2015 - In Review

2015 marks our fifth year documenting weddings full time. We've always said that you can enter a career by way of education or experience - and our path has been experience. Of course we are constantly pushing ourselves to take classes and workshops to learn more, but there are no professional photography degrees behind our team of photographers. In 1993, a professor at the University of Colorado - Anders Ericsson, wrote a paper about how 10,000 hours of experience will make someone an expert in their field. After five years, we've well passed the 10,000 mark, and while I wouldn't say we are experts, I can say this business has taught us far more than we ever thought possible about entrepreneurship, hard work, setting boundaries, weddings in every shape and form and dreaming big. This year brought us documenting weddings in 13 states, photographing past (and new!) clients growing families and a true welcome as Midwest Photographers in addition to our New England base. With over 300,000 images processed (I'm not exaggerating) by Matt, myself, Chuck and Abby not to mention our crew of phenomenal second photographers - Missy, Jenny, Devin and Mike - it was a year of living and loving big. With the volume of work it might seem like we're a well oiled machine with lots of minions to keep things running. And while we have our workflow down, each and every wedding and portrait shoot is handled in our humble little studio without elaborate outsourcing. It's a labor of love, and one we are honored to call our life's work.

Thank you for joining us this year. From the highest points in Maine to the shores of the Mississippi River, we've been honored to tell these stories with our cameras. We are eternally grateful for your support and look forward to another year documenting love.

*Previous years in review: 2011, 2012 (part I, II, III), 2013, and 2014*

Amanda + Loftin = Married

Ahhh Maine. For those of you who have visited or live there you know that Maine is a special place. Something about the stunning rocky shore lines, thriving community of artists and local fishermen and did we mention the lobster? Matt and I have been long time fans of all things Maine, so it's always a treat to get to work there. Amanda and Loftin share our sentiment because despite having family all across the eastern seaboard, they decided to get married at a family residence on Deer Isle and make their wedding a destination for all their guests. And what a wedding they had! If the photos aren't evidence enough of how special these two are, you can go ahead and take our word for it. Their heart felt and personalized wedding day was a joy to share in. Thank you for allowing us to capture your wedding, Amanda and Loftin. We wish you years of happiness!

Cerridwen + Nic = Married

You know when a couple tells you their wedding will be held in the backyard of the bride's ancestral home (which just got electricity) on the coast of Maine that it is going to be a unique and fantastic day. Cerridwen and Nic threw a party to kick start their marriage that did not disappoint. Gathered in the cathedral of evergreens, they said their vows amongst a crowd of their closest loved ones and planted an oak tree in lieu of a unity candle that will grow beyond their years together. After the ceremony they dodged the rain and settled into a delicious meal with their friends and family as they cozied up in the warmth of their newlywed glow. We had to sneak them away for a few minutes on the foggy, brisk waterfront for some portraits which we are just a *little* obsessed with. Cerri and Nic, you have both been such a pleasure to get to know. We are so grateful for your trust in Summer Street to capture your beautiful and thoughtful wedding day. Congratultaions!

Favorite Photos from 2012 - Wedding

What an amazing year it's been. Whenever we stop to count our blessings (which we try to make a daily habit of) we are floored by the opportunities we have to work in a medium we love for really good people. Yes, we take thousands of photos at every wedding and spend countless hours ensuring each image is taken care of and presented with the same joy we captured it with - but without you - our clients and supporters - our work is nothing. We'd have no beautiful flower arrangements to ooh and ah at, we'd have no sweet glances to capture when a couple sees one another for the first time on their wedding day, we'd never hear your loved ones toasting to eternal happiness and we'd certainly have a lot fewer friends. The truth is, weddings are filled with emotions and it's a complete honor to be able to bottle those up and give them back to you each and every wedding. After a wedding is over, when we're home and editing photos on a tuesday morning, we're still laughing about the way your Uncle Randy took center stage during 'Gangnam Style', we're still inspired by the hard work you've put into your wedding details and with each and every couple portrait that we edit and refine, our observations of your love reinforces why marriage is such a beautiful thing. We love capturing these moments and giving them back to you as a visual journal of one of the happiest days of your lives. We can't help but feel as though the joy and love of these special days rubs off on us too. It's contagious, and we can only hope 2013 will bring as much hard work, excitement and happiness as 2012. Happy New Year, Friends!

Christina + Dan = Married

When Christina and Dan first met with us and told us their vision of having a fun and relaxing weekend on Peaks Island (right off the Portland, Maine coast) for their wedding celebration - we were immediately hooked. They wanted an adventurous yet laid back experience for their guests that would feel like a holiday. From the moment our feet hit the ground after a quick ferry ride from Portland - we knew their vision had already been fulfilled. Dan happened to be relaxing on the front porch when we arrived and we were greeted with a big hug. I hopped upstairs to the spa where Christina and her ladies were getting ready and the vibe was calm and happy. Christina was as cool as a cucumber and was waiting until the last moment to change into her wedding dress. Typically bridesmaids are the ones walking around watching the action of the bride getting ready - but Christina was the one that was enjoying the hustle and bustle of everyone getting their final touches - she was grounded and ready to go! Minutes before the ceremony Christina slipped into her princess-worthy gown and enjoyed a quiet moment with her mom. The ceremony followed with a sky full of sunshine and the smell of  fresh sea breeze as their guests watched with love. Everyone had a laugh when Dan's wedding ring wouldn't fit during their ring exchange and I can honestly say that hearing wedding guests laugh in unison is probably one of the happiest sounds ever. (It's totally not the same as a movie or comedy show, during a wedding ceremony people are laughing with happiness as they witness an extremely personal and emotional event).  Guests enjoyed cocktail hour while we stole Christina and Dan away for a little while to get some sun drenched photos of them on the beach, which was a new experience for us to have a *western* facing sunset since we were on an island facing Maine. The evening ended with sweet toasts for the newlyweds and a rocking dance party which involved family members of *all* ages. Overall it was a happy and relaxing day, just what they had in mind. Christina and Dan, it's been a pleasure working with you. Congratulations on your marriage and enjoy Italy!! (p.s. It must be a sign that Matt and I need to go back to Italy with a surge of clients who are all visiting Italy on their honeymoons!)