Sudbury Grist Mill Fall Family Photos | Lindsay

Our original photo date at the Grist Mill in Sudbury was rained out and I’m so glad we rescheduled for the next day! Little kids do so well with sunrise sessions too, that’s usually their best time of day. Mr L was all smiles and would rather explore but he did so well!

Wellesley College Fall Family Photo Session | Meredith

Wellesley College Fall Family Photos

My friend Andrea referred Meredith and her adorable family to me and we had a great time taking maternity photos and photos for W’s second birthday! Mr W has the most incredible blue eyes and he loved playing in the leaves at Wellesley College! fall is in the air and I think the foliage is going to peak early this year. I have a favorite spot to take family photos at Wellesley College, the light is perfect and soon the trees will be a glowy yellow/orange!

Wellesley College Fall Family Photos | Laura T

I’m prepping for my fall photo season this year and I realized I have a few blog posts from my Wellesley College Fall Mini Sessions last year that I haven’t shared! The T family looked like they could be in a Kiel James Patrick ad and the girls were so sweet and loving with their little brother! We lucked out on the foliage and found the most glorious yellow tree on the Wellesley College campus. I can’t wait to shoot more photos sessions at the college this fall, it’s one of my favorite spots!

Public Safety Photos at Goddard Park 2019

Today was the 4th annual Free Photos for Public Safety Families at Goddard Park in Warwick! Once again Kate Taylor of Polar Square Designs put together a wonderful event. The rain held off but it was quite humid! It was so nice to see a lot of familiar faces from the previous years, I love watching families grow! We had quite a few new additions this year too.

Franklin Cranberry Bog Family Photos | Andrea

Andrea suggested The Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog in Franklin, MA for Matthew’s two year old photos and I’d say she picked the perfect spot! Matt was mostly interested in the bark mulch and he even shared a few pieces with me! He also has a backhoe toy that he’s obsessed with. It was so cute how he carefully scooped the ground over and over! Towards the end of our session we got some of that glorious back lighting that I love. Thank you so much Andrea and Frank for letting me document your family, I love watching Matt grow up!

Newport RI Birthday Trip 2019

We went to Newport, RI for my birthday earlier this month and while it was a little breezy we had a great time! I have a season pass to all the mansions but I hadn’t visited Rosecliff in a few years. I love the intricate architecture and the beautiful outdoor pergola!

We tried walking along Easton Beach but it was extremely windy! So we headed downtown and wandered around the side streets. Later we ate dinner at Smoke House, it’s only open in the warmer weather because it has open sides! They have the best Sangria and Mac and Cheese.

Have you toured any of the mansions? My favorites are definitely the Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House but Chateau Ser Mer and Rosecliff also have a rich and interesting history.

Wellesley College Spring Photo Session | Maria

I really wanted some spring lifestyle photos at Wellesley College in the Magnolia blooms and my beautiful friend Maria graciously modeled for me! Her tropical print dress and jean jacket went perfectly with the soft pink flowering trees.

Boston Spring Family Photo Outfit Inspiration

Boston Spring Family Photo Outfit Inspiration

Spring is in the air! We’re just about to move into mud season and I couldn’t be happier! If you have spring family photos coming up in the Boston area I’ve compiled outfit color palettes to make dressing your family a little easier! I also use Style & Select for my clients. It’s free for them to use and they can select their outfits and purchase new pieces right from the site!

Wellesley College Family Photo Session

The Schwartz family perfectly coordinated in shades of blue, purple, and brown!

Arnold Arboretum Spring Family Photo Session

The Ferguson Family mix and matched pink, blue, brown, and white.

Wellesley College Family Photo Session

Little E’s magenta fur coat was the star of this session!

Wellesley College Family Photo Session

Blues and yellows are a great option for a family with boys and girls

Boston Branding Photography Session | Lizzy Colombo

I recently did a branding session for Lizzy Colombo of White Point Creative! She’s a Boston based graphic designer who works with lots of restaurants and wanted some fresh images for her new website. Her friend graciously lent us her gorgeous South Boston apartment and we had a fun morning shooting “working” photos. This was my first branding shoot and it was so much fun! I loved working with another creative and coming up with fun shots.

Wellesley Fall Family Photos | Hulme

The Hulme family was a blast to work with at their Wellesley College family photo session this past fall! I love the brother’s matching shirts and their soft color palate works well for fall or spring!

Should You Have a First Look?

If you’re planning out your wedding day timeline you might have been asked by your planner or photographer if you want to do a first look. If you’re on the fence or want to know the benefits of a first look than keep reading!

Still looking for a wedding photographer in the New England area? Let’s see if we’re a match!

