Have you ever been in the presence of pure love? Have you ever looked at a couple and known within an instant they are ‘that’ couple.  You know, the couple that is going to be holding hands when they are 80 years old. The couple that will greet each day with the idea that something amazing is about to happen. The couple that want more for each other than they want for themselves. The couple everyone wants to be.  Well, I am honored to say I was with that couple a few weeks ago. I was honored to be blessed enough to not only share in their incredible day, but to photograph it as well.

Amanda and Jason asked me to photograph their wedding a few months back.  Not only did I instantly fall in love with the idea of capturing their day, but I was honored because I have known Amanda since we were in kindergarten together!  Although we grew up together, we lost touch a bit because we attended different high schools, but I knew the second I opened her email it was as if no time had passed at all.  Despite not knowing much about what our lives had been like over the last few years (except for the fantastic ‘facebook updates’ we’d read about each other) we had really no idea where our paths had been, yet it didn’t even matter.  Amanda was generous in asking me to be a part of their day – how could I say no!

I was super excited to have my two friends shooting with me – The fantastically amazing Maura Moore of Irmalou Photography and the wonderful Steve Iadarola of Steve Iadarola Photography. Both Steve and Maura were just as happy as I was to see the beautiful location. Amanda and Jason were surrounded by their family and friends at Brooksby Farm in Peabody, MA.  Despite the rain that came just before the ceremony, their day was filled with warm, sunshine and happiness.  The things that their family and friends clearly love most about them.

The images can speak for themselves but anyone who was there can attest to the amazing amount of love that surrounded everyone that day.  The joy in peoples faces, the warmth in everyones smiles, the love that wrapped around each person celebrating the marriage of these two was nothing short of an honor to experience.

two of my favorite shots of the day!

happy.

Although everyone loves to look at the bride when she walks down the asile, I love to look at the groom. Jason's face says it all, doesn't it!?

Amanda's beautiful gown.

A perfect bouquet for the bride.

One of my favorite moments as Jason read his vows to Amanda.

love.

If there was ever a look of pure love - I think this is what it looks like

Amanda and Jason – Thank you for allowing me to share in your amazing day. Thank you for giving me the honor to give you your memories forever.  We will be in touch soon – I hope these photographs remind you just how incredible you are. Welcome to the rest of your life. Welcome to your happy.

Much love,

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of meeting the nephew of one of my best college girlfriends, Kristen’s. There is no greater honor than my friends passing along my name to share in family memories of those who they love. A few months ago Kristen purchased a gift certificate for a newborn session as their baby shower gift (**NOTE!!!!  WE LOVE GIVING GIFT CERTIFICATES for gifts!! Its the gift of memories — way better than an outfit, right?!)  Anyways, Last week Kristen’s brother Erich and his wife Emilie emailed me to say their new little tiny blessing had arrived.  Lucky for me I had just picked up a few new newborn props I was dying to use!  The little pint of peanuts was a dream! He didn’t make a peep for almost he entire session – He let me move him around, change out blankets, switch props with only one break for a feeding and I think he is the first newborn that didn’t pee on anything! Way to go kid – that’s impressive!

Here are a few favorites from the morning..

Right on cue! Second click of the day and this is what I got

something so sweet about tiny little fingers

new scale + adorable newborn = perfect.

antique little carriage -- just his size!

Erich and Emilie – Thank you for sharing your new little blessing with me.  He is beautiful and picked incredible parents.  We will be in touch soon when the rest of your gallery is ready!

Much Love,

Just a few snapshots of the kiddos – none of which were what I had in my head – but all of which are exactly what I want to remember.

Molly's excited for Jelly Beans -- A first for her!

The face I get when I ask for a nice smile lately.

the almost posed nice looking picture. that failed terribly.

First Egg of the outdoor Easter Egg Hunt!

makes me happy.

the Ladybug sharing her egg - Jackson less then impressed.

a change of shoes and dancing in the afternoon sunlight!

We hope your Easter was filled with love, laughter and sunshine too!

Much Love,

Despite having a few crazy weeks – I’m happy to at least check in for 10 on Thursday. (I know, its a few days late but hey, its the same week!

