Thao and Phu and I had a lovely time on the Esplanade last month for this engagement session. It was just the time of day where you can work with the light in so many different ways. It was so pretty that looking back on the images it is hard to believe that we were working with below freezing temperatures and had to use handwarmers to get us through breaks during the session! Thao and Phu were troopers though, and I think their warmth towards each other really shined through during our time together and now in these photos.

The beautiful thing about Thao and Phu is that they’ve been together for over 10 years, and they’ll be getting married this summer on their 11th (yes, eleventh!!) dating anniversary! So much to celebrate! I can’t wait to see them again in just a few months for their ceremony at the W Hotel in Boston.

Meghan and Mike were married on a gorgeous October afternoon on the lawn of the Commandant’s House in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Throughout the day, I was constantly reminded of why I love photographing weddings. What I loved most about this particular day was that they kept things simple, letting the venue speak for itself, and instead focused on what was most important to them: each other, and all of the family and friends who were there to share in their day. The guests responded by showing just how important Meghan and Mike were to them too–by their elated cheers after they kissed during the ceremony, their heartfelt and funny toasts, and their willingness to rock it out on the dance floor. All in all, making this the perfect way to end my 2011 wedding season. :)

This is another fall engagement session that is making me miss the colorful Boston leaves! Leela and Dave chose to do the session in and around their neighborhood, which meant we got to walk through the Back Bay and around the Christian Science Center looking for some great shots and working with the light. We had a great time, and I think Leela and Dave enjoyed that the slightly chilly weather gave them an excuse to be close! I’m looking forward to seeing these two again for their wedding at the Museum of Science this fall.

Fun tidbit: one image we used as inspiration during the shoot was Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin’ album cover image, which Leela and Dave love . This is a seemingly easy shot to recreate, but one thing I failed to consider going into it is that shooting in the middle of busy streets isn’t exactly the safest idea! Despite the traffic, we were able to get some shots that were perfect for what they were looking for. I’ve included my favorite at the end of this post!

I had such a great time with Jen and Deric for their engagement session a few months ago! We walked all around and through Harvard Square, stopping at some of their favorite spots and bathing in some of the great light as the sun was setting. The sun really played up the colors in the trees and looking back on these images makes me miss fall so much.

We ended the afternoon at 1369 Coffeehouse in nearby Inman Square, where they had their first date and where Deric proposed (so sweet!). I can’t wait to see them again for their wedding in September!

Philomena and Patrick kept their wedding small and intimate, which I absolutely loved. They were married at Memorial Church right in Harvard Yard. After this we took a short stroll over to their reception at Harvard’s Germanic museum, Adolphus Busch Hall and Garden. The garden in the back of Adolphus Busch Hall is probably one of the prettiest I’ve seen and such a lovely, hidden spot for cocktails and mingling! The evening transitioned to the hall’s indoor space, with its dramatic architecture and lit sculptures. It’s such a treat photographing in new locations like this, and I hope to shoot there again in the near future!

A couple of behind-the-scenes tidbits–they had one of the sweetest little flower girls who helped escort Philomena all throughout the church and Harvard Yard while we were shooting portraits. She was adorable and took her role so seriously, and this only made her more adorable. Also, Patrick had broken his hand fairly close to the wedding so for much of the wedding day it was in a cast, which you may see in a photo or two below. With the doctor’s permission he was able to remove the cast for the ceremony and for the portraits!