Jun
25
Hanging out with Amanda and Greg one June afternoon was an absolute blast. They so clearly adore each other and enjoy spending time together. They seem to mesh just so. Both working in PR and Greg consulting and speaking specifically on social media PR, it is very apropos that they first met online. Nope, not on Match or e-Harmony, but on Twitter. How absolutely perfect!
When we met up with them at their home on Long Island, we got to know them better and to see a bit of their life in this beautiful small town.
We started at their home, where they had just finished re-landscaping. Everything looked amazing so we wanted to show off the house as well as the two of them.
Sweet and sexy all at once.
Hanging out inside. The character of their home definitely shines through in this image.
After a quick wardrobe change (Amanda wanted to capture the contrast between nicer clothes and a more casual environment), we walked over to their local park. A great place with evening concerts, weekend festivals and a museum.
Statues.
Loving the dreaminess of the reflection behind them and the steaminess of their moment.
Among the grasses.
Enjoying the flowers.
So Greg’s one request was that we not use props. But then at the end of the shoot, we saw this ice cream truck. It wasn’t planned, but it was so bright colorful and "casual" that it had to be a part of our shoot. And besides, Amanda and I both wanted ice cream. 
Sorry, Greg.
Yummy!
Heat in the background and cool ice cream in the foreground. LOVE!
A truly great day with tons of photos to share. Now we can’t wait for their wedding at the Liberty Hotel! In the meantime, I highly recommend checking out their slideshow for a few more of our faves.
Jun
20
When Jon proposed to Ayesha, let’s just say she wasn’t expecting it. They were walking their pup, Lucy, along the Charles River and it was quite late at night. In fact, Ayesha said something to the effect of I am glad I don’t have anything valuable with me because they weren’t the only ones out that late. Jon just smiled to himself. Of course, they had nothing to fear with their beautiful giant French Mastiff Lucy by their side. So when he found the perfect spot, a dock along the river overlooking Cambridge, Jon popped the question. As you can imagine, Ayesha happily said yes!
For their engagement session, we knew two things. First, we had to find our way to that dock. And second, Lucy would have to make an appearance. So we started our foggy morning e-session at the river esplanade.
I love how they hold hands.
And we made our way from the bridges and green spaces to the infamous dock.
This one reminds me of cornfields, which in turns reminds me of the midwest. And since they met at Ohio State, I find it all very fitting.
Lucy steals the show as we take her for a walk and some playtime in the Back Bay.
Along the beautiful tree lined path of Commonwealth Ave, a spot the family enjoys often. I love Lucy’s expression.
If you want more of Ayesha, Jon and Lucy’s Charles River engagement session and Back Bay family session, definitely check out their slideshow. So much fun!
Jun
09
So this spring has been nothing if not rainy and dreary, but sometimes you make a go of it anyway. What comes out are some great photos and a really fun afternoon. So it was with Erica and Bill’s e-session. Erica didn’t want to wait any longer to do her engagement session; she and Bill were up for a little rain and wind. And the rest is history….
We met up at Fan Pier by the Boston courthouse, offering great views of downtown Boston even on this gray day and some absolutely beautiful flowering trees.
Did I mentioned that it was windy and rainy? Not the whole time, but we certainly felt a few drops. Of course, that didn’t deter these two. Romantic, no?
And we had lots of laughs.
Love the contrast of stealy blue water and a soft tender moment.
Yup. Boston is beautiful. And I can almost hear the music they might be dancing to on the dock.
The Barking Crab wall is one of my favorite spots. And on a gray day, the color is even more fun.
So glad we ventured out in the not-so-perfect weather and were able to capture these of Erica and Bill. If you want to see a few more, check out their slideshow.
May
04
A few weeks back, before we had even a hint of spring, we ventured down to New York to meet up with Caitlin and Nick for their engagement session. Not many couples take us up on a winter e-session, but these two were up for enjoying a little fresh air and a beautiful wintery scene. That’s right, Manhattan offered up its best winter look, complete with fluffy flakes of snow. It was magical!
Another little bit of magic, is the story of how they met. Perhaps it is even a bit of movie magic, because they have a When Harry Met Sally story. (One of my all-time fave flix, by the way.) If they were sitting on a couch and recorded it, it would have fit in perfectly.
