My Baby is One!

I love that I get to share about all the wonderful families I get the chance to photograph, but very rarely do I share mine! The last 18 months have been quiet the adventure and as you can imagine, I have a million photos that i've taken along the way.  BUT today, I want to share a little something special!

My son Owen is now 18 months old. I have no Idea how we got to 18 months so fast.  He is full of energy, adventurous and a snuggly sweet  boy. He is the best. He loves mom and dad a ton, but his love for Mickey Mouse is like no other.  

I knew when Owen turned one, I wanted to do a Mickey themed cake smash because, he loves Mickey and it made sense. But, what we ended up doing was far beyond my original idea! 

First, I had to get over the fact that I had a one year old... 

Then, somehow we ended up in Disney World. 

I had the whole thing planned out (sorta).  We were going to go to Magic Kingdom first thing so that we wouldn't be in anyone's way.  We went to the park a couple days before and in that trip i looked to see where might be the best spot to get the castle in the background but also be out of the way and out of the sun.  Now we needed a cake to smash!  Where better to get sweets than the bakery on Main Street USA. We ended up with a Mickey Mouse chocolate cupcake and we were READY! In the first picture, Owen had his eye on the prize. Once he saw the cupcake, he was ready.... The rest is history.  

I didn't get a chance to try the cupcake myself, but from what I gathered, It was delicious. Don't worry, I had my fair share of sweets on this trip. I was in no way neglected :) 

Just before we left for Disney, we found out some exciting news. Owen is going to be a big brother!!!  As i'm writing this, we are about a month away from meeting baby #2.  But we took the opportunity to use our favorite place to announce the exciting news!!!

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Megan and Seth Get married!

You would never know it looking back at their wedding photos, but on the day Megan and Seth got married.. IT WAS COLD!!!  When you look at the photographs from their special day, you'll only see the warm glow from all the love (and scarves and leggings) that was shared between the bride and groom and their family and friends.  

The day started at Megan's parents home.  It was so cozy and relaxed. The best way to start your wedding day!  Christmas movies played on the tv above the roaring fireplace, everyone cozied around the tv with blankets. If I can give any tips to future brides about how to spend the day of your wedding, its defiantly to relax and enjoy your time together. 

Once the Big Red firetruck drove by with the groom and his groomsmen... (Yes you read that correctly)  I was off to the venue! When you arrive in a firetruck, you had best believe we are taking photographs with it! 

have to point out here, that although I was a nervous wreck about the guys climbing in their dress shoes and suits in the brutal wind.. they were more than willing to jump up on top of this truck.  

Megan and Seth decided on a first look for their special day.  It's a newer tradition for weddings, but I have to say, they are one of my most favorites..  The first moments with just the bride and groom.  Priceless.

You would not know how cold it actually was by looking at these photos. It was rough. These two were frozen solid, Megan a little more in her sleeveless dress! BUT how beautiful does she look? We had the fireplace blazing in the bridal cottage for when we were done with photos and a scarf to wrap her in in between shots, but they continue to look effortless and warm in every single photograph. 

The wedding was held at Wood Acre Farm in Terryville CT.  It's for sure a hidden gem! How pretty is the view here? Even so late in the season! 

The original plan was to have the ceremony outside. But with how cold and windy it was, it was just not ideal.  Luckily, this bride and groom were pretty easy going and also crafty ;) they made a backdrop for their new ceremony spot!!

Wedding's are beautiful.  The details, the people, the love. It sounds cheesy but it's the truth. The wedding day is the start to the next chapter of a couple's lives! Wedding ceremonies are NEVER the same. The words have new meaning, sometimes there is laughter and sometimes tears, (usually from me) <-- I actually cry almost every wedding. I know. But one thing is for sure, after the first kiss.....

Ethan - Class of 2018

 Good Luck in your senior year, Ethan!

GO REBELS!

Not Everyone Loves Their Cake!

I met Amelia's mama, Jessica, when we worked together at the bookstore I used to work at!.  I'll never forget the day I found out Amelia was headed our way! I walked into the room at work one morning and saw mama a shade of white-ish green I'd never seen before! Immediately i asked, "are you ok?" i expected to hear "i'm just not feeling so well" but instead she blurted out "I'm pregnant!" I'll admit i wasn't prepared to hear it, but HOW EXCITING!  Once we got a some water and crackers in her, we were able to celebrate! 

9-ish months later, we met miss Amelia! She was the absolute cutest and WIDE awake for her newborn session. She wanted to know what was going on in the world! I"m pretty sure one year later, that hasn't changed much!  Literally running around by 9 months!! and taking the world on! 

When it was time to make her One year old portraits, we set up the studio for her portraits and a cake smash.. Cake smashes are my FAVORITE because you literally never know whats going to happen.  I will say, for a one year old, She was certainly the cleanest eater.

Not at all interested in smashing a cake, but DEFIANTLY adorable!

Year two... You totally got this little one!  

Fall Photos with a Two Year Old

Just by reading the title i'm sure you're thinking.. OH NO. But don't you worry...

I've been photographing Chris and Katie since the beginning of their love story and then Ben shortly after! They are always fun, full of love and now with a two year old lots and lots of adventure! 

For this session we took it to the woods, literally. We went on a mission to find a fun new place to make some photos happen (and to keep a little one excited an happy)!! And of course, we couldn't leave Grandma and Jazzy behind! LOVE these guys!! 

When people plan family photos, it's almost always because they want to get photos of the kids. I think it's so important we don't forget about the parents! Mom and dad are JUST as important! How cute are these two? 

I'm excited to see what our next stop on this adventure is! <3

A little Country Love

Of course all of the people I work with are incredibly special, but this blog holds a special place in my heart.  I had the privilege of photographing engagement photos for my cousin Jonathan (who is very much a grown man  but will always be my "baby cousin" and his beautiful fiancé Regina.

With the help of some lovely neighbors, we had a beautiful backdrop to show off their rustic country themed love story.  But for real, how great is this barn?

Jon and Regina have two very energetic and large dogs, BUT they were really hoping to get a photo with the two of them.  Knowing these puppies, I wasn't so sure we'd make it happen! But sure enough..  

Tucker (on the right) & Ruby (left) were both very interested in what I was doing and they behaved beautifully!

We stayed home with the dogs because we just weren't sure how they would respond to photos and didn't want to spend the afternoon chasing them!  

Once we got the shots with the pups, off we went!

                                                      THAT RING! Isn't it gorgeous!  

We decided to leave the beautiful spot we borrowed to try and catch the sunset on the hill back home on the farm.  I don't regret this decision one bit! Look at them!!!  

I will admit, engagement photos are usually more the ladies style. I try to make it fun for the guys, but I also try to get their opinion or suggestions during the shoot.  It's nice when everyone feels included!  So, after we played in the sunset and danced around barns..

We drove his truck into a field. ;)

I can not wait to see these two get married.  <3 you guys 

Happy New Year!!

Today's blog is all about Teamy and David.  Dave is originally from Connecticut, Teamy is from Wisconsin, they lived in Texas and got married in Florida. WHOA. Since everyone had to travel anyway, why not pick a beautiful tropical location to celebrate with friends and family? When they reached out to me and said, 

Hi, want to take photographs of us getting married on the white sandy beaches of Florida?"

Why Yes, yes I would.  :}

The wedding took place at the beautiful Tradewinds Hotel in St. Pete beach Florida. It was perfect.  The hotel was so beautiful, the beach was perfect and the staff was amazing. Seriously, go there if you can. You wont be disappointed. 

There are plenty of photos to look at in this blog. When i was scrolling through, I had such a hard time picking my favorites!! I think it's pretty clear how happy these two are! Even though it was a little toasty on the day of there wedding, they are glowing from their love.. not just in the sun!

This was the view from Teamy's room. As everyone was getting ready, we looked outside and this was rolling in.  All you saw was this dark cloud, people running towards the hotel and the hotel employees running out towards the chairs. The wind was nuts, blowing the cushions on the chairs everywhere!  But it all blew over just before we went outside and there wasn't a drop of rain after that! 

Brides ask me often, what are your thoughts on doing a first look.  My answer is this. Every couple is different, but for me personally, the first look at my own wedding was one of my favorite parts. Its 5 to 10 minutes in a whole day of crazy that you and your partner get to share together.  It's a beautiful moment of just two people.  -- and the photographer :) 

We walked around this whole hotel and used up every beautiful setting we found.  

It's all in the details.... 

Thank you Teamy and Dave for letting me be a part of this day with you!! AND.. thank you to Abi of Abi Thibodeau Photography for helping me photograph this wedding!!  Abi and I went to school together and happened to move to Florida just in time!  

 I think this is one of my favorite wedding bloopers... ever

Fields of Sun-flare

One of the beauties of being a photographer is the opportunity of finding new places, whether it’s from our own discovery or being introduced by the people we work with.  Even better than that, is rediscovering an old favorite and seeing it differently with every session that you bring to that location. 

About 15 minutes from my house is the entrance to a state park and it’s BEAUTIFUL.  The grounds keepers (who volunteer their time) take such pride in making sure it is beautiful and full of life and the flowers are always so brilliant.  Although the park itself is not too large, there are so many hidden gems and it is one of my favorite places to photograph.  

It is to this place, that I met Gabby for her senior portraits. Her cool toned natural style and her piercing brown eyes was the perfect fit for the fields full of sun flare and our New England fall. 

There really isn’t a whole lot more I have to say.  

Congratulations!!! LHS 2016