Photography Blog

Boston wedding photographer passionate about documenting exquisite celebrations rooted in family and one of a kind experiences. Based on Boston's North Shore.

Pinspiration

My Photography Wishlist

As you already know, I recently started the task of redoing my home office space. Part of the desk has arrived, the walls are painted and some decor has been hung. Just that little change alone has begun to inspire and refresh me in ways that I never anticipated. The space is not even finished yet and already I feel rejuvenated. It's amazing what a can of paint can do!

Part of that rejuvenation is a rekindled desire to grow as a photographer. We all want to grow, but the day in, day out, tasks of running a small business can often impede on the creativity and artistic veins that drive us as creatives. My soul craves the arts and I realized that I just simply need more of that in my life. So I decided to surround myself with things that inspire me, images that make me crave something, images that make me feel something, images that push me as a photographer. Part of that comes through Pinterest.

I created what I call my Photography Wishlist. My friend Emilia does something similar on Twitter through a series called Wedding Wishlist. Using social media in this manner is great way to share the things that inspire you while creating an outlet to connect with clients who share that same vision. Since I adore Pinterest, I used that to share with the world the idea, places, people and things that inspire me. Just looking at this pin board fires me up and makes me swoon. I hope that it connects with others too and begins us on a path of creativity together. I'm also a firm believer in putting things out there and so I collected images that represent the places I want photography to take me and the types of images I want to create.

I write this all to say there is something very powerful about creating outlets for inspiration and creativity our lives. As photographers and creatives we should always be striving to grow and learn, to stretch ourselves and improve upon our craft. However you are inspired, take a few moments this week to seek it out. Find ways to surround yourself with those things every week, every day. Let it seep into the way that you see the world. Then go, create.

Whim Floral Workshops

Creating With Industry Peers

Last Friday night I had the pleasure of joining the Whim ladies of Whim Events for a floral workshop hosted at their Somerville studio. Having worked with the Whim Team in the past (you can see more of their work here and here) I knew that I was in for a fun evening. And while I set out to photograph the workshop, I had no idea how much I would LEARN while doing so!

Moira, the floral designer of Whim Events, shared with us all her knowledge of how to arrange, preserve and pick the perfect flower for a floral arrangement. Did you know that if you cut the stem of a flower in a certain way that it makes the flower last longer? Or that some flower stems should never be cut or given flower food? Or that certain tools work better for pruning florals than others?! Well I sure didn't!

Each lady was given a HUGE assortment of flowers that Moira had selected from the Boston Flower Market. She then when through each floral explaining why it could be used in a certain way, why it was picked and how all these florals worked together. I was captivated! I'm not a huge flower girl, heck I've killed every plant we've ever had, but I absolutely loved learning the tips and tricks Moira uses to give flowers a long and beautiful life!

The Whim team hopes to host more of these workshops in the future (HOLLA! I know a certain mother in law that would LOVE this;)), which is incredibly exciting! What could be more fun than some wine, hip hop throwback tunes and floral arranging for a great girls night out?! Perfection!!

Whim Events hosts a floral workshop in their studio.

Here are some of my favorite images from the night, enjoy!

Our Home : State of The Office

Did I really just post a picture of my office? Yup I went there. I'm in the middle of a overhaul of my home office and to say that things are "out of place" would be the understatement of the year. I recently sold my beloved Pottery Barn Bedford desk to make room for an even bigger Bedford desk in a lovely shade of antique white.

There was nothing wrong with my old desk, but in all honesty, the dark color left me feeling less than inspired when I would sit down to work. Not one to be foolish about things like that, I waited years until I felt it was a financially viable decision to purchase a new and larger desk (HELLO COUPONS!!). Plus I was able to sell the desk to another local photographer whose home decor fit well with the desk's dark wood stain. Saying goodbye was bittersweet, as it was my "desk of dreams" long before I even had my business. I saved and saved for that desk, purchasing it as a leap of faith that some day I would have my own photography business. Now it can be her "desk of dreams", a place for her to dream and grow. Is it sad of me to be joyful about someone else loving that desk as much as I did?!

Since the desk was gone that meant every envelope, file, piece of paper and iota of junk had to be removed and picked through. So I thought while I was at it, I'd take inventory on my entire office and weed through the things I needed and the things that could be given away. Which of course led me to a complete state of overwhelmed. Slowly and steadily I'm working my way through everything, determined for each item to have a proper place and home in the office. No more clutter, no more disorganization. Serenity now, HA!

Anywhoo, I hope to blog the overhaul SOON, but there still is a desk to arrive, some painting to be done and of course a little, JUST A LITTLE, shopping to be enjoyed to really tie the room together. In the meantime I'm completely open to suggestions for a paint scheme. As you can see I've tossed around a few ideas already and I'm picking up a few paint samples later today. But I could really use your help to make a decision, ideas anyone?!

Here's to spring cleaning I guess!

Welcome Site For Inquiring Clients

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New Addition to deborahzoephoto.com

I'm so excited to announce a new Welcome Site developed exclusively for inquiring clients, a hub for all things Deborah Zoe Photography. Once again I worked with my amazing designer, Tara of Stupendous Design, to create a unique plus site to my main website. This site compliments my main website but has a life of it's own. She created a way for me to present important information in a FUN and creative way, developing an idea of letterpress cards on which each section of information is present. I absolutely fell in love. They almost look just like my custom stationary, I'm a sucker for cohesive and consistent design!

