Wow. I just finished watching this video coverage of one of the best toasts I have ever seen. It’s like a photographer’s dream, and nightmare all at the same time. If you’re planning something this elaborate, let me know so I can bring about eighteen assistants along for the ride (or else I might be forced to round up all those uncles with cameras!!)

It might load a little slowly since all of the weddingbee girls are now checking it out too, but you have to take a few minutes to watch this video.

Posted in inspiration, wedding No Comments »

I decided to go for a cinematic flavor when I edited the images I took on Saturday.

Angelica set up that first shot and I was so floored with the elegance of the bride in a normal stairwell. I want to study that image forever.

Posted in destination, wedding 3 Comments »

Not only was this past Saturday my birthday, but I had the chance to spend the day with one of the photographers whose work I admire the most… in a city full of exceptional people, NYC’s absolutely kickass Angelica Glass is among the best in wedding photography. To me, that’s like saying someone is the valedictorian of MIT. She’s that good.

I assisted Angelica in shooting the most beautiful outdoor ceremony in a field full of cherry trees in full bloom in the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. And… I got to shoot one of my favorite wedding moments… when the father is right about to walk his daughter down the aisle. There’s this quiet unspoken intimacy and emotion. He’s always proud and excited, and she’s always nervous and just about to lose it. I love the warmth and strength that is almost tangible from that center point where their arms are joined:

I had so much fun watching Angelica work; she has this fascinating way of making her brides look dramatic and glamorous and sexy and demure…. how in the world does she do that? Well, now that I’ve carried her bags for a day I am starting to understand. I look forward to watching Angelica become one of NYC’s premiere celebrity wedding photographers.

I have a special place in my heart for the woman who caught the bouquet and then got the garter. She was adorable. Best garter application in the history of all the weddings I’ve shot so far. Mad props to that gal. She’d be the perfect retro pin-up model!

[ here is angelica's post about the wedding ]

Posted in destination, inspiration, wedding No Comments »

Hey everyone! We just got back from a crazy weekend celebrating my birthday and shooting with Angelica Glass in NYC.

Since I was away this weekend I haven’t yet been able to go through them all, but let’s just say the shots that I’ve peeked at from the boudoir sessions two weeks ago kicked some major patootie. We’re currently scheduling boudoir sessions in the Boston area as well as Rhode Island and other surrounding areas. Email rachel@mergeweddings.com to check on availability and reserve your spot.

thanks for letting me post these supah-sexy photos, ladies.

Posted in boudoir, clients 1 Comment »

I just read a post on weddingbee that has information about a new bus line (BOLT) that offers free wifi, plugs for your laptop, and is selling some promo seats from Boston-NYC for $1!

[ weddingbee post here ]

Posted in personal 1 Comment »

Sarah and Michael are my first non-Saturday wedding couple for 2008. Oh how I love nonSaturdays!

We got together to do a mini photo session a couple of weeks ago and used the beautiful little campus of Merrimack College in North Andover, MA right near their home for our photos. They have this amazing old tree…

[ more photos here ]

Posted in clients, engagements No Comments »

We just got the nicest note in the mail yesterday! I love handwritten correspondence.

Dear Rachel and Tricia,

I just wanted to thank you both for making my boudoir session one of the best, most empowering experiences of my life! I walked in apprehensive but left feeling confident and amazing. I can’t thank you enough for such a gift. I can’t wait to see the results!

- A very satisfied client, M

Posted in boudoir, clients No Comments »

So, many of you know I was married at the end of February. One cool thing about being a wedding photographer is that not only do you get to pick the best of the best for your own photographer, but your friends are all crazy talented too.

One of my favorite wedding blogs is Offbeat Bride. So imagine how excited I got when Ariel blogged a couple of my friend Amy’s photos! Check out our very own Offbeat Bride blog entry!

You might also remember that a photo from one of my Ohio weddings was blogged awhile ago. (Bad-ass wedding officiant.)

If you’re planning your wedding and having any doubts about choosing some nontraditional options, check out Ariel’s book, Offbeat Bride. I got it from the Cambridge Public Library last year and it’s a great read!

Posted in personal 2 Comments »

Is there anything sweeter than a Monday holiday combined with a bunch of friends eating the brunch your husband organized and prepared? Our new couch finally got some lovin’ by a bunch of good people yesterday.

My mom ran marathons regularly when I was growing up so I am very familiar to the entire subculture and their healthy eating habits and early morning discipline… cheering runners along at the rough parts of the route, and watching carefully so you don’t miss your friend or spouse… making your kids t-shirts with enthusiastic messages, and jumping in to run awhile with that person who might be getting a bit tired. Shouting names at the runners who have written their nicknames on their shirts or drawn it down their biceps, and looking at each other in wonder at the oldest living being who is still going along steadily at mile 25. I am particularly inspired by the oldsters who can run a marathon. Dang!

One of the visual draws to our Boston Marathon is this weird juxtaposition between the cheering, brightly colored masses along the marathon route and the beautiful blooming trees that line Commonwealth Avenue and bust into bloom every year in a punctual manner for all of the city’s marathon visitors to enjoy. I get so distracted by those wonderful trees I kind of forget about the marathon even though… how can you not notice something so big and brash and loud?

So, if you want to see a bunch of photos of the blooms, and my strange take on the marathon runners and crowds, check out these photos.

Posted in inspiration, personal 1 Comment »

I met some photographers in February and we did some photo shoots in Napa. I mostly worked with one model (beautiful Kayla) but whenever Kayla was changing outfits I would photograph whomever was around. This model had the biggest, poofiest dress ever.

So here’s the dilemma. I have a few miscellaneous, almost-forgotten photos. They’re reasonably interesting, but don’t really have a purpose in the way most of my photos do. So what’s a girl to do? I added some crazy processing and experimented. Thought you might be interested to check out the results.

[ view more photos ]

Posted in destination No Comments »