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!
Julia + Andrew = Married
There is so much to love about this wedding! I don't even know where to begin. It's been such a pleasure working with these two. From their authentic and loving personalities to the way they decided to commemorate their wedding day - it's just been so *great*. They decided to have their wedding at one of our favorite New England venues - Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Mass on the most glorious fall day. They finished getting ready at the venue where our fabulous second photographer, Devin an I met up with them. The energy was buzzing about as their friends giggled and drank champagne. They shared a sweet moment together when they first saw one another and put up with us hiking around the grounds of the museum to get some photos that incorporated the stunning scenery. Their ceremony overlook a glorious valley of trees and mountains off in the distance, which was bordered by the understated and so-very-New-England stone wall. It was perfectly simple and heart felt. The rest of the evening was spent in good company with delicious food. No party is complete without dancing and this crowd brought their A game to the floor. All ages were cutting a rug and it was so much fun to document. Julia and Andrew, we truly mean it when we tell you what joy you've brought to us. Congratulations!!
Cheryl + Alex = Married
When we started this business we had no idea what would happen. We didn't think we'd eventually be shooting in over a dozen states each year - and we definitely didn't think we'd get to work with other talented photographers and showcase their lovely work for our clients. When Cheryl and Alex (who live in Missouri) contacted us about working with Summer Street for their Wedding in Cheryl's hometown in South Dakota, the stars aligned and our Midwest Associate Abby was able to shoot their wedding. Our new friends from Sioux Falls, Jenny, joined Abby for the day and the results are wonderful. This is not surprising, given Cheryl + Alex's kind hearted demeanors and unique love for one another. Once they added in some beautiful elements to celebrate their day in style, we had ourselves a pretty fantastic day. Cheryl and Alex, we've had such a great time working with you both and we are over the moon for you. You truly deserve one another. Congratulations to the newlyweds, and Cheers to Abby and Jenny for a beautiful set of images!
Andi + Alex = Married
In 2015 - pretty much anything goes when it comes to celebrating your wedding. The sky is literally the limit, so this can be a pandora's box situation for couples getting married today. With limitless options of how to celebrate your wedding, the one commonality between weddings we see executed with greatness whittles down to one thing: personalization. Finding elements that add to the celebration in a meaningful and beautiful way always works. Andi + Alex did this with ease and style. They decided to get married in a quaint little church on the outskirts of the Twin Cities and bring along their dearest friends and family. A procession of classic cars waited for the wedding party after the ceremony where they made a getaway for the backyard reception. Instead of the traditional layout for a wedding reception, Andi and Alex did things their way. The evening was filled with numerous musicians, food stations, an endless tap of Bud Lite and BBQ from a Food Truck. Oh, and there were also Wedding Sausages! Guests mixed and mingled by the bonfire enjoying each others company and hugging the newlyweds. The evening ended with a fabulous display of fireworks and dancing under the stars. It was a very good day, indeed.
The B*D Family
In-home family sessions are some of our most favorite ways to document a family. Shoes are kicked off, people cozy up on the sofa and act like *themselves* together. Nothing is more inspiring or lovely than this. Someday when I look back on a season of my life, I want to remember it as it actually happened; the way your 5 week old's head smells, watching your first born become a big sister, the tears - the laughter - it's such a joyous time of life that is filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. When Hannah and Milan invited us to document their newly minted family of four we were beyond excited. We count these two as some of our dearest friends so spending this time together was such a gift to us. Thank you for allowing us into your home and hearts, Hannah and Milan. We love you four to the moon and back again!
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!
Janine + Tom = Married
Janine and Tom met at a wedding and according to Janine "Tom was a groomsman. I called "dibs" on him prior to the wedding based on his facebook profile and when he walked into the reception hall wearing a cowboy hat and belt buckle I knew I was a goner! We consider that night the beginning of our relationship." Tom serves as an army ranger in the 75th ranger regiment based out of Fort Benning, GA. In the fall of 2013, Janine received the dreaded phone call. Tom had been critically injured by a suicide bomber. He lost his right eye and upper half of his nose, broke his right foot, had a collapsed lung, and shrapnel wounds all over his body. But according to Janine' "his brain & heart were untouched (the best parts!)." These two have been through so much together, and what they say is true: what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. They celebrated their long awaited wedding a few weeks back at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Mass where Chuck (and our talented second shooter, Vina!) captured their emotional and love-filled wedding day. It was a day filled with so much joy, as well as a solemn reminder to live each day to the fullest (as their memorial table for fallen service men and women reminded us). Janine and Tom, we can not imagine two more loving, genuine and giving people. You guys deserve one another, and that says a lot given the solid character and heart you each bring to the table. Congratulations on your marriage and we wish you so many years of love together!