The new Welcome site is a hub for information and includes a welcome from me, information about albums and the Collections as well as frequently asked questions (plus more to come!). My goal was to provide as much information as possible to potential clients to help them make smart and informed decisions about their wedding photography. Nothing is kept hidden and hopefully inquiring couples walk away knowing exactly who I am, armed with information about the services I provide and how we can best work together for their wedding day!

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Capturing Wedding Details

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Having just participate in a styled shoot, much of our time was dedicate to photographing the styled details that were a part of the shoot. Of course the details were perfect, carefully picked and paired together. As we were experimenting and talking through how we photograph details, it made me stop and think : WHY do we photograph details on a wedding day and HOW can we go about doing that in an artful and considerate fashion. I thought I'd tackle those two topics today addressing photographers and Brides on the importance of capturing the wedding day details and including them into the wedding portfolio!Why.

Why is photographing the details of the wedding important? Well for starters, the details are the elements that help tell the story of the day. From the invitations to the flowers, the centerpieces to the place cards, the details help tie together the color scheme, the feeling and the overall look of the wedding day. They are the "filling" so to speak that binds the wedding day portfolio together. This is especially true when it comes to the wedding album where the detail images are incredibly important in creating a cohesive and visually appealing album design.

Additionally couples dedicate much time and thought into choosing the elements for their details. These details often become a huge part of the planning process and therefore become very important to the couple. They might even be family heirlooms which again gives them a high value of importance. These details also represent the many vendors that are a part of the day and care should be taken to capture images of those vendors work.

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Lastly, Bride and Grooms will often dedicate a large chunk of their wedding budget to the details. Whether its the plated hors d'oeuvres that are being passed at cocktail hour or the stunning bridal bouquet, each of these elements represent a choice, one that the couple has painstakingly thought about. That alone deserves our attention and care when it comes to documenting the wedding day.How.

So now that you know why the details are important, how do you go about documenting them? For each detail I multi range approach. First I start wide, then mid, then tight. For example, with the the images picked for this post, you can see the various focal lengths that I am using to document each scene. I want to make sure that I am capturing the scene in which the details are in, but also not being afraid to shoot tight and eliminate distracting elements. I want to give the couple a varied selection of their details for their own enjoyment as well as capture images that gives me flexibility when designing their wedding album.

I'm also not afraid to rearrange the details and elements in a way that is attractive and styled. I want to make sure that these details represent the wedding day in a beautiful way and that often requires that I style the details and elements. For example, if the stationary suite has hints of blue then I will work hard to find elements in the room or within other wedding details to highlight that blue. I will eliminate distracting elements in the background and work to create artfully crafted images of the details of the day!

Finally, I would encourage you to be aware of your perspective when documenting the details. Try to keep your horizon lines level, shoot straight down on items, shoot straight across tables and be aware of anything distracting in your foreground and background.

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For the Bride.

Brides, you can play an important role in how your details are documented throughout the day. As your photographer, I know just how special each element is and how much thought and care went into picking your details. In order to have the details captured artfully there are a few things to consider. First, especially during the getting ready portion of the day, make sure to have all your details collected and together so that your photographer can easily and quickly style the details together. This includes your bouquet, shoes, jewelry, stationary, hairpieces, veil, dress, etc. It can also be helpful to include fabric swatches or other elements that might be used throughout the day to tie into those images.

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When it comes to capturing the details at your reception, it is important to factor in time to do so. We need at least 15 minutes in the reception room/venue, before guests enter so that we can photograph the details before they are disturbed. You can help by communicating this to your venue coordinator and/or planner to ensure that this time is factored into your timeline. If you have any questions about how I capture the wedding day details or how to best approach this part of the wedding day, leave a comment below!

Product Highlight | Signature Album

As you probably already know I feel passionate about Wedding Albums and allowing couples to have tangible memories from their wedding day. I am passionate about taking wedding images and presenting them in such a way that preserves and celebrates the wedding for generations to come. And though we live in a digital world where things are increasingly done and "enjoyed" online, there is something truly magical about holding your wedding album in your hands. There is just something about taking singular images and putting them together as a story. Oh you bet I could go on and on!

Today I wanted to share some of my favorite spreads from albums (recent and past). Almost from the beginning I have turned over the designing of wedding albums to a professional. I'm a wedding photographer, not a designer, and I wanted to make sure that I was giving each album the attention and care that it needed. That meant hiring a professional designer to artfully and personally create custom designs for each couple. I couldn't be happier with my designer, Erica from the Summer House. She is the perfect fit and creates beautiful and incredible designs with my images for my clients!

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If you'd like to read more about the album design process click here. Today, is about sharing with you the beautiful designs that have been created for couples over the years. I'm absolutely giddy when I write this because I just can't wait to share them with you! So without further adieu, sit back and enjoy some lovely designs and be transported through each spread. Designed by The Album Design.Designed by The Album Design.Designed by The Album Design.Designed by me!Designed by The Album Design.Designed by me!Designed by me!Designed by me!Unless noted all designs are artfully created by Erica at the Summer House. She is absolutely incredible and a joy to work with. If you're interested in learning more about outsourcing your album design feel free to email me with questions or to contact Erica!

