Sweet Light -- Andover, MA Family Portrait Photographer

I always tell my clients that the best time of day to shoot is about and hour and a half before sunset. Some days it doesn't matter that much because the clouds are in the way, but when things are just right -- wow -- that end of day golden light is gorgeous.

Add to that this beautiful family and you get one amazing photo session! I loved how excited they were and how much fun the girls were to work with. From formal portrait shots, to casual and fun, we got it all!

A Beautiful Day for a Wedding

Anyone who has been following the progression of this business of mine knows that a huge turning point for me came last October, when I attended the Substance photography workshop given by Jenna Walker and Katie Thurmes of Jenna Walker Photographers in Colorado. During my weekend in Boulder I made new friends and enjoyed the beauty of Colorado, but more importantly, was given a gift by Jenna and Katie -- the belief that I could do this. For real. The advice and encouragement that they gave to the nine of us who attended was invaluable. When I came back, I bought a logo, made myself a website, and set off down this path with a confidence I never thought I would have.

As luck would have it, Katie had a wedding booked out here this May (because she's just so awesome that someone from Massachusetts would want to fly her out here to shoot their wedding!) and was gracious enough to allow me to tag along as an "assistant".  She confessed to me a couple of days before that she doesn't actually use assistants, but she would gladly have me carry her bag/cameras as needed during the day. (I offered to fetch her water, but she declined.) At dinner the night before she drew me a little map of the ceremony setting on a napkin and gave me tips on where to stand and what to look for.

I knew that this would be a huge opportunity to watch her in action and learn a ton. And I did. And I got to do a whole lot more than carry her bag. I shot the entire day, except for some corralling of family during formal time. What a joy. What a great experience. What fun.

And an amazing wedding it was -- a family with four beautiful daughters, celebrating this wedding at their home. They were oozing love and joy and fun the whole time. It was great. And to top it all off, on this Saturday in early May (which as you know, can be a crap shoot around here in terms of weather), the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Perfect all around.

So here are a few of my images from that beautiful day. Enjoy! And thank you Katie for a fun and amazing opportunity!

Baby Audrey - Boston, MA Newborn Photographer

I am always looking at other photographers' newborn photos online, and before my first newborn session a few months ago I thought I was going to need to learn how they managed to get these little babies into adorable Anne Geddes-like poses or put them in baskets or buckets or other such items.

But as I was making myself crazy wondering how I would go about this, I realized something... that is not my style. While those photographs are often really beautiful, when I think about what I want my work to reflect I come back to the fact that I want it to be real. More than anything else.

So, when it comes to newborns, I make sure my clients know ahead of time that I don't do a lot of posing. And I don't put babies in things that babies don't normally go in.

What I do, is try to document a family's world with this new little person who has come into it. Because those days when baby first comes home go so fast.  So capturing the essence of life with that tiny little person, when they are still small enough to snuggle into your forearm or sit in your bent knees as you "chat" with them, is my primary goal.

Here are a few from my latest newborn session with adorable Audrey and her parents. Another gorgeous family!

West Parish Garden Cemetery Sibling Photo Session - Andover, MA and Boston, MA Family Portrait Photography

I hadn't met this family before and when I walked up to meet them for our photo session, I was almost knocked over by this little girl's eyes! I think I may have gasped when I saw how huge and blue they are! And then I looked at her big brother who had the most beautiful green eyes! What a pair!

On top of being adorable they were such great kids to work with. They made my job easy and were totally willing to go along with whatever I suggested. I hope they enjoyed their trip to Bertucci's afterwards because they deserved a treat.

I LOVE the expressions in the first one!

All I said was "go sit on that bench", and this is what they did. So sweet.

I always try to make sure the kids have fun, and these lips and mustaches were a hit.

Eleven Years Flown by - Andover, Boston, and North Shore MA Portrait Photographer

Eleven years ago on Earth Day -- April 22nd, 2001-- it was 85 degrees -- a gorgeous Spring day in Boston. At 1:30 in the afternoon, Grace arrived into the world, screaming her lungs out. She was two weeks overdue, and we could tell right then that she was going to be strong and feisty in addition to being just a little bit stubborn. But besides all that, she is a beautiful, smart, talented, mischievous and funny nature girl  -- with an infectious giggle that has stayed with her all these years.

Somehow she went from a 6 lb 13oz baby to a lovely 11 year old girl seemingly overnight. I remember every birthday in between then and now -- gone by so fast in the blur of time. It seems impossible but in June she will finish Elementary school and be off to Middle School in the Fall. I hate to even think about the fact that since those 11 years flew by the way they did, then next 11 will too and then she will be 22 years old and gone off on her own. OK. Must stop thinking about that now...I can't even go there...

Anyone who sees my posts on Facebook knows that I often post photos of Ellie, but rarely of Grace. She loathes my camera. If I can even get her to look at it, she's usually crossing her eyes or making some other goofy face. But she finally agreed to let me take some birthday photographs (I will admit there was a trip for FroYo involved). I really wanted to capture her personality and her loveliness and she let me do just that.

And here is that infectious laugh and giggles I was talking about...

Andover Historical Society Volunteers - Andover and Boston Headshot and Portrait Photographer

I've been working with the Andover Historical Society as their volunteer photographer for about a year now -- When I first heard that they were looking for photography help I knew it was the perfect way for me to pitch in. My girls love visiting the Amos Blanchard House and participating in many of the programs available to kids and families there. And I have a thing for old houses.   

About a month ago they asked if I'd be willing to photograph their volunteers for an upcoming exhibit -- they needed photographs of over 40 AHS volunteers! A big job, but I knew it would be fun, and good experience even, to photograph a huge variety of different people. The volunteers ranged from High School students to people who had been working with AHS since the 1960's! The shots were taken at the Historical Society, both inside the house and barn and on the grounds. Here are a few, but the rest are in my website gallery.