I'm delighted to announce the date for the second annual 2016 Winter Mini Session Event!! 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!! Hurry, time slots fill up quickly and are booked on a first come, first serve basis!!
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Boston wedding photographer passionate about documenting exquisite celebrations rooted in family and one of a kind experiences. Based on Boston's North Shore.
Experimenting With Film Photography
This year I made the commitment to start shooting film again. While I haven't advertised that I'm shooting film formally, at every engagement and portrait session this past year I've tried to shoot a few frames on grainy 35mm film. Working with film has filled my photographer heart. I've struggled, failed and experimented with new techniques. It's been so good to stretch my creative muscles and learn that it's OK to make mistakes.
One of my biggest fears shooting film again is that I would make mistakes. Not being able to see what was on my camera and simply relying on instinct and a light meter was somewhat terrifying to me. But how else do you learn?! Shooting film has taught me that, while scary, learning (or in my case RE-learning) something can be an exciting process!!
Today I wanted to share a little of what I've been working on this past year. I have yet to blog any of these film images, so I'm stepping somewhat outside my comfort zone and sharing them with you!! I'm definitely STILL in the learning phase of shooting film. While I started out my journey as a photographer IN FILM, shooting with film for client related work is something entirely new to me. I hope you'll continue with me on this journey as I share more adventures in film with you here soon!!
- Images captured using Canon EOS IV 35mm & Pentax K1000
- Shot on Portra160, Portra 400, Fuji400h, Superia800
Les Fleurs Fall Floral Workshop
Earlier this fall I had the pleasure of being invited to Les Fleurs to photograph some promotional images for their upcoming fall floral workshop, Table & Tutorial. I relish any opportunity to photograph their beautiful floral creations, especially their beautiful fall florals. I love the rich hues of this bouquet, perfect for the cooler temperatures!! Plus how adorable are those wax pumpkins?
If interested in attending the Table & Tutorial workshop (I mean who doesn't love playing with flowers?!), you can check out all the details on the Les Fleurs blog. Below, enjoy some of my favorite images from our shoot together earlier this fall!
Read MoreWedding Photography & Investment
What makes a wedding photographer worth the investment? Beyond the obvious (web presence, reviews and referrals, legitimate business practices), there are several key factors to look for when choosing your wedding photographer. Photography is so much more than simply clicking a shutter. It’s about creating art with a purpose, preserving history and serving clients through the medium of photography. My hope that this be the base at which you start. From there, several factors should be taken into consideration when picking the right photographer for you.
Price
I’m going to challenge you to remove price from the equation. I’m not trying to be unrealistic — I was a Bride once with a very limited wedding budget and I understand that couples often have a specific budget that they need to adhere to. But I want to encourage you, don’t let price be the only factor in why you choose a photographer.
Are all photographers created equal? No. Which is why there is a large range in price points. In wedding photography you often get what you pay for so make sure you understand exactly what your photographer will deliver. Investing in your wedding photography experience ensures that your day is professionally and artistically captured, providing you with exceptional customer service and a memorable experience.
Style & Approach
No two photographers are alike and will view and capture a wedding day in very unique ways — Will your photographer connect with the vision you have for your wedding day? Will they capture the day in the way that is meaningful to you? When meeting with potential photographers ask them to describe their style - what inspires them as an artist? What are the values that shape their world view? Aside from visually seeing their work, digging deeper to understand the person behind the camera and their approach as an artists, will hep you determine if they are the right fit for you.
Personality & Professionalism
Your photographer will be someone you spend a significant amount of time with on the wedding day. Do you feel comfortable around their presence? Do you trust that person to capture your day? Will they courteous, polite and kind to your guests and loved ones? Are they responsible, one time and will they dress appropriately on your wedding day? Having a connection with your photographer is essential in creating natural and authentic images and allowing you to feel comfortable and relaxed on the wedding day.
Craft
Professionally lit images, portfolios edited with a cohesive and consistent style, blog posts that show a range of moments throughout the day, flattering posing, natural looking images — these are just a few of the things you can look for when determining the skill level and expertise of a photographer.