Traveling With Photo Gear

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Tips on Keeping Your Equipment Safe and Secure

This past week I had the pleasure of traveling for work and for fun!! Last December a dear friend and fellow photographer, Emilia, invited me to Chicago to second shoot with her (check out the beautiful wedding here). I was beyond excited because I absolutely LOVE Chicago and have been dying to photograph a wedding there. Our dear friends and family also live in the area I brought the hubs and babe along too.

Since this was a semi work trip it meant that I not only had to bring along luggage and our baby gear, but my photo equipment as well. While this was the first time I've traveled with a baby it wasn't the first time I've traveled for business nor the first time that I've flown with my gear. It can be a bit nerve wracking if you've never flown with your photography gear before so here are some tips to get you from here to there with peace of mind.

Use The Right Bag

If you're going to fly, you're going to need the right bag to transport all of your important gear. My rule of thumb is to have all of my gear, if possible one me at all times. I use the Think Tank Airport International V2 bag for all of my traveling (and on the wedding day). That bag can hold two bodies, all my lenses and flashes as well as all my batteries and any equipment accessories I might need on me like the hyperdrive (Plus I can also shove some flying needs like magazines, water, and an iPad in it too). It's sized to be a carry on bag and has fit in every plane I've flown in. The key to this bag is that it can be used as a carry on meaning that I can have my gear on me and in my sight at all times.

Never Check Your Gear (if you can avoid it)

If you can avoid it, never, ever, check your gear. We all know how baggage handlers throw, crush, and abuse luggage. Can you imagine what would happen to your gear if you checked your bag?! Not to mention it could all be lost! I shudder to think of the thought. Be proactive in helping your gear stay safe and protected and use carry on sized bags that fit either under the seat or above so. And another rule of thumb, place your bag directly above your seat, if you can. Call me obsessive but I like knowing where my gear is at all times.

Be Prepared

ANYTHING can happen while traveling. Even if you plan on using your equipment bag as a carry on sometimes it can be checked. For example, the plane might be too small for your bag or the flight might be full and all the space taken. If possible, keep your body, your cards, a spare battery and as many lenses as you can fit, and shove them into another bag you have with you. That way you minimize the amount of gear that will be out of your possession while on the trip. Or if you can gate check the bag, you'll lessen the amount of hands the bag has to go through before it can be back in your care. Additionally, if you can get a seat up near the front, you'll be able to board the plane ahead of other passengers diminishing the likely hood that precious overhead bin space will be taken up by bags. (Or you can travel with a child under two like us and received priority boarding, what what!!) We love flying jetBlue, as they always have lots of space, and the cheapest non-stop flights for this scaredy-cat who hates to fly.

Travel Light

When I can I try to travel with as little as possible. Instead of bringing large light stands with me to Chicago for example, I used these collapsable ones. And instead of bring every lens I owned, I try to pick the most versatile lenses I could. This allowed me to keep everything to one bag and it kept me from killing myself with heavy bags and clumsy accessories. I could move quickly without holding up my husband, the baby or other passengers. If I am traveling VERY lightly I use this Kelly Moore bag which can hold my gear, a laptop, an iPad and any flying needs I may have like water and snacks.

Insure

It probably needs to go without saying but if you plan on doing ANY traveling, even just to local weddings, insure your gear. You've spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your equipment, and it's worth the investment to have it insured PROPERLY. Make sure that your equipment coverage is specific and covers you for out of state and out of country travel. Make sure that you understand the ins and outs of your coverage (what is covered, what is not) so that in the case of an emergency you know that you are protected. And as a side note, if for some horrible reason you ever loose your gear or it is stolen, find out where you can rent gear while you are traveling. You never want to have to say to a client that you are unable to work because your gear has been stolen or lost. I love working with Hill & Usher for my business insurance needs and feel safe and secure as I travel.

This past trip was a an experience to say the least. But with the help of my amazing husband, we made it through security, boarding, deplaning and baggage claim with little stress and NO missed bags or missing gear! Hurray!! I was so proud of our success I made the hubs take a picture with all our bags and baby. Badabing, badaboom!

Goodbye For the Holidays

Taking A Short Hiatus

It's almost Christmas, can you believe it?! I'm am SO excited for my favorite holiday because this year we get to experience it through the eyes of our darling baby boy. I'm sure he'll enjoy the wrapping paper and boxes more than the actual presents we bought him but nevertheless I cannot wait to wake him up at the crack of dawn (more likely he'll wake us up), run down stairs and experience Christmas Day in a whole new way!!

Earlier this month I posted on Facebook a challenge of sorts to myself. I questioned if I should take a short hiatus at the end of this year from things like social media. After all, we've been through a lot this year and in full honesty, I'm a little tired.

I want to make the most of these precious moments we have together at the end of this year. So instead of blogging I'll be playing in the snow, going on a date with my husband and eating copious amounts of chocolate with good friends and family. I'm practically giddy about it!!

Once again, I'm so grateful to all of you who stop by and visit the blog each day and who take the time to interact and comment. It truly means the world to me!! I want this blog to not just be a place where I write but where you can come to join in the conversation. My goal every day is to write here so as to encourage and equip you and I plan to continue to do just that in the New Year!!

Adios friends it's been a WONDERFUL year, I'll see you in 2014!!This is our family Christmas photo, thanks to my lovely and dear friend (and amazing photographer!) Coco. We love you lady, especially Jonathan!!

New Stationary

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Letterpress Stationary from Hartford Prints!

