Hailey on the Way

I haven't done a lot of maternity photos, but it's always so much fun when I do. I don't need to tell you, pregnancy is amazing, maybe the most amazing thing humans do.

It's even better if you get to see it with your friends and their adorable daughter.

We set up my pop-up studio in their living room, two lights, and played around.

Little Juliet was a good sport (once she had her pancakes) and is clearly ready for her new sister to arrive.

I'm so excited to see Amanda's family expand and to meet little Hailey.

An Old Farm and a New Marriage

I headed over to the Avon Old Farms Hotel for Alex and Rachel's wedding. 

Due to the heat and truly appalling humidity, they decided to move inside (a move I was happy with since my lens kept fogging up every time I stepped outside).

It was a short gig for me - just the ceremony and a handful of posed photos. But I had time for a few shots of the reception, and stayed an extra few minutes to see their first dance.

Congratulations, Alex and Rachel!

And Your Little Dog, Too!

Sophy and Jeff's wedding day started with lots of detailed hair and makeup for the girls, and a trip to a diner for the guys. I'd argue the girls had it better, though, as we all got to play with their adorable doxie Hannah while getting ready.

It was an unusual treat for me, as Heather, my fiance, was also my second shooter. She's done a handful of weddings with me before, and it's always a good time. I think I can safely say "I taught her everything she knows"... At least, that's the explanation I like for why her pictures look so much like mine that I have trouble telling ours apart.

Before the ceremony, Sophy teased Jeff with a not-quite-first-look. It was a lot of fun. (Also, Sophy - I may have accidentally stolen your sleep mask. Sorry! I'll make sure it gets back to you.)

We also did some fun group photos with the wedding party.

The weather could not have been more perfect (and thankfully shady!), and the outdoor ceremony was beautiful. It was obvious that their families and group of friends are just brimming with love. (Also brimming: Jeff's eyes, with tears.)

Their reception, also at A Villa Bianca, was a blast. I'm not sure I've ever seen a wedding party put in so much work on the dance floor!

Sophy and Jeff, I hope your honeymoon in Europe is as amazing as your wedding day was, and I can't wait to see you later this month at Anastasia and Pearse's wedding!

Windy Before The Wedding

(This shoot is from a couple months ago, but since this weekend is Sophy and Jeff's wedding, it seemed like a good time to share some engagement photos!)

I met Sophy and Jeff at Elizabeth Park for an engagement shoot on a beautiful but windy day. No trouble! Big celebrity photographers buy giant fans just to get that wind-swept look.

They also brought their adorable doxie Hannah, who was a really good sport and totally adorable.

It's prime time in Elizabeth Park, and we made sure to wave at the other photographers moving around with their subjects.

Can't wait to work with these two on their wedding day. Jeff - practice that natural smile! :)

Betrothed in Branford

Kristen and James met me at a beach near their home in Branford on a beautiful summer evening for engagement photos.

Somehow we had the beach practically all to ourselves, so we got to play around with lots of fun poses without an audience.

We had so much fun. I'm sure their wedding will be a blast!

A Friend's Wedding

I've been to a lot of weddings (76, actually), but most of those were just for work. Fun, moving, beautiful events, to be sure, but it's a special treat when the couple are people I know and care about personally, and rarer still when many of the guests are friends as well.

Faith and Vic's wedding was one of those really rare treats. They are good friends of mine, good enough that my fiance Heather was Faith's Maid of Honor. 

They make an amazing couple - no joke, they independently wrote practically identical vows - with an amazing sense of humor, apparent both in the details of their wedding decorations....

...and the people they surround themselves with.

Faith and Vic were glowing, something I hear often but I'm not sure I've ever said of someone before. 

It was such a pleasure and really an honor that my friends chose me to photograph their special day. It was a blast of a party filled with awesome people.

And it was a fun excuse to dance with my fiance in fancy clothes.

Oh, and I'm not saying there were lightsaber duels, but...

*totally not photoshopped

Congratulations, Faith and Vic! Love you guys.

The Night Before in Mystic

I joined Colleen and Mandeep on a balmy but beautiful night at Mystic Seaport for their rehearsal dinner. 

I never realized that Mystic hosted private events, but between this and my recent wedding at Old Sturbridge Village, I'm starting to think that exploring living-history museums at night is one of the best perks of my job. (Getting married in Colonial Williamsburg? E-mail me!)

The only downside is, I was so busy taking photos I forgot to grab one of the tasty-looking lobsters for dinner...

Even so, it was a beautiful night, and Colleen and Mandeep's family and friends were so gracious and friendly. Even though I was leaving that night to go on a vacation to Cape Cod, I really wished that I could stick around to see the happy couple on their wedding day.

Congratulations Colleen and Mandeep! 

And Henry Makes Three

In what is becoming a yearly tradition I met Karen, Bob, and their son Henry at Hammonasset Beach for some family photos. 

It was great seeing them again, and it's amazing how much Henry has grown in just a year.

The only trouble was an unexpectedly busy beach (I know, on a beautiful Saturday? Crazy!), but we had no trouble finding lots of private spots, and spotted some exciting critters running around as well.

See you guys next year!