* emilie inc.: Tara + Sean's engagement session at Fenway Park

An engagement shoot in Fenway Park?!  Sign me up.  I was psyched when I learned Tara and Sean had access to a sky box at the ball park.  And during the Frozen Fenway event, no less -- an ice hockey rink is thrown on the field for collegiate games (Maine beat BU, my grad school alma mater, that day).  Ironically, it was a balmy 60 degrees and raining that day, not dumping snow and frigid like you'd imagine an event like that to be.  However, I think Tara, Sean, and I welcomed the warmth.  We were limited to the sky box for photos, but it was still so cool to shoot there -- we had plenty of photos to make and not enough time.  We wanted to make sure to hit the other spots in their former Boston neighborhoods that also had meaning to them.

While the rain was a bummer, they were such troopers traipsing around the city.  We made it to all the locations they wanted photos at, and they even had time to grab a beer at one of their favorite pubs, 21st Amendment.  Tara took full advantage of stealing snuggles and smooches from Sean throughout the day.  And while Sean says he's not a fan of public displays of affection, I am certain that deep down he did not mind one bit :)

I am photographing their September wedding at Bald Peak in Moultonborough, NH and can't wait to meet both their families!  Tara's mother is so excited for these two, she made a save-the-date sign for them to take a photo with.  After our engagement session, Sean and Tara were headed to Sean's brother's house for the Patriots football game.  They were told to bring festive signature cocktails and Sean impressed me with his array of red, white (well, clear), and blue vodka-themed recipes he concocted.  See what I mean? I can't wait to meet everyone!  September will be here before we know it! 

Enjoy planning in the meantime, Tara and Sean!  I know your wedding will be just as fun as your engagement session was -- can't wait!

Please click here to see the original post on emile inc.'s blog.

* emilie inc.: Published in WellWed Magazine

Had a wonderful, fun inspiration shoot with WellWed Magazine.  The emilie inc. team tackled the shoot full-on.  These are always neat things for us to do in between the busy wedding season.  I was shocked I landed the cover, amongst others throughout the issue.  Nice job to all all the vendors involved - such a nice spread!

Please click here to see more photos and read the full list of vendors involved on the shoot.

* MRG Climbing '60s Theme Night!

A groovy good time climbing at the MRG for sixties theme night!  Jimmy Hendrix even came to boulder!

Click here for more photos!

* Inseparable: the story of my parents (and Bob + Selina)

No, my parents' names are not Bob and Selina.  They are Jim and Candy.  But both couples have taught me an enormous amount about what commitment means, in both life and love.  Both couples share an inseparable bond to each other that is unwavering, uncommon, and undeniably amazing.  

Today is my parents' 41st wedding anniversary, and I (and my brother living overseas in Japan) congratulate them on such a feat.  Forty.  One.  Years.  That is more years than I have been alive in this world.  I respect them for the commitment they have made to each other, the life they have built and lived together, and how they continue to evolve.  I thank them for being such wonderful, loving, encouraging, and supportive parents.  They have set the bar high in marriage, parenting, and life; a bar that I'm not sure I'll ever be able to live up to, but admire greatly and will try my hardest to reach.

I admire Bob and Selina similarly.  They have been married 58 years.  I had the pleasure of meeting this couple during the Roots Workshop (a documentary storytelling workshop that is coming to Maine this year!  Just like my other alma mater, the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, the Roots Workshop is another must for photo storytelling).  My second year attending Roots, I was able to document these talented and influential artists in their day-to-day life now on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.  I struck up a relationship with them that went beyond Roots, and I subsequently visited them after the workshop to interview them, collect audio, meet their family, and document more moments in photos.  As with my parents, I feel lucky to witness this type of commitment.  I witness so many couples at the start of their commitment as a wedding photographer, which is an amazing choice in itself.  But to see couples who are 41 and 58 years into that commitment is quite phenomenal.  And to hear what they have to say about each other is also just as moving. 

So on my parents wedding anniversary, I thought it fitting for me to make an official post for the little multimedia film I produced on Bob and Selina that I didn't write about when I finished it earlier this year.  It is quite lengthy, about 45 minutes with credits, but I hope you take the time to watch it all.  Turn your speakers up for the audio and music.  Selina's voice is quiet at times, as it was hard for her to project, and I tried to balance her audio in the edit, but it's still a little strained in parts.  I think the audio might have more of an impact on me, but coupled with the still images, I suppose, delivers even more impact.  However, I was the one documenting it all, so I realize I may have a skewed perspective.  I always welcome comments and feedback on any of my work, so feel free to share your perspective with me.

A special thank you to Robert Henry and Selina Trieff -- for letting me into their lives and letting their guard down; for speaking the most honest, heartfelt words I have ever heard anyone say about another person as well as the most raw, truthful words I have heard anyone say about themselves; and for embracing me wholly, far beyond what my camera and audio recorder offer.

Thank you for teaching me the importance you place on art, life, and love.  The weight of this trinity you carry daily, because you have to, you need to.  It is your resolve and who each of you are.

You both inspire me to want to live a life as meaningful and fulfilled as you continue to do so -- as inseparable partners to both each other and your art.

Additional thanks go to the wonderful family and friends of Bob and Selina who helped me to tell this story -- Robert Rindler and his partner James; Chris Duff and his partner Mark; Judy Yorio and the staff at Willy's World Gym; Berta Walker and the Berta Walker Gallery; Dick Miller; Carmen Cicero; Marshall Wood; Donna Byrne; Provincetown Art Association Museum; Sarah Henry and family Michael, Molly, and Emma; Jane Henry and family Tobin Harshaw, Truitt, and Etta; Patrons of Friday Night Summer Art Walks in Wellfleet, MA; Boston University's College of Communication; and the Roots Workshop.