Earlier this spring I was introduced to the beautiful work of Hartford Prints! when they generously supplied the stationary suite for our collaborative styled shoot. I fell in love and began thinking of any excuse I could find to work with them! When the time came for me to redesign my own stationary suite for my business I immediately contacted Hartford Prints!. The ladies quickly got to work on creating pieces that were just me! I chose to have several cards created for the various communication needs I have throughout the client experience. And since I have absolutely RUBBISH hand writing we chose to have much of the text typed out on the card with space for me to write personalized messages to the couple, rubbish handwriting and all;). The cards are beautiful and delicate and are the perfect compliment to my branding. I'm in love!! I cannot wait to start sharing these with all my 2014 clients!! If you're in need of BEAUTIFUL stationary for your` wedding day or business, please do yourself a favor and check out Hartford Prints!. It's a wonderful feeling supporting another local small business plus you get an amazing and beautiful product!! Check out my suite below. deborah zoe photography hartford prints! stationary wedding photographer0001.JPG

The Winner Is

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The Annual Canvas Contest

The votes are in, have been counted twice and this morning I'm excited to announce the winner of the Best of 2013 Annual Canvas Contest!! Drumroll please.... the winner is :
boston seaport hotel wedding photographer Katie and Kevin's iconic Boston skyline image from their Seaport Hotel wedding! Congrats guys!! Your friends and family rallied around you and helped you pull to the front!! You'll be receiving a beautiful gallery wrap for your home, the perfect way to celebrate and remember your wedding day!

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted for their favorite image!! What a year of beautiful weddings and lovely couples it has been!!

Year In Review 2013

Behind The Scenes

It's hard to believe that this year's wedding season is over! I feel like I was just packing up my bag for the first wedding of the year, my first wedding after having a baby! What a transition it was! It was hard but unbelievably rewarding. I simply could not have accomplished this season without the amazing help from the wonderful team I worked with this year. Plus, together we had a LOT of fun!! Here are just a few images of the behind the scenes action that went into making some lovely images this year!! Feel free to have a giggle at our expense too;)!!

(And if you missed it click here to see a Year In Review Engagements and Weddings!)This is my favorite behind the scenes image from the year... I absolutely LOVED working as a team with these wonderful people!! deborah zoe photography behind the scenes year in review boston wedding photographer0001.JPG And of course I had to include this image because my hubby makes a sneak appearance... can you spot him?:)The videographer and the VERY preggo photographer.Smile on my face!!Lauren, my beautiful test subject!! deborah zoe photography behind the scenes year in review boston wedding photographer0005.JPG There she is!!Do you remember this day in July, when it was 500 degrees out?!! The lovely Cristen, who hates to have her picture taken but I make her do it anyways!!Karla nabbed this shot from the balcony at this HUGE church. deborah zoe photography behind the scenes year in review boston wedding photographer0010.JPG Krista snagged these, I start to get a little touchy...Shooting some details...OH HEY COCO, can you spot her?!Lauren hard at work makin' that veil do it's thing!Then Coco got a turn!Word.I ALWAYS do that foot up thing... not explanation! deborah zoe photography behind the scenes year in review boston wedding photographer0023.JPG Karla workin' the veil!How many people does it take to fluff a dress? More than you think...Bwahahaha, don't hate me Cristen, I LOVE this photo!!This was also just after a bunny ran across the path...I have no words... deborah zoe photography behind the scenes year in review boston wedding photographer0031.JPG My lovely test subject again!! I love these next few images, as Lauren and I are all smiles as we do our job!!There you have it, a year of behind the scenes!! I absolutely love what I do and I'm so grateful for the couples and photographers who make my job beautiful!!

Holiday Print Sale

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The Annual Holiday Print Sale Is Here!

The annual Holiday print sale is here!! (Well, almost!) Beginning on Small Business Saturday and ending on January 4, all print galleries will be featuring a 30% discount for print orders. Details were released via the Newsletter last night, but in case you missed all the information check out the details below:

-- In celebration of the Holidays please enjoy a 30% discount off your next print order!!
-- To receive your discount enter code HOLIDAY30 during check out.
-- To find your print gallery please visit here.
-- For questions about this print promotion please email me at deborah@deborahzoephoto.com.

Last year I introduced this sale and past and current clients alike were able to revisit their images, print TANGIBLE memories for their homes, all while enjoying a 30% discount!! And while I originally viewed this as a way to celebrate shopping SMALL around Small Business Saturday, I realized that this could also be a way to extend a thank you to my amazing past and current clients as a year end celebration!!

Starting on Saturday, enjoy a 30% discount with code HOLIDAY30 on all print orders via your printing gallery!! Remember, images are not meant to sit on a computer or a thumb drive. They are meant to be printed and ENJOYED. Get out there and order some prints, for your home and for your families. Enjoy!! deborah zoe photography christmas decor00021.JPG

Best of 2013

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The Annual Canvas Contest Is Here

It's that time of year again! Time to rally up your friends and family to help you win a beautiful canvas for your home! With the end of the 2013 wedding season I'm excited to announce the start of the annual Best of 2013 contest! This is one of my favorite traditions to do each year and it's certainly become one of the most popular for my clients and their loved ones.

All you have to do is head on over to the Facebook page and find the Best of 2013 album. There you'll be able to vote for your favorite image by liking or commenting on the image. The couple with the most votes by December 16 will win a beautiful canvas print for their home!

