Thank you SO MUCH to those who I’ve been working with to schedule bridal sessions for the juxtaposition project. I’ve only released two edits out of the four we’ve shot so far, and already everyone seems to love the work. And those of you who have helped on the session, pointed people in my direction, and sent words of feedback and encouragement (you know who you are)… I LOVE YOU.

I have been making the first girls wait a bit while I get things in order, but now I am pleased to announce that the final design is in. I hired James Kershaw to design a graphic to work as a standalone and to layer over the juxtaposition photos… for display and for the BOOK PROJECT… and he did a fantastic job. I look forward to using this beautiful graphic.

Between weddings, travel, bridal shoots, and Boston boudoir photography, I am now completely booked solid until late September. I won’t be taking any new commissions until after I am back in the states and settled back after two weeks in Manchester, England for a wedding in August. September is a month of constant travel (Phoenix, Minneapolis, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, Long Island). Of note: it will be my first time in Minnesota.

I’d like to get together a few Phoenix boudoir sessions when I am there (September 21-26). Anyone know anyone out there?

As for the future, let’s just say Hawaii is on the books for December, and I’m already thinking about a very special boudoir project involving naughty santa goods in November. Candy canes and Santa hats, anyone?

And… I’d love to do a gallery installation with images from the juxtaposition project. I am working on a proposal right now.

Posted in boudoir, clients, fearless bridals, travel schedule, wedding 4 Comments »

I have been so lucky recently to meet and hang out with inspiring individuals. When I was passing through Connecticut a couple of weeks ago I stopped by to meet photographer Seshu Badrinath and his adorable big-eyed wunderchild Ketan… Seshu is also pursuing multi-ethnic wedding photography so it is a delight to know and talk with him. This weekend I was honored to have kickass Long Island photographer Laura Moakley, recently back from Ireland, come out all the way from NY to shoot with me in Lowell, MA for Christina and Phil’s Old Hollywood glam wedding set in a converted mill. And yesterday, delight of delights, I picked up Anne Ruthmann from her new diggs in Lowell and we went out to Amesbury to spend the afternoon with photographer Eric Laurits, who is just recently back from visiting a nudist camp (!!!). And I can say this about Anne and Eric: I kicked their booties at Set.

I feel blessed to know such wonderful individuals.

Posted in destination, inspiration, travel schedule 1 Comment »

Hey guys! I just finished a crazy week with a ton of shooting, and this weekend I am off to Connecticut to shoot a wedding with another photographer. I’ll be away from email and won’t be able to get through any more photo sessions until next week. I know several of you are waiting to see your photos from our superfun shoots.

I want to leave you with a hilarious link. Photobombers. Which one is your favorite? I love the one of the girls jumping on the beach.

Posted in personal, travel schedule No Comments »

So I’m just chillin’ in the waiting area of Sovereign Volkswagen in Hicksville, New York. Hicksville is ideally situated down the road from Muttonville, if you were wondering. My little Golf is being cleaned up from a factory recall on VW brake light malfunctions… basically I had to manually override the Automatic Shift Lock to get here. That’s the thing that won’t let you shift out of park unless your foot is on the break.

I still don’t really get the culture out here — it’s kind of remote, but I know real estate is crazy expensive. And yet I don’t get any cell phone reception? That close to NYC? Really? I am under the impression that Long Islanders are extremely loyal to this place, staying for life and choosing wedding vendors from amongst the tried and true. It’s just unlike any place I have ever been.

I’m kind of self-conscious about any establishment where you leave your car key with some guy who then rolls down your window and leaves the key in the car unattended in a parking lot. I mean, I have equipment in there! I can’t exactly lug everything into this tiny waiting area but you can be sure my cameras and computer are with me. And yay for open wireless in the dealership. That’s a nice perk. I must say, though, that I have never seen MAXIM and BLENDER mags displayed in a public waiting area.

So this is another miscellaneous post. I actually signed on to share two links I think are great. First, I have Dolly Couture, which offers vintage style, custom made wedding dresses for less than $500. I’m a fan of the eccentric fabric flaps on the ‘marin county’ in particular.

The second link of wonderfulness is a new wedding magazine I picked up from a newsstand in Jamaica Center station in NYC. BridesNoir seems to be based out of Chicago and Atlanta from what I can tell… it’s been around for a few years, but I have never seen it. I was absolutely delighted to see a magazine full of brides and ads featuring darker skin tones. Yum.

Posted in inspiration, personal, travel schedule 3 Comments »

I’m currently taking a few days in New York for Leanna & Willie’s wedding, so for all intents and purposes I am away from email and telephone access until Tuesday.

I’m staying in Long Island and I love it out here every time I come. There’s something special about the juxtaposition of the trees and winding roads with nearby crazy megalopolis NYC that brings some calm into the frenzy.

I’ll be taking the train into the city tomorrow to do photos in the Red Hook district of Brooklyn and I am more than excited about that.

AND, here’s a tease for Robin and Erik. We’ve been dialoguing over the photos via facebook for the past 20 minutes - that girl is perpetually online! She’s actually the first client to find me and make me a facebook friend, and it kind of weirded me out at first. Now I am friending people left and right.

Here’s my favorite and her favorite so far:

Posted in clients, travel schedule, wedding 2 Comments »

Hi everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that I will be out of state for a few days for my first visit to Wisconsin. Today I am flying into Appleton to visit another photographer friend who has commissioned me to do my first “destination boudoir” session. (That idea makes me giggle a little.) I’ll also be shooting a wedding with Amy and doing some family portraits. It’s a great honor to be chosen by another photographer.

Back in Boston on Tuesday!

[Carousel outside New York Public Library.]

Posted in boudoir, clients, destination, personal, travel schedule, wedding No Comments »

If you’re interested in scheduling a boudoir session, I am available on the following days. Sessions take place in the greater Boston area unless noted, but we travel to surrounding areas as well.

MAY
26/27 - Akron, OH

JUNE
still looking for an organizer for a June discounted group session

1
2-5
8 Newport, RI
12-16 Chicago
19/20
24
26-28

JULY
2-7 NYC or Long Island
9/10
11/13 Greenwich, CT
13
15
18
22, 24
26/27
31

AUGUST
1-3
11-21 Manchester, England
22-26 San Jose/San Francisco
27-28

Individual sessions are currently $250. You can reach me at rachel@mergeweddings.com for more information or to check availability.

Posted in boudoir, destination, travel schedule No Comments »