1. Last week I had the honor of donating a session to be raffled off for sweet Charlotte’s Bone Marrow ‘Be the Match’ Drive.  I’m super excited to report we raised over $1000 for ‘Be the Match!’  I’ve already been in touch with the winner Andrea and I know a session with her two little blessings is going to be fantastic this summer.  Charlotte’s drive was a HUGE success.  Thank you thank you to all of those who came out and got screened.  I’m told a ‘good’ turnout is somewhere around 40-50 people.. between the two screenings we had over 300!  It really is amazing what a community can when we work together.  It was an honor to work with so many amazing people who love and support the Pineault family.  I look forward to working together again and getting to know all these amazing new friends

2.  Speaking of Charlotte — she is doing great.  For those who have asked, she is in her second phase of treatment here in Boston and is responding very well.  Her parents Ted and Constance are so wonderful about keeping up with her journal to keep everyone updated on her daily progress.  You can read their entries here: Charlotte’s CaringBridge Page

3. I’m headed down to my friends at Lens Pro to Go in Concord, MA to return a camera I rented last week while mine was out getting fixed.  Photographers in the area – If you don’t know about Lens Pro to Go already (which you totally should!!!) but if you don’t – GO to their website.  You’ll love them.  Paul is fantastic and has so much gear available to rent that you’ll be blown away.  Their customer service is amazing and their friendly advice is always wonderful.  They have also just introduced a new business called StudioShare. It is a really awesome concept — As they say on their website:

Community-based photo rentals enable photographers to make the most of photo resources that are already in use and owned by others in the photo community. Make money by renting out your own idle equipment and space, or rent others’ resources for your photo shoots. Share your skills, or hire experienced stylists, assistants, and other service providers, easily and securely.

So essentially if you have equipment you want to rent or studio space available or you need studio space if you dont have a studio – this is a place you can go to connect with other photographers and use it as needed.  Amazing, right!  Check it out – It’s going to be fantastic!

4.  In the craziness I’ve been really trying to take 5 minutes to start my day with a little bit of sunshine and a few minutes to quiet my mind.  It seems lately when I start the day I’m off and running before I can even catch my breath so I’ve been trying to take a few minutes before the day starts to quiet my mind and keep centered.  I really believe its important to take a few minutes to yourself, especially us Mom’s who’s days are off and running as soon as those little piggies hit the floor, as well as us business owners who are desperately trying to find more hours in the day! If we’re not good to ourselves, we cant be great for everyone else, right!? Lately with the nice weather I’ve been taking these precious few minutes down by the water on days that I leave first thing.. here are a few snapshots from my iphone I took to remind myself to stay centered when things get overwhelming.  Pretty, isn’t it!?

calm seas - singing beach - manchester ma

rough seas after the crazy rain and flooding - serious beach erosion

5. Can we talk about this weather!?  I am officially SO ready for Spring and Summer!  The last few days have been in the mid 60s and I hear it might even be 70 on Saturday.  SUPER excited about that — Family day on Saturday with 70 = awesome.  I’m thinking I might actually do a mini shoot with the kiddos and Rick as its been a long time since I’ve actually shot for my own kids — we’ll see if they are interested, or at least up for bribery! Nope, I’m not above it! Stay tuned.

6. The kids must be in the middle of a growth spurt because all of a sudden both of them are growing out of everything they have!  Apparently its a new season too.. Where are the weeks going? Rick and I were saying last night how these weeks are flying by.. Does anyone else feel like that?

7. Dane Sanders – Fast Track Photographer workshop is only a week away!! I’m SO excited my sweet friend Macy just signed up too — It’s going to be fantastic I know it   Check it out – You’ll think its going to be fantastic too!

8.  I don’t think I’ve reported how much I LOVE the program ‘Things’ from apple.  For someone that makes lists for lists it is awesome.  The best part is the app on my iphone syncs so everything on my computer is on my phone too! This is a HUGE benefit for me since I will lay awake at night and think of all the things I have to do the next day – now I just pick up my phone, log it into a ‘Things’ and its off my mind.  Such a great investment!

9.  Last weekend we headed for a big treat — Rick, Jackson, Molly and I met our friends Heather and Tyler and Emma at the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. The kids were awesome and had a blast!  When got home late -  I took Molly to her room to put her bed – Rick too Jack duty. I knew it was late but I sat in her rocking chair and just snuggled her .. it had been a while since I had done that but I figured, hey, we’re already past bedtime — why not!?  We sat there, I sang her her little ladybug song and she giggled.. She held her lovey and her paci (I KNOW! only for sleeping.. relax… she won’t be in kindergarten with it!) and just snuggled into my arms.  It was perfect. It was just what my heart needed.  She was angelic.  Our schedules have been so crazy lately I was grateful she gave me this little gift.  Usually she goes to bed just as we’re finishing dinner and theres still so much to do that she goes right to bed… not lots of time for snuggling.. Although I might change that.. I know I wont get this time back.. And just so I don’t forget I snapped this…

10.  It’s THURSDAY already!??!?!? HOW did that happen!?  Here’s to a busy rest of today and tomorrow and then onto a perfect weather family weekend! I hope you enjoy your weekend with those who make you smile!
Much Love,

I had the pleasure of meeting sweet Erin Cobb last week.  She has been such an inspiration to me as I began building my business and at the risk of sounding dramatic, she is a big reason why I am blessed to be where I am today.  Do you ever feel like somehow things are so connected its hard to get your head around how it all worked out!? That’s how I feel about how lucky I am to have the greatest job in the world..  It all started about 3 years ago..