Ever year I love seeing friends and family rally around their loved ones to help them win! For more information check out the instructions below. Spread the word and HAPPY VOTING!!

Here's the 411:

1. Go to my Facebook page and make sure you're a fan!

2. Find the Best of 2013 Contest album.

3. To vote, find your favorite image and click Like or leave a comment. (Duplicate or additional comments from the same person will only be considered as one vote.)

4. Encourage, bribe, flatter, cajole, and tell your friends and family to vote for YOUR image!!

5. Eagerly await for December 17, 2018 when the winner will be announced right here on the blog! That's almost a whole month of voting!!

*The contest will officially close on December 16, 2013 at 11:00pm. No entries past that time will be considered.

So now that you know the rules, get out there and VOTE!!! Will you YOU be the winner?! Find out December 17th!!
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Four Years Of Weddings

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A Lighthearted Reflection

As we were driving home last night I casually mentioned to Dave that Sunday was my last wedding of the season. He seemed surprise that the end of the season was already here and I have to admit that it's crept up on both of us. As we chatted a bit more Dave asked me "How many years has it been now?" Running my own business and photographing weddings has become such a huge part of my life (as any small business owner can relate to) that it took me a moment to remember a time that I wasn't doing this!

Officially this has been my fourth season as a business owner and wedding photographer, though I've been working and shooting for quite some time before that. But Deborah Zoe Photography has been alive for the last four years, and has we drove through the night Dave encouraged me to think about some of the things that I've learned in these last four years.

Of course I take everything seriously and so I thought about all the business knowledge and customer service care I've learned. But Dave, being the awesome guy he is, took a more light hearted approach. "No, no, no," he said, "Tell them about how you hate Quickbooks and have learned how your Husband can be bribed in hugs and kisses to do it for you..."

Ok then! Here are four of the more lighthearted things that I've learned as a business owner and wedding photographer these last four years. I pray someone can relate. I'm not the only one...right?!;)

1. I hate Quickbooks.
I absolutely, whole heartedly hate Quickbooks. But I do realized that in order to run a legitimate business you need to keep track of things like say, oh I don't know, your expenses and deposits and taxes. When it comes down to actually tracking those things my head turns to mush and I blankly stare at the computer screen or more likely browse JCrew and stalk Facebook. Thank goodness for husbands who can be persuaded to balance my Quickbooks for me with the bat of the eye and a come hither stare. Ok I don't do any of that, but I do pay him in a kiss and a hug!!

2. My husband loves college football. And wedding days.
My husband has a alternate life when I'm away at weddings. And to give the man credit he does a LOT to keep our home and life running while I'm away. He also does a whole lot of football watching too. He practically rejoices when the fall arrives and my weekends are full. Thanks hunny, miss you too;). When I'm away the boys will play... and watch a lot of college football. Dave practically binge watches college ball, it's on when I leave during the day and it's still on (sometimes) when I arrive home at night. Dave loves wedding days.

3. Never barf at the altar.
Yes folks, I almost threw up in front of the altar during a ceremony last year. I divulged this story to the Bride later and she got a kick out of it, but at the time I was freaking out, afraid I was about to toss my cookies right there in front of the ENTIRE WEDDING. This is how I found out I was pregnant. Luckily my amazing second shooter saw the look of horror and sickness on my face and rushed to get some water out of the car. I made it through with a smile on my face glad to say I have never barfed at the altar yet.

4. Always chicken fingers and bread.
If there is one thing I simply crave towards the end of a wedding day is bread. It is almost like torture when the bread is served and I watch, with drool on my mouth, as guests enjoy each savory bite. Do I crave bread in every day life? NOPE. But for whatever reason on a wedding day that bread basket is like some tempting treat I just NEED to have. That goes for the chicken fingers too. I'll pass on the steak please, can you just bring me the kid meal with a heaping serving of chicken fingers? Apparently I need more carbs on the wedding day...

So there you have a few of the more fun things I've learned over the years. Please tell me you can relate;)!! deborah zoe photography behind the scenes boston wedding photographer00141.JPG

Working With A Team

A New Learning Curve

This past year, as a new mom, I knew that I needed to bring someone on board in addition to my second shooter to work with me on the wedding day. The past four years of business I've taken a very independent approach when it came to running my business and working on the wedding day. I've always had a second photographer with me but never saw the need for adding in an additional team member. That was until I had a baby.

If anything, having a baby makes you realize that you just can't do it all on your own. And in an effort to ensure that my clients had the best experience possible on the wedding day, I decided that for this year, I would bring on an assistant to help. And I'm so glad I did! I got to work with some amazing people over this past year and it was so much fun to work as a team together.

So as the wedding season winds to a close, I've got one more wedding to go, I decided to reflect back on the things that worked with having a second shooter AND an assistant on the wedding day. And while I know a lot of photographers work this way, for me it was a new change and I wanted to share what I learned through the process.

First, assistants are awesome. And so are second shooters. Photographers seem to be split down the middle when it comes to a team approach. Some love working alone while others have a whole team of people to get the job done. For me, I absolutely love working with a (small) team. It not only allows me to give my clients lots of coverage of the day but it makes the day even more FUN!! I so enjoy being able to spend the day with other photographers, dancing on the dance floor, answering questions, working together, being goofy and just plain enjoying our jobs. Plus it allows me to be less stressed as I know I don't have to be in all places at once. And though I still run around like crazy, making sure to capture as much as I can alone, it's wonderful to have people who have a team approach and are doing the same to capture as much as possible for the couple.