If you're attracted to a more documentary style of photography — is your photographer skilled in unobtrusively capturing the big and small moments of the day? Is their portfolio filled with images that speak to this type of style? Similarly, if you are attracted to romantic or artfully posed images — do you see examples of beautiful and flatteringly posed couples in their portfolio? Beyond their website, asking to see full galleries of past weddings can help you determine if the photographer is skilled at their craft and can capture the wedding day in a style that you feel connected too.
Equipment
I believe that equipment does not make the photographer, however it is absolutely essential that the photographer you choose to hire is prepared to safely and securely capture your wedding day using professional grade gear and backup systems. The wedding day is a fluid and ever changing event that your photographer must be prepared for. From backup gear, to extra batteries, to lighting equipment, a professional photographer will be be prepared with the proper equipment to capture the wedding day.
Albums & Heirlooms
If you are interested in creating an album or heirloom with your photographer, ask to see examples and inquire where and how the heirlooms are made. Look for heirlmooms that are hand crafted using archival quality inks and papers. After the wedding day, one of the few things that remain are the images your photographer has created for you. These images deserve to be curated into artfully curated heirlooms that you'll be able to enjoy for years to come. Ensure that the products your photographer offers you will stand the test of time.
The Elms & Regatta Place Wedding
Kerin & Ryan picked Newport for their wedding location, almost on a whim. Both had never spent too much time in this quaint coastal town but after a visit they knew that it was the perfect place to host their wedding. A local destination of sorts, Newport provided the perfect place for their friends and family to escape to without much traveling. And with cooler temperatures and small crowds, the weekend event was the perfect way to experience Newport in a leisurely and relaxed pace.
Kerin & Ryan started the day in downtown Newport, both getting ready in separate houses right on Thames Street. Kerin's house even had a top floor roof deck that overlooked downtown and Newport Harbor! Following a lovely and intimate ceremony, they headed to the magnificent Elms Mansion for wedding portraits with their wedding party & family. Finally they headed back to Regatta Place, located right in Newport Harbor, for a night of dancing and celebrating. Their day was a great mix of everything wonderful about Newport - the history and coastal charm were the perfect compliment for Kerin & Ryan's day.
What a joy it was to celebrate with Kerin & Ryan's families who were all so excited to be together to watch as they became Husband & Wife. Kerin's Mom was a ray of sunshine the morning of the wedding while her Dad offered up cheers on the trolley and made sure that everyone had a full glass of rose to toast to the couple. Ryan's Dad joked that they were old pros during the family formals and his Mom snuggled in close, happy to see her son marrying the woman of his dreams.
As a wedding photographer, I'm granted special license into these private moments that families share together on the wedding day. It is a joy and honor to be there to document them for my couples and the people that they love. Kerin & Ryan, thank you for inviting us to be a part of your day, enjoy some of my favorite images!!
Read MoreAutumn Family Portraits in New England
Almost every year since 2012 I've had the honor of photographing Aubrey and her sweet family. Aubrey and I met via the wedding industry years ago. Today were running photography businesses and raising families. Aubrey's friendship has been such an encouragement to me as we navigate life in this unique world of wedding photography and motherhood.
I have loved being able to photograph their beautiful family over the years. Watching Max grow into a handsome young man and become a big brother has been oh-so-sweet. My hope is that their images will become treasured family heirlooms, documenting the exciting journey their family has been and continues to be on.
Aubrey, thank you for trusting me to capture your family each year, it has been a joy to photograph your life together!! Enjoy your images!!
Read MoreProduct Highlight | Signature Album
Take a peek inside Stephanie & Rick's Signature Wedding Album from their beautiful private backyard wedding in New England this past summer!! Stephanie and Rick chose a lovely grey linen cover, the perfect compliment to their wedding day color palette. Be sure to check out the video below to see even more of their beautiful wedding album. Enjoy!!
Read MoreHyatt Regency Boston Harbor Wedding | Sarah & Greg
Sarah and Greg (remember this epic engagement session?!) went to high school together, but it wasn't until college and one fateful night that they had an opportunity to connect in Boston. A quick flirtation turned into dating and now five years later they are Husband and Wife!! Fittingly the city where they fell in love played a big part in their wedding day.
Sarah & Greg chose the Hyatt Regency for it's sweeping views of the Boston skyline. Sarah shares "Boston is where our relationship began -- so on our wedding day we can look out on the city where it all started for us!" As they said their vows in the shadow of the city, it all came full circle for them!
