I was introduced to Arielle and Kavi through one of Kavi’s longtime friends, Maine wedding photographer and fellow ShootStyle member Andree Kehn. Andree couldn’t shoot their wedding as she was going to be enjoying the evening as a guest. Well she did manage to shoot some (nothing in version of the album of course) but then put her camera away and partied. See if you can spot her in the album!

Arielle and Kavi are the kind of people that you crave as friends. They’re hip and funny, love great food and have an innate sense of style. All of those qualities were abundantly apparent on their wedding day. They’re also incredibly generous. At a recent wedding show they agreed to hang out in my booth and show off their album. Even better, after the show they introduced me to some of Portland’s incredible dining options. I can’t wait to go back!

So a great many thanks to Arielle and Kavi (and Andree)! Now let me present their Blue Ribbon scoring wedding album:

Thanks Melissa and Brian for making me a part of your wedding day.

First up is Sarah and Jake’s wedding album.

I have to thank Sarah and Jake who were married last year at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley. They were a lot of fun to work with. They did a first look in the comically oversized chair in the kid’s garden there and had their ceremony in front of the mansion. I loved the dancing at their reception–everyone let their boogie loose!

Sarah and Jake also opted to have my photo booth at their wedding and the photos from it were hilarious–I had make them part of the album!

I also would like to thank the amazing photographer and fellow ShootStyle member Stacey Doyle . Stacey assisted me at the wedding but because of the competition I sadly had to refrain from using her photos for this version of the album. Sarah and Jake have them though!

The past week has been a crazy one for me. I spent the beginning of the week being inspired by some of the worlds best wedding photography out at the Wedding and Portrait Photographer’s International convention in Las Vegas. Then I flew home just in time to hang out with my local colleagues at the the Professional Photographers of Massachusetts (PPAM) annual convention. A highlight of PPAM’s convention is the Image Competition at which a panel of judges from across the country score and critique our Massachusetts membership’s prints, images, folios and albums. Albums are judged both for their technical and artistic proficiency, and how well they tell the story of the wedding day.

I’m honored and just tickled pink to announce that my album “Erin and Ed’s Farm Wedding” was presented with the highest recognition an album can receive, the coveted Court of Honor Award.

Thank you to Ed and Erin for sharing themselves and their wonderful wedding day with me.

You can check out the album here:

It was warm for December so we used the last few minutes of winter daylight for posed photos outside.

Twilight signaled that it was time for the wedding ceremony.

Kevin began the processional remembering his mother by laying flowers next to her photo.

Kevin’s brother officiated their ceremony with a unique mix of dry humor and heartfelt solemnity,

During the exchange of rings, the ring pillow was first passed to each guest, giving them a chance to add their silent wish for the couple.

Sadly, their much beloved kitty Parker wasn’t able to attend the wedding, though he did join them on the cake.

(Hopefully I didn’t just give away anyone’s secret identity.)

The family room doubled as a dining room for dinner and toasts, then everyone gathered in the living room to complete the evening with some hilarious party games.

Congratulations again Catherine and Kevin!

Once the sun began to set, we traded in the urban landscape for the somewhat more bucolic backdrop of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.

Congratulations Caitrin and Greg! Can’t wait to see you again in July!

We used the seaport area as a backdrop for some posed photos, then it was off to the ceremony.

Brian and Melissa have roots in a number of places including Boston, Madison, and Illinois – so family and guests from all over joined them for their simple and touching courtyard ceremony.

The modern Artists For Humanity EpiCenter was designed as the first green certified building in the city of Boston. And though it hosts groovy events like Melissa and Brian’s wedding, it’s primary mission is AFH’s youth program which pairs urban teens with professional artists and designers to create and sell fine art and design services. This important mission makes the Epicenter an outstanding backdrop for a celebration.

Melissa and Brian’s reception was an elegant evening of bread breaking, congratulatory wishes and raucous fun.

Congratulations again Melissa and Brian!

Stay tuned for Sarah and Francis’s wedding day photos.

Chris got his first glimpse at Nikki in the lobby, while friends and family looked on.

Then we were off to the harbor for a round of pre-ceremony photos.

Can I just say that I love the Exchange Conference Center? Few venues evoke Boston’s history as a fishing port like the ECC. It commands the end of the city’s still-working Fish Pier and provides a fantastic panorama of the harbor.

