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 :) *****
Wright's Farm, Harrisville, Rhode Island
Date: October 17th, 2025
The surest sign that I'm having an absolutely amazing time photographing a wedding is if I find myself on a dance floor, camera in hand, wondering out loud "What in the hell is going on here?"
To me, there is no bigger complement and that was the exact sentiment I let out during Tara and Jared's October wedding in Burrillville, Rhode Island when I turned my head and saw my groom shirtless on the dance floor rocking out. Tara and Jared's wedding was one of the wildest I shot in 2025 and you can see why I loved it so much by clicking here.
Groveland Fairways, Groveland, Massachusetts
Date: October 16th, 2025
I've always felt the hardest part about shooting an elopement is having next to no time to work with a bride and groom before you're in the midst of one of the most stressful days of their lives.
I think that's why I adored Bridget and Jacob so much. For a couple I only spent three total hours with, it felt like I knew them forever. Mostly because their love story and relationship was so clear and obvious, and so beautiful. Bridget and Jacob's October elopement was one of my favorite shoots in all of 2025. See for yourself why by clicking here.
Stanley Park, Westfield, Massachusetts
Date: October 14th, 2025
If I had to impart one piece of wisdom to every couple getting married, it would be simple: Just do what you want. It's a message that seems easy enough but, as someone who has shot weddings for 15 years, let me tell you it's sometimes lost in the craziness of wedding planning.
But not for Angela and Marcelo. These two, who eloped at Stanley Park in Westfield, Massachusetts, knew exactly what they wanted their wedding day to be and it was. It was small. It was quick. And it was beautiful. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Dighton Community Church & Terrydiddle Farm
Date: October 12th, 2025
I try very hard to connect with ALL of the couples whose weddings I shoot but, every now and again, I meet a bride and groom whose love just makes my heart melt and reminds me why I love doing what I do.
And I knew Jennifer and Jacob were one of those couples and their wedding would be one of those days before I even set my bag down at Jennifer's bridal prep.
Jennifer and Jacob's wedding was arguably the toughest I shot in 2025 ... and yet it was one of the most beautiful and definitely one of the most fun and you can see why for yourself by clicking here.
Notre Dame Church & Spencer Country Inn
Date: October 11th, 2025
One of the cool things about returning to a venue where you've shot a memorable wedding is seeing how a new couple approaches their day differently than your previous couple did so when Sara and Michael told me they were having their reception at the Spencer Country Inn in Spencer, Massachusetts, my thoughts immediately went back to the one and only wedding I've shot there ... for Sara's sister two years earlier.
In the end, there were a LOT of similarities but Sara and Michael still made their day perfectly their own. And perfect it was. See why I feel that way by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: October 5th, 2025
I've never been a big believer that "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life" because, as much as I love photography, it's still hard work.
But whenever I'm photographing a couple like Gianna and Aiden, I can't help but feel like maybe there's something to that theory as I get to document the love story of people this amazing and still get to call it a career. Talk about insanely lucky.
Gianna and Aiden's engagement session was, by far, one of my favorite moments of 2025. Why? Check it out for yourself here.
Stepping Stone Ranch, West Greenwich, RI
Date: October 4th, 2025
There's something so incredibly intimate about getting married in a backyard and, yet, for a lot of couples, that option is off the table because they still want the big wedding event feel. I think that's why I loved Catherine and Steven's October wedding so much as they found a way to do both.
The pair said 'I do' on the sunniest and hottest wedding day I had in 2025 and then partied the day away in the perfect rustic farm venue and, together, the locations made their wedding one of my most memorable in 2025. See why by clicking here.
Private Residence, Saunderstown, Rhode Island
Date: September 27th, 2025
Wedding days can be stressful. All it takes is one unplanned moment to throw the vibes off and that's why I was a bit nervous working with Coleen and John during their September wedding when the bride was a bit panicked at the end of bridal prep.
Thankfully, the best cure for being stressed is wrapping yourself in the arms of your soulmate and that's why all it took was a sweet first look to get Coleen and John's wedding back on track to be one of the most beautiful I shot in 2025. Why? See it for yourself by clicking here.
Colt State Park, Bristol, Rhode Island
Date: September 26th, 2025
I've always been proud of my ability to make people comfortable almost immediately after meeting them and, sometimes, that skill is invaluable. Take, for instance, an engagement session like Eryn and Jordan's back in September.
On this particular fall afternoon, I was quite literally meeting this future bride and groom for the first time second before photographing them but you'd never know it as they were a breeze to work with.
The results? One of my favorite engagement sessions of 2025. Why? Check it out for yourself here.
Wychmere Beach Club, Harwich Port, Mass.
Date: September 25th, 2025
I've often been asked by the people in my life why I choose to spend the rare days I have off second shooting weddings for couples I don't know. Well, it's simple. I love shooting weddings and I love getting to work for other awesome photographer friends of mine who I adore.
Plus, it lets me meet couples like Jamie and Ed and allows me to photograph awesome wedding reception dance floors I wouldn't have seen otherwise.
And, trust me, Jamie and Ed's dance floor was a whole vibe. Why? Check it out here.
Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: September 22nd, 2025
I'm always surprised when the people I work with are shy in front of the camera. I guess I've been doing this long enough that it sometimes escapes me that not everyone is a seasoned pro when posing for a photo.
That's why I'm always especially proud when I manage to help break the ice for a couple and bring out their natural smiles in an engagement session. Case in point: Chris and Abby.
Chris and Abby took a bit of time to warm up during our session back in September but it was well worth it once they did. Why? Check it out for yourself here.
Private Residence, Warwick, Rhode Island
Date: September 21st, 2025
I love traveling for weddings but, if I'm being honest, I'd really love to shoot some of these events closer to my house and that was one of the reasons Kristen and Brett's wedding was so fun for me.
Not only were they just down the road from me but their wedding was an easy peasy backyard ceremony and reception. What I didn't know is it would also be one of the most adorable, sweetest weddings I say in 2025 and that Kristen and Brett would prove to be one of the best couples I worked with. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Crystal Lake Golf Club, Mapleville, Rhode Island
Date: September 20th, 2025
Have you ever heard someone say it doesn't "feel" like a particular time of year until they've experienced something they closely associate with that time of year?
That's how I feel about fall wedding season. To me, it doesn't "feel" like it's fall until I'm shooting a wedding at Crystal Lake Golf Club in September or October and when it comes to fall weddings, they just don't get much better than Sandra and Joseph's.
Sandra and Joseph tied the knot at Crystal Lake back in September and it was a picture perfect day from start to finish. See why by clicking here.
The Barker House, Scituate, Massachusetts
Date: September 19th, 2025
If there's one thing that really makes me smile on a wedding day, it's when I hear or see something that I know the couple I'm working with will laugh about for the rest of their lives.
That's why when I was photographing Scott and James' September wedding ceremony and heard James drop a subtle, but 'If You Know You Know' joke during his vows and saw Scott crack up, I knew it was something they'd cherish forever. And on a day full of precious moments, which you can see for yourself by clicking here, that's all you can ask for.
The Codman Estate, Lincoln, Massachusetts
Date: September 14th, 2025
I'm a sucker for big moments on a wedding day and I think that's why I love Jewish weddings so much. Moreso than most other cultures, Jewish weddings have a lot of pomp and circumstance in terms of events and traditions and nowhere was that clearer than Rebecca and Jeffrey's September wedding.
But, the funny thing is, as much as I loved things like their first look, ketubah signing and especially their outstanding Hora, at the end of the day, what mattered most from this couple were their little, unplanned moments. See for yourself by clicking here.
Buffumville Lake Park, Charlton, Mass.
Date: September 13th, 2025
I pride myself for my ability to know, in the moment, when I'm seeing something special and while it may only happen two or three times a year, every now and again, I get to work with a couple who is so adorable and so beautiful together that it takes my breath away.
Neil and Abigail, who said "I do" at Buffumville Lake Park in Charlton, Massachusetts, were one of these couples. Why? Because they had a wedding so unlike anything else I shot in 2025 that, even as it was happening, I knew it would be one I wouldn't soon forget. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Quonset 'O' Club, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Date: September 12th, 2025
One of my biggest fears when I second shoot a wedding for a friend of mine is that my short time with a bride and groom means I'm not going to be present for the big, marquee moments that make their day special.
It's usually an unfounded fear because what happens, much more often, is that these are some of the most emotional wedding days I attend. The ones with moments you'll remember for a lifetime sprinkled throughout the day. Such was the case for Heather and Joe, who said I do back in September in a day that was both beautiful and touching. Why? Click here.
Bittersweet Farm, Westport, Massachusetts
Date: September 6th, 2025
I shoot a lot of weddings. Because of this, sometimes when I'm in the thick of busy season, no matter how great a couple's day is, it can feel like a lot of other ones I've recently photographed.
That was certainly not the case for Brittney and John when they said "I do" back in September. No, this couple and this wedding stood out in all the best ways.
I mean, the groom wore a white tux. The bride was a bundle of joy and laughter. Oh .. and there were dancing dinosaurs. Trust me. If you love fun days, you'll love this wedding. See for yourself by clicking here.
Quonset 'O' Club, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Date: September 5th, 2025
If I were getting married today, my wedding would look a lot different than it did in 2010. Now, that's not to say I don't love the wedding I had but I didn't know back then just how easy it is to make it your own.
That's why I love working with couples like Samantha and Bret, who were married back in September at the Quonset 'O' Club.
No matter what these two young sweethearts did on their wedding day, you knew it was THEIR idea and they put their own spin on it. What do I mean? See for yourself by clicking here.
Beavertail Lighthouse, Jamestown, RI
Date:September 2nd, 2025
I try very hard not to push my clients outside of their comfort zone but, every once in a while, I might push them right to the edge of it. Take, for example, Amy and Ken during their September engagement session.
I didn't walk into this session with any expectations but there was one very specific spot I wanted to photograph these two at: the rocks with the ocean in the back. The problem? Amy was wearing tough shoes and not a fan. To her credit, she did it anyway and, in my opinion, it was so worth it. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
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.