You see Caitlin and Nick both attended the same weekend music school for 3 years while they were in high school and never met. Nick saw Caitlin perform at their school, but they didn’t meet then either. They even have a photo from their class and they are separated by one row and they never met. Not until they attended a summer program in Colorado did they meet. They enjoyed dating for a few months, but they were headed in different directions for college and didn’t want to be long distance. They saw each other each summer, but they were still focusing on other things. That is until Caitlin took Nick out for his 25th birthday celebration. From that point on, there was no denying that these two were meant to be.
And really you can see what a perfect match they are for each other simply by watching how they look at each other.
Our session took us in and around Lincoln Center to capture their relationship and their connection to music.
And when we got cold, we ventured inside to do a few more photos in their home.
The session was a perfect mix, reflecting their lives, their relationship and their connection to the city. And I can’t imagine a more perfect time of year to do it!
Huge thanks to Caitlin and Nick for being so great to work with and for sharing your music with us! We truly can’t wait for your wedding!
Jan
17
We are thrilled when we get to do engagement sessions with our clients. Not only are they a great opportunity for us to get to know each other, an e-session is a wonderful chance to "practice" being in front of the camera. Sure, some of us have a love affair with the camera. But most of us are less ready to jump in front of the lens. And I have found that doing the engagement session is a perfect way for couples to find their groove with us and to get some truly fabulous photos at the same time.
So today I thought I would share one of my favorite e-sessions Dave photographed this summer. I have been saving this one and it really is great. Alyssa and Slava are absolutely wonderful people, truly sweet on each other and both with great senses of humor. For their e-session, Dave met them at the Fort Point Channel, with stunning views of the Boston skyline and the harbor. Beautiful!
Here’s a few from their late afternoon portrait session….
If you want more from Alyssa and Slava, check out their engagement slideshow or their wedding sneak peek and scoop. Enjoy!
Dec
27
Happy Holidays, Everyone! And a very extra special congrats to all those sweethearts who received the very best present of all, the "Yes!" that means a wedding is in the works. The engagement period is such fun. One of our fave parts is the e-session. These are fun, unique opportunities for us to get to know our couples. And so today I thought I would share one beautiful session from earlier this year.
We spent a Sunday morning at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate with Mollie and Matt, tromping around the grounds and enjoying some amazing views. They chose to do their engagement session on the estate, which also happens to be where they celebrated their wedding, because they loved the venue so much and were concerned they either wouldn’t have time to do all they wanted on their wedding day, or that the weather might not cooperate. We were happy to oblige as it is absolutely one of the most beautiful spots in the Boston area.
We started in the sunken Italian gardens. I adore this area of Castle Hill. The ruins complemented by the greenery are absolutely magical.
Then we worked our way up to the Grand Allée and the Casino Ballroom area.
We wandered around the Great House.
Finally, we went down to the Inn at Castle Hill, also where they started their honeymoon.
A beautiful and fun way to spend a morning!
If you want more from their engagement session, definitely check out their slideshow.
Nov
21
For a couple that likes the changing seasons and the outdoors, it seemed only fitting that Amy and Alex would get married in the spring and capture the beauty of the fall for their e-session. While November seemed past prime time for colorful leaves, Dave was able to find some still gorgeous trees at Larz Anderson park. The backdrop of orange, gold and chestnut combined with the autumn sun was perfect to highlight the warmth and playfulness of Amy and Alex. I am sure these will make you smile.
Thank you both for a great session. We are looking forward to your Boston Harbor Hotel wedding this spring!
Still want more? Check out Amy and Alex’s slideshow.
Oct
31
The couple that boxes together, stays together.
Initially when we met with Anna and talked about her and Johnny’s engagement session, we thought we might do something at a pizza joint. They met while she worked with him at a pizzeria. I imagined flour being tossed and pizza being made. They would have been great photos. When we started making plans this fall, they had come up with the idea of boxing, as they attend a boxing gym together. I absolutely ADORED this idea. Immediately I had an idea for a photo I wanted to create. As it turns out, Dave also immediately had an idea. They were both different and both exciting. I couldn’t wait.
First, Dave’s concept. Larz Anderson was perfect for it. Anna and Johnny appear to be at the top of a ridge, fighting to the finish. Love the angle and color of Dave’s vision.
My angle on Dave’s idea. Don’t mess with Anna.
My vision was to create something akin to a Sports Illustrated cover or a boxing poster. I wanted off-camera flash (something we almost never use, but every tool has its time and place) times 2. The goal was to turn the sky dark by underexposing it and flash Anna and Johnny, giving them a surreal prominence and power. I am so excited by the way these came out.
