When I think of an engagement portrait session in January, I usually think about how my hands are going to be frozen in the shape of my camera by the end of the session, and how a stiff finger of scotch will be needed to restore color to my cheeks. What I got last weekend, however was an unexpectedly warm day, made even warmer by the time I got to spend with Vidya and Rahul as we wandered around Boston’s Back Bay, and the Esplanade area near the river.

I met the happy couple at their Back Bay apartment, where they were busily picking out their coordinating outfits. It didn’t take long before we were out on the street, capturing their love for each other as we wandered around the Christian Science Center, and traveled the running path that bisects their Back Bay neighborhood. Then it was back up to the apartment for a quick outfit change, before walking a few blocks to the Esplanade, where the setting sun created a glow on the buildings across the river. We wandered around for a bit, taking a little time for them to cuddle on the bench where Rahul made his proposal, and taking advantage of the really cool trees in the park, before heading back into the city. As dus was falling, we used now twinkling street lights to add a romantic background to the images. With all of the fun and laughter we shared, I can’t wait for their wedding in April!

I have to admit, I love all of the work that I have been getting in my own town.  It helps that I live in a really cool town, with some really cool spots for photos!  And it helps that the town is full of really cool people to take photos of!  Jamie and Dave are two of those people.  They are getting married next year on the Cape, but wanted their engagement portraits to reflect their hometown.  So we decided to meet on the Grafton town common and go from there.  Being a brisk evening, and with sunset approaching, we had to work fast.  We worked all of the best spots on the common before heading just up the street to the abandoned State Police station, where I was attracted to the textures and outbuildings on the property.  Beginning our lap on the old barracks building itself, we quickly moved on to the overgrowth surrounding the property.  In the wintertime, all of the leaves have fallen, leaving some really cool earthy colors and bare trees.  Then we circled back around the radio tower to the old shed, finishing up at a wood pile on the side of the building.  Jamie and Dave were instantly comfortable in front of the camera, and I can’t wait for their wedding next year!

On the day Chris asked Sarah to marry him, they spent the afternoon walking around the long wharf area of Boston, taking in the romantic sights of the city on one of the most romantic days of their lives.  So picking a spot for their engagement portraits was super easy!  We met at the Marriott Long Wharf, and headed right over to Christopher Columbus Park to take advantage of the beautiful late afternoon sunlight which was quickly falling behind the buildings.  From there it was a meandering trip around the area, wandering through the Greenway, where a wood and stone bench caught our eyes.  Back in the direction of the water, we took advantage of the unique architecture at the Boston Aquarium before heading into a local hotel for a quick change.  Then we wandered back into the city, pausing at various spots that we liked heading to our final destination: Haymarket Square.  We were surprised that the outdoor market was in full swing, so we ducked down the first alley we found, and discovered a weird and wacky world hidden behind the square…with a very interesting cast of characters.  Luckily Sarah and Chris were all to willing to play along!

I have to admit, I have a soft spot in my heart for Worcester.  I have so many happy memories there, that it is always makes me happy to drive in.  When I met Melanie, she was living in an apartment near WPI, and we lived there the first few years we were together.  So when Stephanie and Matt told me that they wanted to meet in Worcester for their engagement portraits, I jumped at the chance to revisit my old stomping grounds!  We met at one of the places where I first practiced to become a photographer - the beautiful grounds of Higgins House on the WPI campus.  After wandering around the beautifully landscaped gardens, and taking advantage of the awesome classical architecture, we headed across the street to Institute Park, where the fall colors were in full display (and I’m sure they did that just for our shoot).  Then it was a change of clothes and a change of scenery, as we headed into downtown Worcester for photos with a more urban feel.  Wandering around among the buildings and businesses behind the train station, we found the perfect mix of newly refurbished restaurants (that teased our noses with their tempting aromas), and old decrepit buildings and alleys, with graffiti and street art that incorporated itself perfectly into the photos.

Boston’s North End is one of my favorite places to take photos.  Nestled within the narrow streets and turn of the century brick buildings are a million little spots to make a happy couple stop and snuggle, while I take their photo.  So when Laura and Jason asked to wander around the north end for their engagement portraits on a beautiful fall afternoon last week, I was more than happy to oblige.  We met at Christopher Columbus park, and wasted no time in heading right into the heart of the neighborhood.  Right away we noticed a cool truck, and the driver was no where to be seen :).  Across from there was the first of many cool alleys hidden throughout the north end…and we hit most of them: from the one with the cool old bike and cast iron gates with inset hearts, to the super narrow one with the hidden fallout shelter, to the hidden neighborhood accessible only through a narrow passage. As we passed by the fire station, we got an invitation in to pose on the trucks…and wear the hat! Fron there we headed down to the waterfront, where we found a secret little garden, and left the city behind for a few photos.

