By now we all know the story. A wedding was planned and then postponed…in some cases more than once. Some couples didn’t want to put off being married, even though they wanted to wait to have the big celebration. That was the case for Sarah & James who decided to have a mini wedding celebration with their immediate family in Truro on Cape Cod last summer. This summer, on their one year anniversary, they’ll be having quite the party in Provincetown. Can’t wait to see all the joy in people gathering again and witness all those hugs. Excited to see Sarah, James and their family, and to work with Cape Cod Celebrations again too!

Mother’s Day is in three days. My first as a mom. My fourteenth without my own mom. This one will be different for many reasons. I usually don’t celebrate the holiday and we really can’t do much if we wanted to this year anyway. That being said, I plan on having some photographs taken of my daughter and me to commemorate the day. Photographs are important. Mary’s answer to my last question resonated with me so much. No need to skip to the end though. You’ll get there.

Continuing on in our quarantine series is Mary & Hank with their son and daughter. We had the absolute pleasure of photographing Mary & Hank’s wedding on Block Island at the Atlantic Inn in 2012. Since then we’ve visited with them twice as their family has grown over the years. Once everything calms down we have plans to visit again. Children grow and change so quickly. It’s fun to see all of that happen over time in photographs.

Looking forward to when we can all get together in person again–I would love to photograph you as well. From now through the end of May I’m offering $100 off the session fee for Family Sessions, Mini Family Sessions, Maternity/Newborn Sessions, Couple Sessions, and Friendship Sessions. If you suggest me to a friend and they book a photo shoot, both you and they will get another $25 off the session fee. Your photo shoot can take place anytime in 2020 (once we’re all advised we can end our social distancing) and in 2021 as well. Get in touch for more information. Looking forward to it very much!

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Mary & Hank’s wedding was one that really stands out in our memory. It was a beautiful setting–kinda magical on Block Island. Mary & Hank were so emotional and just leaned into it–our favorite! One of my absolute favorite portraits that I’ve taken is of Mary right before the first look. And I love the portrait Peter took of Hank while waiting to see Mary for the first time too. He already had tears in his eyes. The best.

L: What is a favorite memory from your wedding day?

M: So many favorite memories! I felt like our vows were really emotional-and it was nice to feel that emotion not only from each other but from everyone witnessing the ceremony too.   But I also keep coming back to the moment when I had an unofficial “first look” with my grandparents (if you remember, I wore my grandmas dress). It really brought everything full circle and felt really special. They were so moved and I didn’t really process that until after when I was looking at your photos.

L: Your grandparents seeing you in the dress was one of my favorite moments from your wedding–especially your grandfather’s reaction. I can only imagine the memories he was reliving seeing the dress on you.

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We’ve visited with this family twice, so you’ll see their son grow up a bit and their daughter enter the scene.

L: Can you share a few words of advice or encouragement for other parents.

M: Every day I remind myself that I only have to get through this one day. I’m trying very hard not to look at the big picture because in this particular situation it seems deeply overwhelming. When I feel particularly gloomy I repeat to myself the good things we have going: we are healthy and safe. Our loved ones are healthy and safe.

L: Now that we’ve been at this isolation for a couple of weeks, could you pass along any tips or suggestions for making it though, ie: games, art projects, any ideas!

M: Now is not the time to hold ourselves to insanely high, social Media influenced parental standards. Mine have gone way down. We try to adhere to an EXTREMELY rough schedule but I try not to stress out if we wander from it. Follow your kids lead. And never ever interrupt independent play to do a planned activity!!!!

I don’t know where I saw this, but I read somewhere that when your kid(s) are losing it and everyone is cranky, go outside or put them in water. Works for all ages. It doesn’t matter what you do-walk around the yard, take a bath, you don’t need to get crazy. But it helps!

Also, I bought an indoor bounce house and we use it every. Day.

L: Photography has always been important to me, but I’ve been relying on family photographs a lot lately. They’ve been bringing me comfort in this new parenthood, as well as being separated from friends and family. Can you tell me why photography is important to you?

M: Here’s why photography (pro or otherwise) is so important. We have 900 books for my kids to look at in our house. Do you know what books they gravitate to and pour over and carry around the house with them? Our photo albums. They love nothing more than sitting with us and talking about every photo in intricate detail-who’s in it, what they’re doing, when it happened. And that always leads to bigger conversations about family history, and stories about times before they were there, and people they sadly never got to know. Photos are magic. They let you time travel. They connect you to your past and give you space to reflect on it. They capture a moment in time forever. Things move so fast nowadays so I think that’s pretty special. Sorry for being so cheesy!

L: Oh my gosh! Not cheesy at all!!! You basically said exactly what I say about photography–the time travel, learning about people that they’ll never have the chance to meet, connecting you to the past…all of it. I LOVE it!

