Angela + Tom = Engaged

Hey guys! It's been awhile. We've missed blogging - and just in time too because we have a roster of great shoots to share and it's officially WEDDING SEASON! Before spring morphs into summer and we wonder where the time went, we had to share some of our favorite photographs from Angela and Tom's Engagement Session in Wellesley, MA at the lovely Elm Bank Horticultural Center. Chuck captured these photos and he'll be returning when they tie the knot this July at Fruitlands. We're in love with the photos and think these three make an incredibly adorable trio. Angela and Tom, little L is lucky to have you as parents. We can't wait for July!

Caitlin + Tom = Engaged

We've said it 100 times and we'll say it again: personalization is the BEST way to win at engagement and wedding photos. Why? Because you feel comfortable when things are familiar. And when you feel comfortable you relax. And relaxing is the KEY to great photos. This is why we love shooting in people's homes and when couples break the rules of wedding traditions to embrace their way of having a party. Caitlin and Tom's Engagement Session near their home in Union Square in Somerville, MA is a perfect example of this. I met up with them a few weeks back to get to know them a little more before their June wedding in Minneapolis. We started in their backyard and ventured through Union Square a bit before ending the session at Harvard where Caitlin is earning her PhD. Of course when they casually mentioned they shopped at the Asian Grocery store as we walked by I practically drug them in to get some photos. They were up for the adventure and I'm so grateful for their trust. The end results from this session are so fun and pack the perfect amount of spunk. Caitlin and Tom, thanks for being up for anything and for letting me document you both just as you are! We're so very excited to document  their wedding at The Batchlor Farmer next June!

Megan + Ryan = Engaged

When Megan and Ryan started planning their Engagement Session and asked for some recommendations for locations within Boston that had a natural, park-like feel we knew just where to shoot. The Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain remains one of our favorite oasis' for photo shoots for a few reasons. No matter how busy it is, the park is big enough to find your own little quiet corner to appreciate the (meticulously labeled - thanks Harvard!) various species of plants and trees and feel as if you have slipped into the countryside for the afternoon. Add in two lovebirds that are perfectly matched for one another (ahem - Megan and Ryan!) and we're happy photographers. These two are genuine, kind-hearted and aren't afraid to be just a little bit silly. We loved capturing their lives here in Boston before they get married in Missouri next June. Congratulations Megan + Ryan!  

Samantha + Chan = Engaged

Today we're savoring the last day of summer with Samantha + Chan's Engagement Session shot earlier this season. Chuck joined these two for an afternoon of fun together at the Boston Public Garden and in Beacon Hill. You would never guess that it was nearly 100 degrees with 100% humidity in these photos, right? These two are keeping their cool together and we're loving the photos Chuck caught of them. Although we sense there will be plenty of rich autumn colors coming our way in the next few weeks, today we're living vicariously with these two love birds in the clean bright green light of summer, kicking back in Boston's finest scenery. Congrats! 

Allie + Fiona = Engaged

We've had the pleasure of knowing Fiona for a few years when she did one-on-one photography mentoring with us back in 2013. She's a talented photographer and lovely person all around (oh, and Irish, which is pretty cool). When she told us she'd met the love of her life in Allie and couldn't imagine anyone else photographing this special time, we were ecstatic. As it turns out, Allie is everything (and more) Fiona said she was: compassionate, funny, loving and true. They are so good together and seeing them happy is infectious. Chuck captured this session of them with their two little furry love bugs, and we can't wait to capture their wedding next spring!

Katie + Josh = Engaged

We may sound like a broken record, but we'll sing it from the roof tops for as long as we can: WE HAVE THE BEST COUPLES. Imagine if your work place was filled with creative, talented, honest, funny, great-to-be-around folks. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, we don't have the pleasure of working in the same space (most of the time) as our clients, but if we did - that would be our life. As it turns out, we still get to enjoy being around these amazing people, and for that you can be a little bit jealous (don't worry, we're probably jealous of you in some way too). Katie and Josh are just these sorts of people. We met Katie at a wedding we photographed back in 2012 when she was a bridesmaid and remembered her being grounded and sweet. When her turn came to have a shinny ring on her finger, we were honored that she asked us to photograph her and Josh's relationship milestones. We are looking forward to their wedding at the Boston Aquarium later this fall, but first we had to steal them away for a few engagement photos around Beacon Hill and the Public Gardens in Boston on a late spring day. There is something about spring that oozes romance and new possibilities, isn't there? Katie and Josh - we can't wait to see you in October!

2014 - IN REVIEW

For those of you still hanging around at the end, let's start with a high-five for being able to process all those images. We are well aware that this little annual tradition of our images in a yearly review format is entirely too big. Believe it or not, this is a highly edited version of some of our favorite images for the year. I suppose that's what happens when we shoot more than 50 weddings in a year, not to mention even more portrait sessions. There is just so much LIFE and LOVE that we get to witness! It's such an honor, guys. Now you get to read our little acceptance speech of gratitude. First of all, none of these photos would be possible without the beautiful clients we get to have in our Summer Street family. Their lives and love are our constant inspiration, and without that we'd just be taking photos of pretty things with no substance. Next up, our team of dedicated photographers. Of course Matt and I started this whole crazy business, but we've picked up Chuck and Abby along the way as our sensationally talented Associate Photographers, and much of what you see above is their talented work as well. Next up we have the privilege of working with some of the finest in the industry as our second shooters and assistants for some weddings; Ashley, Katie, Deb, Bella, Dan, Olivia, Ellie, Jean and Vina - your talent behind the lens is clearly phenomenal and we're honored to call you peers. We are hybrid shooters (film and digital) so we have to thank our talented film lab, Richard Photo Lab, for their expert work in the dark room. This year we hand-trained a new talented digital editor as well. With the influx of a new market in the Midwest, Matt and I needed back-end support to help us deliver beautiful, consistent images to our clients in a timely manner, and we knew bringing an in-house editor to help us would be just the thing. Laura is now part of our team and has been an integral part of our back-end this year and helps all our images become what you see on our site. Talk about a talented group!

