I just shot my first 2012 wedding this past weekend, but am resolved to getting all of my 2011 weddings up on the blog. To that end, I am excited to share Lynn and Adam's Castle in the Clouds wedding from this past September.
Castle in the Clouds is a pretty magical place. Accessible only by way of trolley or foot path, and towering over Lake Winnipesakee, one feels like they've stepped into a storybook wedding. The property is gorgeous, even before you get to the "castle"...
Lynn was getting ready in the Carriage House. Upon arriving, I took a few moments for details...
I found Lynn (left) and her mom (right) getting ready upstairs...
Makeup and hair done, it was time to get dressed. There wasn't enough space in the room where Lynn was getting ready, so she and her bridesmaids moved out to the hall. Her Maggie Sottero ball gown though perfect for a fairytale castle wedding, was large...
Laced up and time to catch the trolley up to the castle for the ceremony...
The Castle in the Clouds, formerly known as the Lucknow Mansion, was built in 1913/14 to blend naturally into the 5,500 acres upon which it sits. At one time a private residence, the mansion is now primarily a tourist destination... and fabulous wedding venue!
Here is Adam and his groomsmen waiting for the ladies...
Not a bad view, eh?
A few captures from the evening ceremony...
Seal the deal, and as always, one of my favorite moments coming back down the isle as husband and wife...
While guests took the trolleys back down to the Carriage House for the reception, we lingered a bit for portraits. I love these stone walls and stairs...
Always keeping an eye out for a sunset, here's one just as the setting sun was about to slip below the horizon...
A final dip in front of the mansion and then it was time to head down the road for us too... we just had the treat of basking in the warm light of the setting sun on our ride...
Introductions and first dance...
A cordial cake cutting...
And then time to party! I love Lynn's mom's expression in this one...
A final image of Lynn and Adam outside the Carriage House...
Thank you Adam and Lynn for inviting me to participate in your fairytale celebration. Also to all the staff at the Castle in the Clouds for making the day run so smoothly.
Lynn & Adam: A Castle in the Clouds Wedding
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Published: Seacoast Weddings Magazine
Friday, January 13, 2012
I am excited to share a fun project from this past summer. Working with several local wedding vendors, I participated in a color-themed photo shoot hosted by Seacoast Weddings Magazine. Several teams made up of florists, cake designers, hair and make up stylists, stationers and photographers were each tasked with showcasing a a different color wedding. We were Team Blue, and here are a few of my favorites...
One of my models for the day was 2011 Miss New Hampshire LacyJane Folger. She needed a lot of coaching in front of the camera (right!)...
After bride and bridesmaid portraits, I headed inside to photograph the blue table design by Marcia at Tie The Knot Floral Studio...
And one more of Miss New Hampshire to end the post because, well, just because...
Thanks to Seacoast Weddings for putting on the color-themed shoot and Rivermill at Dover Landing for hosting all of us, and to "Team Blue" for pulling together a great shoot, which includes flowers and table design by Marcia of Tie the Knot Floral Studio, cake by Jessica of Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott, dress and jewelry by William & Roberts Bridal, stationary by Gus & Ruby, makeup by Kathy of Belliza Spa and hair by Lena of Hair That Moves. Special thanks to our models LacyJane Folger and Brianna Haskin-Belanger.
Senior Portrait: Aaron
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thought I would share a fun senior portrait session from October. This was easily one of the nicest nights this Fall, and an absolutely amazing sunset. Fortunately for me, I was photographing a very laid back fellow who stuck it out through the entire sunset. Of course, we started out earlier than sunset for some natural daylight portraits...
Then the sunset kicked off... And it was going to be a good one!
We shot a series of "lit" portraits, using flash fill on Aaron to allow the colors of the sunset to come through in the photographs...
And the colors kept getting richer and richer, culminating in a bright red/orange for a few minutes before slipping away...
Anna & Jake: An Inn on Newfound Lake Wedding
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Continuing my push to blog all of my 2011 weddings before I shoot my first 2012 wedding in a few weeks, I am excited to share Anna and Jake's celebration at The Inn on Newfound Lake on September 17. Their wedding was quintessential New England -- old NH Inn, lake front ceremony, barn wedding. Add in a beautiful couple and glorious weather and, well, the recipe came together wonderfully!
I started the day in Anna's suite as she was getting ready with her ladies. Here are a few details to kick off with...
Meet Anna. I got to see a lot of this smile all day long!
The energy amongst the girls when Anna came out with her gown on was overwhelming, and everyone pitched in and took a turn buttoning up the back, after gawking, of course...
All dressed, I was able to grab a few portraits of Anna before we left...
While I was with the ladies, my friend and talented photographer Tara was hanging with the guys. Here's Jake being helped with his tie...
...and again, trying to get it just right...
They got it right, and Jake looked sharp...
Anna and Jake opted for a first look prior to their ceremony. Here's Anna heading to the "meet" and Jake eagerly awaiting her...
The first look...
Following the first look, we took time for some of the formal group portraits as well as portraits of Anna and Jake. Here's one of Jake that I like a lot...
And Anna...
And of course together...
Then it was off to the lake-side ceremony. Here is the beautiful chuppah as Tara found it prior to guests arriving...
The programs were made by Anna's mom using an old wood block stamp that Anna's sister made years ago...
Here comes the bride escorted by both her mom and dad...
Grooms are always excited at that moment!
The setting was just amazing; worth toasting even...
And the ladies were enjoying things as well...
Their first kiss, captured beautifully by Tara...
We photographed the rest of the family and group portraits on the beach following the ceremony. This lined us up well to take advantage of a sunset for a few more portraits of Anna and Jake. These are among my favorite portraits of the season. I love shooting the dramatic light at sunset, and this night did not let me down...
My favorite...
The sky seemed to change entirely during this portrait session. The final colors captured were so vibrant. Just incredible!
With the sun fully set and light gone, it was time to head inside for the reception. While folks were getting settled we grabbed some details of the room, etc., starting with rings. Bling, bling...
The Inn has this incredible restored barn for receptions. Not the most photographer-friendly room, but still stunning -- high vaulted ceiling, dark barn wood, and an amazing antler chandelier.
Jacques Flowers did the arrangements for the day, and I loved the tall centerpieces in the dining room...
Formally introducing Mr. and Mrs...
There were several toasts, including a heartfelt and humorous one by Jake's father...
...And Anna's sister...
Then the first dance. I love the silhouette captured by Tara on the right. It's so much fun when the second shooter can take a few risks during such important moments...
Party time. The narrow dance floor was packed!
Another great dance photo by Tara during the Hora...
The floor was so packed I literally snuck in between legs and was able to capture this dip...
...and the kiss afterwards!
Thank you Anna and Jake for including me in your wedding day celebration. You both were so incredibly inviting and a pleasure to photograph. Special thanks also to Tara Hamer for joining me for the day.