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Since I work alone (without my husband or a business partner) I need outside photographers to come in and help out and so I will often reach out within an online professional photographers group from which I can choose other professionals to work with. That is what I did this year and absolutely loved the team. I chose to work with all women, and appreciate their perspective of the day and their willingness to get the job done. Cristen, Lauren, Karla, Amanda, Krista, Audrey and Coco were just fabulous and I feel grateful to call them friends and co workers!! I'm also so incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to my clients. Love them!!

ceremony at Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

photographer working at the Fairmont Battery Wharf

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Through this past season I learned that I just can't do it on my own, and I need to let go in order to succeed. With the birth of a new baby and my wedding season starting shortly afterward, there were many times during a wedding day in which I needed to sneak away to pump (TMI?;)) and I never wanted my clients to be bothered or burden by this. By having a second shooter AND an assistant I was able sneak away with out interrupting coverage, knowing that I had a capable team of photographers ready to go should anything happen during those ten minutes I was away. It was such a reassuring feeling and I was proud of the team for keeping down the fort, so to speak, so well! I could never have done that on my own.I also had to learn how to delegate and communicate better, and I certainly am learning still. With two team members it meant that I had to split the day up, communicate exactly what I wanted photographed and HOW I wanted it photographed, as well as assign jobs and tasks. For my assistant I had to make sure that she knew where I wanted equipment, how I wanted it set up, when it was appropriate to take pictures and when it was appropriate to stand back. It was certainly a learning curve for me, and I am so appreciative of the patience of my second shooters and assistants, especially when I found myself at a loss for words;).So as this year comes to a close I am thinking ahead to the next. Do I want to continue to grow the team? I'm not sure. What I do know is that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with a team during this past wedding season and I am thinking about the possibility of extending that into the office by potentially bringing on an office assistant next year. We shall see. I'm so thankful for this past season of learning and for the wonderful ladies who helped me grow and succeed this year. It's been a joy to be a part of.

The Art of Balance

My Why, The Reason Behind It All

When I started my business several years ago there was a reason. As many of you know, I was a news photographer at the time and I loved my job. But I also felt a calling somewhere else, a pull and a desire to do something different. And so for many months I would have late night conversations with my husband about whether or not I should step out in faith and start my business.

There were many reasons to start my own business, very good reasons. But there was one that we kept coming back to again and again. And that was for me to be able to do something that I loved that also gave me the flexibility to have a family. I remember my first day working from home, and I couldn't contain my excitement. I was starting to build a life of my own, a life that included a business that I was passionate about and the opportunity of starting a family.

Fast forward to 2013 and I found myself with baby and business. As I've thought about this past year, I suddenly had a lightbulb moment. Looking back over this past wedding season, I've realized I was doing exactly what I had set out to do. I started a business, I've watched it grow, and now here I was being a mom and running a business. Full circle. Whoa.

There are a myriad of reasons why work. Not to be confused as to why I photograph weddings (that's a whole separate post in of itself!) But ultimately, it's not because I want to garner a huge following, or photograph the most expensive weddings. It's because I want to have the freedom to do something that I love : being a mom and photographer. And while to some this might not be the most glamorous of dreams, it's one that I could spend the rest of my life living. I love being a photographer, I love working with my clients, I love teaching others, I love being a wife, and I love being a mom.Photo credit to my great friend and amazing photographer Coco Boardman.

Choosing The Right Lens

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My Favorite Lenses And How I Use Them

Lens choice is such an important part to documenting the wedding day. It's important to know HOW the lens and focal length will affect the look and feel of the image you create and you need to know just what type of lens to use in what type of scenario you are in. For example, if you use a 16-35mm lens during the Bride and Groom portrait time you'd have an entirely different feel than if you used a 50 or 85mm lens. Each lens performs differently and depending on how it's used can create variety and a certain FEEL to a client's image portfolio.

For me there are four go to lenses that I use for almost every engagement session and wedding. They are my work horses. As a one body shooter who uses all prime lenses (fixed focal length), I need an array of lenses to achieve the look I want, which are intimate, romantic and timeless images.

Every photographer has an approach and perspective for a wedding day, we all photograph the day differently. Study your lenses and how you want to capture the wedding day, then find the lenses that will help YOU photograph the day exactly how you want. Below I've outlined my favorite go to lenses, how I use that lens to capture different images, and have included the meta data.50mm 1.2

I use the 50mm throughout the wedding day for a variety of scenarios. From Getting Ready to the Portraits to Details and to the Reception I will always have the 50mm with me. 50mm is a focal length that is extremely versatile and allows me to capture various events through the wedding day while still giving me a little bit of compression and intimacy within the image. My favorite use for this lens is during the portrait session using an aperture f2. I just adore the feeling and type of portrait I can create!

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50mm, f/4,1/200, ISO 125050mm, f/2, 1/1600, ISO 250050mm, f/2, 1/8000, ISO 80050mm, f/3.5, 1/640, ISO 20035mm 1.4

The 35mm is a newer lens to my arsenal and I have found that I use it most for Details, Large Group Portraits, and for the First Dance. This lens is a that I can always count on to give me consistent color and sharpness. This certainly has a different feel than the 50mm and does not give me the same intimate and tight feeling that I love. I use it more sparingly than the 50mm, but it is still a necessary lens that helps me to capture the day incorporating a sense of place, people and feel. This lens is also very useful for tight spaces and crowded dance floors.

