THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES
- YET ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG -
Have you ever had a moment where something funny or unpredictable happened and you thought to yourself "Man, I'm going to remember that for a long time?" As a Rhode Island wedding photographer, I have more of these moments every year than I could even imagine trying to count.
Weddings are the ultimate thrill ride for me. A once-in-a-lifetime day full of special moments and memories that I know my brides and grooms will cherish for a lifetime. With that typically comes a timeline full of things to do, a unrelenting stress for everything to go perfect and, eventually, enough alcohol to wipe away any inhibitions if things don't go exactly how you envisioned them.
Back in the fall of 2014, when I was just starting my career as a wedding photographer, I thought it would be a good idea to do what everyone on the internet was doing back then: write a blog. The problem, I would discover, was I had nothing of note to say. So I did what any good photographer does: Let the photos speak for themselves.
It took me a while to find my voice as a blog writer but I'm so glad I did as I genuinely believe my blog writing has become a key part of documenting a wedding for my couples. These are the inside stories behind the stories of the wedding days that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Whether you're planning your own wedding or you just like looking at cool wedding photos and finding out more behind them, I hope you genuinely enjoy these articles. Going forward I will continue writing separate blog entries for each wedding and engagement session I shot and, soon, I will start adding some exciting wedding-related articles I hope help brides and grooms in their quest to plan the perfect day.
For now, though, enjoy a stroll back through my favorite stories and images of recent assignments and, as always, thanks for reading.
MY LATEST BLOG POSTS
Something Special
***** A note from Paul: Greetings all. In an attempt to catch up with a mountain of photo editing and deliver my Fall 2025 wedding galleries to clients in a timely fashion, I temporarily paused the writing and updating of wedding blogs until I finished editing for the 2025 season. I am currently in the process of writing new blogs daily so check back often for updates :) *****
Olde Scotland Links, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Date: August 31st, 2025
There are few things that make me smile more than seeing a bride or groom come out of their shell and be themselves as the night wears on. But I don't think I've ever seen a transformationas fun as Chris' on the day he said 'I do' to Kristin back in August.
At the beginning of Chris' groom prep, he was quiet, nervous and clearly in his feelings. By the end? He was on the dance floor in a t-shirt having the time of his life. And I don't blame him because his wedding? Well, it was one of the wildest ones I had in 2025. Why? Check it out by clicking here.
Regatta Place, Newport, Rhode Island
Date: August 30th, 2025
When you live somewhere for a long time, it's easy to take for granted the special things around you.
That's why I'm so grateful when I get to shoot weddings like Amanda and Sam's back in August. The two were wed in the middle of Narragansett Bay with the Claiborne Pell Bridge in the background on the perfect summer day and to say it was the very epitome of a Newport wedding is an understatement.
In fact, I would go so far as to say it was the most fun I've had at a wedding in Newport ever. Why? Well, you can see for yourself by clicking here.
Bostonia Public House, Boston, Massachusetts
Date: August 25th, 2025
I've always told my wedding clients that my job is to serve their needs and tell their story, regardless of what that story is. Sometimes, it means I'm running around all day trying to keep up with a bride and groom.
And then there are couples like Lisa and Sean, whose special day felt more like a family dinner than a traditional wedding. But that's the beauty of getting married. You can do it however you want.
Lisa and Sean said "I do" surrounded by a dozen of those closest to them and, to me, that was picture perfect. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
North Beach Clubhouse, Narragansett, RI
Date: August 23rd, 2025
When I think of summer in Rhode Island, I can't help but think about the beach and the beautiful, warm nights made for making memories. That's why I was so happy when I met Stacee and Derek and they asked me to photograph their August wedding at the North Beach Clubhouse in Narragansett. I knew, without a doubt, it would be an awesome time and I was right.
Why? Well, it's not that often that you get to spend a summer night on the beach rocking out to the best music of the 80s /90s and capturing a night a couple won't ever forget. See for yourself by clicking here.
Boat House Waterfront Dining, Tiverton, RI
Date: August 10th, 2025
By and large, my clients tend to be some of the most chill and relaxed people you'll ever meet and, so, they usually don't ask a lot. So when Hannah and Paul had one simple request from me for their August wedding day — a cool photo with the classic car they were renting — I knew we had to nail it. And nail it we did.
Thanks to an awesome sunset and a great bride and groom, their classic car photo became one of my favorite shots of the day and their wedding? It was definitely one of my favorites this year. Want to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Date:August 4th, 2025
One of the nice things about being a wedding photographer as long as I have is you tend to make a LOT of memories at particular locations. This is incredibly helpful as you can lean on those memories for new couples so when Maeve and David told me they wanted to do their engagement photos at their future wedding venue — Five Bridge Inn — I was immediately intrigued.