First of all what is a first look?

It’s when the couple has a prearranged time to see each other before the ceremony. You’ll have a private moment to hug, talk, laugh, and kiss without any pressure. You’ll get to fully take each other in. And your photographers will be there to capture the whole thing for you to relive later!

As a photographer I love first looks and here’s why:

1. LIGHTING

If you’re getting married in the fall/winter with a later ceremony time it will be next to impossible to get light and bright outdoor photos after the ceremony. First looks also give you more time together! If you wait to see each other until the altar you’ll go right from the ceremony to photos to the reception with little time to talk or hang out with your guests.

2. LOGISTICS

Logistically it makes sense as I can get all of the important family and bridal party photos done before the ceremony. This way you and your family will actually be able to enjoy cocktail hour!

3. KEEP YOUR FAMILY FOCUSED

It’s much easier to keep people focused before the food and alcohol are served. If your guests are big drinkers it can be hard to corral people for photos once the alcohol and food come out. (You know which relative I’m talking about!)

4. SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN

Everyone's hair and makeup is fresher before the ceremony (especially in the summer)

5. ALL THE FEELINGS

It actually gives you 2 emotional moments together during the day. If either of you is very emotional the first look is when your photographer can really capture the facial expressions/tears. You could truly focus all of your attention on each other without an audience.

6. WORRIED ABOUT RUINING THE AISLE MOMENT?

In my experience it doesn't take away from the 'walking down the aisle' moment. When you round the corner with the music playing and catch that first glimpse of each other as you're about to commit to forever... everyone gets emotional! (Even me, I've cried at a stranger's wedding ;)

7. JUST CHILL

It can calm you down if you're nervous about walking down the aisle.

8. STRIKE A POSE

You’ll get more photos! With a first look we can do couples portraits before the ceremony as well as take a few more once you’re officially married!

Still don’t want to see each other before the ceremony?

Another option is a first look without seeing each other. If you look up 'blind first look' on Pinterest there's plenty of examples of a bride & groom holding hands around a door or standing back to back.

That would allow you to be together and talk before the ceremony (you could read letters to each other during this time too) but would save the big reveal for the aisle. If you have a videographer this will also give them great audio to overlay over your video.

All that being said, if either of you is still 100% against doing a first look that's your choice and your photographer should be happy to adjust the schedule to accommodate.

Are you getting married in the New England area and are looking for a light & bright wedding photographer?

Check out my wedding guide and let’s see if we’re a match!

Wellesley Fall family Photos | Sara

I’m catching up on my fall Wellesley College mini session blogging and today I’m sharing this wonderful family who had lots of personality and style! My favorite part of the session was Miss E’s amazing fur coat!

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you can make for your wedding (other than who you marry) and it can be stressful and overwhelming.

The photography industry is not formally regulated and there are no degrees or licenses needed to operate a business. There's also no set standard on pricing so packages can vary widely between photographers.

Oh, and there are approximately 1 million photographers per square mile. How then should you chose?

1. First Identify Your Style

If you're not artistically inclined it might feel difficult to identify your photographic style. Try this exercise to determine your preferences.

Make a private Pinterest board and pin wedding images that you love. Go crazy and pin as many as you want.

Now go through them and try to identify some patterns. Are the photos light and bright? Dark and moody? Do they have a film quality to them or look like they belong in a fashion magazine?

Some of the basic photography styles are:

Traditional/Classic: Think your parents wedding photos with everyone posed and smiling at the camera. There’s nothing wrong with this style and most photographers will take some photos where everyone is looking at the camera, but if you want all of your photos to be posed and formal a traditional photographer will be your best choice.

Photo Journalistic/Documentary: The stealth ninjas among photographers and the opposite of traditional photographers. If you just want candid photos of your day this style is for you. Photojournalists don't direct any of the action. There's no posing, just documenting.

Fine Art: Involves dramatic artistic angles, creative lighting, and unique perspectives.

Lifestyle: My personal favorite! Lifestyle photography has an editorial feel to it. The subjects are usually posed but in a way that looks natural and often with movement. I love posing couples and then have them interact to draw out natural emotion.

2. Determine your Budget

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. You can easily find someone to take your wedding photos for $500.

But… are you going to like them?

Generally speaking the price of the photography indicates the quality. Higher priced photographers usually have more experience, skill, and better equipment.

There are many different pricing structures that photographers offer and they should walk you through their packages and exactly what they entail.

Good photography is expensive and it’s a luxury service. But it’s also one of the few tangible things that will remain from your wedding day. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on a beautiful wedding and end up with photos you don’t love.

