Oh this session makes me so happy. It's the time of the year when everything is a little slow. The weather is grey and chilly and you might rather find yourself bundled up with a good book than out exploring outside. We're in 'off-season' mode here on Summer Street as we busy ourselves with lots of admin work that needs to be done (hello taxes!) and planning for all of the beautiful fetes that will happen later this year. I'll come right out and say it: it's not as much fun as shooting every week. That changed last week when we had the chance to photograph Erika and Steve's Engagement Session on Steve's mom's farm in Billerica. Erika and Steve are fun loving and sweet as can be. They will be getting married in a few short weeks at the Willowdale Estate and we're so excited about capturing their wedding. They have an adorable daughter, Lyla, who was an absolute peach during their session. Did we mention the horses? They acted like old curious farm dogs as they trotted over to us and stuck their muzzle in our lens. So fun. We insisted they take a few family photos in addition to their couple photos. Aren't they just the sweetest together? I love seeing our clients not only as amazing and supportive partners to one another - but also as parents. The love that beams from this family is just more than I can take today. As always, we're left feeling incredibly grateful having the privilege of capturing life's greatest joy: love.
Cara + Jesse = Engaged
It takes a brave couple to endure sub-zero wind chills (without coats - no less) for a January engagement session. As it turns out, Cara and Jesse are more than just brave. They are kind, insightful and full of love for life, one another and their dogs. When we started brainstorming for their Engagement Session they wanted something that would capture their laid back (yet stylish!) lifestyle. We started out at the Addison Gallery of American Art on the Phillips Academy and then braved the cold at their favorite park to hike and take their dogs to in North Andover. They braved the cold and fortunately had each other to keep warm. We've found that cuddling during winter Engagement sessions is both cute *and* necessary for great photos. Cara and Jesse had this one DOWN. We can't wait to shoot their Willowdale Estate wedding in March, it's going to be so cozy and sweet!
Stephanie + Peter = Engaged
I could talk allllll day about these two. You see, Stephanie and Peter are near and dear to our hearts. Once upon a time Matt and Peter went to high school together in St. Paul, MN. They were inseparable and remained close when they went to college together at the University of Minnesota. Stephanie and I were both dance majors and lived just down the hall from one another in Middlebrook Hall. We became fast friends and were soon spending more time together than apart. As many of you know, Matt and I met on the first day of college, so all the while we dated I would spend time with his group of friends and he with mine. Stephanie and Peter had met a few times through mutual gatherings, but never really had the chance to get to know one another. Fast forward four glorious years of late night studying, piled dishes in the sink and the formation of life-long friendships it was time for Matt and I to say goodbye to our beloved friends in Minnesota and head East. There was a little peek of interest that Peter showed towards Stephanie and Stephanie towards Peter, so of course Matt and I milked that for all it was worth and practically made them hold hands during a goodbye party we had in Minneapolis. They exchanged numbers, began hanging out and within a matter of weeks they were dating. We were over the moon but didn't want to jinx anything so we played it cool. As fate would have it, they feel madly in love with one another and are now planning to be wed this fall in their backyard. We jumped at the opportunity to take some Engagement Photos in the chill of a Minnesota January day a few weeks back when we were in Minnesota. They brought their adorable pup, Flika who kind of stole the show. We are SO excited for these two to tie the knot. Congratulations our dear Stephi and Pete!! We love you to pieces!!
Favorite Photos from 2012 - Engagement
We're on to part II of our three part 2012 recap, Engagements! Time and time again, Engagement Sessions prove to be a fun and productive time before the big day. They are low pressure and extremely useful. Like we tell our clients, we're used to working with real couples (not models) so while we have little tips and games to play during sessions, it's still a great idea for you as a couple to get some experience under your belt being in front of the camera for eight or more hours on your wedding day. This way, you can get to know how we work and shoot, and we can get to know you better too. Most people wouldn't plan a wedding without attending a catering tasting, getting dress alterations, a makeup trail or doing a venue walk though - so why would you skip out on a test run with us before the wedding day? Plus, it's always great to have a nice photo of you and your fiancee for Save the Dates, Wedding Websites, mom's mantel or even a facebook profile photo to commemorate the exciting time in your life. Engagement sessions can be nerve racking, but every. single. couple. we've photographed left saying "that wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be, in fact it was pretty fun!" In addition to our own wedding clients, we also get the honor of photographing a few couples each year who live in Boston but are getting married in a different part of the country or world. These are a few of our favorite Engagement images from 2012. Tune in later for a HUGE post of some of our favorite wedding images!