Turns out, it was the perfect place for a silly, fun and absolutely beautiful summer engagement session. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Tree House Tavern, Warwick, Rhode Island
Date: August 2nd, 2025
You know, I don't think I've ever had a wedding season quite like 2025. More so than any other point in my career so far, this year feels like the year most defined by small, intimate wedding day celebrations.
But, even within that context, I'm not sure I've had any weddings quite like Kate and Josh's back in August at Tree House Tavern.
An event with just 11 guests, Kate and Josh's wedding had all the makings for an elopement but still, somehow, felt like a big wedding day. Why? Well, check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Danversport, Danvers, Mass.
Date: August 8th, 2025
One of the things I find most challenging when I second shoot is justifying why I'm there. I shoot for some amazing photographers and, many times, they could totally do the job without me. That's why I'm so glad I was able to help my friend Becky MacDonald of Pretty Nerdy Photography on the night Stephanie and Sean said "I do" at Danversport back in August as she asked me to handle dance floor shots while she worked on some creative night photo ideas for the couple.
The result? Some terrific tag team work by both of us and you can see my contributions by clicking here.
The Barn at Blackstone National, Sutton, Mass.
Date: July 26th, 2025
You can always tell when a couple is head over heels for one another by the way they interact when they first see each other on their wedding day and, in this way, few people could ever doubt how Tatum and Joseph feel about each other. Especially not after their July wedding at the Barn at Blackstone National.
The pair were married on one of the hottest days of the summer but that didn't stop them from having one of the coolest weddings all year. And, dare I say, the most one of anyone I've photographed this season so far. Why? Check it out by clicking here.
Glastonbury Hills Country Club
Date: July 18th, 2025
You can usually tell how a wedding day is going to go when you walk into a bridal prep session and, in the case of James and Nicole's July wedding at Glastonbury Hills Country Club, I was immediately met with a bride and her girls relaxing on a hotel bed and watching television. And, honestly, I loved the vibe.
It's a good thing I did because that was the spirit of all of James and Nicole's beautiful wedding day as the took had one of the most low key, chill days I've seen this year and all I had to do was sit back and let the moments come to me. Check them out by clicking here.
Goddard Park, East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Date: July 13th, 2025
Whenever I'm shooting an engagement session, my primary goal is to find a way to make my couples feel at ease and pose naturally.
So when Kate and Josh told me they struggle to take a decent selfie together and always end up taking photos with awkward faces, of course I had them recreate one together. Because that's what I do. And the way that broke the tension? Priceless.
Not that they needed it because, awkward or not, their engagement session was awesome. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Independence Harbor, Assonet, Mass.
Date: July 11th, 2025
What makes you cry on a wedding day? For me, it's seeing how much a moment matters to a bride and groom and the people around them.
I think that's why Brittany and Alex's wedding day resonated with me so much as this bride and groom, who were married back in July at Independence Harbor, had a wedding full of little moments where everyone in attendance felt the love in their heart and had to wipe a tear away.
Why? Well, you'll see how beautiful their day was for yourself by clicking here.
Congregation Kehillath Israel, Brookline, Mass.
Date: July 6th, 2025
Maybe more than any other year, the 2025 wedding season is quickly turning into a year of DIY and casual weddings for me. I've lost count of the number of brides and grooms I've worked with who have opted out of the traditional bells and whistles weddings for something much more low key and personal.
But, even in that context, MJ and Rafael's wedding back in July was easier than I'm used to. They had a ceremony. They took some photos. They went to dinner. That was it ... and it was beautiful. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park, Bristol, Rhode Island
Date: June 29th, 2025
One of the big ways I like to judge an engagement session is how a bride and groom is feeling as we wrap up the final shots. Sometimes, through nobody's fault, a couple is just wiped and exhausted because they've been posing for photos for two hours. Other times, they're thrilled we're finished.
In Stacee and Derek's case, they were laughing just as hard when we finished as they were when we started. What does that mean? That I'm counting down the days to their August wedding even more now. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Beavertail State Park, Jamestown, Rhode Island
Date: June 26th, 2025
I'm the kind of photographer who prides himself on giving his clients exactly what they want and, for Zach and Gabby on the day of their June wedding at Beavertail State Park, that meant knowing what mattered and what didn't for a couple that really didn't want all the bells and whistles of a traditional wedding day.
How low key a day was it? I was there for just under two hours. But that doesn't mean it wasn't stunning and special. See why Zach and Gabby's elopement was one of my favorite shoots all year by clicking here.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Bristol, RI
Date: June 21st, 2025
I'm a sucker for a beautiful love story and, sometimes, the best ones are the ones you have to wait for. Case in point: Alison and Jack.
