Christina + Adam | A Proposal in Boston's Beacon Hill
Christy + Dan = Engaged
Alicia + John = Engaged
Cass + Matt = Engaged
Katelyn + Mark = Engaged
Katelyn and Mark's Engagement Session at Como Park in Saint Paul has to be one of the most quintessential "Spring" sessions we've ever done. The night was perfectly May - 65 degrees, sunny and full of soft pretty blooms. Their session was sort of a pseudo Engagement meets Married Portrait session since they are technically still engaged but will be getting married with a very small guest list (under 10!) in Colorado later this summer. They live in Saint Paul and wanted to commemorate this milestone with some photos in a park they love with some laid back photos. We had a great time, I practically wanted to adopt them as new best friends and invite ourselves over for game night and pizza at their place. Their chemistry together is that of a couple who has been together for decades: easy, trusting and compassionate. We wish them the best wedding day ever (they will be getting married at sunrise and having a wedding breakfast as their celebration!) and know that where bacon, Katelyn and Mark meet, it is bound to be an amazing day. Congratulations Katelyn and Mark, and thanks for allowing us to document this special time!
Lif + James = Married
What a lovely little wedding this was! Lif and James were married with an audience of three guests back in April. James grew up here in the states, and Lif grew up aborad, but Minnesota brought them together. They will be celebrating with two more traditional weddings (one here and one abroad!) but wanted to make their commitment legal before they waited any longer. They had a brief ceremony at the Semple Mansion in Minneapolis and I joined them afterward for some portraits around the Mansion and since it was rainy we hit up one of our favorite Minnesota indoor spots - the Como Conservatory in Saint Paul. The lush greenhouse provided a beautiful backdrop for the newlyweds who were literally giddy with excitement at their new state as husband and wife. It made my job a piece of cake as they waltzed through the Conservatory on their cloud of wedded bliss. Lif and James, thanks for trusting us to capture this special day, we know there will be so much happiness in your future together! Congratulations!
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!
Noelle + Chris = Engaged
Winter and early spring in Minnesota can be pretty drab outside. Don't get us wrong, we love cozying up under a blanket with a good book after romping around in the snow for a little while, but come March and April, we're ready for green. When Noelle and Chris approached their Engagement Session, they wanted to do something with a little color and personality. We started their session off in our studio Downtown Saint Paul, and took a few photos downtown before heading to the oasis of the Como Conservatory for some photos with a punch of color. The warm, dewy air of the Conservatory left us feeling like we were at the spa for a few hours, and the lush colors and bright flowers were the perfect backdrop for these two. We will be photographing their South Dakota wedding come May, so it was fantastic to get them in front of the camera for a little while before the big day. I loved their calm and trusting connection together. It's as though they've been together for decades! Noelle and Chris, thank you for allowing us to photograph you...see you SOON!
Holly + Barry = Engaged
If there is one thing we know about our couples, it's that they are always up for an adventure. Getting your photo taken can be a vulnerable experience, so even though most of our couples have a few minutes of feeling nervous about being in front of the camera, after a little while they throw caution to the wind and have fun with it. Holly and Barry are definitely up for anything, and I loved photographing them where they call home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We started at the Diner DTSF where they had their first date. Barry wins some major points for showing up 45 minutes early to get a table for them while Holly finished getting ready. We took advantage of the balmier-than-average January temps for a few photos downtown (the grimiest ally ways make for the best photos, no?) and then jumped over to the Leif Erickson park for some photos with their right hand man, their dog Easton. Holly was prepared with some warm hot chocolate, which Easton loved more than the couple. At the end of the session Holly had an idea for a photo with them *in the snow* and promptly jumped into a pile of fresh snow, and suggested Barry lay down in it. This is when I knew these two were our people. Usually we are the ones suggesting and directing how photos might evolve, but when Holly and Barry took the lead for photos they wanted, I had no choice but to go on *their* adventure, which made for a great time all around. Can't wait for October when they tie the knot in The Middle Of Nowhere, SD.
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*
Kara + Jimmy = Engaged
It doesn't take much to make us a crew of happy photographers: beautiful light, natural scenery, two people madly in love....throw in a bottle of champagne and we're set. Kara and Jimmy wanted us to capture some photos of their new status as *fiancees* before the leaves all left the trees. They brought their game face and a bottle of champagne to the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain and met up with Chuck for an afternoon of photos together and we think you agree that the results are fantastic. Keeping things simple and easy are how we roll, and we're glad that Kara and Jimmy agree. There is such a happiness in their faces and demeanor, it's practically a pick me up right through the internet! Kara and Jimmy - thank you for allowing us to photograph this exciting time. We're so happy for you!
Lindsay + Mark = Engaged
Today seems like a great day to share Lindsay and Mark's classic Boston Engagement photos with you. It's amazing what even a month can do in terms of fall color and weather. These images look so summery and bright, where lately we're finding the cool temps force us to bundle up when we're shooting. Cozy is good in the cold, but there is something really fun about Lindsay and Mark's polished yet relaxed look in these photos. Chuck joined these two for a stroll around Beacon Hill and the Boston Public Gardens. We've shot here a number of times in the past, but it always feels fresh to us. I guess that's why historic brick and cobblestone is always in. We love the images they created together and knew you would too. And that look Mark gives Lindsay? All the heart eyes... Congrats you guys!
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!