Blog — The Story Behind The Stories
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
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.
Twelve Acres, Smithfield, Rhode Island
Date: September 2nd, 2023
One of the first questions I ask any bride and groom is whether they envision their wedding to be a giant party or a more intimate family affair. Most times, the couples are spot on in their prediction but Kayleigh and Matthew — who said they envisioned their day as a casual family event — couldn't have been more off.
Why? Because once the dance floor opened, their relaxed event turned into a rocking night of fun, laughs and wild dancing. And I really can't blame their guests. Because a day this awesome deserves to be celebrated.
St. Joseph's Parish & Upland Sportsmans Club
Date: August 26th, 2023
I tell every couple I work with that, on their wedding day, something is going to go wrong. It's just a fact of life. But, until Mikayla & Thomas' wedding, the one thing I'd never seen was a couple forget to bring their wedding rings.
It's a moment that has inspired a thousand nightmares from brides and grooms but for these two? It was something to laugh at and move on from. And that's why their wedding was so fun and so true to why they are. Want to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Stonehurst at Hampton Valley, Hampton, CT.
Date: August 20th, 2023
It's not often that a wedding leaves me unsure of what to say but as I sat down to talk about Victoria and Patrick's August nuptials, I didn't know where to start.
Why? Because it was the perfect day from start to finish. Whether it was one of the most fun bridal preps I've had all year, some of the best formal photos I've taken in years or a rowdy party that I didn't think would ever end, Victoria and Patrick made every moment count on the day they said "I do" and I'm super excited for folks to check it out. So, enough of my ramblings, click here to see why I loved it so much.
Providence G, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: August 12th, 2023
I'm a guy who likes new things and, in the world of wedding photography, there are only so many venues you can go to and types of weddings you can shoot.
That's why the minute I met Patrick and James at a wedding expo earlier in March 2022, I simply KNEW I had to shoot their wedding. Not only were they an amazingly sweet couple but they were set to be my first wedding with two grooms. And what a wedding it was.
Patrick and James' wedding was everything I love about same sex marriages and one of my favorite days ever. Why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Rachel's Lakeside, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Date: July 29th, 2023
Whenever I work with a bride and groom who have been together for a very long time, they either they want every little thing to go perfect on their wedding day or they've been together so long, it's just a formality.
As much as I enjoy a carefree wedding day, it's still touching to me when a day clearly means a lot to a couple that they stress over all the little things before saying "I do" and Amanda and Lorenzo sure fit that bill. See why, after a 10-year wait, their wedding was everything they could have asked for and more by clicking here.
Providence City Hall & Franchescas at Waterplace
Date: July 22nd, 2023
Whenever I sit down with a prospective client to talk about shooting their wedding day, I know within moments if they've had a wedding previously just by how they approach their first conversation with me.
That's why I knew, immediately, the kind of wedding Melissa and James would have back in July and that's why I knew I had to shoot it.
Determined to get married without all the "promey cotillon crap," Melissa and James set out to have a laid back, relaxed wedding day and they succeeded. So much. See for yourself why I loved it by clicking here.
Oceanview Nahant, Nahant, Massachusetts
Date: July 17th, 2023
There is no better feeling for me as a photographer than leaving a shoot feeling like I accomplished everything I wanted to. That's why, moments after saying goodbye to Lexi and Thomas following their July wedding, I knew I needed to ask one more favor.
I simply couldn't leave without taking this amazing bride and groom down to the beach one last time as the bright summer sun had FINALLY come down a bit and the view was spectacular. And the results? Only my favorite photos of the entire day. See for yourself why by clicking here.
Crystal Lake Golf Club, Mapleville, Rhode Island
Date: July 16th, 2023
Being a wedding photographer is about so much more than taking photos. You often also play the roles of planner, therapist, friend ... and even meteorologist.
It's that last skill that's proven most valuable so far this year and during Kayla and Corey's wedding back in July, it saved the day. Why? Because that's how we knew when to perfectly time the bride and groom's formal photos. And, with those in the bag, we could focus on the far more important task: Getting these two amazing people married. I think we did both perfectly and you can see why I feel that way by clicking here.
