There is something so sweet about this Engagement Session, isn't there? It's quiet and calm yet full of the type of love that exists from two people who made for one another. We met up with Josie and Josh at the Arnold Arboretum on a stormy summer evening and photographed the two of them in their element. These photos go to show that you don't need some sort of elaborate styled photoshoot to have some great images of your love and you together. Sometimes all you need is a quiet park on the brink of a summer storm as the two of you dodge raindrops together. Life is most beautiful during the in-between moments, isn't it?
Melissa + Dan = Married
We first started talking with Melissa and Dan about their Artist for Humanity Building
wedding over a year ago. From the start we were so excited about their vision for a laid-back wedding day in the city with personal touches with an artistic flair. Part of this business is meeting lots of really awesome couples who end up going a different direction than Summer Street for their photography, so when Melissa and Dan decided to go a different direction with their photography we were bummed not to get to work with them but of course understood. Fast forward to the week of their wedding and we get a call from Melissa, Dan and their existing photographer explaining that there were some extenuating circumstances and we would be taking over their contract. Fortunately Chuck was open and able to step up to the call with our good friend George and the two of them shot the wedding together and rocked the house. I mean truly, would you look at these two and the amazing bash they planned for their nearest and dearest? Melissa and Dan clearly share a special connection and we were so honored to get to capture their wedding story. Congratulations you two! We wish you many happy years of love, laughter and a spontaneous dance parties with 80s sunglasses. :)
Rachel + Andrew = Married
We always love having the opportunity to photograph someplace new. A new surrounding and local culture inspires us to see things a little differently than our daily life and forces us to slow down while shooting to attempt to capture the landscape. In Rachel and Andrew's case, their wedding was in Kendra's home state of South Dakota, which always provides a sense of comfort and familiarity on the great plains. If you've ever gotten the opportunity to visit the great state of South Dakota, you'll know that it's a large, mostly flat terrain filled with gently sloping fields of grain, corn, soybeans and eventually a beautiful mountain range. Winds can whip across the mostly tree-less acres with great gusto causing intense blizzards in the winter and intense hot wind (and tumbleweeds!) in the summer. Fortunately these two chose a summer month and not a blizzard month to be married in, and despite the 115 degree heat indexes on their wedding day, they kept their cool amongst the raging temps and high winds (have you ever seen someone's hair look so good in 50mph winds?). Rachel and Andrew are currently living on the East Coast but wanted to celebrate their union in Rachel's hometown of Chamberlain, South Dakota. Oh what a perfect decision that was for them, too. Never have we seen such a warm and loving group of people come together to celebrate these two special people. The kind of compassion and camaraderie their guests poured out on Rachel and Andrew was genuine and heartfelt. It's not difficult, however, to adore these two. Rachel is a modern-day Jacqueline Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn; sparkling, sensitive full of class and wit. She's almost always laughing and if not, she's got a glowing smile on her face. Andrew is loyal, well-spoken and has a heart of gold. They really are something together and their entire wedding day was a reflection of their special bond. We were so happy to have the opportunity to work with you, Rachel and Andrew, and we wish you many years of joy together. Congratulations!
Emily + Dan = Married
Oh happy day. These two just have our hearts. Emily and Dan were married on a perfectly sunny day in August at one of our favorite venues on Cape Cod, Ocean Edge Resort. As it turns out, Emily has had her heart set on marrying the love of her life under a giant tree that sits in front of the venue's property since she was a little girl. A few years later and a match made in heaven, Emily's childhood vision became a reality. Dan and Emily were wed under the tree surrounded by their closest family and friends. After the kiss, everyone gathered on the oceanfront terrace that has a view of the water for as far as the eye can see. Their party continued in the grand ballroom with heartfelt toasts and a rocking band where everyone had a really great time together. We love when people like Emily and Dan get married. They both have such genuine and loving spirits and after interacting with them you feel as though they are making the world a better place just by being together. Call me cheesy, but all of their friends and family would have to agree. Congratulations Emily and Dan!
Carolyn + Pat = Married
Carolyn and Pat are true Boston sweethearts. They wanted their wedding to be a celebration of their past, present and future together and decided to celebrate with those that have seen them through all of these places in life. They both grew up in Quincy, MA and decided to honor their hometown by getting ready at their childhood and current home as well as have their ceremony at the church just down the road. There is something so sentimental about couples who choose to house their weddings in their personal spaces. The guys had a literal parade before the ceremony that marched them down the street with the sounds of Irish bagpipes (so cool, right?) and the music paused for a bit while the two exchanged rings. After their ceremony everyone made their way to the New England Aquarium on Boston's Waterfront for an urban party on the wharf. We love the communal feel the images have as their loved ones came out to celebrate their newly minted status as husband and wife. Carolyn and Pat, we admire your selfless love and devotion to one another. It's been a pleasure working together, and we wish you nothing but the best! Congratulations!
