Maine Elopement Photographer

What an amazing start to my 2016 wedding season. Shamus & Chelsea came to Maine from North Carolina, where they work as a filmmaker and creative director, and raise their ridiculously cute son Quest (that name!). Shamus' family is from Maine, so it was really special that they came up here for their little last-minute wedding celebration. 

I loved that Chelsea's dress was one that her grandmother made by hand many years ago. I loved that their day was no fuss. I loved that they helped each other get ready. Their sweet ceremony was officiated through facetime (hence the phones chilling nearby - their officiant was sick!), and then we explored the beautiful rocky coast at Ocean Point in Boothbay Harbor. 

It's a funny thing that happens when I'm at a wedding only two hours and end up with way more photos to blog than I usually do for a full wedding. I tried to narrow these down, I really did. 

Boston Winter Wedding // Casey & Drew

“You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Magic Session in Austin

It's not often I get to hang out with a couple of woodland sprites, but that's what this shoot felt like. Vanessa and Jonathan from Activate Austin invited me to photograph their magical selves while I was in town, and wow - this session was overflowing with beauty and light.

Exploring Austin, TX

My trip to Austin in February was mostly about seeing my brother. We both worked a lot while I was there, but we made time to hike and camp, cook, eat tacos and ramen, and walk his dog. Of course Austin is an amazing city to explore, but this time (and let's be honest - usually), I just didn't care about seeing the city. I'm so much more interested in exploring the natural environment, the woods, in camping and hiking, and I'm glad to have a brother who enjoys that too. My favorite part of exploring around Austin was the crystal clear creeks and pools, and meeting up with local photographers to explore the magic of McKinney Falls. Other places I visited include Pedernales State Park, St Edwards Park, Mayfield Park, and Barton Creek (more photos of these places on my Instagram). I was actually kind of disappointed I didn't see a single snake or scorpion or any other cool creature. I did see a lot of deer though! It was a beautiful, special trip, and I'm already hoping to go back as soon as possible.

Press play.

Maine Lakeside Cabins Wedding // Maegan & Tim

Oh where to start with this wonderful story? Maegan and Tim and their sweet puppy Macie became like family to me, after 2 days of engagement adventures, a few visits to their cozy home, and lots of conversations. Tim is a lobster fisherman and firefighter, and Maegan works in healthcare in Boston, and they are all about family and their puppy and enjoying time together. They are that best kind of simply loving, generous, fun, awesome people. It was cool and rainy at their Maine Lakeside Cabins celebration, but the sun came out for their ceremony just in time. Go figure - it was just magical. 

I had so much trouble narrowing down photos for their story, it was all so freakin' beautiful! 

I must say, I love that I call Maine home now, and that couples like Maegan & Tim are flocking from the city to my new state to get married in our woods. My clients are the BEST.

Exploring Quinta de Regaleira in Portugal

Rumor has it JK Rowling found inspiration for Harry Potter in the mysterious, fairytale-like, secretive landscape of temples, lush gardens, crazy palace and underground tower that are Quinta de Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal. This place is nuts. Fulllll of magic and moss and mysterious, creepy origins. I loved it. 

Traveling to Portugal last fall to photograph a women's retreat was awesome. I published Lisbon images from the first part of my trip here. This post is all Quinta. Enjoy!

Bittersweet Farm Wedding // Marissa & Dan

This early morning wedding and brunch celebration was such a fun and sweet way to end my 2015 wedding season. Marissa & Dan made everything themselves - from the fabric garlands to the lego boutonnieres. And they both surprised each other gifts from the movie Up, because that's how in sync they are. These two are a couple of amazing humans and so crazy in love. Check out their adorable wedding story. 

Portugal Retreat

This past October I had the amazing privilege of traveling to Portugal to photograph a women's retreat. I didn't have much time to explore, but what I did see was magical. The streets are full of art. My father is a Portuguese citizen (he was born there), and I'd never been, so this trip was extra special to me!

These photos are from Lisbon, and I'll be sharing more from Sintra (one of my favorite places ever!) in a later post. 

Friendly Crossways Wedding

If I gave awards to my couples, Danielle & Angel would win for DIY queens. I adore these two because they put so much thought into every aspect of their day (Danielle grew her own flowers, baked their cake, raised bees at home for fun), they're practical and no-nonsense gals, and they're super f'ing adorable. Combine their charm with the perfect New England farmhouse venue, and it's just too much. 

Bohemian Full Moon Wedding

Usually I meet and hangout with couples a couple times before their wedding, because getting to know people is crucial for the way I shoot. I didn't see Mikayla or Vinny until their special day, but it didn't matter. We were kindred spirits from the very first email. They planned their whole wedding in just a few months, and it was perfect - the same night as last September's full moon eclipse! 

Northern California // Wildforest Sanctuary

Last summer Kurtis and I had a wonderful trip to Northern California, camping a bit along the coast and visiting our friends at Wildforest Sanctuary, where we'd lived and worked in 2010-2011. Back then I gardened and took care of the animals, while Kurtis built a barn out of locally sourced materials (we milled the lumber ourselves, and he built this almost entirely solo and by hand!). It was so wonderful to be back in this magical space, where Melinda and Karl live off the grid with goats, gardens, chickens and an evolving bunch of helpers in the redwood forest. This place and its creatures will always be very special to me. I think the photos speak for themselves. 

I use this song for everything, but whatever. It's perfect. Press play.

Three Sisters Sanctuary Wedding // Kendra & Charles

I probably overuse the word "magic." But if any place really deserves to be called "magical", it's the Three Sisters Sanctuary, an incredible healing garden created by environmental artist Richard Richardson (who also happens to be the groom's uncle). Photographing a wedding here was such a treat. And Kendra & Charles are so perfectly suited for such a space. Guarantee you haven't seen a wedding quite like this one before!