First look in the wine cellar, he was so patient and she was beaming!

Notice the gorgeous custom Bridal Arch, David the groom hand made that!

 Many Thanks to the amazing people who helped put everything together so wonderfully and elegantly for Flisabeth and David.

I also have to say a special thank you to my amazing and talented friend and second shooter Jeff Newcum . He got so many magnificent moments of  the guys getting ready.He was able to get those captures of some gorgeous details and extra moments.
So thank you so much!

Fun for Photographers…
I really have to give a shout out to the Wedding and Portrait photographers in the Boston area. Our area has many new and seasoned photographers alike, who get together at least once a month for meetings, groups, socializing, image reviews etc. While predominantly we discuss business, sometimes we just like to go out and have fun, playing with our cameras, lights, new gear of course.

A few weeks back,  a group of us gathered our resources (organized by friend and colleague Debbie Zoe) and went out to Elm Bank Horticulture Society to play around , socialize, and shoot.
I thought to myself, hey…wouldn’t it be a perfect time to play around with some ideas and lighting styles I was fascinated with while taking an intensive lighting course this past February while in Las Vegas at one of my seminars.
Author and photographer Chris Grey put on this “AMAHY-ZING” Master Class (note my poor use of spelling, grammar and punctuation – because if you could hear me I am singing about it as I type it)  illustrating iconic imagery and lighting techniques from 1910 ~ 1970.  I absolutely fell in love with the moody and dramatic styles of the 1920′s and the 1930′s. Completely inspired after further research into lighting history, and the true Vintage Hollywood Lighting styles, I was most in awe of images created by George Hurrell. Specifically, images with dramatic use of contrast featuring May West, Joan Crawford, and Veronica Lake just to name a few of my favorites, I was so excited to have an opportunity to play around…

So let’s just start off with a pretty outdoors portrait and then get straight to the fun stuff!

I must admit, I love color. However Pink, being my least favorite color so soft and sweet, I tried to find a way to spice it up a bit with some gels and some drama.
Bring on the shadows!

Here we have the lovely bridesmaid for the shoot. Her skin was flawless and I wanted to pay special attention to lighting her face!

While many of these images I chose to keep the color, I am in love with this lighting style!

Almost ready…

Our model bride, Stacie nailed it…

Perhaps two of my favorite images from the shoot are these next two. Enjoy the rest and check back again as the wheels of creativity are spinning through my head and I’m going to make another project of this!

Thank you Debbie and all the other 25 photographers and fantastic vendors who donated their time, energy, and talents to such a fun afternoon!

Bride and Groom
Stacie Waleyko  & Tim Walsh

Vendors
Venue: Elm Bank, Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Bridal gowns & Bridesmaid dresses: Chantilly Place
Linens and Decor: Counting Sheep Antiques
Flowers:  French Bouquet Florist and Morgan Perrone of Valley Flower Company
Stationary: Requesting Your Presence
Make up Artist: Amanda McCarthy Beauty
Hair Stylist: Meghan Jones

Noel was a vision! I had to grab this quick shot before we headed out to her first look on the balcony of the Grand Caribe!

Mark wasted no time in welcoming Noel in to his arms on the roof top and then it was time to walk her down the Aisle!

After dancing Dinner and Laughter we also got to spend some time on the beach before heading inside for cocktails and after party shenanigans in the lounge.

Of course we couldn’t resist a few sunset shots…

Congratulations Mark & Noel! What a spectacular time!
It was as exciting as it was entertaining and filled with family, laughter and love!

Congratulations to both of you! I am so extremely happy for the two of you and being their to capture your memories of the first day of your new life together!
I wish you both a long life of Love and Happiness!

Travel Coordinator: Nicky Squittieri of Legacy Travel
Coordination and Decor: Grand Caribe Real Cancun
Ceremony & Reception: Grand Caribe Real Cancun
Flowers & Cake:  Grand Caribe Real Cancun
Dress: Madeline’s Daughter 

Aubrey and Corey are one of those couples who appear easy going,  but have this infinite range of electric personality. It was so much fun to walk around Boston with them through Faneuil Hall, the Boston Common, and eventually over to the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston. It was a blast to spend the afternoon wandering around their favorite spots and chatting about everything from wedding details to rock bands. I love that Corey is a 80′s hair band fan…
and because he loves Aubrey so much, he even listens to country music now.

We started our day at the Boston Common and I have to say these two rocked. They are naturals in front of the camera and who am I kidding?
We just played all day, you can completely see how in love these two are even in the freezing cold.

I invited along my amazingly talented and good friend Jeff Newcum  for the shoot and it is so much fun when we work together! Take special note of his wicked awesome wide angle shots throughout this post like  the one below through the trees, I love it! Thank you Jeff.

Ok. These two are hysterical and I love the way Aubrey laughs. (You want us to do what in the puddle???)
So, I had to include these two outtakes I shot, while Jeff was getting the awesome wide shot below.

