Sunset Maternity Session and a Little Announcement

Capturing "the belly" when you are pregnant with your first baby can be such a special way to prepare in those last few weeks of nesting. Deciding on the outfits, the colors, the location, and even planning the look and theme so that the images will look perfect inside your home are all part of the overall maternity session experience. I like to involve my clients in the process of planning as much as possible, so when Sara contacted me about doing her maternity session and had questions about what to wear, I got really excited. After a few emails back and forth, we had the session and location planned, and the weather (and sunlight!) could not have been more perfect.

Sara even brought along a couple of special items to incorporate into the photos, making these images extra-special and nursery wall-worthy. An ultrasound printout and a wooden letter 'M' for Maddox were great elements to work into some of the images and ended up being among my personal favorites.

Sara was brave enough to follow along with me into some tall grass (as long as we didn't see any snakes, we were good!) and with the golden sunlight going down behind the tree line, all the elements came together for some perfect portraits of just Sara and her sweet little baby bump.

Just a few weeks later, little Maddox made his arrival, and his mom sent me an email telling me how over the moon she is in love with her little boy. Congratulations again, and I cannot wait to meet him!

Now, for a little announcement regarding Sweet Events. For a few months now, I've been juggling my business under two separate names - Sweet Events for portraits, families, babies and maternity, and Ever After for engagements, beauty sessions, and weddings. I have decided that I am going to combine all my work under one name, Ever After Photography, for ease and simplicity. My current website, www.everafterweddingsvermont.com will soon change over to www.everaftervermont.com. Follow me on Facebook - www.facebook.com/sweeteventsphotography - to keep posted on when the big switch is happening. Happy Friday, friends!

Sweet Julianna

Having always been a "baby person", I get such a thrill when someone contacts me to photograph their baby. And as much as I thrive on the buzz and excitement that is a wedding day, I also crave the contentment and hushed softness of a newborn shoot. When Nicole asked me to do Julianna's newborn session after I did the family's maternity session, I was grinning from ear to ear. It is a special honor for me to work with a client throughout milestones in their family.

Julianna was ten days old the day of the session, and completely perfect. She snuggled right in my arms and let me rock/bounce her to sleep. She was out in two minutes! But before we did the sleepy newborn shots, we did get a few family photos in, along with proud big sister Maddy.

I look forward to seeing lots more of this beautiful family throughout the years!

To book your own in-home newborn session, email me at sweeteventsvt@gmail.com.

Mommy and Son Session

I'm so behind on blogging! I guess it is sort of a good thing - being so busy with sessions and weddings that I haven't had the time to sit down and blog. Add in a very busy summer with lots of visitors, and I just got so overwhelmed that the blog got neglected. So my apologies - some of the upcoming posts will be from sessions that happened a couple months ago. I hope you don't mind!

This Mommy and Me session is one Laurie and I had been talking about for a while, and finally we both found time in our busy schedules to meet up. Her son, Cutler, was in my daughter's class at school last year so we have gotten to know each other in those months. Laurie had told me that they did not have a lot of photos of her and Cutler together (story of a mom's life - always taking photos and never getting in them!) and she wanted to get some up on their walls before time got away from them. This is something I am very passionate about - it doesn't matter if it's just a snapshot, if your hair doesn't look perfect, or if you aren't feeling "camera-ready". Get in the picture, mommas! Twenty years from now, you won't regret it.

What you will remember is how wonderful it was when your children were little, and how glad you are to have that moment in time captured forever with you in it. Believe me, I truly hate being in front of the lens and always pick apart my appearance on camera. But even now, I look back on photos taken of me when my children were just babies; I don't mind the chubby post-pregnancy cheeks or the bags under my eyes so much. I'm just thrilled to have a tangible memory of me with my greatest loves.

Laurie and Cutler, it was such a pleasure doing this session with you. I hope that I achieved exactly what you were hoping for in capturing your special mother/son relationship in these images.

To book your own Mommy and Me session, please email me at sweeteventsvt@gmail.com.

Sunset Maternity Session

I'm a gushy kind of person, I just can't help it. I love what I do, and I love meeting new people. So when I met up with this little family, who are expecting their second little girl any day now, I felt incredibly lucky that Nicole found me last minute to take their maternity/family photos. They were adorable, all dressed in mint (my favorite!), and their little girl Maddy is so incredibly cute I could not stop smiling.

