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
Lake of Isles, North Stonington, Connecticut
Date: July 27th, 2024
Anytime I get asked by a fellow photographer to shoot something, there's a little extra pressure because I know that THEY know what good photos looks like.
You can imagine my nerves, then, when a wedding photographer I've worked with before asked me to shoot his big day, as happened back in July when Derek and Shannon tied the knot.
Turns out I didn't need to worry though. Why? Because this couple knew exactly what they wanted for their wedding and knocked it out of the park. Want to see what I mean? Check it out for yourself here.
Crystal Lake Golf Club, Mapleville, Rhode Island
Date: July 20th, 2024
I am far from a morning person. In fact, I'm far more likely to get up after noon than before it. But every now and again, I'm asked to photograph a morning wedding and when that happens, I normally let out a sigh knowing that it's going to be a challenging day.
Unless it's at Crystal Lake Golf Club, one of the only venues I don't mind getting up early to work at and that's why I knew on the morning of Amy and Ben's, we were in for a great day.
Why to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Blue Ocean Music Hall, Salisbury, Massachusetts
Date: June 28th, 2024
If you want to get a real feel for how a bride and groom are around each other, the only true way to do that on a wedding day is to sneak away with them, long after the formalities of the day are over, for some sunset couple portraits.
That's how I got to see Julia and Sean finally let their hair down on the evening of their June wedding at Blue Ocean Music Hall as they frolicked on the beach and, yes, it was absolutely adorable.
But, so too, was their entire wedding day, which you can see for yourself by clicking here.
Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, West Virginia
Date: June 15th, 2024
I'm a big believer that the universe puts you where you're meant to be but I'll be honest: When Cassi and Bryan initially reached out to me to photograph their June wedding in Wheeling, West Virginia, my first reaction was 'West Virginia? Really"
Turns out the universe knew what it was doing as my first visit to the Mountain State was one of the best experiences I've ever had as a wedding photographer.
Why? Well. it was the perfect day and the perfect couple and, if you want to see why I feel that way, check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Colt State Park, Bristol, Rhode Island
Date: June 9th, 2024
It's almost a joke at this point but I know I'm having too much fun on an engagement session when the very idea of saying "OK, one more pose?" turns into an inside joke with me and a couple because I keep repeating it so often. But that's how I know I'm photographing something special and that was the case during Amanda and Steven's engagement session.
And how special was it? Not even having lost my voice could stop me from working with this bride and groom. What do I mean? Well, check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Whiteface Hollow, South Tamworth, New Hampshire
Date: June 1st, 2024
I've always believed that you don't marry the person you can live with. You marry the person you can't live without. In many ways, the same is true for wedding photographers. You're not hiring someone who can capture the moments of your wedding day. You're hiring someone who can capture YOU on your wedding day.
That's why Sarah and Dennis had one of my favorite weddings ever back in June. Because as beautiful as the big moments of their wedding day were, it was the little ones that mattered even more. What do I mean? See for yourself by clicking here.
The Derryfield Restaurant, Manchester, NH
Date: May 26th, 2024
You can learn a lot about a bride and groom by looking and listening during their wedding ceremony and, for Shaniques-Lana and Adam, I learned during their May wedding ceremony that they were made for one another.
Now, I know what you're thinking: Obviously they're made for each other, they're getting married. But that's not always the case. I love when you can see the genuine excitement and love a bride and groom have for one another and it was on display in spades on this beautiful day. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Date: May 24th, 2024
Above all, the thing I want to see in a bride and groom the most on their wedding day is a real sense that they are living in EVERY moment. From the very beginning of bride and groom prep until the final song of the night, if you're getting married, you should be present and savoring every second of the day.
Because of this, I can say without a doubt that Mary and Tommy's wedding was a success because, for this bride and groom, every second mattered and they loved it all so, so very much. And, honestly? I can't blame them. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
Crescent Park, Riverside, Rhode Island
Date: May 19th, 2024
Every once in a while, I get deja vu at the start of a photo session. Typically, it's a vague recollection of the couple I'm about to work with or a memory I can't quite place associated with the time of year we're shooting in but, in the case of Kayla and Scott's engagement session back in May, it was all because of the location.
