Style Shoot at Elm Bank, Massachusetts Horticultural Society

 

 

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

Aubrey and Corey’s Engagement ~ Hard Rockin Boston!

“The glance she gave me as everyone walking by watched, I knew right then this was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and make my wife…”

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!

Shae & Jeff ~ A Salisbury Beach Engagement!

“Being with her, I never laughed so hard or had so much fun as when we are together… I knew by our second date I wanted to share the rest of my life with her.” ~Jeff

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!

 

Kate & Jon ~ An Elegant Irish Wedding at Indian Pond Country Club!

 

 

 

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.

Shannon & Matt Married: A rocking party at the Andover Country Club

 Shannon & Matt completely know how to embrace life and love to the fullest! They both have this great ability to laugh, love, and enjoy everything. So it’s no wonder their wedding would be any different, thanks to Shannon’s rockin mom who made sure their celebration was just perfect! What a fantastic day!
A ceremony at sunset, Belly dancing, and just celebrating the night away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Inspired Shoot: A 300 Bridal Shoot based on the Graphic Novel by Frank Miller!

Who doesn’t love to be inspired and challenged on a regular basis?
As an artist, photographer, or just an ordinary human being – it’s so completely necessary to have someone give you a little push and encourage you to be better than you thought you could be. To practice every day in every way to be a better person.  Last winter I attended a 3 day workshop with one of my favorite inspiring photographers, Mr. Jerry Ghionis. The workshop was outstanding and he inspired me to be a better photographer by encouraging a train of thought to continually further myself to be more creative and find new ways to look for inspiration.
Of course while I have never been known to sit quietly, I opened my big mouth in class and he gave me quite an intriguing assignment.

Rock on.

I was totally up for it! Take two things you love and mix em up. I had two things going through my head, one of my favorite movies I had watched before going to Vegas for the workshop,  The 300 inspired by Frank Millers Graphic Novel and of course wedding photography. To truly imagine what was going on in my head you can look inside the book by clicking here.

And with that the wheels were turning…

Here’s where the fun came in, creating an inspirational Bridal Theme and mashing it up with the visuals from the book and movie. When I mentioned my idea, I had someone tell me it couldn’t be done, that the movie was digitally created and blah, blah… and that was push number two.
I was about to create something sexy,dramatic and with rustic imagery so I assembled my rocking team! I scouted castles and countrysides all over New England and picked locations for the time of day. It took months of planning, creating, strategizing,  and finally it was my favorite part, Shoot time! While the weather did not cooperate for all of the shoot everybody was awesome and I’m so excited to share my results!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thank You, Thank You, Thank You… to the Amazing people and vendors who helped me with my project! Seriously, I had one idea and nothing to illustrate other than to articulate the following words – Rustic, Gritty, Sexy, Bold, Dramatic and earthy tones. These fantastic vendors read my mind I can not recommend them enough to work with!

To the lovely, fun, and amazing couple Shaunna and  Dan! I’m so happy you were so patient with my 2 days of playing Director!
Tiffany Hall of Tiffany Hall Beauty for the gorgeous Make-up and Styling. This woman is a true artist with skin as her palette!
Andrea Dahlberg who is a Phenomenal Seamstress who designed and created the bridal gown from an idea!
Alyssa from Apotheca Flowers who went above and beyond and created the most elaborate and rustic floral arrangements!
Wandee Ducharme of Hair We Are with the Amazing Braided Bridal Do!
and Crown and Plume for the feathers to match the flowers! (I have a little obsession with the color red and feathers!!!)

Love is in the Air…Angela & Robbie Married at the Danversport Yacht Club!

 I’m rather excited to share this post today. The one thing I completely adore about wedding photography is meeting unique couples completely  over the moon in love with each other. Robbie and Anglea are just that. I knew from the first time I met them 2 years back that their wedding was going to be filled with joy, love, and excitement. Their wedding was one of those weddings that remind me of a classical romance for story books. They are perfect in every way for each other. From their incredibly welcoming family and friends to dancing the day away to Elvis classics, I couldn’t have been happier to help capture every moment of their wedding day.
The two of you are amazing together!

 

Angela and Robbie I wish you a life of love and happiness, Thank you so much for letting me share in your day!

Also I have to give some thanks to the rocking team of people I got to work with!

Thank you to my awesome friend Kris and Eli from Kris Rae for helping with some rocking detail and the guys shots!

Hair and Makeup: Spa Ni Joli
Ceremony: St. Josephs Catholic Church
Reception: Danversport Yacht Club
Flowers: Nicole Boulais of Flowers by Nikki
Dress:  Martina Liana from Camilla’s Arlington
DJ: Joe Toto of Groove Entertainment
Cake: Cakes for Occasions

Angela & Robbie ~ A New England Engagement!

A wedding was on the horizon.  The Bride & Groom had decided, after many failed attempts, that the only way to introduce their friends would be to bring them together as part of their bridal party.  And so Angela, a bridesmaid, was paired with Robbie, a groomsman.  Thus begins their story…

It was at a pre-wedding party where Angela & Robbie first met.  Robbie made a tray of Homemade Pumpkin Whoopee Pies (um, yum!) to bring to the festivities.  Angela saw this the perfect opportunity to make her interest known.  Like any Whoopee Pie loving person (and who isn’t!), she took one for the team and consumed not one, or two, but THREE pies!  Thankfully, Robbie got the hint and quickly became her friend.

A few weeks later, Robbie asked Angela to join him for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Boston.  Their connection was instantaneous.  Time flew as they chatted the night away.  Before either was aware, they had closed down the restaurant!  Soon after they had their second date, followed by their first kiss.  The rest?  Well, the rest has all led up to this moment where Angela & Robbie now stand, ready to walk down the aisle, just as their friends were when they first met.

Robbie proposed to Angela last winter so it was only fitting that it the Boston area would get hit with a snowstorm the day of their engagement shoot!
This first image is one of my absolute favorites!  So beautiful!  So perfectly Romantic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only thing predictable about early Spring in New England is how UNPREDICTABLE the weather can be!  In the case of Angela & Robbie’s engagement shoot, Mother Nature did not disappoint!

On the day of their originally scheduled shoot, She (Mother Nature, that is) hit us with a snow and rainstorm that not only provided us with the beautiful images above but also caused us to end the shoot early and schedule a follow-up session.

A session that fell on a day with warmer temperatures, no snow, plenty of sunshine and, yes, a moderate amount of wind!

The contrast is remarkable, yet gorgeous!

 

 

 

I couldn’t get enough of this gorgeous location! No wonder it’s a favorite spot for these two!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little Pier was so much fun! We might have stayed a little longer if the wind didn’t practically blow us off!

 

 

What New England shoot isn’t complete without a view of the Boston Skyline! I’m in love with these silhouettes!

 

 

As we ended the shoot, we ventured back to Angela and Robbie gorgeous seaside neighborhood!  The day would have been incomplete without a family photo.

Say hello to Gia!

Clearly this little angel is Angela and Robbie’s pride and joy!  Isn’t she lovely?!?!

 

 

 

Angela & Robbie -
You are a true joy to be around!  Thank you for the honor of being a witness to your love, friendship and the start of a wonderful life together!

Congratulations to you both!