Admittedly, I did bribe her a bit in the beginning with some Smarties, but Maddy quickly warmed up to me and the camera. She started a little game of chase, telling herself to "come back here you little rascal!" (wonder if she hears that a lot? haha!). While she ran behind me for a quick second, I managed to grab a couple shots of Nicole and Mike by themselves, which was especially fitting since we did the session on their wedding anniversary!

We packed up the blanket and moved to a different spot, since the light was gorgeous and their was a perfect little field nearby. I gave Maddy a little break to play with Daddy, and shot a couple of images of Nicole and her sweet baby bump.

She really is such a stunning mama-to-be, isn't she?! She most definitely has the glow that you hear about, and she is all baby. 

Maddy couldn't stay away from Mommy for long, so I swooped her into the field with Nicole for some shots. This is true love, right here:

Of course, we can't leave Daddy out. They had to show me their special Maddy and Daddy kiss. Prepare for your heart to melt:

I really, truly had an amazing time with this sweet family and am so glad they were referred to me by another client of mine. Now hurry up, new baby, so we can have another session together! 

One more, because I just can't help myself, and because this one gives me goosebumps:

Happy Monday friends! 

A Fun Family Session

You want to know what makes me incredibly happy? Repeat clients! Right before Mother's Day, I was contacted by Melissa, whose wedding I shot last September. She and her sisters wanted to gift her mom with a family session, and I was thrilled to do it. For one, Melissa has become a great friend of mine, and her entire family is a delight. I knew we would have a blast together, and it certainly doesn't hurt that they are all gorgeous!

We scheduled for a Sunday afternoon in June, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. The sun was shining, there was a little breeze, and a few wispy clouds here and there in the blue sky. I was a little bit giddy to find out that they had a giant swing set in the yard, with two over-sized wooden swings as well as a bench swing. Now I'm dreaming up having a big swing in my own backyard...

We started out with a few shots of the whole family under some shady trees, then the girls dismissed Dad so he could go hang out where it was cooler. He tried to convince them to do some photos with "the Jag" but all three daughters groaned and rolled their eyes at him. I could tell this was a running joke in the family, and sure enough, they told me that their dad always tried to get them to ride in his vintage Jaguar when they were all in school but that was "far too embarrassing" for the teenagers they were at the time.

So the four ladies headed over to the swings, and I started snapping away. Melissa's sisters, Heather and April, made me nervous with how high they were swinging! They told me their dad got the swing set when a playground updated their equipment, when they were all younger and living at home. It is so perfect sitting out their on the big lawn, and I can only imagine how much fun that was for the young girls to have that to play on. I moved all four of them onto the bench swing for a few shots, and what do you know - Dad came cruising around the corner in the Jag! It was so completely unexpected, and we all just cracked up. Luckily I got control of myself long enough to grab a photo.

The property had no shortage of perfect spots for photos. A big wooden horse barn, the swing set, the stunning view...I wish I could set up camp there permanently! But truly, the subjects were what made this one of the most fun sessions I have ever done. The family is warm and loving with one another, with just enough teasing and banter to keep things lively. And of course, it doesn't hurt that they are all beautiful!

It was getting pretty hot towards the end of the session, so we grabbed a few more shots on the swings, then headed into the shade for some ice water and chatted for a bit.

I had so much fun that it was hard to bring myself to leave, but I knew Melissa and April had to get on the road to head back to Boston, and the rest of the bunch were going boating to finish out the day. It was so rewarding to visit with them all and take fun family photos at their amazing home. I certainly hope that I will have many more opportunities to photograph them all in the future!

Happily Ever After

Although I have only been a wedding photographer for a couple of years, people who have known me for a long time know that my relationship with the wedding business goes way back. I fell in love with the bridal industry at the tender age of nineteen, when I landed a summer job as a sales consultant at a local bridal shop. From my very first day there, I knew that I had found something that made me feel more "me" than I had ever felt before. I thrived on helping brides find their perfect wedding gown, thrilled at designing window displays, and got giddy over taking part in choosing stock orders. I went on to work in four other bridal shops, one of them being a store that I co-owned with my aunt. At times it could be a very trying, emotional career, but I can truly say that every day I felt incredibly lucky to be even a small part of the most special day of people's lives.