3. What Products Do You Want?

Some photographers only offer digital files. Some only offer printed products. Most offer a mix between the two.

While there is no wrong way to sell images to a client, make sure you are clear beforehand on what types of products your photographer sells.

Digital files are great to share on social media, but do you remember 3 1/2in floppy discs? What if all your images were on one, how would access them today? CD’s are almost obsolete, and even USB drives are being phased out!

Make sure you backup any digital files you receive on multiple devices. When you purchase a new device, be sure to transfer your photos!

Most photographers also offer heirloom quality print products. This is the best way to ensure your photos survive the generations.

4. Ask Friends for a Referral

If you loved the photographer from your cousin’s wedding ask for a referral!

Sometimes it’s easier to find a photographer through someone who has recently worked with one.

They’ll be able to tell you what it was like working with the photographer and if you love their photos they might be a good fit for you!

5. Do You Like and Trust Them?

In my opinion this is the most important thing to consider when looking for a photographer.

You’re going to pay this person a lot of money in the hopes that they will deliver beautiful images on one of your most important days.

You really need to like and trust this person to feel confident about your decision.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what lens they use or how many awards they’ve won.

Do they respond promptly to your communication?

Do they honestly and thoroughly answer your questions?

Do you like their personality enough to spend an entire day with them?

Will they love on your family and treat them with respect?
 

I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions about searching for a photographer or if you’re in the New England area and want a lifestyle wedding photographer I’d love to talk to you!

Boston Fan Pier and Fanueil Hall Elopement | Christine and Kyle

Christine and Kyle came up from Florida to elope in Boston and despite the cold we had the best time exploring all of the quintessential Boston spots! We started at Fan Pier in the Seaport, made a quick stop at the Boston Public Garden, and then headed to Acorn St on Beacon Hill. Afterwards we went to Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market where the giant Christmas tree and twinkly lights were the perfect backdrop.

I loved the details they included to make the day special, Christine made her own bouquet and painted an elopement sign to share the good news with their family and friends! After our photo session they got married at the courthouse just the two of them and then went to the Patriots game the next day to celebrate!

I love how creative you can get with elopements and the endless opportunities for photos. We spent two hours running around the city and it was so much fun showing them my favorite spots!

I Just Got Engaged, Now What?

Hooray, you’re engaged!! You have a sparkly new ring on your finger, you’re practicing saying “my fiance” instead of “my boyfriend/girlfriend” and you’re getting a flood of happy messages from family & friends.

And then the questions begin: When’s the big day? Where are you getting married? What are your colors?

Cue the frantic googling/Pinteresting/spreadsheets.

Before you dive into the wild and overwhelming world of wedding planning sit down with your fiance and make a few key decisions first. This will keep you focused and lead you towards the day you envision.

THE 5 WEDDING PLANNING BASICS: WHAT, WHO, HOW, WHERE, WHEN:

1.THE WHAT

First create a shell of what you want your day to look like. Have you always dreamed of a tented wedding? Do you want to get married in your family’s church? Do you have a lot of family/friends that would have to travel and find lodging?

Think about the general flow of the day and how you want it to feel. If you have the ceremony and reception on the same property there’s less rushing around and more time to hang out with your loved ones. If your ceremony and reception sites are in different locations you’ll have to allot time for travel. Make a basic outline of how you want the day to flow and build on that.

2. THE WHO

The next step is to list out all the people you want to invite. Having a rough idea of your guest count will help you set a budget and choose a venue. Start making a list within a wedding planning app or google spreadsheet (use something that you can add addresses to and keep track of yes/no’s later) Start with immediate family and work outwards to friends, work friends, parent friends, etc.

3. THE HOW

Time to talk about the budget. Have an honest conversation with your families and ask them what they’re comfortable contributing. Everyone’s financial situation is different and it’s important that everyone feels good about the budget. I would also recommend using a site that allows you to create a budget and manage communication with vendors. It’s sooo much easier to have everything in one place and be able to see where your money is going and how much is left.

Be prepared for some sticker shock when researching vendors. Weddings are a one time event and there’s a lot of work that vendors have to do to make sure your details are perfect. Pick 2-3 areas of your wedding that are a priority and adjust the rest of your budget accordingly. For example, you might decide that food, photography, and florals are a priority so you may have to adjust your expectations in other areas.

4. THE WHERE

What kind of venue do you want to get married at? Are you dreaming of a seaside reception on the cape? A rustic barn in New Hampshire? A historic home with beautiful gardens? Once you narrow down the feel of your venue start looking for places that fit the bill. Set up a few site visits and ask what’s included and what you’ll have to supply on your own. A lot of venues charge substantially more for a Saturday evening wedding. Do you have your heart set on a Saturday or would a Friday date work just as well?

