2015 - In Review

2015 marks our fifth year documenting weddings full time. We've always said that you can enter a career by way of education or experience - and our path has been experience. Of course we are constantly pushing ourselves to take classes and workshops to learn more, but there are no professional photography degrees behind our team of photographers. In 1993, a professor at the University of Colorado - Anders Ericsson, wrote a paper about how 10,000 hours of experience will make someone an expert in their field. After five years, we've well passed the 10,000 mark, and while I wouldn't say we are experts, I can say this business has taught us far more than we ever thought possible about entrepreneurship, hard work, setting boundaries, weddings in every shape and form and dreaming big. This year brought us documenting weddings in 13 states, photographing past (and new!) clients growing families and a true welcome as Midwest Photographers in addition to our New England base. With over 300,000 images processed (I'm not exaggerating) by Matt, myself, Chuck and Abby not to mention our crew of phenomenal second photographers - Missy, Jenny, Devin and Mike - it was a year of living and loving big. With the volume of work it might seem like we're a well oiled machine with lots of minions to keep things running. And while we have our workflow down, each and every wedding and portrait shoot is handled in our humble little studio without elaborate outsourcing. It's a labor of love, and one we are honored to call our life's work.

Thank you for joining us this year. From the highest points in Maine to the shores of the Mississippi River, we've been honored to tell these stories with our cameras. We are eternally grateful for your support and look forward to another year documenting love.

*Previous years in review: 2011, 2012 (part I, II, III), 2013, and 2014*

Dani + Carl = Expecting

Dani and Carl are expecting a baby boy in just a few days from now, so it was due time that we blogged their session. Many people opt out of maternity photos because they don't feel camera-ready. We think this is a decision you'll regret years down the road when pregnancy is a distant memory and looking back on the big belly seems impossible that your body could hold so much love. I had a nice time meeting these soon-to-be parents and even from the brief time we spent together I can tell this little boy is going to be one lucky kid. I'm excited to meet him and see Dani and Carl in a few short weeks when he's joined us on the other side for some newborn photos. We're all rooting for you, Dani!

Kristen + Jay = Expecting

We are paid the highest compliment when we get to photograph a family more than once. It starts at the beginning when couples get engaged and want us to capture that part of their lives. Then the wedding comes and we get to toast to the newlyweds and swoon over new married love as the new couple dashes off to their cloud nine. Some time later, we'll get a call that they are expecting and want us to document their new addition to the family. This is such a joy for us. Since the bulk of our work lies in weddings, we hear A LOT of promises and toasts to the happiness (and inevitable struggles) that lie ahead. When we actually get a front row seat to document these next milestones? Beyond. I spent some time with Kristen and Jay and their little babe in the belly (nicknamed Poppyseed since they were keeping the sex of the baby a surprise for birth) about a month ago on Plum Island off of Newburyport, Massachusetts. It was so great to catch up with these two and hear about their excitement for what's to come. It was a good thing we did the shoot when we did, because little poppyseed decided to make HIS appearance about a month early! So now Kristen, Jay and their little sweet baby boy are getting used to life as a family of three. Chuck will photograph the three of them this weekend, so keep your eyes peeled for more from this sweet family soon!  

2014 - IN REVIEW

For those of you still hanging around at the end, let's start with a high-five for being able to process all those images. We are well aware that this little annual tradition of our images in a yearly review format is entirely too big. Believe it or not, this is a highly edited version of some of our favorite images for the year. I suppose that's what happens when we shoot more than 50 weddings in a year, not to mention even more portrait sessions. There is just so much LIFE and LOVE that we get to witness! It's such an honor, guys. Now you get to read our little acceptance speech of gratitude. First of all, none of these photos would be possible without the beautiful clients we get to have in our Summer Street family. Their lives and love are our constant inspiration, and without that we'd just be taking photos of pretty things with no substance. Next up, our team of dedicated photographers. Of course Matt and I started this whole crazy business, but we've picked up Chuck and Abby along the way as our sensationally talented Associate Photographers, and much of what you see above is their talented work as well. Next up we have the privilege of working with some of the finest in the industry as our second shooters and assistants for some weddings; Ashley, Katie, Deb, Bella, Dan, Olivia, Ellie, Jean and Vina - your talent behind the lens is clearly phenomenal and we're honored to call you peers. We are hybrid shooters (film and digital) so we have to thank our talented film lab, Richard Photo Lab, for their expert work in the dark room. This year we hand-trained a new talented digital editor as well. With the influx of a new market in the Midwest, Matt and I needed back-end support to help us deliver beautiful, consistent images to our clients in a timely manner, and we knew bringing an in-house editor to help us would be just the thing. Laura is now part of our team and has been an integral part of our back-end this year and helps all our images become what you see on our site. Talk about a talented group!

We have captured love in many places this year. From sandy beaches to historic estates. Ornate houses of worship and cathedrals in the woods. Childhood homes and mountain tops. All across New England and the prairies of the Midwest, we've gotten to step back and capture lives full of love. We've been able to tell their stories through photos that they will cherish for years to come. We are completely honored to call this work, and we toast to you all for supporting us along the way. Here's to 2015!

*In the mood for more photos? Previous years in review: 2011, 2012 (part I, II, III), 2013*

Erin + Koji = Expecting

There is no greater honor than repeat clients. Since we do weddings, this can be a tough one since (hopefully) our clients are just having one wedding in their lives. That's where family portraiture comes into play. Watching a couple grow in their life together is so much fun to photograph. It seems like just yesterday that we were shooting Erin and Koji's heartfelt wedding in Quincy, when in fact it was over two years ago! Now, they are at another exciting crossroads as they prepare to welcome their first child into their lives. They are both in the medical industry, and Erin is actually a midwife, so in many ways they are no strangers to pregnancy and babies. Chatting with them during their session at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston was another reassuring vote for the fact that these two are going to make stellar parents. I mean, really, amazing parents. That is one lucky baby, and we're excited to get him or her in front of the camera very soon and share more from this beautiful family. In the meanwhile, let's all cheer these two on in their journey to parenthood!

Ashley + Adam = Baby

Ok. If you aren't feeling overloaded by the cuteness, there is something wrong with you. I mean come on. Would you look at these two (and a half?) We've had such a great time working with Ashley and Adam, and really, the fun has just begun. We are always excited to work with couples after they get married and have a beautiful wedding and are on to new chapters of their lives. These two are about to welcome a sweet little one into their lives in just a matter of days, and we are so happy for them. We'll be along for the journey as we'll be doing newborn and baby sessions with them in the coming year. Saint Paul's historic Lowertown provided a stunning backdrop to their urban, playful maternity session and we think Ashley is sporting the cutest bump ever. You'll see them on the blog again in just a few weeks...but next time as a family of three! (p.s. Doesn't Ashley's makeup by Brett Dorian look amazing?)

Natalie + Shaun = Baby

We first had the pleasure of working with Natalie over two years ago as her floral and event business, Whim Events was taking off. Since then, we've not only worked with her in numerous professional settings but also have become great friends with her and her husband, Shaun. When they shared the exciting news that they were expecting, we were thrilled for them and couldn't wait to get them in front of the camera to document this special time in their lives. Natalie most certainly has a pregnancy glow and we love how sweetly Shaun gazes at her when she's not looking. We couldn't be happier for these three and can't wait to meet this little one soon!