Amanda + Adam = Married
Amanda and Adam had one of the sweetest little weddings that we've seen all year. They kept their wedding simple and stylish with an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family at one of their favorite restaurants; Heartland in St. Paul's old Market House. The day started with Amanda getting ready at their new house, while Adam prepped with his guys at the St. Paul Hotel. An adorable first look followed in Rice Park and we captured some beautiful portraits all over downtown St. Paul. Both the wedding ceremony and the reception were held at Heartland, and their private event room was a beautiful setting for both. One of our favorite things about doing restaurant weddings is (of course) the food. Chef Lenny and his team cooked an amazing three course meal in celebration of the newlyweds, but the most memorable part of the whole day had to be when Amanda surprised everyone during the ceremony by playing the guitar and singing a song to Adam. No one had ever seen her play the guitar or sing - and it turned out she had been teaching herself how to play guitar for the past 6 months while Adam was away at soccer practice. There was not a dry eye in the house as Amanda so sweetly serenaded her groom. Amanda and Adam, it's been a true pleasure working with you both and we couldn't be happier for your new union. Congratulations!
Aime + Ralph = Engaged
There are two things that need to be said at the bottom of this post. 1. Chuck is an awesome photographer. 2. Aime and Ralph are ROCKING the lens in this session. We actually had to double check that they were not professional models, because every.single.image. that was taken of them looked like it belonged on the cover of a magazine. The best part is that beyond just *looking* good - these two were some of the kindest, most gracious people. It comes as no surprise that they are Texans (all Texans are just so friendly, aren't they?) and wanted a photo session while they were on vacation in Boston earlier this summer. We love the soft early morning light highlighting the nooks and crannies of the waterfront area, but it might just be that we could have photographed them in front of a garbage can and they still would have stolen the show. Aime and Ralph, thank you for sharing such a special time in your lives with us. We hope you enjoy the remainder of your Engagement and start of a beautiful marriage!
Marty + Chris = Engaged
Please don't tell me I'm the only one who is in denial about this weekend being labor day weekend. That can't be possible, right? It feels like just yesterday that we were shooting this sweet early summer engagement session with Marty and Chris. Our blogging schedule has been somewhat nonlinear this summer as we've been going nonstop and working with so many amazing people. We truly can't complain about being busy though. There isn't a day that goes by that we're not incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do what we do. Just look at these two for example. How beautiful is the love they share? We were honored to have the opportunity to photograph them in the city they are {temporarily} calling home before they wed next March in their home state of Florida. Congratulations Marty and Chris, we loved spending an evening with you capturing the sweet love you share and wish you nothing but the best!
Colleen + Nick = Married
Nick and Colleen, Nick and Colleen. Where do we even start? We love this couple and all they've been through together. Their wedding day started with a torrential downpour as Colleen and her ladies prepped for the day and Nick and his crew suited up at their wedding venue; Quonquont Farm in Whately, Mass. As if on cue, the skies parted and the rain stopped just in time for the two of them to see one another for the first time and do some photos before the ceremony. They exchanged vows in front of their loving family and friends and continued the celebrations with signature cocktails, family style farmhouse tables and an outpouring of hugs from their nearest and dearest. We love their couple portraits in the dewy apple orchards (how is it time for apples already!?) and think this stylish duo rocked their wedding attire like professionals. More than anything though, we were so happy to get to tell their story and know they will share decades of love together in the future. Colleen and Nick, we couldn't be happier to know you two. Congratulations!
Amanda + Adam = Engaged
What do you get when you put two stylish Minnesotans with huge hearts together? Amanda and Adam, that's what. We met up with these two in Minnesota awhile back to capture their Engagement in one of our favorite areas in the Twin Cities; Saint Anthony's Main. We had photographed in the area in the past and knew the cobblestone streets and brightly colored accents mixed with one of the best views of the Minneapolis Skyline photographed well, but we were in for quite a treat when Amanda and Adam showed up with their natural knack for being in front of the camera. Aren't they so sweet together?