The wedding party and families gathered upstairs to witness the Ketubah ceremony, followed immediately by the main event.

After the ceremony, the Exchange Hall was quickly transformed for the elegant reception with tables featuring towering floral centerpieces and colorful orchids floating in water.

From their first dance, to the hora, through the evening’s waning moments, the fun and excitement of their wedding was evident on Chris and Nikki’s faces.

Congratulations again Nikki and Chris!

Even just walking from location to location, it was impossible not to notice how much they care for one another.

After a while we traded in the green spaces for a decidedly more urban landscape .

Outside Quincy Market we came across this drummer setting up and Catherine requested an impromptu lesson.

And I’ll give you one guess where Kevin and Catherine are planning their reception.

Congratulations again on your engagement Catherine and Kevin!

Jake arrived shortly and was escorted by his groomsmen to “Weezie’s Garden” where Sarah waited in the iconic red chair, anticipating their first look at one another.

I was fortunate to have one of my favorite photographers, Stacey Doyle, along for the day. She captured many great images including the one above.

Honestly, have you ever seen a happier couple?

We shot a few posed photographs with the wedding party and soon it was time for the ceremony. Sarah’s parents led her to the chuppah in front of the Manor House for a touching, emotional ceremony.

That evening was filled with special moment, joyous fun and a rollicking dance floor!

Congratulations again Sarah and Jake!

The wedding itself was held on the grounds of the Beech Hill Farm and Bison Ranch in North Waterford, which is run by Erin’s mother and stepfather. In the farm house, Erin’s sister applied her makeup and all of Erin’s bridesmaids helped when it came time to step into the dress.

The ceremony was held on a gently sloping field surrounded by trees with mountains in the distance. Erin’s father walked her down the aisle and her mother performed the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony we wandered around the farm to take a few portraits and then joined the guests in the reception tent below the garden.

The day turned into a gorgeous summer evening and their celebration continued into the night.

Congratulations again, Erin and Ed!

Fearless Photographers is a site that recognizes unabashedly bold wedding photography. The images selected in the most recent Fearless contest are truly amazing and were created by some of my favorite photographers. It’s an honor and a thrill to be counted among them.

You can check out all the winners and ‘Like’ your favorites here on facebook.

Lots of people get their photo taken on top of the lagoon bridge in the Boston Public Garden, but Kate and Ryan were cool with taking a photo under it!

Ryan said that he thought they should take dance lessons before the wedding, but seeing them spin and whirl in the park, I think they’ll do just fine without them!

Even on a spring evening, your hands can get cold. Luckily Kate knows a hand warming expert.

On their third date together, Kate and Ryan decided to keep it low-key and they just grabbed some pizza slices in Quincy Market. This is the same table that they sat at that on fun night.

We meandered all the way down to the waterfront before the sun went down.

Congratulations on your engagement Kate and Ryan!

The day didn’t start in Boston for everyone though. Kate got ready with the help of her bridesmaids at her parent’s South Shore home.

Soon it was time to board the trolly and brave the traffic for the ride into Boston.

Meanwhile, Kevin and his groomsmen and parents got ready downtown at The Colonnade Hotel.

The historic St. Leonard Church in Boston’s North End provided an inspiring location for the wedding ceremony.

The ceremony was followed by an iconic North End scene. Bystanders cheered and offered congratulations to Kate and Kevin as they promenaded down narrow streets lined by red brick buildings and storefronts.

To incorporate another aspect of the city’s character, we took advantage of twilight colors along the waterfront as a backdrop for group photos and portraits.

This is probably a good time to mention the talented photographer who helped me that day. Maine wedding photographer, Andree Kehn created a number of gorgeous images including this fabulous one featuring Boston’s Custom House Tower.

Close your eyes and picture a city wedding. A dazzling ballroom decked with flowers and candles probably comes to mind. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if what you just pictured looked just like Kate and Kevin’s reception at the Colonnade Hotel.

Kevin is a die hard Red Sox fan and Kate surprised him with a special groom’s cake.

They also had a surprise for Kate’s grandmother–they used the same cake topper she had at her wedding.

Brick Park provided the soundtrack that kept the dance floor busy all night long.

Congratulations again, Kate and Kevin!