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,

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,

I sit here tonight listening to the giggles of my 3.5 year old little man and his amazing daddy coming from a bedroom where that little man is supposed to be LONG asleep.  I sit here tonight remembering the face of the Ladybug as she wobbley (yes I made up that word!) walked her way across the room and giggled her face into her daddys chest.  I sit here tonight writing drafts of blog posts that will be coming of the changes we are making to our business together. I sit her tonight grateful for an amazing husband, father, best friend, business partner, supporter, giver.  How I got so lucky, I don’t know, but I do know I am grateful and give thanks every day I am alive. And just so I don’t forget, a few favorite moments and quotes from the day…
Jackson says to Rick as soon as they are awake this morning “Dad, why don’t girls and Mommy’s think toot toots are funny? Only boys do?”

Molly sat under the table picking up toys at Rick’s feet and whispered, “Da-da” while she handed him toys she isn’t supposed to play with.

Jackson sat on the couch after his bath and said “But Dad, my eye aren’t getting heavy yet, can we just watch another show?”

Molly climbed on our bed and did ‘the worm’ all the way to the end where Rick was blocking her and she just cracked up laughing on his face.

Jackson and Molly were in the bath and the two of them were belly laughing as they splashed as much as they could (while I was having a fit internally because water was OUT OF CONTROL!) Rick just joined their giggles and encouraged it like a awesome Daddy!

Jackson asked if he could sit between us tonight and said “Mom, Dad, I love our whole family…”

We love you and Molly too, Jackson David.

What’s a post without  a picture… One of the ladybug from a playdate the other day.. (taken with Heathers new Canon Rebel!! – Totally stole this off her facebook! Thanks Girl!)

What Mom? You don't want me to climb on the table!?...

Just because I love that little smile. And because I added an app so I can blog from my iPhone and I needed to test it out!

Announcements tomorrow

No, you’re not seeing things, this is actually a new blog post.  Crazy I know.  This poor neglected blog has been suffering so much over the last few (read:  6-8!!!) months.  The good news is that I’m here now and there are lots and lots of things coming.. Business changes, personal changes. Good Stuff. But before we get to all that, let’s just get to the 10 on tuesday…

1.  This is day one of our new business approach.  Thanks to Dane Sanders, we have adopted a new motto — All in business or All in family.  As a wife and Mom and a small business owner, there is a constant battle between the two.  When I’m with the kids I feel like I should be doing some sort of work, but when I’m working I feel like I need to be with the kids.  (Other Mom photographers feel my pain, yes?!)  But after watching The [b] School Study Hall with Becker and Dane Sanders there was a moment of clarity.  I asked Dane about balancing his wonderful family (of a great wife and 4 great kids!) and his very successful business.  He told us he doesnt believe in balancing but rather out of balance.  He goes ‘all in business’ or ‘all in family.’  In order to make wide awake decisions in both business and family he allows one or the other to ’suffer’ a day or two while he nurtures the other.  Brilliant.  It’s like someone slapped me or gave me a breath of fresh air.   So, we have adopted Dane’s work style.  (**Sidenote; Super excited to meet up with Dane and other Fast Track Photographers at his Boston Workshop – Check it out if you haven’t already!) So, here we are, day one of ‘all in business’ and I cannot tell you how awesome it is.  (I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dying to know what the kids are doing with Rick every second (thank God for texts!) or that I don’t want to run home and smooch their faces. But the business decisions I’m making are amazing. Clear and awake. This is the start of a super awesome wonderful thing.)

2.  Lots of changes on the horizon.  Business is up first.  Website, blog, promotions, etc. So keep an eye out.  It’s going to be good.

3.  I just bought Things to help organize the chaos of home and work.  I read about it here but had been debating it for the last few weeks. Sweet Chenin convinced me to do it.  I’ll report back with my opinions.

4.  Does anyone know if there is a way to post videos from my iphone onto the blog? or I should say the easiest way? An App maybe?

5.  Two more days until Rick and I celebrate our anniversary.  Excited to celebrate. I love celebrating holidays/special occasions. Weee..

6. I have so many things backlogged that I need to blog.  Both business and personal I hope once new business changes are made to get some of them up. For real.  I might even get my friend Heather her pictures from last Summer’s vacation. If she’s lucky.(The only downside to being friends with a photographer. It takes forever to get snapshots.. ha!)

7.  I love shooting digital. There are so many great things about it. Its still pretty amazing to think about.  BUT there is something to be said for printed photos. You know, like the whole roll of 24 or 36 images that you had to pay for and maybe 10 were worth saving?  I loved the ones that weren’t perfect.  I wonder what our kids are going to do when all they have are the ‘good ones’ when they grow up.  I need to make a point of printing more photos.  My poor kids will only be able to plug in a hard drive to see their childhood.  I want them to have the actual prints. I want actual prints. (fellow photogs, how do you keep up with printing your own family images? where do you put them?)

8.  It’s been snowing for the past few days. I generally don’t mind so much but this snow is terrible.  It’s wet, heavy and slushy.  It is no fun to shovel. Ew.

9.  Cannot even being to express how excited I am that Jack Bauer is back in action.  Totally 100% over the top but I love it.  Jack saves the day 12098987 times in 24 short hours. And he rocks a man purse.

10.  Shout out to my awesome husband.  Since he’s been home for a while he has been such a rockstar at joining forces and taking on our daily stuff.  Laundry, picking up, playing with the monkeys while I work! We are usually used to trying to fit in as much as we can with the few weeks hes home here and there but we are loving this extended time – So this is what it’s like!  Love you babe.  Can’t thank you enough for being such an awesome help. And Daddy. And husband.
Whoa. can you believe it! I made it through… Pictures to come soon. Promise.

Bonus:  Follow me on twittter.  I’ve ventured into it and plan to start using it more – and even including business promotions and specials there!
*KERI ON TWITTER – FOLLOW ME

*blogging is now schedule so posts should be more often.   thanks for sticking by me.