I met up with Cyril and Constance on a perfectly sunny November day. Because they were only in Boston for a postdoc, they liked the idea of taking home some memories back to France with a typically Boston backdrop. The neighborhood of Beacon Hill was perfect for their maternity photos. We hiked up from Charles Street into some of the charming back streets. Our exploration was shaped by our light-chasing.
What can I say? I was moved to tears while photographing Peter’s Proposal to Caitlin at Boston Public Garden. She was surprised, overjoyed, in disbelief. It was over the top incredible.
Mike & Mare were married at Snug Harbor. I shot this as a 2nd for Alyssa Maloof on Halloween last year in Staten Island. It was definitely the largest costume ball I have ever attended. There were soooo many incredible costumes. Just to name a few: The Delorean from “Back to the Future,” The little girls from the “shining,” A Jesus figure with a crown that included laurels and christmas lights, “Wonder Woman”-man, Storm Troopers, Dracula and the Joker, and Innumerable excellent wedding zombies.
The whole concept of a zombie wedding is very different than what I usually do. The weddings I usually shoot are about the beauty of the setting, the emotional weight of the day, the personal touches, the thoughtful surprises. This zombie wedding was a party through and through. There were certainly emotional moments, but then, when I went to photograph them, it was the devil-woman who was tearing up as Mike and Mare exchanged their vows. It was mother-of-the-groom Elvira dancing with her zombie-killer son. 
Danny and Diana met me with their two dogs at Arnold Arboretum in Boston for their engagement photos. It was early fall, but we were able to find a few places where the fall foliage had begun to blossom (blossom? do we say that about fall foliage?) They met in San Diego, California while Danny was stationed there with the Navy, but now they have returned to Danny’s childhood home, Boston. Their energy was electric, and it was delightful to find all the hidden gems amongst the forests, and gardens, and hills of Arnold Arboretum. They were smart to bring Danny’s dad along so that there was somebody to watch after the dogs while we made some photos of the two of them alone. Their dogs were remarkably well behaved, and were even willing to sit for a portrait, just the two of them. Doggie treats were, of course, our good friends when we were attempting to get them to sit still for a portrait. The light was incredible, the temperature was temperate, and we all had a lovely little romp through the arboretum.
Brenda & Philipp joined me for a lovely walk along the Charles River as the sun started to slip into the horizon. We found gorgeous light up and down the esplanade. As you can imagine, the Esplanade was full of joggers, and walkers and children, and cyclists, nonetheless we found nooks where we were able to make pictures without all that busyness. I’m particularly fond of the willow tree we found that was all lit up by the low sun.
Charles River Engagement photos hazelphoto
Grasi, Dani, and Otto are new wedding photographer friends who go by the moniker Rocker in Love. They are currently doing a project that has them traveling across the USA in a tour van photographing a wedding in every state. You can check out their map and read about their project here. Hello, North Dakota! Grasi and Dani need your engaged couples.
I was happy to catch them on the Massachusetts leg of their trip. All three are curious, lovely, and energetic people. It was good fun to have them over for a pasta lunch. They humored me when my obsession with cognates reared its head. Dani called our gaggle of basil plants by the sink “a little farm.” I wondered aloud “finchinha?” Dani said, “farminha.” Grasi cracked up. It’s “fazendinha.” I had just baked a batch of homemade granola which Otto much preferred to the spicy pasta and sausage. Grasi never knew that oatmeal and granola came from the same vine. Hilariously, she thanked me for teaching her how to make the “burnt oatmeal!”
When we finished eating, we made sure to have our coffee and biscotti, and only then did we take a stroll through my neighborhood, Central Square, snapping photos of each other. I showed them a lovingly painted art house, the local record store, cheapo records, and a few murals. They showed me their tricked-out tour van.
Come back anytime, friends! Any time!
Check out their pics of me here.
