The Riverview, Simsbury CT / Wedding / Drew & Stefanie

This is a story about life long friends who over time found their true soulmate in each other. Surrounded by a multitude of many high school friends and family this young couple exchanged vows and rings at a truly elegant and beautiful location.  This wedding held a soft spot in my heart as they grew up in Wilbraham and went to the local high school. It was wonderful to see so many friends and acquaintances on this special day.  I wish you both many, many years of wedded bliss and as always…..sprinkled with a little fairy dust and a dash magic! Congratulations!

Twin Hills, Longmeadow, MA / Wedding / Brian & Bethany

Saturday, May 9, 2015 turned out to be one of those first spectacular spring days in New England.  After a bitter cold winter we were fortunate enough to have sunny skies and warm weather.  What a perfect day for Brian and Bethany to tie the knot at Twin Hills Country Club.  Brian’s grandfather officiated the ceremony and they were surrounded by the love of many friends and family to witness their marriage.  I wish you both a lifetime full of love, happiness and a little bit of magic.

Castle of the Knights, Chicopee / Wedding / Derrek & Alyssa

As I was thinking about how to write this blog I began looking for quotes on love and patience.  Alyssa explained to me that she and Derrek had been engaged for quite sometime.  It seems that the mantra for the wedding day was “Finally”.  I found this little quote which I thought was extremely appropriate and lovely.

“The beauty of marriage is not always seen from the very beginning…but rather as love grows and develops over time.” —Fawn Weaver

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Santucci…..FINALLY:)

Wisteriahurst Wedding, Holyoke / Chris & Lindsay

There is always a little something magical about a snowfall. Lindsay wished for a little snow for her wedding day this past Saturday.  I was so excited when I heard the upcoming forecast which predicted just that.  How perfect can it get?  Snow for a January wedding.  Just what every girl who plans a winter wedding desires.  I was so disappointed for Chris and Lindsay when I woke up on the morning of the 3rd expecting to see a dusting of snow and saw grass. Well, I figure, we live in New England, and yes, anything is possible with the weather! We began our wedding at Wisteriahurst Museum and lo and behold all the little angels began working their magic and it began snowing right after the ceremony. Congratulations Chris and Lindsay.  May the magic of every snowfall touch your lives and hearts!

High School Senior Girls

Life just gets away from you at times.  Between working, kids and maintaining a home and business, there just never seems to be enough time in every day.  I sound like every other Mom and business owner I imagine. I have finally returned from the vacation of a lifetime taken in my grandmothers honor to Italy.  I had an incredible experience seeing new places, making many  friends and spending much needed non work time with Nick.  I couldn’t have asked for a better two weeks.  But now, it’s time to get back to business and catch up on some of my blogs.  I am grouping the girls, then the boys into separate blogs.  It will showcase many of my favorite images taken throughout the season.  I do hope I haven’t missed anyone.  If so, my apologies. Senior portraits is another area I love of my business.  I love capturing the “almost 18” young man or woman who in a years time will be off to college and creating all new experiences for themselves. I see this as the last time we as parents will view our son’s and daughter’s as our little children.  They will soon become independent of us out making their own decisions and finding their separate ways.  Their new found maturity and life experiences will soon grow and define who they will become as a mature adult.  I see these images as capturing the innocence before this life change becomes a reality. I am an empty nester as of this fall with my last off to college. I have seen the growth and change in all three of my children as they have ventured off into their college experiences.  I wish every one of my seniors who are making college decisions, accepting and signing intent letters, or who are choosing military service or entering the work force, the very best of a bright and happy future!

 

Barre, MA / Hartmans Herb Farm / Wedding Katie & Drew

Welcome to Katie & Drew’s blog.  I listened to a lot of wonderful comments made about this couple on the day of their marriage.  But, I have to say, my impression of this couple began with our engagement session in Old Sturbridge Village this past spring.  I met a couple who were kind, considerate, sensitive and genuinely happy.  They have a beautiful spiritual connection which is evident in their rapore and mannerisms towards each other.  I was blessed to experience their relationships with all the friends and family that they love on their very special day.  I feel so humbled to have been a part of such a joyous occasion of two truly unique people.  Katie and Drew, you two are what all marriages should be made of.  I wish you much love and happiness in the coming years<3

South Deerfield, MA /Chandler’s Tavern /Wedding Lexa & Jon

In some cultures rain is good luck, and can represent cleansing or stronger unity in the marriage. It comes from several cultures mainly from the Hindu with the idea that a wet knot is harder to untie. Since marriage is often referred to as tying the knot. Rain was also a symbol of fertility to agricultural societies, since rain restored and maintained the wellness of crops. Crops were peoples main source of stability and income so it was thought to guarantee a long happy marriage! I like rain because after the rain comes the RAINBOW.  I like to think along lines of fairy tales and happily ever after.  Guess that is just the way I am wired and I am very content to live in that world that I have created. Being a wedding photographer, it is not a bad place to be.  Happy wedding day to Jon & Lexa.  May every shower or drop of rain create the proverbial rainbow with the pot of gold at the end of each rainbow ( I like to think of that pot as a storing place of love and fortune..fortune being health, happiness and family)  Enjoy their story of their wedding day as shown through my images.

Suffield, CT / Family Barn / Wedding Michelle & Mike

A lovely refurbished barn was the setting for Michelle & Mike’s rustic wedding! At our original wedding interview they had both mentioned a barn setting.  I adore working in outside venues so was so excited for their wedding. We had our final appointment about a week before the wedding and met at the location.  I like to see the location where I am shooting since I often start creating in my mind prior to the actual wedding day.  The location was spectacular with rolling fields, a horse pasture, pond and of course the barn that had been converted for the wedding.  I could only imagine how it would look the day of the actual wedding.  Kudos to Gail & Michelle for pulling off an incredible setting for the union and party of this very sweet couple.  Happy wedding day and wishing you years of joy and shooting stars<3

Belchertown, MA / Quabbin Reservoir / Engagement Ashley & David

It all started on the Big E fairgrounds.  Ashley and David met for the first time in September of 2010.  Funny, four years later they got engaged in the same location and also had engagement pictures taken at the same time the Big E was going on.  Can’t wait for the first child.  I bet it will be at the same time of year as well.  Certainly something  I would totally expect with my attitude about, “things happen for a reason”. We photographed their session at Quabbin.  Ashley & David had never been there before so I was more than happy to show them some of my favorite spots.  It was a gorgeous fall day to say the very least. We had smiles, laughter and lots of playfulness with a sprinkling of romance and love thrown in.  All a powerful combination for this beautiful blog.  I can’t wait for the wedding you two.  It is bound to be a spectacular event!

 

 

 

Springfield, MA / Forest Park / Engagement Abbie & Vince

Abbie & Vince met at Westfield State College in a Shakespeare English class.  Neither was too fond of that particular class and formed an immediate bond.  The relationship progressed as friends due to the fact that Abbie did not want to date someone from another country.  I guess the distance really did not appeal to her as Vince was a resident of Canada.  But alas, Vince persevered.  He continued to ask Abbie out until he got the answer he was looking for.  Yes, I will date you.  She explained the reason for her decision to him about distance being a problem and the complications that would arise from a long distance relationship.  His response which was incredibly sweet and all the words Abbie needed to hear  ” I’m not dating you to date you.  I want to date you to keep you”  Abbie felt like home to Vince and Abbie certainly found her home and future with Vince.  The couple is moving to Tennessee where Vince will be skating with the Knoxville Ice Bears.  Abbie is a licensed teacher and will look at pursuing her career in the future.  An August 2015 wedding is planned for this very sweet couple.