in on.
For Claude, the sessions at the studio feel like an inclusive vacation squeezed into
one day.
“You bring you dress and fun clothing with you, get pampered by the stylist and
entertained by Mike and Erika. The background music provides the dance floor
atmosphere as you waltz from scene to scene. Mike and Erika are great at making
you feel relaxed, naturally beautiful and let things flow.”
“The Couples Boudoir and Speakeasy sessions have strengthened our bond by
showing the natural affection between us. Too often we take pictures of others.
These sessions focused on us as a couple,” says Elizabeth.
And this wasn’t by far their last session with us either. Claude and Elizabeth are also
scheduled for a night session.
“We definitely want to recreate the shower scene photos in the viewing room. We
love coming back because these sessions make us feel good about ourselves.
Elizabeth feels beautiful each time she leaves. Also, Mike and Erika make time in the
studio a lot of fun,” said Claude.
For anyone looking to schedule their own session Claude says, “Please do. You won’t
regret the wonderful experience. It will capture your beauty as an individual or
couple in a relaxed setting. Any questions call and ask they are there to help and
make you comfortable. Trust Mike and Erika they know what they are doing.”
To schedule your own Couples Boudoir or Speakeasy session, call Allebach
Photography at 610.539.6920 or visit http://allebachphotography.com/contact/.