Zoe

I love senior photo sessions. I truly do. There is something so special about capturing young adults as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Zoe's senior session was a blast since it was clear that she is truly ready to spread her wings and do amazing things in the world. Her energy was bursting with excitement and joy, and let me tell you, the best guarantee for good photographs is JOY. Zoe lives in Texas but we were able to meet up in South Dakota while we were traveling in June to shoot her session. I never get tired of shooting in South Dakota. Many photographers say the light is best in Southern California, but I think the flat prairie does pretty well for itself. The vast expanse of fields and farms makes for a stunning backdrop and can we just talk for a second about the HORSES in her photos?! As we were brainstorming ideas for Zoe's session, I kept returning to a vision of photographing her around horses (she does ride after all). I casually mentioned it to my Dad, who simply called up some friends of his and asked if we could swing by to take some photos with their horses. I kid you not, they said "Of course! See you in an hour!" And just like that, we jumped in the car and met Rosie, the supporting star of Zoe's session. A *huge* thank you to Jim and MaryAnn for their generosity on last minute notice to use their horses in this shoot. They represent the type of people that make the community I grew up in so wonderful.

Susan + Tony = Married

Susan and Tony were married on a perfect summer day in July. We started out the morning with a traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony at Susan's parents house - which includes a procession of the groom and his family and friends presenting the bride and her parents with many gifts, including a whole roast pig. Since we don't speak Vietnamese, we can't exactly tell you what they say, but we can tell you that the Tea Ceremony was full of laughter, hugs and two people very much in love with beaming parents. That alone started the day out with a joyous, family-focused feel, which continued throughout the afternoon lunch reception and into their Catholic Ceremony and dinner reception. One of our favorite things about Susan and Tony is their ability to not take themselves too seriously. They know how to let loose and enjoy life, which is really what a wedding celebration is all about. Tony is notorious for looking at the world with the up most optimism; he is like a traveling party. Susan is his rock; grounded, organized and full of joy. We had a great time photographing their wedding and especially enjoyed their surprise Wedding Party Flash mob, they can really dance! Congratulations Susan and Tony! We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

Jessica + Jon = Engaged

You know what it's like when you're just humming along, minding your own business and you see a couple that are so perfect together it almost hurts? Maybe you're waiting in line at the grocery store, and he opens the door for her and she sweetly smiles and holds his hand throughout the store - or maybe you're on a walk and you see them strolling by with no cares to be had, gazing into each others eyes and admiring the scenery. It's like they have rose colored glasses on and nothing could be better than being in the presence of the other. Well, Jessica and Jon *are* these people. Their love is something to be coveted, and it's immediately obvious how much they care about each other from the moment you talk with them. We've truly enjoyed getting to know these two, and had a great time exploring the Minute Man National Park in Concord, MA with them for their Engagement Session. Clearly, they needed no warm up time in front of the camera, and while we listened to their August wedding plans unfold, we couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of their upcoming wedding day. You'll be seeing more of them soon since their wedding is just around the corner so for now we'll just say that this is a small taste of the goodness that is to come.

Melissa + Jonathan = Married

Oh are we ever excited to share this wedding with you. Melissa and Jonathan are Graphic Designers living in Brooklyn (talented ones at that, they did our website!) who tied the knot on her father's New Hampshire farm in June. You guys. If the photos above don't give you a little glimpse into just how good their wedding was - well, I don't know what will. Weddings like Melissa and Jonathan's take a *lot* of work and we couldn't have been more thrilled to capture it. Melissa and Jonathan worked for months preparing their graphic design details, wedding design and aesthetic vision into the day which included many DIY projects like painting silverware handles and making hundreds of yards of fabric bunting just to name a few. They brought the incredibly talented Natalie Bowen Designs to create flawless florals for the big day and had Phebe from Making Me Planning and Event Firm on hand to pull the entire event together as the Day-of Coordinator. In addition to all of the beautiful aesthetic, the food from SoLo was literally the best wedding food we've ever had and the exuberant music from Raya Brass Band gave the event a cinematic experience that was filled to the brim with happiness. While all of those things are *more* than enough to make an amazing celebration, it's all for nothing without love; and Melissa and Jonathan had plenty to share. Their love for one another is so grounded yet radiant. Their wedding day was like happiness on steroids! We feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with these two and feel lucky to call them new friends. Congratulations you two! Have a blast on your European Honeymoon Adventure!

Ellie + Mike = Married

You guys. THIS wedding. Let's start at the beginning. Ellie is the big sister I never had. Her younger sister and I have been best of friends since high school, hence much of our high school years were advised and entertained by Ellie. She is an extremely talented actress, singer and dancer (a triple threat, if you will) with an exuberant personality that draws people in. Anyone who knows her would say that she is joyously infectious. Having known Ellie all my life (my older step-brothers were even next door neighbors with her and her family) it was with a big bear hug that I greeted her boyfriend Mike when meeting him for the first time. If he was good enough for Ellie - well then, he was going to be a part of the family whether he liked it or not. Mike is everything I would have hoped for Ellie and more. As their relationship grew and they decided to get married, we were able to spend more time with Mike to get to know him. They are like yin and yang - so different but they balance each other out so perfectly. He is a super smart food scientist with a laid back personality and a permanent smile mounted on his face. We just love him. As their wedding day approached and we made our way across the country to shoot their wedding in the Black Hills of South Dakota - we were bursting with anticipation knowing what a labor of love their wedding was. They say that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, and let me tell you, the set up involved with their entirely DIY wedding decor and the talent that was involved in the actual day itself blew us out of the water. The entire day was OOZING with talent and love. One of our favorite moments was when Ellie and Mike surprised their guests by singing Ingrid Michaelson's 'You and I" during their ceremony complete with a ukelele and a wedding party chorus. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about how happy it was. Ellie and Mike: we are so so happy for you and we couldn't have been more honored to be your wedding photographers. Thank you for trusting your photo vision to us, much love and Congratulations!