Thank you, Mary! Looking forward to sharing more of these. If I’ve photographed your family and you’d like to be included in this series, please get in touch. There’s a little something in it for you too! Stay sane everyone!

Four years ago I was out for a day full of shoots. It was a warm day, one of the firsts that spring. I stopped for some lunch and was deciding on where to spend a half hour taking in the warmth of the day when I received a call. It was a call I feared for ten years–ever since my mom died. My dad had died unexpectedly in his sleep. He had prepped the coffee pot for the next morning-a morning he would never see.

The next two years sent me into a fog of grief and longing for so much from my past. That time also allowed me to remember and appreciate so many wonderful things that my dad passed along to me. One of which was the love of water-specifically a lake in NJ that I miss dearly. As well as a love of sunsets. Some nights we’d take the boat out to watch the sunset on the lake. When the sun appeared to set we’d move the boat a little further out to watch it set again.

 

 

 

It took me a bit to get back here. Are you finding that you were really motivated in the first couple of weeks of isolating at home and then that energy just fell off? That definitely happened to me. As with many of you, I believe a bit of depression set in, which has a way of zapping motivation for sure. Here we are though! We’re making it through.

As a follow-up to my last post, I’ve reached out to some of my past clients. Some have been in front of my camera for both their wedding and family sessions and some just for family sessions. I’ve asked them a few questions including a couple about how they’re making it through these days.

Looking forward to when we can all get together in person again–I would love to photograph you as well. From now through the end of May I’m offering $100 off the session fee for Family Sessions, Mini Family Sessions, Maternity/Newborn Sessions, Couple Sessions, and Friendship Sessions. If you suggest me to a friend and they book a photo shoot, both you and they will get another $25 off the session fee. Your photo shoot can take place anytime in 2020 (once we’re all advised we can end our social isolation) and in 2021 as well. Get in touch for more information. Looking forward to it very much!

First up is Rebekah & Mike, their son Callum and dog Marty. We visited them a year ago. As I usually like to do, we started with photos in their home and then went on a walk nearby. They’ve recently added a daughter to the family. I’m excited to visit them again soon and meet the newest member of their family and introduce Arden to everyone when this is all over. I think Callum expressed what we’ve all been feeling when he said, “I’m just not prepared for this yucky germ.”

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Rebekah & Mike’s marriage began with a high five and some ice cream. The last wedding image is still one of my favorites. I love the gesture of Rebekah gathering her veil while Mike fiddles with his ring.

L: What is a favorite memory from your wedding day?

R: My great uncle, who had been slowly slipping into dementia for years, was able to attend our wedding. During a conversation with him at our reception, he was the most lucid I had seen in a very long time and gave what I consider to be the most thoughtful and poignant advice about marriage. Uncle Henry told us to expect to “have good years and bad years, so commit to love one another through it and it would all work out in the end.” Good YEARS, bad YEARS…a thoughtful reminder in the toughest moments that faith in one another can pull you through.

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L: Can you share a few words of advice or encouragement for other parents.

R: In an interview with Franciscan Friar Richard Rohr about suffering, he spoke about radical acceptance. “Accept what’s happening as if you’ve chosen it.” This does not mean that what’s happening is agreeable, is reasonable, is normal, or is wanted. It means that we accept that this is reality, and we pick ourselves up and move forward.

L: Now that we’ve been at this isolation for a couple of weeks, could you pass along any tips or suggestions for making it though, ie: games, art projects, any ideas!

R: We went into social distancing with the greatest of intentions. We had schedules, we had bourbon, and we were going to Montessori the shit out of this time together. Fast forward two weeks, and with one of us still working as a healthcare provider, things fell apart. Instead of pushing and planning (though we still try, maybe a little?), we’ve embraced the mantra “sure, why not?” You want to wear underwear outside of your pants, sure, why not? You want to go for another hike, sure, why not? You want to plan a beach party in the living room, and we’re all going to wear swim suits? Sure, why not? While the worksheets aren’t happening, we’re embracing our time together (and our time apart when I’m with patients) without an agenda. Maybe he’ll learn some life skills, and hopefully we’ll all learn to be a little more flexible.

L: Photography has always been important to me, but I’ve been relying on family photographs a lot lately. They’ve been bringing me comfort in this new parenthood, as well as being separated from friends and family. Can you tell me why photography is important to you?

R: Photos provide the backdrop for storytelling, and a way to remain connected to our past. One of Callum’s favorite pastimes is looking at photos of our family and being told stories about himself, his parents, and extended family.

Thank you so much, Rebekah! I’m looking forward to sharing more family sessions. Stay safe everyone!

