February's Featured Photo of the Month!

Title: Then and now

Taken: January 7th, 2016 in Pawtucket, RI

Shot with: Nikon D-3S camera body,

Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens.

Shot at: 62 mm, 1/320 sec at f / 5.0, ISO 400

I pride myself on helping my clients achieve the best photos they can. Sometimes, that's not always possible but, if there's a way to ensure that a photo shoot goes as smoothly as possible, I will either do it or die trying.

But, sometimes, something happens outside of your control that prevents the perfect shoot from taking place and it's then that you need to roll with the punches.

For Michelle and Eric, that meant a slight re-do on their engagement photos from last summer.

You may remember the set as we took a trip to Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts on one of the hottest days of the year and decided, for better or worse, to shoot engagement photos at the hottest part of the day.

Looking back on it, that shoot was a great lesson in properly scheduling photography to make the most out of the sun but not bake in the process but I didn't know it at the time. More importantly, however, despite how awesome I felt about the photos, I felt like it was just missing a little something.

That something, it turned out, was a couple of months in between and an additional shoot in the winter to provide the perfect counterbalance to the session.

I could not be more thrilled with how this second batch turned out. Not only were Eric and Michelle much more relaxed during their do-over at Slater Park on a beautiful and unseasonably warm winter day, but Eric took the time in between sessions to grow out some facial hair and, man, I think it made the photos even better. In fact, Michelle and I both agreed he may have to keep it for the wedding itself.

So why do I love the photo above? Because, to me, it represents a huge lesson for both myself and for photographers in general. Never be ashamed to admit when the job isn't fully done. You might just be missing some of your favorite images of a couple.

Now, is it May yet? Because I can not wait to see what Eric, Michelle and I come up with when their big day comes around.