Jackson was a newborn and I had started snapping crazy amounts of photographs of him.  I didn’t want to miss anything.  I didn’t want to forget anything. I knew with every passing day he was one day older, one day bigger, one day away from this newborn little precious miracle I loved more then myself from the second I knew he was going to be my son.  I knew in a blink he was going to be graduating! Although photography had always been a passion of mine, I never had any ‘formal’ training.  I played with my camera, tried different things, tried to figure out but mostly didn’t really know what I was doing.  When I was getting married, I did a lot of research on ‘The Knot.’  I was kicked over to ‘The Nest,’ after I had Jackson and there were some women there that were in my exact same position! They loved taking photographs of their children and they were learning about their cameras and how to get the photographs we’d all fallen in love with online from other great photographers.  Those women started a message board and before I knew it we had so many members who enjoyed the love of photography and many of them had young kids at home so it was an instant bond!  It was there that I became to ‘know’ Lyndsay.  We have never met, and I’m not sure she will ever know how grateful I am for her gifts she doesn’t even know she’s given me, but I know. And I am forever in debt to her.

She made a post one day about a friend of hers, Erin Cobb, whose daughter was in the running for the Gap Casting Call.  Sarah (Pigbear as she is nicknamed!) needed votes to win so Lyndsay posted the link to Erin’s blog and of course on Erin’s blog you could click to vote for Sarah!  It was that day that I added Erin to my favorites and have been following her ever since.  I started reading about her and her adorable little family and I felt like if she lived near me, we’d totally hang out!  That’s the amazing thing about blogs, isn’t it?  We feel connected and friendships for people that we may really have never met – how incredible.   It was about that time that Rick and I began seriously considering photography as a business.  I had been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of praying about it.  I had just finished my Masters in Elementary Education and received my license to teach, but Jackson was a newborn and I was nannying at the time.  I needed to work but with the great family I worked for, he could come with me and I could still work and watch him grow up – again, a huge blessing.  Should I go back to teaching just because I could? Should I try to start a business following my passion? Who knew which was the ‘right’ answer?  We discussed it, a lot.

One night after Jackson went to bed I was reading Erin’s blog and she had posted about her friend Wendy Schulz.  Wendy had mentored Erin and took her under her wing to teach her about her photography and help her grow into what she wanted to be.  After I read Erin’s post, I immediately went to Wendy’s blog and saw that she started offering an online workshop – to do the same thing!  SOLD.  I talked it over with Rick and we decide this was it.  Let’s give this a shot.

So I signed up for Wendy’s class and without a doubt, SHE is the reason I am where I am.  She gave me challenges and feedback that has taught me about myself, about my camera, about my craft.  She is amazing. She is inspiring, and boy is she hysterical!  I have since sent Wendy a few of my friends and even my cousin Jake took her online course.  I’m sure her waiting list is long, but if you want to know about photography from one of the greatest teachers, SIGN UP. You won’t regret it.

So lets recap.  Lyndsay ‘introduced’ me to Erin. Erin ‘introduced’ me to Wendy, and Wendy is what gave my business the foundation  to become a business.  Well, this past week Erin was visiting her friends in Boston and asked if any Bostonians would like to come out to get together — It was about a second of  before I responded – ME ME ME! Remember, we were friends in my head already! Ha..

So luckily, Rick was sweet enough to come home after a long day of work and let me take off to Starbucks to meet Erin, finally!  In typical Boston fashion, there was traffic so of course I was late but nevertheless, I made it and guess what…  She was JUST as sweet, if not more, in person!  Just like I knew she would be!  She jumped right up and gave me a hug and we all started laughing right away – like we were all old friends.  Just the way it should be with someone who has helped shape your life, right!?

Ellen and Diana are from Boston and also follow Erin’s blog so it was nice to make new friends too -  Samantha and Erin have been friends for a long time and the 5 of us had a great visit together just chatting it up!  The time passed too quickly of course, but hopefully the next visit Erin makes to Boston we’ll have some more time to catch up!

Totally ‘borrowed’ from Erin — You can see her thoughts from our meet up here:

(l->r) Ellen - Erin - Diana -Yours Truly - Samantha!

So Lyndsay, Thank you for posting Erin’s link.  Erin thank you for posting Wendy’s link and Wendy, thank you for making me jump when I wasn’t sure their was a net under me.  Turns out I didn’t need it anyways thanks to you.. For that, for all of you, I am grateful

We are grateful.

Much love.

Thankfully,