My second stop on my wedding free weekend, was the Boston Public Gardens for LC and Dave’s engagement portrait session…well, we got to the public gardens eventually :).

We met at The Four Seasons, and decided that, with all of the Saturday activity on the garden, we would head in the other direction for a couple of blocks to spy out a few different locations around the hotel.  Right away we were drawn to a small garage area, with these great little in-wall fire hydrants with little hearts on them.  Then there was a cool old building that looked like a castle, complete with drawbridges, then an alley behind it.  It wasn’t long before we found ourselves taking photos in a rundown parking lot that had seen its better days.  Feeling like we had captured enough urban decay, we decided to change it up a bit and headed over to the Public Gardens.  With the sun starting to set, the lushness of the Public Gardens was the perfect yang to the yin of the street shots…and the perfect location for LC and Dave to show off their romantic moves!

Jen and Sean are getting married this week.  On one of those islands where it is always sunny, the water is a deep blue, and the beaches are open year ’round (i.e. NOT Massachusetts )!  But before they took off for their adventure in paradise, they wanted a chance to capture their life in beautiful Charlestown.  So with thunderstorms looming, we headed out.

We began at their apartment.  Once an old school building the view from their many windows was one of the most spectacular in Boston,with the Zakim bridge visible through the sliders onto their balcony, and the Bunker Hill Memorial visible through a large picture window on the other wall.  We took advantage of the awesome light, the fantastic modern decor, and the breathtaking views from their balcony before heading downstairs.  After a quick stop off in the stairwell - which retained much of the look of the old schoolhouse - we headed outdoors to the park across the street and the church a block away.  With the rain continuing to hold off, we then decided to push our luck and drive down to the Navy Yard.  And our luck held! We had a great time as we watched the sky get grayer by the minute.  It wasn’t until the lightening started arcing across the Boston skyline across the day that we decided to call a wrap!

A little touch of spring was in the air in Boston this weekend, as folks traded their parkas for sweaters and enjoyed the early spring day.  Not wanting to be left out, I joined Milena and Sam for an afternoon stroll along the waterfront for their engagement portrait session.

After meeting at the Long Warf Marriott, we headed outside where the Aquarium Imax theater caught our eye.  Following the waterfront, we headed south stopping at Schlegell’s steel sculpture for a bit of a rest before heading across the way to Long Warf.  By this time we were looking for a break from the brisk ocean breeze, so we stepped into the Boston Harbor Hotel, where upstairs, Meritage was empty and waiting.  After a  brief respite we were again ready to brave the outdoors. We headed across the bridge where Milena and Sam were the stars of their very own romance movie, and on to the courthouse lawn, where the late afternoon sun and the breathtaking views of the city skyline awaited us.  Then it was a couple more blocks to South Station where we, sadly, parted ways…for a few weeks, anyhow!

I love winter engagement sessions.  Especially winter engagement sessions where there is still snow on the ground.  Especially, especially winter engagement sessions where there is still snow on the ground in Boston!

Corrina, Aaron, and I met at Fenway Park, where the statue of Ted Williams was quick to show his mischievous side.  Then we took a lap around the park using the signature green background, and the historic nooks and crannies as the background for some romantic photos.  Along the way we discovered a great loading dock with an awesome little cart that was just waiting for someone to take a ride!  From there we headed out to the Fenway, looking for a little country in the middle of the city.  And we found it amongst the garden plots a block away from the ball field.  After taking advantage of the fantastic views of the Prudential Center, we followed the path through the snow into the reeds along a small pond, where the setting sun provided perfect light for the photos.  Finally we crossed an awesome little stone bridge to a park where an old building and an unbroken field of snow set us up for a rousing finish!

My awesome fall engagement portrait series continues with Christine & Pete’s session in Boston, MA.  Looking for great fall color, we decided to meet on the esplanade, where the trees were awash in golden leaves.  When we arrived, however, we discovered the leaves in a struggle to the death with the wind whipping off the Charles, so after a couple of photos near the water, we headed into the city looking for calmer waters.  Crossing over the footbridge, we headed up Charles Street, where a quaint little outdoor cafe and a really cool yellow house provided a couple of great backdrops.  It was then that the sun decided to peek out, so we headed to the Boston Common to take advantage of a little golden hour goodness.  Then up Beacon Hill to explore a few of the historic streets that the neighborhood offers.  I couldn’t resist incorporating a pair of skulls on an old iron fence, and Christine and Pete were game!