Christine + Steve = Engaged
Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of meeting Christine and Steve in Davis Square in Somerville. They are living in Somerville right now and wanted an Engagement Session where they call home before they tie the knot in upstate New York. They were both so kind, warm hearted and genuine people. I enjoyed shooting around my old neighborhood and seeing these two open up in front of the camera. Thanks for allowing me into this special time of your lives, you two! Congratulations!
Laura + Chris = Married
If we built a formula for a successful wedding, Laura and Chris' wedding would check every box (times 100!). A beautiful setting with meaning to the couple. Check. Clean and simple locations that don't distract from the event. Check. An A+ vendor team who brings their game face. Check. A day-of timeline that doesn't try to cram in too much and allows the couple to feel un-rushed. Check. A lively bunch of family and friends who pour their love on the couple. Check. And finally, two people that are head over heels for one another and make their lives more full by constantly raising the bar for each other to bring out the best in the other. Check check check. It was such a pleasure capturing Laura + Chris' Wedding. Matt and Chuck made for a dream team together and we're loving the photos that represented such a loving and wonderful day. Congratulations Laura + Chris! We know you'll share many years of happiness and adventure.
The B*G Family
We love this job for so many reasons. The biggest being that we are given the honor of coming into people's lives during such emotional and vulnerable moments. Falling in love, getting engaged, getting married, having a baby and watching your family grow and change - these are the exciting years of life and it's with a full heart that we get to celebrate these times with our clients. When Maggie and Nick invited me to capture some photos of their sweet family on their little boy's first birthday I was so excited to document this stage for these three. Making it through the first year of your first child's life is a major accomplishment (those of you who have been there totally understand) and these two are doing life and parenting with such grace and ease. Their family radiates love and I hope the photos speak that to you today. Thank you for letting me into your beautiful lives, Maggie and Nick! Little G is irresistible!
Alicia + Dennis = Married
Boy from New York meets Midwest sweetheart. Alicia and Dennis' story is hard to resist. These two are true class acts who share a love that truly radiates. Alicia and Dennis live in Washington DC but opted to have their wedding where Alicia grew up in Fargo, North Dakota surrounded by their nearest and dearest. When rain threatened some of their scheduled time to take photos outside, our stellar second shooter from Fargo, Missy, saved the day by opening up her studio for us to capture some timeless portraits of the newlyweds together. It was such a treat capturing this wedding. We thrive on shooting in new environments, so working in a small city like Fargo with true Midwestern hospitality is so inspiring and fun. Congratulations Alicia and Dennis - we wish you years of happiness together!
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!
Happy Birthday Baby P
If you're anything like me, you've gone through these photos at *least* 5 times to soak up the sweetness that Ashley and Adam's family boasts. I mean come on! Have you seen a more beautiful group? It's been such an honor photographing this family the past year. They decided to do a 'Grow with Me' collection with Summer Street, which means I've gotten to photograph their Maternity Session, Newborn Session, 6 month photos and now sweet baby P's 1st birthday. Now that these sessions are complete, we'll work with Adam and Ashley to put the highlights from each of these session into an heirloom album for them to look back on and enjoy over time. Baby P is turning into the most darling, smart little sweet heart. Ashley and I have grown very close over the past year, so it's always a special honor to photograph friends' lives as well. Adam and Ashley, thank you for allowing me to capture such a special time in your lives!
Kate + Rob = Married
Kate and Rob were married at the historic Semple Mansion in Minneapolis a few weeks back to what turned out to be such a classy day. The mansion served as a beautiful backdrop in an old-world romance sort of way, which was only exemplified with personal touches such as flowers made by the groom's sister and one of their dear friends serenading everyone with 'La Vie in Rose' during the ceremony. With Rob's contagious laugh and zest for life, and Kate's honest and loving heart, they are so good together. We've loved working with these two and know they have so much happiness in their future. Kate and Rob, thank you for trusting us to capture your big day. Congratulations!!