I arrived to Erin's parents' lovely home in North Reading on their wedding morning, the last day of April. Spring was in full bloom, and while I brought the dress outside to hang it on flowering boughs, Erin, her best friend, sister-in-law, and parents played music, laughed and danced inside--and this energy and joy set the tone for the rest of the day. Despite concerns about a time crunch, the day ran seamlessly. This is a tribute to the fact that Erin is wonderfully organized--but she is also an interior designer, so I knew her wedding would not only be precisely planned, it would have STYLE. And she certainly came through! Every detail was exquisite, most especially the gorgeous tiny bride herself with her chic hair, black sash, and dress that billowed when she walked like she was floating on air. I was lucky to have talented blossoming photographer and FORMER BRIDE OF MINE Kristen Turecheck with me for the day, and her added perspective was so valuable. After the ceremony at St. Agatha's parish in Milton, we found ourselves at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, overlooking rolling hills and the stunning skyline of Boston in the distance. Jason was absolutely hilarious to photograph, the best kind of groom! He was smiling and wacky and up for any of my crazy ideas--and the best part was that he kept his bride laughing, and kept that dazzling smile on her face all night. We hopped into a golf cart and barreled to the beautiful granite ruins for a few portraits while we still had some light. Despite the fact that it blustery cold on that hill, Erin and Jason had enough steam left in them for a few final shots against the sherbet colored horizon before coordinator extraordinaire Linda Blackmore drove the golf cart straight into the building, making their entrance into the cocktail hour a grand and memorable one. And after that, it was a wonderful party, led by sharp and snazzy D.J. Greg Capozzi of C-Zone Music (who also deserves tribute for jazzing up the room with elegant up-lighting). I want to thank Erin and Jason and their wonderful families (particular mention goes out to Erin's warm, wonderful mother Rosemarie) for welcoming me, and giving me the honor of documenting their beautiful celebration.
Stunning.
"Fantasy Overture" from Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet should be playing here.
Jason's adorable nieces.
Shot on right by Kristen
Shot on right by Kristen
Photos by Kristen
Gorgeous shot by Kristen!
I thought I'd make a blog comeback by by posting some engagament loveliness featuring a fun, classy couple, Jackie and Tom. They are going to tie the knot at the Boston Public Library this coming July, so I thought the perfect start to our downtown shoot would be the Brattle Book shop on West street(right next to the restaurant where Matt took me on our first date--romance abounds on West Street! That and my personal literary goddess Toni Morrison is painted on the wall...can't go wrong). It's a little outdoor book shop in an alley and it made for the sweetest backdrop for Jackie and Tom as they snuggled, sipped coffee and perused the books...Then, as the sun dropped, they braved the wind and danced on School Street, played in leaves in the park, and climbed Flagstaff hill toward where the setting came through the trees like fire (my favorites are from that moment of firey dusk, the last three photos below). Jackie is flawlessly lovely, and Tom a good-natured dapper lad, up for anything--they are the kind of couple who make my job so easy. Jackie was featured on TLC's Say Yes to the Dress a few months ago; I still have it saved on my DVR. I can't wait to capture her gorgeousness in her romantic Oscar de la Renta gown. Three months to go, lovely lady!
Dear blog, I am so sorry I have been neglecting you of late. But I have just the collection of photos to make up for my absence. Meet little Gavin, who is now almost four months old and now not so tiny a fella. But I got to to meet the little peanut when he was only one week old, and he was an absolute dream to photograph! The little angel did have some quips with the process, but like magic, whenever I pointed my lens at his perfect little cheeks, he would snuggle softly to sleep (with the exception of a few face-scrunches of frustration, which were just as cute to capture). But there was no crying, even when we brought him to the neighbor's gorgeous Victorian home and put him in a box on their porch, despite the blustery cold! He was a perfect little peach. Thank you, my lovely friend Lorrinda, for giving me the honor of capturing Gavin at his tiniest. I am so happy you and Jerry have completed your family, and I can't wait to photograph the little butterball again!
Had to pay tribute to Lorrinda's interior design vision... Oooooh the little elf. Baby owl in a basket.
Rosemary and Mike were married on a Wednesday evening (a first for me), and as a touching tribute, on the 100th anniversary of the marriage of Rosemary's grandparents. The Boston harbor was aglow, romance was in the unexpectedly warm November air, and the evening was enchanting down to every last carefully chosen detail. I don't know if I've ever had a bride so expressive of her joy, and so very radiant; Rosemary was poised and glamorous, and revelled in every moment. When my fabulous assistant Alicia Legare and I arrived, the french doors of Rosemary's suite were open to the temperate November evening, letting in the unseasonablty warm breeze, late afternoon light, and a striking view of the Boston Harbor. Rosemary's amazing stylist Luis was putting the finishing touches on her makeup, and they were rocking out to Beyonce's "Put a ring on it."
Rarely have I seen a bride more exhilariated on her wedding day, more in love, and more dreamy and positive and grateful. And it has not been an easy road for either of them. She and Mike have both triumphed over major health challenges, and as a result are thankful for the chance they have been given, to embrace life, make the most of every day, and to hold each other close.
The room at the Fairmont Battery Wharf hotel was so romantic, aglow with silver and cream, the banquet table adorned with posies of white poppies and roses. It was intimate yet glamorous, every detail considered by Rosemary's talented planner and close friend, Rhonda Flashen. There was much sentiment in the air as Rosemary decended the grand staircase to exchange vows with her tearful groom. And those tears came back later in the evening, with the best man's moving toast. It was obvious to me how much support and love was in the room--it was in Rosemary's radiant smile, and Mike's tear-filled eyes as he watched her revel in it. There is no question that this union was meant to be; theirs is a powerful love story, and I hope the magic of the evening comes through in the photographs that follow. It is for moments like these that I do this job.
Getting a glimpse of her gorgeousness... Stunning. The harpist's fluid fingers as she set the mood for the ceremony. The woman of the hour admiring the result of her vision. Some of the day's lovely details...
Please take a moment to watch their slideshow. I think the song, "I have and I always will" by Dave Barnes is the perfect fit for their story.
Stunning.
"Fantasy Overture" from Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet should be playing here.
Jason's adorable nieces.
Shot on right by Kristen
Shot on right by Kristen
Photos by Kristen
Gorgeous shot by Kristen!