Kayla and Scott chose Crescent Park in Riverside for their engagement session, a place I hadn't been to in well over a decade but, immediately, memories sprang forward. And why was that so important? Well, because this park, and this couple, were quite amazing.
First Christian Congregational & The Liberal Club
Date: May 18th, 2024
A lot of couples say their wedding was years in the making but, for Elizabeth and Steve, it's quite literally true. The pair were set to tie the knot in a big way back in May of 2020 but, thanks to a global pandemic, settled for a small backyard elopement instead.
It was the first wedding I had that was impacted by COVID and, honestly, I never forgot it and I think that's why I was so glad to finally see these two get the day they deserved so much four years later as they re-tied the knot in a day that absolutely was worth the wait. Why? See for yourself by clicking here.
Various locations, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: May 13th, 2024
One of the reasons I like engagement sessions is, typically, I have lots of time to work with clients. It's not uncommon for an engagement session to go over two hours and, many times, I could work with a bride and groom for even more than that if their schedule allows.
I find having that kind of time helps me figure out how a couple poses best but, sometimes, it's even more helpful ... as in the case of Matt and Lauren's engagement session when it gave us the option to hit a secondary location in a nice, shady area.
Why was that so important? Well, check it out here.
Goddard Park, East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Date: May 7th, 2024
The surest sign that I'm having a lot of fun on an engagement session is when I think I've wrapped up the session and keep saying "OK, what about one more?" instead.
And nowhere was that more apparent than during Meg and Tim's May engagement session at Goddard Park in East Greenwich.
To be fair, however, I don't think you can really blame me. Not only were Meg and Tim one of the most fun couples I've worked with this year but the day was stunningly beautiful. Why? Well, check it out here.
Knights of Columbus, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts
Date: May 4th, 2024
Every now and again, I'll hear someone who is "anti wedding" talk about how they'd never get married because weddings are "too fake" or "too expensive" or "too much of a show."
Whenever I hear this, I can't help but roll my eyes and think about weddings like Cynthia and Josh's back in May as this bride and groom had the most low key and casual wedding I've shot this year and did it their way without any unnecessary pomp or circumstance. And you know what? It was still beautiful.
Atkinson Country Club, Atkinson, New Hampshire
Date: April 21st, 2024
There are few better feelings as a photographer than leaving a wedding knowing the event you just shot was exactly what your couple dreamed of and that's why Helen and Brandon's April wedding at Atkinson Country Club in Atkinson, New Hampshire is already in contention as one of my favorite weddings of 2024.
Helen and Brandon went out of their way to plan every little bit of their wedding exactly as they always wanted it and whether it was a two-minute ceremony or a night of laughs, I know they left their big day with no regrets. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
The Barn at Blackstone National, Sutton, Mass.
Date: April 20th, 2024
Life is all about timing and, when it comes to wedding days, that's twice as true.
That's why the moment after Jessica and Daniel's first dance, when a random guest came running up to me to tell me there was a beautiful rainbow outside, I knew we had to scrap all our plans and run out to try to capture it.
We ended up nailing it and, honestly, that shouldn't be a surprise because everything about Jessica and Daniel's wedding day was perfect. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Grupo Amigos Da Terceira, Pawtucket, RI
Date: March 16th, 2024
There's a certain level of joy I get when I can see a bride and groom are clearly having fun on their wedding day. After all, if you're not having fun making a lifelong commitment to the person you love the most, why not just elope, right?
In all the weddings I've shot recently, though, I'm not sure anyone had as much fun as Will and Linda did back in March. I mean, when your officiant breaks into a Macho Man voice midway through your ceremony, you know you're doing special. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
White's of Westport, Westport, Massachusetts
Date: March 9th, 2024
Whenever I'm shooting bride or groom prep, I'm always looking for the story inside of the story of a wedding day. Sometimes, it's hard to see and doesn't become clear until later in the afternoon. Other times, it's apparent from the moment I take the first photo.
Alyssa and Devon's wedding was the latter and I knew just from the fact that we were in Alyssa's childhood home to start her wedding day, that this would be one that had quite the story to tell. And it sure did. Want to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Downtown Providence, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: February 24th, 2024
Winter engagement sessions can be tricky. While, in theory, a snowy photo session to show off your love ahead of your wedding sounds great, more likely than not lately, there won't be snow but there will be plenty of cold and plenty of chilly wind.