Sarah & Greg, thank you for inviting us to be a part of your joyous celebration!! Enjoy some of our favorite images!!
Read MoreProduct Highlight | Signature Album
As fall approaches and the summer wedding comes to a close, wedding album season begins!! This past week I packaged up Kenny & Melissa's beautiful album from their wedding this past spring. Before sending it off to their home, I decided to capture a few sneak peeks into the album to share with you!!
Kenny & Melissa chose a beautiful khaki leather cover for their Signature Album, the perfect compliment to their spring day. Want to see even more of their album? Check out the video below!!
Read MoreMerrimack Valley Golf Club Wedding | Amanda & Chris
As Amanda's Dad joked during his toast, the uninvited guest, Hurricane Hermine, finally got the memo and decided to skip out on Amanda & Chris' wedding day. Despite the forecasted rain, wind and cloud filled skies, we were treated to a late New England summer day and it was glorious!! With sunshine, bright blue skies and not a cloud in Amanda and Chris could not have asked for a more perfect wedding day!!
Though they live in Connecticut, Amanda and Chris chose to wed on the North Shore at the beautiful Merrimack Valley Golf Club. Blush pink was the color of the day, the perfect compliment to the Bride's warm and bubbly personality. Amanda cheerfully spent the day floating from loved one with open arms and her infectious smile. Equally their families were quick to share in the excitement, embracing and crying tears of happiness following the couples nuptials. It was beautiful to witness these two families coming together.
Amanda and Chris, thank you for your warmth and hospitality -- being able to witness you full of joy and excitement as you married as a joy to see!! Enjoy some of our favorites from your wedding day!!
Read More10th Anniversary Trip to the United Kingdom : Scotland Part 3
Today is the third installment of our 10th Anniversary Trip to the United Kingdom!! If you're just stopping by, this past July we celebrated 10 years of marriage with an unforgettable trip to London & Scotland. If you missed it, you can check out PART 1 and PART 2! Today we're finishing our trip with our last day on the Isle of Skye, Edinburgh and a short jaunt back to London before we left for home. Highlights include sheep (lots of sheep!), scenic views and hairy "heilan coos"!!
Sharing these images have been an incredibly fun way to relive our trip -- which went by in the blink of an eye -- just yesterday we were asking "Did we even go away?" It's crazy how you can plan and plan for a trip and then it's here before you know it.
The last and final installment of our trip series I will be sharing where we ate, some of our favorite things and a quick review of our hotels and experiences. If you're planning a trip to the United Kingdom in the future, specifically London & Scotland, you won't want to miss that post!!
Today, enjoy some of our favorite images (and memories) of the trip in PART 3. Questions about our trip? Feel free to share them in the comments!!
Read MoreGlen Manor House Wedding | Molly & Andrew
Molly and Andrew have loved spending summers in Newport -- the nautical charm, the coastal vibe, the New England character -- have drawn them back again and again. When it was time to plan their wedding they knew that the Newport area was where they would host their wedding. The Glen Manor House, right on the banks of the Sakonnet River, offered everything Molly & Andrew loved about Newport. Filled with historic charm and sweeping views of the water, the Glen Manor House was the perfect fit for their elegant summer celebration.
Molly and Andrew are the epitome of fun, caring and laid back. Together, they just fit, a perfect pair that greets everyone with a genuine warmth that seems rare these days. Being around them feels like you are engulfed in a ray of sunshine -- think I'm exaggerating? Just ask their loved ones!! So you can imagine that their wedding day was filled with laughter, smiles and lots of dancing fun!! Molly chose a palette of pinks, pastels and grays, and accented the reception with sparkling gold.
Molly & Andrew -- thank you for inviting us to be a part of your day -- we were honored to be there to document such a milestone in your life together!! Enjoy some of our favorite images!!
Read MoreRomantic & European Inspired Wedding Shoot with Les Fleurs
This past spring I was honored to be asked to photograph an inspiration shoot with the talented ladies of Les Fleurs. Kerianne, director of Weddings and Events at Les Fleurs, envisioned an editorial shoot embracing old world romance paired with light and airy details, creating an effortlessly romantic vibe with modern and fresh touches.
