I can’t wait to meet you there!

There a reason why life has been moving at rapid pace these past few months, and I’m REALLY excited to share WHY tomorrow! You see, I will officially be launching my new website and blog along with new branding, a project of mine for almost the last year. A whole year’s work of sweat, tears, and dedication. I can’t believe it’s launching tomorrow!! I am SO excited about what the future holds and I hope you’ll join in the celebration tomorrow!!

Until then, I’m simply sharing one of my favorite pictures of my Maya Boo. Yes there probably should be some sort of law against sharing images with SNOW during the summer, but I couldn’t help it!

With that out of the way, let’s begin! Here’s a candid First Look from this Liz and Pat’s wedding this past weekend. The Groom could not have been any more adorable than when he saw his Bride!

Dave and I were married in 2006. I was 22 and he was 25. I was fresh out of college (by a few months) and he had just finished his first year at GE. We were EAGER to get married. We planned our wedding on a budget and did the best we could. We were some of the first of our friends to tie the knot and I remember thinking that I had no idea what I was doing. I just wanted to be married.

When it came to planning out the timeline of our day, I didn’t even give it a thought. I knew when the ceremony would start and stop and when the cocktail hour would begin. My poor photographer as I think back on it now! He did the best he could with what little we (and the thunder-storming weather) gave him. We did everything in a traditional manner from our attire to our vows to not seeing each other before the ceremony.

Because THAT’S just what you did. There was no such thing as First Look (back in the days of 2006

This is how our “First Look” unfolded. I was a ball of nerves before the ceremony. I was a WRECK. And all that was getting me through was knowing that I would see Dave at the end of that aisle. That we would have “THAT MOMENT”. Ya know some how time would magically stop, all Zach Morris style, and we would speak to each other the things that we were feeling. Well guess what, that didn’t happen. Because do things ever go exactly the way you imagine them? Things like, my dress getting stuck in the doorway, my dad and I barely fitting down the aisle, the snot pouring from my nose, the makeup running down my face. As I brought my eyes to Dave to have our MOMENT, there was the look I’ll never forget. HE WAS FROWNING. Dave was SO nervous that he forgot to smile. His best man had to lean over and nudge him, “Don’t forget to smile!” Before I knew it I was at the end of the aisle and the ceremony began. No words were spoken to each other except for a whispered “You are beautiful” and we were off. That magical moment, yea that didn’t exactly happen.

What did happen though was my Father walking me down the aisle telling me “Let’s do this!” What happened was a beautiful moment as my Father gave me away. What happened was Dave came and replaced my Father’s arm with his and walked me to the alter. Those moments were beautiful and memorable and ones I’ll never forget. But believe you me there was no magical Zach Morris style moment for Dave and I.

If I could go back in time to the 22 year old bride getting married, I would have begged her to consider having a First Look. I would have told her about how it would save her timeline. I would tell her how seeing her groom BEFORE the ceremony would calm her nerves and give her a confidence of “Let’s do this!” I would tell her how she would have amazing pictures in her album of her and husband, embracing one another instead of just the afforded “posed” shots. I would tell her just how special being able to speak to each other the things your heart is feeling really is. In short I would tell her “Have a First Look.”

Now, a lot of people will say that having a First Look takes away from that first time moment when you see each other as you walk down the aisle. And I have to be blunt. I disagree. Because that moment as you walk down the aisle, nothing can compare to that. That moment when your Dad gives you away to your husband is a special moment in of itself and a First Look is not meant to replace that. A First Look is not meant to replace that moment when your Groom watches his Bride make her way towards him. A First Look is only meant to compliment those moments. And while I know that it’s hard to understand that NOW, trust me. Whether you see each other before the ceremony or as you are walking down the aisle, those moments are both equally special and beautiful and moments you will never forget.

Still with me?:) Let’s fast forward from 2006 to 2011. Because Dave and I had a RAINY wedding day, because our timeline didn’t afford many pictures, because we didn’t have a First Look, our wedding day images are not truly indicative of us. We were always longing for images that truly represented who we are as couple. So as an anniversary present Dave arranged for one of my favorite photographers Katelyn to come to New England and “retake” our bridal portraits. And guess what we decided to do: Have a First Look.