Ashley + Jamie = Engaged

There is so much to love about Ashley and Jamie. For starters, we had to do almost no "posing assistance" with them. From the beginning of their session they were calm, collected and confident in front of the camera - making our job a cinch. Most people take some time getting into their element, especially since the nature of this work is quite intimate. Not Ashley and Jamie - they were excited and open about being themselves right from the start. Their natural ease with one another was just the beginning. Ashley is gentle and warm with a spunk for life and Jamie's centered and sweet personality compliments her perfectly. They also don't take things too seriously either - it was fun to watch them interact and be a little goofy with one another. Oh, and there's the fact that we're pretty much in love with the photos from their session. They have a 'summertime and the living is easy' vibe going on - which was all due to the elements that make a photo session a success: an un-fussy backdrop, nice light and two people who are crazy about each other. We couldn't be more thrilled to be shooting their wedding in Vermont this September - it's going to be a GOOD one!

Erin + Koji = Married

In many ways, sharing Erin and Koji's wedding with you on Independence Day is fitting. While they didn't have fireworks or a red white and blue themed wedding - they exemplify the very essence of giving freedom. You see, Erin and Koji have a heart for international medical work. They use their medical education and talents to bring healing to people all around the world who are sick and afflicted. In fact, it was their work that brought them together. We could think of no more deserving couple to have found one another and share a lifetime of happiness together. One of our favorite moments from their wedding (aside from their perma-smiles during their ceremony) was Erin's little surprise for Koji during their reception. Koji has been a long time fan of the super talented musician Peter Mulvey. It was a no-brainer that Erin and Koji would share their first dance to one of his songs - but Erin wasn't going to settle for a recording. As a surprise for Koji, Erin hired Peter Mulvey himself to be dinnertime musical entertainment, as well as play their first dance song *live* during their reception. You may want to scroll back up and see the adorable reaction Koji had. That kind of happiness and delight was infused throughout the entire day which left us feeling so happy that we get to share in such a special a part of our client's lives. Erin and Koji - we couldn't be happier for you. Thank you for making our job so rewarding - you guys are the best!

Maria + Kyle = Married

When Maria and Kyle asked us to photograph their Green Bay, Wisconsin wedding - we knew it was going to be awesome. Kyle and Matt grew up together so we already knew the kind hearted, goofy and loving teddy bear he was and while we had barely met Maria, we knew that she was going to be a perfect compliment to Kyle's charismatic personality. Down to earth, sweet, and drop dead girl-next-door gorgeous, Maria was everything we had expected and more. They are perfect together. If their relationship could be summed up in one day it may have well been their wedding day. Their loving families contributed their talents in many ways; Maria's brother composed and directed the music for the ceremony, another one of Maria's brothers performed in the ceremony and Kyle sang 'My Maria' by Brooks and Dunn during the reception to his bride. (Melt our hearts!). Every speech and toast drove home what amazing people Kyle and Maria are separately, and how wonderful they are together. All in all it was a happy day, and we're so grateful to have been able to share in it. Congratulations Maria and Kyle!

Kristin + Brian = Married

Kristin and Brian were married at the Mansion at Turner Hill in Ipswich on the rainiest day in June. As their big day approached and the weather kept threatening major storms on their wedding day, we were all a little disappointed that their outdoor garden ceremony and leisurely cocktail hour they had originally planned to be outdoors would need to be moved inside. Lucky for us (and the rest of the wedding guests) the inside of the Mansion at Turner Hill is absolutely spectacular. In fact, it has served as a backdrop for many major motion pictures and even stepping inside you feel as though you have been whisked back into another era. As the morning of the big day arrived and as all of the preparations buzzed, Kristin was as cool as a cucumber as she readied herself to see her groom for the first time on their wedding day. Brian and his guys waited for the ladies while relaxing in the historic smoking room, playing cards and drinking scotch. As the rain poured down, we found a large covered overpass for Kristin and Brian to have their First Look and Portraits utilizing the natural light while remaining dry and clean in the hurricane-like weather. We were all glad to go inside afterward where guests started arriving to be welcomed by a large fire in the library and many happy welcome hugs. A cozy vibe isn't something you might expect at a June wedding but it was a fabulous touch and highlighted the exquisite nature of the venue. Their ceremony was sweet and beautiful and the rest of the evening went off without a hitch; dining in the tent, toasting to their happiness and rocking out the dance floor with a live band.  While the wedding did have to utilize that all important 'Plan B' rain back up plan, the most important elements - family, love and two people entering into a new life together - were so present and full that the small details paled in comparison. It truly was a perfect day.