Crystal Lake Golf Club, Mapleville, Rhode Island
Date: July 1st, 2023
I've always had a love-hate relationship with the Fourth of July weekend as a wedding photographer. While I love it for what it represents, and love this time of year, in my experience weddings on this weekend rarely lives up to the hype because it's hot, muggy and downright uncomfortable.
But that was definitely not the case for Lindsay and Joe's big day earlier this summer. Why? Well, when you have a love as fun as these two do, you don't mind high temperatures. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Graduate Providence, Providence, Rhode Island
Date: June 24th, 2023
When I shoot a wedding, my one and only priority is the couple getting married but, I'll admit, every now and again I'll take a moment for myself when I hit a special milestone or have a day I'm particularly proud of.
That's part of the reason I was all smiles on the day of Jonathan & Jessica's wedding in June as it was the 300th wedding of my career.
But the real great thing? I got to celebrate it with an amazing couple who had a super fun and awesome wedding day? Want to see what made it so special? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Strongwater Food & Spirits, Columbus, Ohio
Date: June 18th, 2023
I'm a guy who loves to experience new things and see new places and when you combine that passion with my true passion of wedding photography, well, I know I'm in for a special day.
I think that's one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to fly to Ohio and photograph Catie and John's wedding day back in June.
I've had a lot of wedding this year and I've got a lot more coming up but I don't know if any will be quite like Catie and John's. Want to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Greeley Park, Nashua, New Hampshire
Date: June 11th, 2023
Nothing throws me off faster during an engagement session than a bride and groom that take themselves too seriously. That's why my Number One motto, above all else as a photographer, is that I want ALL of my clients to be themselves.
Helen and Brandon embodied this mantra better than most and, because of it, their June engagement session at Greeley Park in Nashua, New Hampshire was simultaneously one of the more unorthodox and silly, but fun, shoots I've had this year Want to see why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Camp Hoffman, South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Date: June 3rd, 2023
I'm always fascinated when couples who have been together for years finally get married.
I love working with those kind of couples because, more often than not, when they finally do say "I do" it serves as a celebration of their past, present and their future together.
That's why I loved Stephanie and Stephen's June wedding so much. For a couple that's been together for 16 years, Stephanie and Stephen's wedding felt like an event a lifetime in the making. Want to know why? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Grand View, Mendon, Massachusetts
Date: May 28th, 2023
I love second shooting weddings because you get to work with clients you would have otherwise never met and get to shoot at venues you may have never seen .
That's why I try to work for other photographers as often and few weddings I've second shot recently have been as fun as Kevin and Kelsey's big day at Grand View in Mendon, Massachusetts.
Why? Well, much like their hair colors, Kevin and Kelsey were fun, bright and colorfully unique. And that's why I loved their wedding, which you can see for yourself by clicking here.
Borderland State Park, North Easton, Mass.
Date: May 23rd, 2023
If I had a dollar for every time I had to call an audible during an engagement session, well, I'd have enough money to retire. But, sometimes, the best days are the ones that don't go the way you planned and that was certainly the case for Kayla and Patrick's May session at Borderland State Park in North Easton, Mass.
Midway through Kayla and Patrick's session, we decided to go find a bridge in the park that I loved but we never got there. And, somehow, their session was even better because of that. Want to see what I mean? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Private Residence, Bedford, Massachusetts
Date: May 20th, 2023
I can say a thousand times that every wedding is beautiful but there is something disappointing about planning an amazing day and Mother Nature coming in and wrecking everything with bad weather.Thankfully, sometimes you meet a couple that you know won't let that ruin their day. Case in point: Christie and Brian.
I truly believe Christie and Brian's positive attitude rubbed off on Mother Nature as a day FULL of rain let up long enough for us to achieve everything we wanted and more. What do I mean? Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
Quonset 'O' Club, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Date: May 13th, 2023
Wedding days are supposed to be the culmination of everything leading up to it for a bride and a groom but, often, they turn into something completely foreign just because of the expectations people have about what a wedding is "supposed to be."
I think that's why I love couples who find a way to remain authentically themselves on the day they say "I do" and few people embody this idea more than Kim and Ray. Kim and Ray had a wedding befitting their 'Beautiful Crazy" theme and, if you want to see why I feel that way, check it out for yourself by clicking here.