Still, I couldn't help but look forward to Tanya and Stephen's engagement session back in February the way I would any summer or fall shoot because these two are so sweet and so much fun to work with. And the photos? Well, we may not have had snow but there sure was a lot of winter beauty on this day.
The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Date: February 17th, 2024
With how much time I spend thinking about weddings, it's amazing that I only really have one goal for my brides and grooms: That their wedding is fun.
It's a lofty goal but a good one and, every now and again, I come across a couple who I know will not only meet that goal but exceed it.
Emily and Edward were one of those couples and I knew that, despite it taking place in the middle of February, their wedding would feel like a giant summer party. I was wrong. It was so much better. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Castleton Banquet & Conference Center
Date: January 27th, 2024
I'm a big believer that my first wedding of the year will set the tone for how a wedding season is going to go and, in that regard, I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2024 than working with Denise and Lawrence.
Not only was Denise and Larry's wedding a ton of fun to photograph but, because it was taking place in January, I had the lovely pleasure of capturing a wedding with beautiful winter vibes and, honestly, I think I need to do that more often.
Why did I love it so much? Check out Denise and Lawrence's big day for yourself by clicking here.
Enrico Caruso Society, Manville, Rhode Island
Date: December 31st, 2023
By the time we reach the end of a year, I am always in desperate need of time off and lots and lots of sleep.
I love what I do but the grind wears on you and that's why I was worried before agreeing to shoot Nicole and Josh's New Years Eve wedding. If I'm typically wiped in mid November, how will I find the motivation to shoot a wedding on the literal last day of the year?
Turns out I didn't need to find anything because this couple was so much fun to work with, I forgot I was supposed to be burned out. Why? Check out Nicole and Josh's big day for yourself by clicking here.
Private Residence, Newport, Rhode Island
Date: November 19th, 2023
I never know when it's going to happen but there's always a moment each year when the weather turns and suddenly fall feels like winter in an instant.
Whenever this happens, I know the next shoot I have outdoors is going to be rough. Thankfully, this year that was not the case as I got to work with Jessica and Matthew during their November engagement session right as the weather turned.
Sure, it was cold. But these two? You could tell there was nowhere else they'd rather be and that's why we had so much fun capturing some truly beautiful photos.
Renaissance Country Club, Haverhill, Mass.
Date: November 11th, 2023
I tell every bride and groom I work with that they should always be themselves on their wedding day.
I think Virginia and Patrick might have taken this message to heart most. Why? Well, Virginia spent large chunks of bridal prep singing show tunes. And during formal photos, she licked Patrick's nose in the middle of a sweet, romantic photo. And don't get me started on the lightsabers.
Virginia and Patrick had one of the most authentic wedding days I shot this year and I'm so excited to show it off so. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Grace Church & Oceancliff Hotel
Date: November 10th, 2023
There is a moment every wedding season where things line up so perfectly that I can't help but stop for a second, look around and know I'm photographing something special.
That moment couldn't have come at a better time for me in 2023 than on the evening of Gianna and Nick's November wedding as these two were already two of my favorite clients ever and a stunning sunset only served as the cherry on top of a stunningly perfectly wedding day. What do I mean? Well, check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Independence Harbor, Assonet, Mass.
Date: November 4th, 2023
Whenever I hear about a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary together, I always wonder how much different life must have been when they got married young and how things changed over the years.
I think that's why I have a special place in my heart for the youngest couples I work with. It's heartwarming to think that, hopefully, their decision to say "I do" so early in life will mean more years spent with the one they love and that's what I thought during Juniper and Aaron's wedding back in November because this was one wedding as timeless as young love gets.
Crystal Lake Golf Club, Mapleville, Rhode Island
Date: October 28th, 2023
I want every bride and groom that I work with to have the wedding of their dreams but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that some weddings come with higher stakes than others. That's how I felt heading into Emily and Jacob's wedding as I've known the groom for years and felt extra pressure to make sure everything came out exactly as planned. In the end, it came out better.
In a fall season where seemingly nothing could go right in terms of weather, Emily and Jacob not only had a beautiful sunny wedding day, they had the day of their dreams. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Scituate Harbor Community Center, Scituate, Mass.
Date: October 27th, 2023
If there's one thing I look for from all my wedding clients, it's the right "vibe." While I sometimes cringe at using that word, it's such a perfect way to describe my attitude and energy toward the people I work with.