Kerianne shared, "Our inspiration for this shoot stemmed from the cool, tranquil tones of Serenity—one half of Pantone’s hybrid Color of the Year—and the natural lushness offered by crisp summer greenery." She continued, "We brought in ‘something old’ with the candleholders, which were handpicked local antiques, and the compotes, which belonged to my grandmother. "Sentimental pieces can add so much character to your special day.” (excerpt from Swooned feature)
This was such a fun project to shoot -- from the delicately created stationary pieces from Proper Paper to the perfectly styled gowns provided by BHLDN, everything came together beautifully!! I cannot say enough about the rock star team of creatives that participated -- if you're planning a wedding, check out the resources below -- they are simply incredible to work with.
Read MoreDuxbury Bay Maritime School Wedding
When it came time for Lauren and Marshall to plan their wedding, they knew that it had to be near the water. Marshall sailed in college and Lauren affectionately calls it his "other love." The Duxbury Maritime School was the perfect setting for the wedding day, boasting beautiful views of Duxbury Bay and a skyline dotted with sailboats. The perfect mix of casual elegance and nautical charm.
Lauren and Marshall filled their wedding with lovely pink and navy details, beautifully executed throughout the day from the navy bridesmaid dresses to the soft pastel palette of the reception. But for Lauren and Marshall, the details were only a small part of the wedding.
What was most important to them were people. Lauren has one of those smiles that lights up a room -- her energy is simply infectious. As the couple greeted their guests following the ceremony, Lauren met everyone with her famous smile and a warmth you could feel a mile away -- they knew how lucky they were to have the people they loved most in the world, there with them to celebrate their wedding. And it was a joy to photograph.
Thank you Lauren & Marshall for inviting us to be a part of your beautiful day, enjoy some of our favorites!!
Read MoreOur 10th Anniversary Trip to the United Kingdom : Scotland Part 2
I've been trying and trying to narrow down my favorites from our recent trip to the United Kingdom -- Scotland is proving to be extraordinarily hard!! I mean I just cannot pair down the amount of beauty that is the land of Scotland, there's just SO much to share!! So instead of the planned single post for Scotland I've broken it down into two postings. The first being today!!
(If you'd like to see PART I of our 10th Anniversary Trip to the United Kingdom, click here.)
We started our journey in Scotland by arriving via the super speed train from London to Edinburgh's Waterloo Station. Immediately upon arriving street level we heard bag pipes playing in the distance. Talk about perfection!! Edinburgh is just as you might imagine, filled with character and history. We adored Edinburgh, the sandstone buildings, the medieval history, the people, the charm. We had been told that Edinburgh is a unique and magical place and it was incredible to experience it first hand.
Following our first night in the city we set out to the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands via Rabbies Trail Burners. I cannot speak more highly of this company and our experience with Rabbies (you can read my quick review here). What followed were three days of beautiful scenery, history and Scottish charm. It left such an impression on us and we absolutely cannot wait to return. The Isle of Skye in particular is like a different world and we loved exploring the popular (and off the beaten track) scenic vistas.
In today's post I'll be sharing a bit of Ediburgh Castle long with the first half of our trip to the Highlands (you'll even catch our first sighting of a "hairy heilan coo"!!) In PART III I'll share more of the Highlands and finish out our trip to lovely Scotland. When can we go back?!
Read MoreEstate at Moraine Farm Wedding | Matt & Erica
How many couples can claim that their love story started in kindergarten?! Matt and Erica have known each other almost their entire lives, having grown up in the same town just a mile away from each other. Their love story has been evolving and growing ever since and this past weekend at the beautiful Estate at Moraine Farm, they began a new chapter together as Husband and Wife.
Their day was filled with family and friends, sharing stories and memories of Matt and Erica through the years. Loved ones gathered on the grand lawn at Moraine Farm to witness as these life long friends celebrated their commitment to each other. Filled with elegant, rustic details, the day was everything a summer wedding should be!! Erica & Matt love the outdoors and were delighted to host their loved ones in such a beautiful setting -- right here on the North Shore where they grew up!!