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35mm, f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100035mm, f/4.5, 1/320, ISO 320035mm, f/2, 1/1250, ISO 400035mm, f/2, 1/1250, ISO 1600100mm 2.8

I use the 100mm primarily for Details and images of the Rings on the wedding day. I've experimented a little using this lens for portraits, but I love it best for it's ability to capture the details of the wedding day. From the rings, to the jewelry, to the little mementos that make up the story of the day, the 100mm is the perfect lens.

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100mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 250100mm, f/3.5, 1/250, ISO 3200100mm, f/4.5, 1/40, ISO2500100mm, f8, 1/30, ISO 250085mm 1.2

The 85mm is a beautiful lens, one that I use primarily for portraits. It can be slow to focus and so I find that it performs best when I use it with somewhat stationary subjects. I absolutely love the compression this lens can create, with the focal length being just wide enough to incorporate scenery and background but tight enough that the viewer is focused primarily on the subject.

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85mm, f/2, 1/8000, ISO 80085mm, f/3.5, 1/200, ISO 200085mm, f/2, 1/8000, ISO 125You can read more about what's in my camera bag here. If you have any questions about my lenses, how to pick the right lens, or creating the image you want, leave a message below!

If you have questions that you'd like to see answered in a future post, let me know!

The Art of Balance

Inspire and Invite, Thoughts on Leadership

Inspire and Invite. Years ago our Pastor gave a sermon on leadership. He describe leadership like an invitation, inspiring people to greatness and then inviting them alongside you in what you are doing. Leadership isn't about a singular person, rather how a singular person can inspire a community to change the world collectively. It's an invitation of "Won't you join with me?"

Lately I've been pondering about how I can change the way I think about leadership within my business and family. Am I inspiring others and inviting them alongside me? Am I working together with other people to not only better myself but to better the world around me?

In my business I can lead my clients in how I interact with them, provide advice, council and inform. I can lead my clients by helping them make decisions and even making tough decisions for them. I can lead by listening to their needs and executing decisions to help make their lives and planning easier. I can inspire through my desire to see their marriage celebrated and succeed.

When interacting with my peers I can lead by encouraging others in their own businesses and journey as entrepreneurs. I can invite others alongside in what I'm doing in hopes that as we inspire each other as we better the industry we're in. I can lead by choosing carefully what I share on the internet, on my blog, on Facebook and publicly. I can lead by a positive attitude, even if it's not the easiest choice.

In my family I can inspire my husband to lead our family through my encouragement of his spirit and showing him how much I love him. I can lead my son by teaching him how to treat others with love and kindness and pray unceasingly that he grow to be a man of strong character. I can even lead my son in the way that I treat my husband, my family and my friends.

I was struck last night as I thought about all these areas and asked the hard question if what I am currently doing is inspiring and inviting. It's not easy. I don't always lead well. I make mistakes and I often miss the mark. But I can truly say that I want to see other succeed, to dream and to work together to make a change in the world. Whether that's working with an industry peer or playing with my son on the floor, I can make choices every day to leave my little corner of the world better than when I left it.

Are you inspiring and inviting?

The Art of Balance

The Working Photographer Mom

Two months of weddings under my belt. Two months of being mom and a business owner under my belt. Two months of a brand new learning curve under my belt. What a new experience this has been.

Being a working mom is what I have always dreamed of being. I never wanted to be the stay at home mom, but I also never wanted to be the mom who was never home. I remember two years ago, in a mentor session with Justin and Mary, expressing my not so secret dream of being a wedding photographer who was a mom. I wanted to run a successful business that allowed me the freedom and flexibility to have a family on my terms. And two years later I'm starting to do just that.

In these past two months I've learned a thing or two about what it takes to run a business and to be a mom. It's game of balance and grace but I certainly think that are are things and circumstances that can make the process easier, more efficient and fun!! Today I'm sharing just a few tidbits of what I've learned in hopes that I can encourage you that it's not impossible to dream of a life you want and then chase after it!!

1. Grace.
The number one thing you can arm yourself as a new mom and working photographer is grace. Grace because there are going to be days that are hard. Gut wrenchingly hard. You'll make mistakes. You'll say the wrong thing. You'll do the wrong thing. You'll feel guilty or burdened or burnt out or tired. And you have to give yourself grace. Grace knowing that you'll get through those hard days, you'll make it through and you'll learn. And you'll be stronger for the struggle.

2. Get Help.
The second thing I learned this past year is that I can't do it all myself. As someone who is a perfectionist and likes to do things HER way, it can be hard for me to hand things off, to say "No, I can't do it all." And if you want to be successful as a mom and a business owner you need to be able to let people help you. For me that looked like getting a babysitter during the week and an assistant for the wedding day. We don't have the babysitter every day, just twice a week, but when we do I know it's time to shut out the world and WORK. When I'm with my son, I know that's the time to shut out my work. It's a delicate balance and I don't always get it right, but between my husband, our baby sitter, our amazing family and friends, I can begin to maneuver what it looks like to split my life between mom and entrepreneur.