You may ask WHY we decided to have a First Look. Dave and I had been married for five years at this point. He’d seen me at my best and he’d seen me at my worst. My friends, the mystery was LONG gone. Besides it’s not like he hadn’t seen me in my wedding dress before! Why would we have a First Look??

Because a First Look is NOT about when you see each other or how many pictures you can take before the Ceremony. It’s about HOW you feel as your Groom watches you come around the corner. It’s about the butterflies dancing in your stomach as you watch the smile on his face. It’s about falling into his arms as you share in a moment you’ll never for get. It’s about having the TIME to speak to another what’s on your heart. It’s about creating the space and the time to express to one another how you truly feel. That is what a First Look is meant to do. And it’s just as special on your wedding day as it is five years later. That moment NEVER changes because it’s not centered around a tradition, it’s centered around YOU.

As I look at this picture, I remember exactly what I was thinking as I walked down those steps. I felt like a little school girl, wondering if the boy I liked thought I was pretty. I remember the butterflies dancing in my stomach as I made my way to him. I remember falling into his arms and having a moment we NEVER shared on our wedding day. Five years later it was as if we were reliving our wedding day, making a memory we never had the chance to create.  This is the moment I realized just how special the First Look truly is. On the wedding day or five years later.

Look at his face! Look at that smile! After five years of marriage and he STILL looks at me that way! Swoon;)

I’d like to make one more point before I get off my First Look soap box. Dave and I are very traditional people. So much so that we didn’t live together before we got married. We did almost everything in a traditional way from our courtship, to engagement even down to our wedding day. And if I were to get married again today, I would do it all the same. Except for one thing, I would have a First Look. If you are a Bride or Groom who wants to have a traditional wedding, I understand! I was that Bride too! But I hope that what I’ve shared with you will help change your perception of what a First Look is and how that CAN fit into your traditional wedding day without taking away from the traditions that are so important to you. Remember a First Look doesn’t take away, it only enhances.

I’ll end by saying that I would NEVER force a couple to have a First Look. While I do have specific opinions about the First Look, at the end of the day you have a specific vision for your wedding day, a vision that is important to protect.  As a Bride turned photographer my hope is only to educate you on the First Look to help you make a decision that is right for you.

For us a First Look, even five years later, was incredibly special. In that moment I fell in love with Dave all over again. It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever. It’s moment that was captured by a camera to be relived for years to come.

 Did you have a First Look? What was your experience like? Are you considering having a First Look? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below!

It’s behind the scenes for this month’s self portrait. Mostly because I needed to multi-task. As in Dave take my picture while I answer emails. As in I don’t have time to put on makeup so don’t shoot my face. As in I might as well take a picture of what life is really like right now.

It’s that time of year where I feel as is my life is swirling around me and I’m just trying to keep up. As a photographer I don’t just photograph amazing weddings and fabulous engagement sessions, I also have to run a business. It’s a lot of work. And while I can’t dream of doing anything else, there are times, like this month, where life just swirls.

So June and July have been a month of weddings and engagements and portraits. But also a lot of emails, blogging, Quickbooks, budgeting, coffee runs and upkeep. Yet as I battle with my computer I can’t help but smile. Sweet, slobbery kisses are given to my knee. And I remember that it’s all worth it. I love this job and the freedom is gives me. To work from home, to take my dog for a walk, and most of all, to enjoy puppy kisses in the middle of the work day.  Happy Weekend everyone!

But as the weekend neared the weather took a turn for the worst. Because Emma and Jon were visiting for just a few short days there was no time to reschedule. We would have to make due. Suddenly my grand ideas and secret spots flew out the window. It would turn out to be an afternoon of extremes and nothing that I expected!

First we battled the heat. The sun was BRIGHT and the humidity was HIGH. We tried to find shade the best we could and made the best of what the weather dealt us. Though we were dying in the oppressive heat, secretly I was overjoyed it wasn’t raining. I showed Emma and Jon around Copley Square and Trinity Church in all it’s touristy glory. And despite having been to this area of the city a hundred times over, we made it our own that afternoon.

With an outfit change I brought my sweaty but amazing couple to the Boston Public Library. A hidden gem I called it, lauding it’s marble staircase, beautiful courtyard and quaint library. I couldn’t wait to show Emma and Jon one of my favorite spots in Boston. But as they were quickly changing in the bathroom my worst fears came to life. An unruly security guard began yelling for everyone to get out, the library was closing. This can’t be happening I thought.  I racked my brain thinking of some place that would be just as wonderful as the Library trying to get Emma and Jon away from the unruly security guard as quickly as possible.  Suddenly my Boston wasn’t looking so great.

