I love my clients!…. and choosing a wedding photographer is apparently a lot like dating, and falling in love – it’s all about chemistry!  This couple was especially great; down-to-earth, genuine, good hearted and totally in love.  I’ve been fortunate in that almost all of my clients and myself have been well suited to work together.  I think that comes through best in the candid photos. Congrats to the newlyweds!

The candles, the stars and the city lights all twinkled on this clear November night in Boston. These two high-school sweet hearts started the day at The Ames Hotel and tied the knot at the majestic State Room in Fanueil Hall this past weekend. Locals and tourists alike may recognize the Boston theme in Make Way for Ducklings card holders, Mike’s Pastry’s desserts and of course The Old State House (built in 1713, it is the oldest surviving public building in Boston).  This couple has a special place in my heart.  The first photograph I took of them was when the groom was actually proposing to her.  It was a really exiting and emotional event for me to witness.  Various photo sessions later, we find ourselves at the wedding, where the emotional height of the proposal comes full circle.

Cake: I Dream of Jeanne Cake, Flowers: Michele Bernard, Dress: Priscilla of Boston, Favors: Mike’s Pastry, Band: Flipside, Ceremony Music: Intermezzo Players, Videographer: Rebecca Curtis, Officiant: Dan Griffiths, Tuxes: Richard Lewis Tuxedo, Hair and Make-up by Kashmir and Laurie from Viselli Santoro

Engagement sessions in the fall totally rock and I had a lot of fun with this one.  I love the balance of getting the emotional part of a photo and the technical. I feel so satisfied when I get that perfect joyous, laughing expression… as well as the perfect background, lighting,  and pose.

The blue sky was cool but our hearts were warm for this late summer wedding.   I love sharing weddings where the couple is especially in love.   I saw them often holding gazes of each other… smiling.   Also, I hadn’t ever shot a tented wedding at The Villa in East Bridgewater and was very impressed. The lounge decor was clean and chic, the food was delicious and the staff there were especially  professional. The location for photos was also perfect with dappled light and back lit trees… a photographer’s dream. Congrats the the newlyweds!

I came across some info on Etiquette Police that I thought would be good to share.  I edited out some of the most obvious ones, but do let me know if there is anything on here that you never knew.

1. If yours is the only name on the wedding invitation envelope don’t bring a guest or children with you.

2. It is better to be slightly overdressed than under dressed for a wedding.  Men can always remove a jacket or tie and women can remove fancy jewelry.

3. A gentleman’s right arm is the arm of courtesy. A lady, therefore, traditionally walks on his right. When outside on the sidewalk, the gentleman walks on the side nearest to the traffic. The exception is when the bride is on the groom’s left side during the wedding ceremony.

4. At most ceremonies, the guests stand when the bride enters. Take your cue from the mother of the bride or from the officiant. Remain standing until the officiant asks you to be seated.

5. When addressing a letter to a married couple, it makes no difference at all whose name should be stated first, the husband’s or the wife’s; either name can be stated first.

6. QUESTION: Are gifts expected at engagement parties?
ANSWER: Gifts shouldn’t be expected at engagement parties. Traditionally, engagement gifts are given only by very, very close friends and immediate family – traditionally to the bride ONLY,  and then, not at the engagement party.

7. Guys should always open doors for his date – This is perhaps the most basic rule of male etiquette out there. Whether she is about to enter [the wedding reception] his car, restaurant, a club, or anyplace with a door, guys should always hold it open. Open the door, step to the side while the lady passes through. Ladies – at this point, smile and thank the guy.

8. When walking with a lady, if you encounter a revolving door, guys should enter it first so that they can push the door.

9. When walking into a room or walking to seats at a theater, the lady goes first, both into the room and the row of seats. Similarly, in a restaurant, hostess leads you to a table, the lady precedes the guy.

10.  Don’t assume that the couple knows you’re coming to their wedding. You must send back your reply card or RSVP (Please Respond) before the “Reply by” date. If you cannot attend the wedding, still you are obligated to respond before the RSVP date and let the couple know.

11. Proper etiquette dictates the wedding rehearsal dinner be hosted by the parents of the groom. If this is not possible however, there’s nothing wrong with other relatives, the parents of the bride or even the Happy Couple themselves doing the honors. Typically the rehearsal dinner is attended by the wedding officiant, the bridal party, and close relatives of the couple.

12. According to traditional etiquette, the order of the traditional and most formal receiving line is as follows:

Mother of the Bride
Mother of the Groom
Bride
Groom
Maid of Honor
All of the Bridesmaids

Traditionally, no men stood in the receiving line, except for the groom, of course. However, not everyone is concerned with maintaining the highest level of tradition, and it is acceptable to alter the form of the receiving line if desired. Today, couples may create any number of variations of the receiving line.

13. A wedding gift registry allows the couple to go to shops of their choosing and list the items they like. This way the couple doesn’t receive a gift they don’t want and no money is wasted. The proper etiquette for informing friends and guests about your registry is to ask your bridesmaids,close friends and relatives to spread the word. It is NOT proper to include registry information with your wedding invitations.

14. Traditionally, the bride and groom will be the first to dance as their special song is played softly. As the music continues to play, the father of the bride will cut in on the groom and dance with his daughter. The groom asks the bride’s mother to join him in a dance and together they grace the dance floor.

I was at The Lux’s Wedding Expo where they had a fashion show today… which was a great success.  It was held at The Taj Boston hotel which is really beautiful.  Lots of quality vendors like Emily’s Make-up Designs, DJ Rob Peters, and great prizes.  Here are a couple of pics from the fashion show.

This was such a fun shot to make happen.  One of my brides had this great idea to photograph the entire bridal party instead of an engagement session.  We worked together to develop the idea and here it is, Bachelorette Party Meets the Bachelor Party!

Hello Folks!  I’m so happy to share that one of our photos will be on TLC’s new show I Found the Gown at 10pm tonight!  I’m sure that I’ll watch 29 minutes and 59.99 seconds of the show, just to see a quick flash of the bottom photo but…. whatever, I’m still happy!

…from vacation.  Who needs peace and tranquility when you can work instead!  Our family vacation was wonderful and relaxing.  We spent one week in Gorham, NH and two weeks in Eastham, on Cape Cod.  It was full of hanging out at the beach (for my wife and daughter, not me because I dislike sun and salt water… I know… poor me) and trying to gorge myself on this year’s over supply of lobster.  This trip was also marked by a ridiculous amount of kids’ theater as well as theater for grown-ups.  We saw the Knuffle Bunny musical (twice), Circus Smirkus, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, a marionette show, and most importantly… Legally Blonde, the Musical (which was surprisingly excellent).

I was also happy to have the opportunity to photograph my niece while on vacation for the cover of Kidding Around magazine.  We submitted the photo straight out of the camera, no Photoshop no retouching. We got the cover spot, yay! Issue comes out and I see they gave photo credit to the wrong photographer. Not yay… at all.

Hello folks!  Thanks for coming to the blog.  Just wanted to let everyone know that we’re leaving for a much needed family vacation and will return on August 14th.  Emails and phone calls will be returned after that time.  Thank you for your patience  (  :^D)