This one actually reminds of a scene from The Princess Bride (Anna I will lend it to you, don’t let me forget). The one in which the Man in Black is dueling with Inigo in the ruins.
Anna and Johnny chose Larz Anderson as the backdrop for their portraits for a couple of reasons, one of which was the Boston skyline views. Horsing around on the hills.
Another reason was because Johnny grew up in Brookline and had spent a lot of his younger years in the park. He knew it inside and out.
After we had played around enough, they changed into regular clothes for a few more traditional portraits. Together on the lawn.
One of Anna alone. So pretty and at ease.
Capturing the beginning of fall and one sweet kiss.
We made our way to this beautiful rain pavillion for a few more. Loving the interactions of these two.
And in the gorgeous scene.
Really, this session was so much fun. Anna and Johnny really got into the photos and shared their ideas. Plus how often do you get such a knock out couple knocking each other out? I would highly recommend checking out a few more images here.
Oct
05
Jess and Dan are so much fun to be around and we had a wonderful time photographing their engagement session, just before their wedding.
First and most importantly, they are completely comfortable with each other. They began their relationship as close friends, having met at work in the hot bed that all start-ups offer. After a bit, they discovered their fondness for each other had grown and changed. They realized a romance was brewing. After spending even a short time with Jess and Dan, you can tell they know each other top to bottom.
Secondly, they chose a great location for their engagement session- the locale where they first met and spent much of their time together, One Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA. So the engagement session was also a tour of their favorite haunts. And now I leave you to enjoy Dan and Jess!
At The Blue Room…
These two were so interactive. Telling us great stories and sharing ideas. Loving this ramp, a mix of old and new architecture.
Around the corner from the main square, a quiet funky little spot.
Then into the parking garage for views of the area, but enjoying the stairwell just as much. These two are too cool. Love the light, the sunglasses and the lines.
Their wedding was just last week and we had such a great time with everyone- an intimate celebration at Rialto! Check back soon for a sneak peek of the festivities.
Aug
26
Nope. Dorchester isn’t the first place that comes to mind when discussing where to do an engagement session. That’s probably why Ariel didn’t bring it up initially. But once we started talking, she mentioned how much they love their neighborhood and that there was this one area- the Lower Mills- that had beautiful old factory buildings. They reminded her of her past life in Pittsburgh. But when she and David looked around, they didn’t really know how we would be able to use the space for photos. I was intrigued, to say the least, so I popped down for a peak and instantly fell in love with the area. And so it was settled. The Baker Chocolate buildings would be the sweetest backdrop for their portraits.
The only thing sweeter than the reminder of chocolate in the air was watching Ariel and David together. They totally support each other and absolutely enjoy their time together.
Working with these two was definitely a collaboration, they were willing to try anything and pointed out architectural elements they saw that were interesting to them, such as the lines of the wood ceiling in this alleyway.
Plus they had just the right membership to gain access to this fire escape. When I found out about that, I was ecstatic. I have always wanted to shoot a couple on a fire escape- reminds me of the languid Porgy and Bess song Summertime. I so enjoy the steaminess of this image. Take your time on this one. Slow down. Look around. Dive into it. And enjoy.
After a quick outfit change, we made our way across the street to the Baker Chocolate Factory lofts. We played around a bit in the courtyard.
So while this area was perfect, I was a little concerned about all the red brick and really wanted Ariel and David to have another color in the mix. Plus Ariel had shared how much David liked to climb rocks and enjoyed green space. On my scouting mission, I came across an area with beautiful granite rocks down by the river. It only required a short walk to the water’s edge.
The rock above was the safe rock; the easy one to get to. Of course, David saw another rock- one that required some of his skills and a balancing act on mine and Ariel’s part as well. I happen to enjoy scrambling on rocks myself, so I was up for it, as long as Ariel was. Fearlessly, she took David’s hand and ventured to the rock hanging over the water. You can’t quite tell the tight rope walking adventures required to get there, but let me just say, I was impressed.
It was worth the effort. Looking back on the Mills.
A loving gaze and beautiful reflections in the water. Doesn’t look like Dorchester. And it felt like a million miles away from everything.
What a great afternoon! Thank you, Ariel and David, for your adventurous spirits. I absolutely can’t wait for your wedding at the Fruitlands Museum.