As we (and many others) were hurried out of the library we were met with a gruesome looking sky. In a matter of minutes the weather had turned from hot and humid to dark and stormy. Thunder and lightning filled the sky and we RAN for cover. Only to find ourselves, and many others, seeking shelter in the beautiful, but now crowded, Fairmont Copley. We snuck around for a few photos and then decided to make the rainy trek back to the parking garage.

A church, a closed library, a hotel and a parking garage. That is my Boston. And while the conditions weren’t perfect, we made it work. Emma and Jon rolled with the punches (and the weather) and made even a dimly lit, gloomy parking garage look fabulous. I can’t thank you both enough for trusting in me and being so willing to go where I suggested, even if it seemed crazy. And the weather? Well this is New England after-all, it does what it wants. We take what it gives us and make it fabulous!

To view more of Jon and Emma’s images, click here.

I’ve got some stylish grooms who love Bonobos! Jon is the second groom of the month to sport these fun shorts!

Wedding Tresses did an amazing job with Emma’s hair and makeup. She looked flawless! Emma decided to have her wedding hair and makeup trial coincide with her engagement session. A great way to not only look amazing for your session but also get in a trial run for the wedding day!

The two images we snuck in before the security guards kicked us out

Before we headed into the Fairmont the skies cleared for a glorious five minutes before suddenly opening up again.

Right as I was taking a close up of Emma’s amazing JCrew pumps, the skies opened and we ran for cover!

Emma has a GORGEOUS yellow diamond engagement ring that I was coveting;)!

Many thanks to The Music Bed for providing the music for Jon and Emma’s slideshow “Pink Champagne” performed by Lovedrug.

But as I spoke to her my dreams I had to be careful to make the distinction between who I am and who I am NOT.

The reality is that sometimes I see myself not as who I am but as who I think I should be. As if I’m not content with who I was created me to be and rather desiring to be someone I am not. I see what other people are doing, I see what other people are achieving and I see who other people think I should be. I listen to those voices and then align my dreams and hopes for the future based on untruths. I base my future on the things that I am not.

As I’ve grown in age, as most of us do, I’ve realized that I am who I am. And with each year older, I am steadily becoming ok with who I am not. I am slowly learning to let go of dreams and aspirations that just don’t line up with who I am. That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped dreaming or stopped trying to grow. I’ve got a long way to go. It just means that I’m learning to align those dreams and goals with the unique person that I was created to be.

Are you with me?

This might not make sense to anyone but me. But I hope that if you’re out there and struggling to find balance between where you want to be and who you ARE, just let it go. Let go of your expectations, your this is what I must be thoughts. Let the character and person that you are dictate how you live your life, not some predestine thought of a stranger of who you have to be. Maybe I’m the only one who struggles. But I have found freedom and release in learning to embrace who I am not and running head first into the things that reflect who I truly am.

Who am I? A frizzy haired red head who loves her dog, a little to much

Mint.com is a a free online budgeting application/tool that allows you to track all of your finances giving you a universal view of your budgets.

Budgets are nothing new to Dave and I. We have budgeted since the beginning of our marriage. But up until now it’s been on a confusing excel spreadsheet that only my husband and a NASA rocket scientist could understand. Working out our monthly budget could be a stressful and confusing process and would often leave me feeling discouraged. And while I was happy that at least one of us understood what was happening with our finances, I desperately wanted something I could understand too!

So when friend after friend told me that I HAD to check out Mint.com it was a no brain-er. Finally a tool that allowed us to track our finances creating monthly budgets and yearly goals all within a platform that made sense to BOTH of us!

Now we easily track all of our finances online and on our phones (ahem, my phone;)).  We can quickly see if we are underspending or overspending in any of our budgets as well as keep track of our savings and financial goals! Talk about one application that I can’t live without!

And don’t just think that this is only for your personal finances! I use this for my business finances as well! This was the catalyst for me to actually build a real financial budget for my business. Because I can easily SEE and UNDERSTAND where finances are being spread, I can easily understand how to budget for the future. And if there is one thing we should be doing as business owners it is budgeting for the future.