We have captured love in many places this year. From sandy beaches to historic estates. Ornate houses of worship and cathedrals in the woods. Childhood homes and mountain tops. All across New England and the prairies of the Midwest, we've gotten to step back and capture lives full of love. We've been able to tell their stories through photos that they will cherish for years to come. We are completely honored to call this work, and we toast to you all for supporting us along the way. Here's to 2015!

*In the mood for more photos? Previous years in review: 2011, 2012 (part I, II, III), 2013*

Emily + Rob = Engaged

Sorry for the humble brag, but we have to say it. Our clients are simply the best. We are so grateful to tell love stories for real couples and document it on camera, but it's really the cherry on top of the sundae when our couples are as sweet as Emily and Rob. These two compliment one another so well. Smart, endearing, charismatic, and laid-back; Emily and Rob are well suited for one another. Matt was lucky enough to spend a morning photographing them together in one of our favorite Boston parks, the Arnold Arboretum, and the vivid colors of a humid summer day are just divine. We can't wait to shoot their wedding next May at the Endicott Estate but in the meanwhile we'll have to return to their adorable Engagement Session images for our Emily and Rob fix.

Elizabeth + Oliver = Engaged

We loved getting Elizabeth and Oliver in front of the camera a few weeks back for their Engagement Session highlighting some of Boston's prettiest backdrops. It's always a pleasure when our clients become friends, and when folks decide to splurge on an Engagement Session we view it not only as a time for us to work with them before their wedding but also as a chance to get to know the couple a little better too. We've had such a great time working with Elizabeth and Oliver and their Engagement Session confirmed all our previous notions of their solid personalities. Oliver is the kind of guy that could talk to anyone and will always put Elizabeth's wishes before his own. (You know, the kind of guy that romantic comedy heroes are made of). Elizabeth is gracious, kind and oh so beautiful. We can't wait for their Farm wedding on the cape in a few short weeks, it's bound to be lovely! Keep an eye out for some serious eye candy once their wedding hits the blog! We can't wait.

Erica + Tim = Engaged

Oh we have big hearts for these two. We first met Erica and Tim at Erica's sister's wedding back in 2012 (remember Heather and Steven?). As it turns out, big loving hearts run in their family. From the moment I met Erica, she gave me a big hug and insisted that she "was a huger" and that a handshake simply wouldn't do. We later met her gentle and loyal other half, Tim at the wedding. We've stayed in touch with them throughout the years and were thrilled to hear of their Engagement. When they asked us to photograph their big day, we were elated to have the opportunity and we have enjoyed working with them throughout their engagement so far. Matt captured the two of them with their sweet dog Jax at one of our favorite farms in the Boston area late in May and we're so excited about these images. It goes to show that with the right setting, sunset light and an adorable trio like Tim, Erica and Jax, that you can't really go wrong. We can't wait for their October wedding in Rhode Island that will fall on the 10 year anniversary of Matt and my couple-ship.  It's going to be such a spectacular day!

Amanda + Jaco = Engaged

Chuck spent a morning photographing Amanda and Jaco in one of our favorite places, Concord, Massachusetts a few weeks back on a delightfully spring morning. They met up near the Old Manse, which was old stomping grounds for Amanda from her days as a tour guide there. While Amanda hails from the Western Suburbs of Boston, Jaco is originally from South Africa and the two of them now call Illinois home. They will be getting married at perhaps our most favorite venue on earth (where we got married, in fact) in just a few short weeks but before the wedding we had to get them in front of the camera. We love the way Jaco looks at Amanda, and how it's clear that Amanda feels right at home in his arms. We can't wait to shoot their wedding at the Codman Estate later this month but for now we're savoring their sweet e-session with Chuck!

Audrey + Patrick = Engaged

It's official. We're in love with this session and these two love birds. Chuck will be shooting their wedding next fall and the only problem with that is that we get jealous of him getting to work with such an awesome couple as Audrey and Patrick. The three of them spent a perfectly brisk fall afternoon strolling through the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain and we couldn't be more obsessed with the perfect fall color palate and the love oozing out of these photos. Can it be autumn forever?

Kimberly + Marty = Engaged

They say love blossoms in spring, but after this session I've got my money on autumn. The clean crisp air, colorful leaves and sentimental location of this shoot just does it for me! Kimberly and Marty knew they wanted their Engagement Photos on a private family residence, and when said residence includes a large white porch - we're pretty much sold. Kind-hearted and genuine, these two are about as real as it gets. Their love for one another glows and we find ourselves smiling just looking at them. Chuck hit it out of the park with this session and we're excited to be photographing their wedding next May. It's going to be a beautiful day!