I first worked with Nicola at the Langham Hotel, where she does an amazing job managing events. (She coordinated Jes & Jack’s wedding. Click on these to see her handiwork: Langham Hotel Wedding part one and Langham Hotel Wedding part two.) She’s direct, efficient, and well organized. To be honest, I was a little scared of her- which I think is a good quality in a wedding coordinator… you want someone who’s going to get things done, and quickly. At Jes &  Jack’s wedding we really hit it off, and since then we’ve become preferred vendors at the Langham (what an endorsement!) When Nicola told us she was getting married and she wanted us to be the photographers, we were psyched, and really honored because she works with a different set of photographers every weekend. Plus, she’s a hell of a lotta fun.

But enough about how much we love Nicola, because once we met Shawn it was a complete draw on who is more awesome in this couple. Shawn’s a pastry chef (you’ll see his amazing retro cake pops at the end of this post… I tried each one of them and they were all amazing!), and laid back and funny. Most of my favorite photos of Nicola and Shawn are of them laughing at each other, which they do often and freely. But they also take an amazing photo- they wouldn’t admit it themselves, but they pose so well and get really unique and natural photos (Remember their kick ass North End Engagement Shoot??)

Ok, enough talkin’. Here are the photos that you come here to swoon over. OH- and feel free to pin; I have a new pinterest icon at the bottom of the post! Woo hoo!

The details:

Ceremony and Reception: Hamilton Hall

Hairstylist – Giogi Salon
Makeup-  Janelle Meyer- Inspire Glam
Dress Designer(s) –Augusta Jones
Veil Designer(s) – Allegria Bridal
Officiant – Bride’s Cousin, Nick Goss
Cake – Cake Push-Pops by bride and groom
Band/DJ – Klass Universal- Kupah James

When Kerry came in to meet with us, wow, two years ago now, it was a marathon client meeting where we talked about our families and childhoods and passions in life. Turns out, Kerry and I are very similar… well, almost identical except I like country music and she doesn’t. I’m serious- that’s the only difference. Kerry is also a photographer, and her and Mike’s little girl, Rosie Mae, is only 6 months younger than Autumn. Right now, that means that Autumn is massive compared to this little peanut, but as time goes on, they’ll level off and just be the same age

Anyway, Kerry and Mike had gorgeous portraits from their wedding because Kerry put a lot of thought into them, brought things that were important to her, and dedicated a chunk of time to having them taken(even if that meant freezing on the beach on a particularly cold day!) When they had Rosie Mae, I told her we should recreate one of my favorites (the one that’s in the slideshow at the top of the blog!) and put her in them. Here’s the result, one of my favorite photos from my May Marshfield family shoots.

I had the best day- these 4 lovely families met me at the beach and I got to do their mini family shoots! I’m not able to cram all I want to do in 20 minutes, but the point of the day was to be quick and easy for everyone. So we got a few great photos for each family! And had a lot of fun in the process

More to come soon. Try and contain yourself, Kaitlyn. I know teasers just *kill* you.

Well, we had high hopes. The beautiful magnolias were supposed to be flowering on Comm Ave… but instead they bloomed way too early, then died because the weather turned cold again. Then we were hoping for 70 degrees. Instead, it was freezing- not that you can tell from the brilliant smiles Jen & Kevin had on the entire time. (Especially when we made them walk down by the Charles!) Nonethless, Jen & Kevin’s happy perseverance for their engagement shoot was contagious, and hopefully a sign for their upcoming marriage. “Happy perseverance” is needed to create a life together

Here’s a selection of my favs… take particular note of Jen’s engagement ring… it was her grandmother’s. I love heirlooms

A few weeks ago, I was taking headshots of some college kids. I got to the fifth or sixth student, and she asked to see the back of the camera because she “looks bad in every photo.” (I get this from a lot of people, actually, particularly grooms.) I thought she looked great, I had posed her in a flattering way and had photographed her in front of the sun – which is really hard to do, but looks great if you know how (think a halo of golden sun surrounding you)

Anyway, I show her the photo and she gushes. She’s so happy. And then she says the words every photographer dreads: “You must have a great camera because that photo is awesome.” Yeah, the same way Michelangelo had a great paintbrush.

Ok, fine, I’m not a Renaissance master, but stilllllll. I gave her my spiel about how yes, I have top-of-the-line equipment and all that, but really, the reason the photo was so great was because of the posing and lighting and the fact that I made her laugh right before it so that she looked naturally happy. Ever heard the one about how it’s the carpenter, not the tools? She continued to ask about the specs of my camera

In a sort of related note, this weekend I had a dress situation (not like the time a bride almost got sewed into her dress because of a broken zipper. That was a much more serious situation. ) I practically redecorated the house to achieve a pretty dress photo… When I first started shooting weddings 8 seasons ago, I was too hesitant to do anything that would potentially disrupt anything. Now, I know when I can rearrange and when I stand back. This was one of those rearrange moments. Yes, the first photo is technically fine (as my camera takes technically fine photos), but I knew better…

Even monsoon-al weather (yeah, that’s right, monsoon-al is a word!) couldn’t shake Jacki and Matt’s beaming happiness. Seriously, their cheeks hurt from smiling so much!

Stay tuned for more- or see our facebook page!

Nicola & Shaw were married at Hamilton Hall in Salem yesterday. So beautiful! Here’s a classic portrait, an absolutely radiate photo of Nicola, and something artsy from the reception…

Jen and Kevin pretty much laughed their way through our entire engagement shoot on Comm Ave. and by the Charles River yesterday afternoon. I was pretty thrilled about that, because I love shooting happy people Here’s a couple teasers, and there’s another on our facebook page. Jen & Kevin will be getting married at the Omni Parker House in August! Woo hoo!

Happy Passover and Easter from this little lady! (Unlike our beautiful brides, Autumn prefers to chew on her dress, roll around in it, and, ultimately pull it over her head instead of posing nicely. ha!)

I’ve spent the last couple of days at a conference at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, MA. It was crazy for me, because I shot one of my very first weddings there in the summer of 2005! It was film, and I was scared. to. death.

The bride and groom were super relaxed (a trend that would follow us our whole career, I guess!). I actually helped write the vows before the ceremony, and Jesse tied the ties for all the groomsmen. Thus began our careers as so much more than just “the photographers.”

But because the conference was all about building my business and getting refreshed creatively, it was this funny little juxtaposition for me – to be shooting literally at the spot where it all started. I feel so lucky, and I feel so experienced and confident after those 7 years.

But even though it feels like a lifetime between then and now, I still like some of the photos. And I’m really proud of them because “photojournalism” wasn’t popular yet, and we were getting little moments like this between father and daughter, just like we do now. We may be older, more polished and way better business people, but it all started because we love people.