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.

Website Refresh

I'm SO excited to share the new and refreshed look for Deborah Zoe Photography!! We've been working hard over the summer to bring a refreshed look to the website with new content, pages & galleries!! With this refresh comes a whole new way to experience DZP including multiple wedding & portrait galleries, FAQ's, investment information and lots more!!

A full branding overhaul (YAY!!!) will begin this winter and I cannot wait to start that process!! Until then I wanted a small refresh to reflect all the amazing changes DZP has experienced over the past several years!! I encourage you to take time to explore the new layout and features including new pages like Travel, My Family & Investment, I'd love to hear what you think!!

So pull up a chair, grab your favorite drink and explore the refreshed Deborah Zoe Photography website!! Enjoy!!

Mark Your Calendars!!

Introducing Winter Mini Sessions

Time to Mark Your Calendars!! I'm delighted to share with you that DZP will be offering Winter Mini Sessions for the first time EVER this month, only a few short weeks away!! Perfect for your Holiday cards, updated family portraits or just because, mini sessions are an excellent way to capture your family & loved ones in a relaxed and fun setting!! For the very first DZP Mini Session event I have partnered with the amazing team at Les Fleurs & the beautiful Peirce Farm to bring you a styled session in a beautiful wintry setting!! I'm delighted to be partnering with two of my favorite wedding industry professionals and beyond excited to be sharing the stunningly beautiful Peirce Farm with you!!

Want more deatils?! Check them out below!!

Where : Peirce Farm at Witch Hill, Topsfield, Massachusetts

When : Sunday November 22, 2015

What : A 20 minute portrait session

Investment : $150 session fee with $50 gallery credit

Don't miss out on this rare opporunity to be photographed with the people you love in a beautiful setting!! Mini sessions have been and will continue to be a rare offering with DZP, so don't miss out!! If you'd like to sign up and secure your time slot, please email deborah[at]deborahzoephoto.com. 1o slots will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Currently Available Sessions :

1:00pm-1:20pm

To book your session email me today at deborah[at]deborahzoephoto.com!!

2015 Styled Winter Mini Sessions with Deborah Zoe Photography.

Fall Home Family Session

Remember these two and their beautiful Boston wedding from a few summer's back?! Or how about their gorgeous maternity session this past spring?! One of the beautiful things about being a wedding photographer is having the opportunity to help my couple's celebrate the important milestones of life. Engagement, marriage, growing family, anniversary. Celebrating life's big (and small) moments with photography is something I am incredibly passionate about and LOVE when a couple feels the same way!!

For the Shaw's family session we decided to use their beautiful home as the backdrop for their family portraits. On an unseasonably warm fall afternoon we gathered outside and breathed in the beautiful air, with blue skies and warm sun to keep us comfortable. It was a joy to photograph this sweet family of three and celebrate all the blessings they have experienced together this year. What a joy to help welcome their sweet baby boy and capture their family in photographs, enjoy!!

At home lifestyle newborn session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

A Fort Point Engagement Session

Sometimes it's funny how life works out. Matt and Erica grew up together, almost a mile away from each other, they've known each other since Kindergarten. And now today, they are planning their wedding!! Who knew that these childhood buddies would grow up, fall in love and begin a new stage of life together?!

While they grew up on the North Shore, today they call Boston home. Working and living in the city, they both love the vibrant pace of city life and fittingtly they wanted a piece of that captured in their engagement session. We picked the Fort Point neighborhood which offers amazing views of Boston's skyline and the urban atmosphere that Matt & Erica love. On a brisk fall afternoon we explored their favorite part of the city, capturing their relationship in a place that holds such an important place in their heart.

Erica and Matthew, I cannot wait to celebrate with you next summer!! It was so wonderful getting to know you both better as we explored Fort Point and chatted about life!! I hope you enjoy these images!!

A Fort Point Engagement Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Crafting The Wedding Day Timeline

This week I'm delighted to continue the Wedding Essentials series with tips on how to craft a Wedding Day Timeline. One of the questions I receive over and over again is "How much time do we need?" or "How Do we Plan the Timeline?" It's important to think about several key points as you pull together your timeline which we'll walk through today. Planning for these things and doing it well in advance of the wedding will ensure that your day runs smoothly. More importantly, it means you can enjoy each and every moment together, create memories with your loved ones and relax!! At DZP, I work hard to help couples craft a timeline that leaves lots of room for photography, relaxation and FUN. Click the video below to learn more!!

As always, if you have any thoughts or specific questions you'd like to see address in an episode of Wedding Essentials, please join the conversation in the comment sections, I'd be happy to answer your questions!!

Downtown Boston Family Session

After taking a History of Journalism class my freshman year at Northeastern University I made the decision to pursue a Journalism degree in addition to my degree in Art. I still remember one of my very first classes where I met my vivacious friend, Vanessa. She radiated joy, kindness and always had a smile on her face. Over the course of college we shared many classes together and always managed to sit next to each other where we'd catch up on our work load and college life. In fact Vanessa was one of the first people who learned I was engaged after I showed up to classes with a sparkler on my hand :)!

After graduation, thanks to the power of social media, we've stayed in touch over the years. During that time Vanessa met and married a wonderful man, received a second degree and welcomed her son Adrian into the world. When she contacted me about a portrait session for her growing family I jumped at the chance to catch up and photograph this sweet family!!

We meet in downtown Boston on a beautiful fall morning and spent our time together catching up and documenting this sweet family of three!! I loved connecting with you Vanessa, thank you for asking me to photograph these precious moments :)!!

A Downtown Boston Family Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Fort Point Engagement Session

Jim & Taryn love good food, good drinks, good company and the hustle and bustle of city life. Fittingly they chose the vibrant neighborhood of Fort Point for their engagement session, a place that seems to pulse with the heartbeat of the city. In the shadow of Boston's skyline, Fort Point epitomizes everything they love about Boston and is a place that they feel at home in. Getting married next fall, we planned their engagement session almost a year to the date to their wedding day. It was fun walking the city streets thinking that a year from now they will be celebrating together with their closest family and friends at a beautiful winery.

Being the wine lovers that they are, Jim & Taryn had really wanted to incoporate some of their favorite South Boston haunts into their engagement session. Unfortunately establishments were less than excited about the prospect (bummer right?!) They decided to grab a few drinks before the start of the session at Trade and casually mentioned they were waiting for their session to begin. The bartender immediately suggested that they have part of their session in the beautiful bar area and of course Jim & Taryn loved the idea!! It was such a beautiful gesture and made for a great start to their Boston engagement session!! Thank you Trade!! (And thank you Jim & Taryn for being such amazing clients, go with the flow attitudes and kind spirits, here's to you!!)

How To Plan For Your Engagement Session

Several weeks ago I introduced a new video series titled Wedding Essentials here on the blog!! Geared at helping couples plan for the wedding day I kicked off the series with an introduction and my heart behind Wedding Essentials and how to stay connected through the photographic experience.

My plan was to share a new video every week and well, wedding season happened. But not to worry, I'm back at it this week sharing my favorite tips on how to best plan for your engagement session!! From location to hair and makeup there are small things you can do to prepare for your session that make a BIG difference, click on the video to learn more!!

Next week I'll be sharing about how to plan your wedding day timeline, I can't wait to connect with you!!

Wedding Essentials by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Product Highlight | Signature Album

A Chatham Bars Inn Wedding Album

With temperatures in the 30s yesterday morning (!!!) summer seems far, far away. But not to worry, I have a little dose of summer love for you today!! Over the past several months I have had the pleasure of helping create a wedding album for Jayme & Cory, who you may remember from their beautiful Chatham Bars Inn wedding this past June. It was a day full of celebration, friends & family along with the prettiest of nautical details and Cape Cod Charm, and their album reflects just that.

Jayme and Cory chose the Signature Album and one of the things that I love about this particular album is the ability to create completely unique designs for each couple. No two albums are alike and each design is created specifically for a couple's unique story. Cory & Jayme picked a lovely blue leather for their cover which complimented their nautical theme perfectly, it's like a summer ocean breeze!!

Here's a glimpse into their beautiful album! If you'd like to create your own wedding album, email me at deborah [at] deborahzoephoto.com for all the details!! Now, on to the pretty!!

Signature Wedding Album by Deborah Zoe Photography.

The Gardens at Elm Bank Maternity Session

Aubrey is a fellow wedding photographer who I met several years ago (was it at a workshop?), and while I can't exactly remember where we met I have been ever so grateful for her friendship over the years. She has been a constant souce of wisdom and someone who I look too for encouragement and knowledge as I navigate what it looks like to run a business while growing a family. The experience can at times feel like a roller coaster but friends like Aubrey help to keep me grounded and push me to continue to grow.

It's been a joy getting to know her adorable son and sweet husband. Each year Max grows just a little bit bigger, gets a little bit older and it is a delight to photograph their family; my hope being that their images will become like family treasures, stopping time and capturing life just as it is right now.

What made this session even more exciting is that Aubrey is due with their second child later this fall!! Maxwell can't wait to be a big brother and it was just the sweetest thing to watch him kiss his Mama's tummy or cling tightly to Dad while I photographed Aubrey.

These are the moments of life for me, the moments you just want to capture in a bottle to be saved and enjoyed again and again. To me photography is like that proverbial bottle, perserving time, momemnt by moment and it is an honor to be asked by Aubrey and her family to do just that.

We chose beautiful Gardens at Elm Bank as the location for their session and even though it was early October the gardens were in full bloom. Maxwell happily picked dandilions while photographed his Mom and it was a morning filled with sweet moments just like that. Aubrey, thank you for continuing to trust me with these important moments in your family's life, it has been an honor to photograph your family and a joy to call you friend.

A Family Session at The Gardens at Elm Bank by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Fairmont Copley Plaza Wedding | Angelica & Matthew

Angelica and Matthew are both from different parts of the country, Angelica an East Coaster hailing from New Jersey and Matthew from the midwest who has called Wisconsin home. Today Boston is their home, a place that has captured their heart and where their love story began. So fittingly Angelica and Matthew wanted to celebrated their wedding day in the city that means so much to them. With families that live in two parts of the country it seemed like the perfect fit to have their celebration in the historic city, a fun way to share this city with their family and friends!!

Guests flew in from all over the country to celebrate with Angelica and Matthew at the historic and beautiful Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. In between their ceremony and cocktail hour the couple treated their guests to private Duck Boat tours and offered as much Boston adventures as they could. Guests snacked on appetizers with classic New England flavors like mini lobster rolls, baked mac n' cheese and more. It was a true Boston celebration (down to the Priests lack of r's ;))!

Angelica & Matthew, thank your for inviting us to share in your celebration and document your beautiful day. It was so fun to celebrate alongside you as you floated down the aisle, cuddled in the park and danced the night away. Enjoy your images!!

Creative Team

Church: St. Cecilia Parish

Reception : Fairmont Copley

Florist : LauraJean Floral & Event Design

Bridal Gown : Bijou Bridal

Hair & Makeup : Stilisti salon

Cake : Cakes to Remember

Band : Rare Form

Videographer : Gabelli Cinema

Groom's Attire : Joseph A. Bank

Stationary : The Paper Crane

Transportation : A Formal Affair & Duck Boats Tours

A Capella Performers : The Cape Codders

Photography : Deborah Zoe Photography

Special thanks to Shannon for helping to capture the day!!

A Fairmont Copley Plaza Wedding by Deborah Zoe Photography.