Of course we’ll do a bridge shot. Maybe a few

As it got extremely cold and really windy, we decided it was definitely time for a glass of wine, but first as the sun was going down we had to get a few shots on the way. I can’t decide which image I like better of the two on the top. The fun one below with Corey’s funny expression, or him whisking her around dancing with her in the street.

So who knew that Corey is a guitar player, how fitting we headed next to the Hard Rock…

So after we got the shots above, the rockin manager let us into the back room that was completely empty while they were setting up for a special event. So even though we only got to play for a few minutes it was completely worth it.

I’m loving the pool table images. Their expressions are fantastic!

I get the feeling that this couple likes to dance! Aubrey and Corey I am so happy for the both of you and can not wait to see you put your dancing shoes on again and celebrate your wedding this September! It is going to be outstanding!

While the gentleman were at the hotel getting ready, the girls were all bustling away at Janines’ family home. I can not tell you how overjoyed I was to see such a beautiful family attend to every single detail of her wedding and involve so much family tradition.

Such a classic beauty! Matt, you are a very lucky man.

Then we were off to St Francis of Assisi in Swansea, MA.
And here she comes!

I loved going through the images and seeing everyone’s expressions as if they waited forever for the moment above.
By the way, that stunning red winter bridal cape was handmade as a wedding gift for Janine by her mom. Just beautiful.

I love watching the way he makes her laugh…

After the church we left for the State House in Rhode Island. It was so windy and chilly but we got some of these fantastically fun shots before heading over to the reception.

All Janine wanted for her wedding day to see a little bit of snow!

Reception time at Spring Valley Country Club! More red, I just love it. Almost as much as those winter wedding boots Janine was rocking!

Janine and Matt, Congratulations on such a beautiful day with your fantastic families and wonderful friends.
I have to say your wedding was filled with so much tradition, love, and excitement that it was simply a pleasure to be there capturing every moment of it. I wish the best for the both of you and may you live every single day of your lives happier than the first one together!

Many Thanks to the amazing people who helped put everything together so beautifully and elegantly for Janine and Matt.

I also have to say a special thank you to my amazing and talented friend and second shooter Jeff Newcum . He got so many magnificent moments of Matt and the guys getting ready. Not only did he get those captures of some gorgeous details and extra moments, he is also responsible for enhancing what mother nature did not.
So thank you so much!

I love the boots and the hats. These two are so much fun!

After getting soaked walking through the woods we headed off to the location of their first date.  Mint Bistro in Manchester, NH.
Yet they just kept playing into each others arms…

How fitting they would choose this place as it a fusion of culinary sophistication, modern charm, and tempting cocktails. So of course, we had to try them!

After we left the Bistro we took a walk a little further down Elm St. To hit up their favorite Irish Pub, The Shaskeen.
Who are we kidding here, it’s my favorite Irish Pub in Manchester to!

Yes, it most certainly is getting hot in here.

 I love watching these two together. They are everything from fun, fresh, and playful to passionate.

Beth and Dave the two of you are fantastic! It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon and evening with the both of you and I can not wait for your wedding this spring!
Congratulations to the both of you!!!

When I met Shae and Jeff a few months ago, I could instantly feel the love that they had for each other spread through the room and make any other couple sitting by envious. I throughly enjoyed getting to know the both of them and hearing their stories. Such a sweet and fun couple, they had me laughing all night.  Together they have such a fun and charismatic lifestyle that truly embraces each other and their families.

We planned their engagement shoot for the beach between Seabrook, NH and Salisbury, MA. Just a normal day at the beach doing their favorite things; walking, talking, playing scrabble and the day would not have been complete without their just as enthusiastic labrador Jackson joining us!

I do believe Jackson is stealing the show in the images below…

After playing on the beach we walked over to a sandy area and threw out a blanket. Shae popped out their favorite game, and they just sat and played for awhile.
To watch these two interact is pure joy.

 The two of you are so fun and refreshing to be around! I can not wait for your wedding next November!

To see the two of them together is a complete joy.
I would try to write something clever and unique about the two of them, but I don’t believe I could put it into words and truly do them justice.
(After all Peggy is an amazing writer…  You can see her blog Serendipity Smiles and the work she does for The Stepmom’s Toolbox.) So better to just show you my favorite moments from spending the afternoon on a walk with them!

The two of you are so perfect together! I’m so happy to now know you both and your family!

The induction into the Firefighter family was breathtaking to watch. Just beautiful and amazing.

I also loved the special surprise Kate had for her mom. In lieu of tossing flowers she had a special bouquet to give just to her. I’m loving the expressions.

I have to thank the amazing team of people who helped put everything together so beautifully and elegantly for Kate and Jon.

First of all I have to thank my amazing, talented and very patient friend and second shooter Jeff Newcum . He got so many magnificently dramatic moments of Jon and the guys getting ready. In all seriousness I specifically asked him to start he day hanging out the window in the pouring rain to get those rocking fire truck shots while driving to the ceremony.  I love those captures as well as those gorgeous details and extra moments. So thank you for your patience with my requests.

Kate and Jon it was truly an honor and pleasure to photograph your wedding!  I hope your days are filled with love and many wondrous surprises for the rest of your lives together!

May you always have
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire.