Using Natural Light to Take Amazing DIY Portraits
How many times have you tried to take a picture at home of your kids, pets, or family, and they just seem to fall a bit flat? You might have uttered the words, "Maybe if I had a better camera..."? Whether you are taking pictures with your cell phone, point and shoot, or digital camera you CAN get great portraits! Many people have asked me over the years how they can achieve better portraits, specifically of their children at or around the house.
While many of us are home due to the coronavirus and professional portraits aren't currently an option, I thought this would be a great time to compile some tips and tricks to help better capture your children using the natural light in your homes. I used my daughter Sofia as my model to photograph and help demonstrate. I prefer my portraits to be more on the dramatic side and have shadows but these techniques can be tweaked to be more open and airy. Before I get started, I want everyone to remember an important thing, have FUN with it! If your kids aren't sitting perfectly still, smiling perfectly, or following directions, don't stress, keep shooting. Sometimes those are the images that really capture their personality!!
Step 1
Lighting, lighting, lighting! Finding good light is definitely my most important step in the process. When taking portraits inside of the home, I usually look for doors or windows to use as the light source. For softer portraits you want to make sure that their isn't harsh direct sunlight pouring through. By going to the side of the house that is opposite of the sun you will find much better light quality.
Location where the image was taken.
Dramatic lighting resulting from the directional light that the door window was providing.
Step 2
Once you have found your spot with the best lighting, look around and move any objects that might be distracting in your images. I prefer plain walls whenever possible. Less is usually more! At this point it's a good time to take a step back, think about your composition and where you are going to position your subject.
Tip: Place your subject in a clean spot in the composition (think framing). You can be super creative with this!
Sofia is placed in front of a plain wall with no distractions in this image.
Step 3
Positioning your child is going to be your next step. This will totally depend on your preference. Some may want a nice bright and airy portrait while others will want some shadows and drama. Positioning them at about a 45 degree angle to the light source is usually a good starting point. From here you can get more shadows as you turn them away or less shadows as you turn them more into the light. Again, this is all about preference but you can play around with it until you have the desired effect.
Tip: Use a white foam board as a reflector to fill in shadows on the opposite side of the light source. It can also be placed on the lap to reduce shadows under the neck. If you don't have a piece of white foam board anything that is white will work such as a bed sheet, white wall, printer paper etc.
The white foam board reflector is placed on the chair directing light back into the shadow side of her head gently filling in shadows.
Step 4
The last step in the process is putting the final touches on your images. There are so many free editing apps for phones now a days! These apps can help you brighten, darken, adjust color, add filters etc, to your images. Here is a quick list of a few to choose from:
Advanced Tips:
Once you have got this all down and your images are starting to look how you have envisioned, it's time to start getting creative! Look around for objects that you can shoot through to add more depth. Move the camera around to find different angles. My go to is finding objects that I can use to make a reflection in the image. The possibilities are endless!!!
Taking amazing portraits requires lots of practice and trial and error. If you want to leave it to the professionals, we are still here to book your session! We are so lucky to be in this digital age where we have the luxury of taking as many images as we want (I can't imagine how many rolls of film I would have gone through by now!). So keep shooting and practicing and you will be amazed at your results! Please reach out with any questions!
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To be quite honest, I don't often go into engagement sessions with much of a game plan. I'll take the location and what gear I may need into consideration to be prepared, and then, sort of wing it. While for some that might sound a little scary, I find it to be a big part of my creative process. What better way to get the creative juices flowing than wandering around a location with some good conversation and exploring with my couples!
Megan & Mark's engagement session at Rice's Fruit Farm in Wilbraham was no exception to this. We started out at the farm stand and found a couple fun spots to use. We were sure to get a few shots with the fur baby! We then ventured down the road to the hiking trail. After a short hike to the top I started to setup and we soon realized how cold and windy it had gotten! We worked quickly to get a couple shots and then headed up farther to find some relief from the wind. Mark and Megan were such troopers throughout the session and their fun, easy going spirits really shined through in their images. I can't wait for their January '21 wedding!!
I love me a good vineyard wedding, and this WAS a good one! Brignole Vineyards gorgeous property in East Granby CT played host to Mike and Brittany's perfect day. Every detail was carefully planned from the giant floral heart from Corina, the Botaniste at the ceremony to the delicious ice cream cake from Rita's at the ceremony. There might have been some good surprises throughout the day as well!
You know very quickly you have chose the right life long partner when you arrive at your wedding venue and see a motorcycle with a big red bow on it! This was the case for Mike! As Brittany and her crew were getting glammed out by Divine Elegance Beauty Boutique, Mike walked from the parking lot into the venue where he almost walked right by his wedding present before realizing it was his motorcycle. Later on in the night Mike had a surprise of his own. After the first dance he grabbed his guitar and serenaded Brittany with a song. It was his first time ever singing in public and he nailed it!
After dinner DJ Stephan got the party rockin'! There was a lot of dancing, a wild bouquet and garter toss, and lots of balloons bouncing around! Brittany got into the party mood with a quick outfit change!
Getting this thing kicked off with Evan & Chelsey's engagement session at Quabbin Reservoir. We got more than we bargained for with the weather considering it is mid January. A warm and balmy day had us getting ready for spring! Yes yes, I know, way too early and the cold will return!
We laughed and chatted through their engagement session experience and were able to get to many locations before closing. I am super excited for their wedding in August at The Log Cabin in Holyoke MA.
Did you get engaged or know someone who did? Contact me asap for wedding packages and details as '20 and '21 dates are filling up!!
Cape Cod!
I'll start out by saying this was my first wedding on the Cape and it totally kicked ass! Ryan and Suzy tied the knot at the Eagles Neck Estate in Truro, Cape Cod, an absolutely beautiful 10 acre estate that has it all! Dating back many many years ago, Ryan is one of my oldest friends, so it was great to get back in touch and be there for an extremely important day!
I arrived early to scope out the property. Upon arrival it was easy to see why they picked this spot. With it's secluded house and backyard, views of the marshes and yacht club, sandy beach below, and separate game house, it was amazing!
While Suzy got ready in the house, Ryan was busy in the game house getting himself prepped. The ceremony took place at the bottom of a hill in the front of the house. As Suzy made her way through the maze of colorful umbrellas holding her gorgeous flowers made by Fancy Flowers by Meredith, Ryan smiled from ear to ear as he drew the first glimpse of her!
Lobstah!
What better way to celebrate the newlyweds then with a clam and lobster bake! Although I may be allergic shellfish and citrus, it seemed like everyone thoroughly enjoyed this "Cape Cod fresh" dinner! The party had only just begun as DJ Lion King (Jeremy Torres) pumped out the endless tunes. The dance floor was packed out all night which lead to some great images! Oh, I almost forgot to mention, there might have also been a Ben & Jerry's ice cream bar :)
Venue - Eagles Neck Estate
Flowers - Fancy Flowers by Meredith
Hair/makeup - Salon 700 And Day Spa
DJ - Dj Lion King
Catering - Cosmos Catering
Without further ado......
Courtney & Luke invited me to their neck of the woods for their engagement portraits. Between their apartment on the harbor in East Boston and Piers Park, it was the perfect location!
We started out at the park which had some amazing views of the harbor with lots of boats passing through. After the park we headed back to their apartment building which was also right on the water. We had some great views of the Tobin Bridge behind us and to the other side was the Boston skyline. We had made it just in time for sunset and shot right through.
We definitely shared lots of laughs throughout their session and I'm excited for their upcoming wedding!!
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The Perfect Storm
So, I don't even know where to start. I could start with the fact that every time I drive into Boston I NEVER leave early enough!! The meme "Boston is exactly 1 hour away from Boston" is pretty spot on! Anyways, let's start off with this engagement shoot being the "perfect storm" for me. From the absolutely perfect weather, to the location, and let's no forget about the stunning couple, Brian & Katie!! Everything just seemed to fall into place perfectly on this particular day. Even me being a half hour late because I could not seem to find Spy Pond in Arlington Ma, worked out perfect to set us up for a little sunset. Luckily there was no actual storm that day except for a few raindrops on my drive in.
I have put in countless hours finding my identity as a photographer, creating my brand, and just simply fine tuning my processes and style into something that not only makes me happy when I look at the back of my camera, but makes my clients happy as well. These images are the culmination of all of that hard work! I am so proud to be able to tell my clients stories the way that I see them through my lens!
Brian and Katie are such an amazing couple. We had nothing but fun the entire shoot. We laughed, talked about Brian being an urban farmer, and broke a few rules, like sitting on bike paths and climbing a tree that we were maybe not supposed to climb (we'll never know)! They are just a down to earth couple and their love really shows through! I cannot wait for their wedding!! Without further ado, Brian & Katie's engagement portraits!!!
Want to learn more about my engagement sessions? Visit my Wedding FAQ page for more info!
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One Ring to rule them all.
My first wedding of 2019 definitely did not disappoint! With inspirations from The Lord of the Rings and getting to shoot around Northampton Ma, Andrew and Sam's wedding day was a win! The reception was at the beautiful Hotel Northampton and the ceremony took place at the always classy Union Station. The 5 minute walk between the venue's gave us some time to stroll through the city and capture some unique images!
We are going on an adventure.
Andrew and Sam started their day getting ready at separate spots at the hotel. After getting ready, Andrew and his groomsman walked over to the ceremony. Sam and her bridesmaids stayed behind to take a few portraits at the hotel. Then we made our way over to Union station and along the way captured some fun images of them walking through the city in their amazing dresses!
Back at the reception the guests danced the night away to beats supplied by Angus Brewer. The rain held out just long enough for us to head outside of the hotel after dusk and have a little fun in the middle of the road! Dodging cars and waiting for the lights to change red, we were able to get some super cool shots!
Best of luck Andrew & Sam!!!
Ceremony: Union Station
Reception: Hotel Northampton
Hair / Makeup: The Beauty Studio
DJ: Angus Brewer
Cake: Greggory's Pastry Shop
Flowers: Durocher Florist
If you liked this blog, be sure to check out the rest of my blog posts!
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This past weekend I hit the road on the Mass Pike and headed to Hudson Ma to meet Cassidy and Nate for their engagement session. With the weather finally starting to get warm, we were all excited to get outdoors! We decided on Wood Park, a small park in town with some wooded paths and an awesome bridge as backdrops, we set out to make some memorable images!
Cassidy and Nate are such a fun couple and it really showed through in their images. We laughed through the entire session and got some great candid and posed shots. They really made my job easy with the fun candid poses.
That dam sunset!
Before heading home we decided on one last location in hopes to catch some sunset shots. We drove a few minutes down the road to the Wachusetts Dam. As we approached ours jaws hit the floor when we came around the corner and saw the amazing sunset unfolding. We jumped out of the cars, crossed the road just in time to shoot through the peak of the sunset and watch it dip down behind the reservoir.
Here are some highlight images from their session!
What the hell is a first look?
First looks are an emerging trend in weddings that’s perfect for emotive couples who tend to lean towards non-traditional timelines. So what is it exactly? While in a traditional Western wedding, the couple first sees each other in their most stunning formal wear at the altar, couples that have a first look share those gazes privately before the ceremony. By being private, it’s a special, emotional, and intimate moment free of distractions.
Is a first look right for you?
A first look isn’t right for everyone. If you don’t wear your heart on your sleeve, then it might not be the best fit for you. And that’s okay! It’s not for everyone. But for everyone else? First looks offer a lot.
- It is a more private, intimate moment shared between you and your partner without a whole audience.
- Especially for expressive couples, the images from this moment are incredibly beautiful. As a photographer, I have more freedom to select a stunning setting at the venue and ensure beautiful lighting to deliver the highest quality, cinematic moments.
- When you see each other early in the day, other moments like posed family photos can happen earlier as well. This gives more flexibility in your time frame so you can enjoy your cocktail hour!
- If you’re shy, you don’t have to ooze all those feelings and cry all those happy tears in front of your guests.
How to prepare for a first look?
Communicate to me that you’d like one and we will make sure to carve time out for it. You should reserve about an hour after getting ready.
See a sample timeline with a first look.
Puppy love
Warm sun, blues skies and soft clouds set the stage for Ryan and Courtney's absolutely perfect June wedding at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, MA. When we first met, I could immediately tell that they were going to throw an amazing party - especially with Shawn Santanello blasting the tunes! I can hardly say how much fun it was when they brought their pups to their engagement session. We couldn't help but discuss incorporating them into some of wedding set. While Ryan was getting ready at his Westfield based, family home, right alongside him was his "Best Dog." Courtney also had her "Dog of Honor" by her side as she got her hair and makeup done in The Ranch's farm house.
Feeling the Butterflies
When the ceremony started, Courtney, escorted by her father, met Ryan under the arch. During the ceremony, Courtney's family gave a brief speech highlighting butterflies as a metaphor for their love. You could feel the shared anxious love of the day. A special box was opened that released butterflies into the venue. While some flew off into the sky, others stayed near the guests up through the first kiss.
Sunset
As the party got underway, I borrowed Ryan and Courtney for a few minutes to go outside and take in the breathtaking sunset. We got stunning pictures with a deep and rich backdrop of rolling pinkish purple clouds.
Venue: The Ranch Golf Club
Flowers: Atkins Farms
Cake/Cupcakes: Nina's Cookies
Hair: Danielle Sullivan-Beck
Makeup: Allison Collazo
DJ: Shawn Santanello
Photo Booth: Viren Entertainment
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Ever since having my own children, I love working with families to showcase that moment of time in turn using clean edits and fun shoots in a relaxed, go with the flow personality.
How to Book
- Figure out what season you'd like to shoot in and we can figure out what dates work best for you
- Select your location. The location will be our backdrop, so think about if your family best fits in a park, woods, studio, or farm. For more lifestyle style session, we can shoot in your home. If you're unsure of where would work best for you, we can brainstorm together
- After we decide we want to move forward, I'll require a 50% retainer upon booking
Pricing
Family Sessions |
Lifestyle Newborn Session |
| $400 | $450 |
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From the comforts of your own home, We'll capture the moments between you and your newborn in a documentary style shoot
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*Wall art, prints, albums, can be purchased separately
Tips and Tricks
- Wear complimenting, muted colors. Avoid bright colors as they can leave a color cast that makes skin tones look odd. Further, avoid clothes with heavy and busy patterns.
- You want to look good individually and as a family, so make sure you dress in complimenting color pallets (though not identically).
- Dress comfortably as we may have to walk to get to the location and I may ask you to sit, kneel, or crouch.
- It can be a long session for children, so be sure to bring snacks and water for them, maybe even a toy for them to play with between shots. I'll also work as quickly as I can to move the session along and to hold your children's attention span.
- Come prepared with hair/makeup, attire, teeth brushed, etc and we can start shooting right away.
- It's okay if your children are a little fidgety. Relax, stay positive. I’m very calm and great with kids. I can walk them through the process in a way that they'll understand and enjoy. I'll even let them play 'assistant' and show them sneak peaks of the pictures as we take pictures.
Book your session today!
Book your session today!
]]>Picking the right group of vendors for your wedding can be stressful. Each may have their own booking process. I've spent the last several years streamlining my process to make it as easy as possible with practically no guesswork. From contracts to payment, it can all be done online. While selecting linens may spark countless conversations, I'll do everything I can to make artful photo coverage of your day effortless.
What's your style?
I shoot in a timeless, modern style and utilize clean-edits. With dramatic lighting, I add depth and romance to photos. I shoot a balance of candid and posed images and have a knack for making all couples comfortable in front of the lens.
What are the steps involved in booking?
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Review my portfolio, read my about page and view my recent shoots.
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If you like my images and go with the flow style, you can set up a consultation with me either so we can talk on the phone or in person. All decision makers should be present. We’ll go over different packages, get a better feel for each other, and answer any questions that you may have.
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If you’d like to move forward and book, you’ll be emailed contract. Everything can be signed digitally. You’ll need to pay a non-refundable retainer to secure you date, which can be paid by check or online.
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Now that you’ve paid your retainer and secured your date, we can schedule your engagement session if your package includes it.
View a sample engagement session. -
Between now and your wedding, I’ll email you with some tips and tricks to make your day go smoothly. About a month before wedding, you’ll get a questionnaire that goes over the details of your day.
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Two weeks before your wedding, we’ll meet to go over exact timelines and the shot list for your family. I’ll type up my notes from our meeting for you to look over and review.
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By now, it’s your wedding day! The hard work is done. Focus on having fun and leave the rest to me and your team of vendors.
View a sample album of wedding highlights.
How do I make my album?
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After your big day, I’ll be hard at work culling and editing your wedding set.
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4-8 weeks after your wedding, you’ll receive a digital gallery with your images. From there, you can select 75 images you want included in your printed photo album.
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Once images are selected, I’ll design the album with sharp page layouts and orderings. We’ll have a proofing session, and you’ll receive your album approximately 4-6 weeks after the proofing session.
What should I wear to my engagement shoot?
There’s a few wardrobe choices you should avoid, including super bright colors which often lead to poor color casting and busy patterns.
Complimenting colors look sharp. And because you’ll be looking sharpest on your wedding day, I encourage you to dress informally during your engagement shoot for a variety. You can bring a second outfit if you’d like.
What are some weddings tips and tricks?
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To best showcase your dress or suit during detail shots, bring a wooden hanger.
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If you’re getting ready in a hotel or your house, make sure to declutter one or two rooms where the photos will be taken.
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For people that are are in posed shots, like the wedding or family shots, make sure they know when and where those shots will be happening.
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Bring a copy of your invitations if you want images of them.
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Close up details shots are my favorite, so be sure to have that engagement ring professionally cleaned for sparkling images.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
While many questions punctuated my childhood, this is the one I dreaded most because I had no answer. I knew I was a hard worker, but I lacked direction. So at 16, I took my first job at a hardware store. While that money lead to my first car and, in turn, endless trips to different punk rock shows with my friends, when high school ended a few years later, I was just as aimless as before.
With a vague interest in film forged from a childhood of movie watching and making with friends, I enrolled at my local community college for Electronic Media with a focus on film.
Community college or not, the high cost of education was inescapable. With a vague familiarity in the trades, I turned to working with my hands full time at a metal shop and spent years moving from one sheet metal shop to the next.
All of that changed when my wife and I started our family and she gifted me with my first digital camera in years on Christmas. People say that being a dad changes you, but I never believed them until I held my own children.
"I Was Hooked"
Wanting to document my family as we all aged and changed gave me the direction I had lacked. I dove head first into photography. A strong spark was lit as I learned more and more about all the emerging technologies in the decade following my time at school. Lighting. Lenses. Cameras. I was hooked. I never wanted to miss capturing a special moment.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
After 10 years busting my ass in metal working, I finally had my answer. I invested every moment I had into photography and with years of shooting, training, and more than a little luck. I’m finally working in a field that I love full time to provide my clients with the same gift that has enriched my life: documentation of the most precious people in your life. Leaving a stable 9-5 to start my own business was the hardest but most rewarding decision I’ve ever made.
Book your family session today!
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It's Like Rain On Your Wedding Day
They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck, however, I don't believe Mike and Lisa need any luck. It is clear to see that they are perfect for each other! Their day started off at the D Hotel & Suites in Holyoke MA where they were both relaxing, getting ready, and nervously awaiting the ceremony with their friends and family. The ceremony and reception would be right next door at the The Delaney House. The biggest surprise of the day for them was the rain. It rained, and rained, and rained harder! Being the easy-going couple that they are, they were not going to let some rain stop them from having the time of their lives. Lisa's advice for future couples getting married says it all, "Don’t stress it! Things that you think are SO important, like the color of your napkins, doesn’t even matter once that day gets here. Enjoy the ride, because it’s over before you know it.". SO true! Besides, what's cooler than taking some portraits in the rain?!
Roommates For Life
With Lisa's daughter Lily (her mini me) by their side, the ceremony began. Their most anticipated moment of the day was about to take place. Seeing each other for the first time was something they were both going to remember for the rest of their lives. Seeing how emotional Lily was while watching Lisa and Mike say their I Do's only justified the love that they had for each other. With the exchanging of vows, sliding rings on each others fingers, and that big first kiss, they were officially "roommates for life"! Mike no longer had to introduce them as his "roommates", as he often joked, but now as his wife and daughter!
Party Time!
As the ceremony had ended, guests were escorted into the reception room to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The room was decorated beautifully with fairy lights and amazing wooden flowers from Soaring Sapphire Designs to complete their simple, elegant, rustic look. Everyone was ready to get the party started and hit the dance floor. Lisa and Mike's favorite part of the day was getting to celebrate with their friends and family and dancing the night away on a packed dance floor. Everyone was having such a great time bustin' some moves to the sounds of Afterhours Events of New England. Before the night's end, I grabbed the two of them for one last set of portraits. With an umbrella in tow, we headed out for some creative portraits in the rain. I love when my wedding couples are troopers and allow me to carry out images that I envision even if it means getting a little wet and cold!!
Venue: D Hotel & Suites, The Delaney House
Videographer: Creative video by Nelson
Flowers: Soaring Sapphire Designs
Hair: Cila Leal/Monica Dos Santos DaVinci Salon
Makeup:Marissa Rakouskas/Dani Fernandez
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It’s not everyday that I have a couple contact me from Berlin, Germany asking me to be their wedding photographer! When Dan and Magali asked me of course I said yes! The wedding however, was not taking place in Germany, but at the beautiful The Log Cabin in Holyoke Ma. Dan, originally from East Longmeadow, met Magali while working at Adidas in Germany where they began their life together. From the moment I met them they were the sweetest little family.
Their wedding day started off with some rain in the morning but soon cleared up just in time for some getting ready portraits. Dan, Magali, and family all got ready at Dan’s childhood home in East Longmeadow. We then headed to St Michael’s Church, also in East Longmeadow, for the ceremony. It was amazing to see their friends and family from all over the world to gather in one place to celebrate their love!
After the ceremony we headed to The Log Cabin in Holyoke Ma for their reception. We had a perfect afternoon for taking their portraits and family portraits outside with that gorgeous view! It was so cool seeing their different groups of friends and family from Germany, France, and U.S. mingling and sharing stories of how they knew the newlyweds.
Dan and Magali, you are amazing people and have such a precious family. I wish you the best of luck!
Venue: The Log Cabin
Hair: Michelle Anne Hair Design
Makeup: Pam Borghesani
Product photography has always been an area of the photography world that has piqed my interest. Taking a product, along with the vision of the client, and creating images that help market and sell is very fascinating to me! That’s why when Ryan Zaczynski from Bandliners asked me to help him create a set of images for his current product "Bandliners," I was pumped! He wanted to incorporate the logo (as seen in the heading image) and create some images that would show potential buyers where they are placed and how they are used. We also created some stock images for his selling marketplace.
A little backstory about the product:
Bandliners, a product designed for watch bands to help protect sensitive skin, stop irritation, and prevent odors, is a product he created and developed over the past 2.5 years. Beginning as a curiosity about finding a way to prevent watch bands from developing funk (due to contact with your sweat and skin), he found that no serious solutions existed. The status quo was such that if you couldn’t afford to replace your watch band every six months, you couldn’t afford the watch. He launched the product on Kickstarter in 2016 which helped solidify the concept and make his first production run. He now sells the product on his website and Amazon to customers from all around the world. From customers generous feedback, he is currently working on some major updates and expansions to the product line.
He is currently running a promo! Simply fill out the quick survey (it pops up when you land on my site) and you’ll receive a free sample!
Click here to check out the website.
If you have a product and are in need of some images, let's chat!
Check out some of my other blog posts!!
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Barns, Farms, and Fields!
I am very fortunate to be able to photograph some amazing couples at some amazing venues. Valley View Farm in Haydenville Ma is no exception. With their beautifully kept farmhouses, barns, and fields. It is a playground for portrait taking! Michael and Lydia were such a sweet couple to work with on their wedding day! From the moment I met them i could tell they shared so much love for each other!
The Getting Ready
Their day began by getting ready in separate farmhouses located on the grounds. Lydia and her bridesmaids got their hair and makeup done while the guys relaxed and started getting their suits on. They both nervously awaited seeing each other for the first time. We set up their first look in a nice shady area between the to houses. They shared such a beautiful moment together!
Let the Festivities Begin!
The ceremony was held under the outdoor pavilion next to the reception barn. The guests were accompanied by the sweet sounds of the Golden Scroll Sololists String Quartet as they entered. The ceremony was full of emotion and love as the two exchanged hand written vows and rings.
The night carried on with introductions and their first dance. Michael and Lydia surprised the guests with a choreographed dance that they had been working on prior to the big day! They nailed it! Lydia also surprised Michael with his very own groom's cake topped with a Focal Banger from The Alchemist Brewery! The guests made S'omores outside by the fire, drank the many craft beers that were served, and danced the night away! They were surrounded by so many of their loving family and friends which made it a perfect day!
Best of luck Michael and Lydia!!
Venue: Valley View Farm
Event Planner: Tanya Costigan Events
Hair/Makeup: Paulos Salon
Flowers: Floral Affairs
Cake: Cakes By Amanda
I love engagement sessions.....
They are such a great way for my wedding couples and I to get comfortable with each other before the big day. We talk about life, laugh, and get some amazing portraits! You learn that there is no reason to be nervous in front of the camera and hopefully even have some fun with it! Come wedding day, you feel like a pro!
Anthony and Sa'mon were amazing from the start. We decided on Look Memorial Park in Florence Ma for their session. It was a beautiful evening so we took our time and strolled around the park looking for some great spots. They smiled and laughed throughout the entire session (and so did I). Their confidence radiates through all of the images. Such a fun-loving couple and I cannot wait for their wedding day!
Check out some of these images!
Location: Look Memorial Park
Assistant: Ryan Williams
What an incredible start to my official 2018 wedding season! I kicked it off with the amazing couple, Travis and Kaitlyn! You never know what you are going to get for weather in April but they ended up with an absolutely perfect day! It was sunny and warm so we were able to capture lots of portraits outside! Here's to lots of perfect weather weddings this year :)
They started their day getting ready at separate houses. Kaitlyn at her parents house in Agawam Ma, and Travis at his best man Dan's house in Feeding Hills Ma. We hung Kaitlyn's dress in the window of her childhood bedroom. Anxiously awaiting their time to meet each other at the alter, they kept busy by getting ready, opening gifts from each other, and laughing while hanging out with friends and family.
The ceremony took place at Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills Ma followed by the reception at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield Ma. We had lots of time to take portraits after the ceremony so we adventured onto the golf course. Being such a laid back couple, they allowed me to take them around to several different locations on the grounds. When I say "1 more spot!" it usually means several different spots!! The night was followed by lots of dancing and enjoying each other on their day!
Church: Sacred Heart Parish
Venue: Tekoa Country Club
Cake: Cerratos Pastry
Hair/Makeup: Glam2Go Beauty
Videographer: Kevin Lee Studios
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The weather may not have been ideal for an early October wedding at Bliss Farm in Granville, MA, but Matt and Karen were not going to let this ruin their day! Cold and drizzle set the tone for the day but everyone was determined to have the ceremony outside! The reception was themed after Matt and Karen's favorite hobby, beekeeping, complete with a toast from their homemade mead! It was my first time capturing a wedding at Bliss Farm and I have to say it's a beautiful place to shoot! Even on a dreary day, there are so many awesome spots to take the bride and groom. From the rustic barn, huge fields, stone walls, to the farm-house bridal suite, this place has it all! The fog-filled field made an awesome backdrop to take Matt and Karen's portraits.
Matt and Karen shared their day with many friends and family, but I think their most important person there, wasn't a person at all. They brought their dog along to share their big day! Looking super sharp in his matching suit, he accompanied Matt and the groomsmen while patiently waiting for Karen to walk down the aisle. I may even recall Karen telling me pre-wedding, "You can take some pictures of Matt and I, but make sure most of them are of the pup!"
The night was filled with dancing and dance lessons! Matt and Karen first showed us their fancy moves during the couple's first dance. They have taken dance lessons for years and it showed! They returned the favor to their guests and surprised everyone with a group dance lesson! It was definitely a hit and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Such a great and unique detail!
I wish you guys the best of luck!
Venue: Bliss Farm
Caterer: Elegant Affairs
Cake: Mama Cakes
Hair: Sue and Tangles
Makeup: Amber King
Bride’s Dress: Pearl Bridal Boutique
Bride/Bridesmaids Bouquets: Agawam Flower Shop
Have you checked out my other recent blog posts?
Pat & Amber got hitched on a beautiful evening in September at the Log Cabin in Holyoke Ma. The Log Cabin is known for their stunning outdoor patio space overlooking the Mt. Holyoke range and the phenomenal sunsets. This night definitely didn't disappoint! As Pat, Amber, and the rest of the bridal party were getting lined up for introductions I saw the incredible sunset forming and had to get them out there!! Needless to say, introductions had to wait a little longer!
We first met Amber in her bridal suite along with some close friends and family. We began taking details shots of her gown, shoes, flowers, and accessories. Once we had some great shots Amber slipped into her gown and we began taking some portraits. The lighting is a bit spotty and dark in some areas so we decided to set up a flash and make some dramatic images of her. We then met Pat outside to also take some details shots and formal portraits.
Everyone celebrated the night away with lots of dancing and sing-a-longs. I had a great time capturing all of these moments as they unfolded. I had a blast working with you guys! Best of luck Pat & Amber!!
Getting ready in the Log Cabin bridal suite
Ceremony outside on the patio
Check out one of my other favorite weddings at the Log Cabin, Ryan + Meredith
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Ryan and Meredith exchanged vows outside on a dreamlike afternoon at the Log Cabin Upper Vista and I can't wait to share these images with you all! Meredith started her day at the Hampton Inn Chicopee. It was pouring outside and we didn't have much hope for the weather to change. We had to get creative inside of her hotel room! I was in awe when I saw her custom made dress for the first time made by the talented Lina Justo. I couldn't wait to see the look on Ryan's face when he finally got to see her in it!
We headed off to the Log Cabin to meet Ryan and the guys to get some shots of them. Still raining on the drive over there, I was thinking about what options I would have for their "first look". To my surprise (and I think everyone else's too), it stopped raining and left the most beautiful dreamlike clouds rolling through the mountains!! Now I was getting excited visioning their images in my head! We had one last surprise later in the evening when the clouds parted bringing out the most gorgeous sunset!! I was like a kid in a candy shop!
The whole day just flowed together perfectly! I was so happy to share in the love that these two had for each other and their families. I wish you the best Ryan and Meredith!
Venue: Log Cabin Upper Vista
Band: Hot Mess
Makeup: Megan Neffinger @neffydoesmakeup
Hair: Melissa Fraga
Gown: Lina Justo
Getting Ready at Hampton Inn
Log Cabin to meet the guys
Meredith arrives and time for her portraits and first look
Here comes the bride...
They were ready to get the party started!
Excited to finally share these! Josh and Meghan had such a beautiful wedding at the Ludlow Country Club. It was a perfect summer night matched by a perfect sunset!
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We had some perfect weather for my brother-in-law Joe and soon to be sister-in-law Jen's engagement session. Even the pup came out to celebrate! Thanks for letting me take your engagement portraits, however, I'm happy I get to be a part of your wedding (not photographer) and actually be able to enjoy it as a guest!
Anyways, we love the White Mountains and try to get there at least once a year. Balancing my desire to take pictures while taking care of the kids is no easy task so opting for candid shots seems to work out great.
One camera. One lens. One perfectly imperfect family.
Echo Lake
Cannon Mountain
The girl's learned to swim by themselves!
Clark's Trading Post
Indian Head Resort
Santa's Village
Chris and Tiffany had such a beautiful wedding at the Harding Allen Estate in Barre, MA. Perfect weather set the tone for an amazing day for this fun loving couple and family! Wishing you guys the best of luck! They had some amazing subtle (and not so subtle) Star Wars touches from light sabers on the dance floor to Darth Vader Lego Men in their "May the Love Be with You" ring box. This wedding was personality rich, fun, and memorable.
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Ok, so this was not a "Men With Beards" calendar shoot, however that could be a great idea for a later date!
I definitely have been feeling like I didn't shoot as much as I wanted to this winter while I had some downtime. I wanted to start some personal projects and work on my portfolio, and simply shoot and practice. Maybe it was because every week I found myself snow blowing/shoveling/and digging my family and I out of the snow, or the fact that I have 2 jobs, 2 toddlers, and a wife, or maybe it was just laziness. I dunno...
Anyways, I decided to lure a few of my bearded friends into coming to my studio. I told them there would be beer and pizza which generally does the trick. To my surprise it worked! They were in! Now I wanted to challenge myself to work through at least 3-4 different lighting setups (and maybe 3-4 different IPA's). I'm sure none of them were thrilled about being photographed but we had fun it and got a few good shots and I (think I) accomplished my goal.
Here's some of my favorites from the night.
Nick
Matt
Todd
I want to start doing more of these shoots every few months to work on new skills, practice, and become better. I will be looking for volunteers from time to time so be on the lookout on my Facebook page if you are interested in having some fun and playing in front of the camera or email me at [email protected] to let me know your interested.
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