I am an old soul from a small New England town.
MAYBE IT WAS::
Maybe….
it was growing up playing on the endless stone-wall-lined logging roads in the woods behind my yard. I have no idea how many hundreds of years they were there, but standing under those gigantic trees reminds you of rich history. Something really old. Something broken in. A path that’s been worn by thousands of feet for hundreds of years—it connects you. It grounds you.
Maybe…
it started when I was a child, hiding in the racks of dresses at the small consignment shop my mom owned. I come from a long line of “ I’d rather have unique and great quality than brand new and run-of-the-mill”. Digging and sifting to discover old treasure was a family tradition.
Maybe…
it was my inability to discard my collection of mixtapes because the songs were connected to a certain season and certain person of my life, thoughtfully amassed on one fabulous Memorex cassette. That can’t be replaced. You can’t go to the store and buy that.
Maybe…
it’s the fact that I have every birthday card I’ve ever been given, and each year I find myself on the floor reading through “Up, Up and Away! You’re 6 today!”, and the now faded card with Jiminy Cricket on the front and the kindest, most encouraging words from my dad written inside. He gave me that card when I was 11. It was a “just because” card. I liked that.
BUT I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY::
But, I think it was probably the day I rifled through an old suitcase filled with photographs of my mom and dad that made me realize I had a love for memories preserved. My parents had always shared stories of their childhood. My dad confessing how he’d sneak out of his bedroom window at night just so he could get in an extra hour of playing ice hockey. My mom describing how her dance costumes were custom designed and made by a seamstress for each recital she had. Rummaging through those photographs, all those stories were brought to life. I felt like I was traveling back in time. My dad, standing on the frozen pond in Boston, hockey stick in-hand, bundled up from head-to-toe. My mom, graceful, lovely, in sequins and satin.
There was one picture, specifically, that I became obsessed with- a worn black and white photograph of my dad sitting in an Air Force base, smoking a cigarette. Who was this 20-something, handsome guy in uniform? Come to find out, my dad’s assignment in the military was photography. He developed film. I only know this 20-something through photographs, but I could see why he turned my mom’s head back in the day. I was able to hold it in my hands and be there in the moment because of a photograph. Because someone captured that moment.
WHY I LOVE DOING WHAT I DO (WHICH LED TO)::
I’ve always loved an occasion. I still spend 11 months out of the year thinking of what my next, best Halloween costume will be. But, even when it’s not ghouls and goblins, birthday candles, or Christmas cookies, I’m all about making the everyday into something memorable (still, any day involving costumes has to be a good one, in my humble opinion).
My one goal in life has always been to help people.
I like to say that I help people remember by preserving memories created.
For me, shooting your wedding is like being backstage…being able to soak in every detail of your unforgettable day. Following the emotions of the bride on her wedding day is undoubtedly what I live for: the anticipation, the nerves, the waterproof mascara, the plume of hairspray in the air. Then, the moment the bride looks at me, dress fitted, flowers arranged, people arriving, music starting—it’s time to get married. It’s like a silent symphony unfolding, and I get a front row seat.
On the day of your wedding, I wake up as excited as if it were my own wedding day. I’m not a passive for-hire worker…I’m your partner. I want to get to know you. You’re not a checklist. You’re a unique story waiting to be told through imagery, and each photograph is a paragraph of your story.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME…THE HYBRID::
Yes, I was born a Northerner, I say “wicked awesome” and love sweaters more than life itself, but I’ve lived in the South since highschool…so I consider myself a hybrid. I’m a New England Fall, and a Southern sunset. I’m a Saturday morning in jeans buying peaches at the Farmers’ Market, and a Saturday night in heels sipping a Pomegranate Martini. I’m a Paul Simon Pandora station, and a my-nephews-seem-to-think-I’m-entertaining, rapper. I’m a “You guys gotta come visit” and a “Y’all come back”. I’m a Red Sox hat, and a slice of homemade apple pie.
FINALLY FOUND MY THING::
The moment I earned my degree in marketing was the exact moment I realized I was never intended for cubicle life.
After a year living in Asia, I FOUND MY “THING”.
I’ve found what inspires me…and, it’s capturing you and telling your story.
Over the last few years, I’ve done everything from wedding photography, to newborn portraits. I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best, most talented, and generous people in the business. (John & Lindsey Bamber of John Bamber Photography, I could never thank you enough.)
MY PROMISE::
My promise is to help you remember the way things were. The scents, the sights, the feelings, the sounds: I want them to all come rushing back to help you remember life exactly as it was at that moment. To remember the “then” you. The “first birthday” you. The “I’m broke and driving a beater off to college” you. “The “engaged” you. The “about to get married” you. The “it’s a girl!” you. The “we’ve been so in love for 25 years” you.
So, here’s to stashing that one moment that summarizes a season of your life in an old suitcase for someone to rifle though someday. Or, for you to rifle through someday. Here’s to celebrating Summer. And rings. And babies. And that cute dress you got on clearance at Target. Really, everything. Let’s make something you can’t buy in stores or find on a shelf.