It's been over a dozen years since I started on that path in the wedding world, and I am happy to say that my path has now evolved into being the photographer, the capturer of memories, for many couples on their wedding day. I still feel as much of a thrill when I hear from a new bride via email as I used to feel when a bride walked into the door of whatever shop I was working in at the time. I get excited when I meet with a client and we start discussing the special details of the wedding being planned. I get butterflies in my stomach the night before I shoot a wedding, and I have an adrenaline rush while the bride gets into her gown and I'm snapping away. Words cannot begin to express how thankful I am to have found a career that I love so very much.

So it is with great excitement that I announce that I am creating a new, bridal-focused photography business called Ever After. I will still be doing portraits and lifestyle sessions under the Sweet Events name, but all weddings/engagements/boudoir and beauty sessions will be under the new Ever After business. I debated over this decision for a long time, but I really want to create a brand and a focus that reflects my deep love for all things bridal. When I started Sweet Events, all I knew was that I wanted to be a photographer, and I was eager to get started. I've learned a lot along the way, and one of the most important things I have learned is that my work really shines when I let myself just be "me". And who is that "me"? Well, I'm a fairy-tale loving girl at heart, who just loves to be involved in weddings. If I lived in a more metropolitan area, I'd probably add wedding planner permanently to my resume as well. I'm detail-oriented, creative, and I thrive on the energy of other people. All this adds up to creating this new business, Ever After, so that I can fulfill my dream of having a successful photography studio in a rural area, and so I can put "me" out there for the world to see. 

My new website is still under construction, and I'll have a big unveiling when that is finished (be prepared for a stunning new logo custom designed by the amazing Jenny Woodward of NYC!). But for now, I hope you'll be happy with a few images from my recent Fairy Tale Photo shoot, designed and executed by me, assisted by the incredible Kerri Oakes of Simply Planned. I had so much support along the way from local vendors, and I can't thank them enough for participating in this dream photo session. My gorgeous model was my friend Rachael Anne, and I think she embodied everything you could expect from a fairy tale princess bride. Her hair was done by Tierney Routhier of the new Granite City Styles in Barre, and her gown and accessories came from K's Bridal and Formal Wear (the gown is "Belle" by Alfred Angelo for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings). That stunning peony bouquet was designed and made by Christina of The Pretty Petal - I was so in love with that bouquet! The adorable (and delicious!) cake was made by Maureen's Sweet Treats of Barre, and the table and gold Chiavari chairs came from Rain or Shine Events in Randolph. Our fairy tale location was The Lodge at Millstone Hill in East Barre - a hidden gem of a wedding location for sure! All of the styled elements came from me (such as the "ever after" banners on the chairs, the cake stand and cake toppers, and the vintage books) and from Kerri (such as the antique goblets and cake server). 

This special photo shoot was a dream come true for me, and I really hope to do many more in the future. The most exciting part of all, though?! Vermont Bride has chosen to feature some of my images from the session in their upcoming July Look Book! I am over the moon, and I could not have done it without the help from all the fabulous vendors and friends listed above. So without further ado, here is a little sneak preview of some of the images...

Keep checking back, I will certainly be letting everyone know when the new website is live, and when the full session is feature in Vermont Bride! And if you want to be one of the first to book an Ever After wedding, email me at everafterweddingsvt@gmail.com!

Jordy and Alton - Married!

Young and in love. These two are just as sweet as a couple can possibly get, and I feel so lucky to have captured their wedding day. It was a whirlwind weekend for them, as they had their wedding on Friday, then Alton graduated from Norwich University on Saturday, commissioned as an officer in the Navy on Sunday, and then Monday Alton and Jordy had to part ways to their separate bases. They squeezed a whole lotta love into that weekend though, and it comes through in the photos.

Even though I only met Jordy and Alton the week of the wedding, as the wedding day unfolded I felt like I had a firm grasp of who they are as a couple. They incorporated some very special elements into their day that speak volumes about their spirit and love for each other. And these little details are what truly make for a spectacular and memorable wedding day.