Alison and Jack met later in life and, one of the benefits to that is that their beautiful wedding day back in June was a celebration of new love and next chapters as they tied the knot in front of their full families and adult children in a day I can only say was among the most joyful and heartwarming I've seen
What made it so special? See for yourself by clicking here.
The Barn at Blackstone National, Sutton, Mass.
Date: June 20th, 2025
It's amazing to me that even now, 15 years into my journey as a wedding photographer, I still find wedding venues I feel I haven't fully explored and still get excited any time I have the opportunity to try something new in a place I've shot before.
I think that's one of the reasons I was so excited to hop on a golf cart and drive around looking for a place for sunset photos for Brianna and Tom during their June wedding at the Barn at Blackstone National. And the minute I got out? I couldn't help but smile. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park, Bristol, Rhode Island
Date: June 15th, 2025
I've found myself saying some variation of the words "Don't let Mother Nature rain on your parade" countless times in this wet and rainy 2025 season but if there's one thing this year has taught me, it's that you have to ignore the weather sometimes and focus on the fun you're having .
Nowhere was this clearer than with Kayla and Jose during their June engagement session For one thing, this adorable couple were a blast to work with.Second, the crappy conditions actually helped make this shoot even better. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
MIT Samberg Conference Center, Cambridge, MA.
Date: June 8th, 2025
There's no denying that still photography captures things about a wedding day that no other medium can. A good photograph can really sum up a wedding day and the emotions behind it in a way you don't even appreciate when you're living in that moment in real life.
I think that's why Maya and Roi's wedding day was so special to me ... in particular the ketubah signging they had before their ceremony. Because those photos told a whole story, man. The emotions, they love. It was all there. What do I mean? See for yourself by clicking here.
Private Residence, Westport, Massachusetts
Date: June 7th, 2025
I've always believed a couple's attitude can make or break a wedding day. That's why the moment I met Susanna and Josh on the day I served as their second photographer, I knew the cloudy, crappy weather would not be able to dampen the spirits of this delightfully adorable pair
What I didn't know was their beautiful love story would serve as the inspiration for one of my favorite weddings of all of 2025. Seriously. This day was so, so much fun and I'm so glad to share it so be sure to check it out for yourself by clicking here.
The Borsari Gallery, Dennis, Massachusetts
Date: May 31st, 2025
The best compliment I can pay to a bride and groom on their wedding day is that they had an event so fun it felt like the guests didn't want to leave and few weddings have had that vibe more than Alexa and Adam's at the Borsari Gallery back in May.
But what made this day so special wasn't just getting to see Alexa and Adam say "I do." It was seeing them do so in such a unique and deeply personal way.
And then came the party. My goodness, the party. I'll think about their reception for a LONG time. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Independence Harbor, Assonet, Massachusetts
Date: May 30th, 2025
You can learn a lot about a couple during their bride and groom portraits on their wedding day. I don't know if it's because of the stress of the day finally fading or because the couple is finally spending time alone with each other but those photos typically tell the whole story of a relationship.
And in the case of Brian and Ashley on the afternoon of their May wedding at Independence Harbor, those photos revealed a fun and careful couple that lit each other up. Why do I feel that way? See for yourself by clicking here.
Mass Arts Center, Mansfield, Massachusetts
Date: May 17th, 2025
It doesn't happen often but, every now and again, I'm with a couple long enough to shoot their official 'last dance' of the wedding. I love this moment because it is typically one of the most joyous parts of a wedding day and while Caitlin and Jeremiah partied long after I actually left their May wedding, they did have an official last dance for me to capture before my time was up.
And that dance, set to Scott McCreery's "This is It" was the perfect summation of a beautifully sweet and fun wedding. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park, Bristol, Rhode Island
Date: May 16th, 2025
One of the surest signs that I'm having a really fun engagement session with a bride and groom is when I find myself starting the session with plenty of time ... and still run up against sunset by the end of it all.
That's how I knew even before looking at Ryan and Khris' engagement photos from their May session that it was one of my favorites of the spring. Why? Because these two are just so sweet and natural and everywhere we went in Roger Williams Park proved to be a better spot than the last. And we needed that. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
The Lakehouse, Halifax, Massachusetts
Date: May 15th, 2025
One of the biggest reasons why I feel like my wedding photography in 2025 is miles better than it's ever been is pretty simple: I've been working non-stop.
Photography, like fitness, is something you can improve in if you put the work in and that's why when I have days off, I don't mind taking work as a second shooter for couples like Emily and Mitch.
Working for Pretty Nerdy Photography, I was lucky enough to help document Emily and Mitch's May wedding and, suffice to say, I was shocked at just how much fun I had. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Date: May 3rd, 2025
As I slowly approach my 400th career wedding, I've learned a couple of tricks to figure out how a bride and groom's day is going to do pretty early on. One of them is to read the room during bridal prep to see how fun, or how serious, people are taking things.