This job, that we’re very lucky to do, absolutely influenced our decision to become parents. We’re fortunate to work with the most wonderful couples who often have close relationships with their families. We’ve heard beautiful speeches by parents to their children recounting the day they were born and watching them grow and become the person they are today. We’ve witnessed parent dances both silly and heartfelt. We’ve seen the proud look of a grandparent looking on at their children and their children’s children. We’ve done this while holding back tears from behind the camera – often not succeeding.

Later that evening while driving home we go over the day – recalling our favorite parts. They’re most often about the connection the couple had with each other – and the connection they had with their families. While discussing all of this, inevitably the topic of us having our own child would come up. Didn’t we want the potential to have that experience someday?

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One of the last meals I had with my mom I remember saying to her that I didn’t think I wanted to be a parent. She said I was young and that I’d likely change my mind. Then she died suddenly. Life became about surviving and pushing through the grief. Then it became about moving forward. Then it became about living fully, which included growing my business, traveling and running marathons. Through all these things Peter and I would discuss whether or not to become parents, but it never seemed like the right time.

My dad died suddenly in April of 2016. That summer we were sitting on the deck at my house and the topic came up again. I realized I had so many things from my parents that I’d like to pass along to someone – stories and music and life lessons and places that mean so much to me. That day Peter and I passed over the <50% mark to closer to 60% wanting to be parents.

Grief is a tough thing to shake though. That year was spent trying to figure out what my life was without either of my parents. The next year we lost my childhood home, which was like losing another family member. It also brought up the loss of both my mom and and my dad even stronger. I was in a hole of loss and sadness until early 2019. The fog began to lift and we started to envision what the rest of our lives would look like. After close to eight years of discussions we decided to try and add one more person to our family after so many losses. I realize this is something that is difficult for many people, including a few of my close friends. It happens that it was fairly easy for Peter and me – something that we don’t take for granted.

So here we are – a family of three. In part due to many of you who have emphasized how wonderful it is to be a part of something greater than yourselves. My parents definitely showed that to me too. It took losing them, plus a little distance from all that sadness to drive it home, so to speak.

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The following photographs are just a few of the many that came to mind when thinking about the weddings that we’ve been a part of with that family connection that we love witnessing so much.

I plan on doing more personal posts along with showing weddings from last year and even the year before. I’ve got to be better at blogging. Hold me accountable please!

What strange times we’re all living through right now. All this isolation is making me feel closer to my friends and family. We may hardly see one another, but knowing we could at any time keeps us from connecting regularly. This forced isolation seems to have made us all feel like we should call/text and video chat more often. I’m enjoying it very much.

What makes this time even more strange for Peter and me is that we recently expanded our family. Our daughter Arden joined us mid-February, a few weeks before everything became very serious in the US. This means we benefited from family visiting in the hospital and at home. Friends (very much our chosen family) helped us out in ways we didn’t know we needed – bringing us groceries and meals; lending their ears when we felt overwhelmed by this new job we’ve taken on; giving advice, but allowing us to take or leave it. For those who could, the most important thing, and the thing we didn’t realize we would need so much, was visiting with us and lending their arms to hold our daughter into the wee hours while Peter and I caught up on sleep. That has all come to a halt for a very good reason, but man it’s been tough to lose that assistance and connection.

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a personal post – something I used to do all the time on my old blog. I miss having that outlet. I guess instagram took its place, just in a more abbreviated fashion. It’s feeling like it might be the right time to use this space again. I’d love if you would leave a comment – maybe about some topics you’d like me to post about – whether they be personal or about weddings or family photography. Words of advice are always welcome too.

I’ll be back tomorrow. For now though, be well in body and mind.

Banner image by the one and only Alexandra Roberts, AKA Auntie A!

Baby’s photo by her mom.

Greta has been a friend of mine for over six years now. I told you how we met in their engagement post. What I didn’t tell you was how on one of our runs, a few months before she met Jeff, she said something to the effect of, “You’re going to photograph my wedding. I don’t know who the person will be that I’ll be marrying, or when, but I know you’ll be there.” This September her wish came true.

Jeff & Greta were married on a beautiful late summer day at Mount Hope Farm in Rhode Island. Peter and I stayed on the property. I woke up early to see a beautiful fog being slowly burned away by the rising sun. I knew it was going to be a good day. Then off in the distance I spotted a pink shirt running up the road amongst the trees. Greta was on her wedding day run – of course.

These two were completely surrounded by supportive friends and family. The toasts by their close friends were heartfelt and personal with some ribbing, but mostly lovely things to say about the both of them. Jeff danced an emotional dance with his sister, while Greta and her dad danced up a storm and had everyone laughing. We grabbed them around sunset for a few photos and to give them a few minutes to take it all in. Those are some of my favorite moments of the day. 

Peter and I were so honored to be there to see our friends make it official. We’re looking forward to see how their story continues.