5. THE WHEN

It’s time to set a date! Some things to consider. Summer and fall are popular times to get married. Many venues book up a few years in advance. If you’re flexible with your date it’s a good idea to visit a few venues and see what they have available. Once you get that locked down you can start booking other vendors.

6. VENDORS TO BOOK FIRST

Venue: Many book up years in advance and a lot of other vendors won’t let you book them unless you have a date and venue.

Ceremony Location: If you’re not getting married at your reception venue it’s also important to find and book a ceremony location early on.

Planner: Some couples like to hire a planner before they go venue hunting. A planner can help you look for a venue and they can help you with all your other vendors. Many times a planner can help you save money, as they have experience working within a budget and know the ins and outs of planning.

Photographer/Videographer: Photographers and Videographers also book up a year or 2 in advance!

Happy wedding planning! Above all remember that while this is a special day the only thing that really matters is that you marry the love of your life. All the other details are just extras.

Are you looking for a wedding photographer in the New England area? If so I’d love to chat!

Wellesley College Fall Wedding | Anna and Maisom

Anna and Maisom were married on October 20th, 2018 in a morning ceremony at the Wellesley College Chapel. They were easily the most laid back couple I’ve ever met! Their family and friends flew in from every corner of the earth and it was clear how loved these two are by everyone. After a beautiful ceremony (where Maisom cried through most of it!) they had their reception at the Wellesley College Club. The weather was a perfect fall day (Anna’s mother had a hurricane contingency just in case) and their guests were able to play games on the lawn by the lake. My favorite moment was towards the end when we sneaked off to the bridge by the lake for some bride and groom portraits. Anna and Maisom complement each other so well and I loved seeing how crazy Maisom is about Anna and the way he looks at her.

Best of 2018 - Erica Pezente Photography

Thank you to all my clients/friends for another amazing year! 2018 was the best year yet and it’s all thanks to the wonderful people I got to work with. I’ve rounded up my favorite images from the year, there were lots of Wellesley College photo shoots, a few elopements in Boston, new babies, and photos of my own family!

Darian & Chris were visiting from Georgia and wanted photos on Fan Pier. Darian is a photographer too and she and Chris were so much fun to shoot with.

I shot 2 Boston elopements this year, Boston is the perfect place to elope and I loved exploring the city!

I participated in the 3rd annual free photos for public safety families at Goddard State Park and started my own event here in Framingham! Taking photos of families with their officer in uniform is always a highlight of the year. The families are so sweet and I had a repeat family this year with their new baby!

And then we have fall minis! I loved seeing all my repeat clients and meeting new families. I took the majority of these at Wellesley College, I’m there so often they’re going to charge me tuition :)

I also took lots of family photos! My parents are in the first photo and the rest are my cousins.

My favorite college roommate (on the right) welcomed her son into the world this year!

Thank you again to all of the wonderful people who trusted me with their photos! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, bring on 2019!!

Wellesley Fall Family Photos | Giampas

My bestie, Andrea, from High School has always been one of my biggest fans. She’s also one of those dream clients who understands how important family photos are (and she prints them for her walls!) We recently met at Wellesley College to take some fall photos with her adorable son and husband. As always I took some photos of just the two of them. These are secretly my favorite part of family portraits. Once the kids come along it’s rare to get photos of just the two of you and I think they’re so important. I want to give my couples a moment to pause and remember why they fell in love in the first place.

See more like this

Wellesley College Fall Engagement Photos | Pooja and Nadja

Nadja & Pooja looked like royalty for their Wellesley College engagement session! They were so fun to work with and even practiced their posing beforehand! Nadja told me she wanted luxurious photos that captured their love. They’ve been together since they were 16 and they have a natural easy way of interacting. The leaves at Wellesley College were just starting to turn and gave the most beautiful glow in the background.

Fan Pier Boston Engagement Photos | Darian & Chris

Darian is a fellow photographer from Georgia and wanted some photos of herself and her husband Chris while they were visiting Boston. These Georgians were absolute troopers in the crazy wind we had that day and I loved sharing my beautiful city with them. Darian had her heart set on Fan Pier engagement style photos and our crazy weather wasn’t going to stop them! I had such a blast hanging out with them and Darian took a few photos of me too! If anyone in the Atlanta, GA area ever needs a photographer I can’t recommend her enough! Check out her beautiful work at Darian Reilly Photography.

Thank you so much for asking me to take your photos, I hope you cherish your Boston memories forever. <3

Chris really got into the Boston spirit while he was here! Go Sox!