Blog Masonry – Page 13 – Hazel Photo Weddings

Thompson Inn & Fuller Gardens Wedding – New Hampshire – Meaghan & Carleton

Meaghan & Carleton were married on the New Hampshire Seacoast at the historic Union Chapel. We made portraits across the street at the gorgeous Fuller Gardens, and down the road looking out over the ocean. It rained hard for a moment while the two were getting ready, and it was still coming down for the first look, but in true New England fashion, the rain cleared up, and we had some lovely sunlight for our portraits.

If you aren’t familiar with the history of Union Chapel, definitely check it out. The first services were held in 1877.

Carleton’s best man’s father officiated the wedding. Also, fun fact, his best man is engaged to Meaghan’s sister, one of the co-maids of honor. One of the most striking things about the wedding was how close knit Meaghan and Carleton’s community is.

After the wedding we headed up to the Thompson Inn for dinner and dancing. I loved the first dance. They looked as happy as could be, and they really cut a rug.

Also making an appearance, in the guest book, a delightful engagement session at Arnold Arboretum form last September.

Venue : The Thompson Inn

Ceremony Venue: Union Chapel

Portraits Venue: Fuller Gardens

Florist : F as in Flowers – Lynn Curcio

Wedding planner : Paul & Liz Calabria – Weddings in New England

Hair : Randi Iverson

Makeup : Donna Cotnoir, Custom For You NH

DJ : Jeff Erwin – Rethink the DJ

Ceremony music : Artful Noise

Catering : The Thompson Inn

Cake : Beach Pea

Invitations : Minted

Arnold Arboretum Engagement Photos hazelphoto weddings

Arnold Arboretum Engagement Photos – Meaghan & Carleton

Few places in Boston are quite so lovely for engagement photos as Arnold Arboretum. We found some glorious light on this lovely, temperate, September day.

Fast forward to their wedding at the Thompson Inn in New Hampsire.

AWP Conference – Association of Writers and Writing Programs

I had the pleasure of flying to sunny Tampa Florida to photograph the AWP 2018 Conference in March. For the uninitiated AWP stands for the Association of Writers and Writing Programs. The annual conference brings together over 12 thousand attendees, almost a thousand literary magazines and journals, and most of the MFA poetry, fiction, non-fiction programs from across the country for a series of panels and readings. The keynote at AWP 2019 was George Saunders who had recently published Lincoln in the Bardo.

The whole three and a half day long conference was thrilling to photograph. I graduated from Oberlin College with a major in fiction writing, and I am a lifelong lover of novels, short stories, essays, poems, and the genre-defying as well. I saw and photographed many of my heroes from all my years as a reader and a writer, including: Lorrie Moore, Edwidge Danticat, Rita Mae Brown, Rivka Galchen, Jeffrey Eugenides, Claire Messud etc. and I even found new heroes! I came home with Min Jin Lee’s novel, Pachinko, which I absolutely adored.

I look forward to photographing AWP 2019 in Portland, Oregon next March.

AWP Conference Association of Writers and Writing Programs Paul Gargagliano

Palace of Fine Arts Engagement Photos – Kristin and Nick

Kristin & Nick met and fell in love when they were living in San Francisco, so it was a treat for them to have an engagement session with the splendor of the city as a backdrop. Nick actually proposed at the Palace of Fine Arts, so this was a return in another sense for the two. The weather did not disappoint. It was San Francisco through and through, toasty in the sun, and freezing cold in the shade, or when the wind blew. After exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Palace of Fine Arts, listening to accordion music, finding the good light on some large green doors, etc. we headed over to the beach at Crissy Field for a few more photos with the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Bay. A seagull and a frisky dog made cameos. “Karl,” the fog, hung just past the bridge to remind us exactly where we were.

Crystal Springs Golf Course Wedding – Pacifica – Catrina and Brandon

Catrina and Brandon were married in the glorious warm light of the waning sun on an early August day at Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, California. The altar at Crystal Springs overlooks the blue waters of the reservoir in dramatic fashion.

I remember having Catrina and Brandon over for a consultation meeting here in San Francisco about a month before their wedding date. I was struck by how thrilled they were with the pleasures of planning and anticipation.

While I was with Brandon and his wedding party as they got ready in Pacifica, whales kept breeching out in the Pacific Ocean. This was apt as I have heard Brandon wax poetic about sea creatures. Somebody produced a pirate telescope. There’s one photo with emphatic pointing, squinting, Pliny the Elder, and a glass of whiskey that tickles me every time I see it.

Meanwhile, my second, the talented Jen Michelson, was with Catrina as she got into her lovely dress a few miles down the road. Catrina’s wedding party included soooo many cute children, and there are some touching images of them playing all over the house, and being dressed in finery. I especially love the one with the teddy bear flying through the air.

The last thing I want to say about this wedding, is that, just as we were finishing up with the couples portraits at Crystal Springs Reservoir, 3 young bucks pranced by. If you look closely at one of the images, you will see one of the furry friends prancing through the frame.

The very last thing I want to say, is that traffic was uncharacteristically busy that day because of the Dog Surfing Championships.

The Hideout at Kirkwood Wedding – Lake Tahoe, California

The Hideout at Kirkwood Wedding – Lake Tahoe, California – Allie & Dave

Allie and Dave held their wedding at The Hideout at Kirkwood near Lake Tahoe up in the Sierra Mountains. It was a very bright and sunny day, and it cooled down pleasantly when the sun went down. The approach to the Hideout is majestic, miles down a winding dirt road, a clearing opens with a lake and a lodge in the distance. This place feels both tucked away and expansive. Don’t miss the night photos that show the natural beauty of the setting.

Allie and Dave have particularly complimentary personalities. There was this one moment where, as part of his vows, Dave painted a picture of the moment he was given entry to Allie’s relaxed side. All the sudden he broke into a lively dance. Allie’s wedding dress was adorned with the most gorgeous intricate beadwork. She wore her hair in wrapped loose braids, which complimented the dress perfectly. Allie’s mother and sister were exceptionally sweet as they helped her into her dress.

All of the vendors Allie and Dave brought in were lovely, and worked together well. This totally makes sense, because Allie and Dave are genuine, warm people. I was particularly appreciative of Shannon of J Jasper Events who helped us to make time for a couple sunset photos, which are some of my favorite from the day.