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*
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Oh how we have big hearts for these two! It's not often that we get to photograph friends and family, but when we do it proves to combine parts of our lives that yield in some pretty great photos (if we're allowed to say that....). Cory is Kendra's cousin, so they've known each other since infancy. Trish has also been in Kendra's life for a long time as their parents were friends and they played together as kids. So Cory and Trish grew up in the same town, but it wasn't until after high school that they re connected as more than just friends. They compliment each other in so many ways, and Trish has fit into Cory's family (and extended family) as if she's always been a part of us. We were thrilled when they asked us to capture this exiting time as they plan for their wedding next May. It's surely going to be a day filled with the best kind of happiness. These two deserve it. Congratulations you love birds! We love you!
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!