Before the ceremony even began, I got a glimpse into Jordy and Alton's mutual generosity as well as their fun-loving natures. Alton sent a gift over to Jordy via his sister Dawn, as he was getting ready in one part of the church and Jordy was getting ready in another room in the back. Her face lit up as she opened the box, and she gave me the story behind the bracelet and charm that was inside.

Apparently when Alton asked Jordy's parents for her hand, Jordy's mom jokingly asked him if he was presenting a dowry. So, Alton purchased a goat from Heifer International to be donated in their names to a family in need. Hence the goat charm on Jordy's wedding-day bracelet. How incredibly adorable and sweet is that?!

Besides the fact that it is a gorgeous church, it was also special that Jordy and Alton said their vows at Hedding Church since that is where they both volunteered every Friday night during college in the soup kitchen. The reverend knows them both well, and the ceremony was incredibly special and touching. Before their vows, they repeated some lines from a verse called "These Are the Hands". Those are the moments when I am so glad I have a big old camera to hide behind, as I undoubtedly get teary during every wedding ceremony I attend.

It's hard for me to narrow down my absolute favorite part of a wedding day, but I do have to say that the vows are right up there on the top of my list. You can always see the love and beautiful promise of the years ahead of a couple during the vows. It is a blessing to be able to capture it, and I treasure these images among my most favorite of every wedding that I photograph.

Another part of the wedding day that I really love is when I get a little bit of time with the couple by themselves to do some formal/fun portraits. We had been keeping an eye on the the weather, as the forecast called for rain during the afternoon. Luckily the rain didn't fall, and cloudy skies were perfect lighting for the portraits. We got a few shots in the park across the street from the church, then headed to the lodge for the reception. We quickly got some portraits on the golf course before the couple had to head inside for introductions, and Jordy had brought along a giant checkerboard she was hoping to use for some photos. They didn't have time for a real game, but it was nice for them to be able to sit and relax together for a few minutes before they had to be back in the spotlight at their reception.

As the photographer, it is often the case that you take a quick twenty-minute break during dinner to eat a few bites quickly in a back room or corner. At that point, I am usually famished and lagging, and that little break makes a big difference in upping my energy for the reception. I was incredibly lucky at Jordy and Alton's reception to be invited and welcomed at the bride's family table during dinner, and I can't even begin to explain how much fun I had sitting and talking with her grandmother! The whole family was so warm and talkative and my assistant Kerri and I had a great time sitting with them. (By the way, having Kerri help me at this wedding was AMAZING!)

Another incredibly special touch at their wedding was Jordy's surprise groom's cake for Alton. Apparently before they even started dating, the two of them would play the game Plants vs. Zombies together. Jordy had their baker make a themed cake with characters and details from the game. Amazing!!!

Jordy also surprised Alton by having a friend bring a whole bunch of sparklers to the reception for a neat little photo-op. The DJ called for everyone to follow the couple outside and we got some shots with everyone lined up with their sparklers and the newlyweds in the middle. Pure magic. I highly recommend doing this at your reception, it makes for some really special photos.

Oh, and one last detail to note: check out the bride's boots. She opted against heels and went with her super-fab, perfectly broken-in cowboy boots instead.

Congratulations to Jordy and Alton - I know the two of you are far apart from each other right now, and I really hope that these photos help bring back some of the special moments of your beautiful wedding day.

Karin and Matt - Engagement

Ahhhh, wedding season. It's finally here, after months of cold and bleak weather when hardly anyone wants to get married. Now that the green grass has arrived and we have lots more sunshine, it is the perfect opportunity for photo sessions, and I had the pleasure of meeting up with engaged couple Karin and Matt at their new home for an outdoor shoot.

This couple is adorable, seriously. You can tell just by watching them that they are so in love and cannot wait for their wedding. I can't wait either! From the sound of it, the reception is going to be a rollicking party, and I get to be the lucky one who captures it all. Not that I want to rush this summer by at all, but I do truly look forward to taking more beautiful images of this couple on their wedding day in October.

Now, without further ado, here are some of my favorites from their engagement session:

Congratulations again, Karin and Matt, enjoy the next few months of planning!