Dan+Tracy=Fairy Tale Wedding

Dan and Tracy are a love story. A REAL love story. A story about coming full circle back to the love of your youth. They met and dated in college 18 years ago. They broke up, went on to their different careers and drifted apart. And then by a wonderful event, they reconnected.  Now that they were both ready,  they fell in love -- really IN LOVE. They are such a delight to be around. Their love is infectious. It makes you believe that fairy tales do come true. I have had the time of my life being a part of their story and documenting this new chapter in their lives. I photographed their engagement session back in November (post to come soon) and then the honor of capturing their wedding a couple of weeks ago.

My son, Nate who lives in Boise, Idaho, is an amazing photographer (link to web/blog). He is my favorite person to photograph with. I have such deep respect for him professionally, that sometimes I forget he is my son. When I fell in love with Dan and Tracy, I knew I had to bring Nate out to shoot the wedding with me. I knew I could trust Nate to capture the magical moments when I couldn't be in two places at once. So the wedding was doubly special for me -- to be able to be a witness to Dan and Tracy's marriage and to be there with my delightful son. We had an awesome day together and he has several of my favorite shots of the day.

Tracy and Dan have three adorable nieces. Here are two of them as they dressed up for the big occasion.

The wedding was a class act all the way. They had a Bentley...yes a 1955 Bentley...to take them to the Church and then to the Wentworth in New Castle, New Hampshire for the reception.

I am so intrigued by this picture that Nate captured of Tracy in the Bentley with the reflection of the chauffeur  in the window.

Here Nate has captured Dan's reaction as he sees Tracy for the first time coming down the isle.

Photo by Nate

Photo by Nate

Photo by Nate

Photo by Nate

Photo by Nate

The wedding was a full Catholic Mass. I was touched by the beauty of the ceremony and the Mass. Here is Dan's mother in a reflective, quiet moment.

Their niece played a beautiful piece during the wedding.  She was amazing! A little Mozart protege.

Limo photo by Nate

Here Nate captured one of my favorite photos of the day,

Dan helping Tracy out of the Bentley at the Wentworth (photo by Nate)

The best man was hilarious with the toast.

My personal favorite of the day...Tracy looks angelic!

And the final dip to end the perfect day....(photo by Nate).

Jessica+New York City

This is a followup to a previous blog I did about the opportunity I had to photograph a bridal session with my son, Nate, in New York City with Jessica. I made the attached video of some of my favorite images of the day. I don't remember having as much fun as I did that morning. Each photography assignment brings new energy, joy, laughter and excitement. But when you get to shoot someone as beautiful of Jessie in a setting like New York City and then to top it off, with one of your favorite photographers--who just happens to be your son--well, that is pure blissfully delight! In capturing beautiful images it is all about light and the light was breathtaking that morning. I'm sure you'll agree. Enjoy!

Oh...be sure and check out Nate's website and blog here. He will dazzle you!

Taylor + the moose-way home

I've known Taylor since his family moved to New Hampshire several years ago.  His older brother, Brandon,  was a good friend of my youngest son, Max.  It was a delight watching Brandon and Max grow from boys to men--a transition that happened in almost a blink.   I've always thought of Taylor as the kid brother, but now he too has crossed that threshold into manhood.   I had so much fun photographing his senior pictures that I had a hard time packing up my gear and calling it a day.  When my sons were young, we had an expression, "Let's take the moose-way home."  It had to do with a children's book where a moose from Maine took forever getting home as he wandered and explored new adventures along the way.  So after our early morning shoot at the beach, I told Taylor we were going to take the "moose-way" home.  He just grinned with much patience as I kept stopping to photograph him at yet another location.

Here are a few of my favorites from the morning.  As you can see, Taylor is an amazingly handsome and photogenic model.  Taylor, I had a great morning.  Thanks for your adventuresome spirit!

Happy Families - Part 2

In continuation of my Happy Family theme below, I want to share another amazing family I have had the privilege of photographing recently.   The occasion was their oldest daughter getting married and wanting to gather everyone together to celebrate the new addition to their family.

Rich and Anne have created a wonderful family culture where laughter and love abound.

One of my favorite shots was capturing Rich and Anne looking on as their children were laughing and goofing off.

And then joining in the frivolity.

Being able to record a piece of a family's history is a sacred honor that I cherish as a photographer.  Being able to take a slice of their life, their love, their laughter and preserving it in time is an amazing experience. Wow!  It doesn't get any better than that!!