That's why, as I set up some detail shots prior to Chris and Nicole's May wedding at the Barn at Wight Farm and heard the bride belting out Chappell Roan, I knew we were in for a fun day and big party. And this one didn't disappoint. Why? Well, check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Evergreen Farms, Dayville, Connecticut
Date: April 27th, 2025
Choosing the right venue for your wedding is about so much more than just location or price. A good wedding venue should match the vibe of your day but, really, it needs to match your spirit as a couple and few couples have picked a better venue for their special day than Chris and Deanna, who were married back in April at Evergreen Farms in Dayville, Connecticut.
As a super chill, go with the flow couple, Deanna and Chris wanted a relaxed, stress free and genuine wedding day and their venue not only fit that mood, it enhanced the day. How? Check it out by clicking here.
The Barker House, Scituate, Massachusetts
Date: April 25th, 2025
I try very hard to be open to whatever the universe throws my way as some of my favorite things I've done in the last few years are things I didn't know were going to happen until the day before or sometimes even less.
That's why when a friend asked me if I wanted to help her shoot a wedding with a few hours notice, and I had the day open, I jumped at the chance. The result: Getting to capture Faith and Pat's beautiful April wedding day and getting to work for an awesome photographer friend of mine. How'd it turn out? Well, see for yourself by clicking here.
Stonehurst at Hampton Valley, Hampton, CT
Date: April 19th, 2025
I always know I've photographed a great wedding when I walk away and can't decide what the best moment of the day was.
For Jonathan and Karlee, who said "I do" at Stonehurst at Hampton Valley back in April, there were simply so many great moments to be had that it's impossible to choose.
Some were sweet, like Jonathan tearing up when he saw his bride. Others were wild, like watching a college mascot bust a move on a dance floor. But all added up to an amazing day you can see by clicking here.
Pond House Cafe, West Hartford, Connecticut
Date: April 13th, 2025
I have a love/hate relationship with morning weddings. On one hand, I love shooting them because I am typically home early. On the other, I'm a night owl and it takes a lot to get me out of bed before noon.
But I've always found that morning weddings are worth waking up for as, by and large, they tend to be the most relaxed and Jenn and Eric's April wedding certainly was. This was a day less about dancing and rocking out then appreciating every moment and the joy of love and I'm so glad to finally share photos, which you can see by clicking here.
Stonehurst at Hampton Valley, Hampton, CT
Date: April 11th, 2025
It can be easy to lose sight of why people get married but I think the biggest reason is brides and grooms just want to have a special day to celebrate their love. And celebrating is sometimes a thing people forget to actually do on the day they say "I do."
Not Patrick and Lauren. By far one of the most fun couples I've ever worked with, these two made sure that every moment of their wedding day was a celebration and the result? One of the most fun weddings I've shot in quite some time. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Date: April 5th, 2025
I came into the 2025 wedding season hoping to be a bit more creative as a photographer but, at least through the early portion of the year, that seemed to be quite a challenge as every wedding I had was rained out thanks to Mother Nature.
I think that's why I was so pumped after Amanda and Steven's wedding back in April as this bride and groom made sure no rain could dampen their day and our reward was one of the most fun, and creatively inspiring days, I've had this year. Trust me, this one is one you should check out for yourself by clicking here.
Colt State Park, Bristol, Rhode Island
Date: March 28th, 2025
In an effort to become the best photographer I can be, every few years I make a point of visiting the WPPI conference in Las Vegas to keep myself inspired. Whenever I do, the first session I have after I get back home tends to be one that I come to with a ton of ideas.
And while I'm grateful that happened this year with Hannah and Paul's March engagement session, honestly, I wouldn't have even needed that extra boost because this bride and groom were plenty inspiring all on their own. Why? Well, see for yourself by clicking here.
Coast Guard House, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Date: March 24th, 2025
Marriage is about compromise and, sometimes, in order to get married, you have to compromise ... especially when your dream day turns into a wet and soggy one thanks to Mother Nature and nonstop rain.
But there's beauty in finding the special moments when things don't go your way and that's one of the many reasons why Michelle and Dean's rainy March wedding is already one of my favorites this year.
Why? Because this couple never let the rain get them down and had the type of celebration no clouds can dampen. See it for yourself by clicking here.
The Radisson Hotel, Warwick, Rhode Island
Date: January 18th, 2025
The moment I am officially caught up on wedding photo editing and into my offseason, I practically turn into a bear and want to do nothing but watch TV, hibernate and sleep. A lot.
But I knew I moment I met Megan and Tim that their January weddingwould be worth a temporary pause in my offseason and, boy, was it ever.
Megan and Tim had a beautiful winter wedding that was every bit as sweet, sentimental and silly as they are and you can check it out for yourself by clicking here.