In this regard, few have ever had a vibe that made me smile more than Mary and Chelsea, so much so that I knew I wanted to shoot their wedding day within moments of meeting them.
What kind of vibe did they have? One full of love, joy and pure happiness. And I can think of no better way to describe their beautiful October wedding day.
Private Residence, Bellingham, Mass.
Date: October 21st, 2023
Every bride and groom dreams of having the perfect wedding day. But what happens when Mother Nature has other plans? Bad, rainy weather was a theme for a LOT of my couples in 2023 but no one, and I mean no one, had it tougher than Josh and Shyann.
In many ways, though, I like to think it's because some bit of nature knew no matter how rough the weather got, nothing could dampen the moment these two said I do and while their wedding was, without a doubt, the hardest I shot all of last year, it was still one of the most beautiful. Why? Check it out for yourself.
The Towers, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Date: October 20th, 2023
One of the best parts of being an experienced wedding photographer is eventually some of the venues you initially dreaded going to the most when become some of the ones you love best.
That's certainly the case for me and the Towers in Narragansett. One of the toughest places to work when I first started, I can now appreciate its true beauty as I've gotten older and couples like Lauren and Chris are why. Because, when you want a beautiful, oceanside wedding, well, there are few places better to say "I do." See for yourself why I feel this way by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: October 16th, 2023
One of the reasons I love engagement sessions is it really is an amazing chance to get to hang out with a bride and groom before their wedding day and get a sense of their personality.
And, because of that, I learned back in October that Kaitlin and Adam are going to be one of my favorite couples in 2024.
Why? Well, not only were these two absolutely adorable during their engagement session at Roger Williams Park but they were so much fun to work with. How so? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: October 16th, 2023
I don't know when it became fashionable for brides and grooms to bring their dogs to a photo session but every year I have at least one or two couples who feel they can't possibly take some of the most personal photos of their lives without their pups by their sides.
And you know what? I love it. I love it because these pet owners are almost always among the most relaxed folks I work with and relaxed is the best way for me to describer Amy & Ian during their October engagement session at Roger Williams Park. Want to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
The Villa at Ridder CC, East Bridgewater, Mass.
Date: October 15th, 2023
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people in my regular life wonder why I love weddings so much and, often, they like to tell me "It's just another day."
But I think that's because they don't see enough weddings. As someone who has been to well over 300 weddings, I can tell you it's always something special but even with this in mind, Kayla and Patrick's big day back in October stood out.
Why? Because this bride and groom waited 17 YEARS for this moment and, somehow, it not only lived up to their lofty expectations. It exceeded them.
Meadow Brook Inn, Charlestown, Rhode Island
Date: October 14th, 2023
I have a simple philosophy when it comes to how a bride and groom handle their wedding day. No matter what's going on, I believe you absolutely, 100 percent, need to give the day everything you can.
And that's why I loved photographing Shiobhan and Len's wedding back in October. In what's been a trend all year, we had to deal with terribly, rainy weather but you wouldn't know it as we stood outside, rain hitting us hard, photographing bride and groom portraits.
The result? Lovely photos that captured a lovely couple and an even better wedding day.
Valley Country Club, Warwick, Rhode Island
Date: October 13th, 2023
I love when a bride and groom go into their wedding day confident they're not going to take things too seriously. Without fail, there's always a moment where they suddenly get hit with the significance of what they're about to do and the emotion of getting married.
That's why I had such a big smile on my face when I saw Rachel start to tear up as she got into her dress prior to her October wedding. Because in that moment, I knew she was experiencing something she'd never forget and, honestly, I can't blame her because this fun wedding was one well worth remembering forever.
Grupo Amigos Da Terceira, Pawtucket, RI
Date: October 8th, 2023
As much as I love how sweet young love can be, there's something that just warms my heart when I get to shoot the wedding of a bride and groom who met and fell in love later in life. Elizabeth and Arthur are the perfect example of why.
A couple that met online and immediately formed a connection, you can tell just by being anywhere near Elizabeth and Arthur that they are soulmates and they make one another's lives brighter.
And their wedding day? Suffice to say, it was a beautiful day of love that was well worth waiting for.