 

Location: Mount Hope Farm

Hair & Makeup: New Leaf Studio

Florals: Studio 539 Flowers

Invitations: Caroline Foscato

Caterer: Russell Morin’s

DJ: DJ Mr. Berry Dress: BHLDN

 

When I first moved to Boston (many years ago), I met David’s mother when I began photographing real estate for her. A few years later I photographed David’s sister’s wedding, and even photographed David for his business. When it came time to find a photographer for his own wedding, I was told he immediately thought of me. It’s wonderful to be there for so many big and small moments in the lives of one family. I don’t take it for granted at all.

Cailin & David are so easy to be around, which makes photographing them just as easy and the resulting photographs feel honest and true to them. Their wedding was on a beautiful day on the last full day of summer at the Dane Estate. In fact, their first dance song was “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Perfect!

Some details: They had a first look with each other and then one with their dog, who wasn’t able to stay for the festivities. The ceremony was performed by a good friend, which makes it easier for the personal stories to come out and the happy tears to flow. Many of Cailin’s family traveled from overseas, including Scotland. I loved seeing a fair amount of tartan in the crowd. To keep her dad close to her she wrapped his favorite tie around her bouquet. The evening ended with most everyone gathering round and singing an Oasis song together. I absolutely sang along from behind my camera and loved every second.

Location: Dane Estate

Hair: Vaini and Clark

Makeup: Bella Boutique

Florals: Natick Community Farm

Caterer: A Day to Remember

Baker: Icing on the Cake

DJ: TSG Weddings

Second Photographer: Brad Bahner

Last September we had the pleasure of visiting Western Mass to photograph Sara & Andrew and their Quonquont Farm wedding. During my photography school days I lived out that way and loved exploring the winding back roads of the area. I only lived there for one year, but it still feels like going home whenever I’m out that way.

We really enjoyed getting to know Sara & Andrew – and their dog Moose. They’re fun loving and genuine people. We’re grateful they allowed us to see how much they obviously care for one another and let us photograph their love.

Happy Anniversary (and a few days), Sara & Andrew!

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Event Coordinator: Maddy Oldenburg ofQuonquont Farm |  Location: Quonquont Farm |  Dress: Rue de Seine |  Groom’s  Suit: Tailor’s Keep |  Hair & Make-up:  Salon Herdis | Florals: Daisy Stone Studio |  Caterer: A Vermont Table | DJ: Shawn Santenello

I’ve known Greta since the fall of 2013. She was the manager for my first ever Boston Marathon team. Over the years we’ve met up for morning and afternoon runs in Brookline and along the Charles. We’ve supported each other through races and life events. On our runs, I listened to Greta talk about her relationship with Jeff – how it grew and changed over time. And now they’re getting married this weekend!

I’m so excited and honored to be there to watch it all happen and to photograph this day for my good, good friend.

Jeff & Greta each brought a best friend along in their relationship together. Zoe and Bodie luckily get along really well. We had to get them in on the family photos, so we did two shoots – one in their neighborhood, and one downtown. The bench they’re sitting on is the bench where Jeff proposed last December.

On to the weekend!

Crickets. I hear them outside, but I hear them in this space as well. I’m not going to make any promises, but I’m hoping to share a lot of shoots in the coming weeks and months. Such as these photographs, which were taken last summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Kayla & Tucker are getting married tomorrow. Sometimes I work better under pressure.

These two are just great. They showed us around the island and let us play with light, and the best part for me, I got to stand in water while taking their photos.

This was our third Overbrook House wedding and it was wonderful. What I love about the Overbrook House is how each wedding can be as unique as the couple who plans the celebration. They’re all so personal and intimate – and tons of fun. As will happen sometimes – it rained on Lindsey & John’s wedding day. The rain and summer heat did not get them down at all. They rolled with it all – changing their ceremony location from outside to in, which created a cozy space for a very emotional ceremony. Then the celebrations continued under the tent – and back to the dance hall…for dancing!

A few favorite things about their wedding day:  

• How much Lindsey & John were game to go out in the rain. Their photos show how the day actually was – which is real and great.
• The art Lindsey created that was tied in together on their welcome sign, invitation, and even bottles of wine.
• John practicing a song he had written for Lindsey before they did their first look – and then his performance during the reception.

There was so much of Lindsey & John, and the life they’ve created together, infused in their day. That’s the way to do it.

Some of the people who brought their day together:

Caterer:Tastyplates

Baker: Sarah Bouissou & Cape Cod Cakes

Florals: DIY with flowers from Bay End Farm

Makeup/Hair: Pauline Bouissou

DJ: Dakota Christmas of Murry Hill Talent (who was amazing!)

Invitations: Minted

Other weddings we’ve photographed at Overbrook House – Brenna & Nick and Megan & Chris