Erika + Jeffrey = Engaged
If this isn't the sweetest thing you'll see today I will personally buy you a coffee. I mean seriously. Look at these two. Erika and Jeffrey are adorable *on ice skates*. That is talent, folks. Matt and I insisted that we better not join them on the ice because of the nature of camera equipment, a quarter of an inch blade holding us up on ice and dozens of other people who may run into us while shooting - but we all know that the real reason is because there is no way we could have photographed their adorableness on ice. We would have spent the entire time shifting our feet awkwardly on the ice and fallen down too many times to count. Not Erika and Jeffrey though. I swear they are secret hockey and figure skaters in their free time. They both laced up and whirled around the pond with such ease and grace. While stationed on the edge of the rink and watching them glide round and round together I even overheard a few onlooking girls talking about how watching Erika and Jeffrey "made them really happy." I couldn't agree more. We had a great time photographing them on the rink and off on the streets of Beacon Hill and can't wait for their Smith Barn Wedding this June. It's going to be a blast!
Rajween + Raj = Engaged
Let's get 2013 off on the right foot, shall we? We shot Rajween and Raj's Boston Engagement session just days before their wedding in Singapore. They both live in Boston and had been engaged for almost two years before their wedding day. They decided having Engagement Photos in Boston would be a perfect way to commemorate this time in their lives, and we couldn't agree more. Don't they look stunning amongst the deep, rich light of a December afternoon? I love that Rajween brought along cupcakes with their wedding date on them, and loved even more when she decided Raj needed some frosting on his face. These two are fun and light hearted, which pretty much guarantees that they'll succeed at anything marriage brings their way. Congratulations Rajween and Raj!
Pattie + Alix = Engaged
We had the greatest time shooting Pattie and Alix's Engagement Photos at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Mass. Not only are these two gorgeous, smart and successful - they are truly grounded individuals who know themselves and have hearts of gold. Spend five minutes watching these two and its clear that they have a gift. We met up with them at one of our favorite estates on the north shore which provided a stunning backdrop for their session. Between the rolling hills, sunken gardens, ripe foliage and cozy ear muffs Pattie wore for part of the session - I can't pick a favorite photo. I've just decided to love them all for different reasons, and I think you may have to do the same. It's clear that they are naturals in front of the camera so we can't wait to capture them again on their wedding day next June!
Stephanie + Tyler = Engaged
We met up with Stephanie, Tyler and their two adorable pups Leroy and Duncan right after Hurricane Sandy hit Boston, so we were all a little worried that the beautiful fall foliage and lush landscape of the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain would have been damaged. Fortunately, fall picked up right where it had left off and gave us a beautiful sunny sky and some great color on the trees. Stephanie and Tyler could not have been more perfect amidst the pretty scenery. While they are both extremely good looking, it's really their calm and compassionate spirits that make them so easy to be around. They truly have hearts of gold and its in working with couples like Stephanie and Tyler that Matt and I have to pinch ourselves that we actually get to work with such amazing people and do something we love so much. We simply can not wait for their Connecticut Vineyard Wedding next July - it's going to be amazing!
Pallavi + Juffin = Engaged
We met up with Pallavi and Juffin on a brisk November day with a shining sun and a cold wind. Pallavi braved part of the session in just a dress (with no coat or sweater) but luckily Juffin was there to keep her warm. Pallavi and Juffin are really cute together. Their positive energy exudes to all who come in contact with them and watching them together makes you feel like all is right with the world. They are college sweethearts who will tie the knot this December in India. They wanted to have some Engagement Photos taken of them in the city they met and fell in love - and we were happy to do just that. We took advantage of the nooks and crannies that the Boston waterfront has to offer and happily stumbled upon a steel sculpture by the water that provided a really cool architectural detail to their photos. I often think of the old brick buildings that Boston has to offer (which I love so much)- so it was fun to incorporate a more modern design flair into their photo (where that theme continued in a parking garage later in the session). Pallavi and Juffin: it was so wonderful to work with you. We're sure your wedding will be a fabulous day to be matched by your equally fabulous personalities. Congratulations!
Suzanne + Jerad = Engaged
Suzanne and Jerad are lovable people. Outgoing, laid back and full of love for life and each other (and The Bears, but we'll forgive them :). They will be celebrating their wedding in Costa Rica next year, so they wanted to have some photos of their life in Cambridge during their Engagement. We met up with them in both our neighborhoods to wander Harvard Square in the various nooks and crannies of Cambridge. Part of the reason we love our job so much is that we get to spend our time conversing with so many wonderful people from all walks of life. Suzanne and Jerad are perfect examples of this. Matt and I both agreed that we want to hang out with them again without cameras in our hands. Suzanne and Jerad, we loved spending time with you and are so happy for you both. Congratulations on your Engagement and best of luck with wedding planning!