Quidnessett Country Club, North Kingstown, RI
Date: October 7th, 2023
The reason weddings are such a monumental day for most couples is, quite simply, it's the culmination of a life spent together up to that point and promise that, from here on out, a couple will spend every day with the person they're saying "I do" to.
I think that's why Angelo and Tammi's story stood out to me so much because, in many ways, it was a classic love story of the young sweethearts who fall out of love but find their way back together and down the aisle. And for these two? It's a classic love story that has the absolute sweetest ending.
Bittersweet Farm, Westport, Massachusetts
Date: October 1st, 2023
When I think back on all of my all-time favorite wedding photos, there's always a common theme: In them, the bride and groom are having a ton of fun.
That's why I ADORE when you can tell the people at the center of a wedding are having the best night of their lives and nowhere was that more evident for in 2023 than David and Janice.
Why? Well, let's put it this way. Their wedding reception was so much fun, I was confident they wouldn't remember any of it. See for yourself why I think that's the best compliment by clicking here.
Lake Pearl, Wrentham, Massachusetts
Date: September 30th, 2023
Wedding days can be full of so much pomp and circumstance that sometimes it's easy for a bride and groom's to lose their true personality on the day where it should shine brightest.
That's why I love little moments where a bride and groom are just the best versions of themselves. For Katy and Tyler, that moment came over a cup of coffee signifying their new life together.
It might sound a little silly but, honestly, it was on brand for this wedding and this couple and I loved it so much. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Crystal Lake Golf Club, Mapleville, Rhode Island
Date: September 29th, 2023
There's a lot of things that go into making your wedding day the perfect day but the one thing you can't control is the weather ... so why let it bother you?
That was the theme for a TON of my weddings in 2023 but few couples embodied the idea that you can have the best wedding regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way more than Jaime and George.
Because even in a constant downpour, these two made sure to have the best day of their lives. and how did they do that? Check that out for yourself by clicking here.
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Date: September 23rd, 2023
Anytime I'm driving to a wedding and the forecast calls for nothing but rain, I can't help but be a bit depressed knowing the day isn't going to turn out the way the bride and groom dreamed it would.
Well, almost anytime. As I drove to Bryana and Jason's September wedding at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, I'll admit I was far from worried because this bride and groom picked the perfect place for an indoor wedding and their day was, in a word, perfect.
Waterman Grille, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: September 16th, 2023
It's not fair to say every wedding falls into a specific "category" but generally speaking, I've found most days either fit the vibe of "giant party" or "family event."
I like knowing the vibe a couple is going for before I photograph their big day so when Jess and Zack told me all they wanted from their September wedding at Waterman Grille was"their favorite people enjoying their day," I knew it would be a casual and relaxed affair.
And it was. Jess and Zack's wedding was the most casual day I've seen this year and I LOVED that for them. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
St. Pius X Westerly Parish & Kinney Bungalow
Date: September 15th, 2023
Life is all about timing and, as such, so is wedding photography. Sometimes, you simply need to be in the right place at the right time to capture the best moment and I can confidently say that was the case throughout the entirety of Hanna and Christian's wedding in September ... but especially during their first dance.
Hanna and Christian danced under one of the best sunsets I've seen in years and I was lucky enough to capture that, and so many other, beautiful photos on their amazing wedding day, which you can check out for yourself by clicking here.
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Date: September 10th, 2023
If there's one thing I've learned this season, it's that you really have to roll with the punches when it comes to wedding photography.
That's why when I was asked a few weeks ahead of Jenna and Andrew's wedding to second shoot their event, I jumped at the chance to say yes. I'm glad I did.
Not only did I get to work with an amazing couple but I finally got to see the latest renovations at one of my favorite venues to photograph. Together? It made for a wet, rainy but absolutely amazing day and you can see why by clicking here.
South Kingstown Town Beach, South Kingstown, RI
Date: September 9th, 2023
I love a good wedding theme and I'm not talking about ones like "Disney wedding!" that involve buying two decorations with Mickey and calling it a day.
I love when a bride and groom have an idea for how they envision their wedding and put together a day that fits that theme well and Nicole and Quinley did that perfectly with their September "Beach life" wedding.
How'd they pull it off? Well, it wasn't just showing up to the beach and getting married (Though they did that) It was about creating an entire vibe for the happiest day of their life. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.