A Wingaersheek Beach Engagement Session

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Stephanie and Rick have been coming to Wingaersheek Beach since they started dating. Rick started coming to Wingaersheek when he was a child; a family member had a boat which meant he and his family could explore North Shore's coastline and the beautiful beaches that graced the shore. When Rick and Stephanie began dating, Rick just knew that this beautiful place had to be shared with Stephanie. Over the years it's become a special place for them, an escape from every day life where they can reconnect, relax and just enjoy being together. Fittingly they Wingaersheek had to be a part of their engagement session.

When we arrived we were greeted to the most insane low tide, which is no exaggeration. The tide and the beach seemed to go out for miles and miles, flat and stretching wide. With the sun slowly dipping towards the horizon line, it was spectacular. It was an incredible experience to share with Stephanie and Rick and reminded me of all the things I LOVE about living here on the coast. It was a joy to photograph these two in a place that means so much to them on such a beautiful day!!

Stephanie and Rick, it was a delight to spend the afternoon with you, getting to know you better and photographing your love!! Enjoy your images!!

Beacon Hill Engagement Session

LaNae sent me an email several months ago sharing that she and her fiance Matthew would be traveling to Boston and would love to have their engagement session taken in our historic town. Of course I was SO excited to share in all the charm Boston had to offer and we chose the quaint Beacon Hill neighborhood spend the afternoon together. Having never traveled to Boston before, LaNae was ecstatic to share in the experience with Matthew. What a great idea to travel to a new city AND have a portrait session with the one you love!! I was delighted to be the photographer to document such a special time in their life and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to get to know these two!! Now, on to their session!! (*Do you love the red white and blue? Matthews idea as a nod to historic Boston!!)

A Downtown Boston Engagement Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Makeup : Love Notes by June

Halibut Point Engagement Session

Today is such a special day on the blog because today I get to share Melissa & Kenny's engagement session!! I've known Melissa for over three years. She's been an important part of our family's life, especially when Jonathan was just a baby. Melissa was one of Jonathan's amazing babysitters and was such a blessing to us when were still trying to figure out what life looked like with a baby. I still remember Melissa coming over every afternoon releasing me from duties as Mom so I could work upstairs and continue to grow my business. She, along with Becca, were an amazing support system for me in those early days and months of baby.

It was during this time that Melissa was still figuring out what life held in store for her. Then one day she came over to babysit with a SPARKLY DIAMOND on her hand...Kenny had proposed!! We spent the next few months chatting about wedding and dresses and the future. It's hard to believe just last week I photographed their engagement session, time is moving so fast!!

We picked Halibut Point in Rockport for their session, a rugged spot right on the coast. A former quarry this area has lots of quirks and charm and provided the most epic of landscapes. It's hard to translate into images, but the waves were crazy!! Kenny and Melissa were so adventurous and I appreciated their can do attitude to get the image!! We were greeted with amazing golden sunset light, the perfect way to end their beautiful session.

Melissa and Kenny, I cannot wait for the spring!! It will be a joy and an honor to be there to document your wedding!! Until then, enjoy your engagement images!!

A Halibut Point Engagement Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

How sweet are they?!

Kenny, you did a good job on this ring!!

One of my favorites!!

One of my favorite from their session, I love how Kenney cares for and loves Melissa!!

Manchester Bath & Tennis Club Wedding | Lindsey & Tom

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Lindsey grew up in the coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea on the North Shore of Boston. So when it came time to plan her own wedding, it just made perfect sense to host the celebration in her home town. To make things even more special, Tom & Lindsey chose to have their reception at the Manchester Bath & Tennis Club, a place that holds many memories and nostalgia for Lindsey, her family and now with Tom as well. It almost felt like hosting a wedding in your friend's home than just a venue. It was an incredibly special detail and meant so much to the couple, their family and their guests.

Filled with elegant and nautical details, their day was a stunner!! I loved how everything pair perfectly together, hand picked by Lindsey to compliment their coastal themed day. We were graced with a spectacular September day and gloriously beautiful golden light at sunset, just as Lindsey dreamt the day would be!!

Tom and Lindsey, thank you for including us in such a special day, it was an honor to be there to document it all!! Enjoy your images!!

Creative Team

Ceremony : First Parish Church

Reception : Manchester-by-the-Sea Bath & Tennis Club

Bridal Gown : Romona Keveza from Musette Bridal

Bridesmaid Gowns : J.Crew

Hair & Makeup : Kacie Corbelle

Shoes : Badgley Mischka

Catering : Creative Catering

Entertainment : Coverstory Entertainment

Stationary : Dulce Press

Photographer : Deborah Zoe Photography

Special thank you to Lauren for helping to capture the day!

A Manchester By The Sea Bath Tennis Club Wedding by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Lindsey radiate in her delicate laced Romona Keveza gown.

Lindsey and her Mom have a very special bond, they are the sweetest!!

A Nonantum Resort Wedding

Hannah grew up in coastal Maine, Kennebunk to be specific, and would frequent the Nonantum Resort while exploring the area with her family. After meeting Chris she introduced him to this quaint and charming seaside community and they fell in love, knowing that it was the perfect location for their wedding. Hannah shares, "We thought the location emphasized our love for simple and beautiful things with it's quaint ballroom and gorgeous outdoor views...it just seemed like the perfect! Plus my sister also had her reception here seven years ago and it was just something so special to share in that together!"

Hannah chose a palette of light pink and pastels, the perfect compliment to their venue's seaside location. But beyond beautiful details there was so much to love about Chris & Hannah's day : Hannah's radiant smile (that never left her face) or Chris' reaction to seeing his Bride for the First Time, honoring their parents and celebrating their anniversaries or Hannah's Father's emotional and hilarious toast to the couple. All in all, it was a love fest for the couple filled with authentic and heart felt moments. Chris & Hannah are dearly loved by their friends and family, nothing could have been more evident on their wedding day!

Chris and Hannah, thank you for welcoming us into your day with open arms (literally) and giving us the privlege to capture your beautiful day!! Enjoy your images!!

A Nonantum Resort Wedding by Deborah Zoe Photography.

I absolutely adored Hannah's bouquet created by the tatlented Fleurant.

Hannah had the sweetest group of Bridesmaid!!

I loved the lace detailing on this beautiful Allure gown from Madeleine's Daughter.

Waiting to see her Dad for the first time on her wedding day, so sweet!!

Satin ribbons, pink blooms, YES, PLEASE!!

How stunning are these mismatched Alfred Sung dresses?

Love these ladies!!

The men cleaned up quite well too!!

A favorite from the day!!

I loved Chris' reaction to seeing Hannah for the first time during their First Look... you let those tears come!

What a handsome groom you made Chris!

One of my favorite portraits of the year, the grounds of the Nonantum Resort are perfection!!

Following their First Look, it was time for the ceremony!! Would you believe it was 85 degrees in the middle of September?!

The exchanging of the rings always brings on the giggles :).

Married...look at those smiles!!

Following cocktail hour on the lawn (complete with lawn games!), the couple invited their guests into the ballroom to begin the evenings festivities.

The toasts were especially heartfelt (and hilarious:))!

Cheers, time to get the party started!!

These people love their Justin Beiber :D!!

Thank you Maine Coast for a perfect end to a beautiful day!!

Venue : The Nonantum Resort

Bridal Gown : Allure from Madeleine's Daughter

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist : Charisma Hair Design

Bridesmaid Dresses : Alfred Sung

Groom's Attire : Calvin Klein & The Tie Bar

Cake Designer : Let Them Eat Cake

Florist : Fleurant

Entertainment : Wilson's DJ Service

Videographer : McCormick Media

Stationary : Village Paperie

Linens : BBJ Linen

Instrumentalist : Dulcinea Duo

Photography : Deborah Zoe Photography

Special thanks to Lauren for helping to capture the day!

North Shore Doings : Whim Dinner at Smolak Farms

Oh hooray, I actually thought I had lost these images, but I found them hidden away on my computer. Thanks to the busy wedding season, sometimes personal images don't get the attention and care that they deseverve, so they get lost on my computer. But I found them!! And so a post that I was supposed to share all the way back in July is comin' at you this September...who doesn't love a little bit of the summer in the fall?!

This past summer Dave and I had the pleasure of attending a Whim Dinner at Smolak Farms in North Andover. We chose the farm to table experience to celebrate our ninth wedding anniversary and it was the perfect choice!! It was an incredible experience of fresh food, great company, delicious wine and dinner under the stars. It was a fun treat to have chef Matt Mahoney of The Butcher Shop come out to explain his culinary decisions and how each dish was made from produce at the farm. It truly allows you to really enjoy each bite knowing the passion and thought that went into each dish!! Plus we enjoyed the best company of people from all over the world, it certainly made for interesting conversation!!

If you're looking for a fun and unique experience in your own backyard, check out Whim Dinners!! They are held each summer but space is limited, so you'll definitely want to plan ahead. Here's sneak peek into all the delicious goodness!! Enjoy!!

Angelica & Matthew Engaged

A Beacon Hill Engagement Session

When Angelica and Matthew arrived to their engagement session I just knew they were the perfect DZP couple. Angelica wore a light blue tailored dress while Matthew sported navy khakis and COWBOY BOOTS. Gotta love a little country in the city!! It's this approachable nature that I love most about this sweet couple. While they fit perfectly in the busy city setting, Angelica and Matthew also appreciate a slower pace of life. As we walked Boston's cobble streets Matthew and Angelica shared more about their story with me, how Matthew is the ying to Angelica's yang, the country boy who fell in love with the city girl and how they balance each other perfectly.

Angelica and Matthew are two people who greet others with warmth and open arms, a rare quality that makes this couple shine. They will be having a destination wedding for their guests later this year in Boston and wanted to evoke all the charm and history that they love about Boston in their engagement session. We spent the evening wandering the old streets of Beacon Hill, the perfect backdrop for Angelica and Matthew who call the city home. I can't wait for their wedding in just a few short weeks, until then enjoy their very Boston engagement session!!

A Beacon Hill Engagement Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Molly & Andrew Engaged

A Salem Commons Engagement Session

It's always a treat to work on the North Shore so when Molly suggested Salem as the backdrop for their engagement session, I was elated!! Molly and Andrew live in the next twon over and spend their time together enjoying all that Salem has to offer ; the waterfront to the historic cobble streets to the homes filled with character. But wouldn't you know, the day of the shoot it poured. I don't mean a slight drizzle, the skies opened up and the rain came...and came and came. But being the troopers that they are, Molly and Andrew said "Let's go for it!" I love their can do attitude!! Because for Molly & Andrew it didn't matter if they had the perfect weather or the perfect backdrop for their engagement session. What mattered was that they were together, they are getting MARRIED!! and no amount of rain could dampent their excitement to celebrate!!

Molly & Andrew, thank you for being such great sports despite what Mother Nature threw at us. It was so much fun to watch the two of you together, your laugther and love is infectious, I can't wait for next August!! Enjoy your images!!

A Salem, Massachusetts engagement session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

The Greenlee Family

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At Home Family Portraits

Being a photographer gives me wonderful opportunities, specifically the opportunity to meet new people and create new connections all while being given the invitation into people's lives. It is a such a privilege to be asked to photograph the important (and everyday) milestones of life : as a couple becomes a family, celebrates an anniversary or joyously cheers on their little one. I love being able to document these moments, extraordinary or everyday and hope these images become treasures to a family to be enjoyed for years to come.

Last week I spent a delightful afternoon with these three. Zoe is a rambunctious, spirited and all around adorable little lady, a star of the show!! Her proud parents were filled with adoration for their baby girl and it was so fun to photograph this family in their beautiful home. I hope that these images will be a reminder of the beautiful legacy they are creating together, and especially how sweet and joyous it was to witness as their little girl experiences the world for the first time.