Erica + Mike = Married
If you're anything like me, you're probably drooling at all of the gorgeousness by the end of this post. Erica and Mike were married on a beautiful August day that was filled with sunshine, laughter and SO many stunning details. From the very beginning, we were beyond excited to capture their wedding at beautiful Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island. Some of our favorite memories of the day were their very sweet ceremony, the heartfelt and thoughtful toasts, and that stunning driftwood table (I might be begging Santa for one this year...). We love shooting in Newport, and if you've been thinking about getting married there, Erica and Mike's photos should help convince you how stunning it can be! Special thanks to our girl Erin for joining the Summer Street Team for the day and sharing her talents behind the lens. Congratulations Erica and Mike! We hope you're sipping Chianti in Italy for us right now. :)
Erin + Andrew = Married
Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves. Every day, we feel so incredibly grateful for the people we get to photograph. Erin and Andrew are no exception. Genuine, compassionate and full of love for life and one another, they are the real deal. When we first started shooting weddings, we'd get excited about the beautiful surroundings and magical qualities weddings brought out as special events. We still love a good party - but we become desensitized to stunning florals, perfect lace and bubbly cocktails when we are surrounded by the glitz and glamour of weddings every weekend. You know what doesn't get old, though? Love. Real, honest, raw love. It's the core of why we do what we do. The inspiration behind every shutter click and group photo. Sure, wedding blogs and magazines are beautiful (and I am taken by the latest wedding trends every week) but when we get to witness two people surrendering themselves for better or for worse to be a new family and surrender themselves for another person - it's truly touching. Erin and Andrew's wedding was full of this kind of contagious love. From the way Andrew held Erin - to the way Erin's eyes filled with tears of joy throughout their wedding day - it was a truly beautiful day. Erin and Andrew, it's been a true pleasure working with you both and we couldn't be happier that you have found one another. We know the world will be a better place because you are a team. Congratulations!
Nicole + Fernando = Married
Nicole and Fernando were married on the most glorious July day. The birds were chirping, the sun was out, and these two love birds could not have been more excited to start their lives together as husband and wife. By now you've heard us raving about our Associate Photographer, Chuck, and today we have most proof of how fantastic his work really is. From the beginning, it was clear that Nicole and Fernando were going to have a classy, intimate affair with their closest friends and family - all the while keeping the emphasis on their commitment to one another. They kept their wedding details simple and exceptionally stylish (I mean, will you look at them!?) letting their love be the pedestal for such a sweet event. Their adorable son Aiden clearly stole the show on a few occasions with his contagious smile. We couldn't resist blogging the image of him digging for gold, so hopefully he'll forgive us when he's 16. ;) Nicole and Fernando, we are so happy for you both and wish you many years of joy together as a beautiful family of three. Congratulations!
Jackie + Matt = Engaged
Boston is so pretty. We'll never tire of photographing the contrasting cobblestone with mossy greens or the hundred year old trees canopying the even older streets. It's even more of a treat to be able to photograph two people in love in such a setting. Classy, beautiful and un-fussy, the setting fits Jackie and Matt to a T. We met up with the two of them and their adorably well behaved pup for a casual evening of chatting and photo-taking and had a great time. People like Jackie and Matt make our job so easy with their enthusiasm for life and love of one another. You'll see them on the blog again next fall when we shoot their September Wedding. It's bound to be a beautiful day!
Erica + Alex = Married
You guys. These two are seriously the sweetest ever. Erica and Alex both have hearts of gold and are the types of people who radiate happiness. Just being around them makes you smile, so you can imagine the overwhelming love and joy that poured out of them on their wedding day. Shooting their wedding left a perma-smile on our faces and a heart of gratitude to get to photograph such exceptional love stories as our living. The day started with Erica getting pretty with her ladies and Alex hanging with his guys. The excitement and anticipation was buzzing when we arrived and lasted throughout the evening. They shared an intimate first look under the largest tree in Connecticut (it's over 24 feet in diamater!) which made for some beautiful portraits and then ventured over to a nearby pedestrian bridge of flowers to meet up with their bridal party and family for more portraits. The weather couldn't have been more perfect as they exchanged vows in a vineyard on site of their wedding property, Rosedale Farm and Vineyards. After the kiss, their guests ventured over to a nearby meadow for lawn games, the Summer Street Photobooth and some amazing food (and sweets) in the breezy and whimsically styled tent. Their guests spoiled them with heartfelt toasts and well wishes and they danced the night away under the stars. It was truly a perfect day for such a deserving couple that we were so happy to have the chance of photographing. Congratulations you two! We wish you many years of happiness!