Erica & Matt it was an honor to be a part of your incredible celebration, to capture this new chapter in your lives together. Enjoy some of my favorites of their wedding at the Moraine Farm!!
Our 10th Anniversary Trip to the United Kingdom : London Part 1
I cannot believe that our 10th anniversary trip to London & Scotland has come and gone. It feels like we had been planning this trip forever and with most vacations it was over in the blink of an eye. It was an incredible trip and lovely way to celebrate a decade of marriage together!! For our 10th anniversary we knew that we wanted to travel but weren't quite sure where. We finally settled on the UK and decided to split up our trip into three parts, London, Scotland and London.
Because I have SO much to share about our trip and because I'm not quite ready for our adventure to be over, instead of sharing it all in one long blog post I've decided to break our trip down into several parts. First I'll be sharing the amazing destinations we visited in a multi-post series. Next my hope is to share the delicious places we ate (because let's be real, we planned this trip around FOOD ;)) along with a review of the places we stayed and some of the amazing experiences we enjoyed while on vacation!! Are you ready?!
Our first stop was London. This was my third trip to this bustling city and it was still full of the charm and character that made me fall in love with London years ago. It was the perfect destination for our trip, filled with things to do but also relaxing enough to simply sit and enjoy a cup of coffee together. It was a great mix!!
For the first three days our trip we stayed in Kensington and filled each day with site seeing and eating. We absolutely adored the Kensington neighborhood, filled with coffee shops, diners and locals - it felt far removed from the hustle and bustle of central London and the craziness that is the European summer tourist season.
This was our part of the trip to see the sights and we did a LOT of walking, shopping and "touristing". Highlights included Liberty of London (A MUST for the building alone), Nopi, Victoria and Albert Museum, BBBakery Tour, Notting Hill and more -- I promise to break this all down in an upcoming post!!
Read MorePublic Garden Anniversary Session
Veronica and James traveled to Boston to celebrate their 10 year wedding anniversary last week. Hailing from the West Coast they had never visited Boston before and both were so excited to experience this charming and historic city for themselves (kid free :)). Having just celebrated my own 10 year anniversary with an epic trip abroad, I knew just how special this vacation was and what it meant to this sweet couple.
10 years. A decade of memories and experiences, a foundation and history of life shared together. I was delighted when Veronica shared that they wished to celebrate these past 10 years with an anniversary during their trip to Boston. Time intentionally spent honoring the life that they have built together and celebrating all that is to come. This was time just for them and I was honored to be there to photograph it.
Veronica and James wanted their session to feel romantic but also to capture some of the Boston charm that they fell in love with during their trip. We picked the Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill, the perfect combination of city charm and historic character. I hope you'll enjoy some of my favorite images of this darling 10 year anniversary session!!
Read MoreFeatured : Style Me Pretty, WellWed Magazine & More
Around once a quarter I like to share some of the recent features that have shared DZP Couples in their publications. It's always and honor to see work featured whether online or in print and and an even greater joy to see clients celebrated with a feature!! Here are a few recent DZP sitings to enjoy!!
Read MoreFairmont Copley Plaza Wedding | Colleen & Carl
Colleen and Carl have been on quite the journey this past year or so, not entirely sure they would see their wedding day come to fruition. With major health set backs for Carl, Colleen and Carl ended up postponing their scheduled wedding day last year, unsure if or when they would reschedule. But over a year later with Carl in good health, they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony this past weekend at Boston's historic Old South Church.
It was a day filled with joy and gratitude. Carl, Colleen and their guests knew just how lucky they were to be witnessing the union of this deserving couple - it made the day sweet, savored. Being around such happiness with such appreciate for the wedding day, was a joy and honor to photograph.
Carl & Colleen chose the beautiful and elegant Fairmont Copley Plaza for their reception. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the hotel and staff who ensured that Carl & Colleen's wedding day went off without a hitch. The night was spent enjoying delicious food, catching up with loved ones and dancing- oh so much dancing!! To see this sweet couple tearing up the dance floor was a sight to behold and one everyone in the room was grateful to see!! I mean who doesn't love a rollicking rendition of Wild Rover? This redhead was in pure wedding/Irish drinking song/happy heaven!!
Please enjoy some of my favorites of this precious day at the Fairmont Copley Plaza!!
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