3. Keep a schedule.
I'm a huge advocate for keeping a schedule, being incredibly organized and mastering your to do list. Without these things my life would be chaos. I know that the morning time is for my son. I do emails before he wakes up for his first feed. I blog and edit during his midday nap. And I do more work when my husband gets home. My day is split, my schedule is not a continuous 8 hour schedule, but it's one that works for me in this stage right now. I also keep a meticulous to do list so as to stay on top of all the tasks I have as a wedding photographer in the prime of wedding season. It's this attention to detail and keeping a strict schedule that has allowed me to shoot six weddings in two months, take care of a baby and still find the time to sell, buy and move a house.

4. Make the wedding day timeline work.
As a wedding photographer I work 10 plus hours on a wedding day. Even for a technically scheduled eight hour wedding, I'm more likely to actually be working 10 hours knowing that I'll get to the venues early and leave the wedding only after I've said goodbye to the Bride and Groom and packed up my gear. That's a LONG day and as a new mom who wanted breastfeed exclusively I just HAD to make time in the schedule to step away and pump. The ONLY way that I could do that was to bring on an assistant in addition to my second shooter. This assistant not only helps set up gear when I was pumping but to also stands in as a photographer while I'm hiding away. (If you'd like more detailed information on pumping while shooting a wedding, please feel free to email me!) Speaking of pumping...

5. Get the right tools.
Without my pump I don't think I could survive the wedding day. I use this version and it was one of the best decisions we made on our registry. I can pump in about ten minutes (usually in between portraits and the ceremony and the cocktail hour and reception) without missing a beat and can get myself back to the party as quickly as possible. As a mom who wants to work and exclusively breastfeed, pumping is an absolutely must and making the time to do that on a wedding day is an absolute must. By having the right tools AND working with a great team who can support me, I know that I can give my clients a great experience and great coverage while still finding the time to provide the nutrients for my baby that he needs.

6. Give yourself time.
Before having our baby I had to make a tough choice. Part of me wanted to book every wedding that came my way but another part of me knew that I was going to need rest and time to enjoy our baby the weeks following his birth. I decided to only take ten weddings this year instead of my usual 20 and I thought that was good enough. After all, I didn't want the train that is my business to slow down and I wanted to keep shooting. But I'll admit that I don't think I gave myself enough time between jumping back into the swing of things and the birth of our baby. I photographed two engagement sessions, a portrait session and two weddings within the first two and half months of his life. Now, please don't get me wrong. I LOVED working with my clients and I LOVED being behind the camera again. But I'm the type of person that often jumps from one thing to the next and often during the first two months of Jonathan's life I was thinking ahead to my first shoot and then to my first wedding, instead of just thinking just about him. I guess what I am trying to say is, take the time to think about what you want your life to look like as a mom BEFORE you're a mom and give yourself time to ENJOY this new phase of your life. Whatever that period is, whether it's two weeks or two months or two years, make sure it's time that's dedicated to your family. It's going to look different for everyone, do what is right for you. Just remember in a society that says "Go, Go, Go," it can be easy to want to jump back into life as normal. But guess what, life isn't normal anymore, it's better. Take time to recover, to enjoy, to rest, to learn to be with your baby and family. Everything will fall into place when it needs to. deborah zoe photography the working photographer mom tips for working moms boston wedding photographer_2.jpg Of course there is so much more that I've learned over this past year, but for certain these are the biggest takeaways that I've gleaned in my few short months as a working mom. I know there is going to be SO much more to grow into as my business grows and as Jonathan grows but I'm certainly thankful for these building block type lessons that are creating a firm foundation for me now and in the future. If you have any questions about what it's like to be the working photographer mom or have anything to share, please, leave a comment! And if you'd like to message me privately, feel free to email me directly at deborahzparker@mac.com! I'm thankful to share this journey with you!!

The Art of Balance

Readjusting the Blog Schedule

I started my blog in 2009. It seems absolutely crazy to me that it's already been four years of blogging. Two blogs later I'm still at it and love sharing my life and the weddings of my couples with you here. Since the beginning in 2009, I decided to blog five days a week, every week of the year. And for the most part I've kept to that schedule. But after the birth of our son in April I took some time to reevaluate my blogging schedule.

I found myself stressing over blogging instead of enjoying my son and I found myself not sticking to a schedule when I did find time to blog. I hated that everything was all over the place, and while I tried to maintain a level of grace for myself when it came to blogging, I knew I was doing a disservice to all those people who have stuck with me from the beginning.

So this summer I sat down and tried to really discern at what the future of this blog would look like. And I came to the conclusion that I need to blog less. Not a lot less, but I simply could no keep up with blogging five days a week with a newborn while simultaneously trying to run my business. But I couldn't stop blogging completely either. I love blogging, I love writing here and I love connecting with the people that come by every day to read.

I decided that I wanted to cut down to three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I'll still share a mix of personal, business, wedding and engagement related posts and taking my non blogging time on Monday and Friday to enjoy my baby and do the hard work it takes to run a business! I'm hoping this schedule allows me to be more consistent and also give me space to be a MOM!! I've already started playing around with this schedule and I've been pleased with the freedom it's allowed me so far.

If you've been following the blog since the beginning, I'm so grateful to share this experience with you! Blogging has been such an important outlet to me as this business has grown. It's morphed from a way to share pictures into a personal journey as I've grown into a Mom and as an entrepreneur. I love sharing my life with you and I'm thrilled to continue to do that, but now on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday :).