Ellen and Garret, Dedham, MA Wedding, Endicott Estate

In October 2015 Ellen and Garret had a classic New England wedding on a beautiful autumn day. Their wedding was held outdoors under a gazebo at Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA. Being chosen as their wedding photographer was very special because both the sister and brother-in-law of the bride are photographers. They were the ones who found me on Facebook, reviewed my portfolio, and then recommended me to the bride. I am always grateful when my customers refer me to their friends, but being selected and recommended by fellow photographers means a lot.

Ellen and Garret exchanged gifts before the ceremony and I captured Garret reading the note to his bride-to-be. It was a simple but meaningful moment and my hope is that every time he sees this photo he'll remember exactly what he was thinking. 

Ellen is wonderfully photogenic and I took a lot of pictures that day. While reviewing the proofs she commented on a handful that she thought showed her making "funny faces." What she actually saw was candid moments where she was laughing and having fun on one of the most important days of her life. I reminded her that there were also some beautiful, modern and timeless photos of them so they should embrace the silly ones. After all, those are the ones that will make them smile the most years from now.

Ellen and Garret are an exquisite couple and I loved being a part of their perfect wedding day!

Shauna and Matt, Moraine Farm Wedding, Beverly, MA

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't love the summer heat, but I have to admit that August can be a beautiful time for a wedding. Shauna and Matt had a summer wedding on a beautiful August evening at Moraine Farm in Beverly, MA. Moraine Farm Estate is a spectacular location for a wedding with over 100 acres filled with rich greenery, vibrant flowers and a sparkling view of Wenham Lake. Everywhere I turned there was a stunning backdrop for their photos, but ultimately my favorites are the ones that showcase the bride and groom against the simplicity of forest or the night sky. 

Even the little details of Shauna and Matt's summer wedding were picturesque. The basil-infused lemonade, the delicate tea lights on the wall, and the sparklers that friends and family waved during their departure all made for a fun, lighthearted, but beautiful wedding. 

Setting the tone for the reception, a personal friend sang La Vie en Rose for Shauna and Matt's first dance and there wasn't a dry eye under the tent. Their day was relaxed and romantic without being informal, and it was perfect!

Ashley and Mike, Danversport Yacht Club Wedding | Danvers, MA Wedding

On my birthday in October 2015, I was lucky enough to be a part of Ashley and Mike's wedding. Ashley and Mike's wedding was like something out of a movie. Ashley is a well-loved schoolteacher; Mike is a Beverly firefighter. They got married at Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, MA in a gazebo directly overlooking the water.

Their day was full of laughter, music (courtesy of The Lisa Love Experience), dancing, and a special video message recorded by Ashley's students. It was an emotional day, with Mike's daughter playing an integral role in turning this couple into a family.

A classic firetruck made for a special limo and added a spectacular backdrop for our photos. I was touched when the band sang happy birthday to me at Ashley and Mike's request. There aren't a lot of brides and grooms who want to share the spotlight on their wedding day. It was an amazing wedding to be a part of and a birthday celebration I'll never forget.

Lauren and Kate, Engagement Photos, Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield, MA

Lauren and Kate are completely enamored with snow; it's one of their favorite things. Snow was one of the things that they wanted most of all for their engagement photos at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, MA. They wanted as much snow as possible! We booked the engagement session for January in the hopes that a mid-winter date in Massachusetts would guarantee us some of the cold, white stuff. We came prepared with snow pants, mittens, and a sled.

When we met up at 1:00 in the afternoon, wouldn't you know, there was no snow. We maintained high hopes that the weather wouldn't let us down. We got started with a few photos and, just like magic, it started snowing. I guess if you wish for something hard enough it really might come true because we got more than just a few flurries. Once it started snowing, it didn't stop for quite some time. In fact, we ended up with a full-on blizzard and three feet of snow on the ground!

Lauren and Kate couldn't have been happier. Their winter snowy engagement photos are playful and fun, just like they are as a couple. Truth be told, even if the weather hadn't cooperated, I don't think anything would have gotten these two down. It was a beautiful shoot for a beautiful couple that included what they love most of all - each other.

Katie and Tim, Quonquont Farm Wedding, Whately, MA

There's an old saying, a superstition, that rain on your wedding day is good luck. If that's true then Katie and Tim will be lucky for life! On a rainy September afternoon, Katie and Tim got married at Quonquont Farm in Whately, MA. Quonquont Farm is a beautiful location for a wedding with a restored 19th-century barn on a 140-acre farm and orchard. In preparing for their wedding day I started thinking about all the beautiful photos we'd have with that backdrop.

Then, despite Katie's bouquet of sunflowers, it rained. When I say it rained, I mean, it rained. The sky started pouring down early and it didn't stop. Not for the wedding, not anytime in the afternoon, nor into the evening. There are a lot of couples who would have been stressed out, frustrated, or disappointed. But not Katie and Tim. This is a couple who exemplified what a wedding is all about. It's about these two people, in love, celebrating their commitment to each other surrounded by love, regardless of what's going on outside.

Katie and Tim did more than just accept that it was raining; they embraced it and they had fun with it. I used a handful of umbrellas, protected my flashes and equipment with plastic wrap, and we set out to capture some memories in the rain. I have to confess, I've never been happier to have rain on a wedding day because we came away with one of my favorite wedding photographs to date.

In the end, they have some amazing photos and a really good story to tell about their Quonquont Farm wedding.

April and Paige, Tuck's Point, Manchester-By-The-Sea Wedding

April and Paige met on the softball field after bumping into into each other in the outfield. Literally, they collided into one another which caused Paige to drop the ball and give April a dirty look. Of course, there were no hard feelings (but maybe a couple of bruises) and after the game they were more formally introduced. They ended up talking all night.

Who could have predicted that crash would change their lives forever?

That summer led to some pretty exciting adventures for the two of them. They've played softball (lots of softball), basketball, and flag football together. They’ve run road races, done the Warrior Dash, finished a triathlon, and biked over the Golden Gate bridge. They’ve driven from Washington, D.C. to Massachusetts and from Massachusetts to Florida. They even managed to do it without driving each other crazy!

They bought a house and made a home in Rockport where they spend a lot of their time sitting on the rocks and watching the ocean. It’s where they fell in love.

April and Paige's Tuck’s Point wedding in Manchester-By-The-Sea was held on a beautiful summer day in August that encompassed all the things that are so important to their story and their lives. There were softball bats, lawn games, the ocean, friends, and family. Most of all, there was laughter and love everywhere.

Christmas Holiday Photo Sessions | Winter Holiday Photo Session

It happens every year once summer ends and school begins, I can't believe how fast the holidays are coming upon us! This year's Christmas and holiday photo mini sessions will be held in studio with fun backdrops and tons of props including a handmade wooden sleigh! These photos are perfect for printed holiday cards, holiday e-cards, for posting on social media, or just as a keepsake year after year.

Christmas and Holiday Mini Session for 2015

Dates: November 13, 14, 15, 21, 22
Location: North Andover, MA
Duration: 30 minute session
Cost: $100

You choose whether your session is Christmas themed or winter themed.

These sessions fill up fast so please call me today at 978-578-4771 to schedule your holiday photo session!

5 Tips for Preparing for School Pictures

When I was a kid our school pictures were a little...unique. Unnatural backdrops with laser beams or terrible looking fake trees were the norm. It wasn't uncommon to find that the photographer didn't bother to fix a folded collar or help with hair askew. Then you had those printed picture options with hundreds of wallet-sized pictures.

I have a different approach to school pictures. Not only do I take the time to get multiple pictures of each child (and you get multiple pictures in case your favorites are different from mine!) but I deliver picture electronically. If you still want to print out a wallet picture, you can, but you can also just download it to your phone (that's how I share pictures of my daughters!)

Regardless of whether you get school pictures from me or another studio, here are some tips for preparing for picture day.

5 Tips for Preparing for School Pictures

1. Don't remind your child over and over again that they're having pictures taken. For younger ones, it just makes them anxious and full of nerves. Let me know once ahead of time that school picture day is coming up, and then let them know again that morning.

2. Send your child with a brush or a comb. The teacher or photographer can help smooth out fly-aways and do our best to maintain the hair style that you prepped that morning.

3. Dress them in a bit of color. Very heavy prints or patterns can take over but that doesn't mean you have to stick to solids. A subtle print or pattern on a favorite shirt or dress looks great, and color always pops better than neutrals on kids.

4. For the youngest ones, dress them in a different shirt or at least have a back-up. Juice dribbles happen and even though we try to schedule pictures earlier in the day, sometimes kids are too quick with the markers!

5. If your child is really nervous about having their picture taken, send them in with a favorite stuffed animal or very small toy. Picture day is a "special" day, so bringing a comforting toy can be a special way of easing nerves.