So, like my friends before me, I encourage you to check out Mint. Nothing feels better than having a REAL handle on your finances and financial goals. And nothing is better than using an application that makes that process easy and accessible. Happy Monday, now get out there and budget!!

What are some of your favorite tools to help you keep track of your finances?

I knew from the minute we first Skyped that we could get along famously. Amanda with her big smile and warm personality and Jason with his awesome sense of humor were a match made in heaven. And our time together only confirmed to me just how great these two are. Like the time Jason joked that in fact he was going to open his OWN coffee shop and name it Circlebucks and make millions. And with that I just about died. I love people who live life with a sense of whimsy and humor. And Amanda and Jason do just that.

Thank you guys for keeping me on my toes, for your playful spirit and of course your amazing attitudes despite what the weather dealt us. August can’t get here soon enough! Enjoy your images!

If you would like to see more of Jason and Amanda’s images, please click here.

Many thanks to The Music Bed for providing the music for Jason and Amanda’s slideshow “Running Back To You” performed by Matt Wertz.

The past two years I’ve celebrated our house’s anniversary here on the blog. You can read them here and here. So I only thought it fitting to continue the tradition into year three. But this time around I thought we’d take a trip back in time to see what our house looked like BEFORE we moved in and ya know, adopted a dog. So get ready for some before and afters and glimpse inside our little world.

This was the first time I stepped into what would become our home. We had the opportunity to walk the property with our realtor and having just come for work I only had my point and shoot to take pictures with. This is the BEFORE of the entryway to our home.

And this is the AFTER. Not much has changed, except for a few details here and there.

This is the living room’s BEFORE, right off the entryway. The paint color was awful but we LOVED the hardwood floors!

Here is the AFTER with the beginnings of our gallery wall.

On the day we closed and moved in Dave surprised me with flowers and champagne to celebrate in our new kitchen! Here is the kitchen’s BEFORE.

And here is the AFTER. Finally my red kitchen accessories looked normal!

My friend Tricia says every kitchen needs a rooster. Mine has two:)

Our bedroom is probably my favorite place in the house. We’ve worked hard to make it a sanctuary. Here is the boring BEFORE.

And here is the AFTER three years later.

Just recently we finished the downstairs bathroom. Here is the BEFORE.

And here is the AFTER.

We have a bathroom upstairs as well that is adjacent to my client meeting space. Here is the BEFORE.

And the AFTER.

Here’s the guest bedroom. To be perfectly honest we don’t spend much time in here AND this is pretty much where all the junk in the house goes if people are coming over;). But nevertheless here is the BEFORE.

And here is the AFTER.

One of the biggest transformations is my home office and client meeting space. Check out the BEFORE.

And the MUCH better AFTER.

I didn’t share with you the dining room or our backyard or our creepy basement. Our house, even three years later, is still a work in progress but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. Mostly I’m excited to see what life we’ll live in this house in the coming years. Thank you house for becoming our home, for providing us with shelter and giving us a place to escape. Three years later you’re still one of the best decisions we’ve ever made:)

What do you love about YOUR home?!

The first time we met was at their engagement session at the Ocean House where they will be married next year. Honestly, whenever I meet people for the first time I’m always a bit nervous. But with a hug and kiss on the cheek Ashley and Fred welcomed me with open arms and put my nervousness to rest. That’s just Fred and Ash, sharing their warmth and kindness with those around them. They are a wonderful couple, people who compliment one another perfectly. Fred, who makes Ashley shyly giggle under breath and Ashley who makes Fred’s heart melt. It was a joy to watch these two just love each other.

We spent a fun afternoon walking the property at Ocean House taking in the sweeping ocean views and the classic New England charm. Fred and Ashley, thank you for being the perfect pair and for sharing your warmth and love with those around you! Enjoy your images!

If you would like to see more of Frederic and Ashley’s images, please click here.

Can you spot them?;)

Fred was a constant surprise, like the time he suggested to climb up on the life guard tower. Turned out pretty awesome!

I was diggin’ Fred’s blue Bonobos pants and their B logo!

And of course I was coveting Ashley’s amazing Michael Kors wedges!

Gosh Ash, could you be any more beautiful?!

Many thanks to The Music Bed for providing the music for Ashley and Fred’s slideshow “Safety” performed by Leagues.