Weddings and Engagements. The most exciting time of your life (well except for when the kids start coming) — full of promise, the unknown, the planning!, and happiness.

I love  textures. The physical texture of the lace on a wedding gown. The buttery smoothness of fresh roses. The fresh grass. The crunchiness of crudities. The texture of a Dad’s face when he sees his daughter in her wedding dress.  Powerful powerful stuff.

These are a few of my favorites from the past year. Some have been posted on the event blog, many have not. Some I have a deep attachment to because of the moment caught, some for the beauty in the object.

They all represent love & affection; planning, craftsmanship and artistry.

The colors were so beautiful this year. Lots of bright bold purples, reds, pinks. The gowns were gorgeous! and seemed to ‘fit’ each bride to her personality.

The receptions great fun — without fail. The PhotoBooth was a MAJOR hit with everyone who booked it, and for some reason the parents seemed to get a real charge–re-living their youth? Pete and I always had a ‘discussion’ about trading spaces cause it’s just way too much fun to working the booth.

and the food? YES! please. Beautiful plated meals, buffets, cakes.

Thank yous.

To all the couples that entrusted us to their day. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you — before and after — your day. You all make this the best ‘job’ anyone could hope for.

A shout out to local venues and coordinators: Janet at the Mansion at Bald Hill  Lara at the Woodstock Inn, Katie at the Golden Lamb. 3 local professionals that have been an incredible pleasure to work with. They treat you like family.

and finally to Pete and Norm. You guys are the best to work with. Covering my back when I get into that wedding ‘fog’; we’ve work together for so long you already know what I’m gonna do before I know it myself. And making sure that our clients have everything they need before they need it.

Thank you!

Enter for a drawing for a

A free session for an engaged couple.

and a 5×7.

To keep it fair: Engagement means you are engaged to be married, not just close friends or are in a relationship.

Session must be completed by April 30, 2012.

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How to Enter:

1.  Leave a comment on my blog page or the facebook entry on the day the session you want is offered. Doesn’t have to be fancy. ‘Me Me Me” works.   Winner randomly chosen by an independent party and announced and contacted the day following the offering. You can enter each day, but can’t win more than once.

2. Become a fan of “my facebook page”  If you are a Fan you’ll get an extra entry with your comment.  Simple!

3. Sessions will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time. Please keep your appointment, but if you’re sick or the roads are impassible we can reschedule once.

Pesky Details:

All sessions are approximately 1 hour long and will take place at the studio, 191 Providence Street, Putnam. Location sessions may be available for additional cost.

No minimum purchase required. Your free 5×7 will be chosen at your preview session at the studio, approximately 1 week after your session. Additional prints and digital files are available for purchase with very special pricing.  Prints will be available to be picked up approximately 2 weeks after your preview session. Mailing service is available at additional cost.

Sessions have no cash value, and are non-transferable.

Unless noted, session is for 1 person. Must be 18 or older, or have parent sign session release. Enter for each session if you want, but only 1 session per person will be awarded. In other words, you can’t win every session.

Weekend sessions are very limited, especially in spring and summer, and all sessions are subject to prior sales. Weekend sessions will be confirmed no earlier than 2 weeks prior to your session.

Sessions must be completed by expiration date; no extensions, no exceptions. If your session is not completed by the expiration date you will forfeit your prize.

Entrants not selected will have the opportunity for reduced session fees.

How about some free photography sessions throughout the New Year that will provide something a little more tangible – and quieter! than those 12 drummers drumming?

And you’ll receive one  free 5×7 from your session!

Beginning December 13th we’ll offer a special session every day until December 24th.  Each session will have it’s own expiration date sometime in 2012. Each has it’s own theme, is about an hour long, held at the Putnam studio. And all you’ll need to do is comment on the blog or facebook page for the daily session and tell me you want to win. If you LIKE my Facebook page you’ll be entered twice!

What sessions are going to be offered?? Birthday, Mothers or Father’s Day, Maternity, Engagement, “For His Eyes Only” and lots more!

Come on over to Facebook,  and you’ll be reminded when the new sessions are offered.

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How to Enter:

1.  Enter by leaving a comment on my blog page or the facebook entry on the day the session you want is offered. Doesn’t have to be fancy. ‘Me Me Me” works.   Winner randomly chosen by an independent party and announced and contacted the day following the offering. You can enter each day, but can’t win more than once.

2. Become a fan of “my facebook page”  If you are a Fan you’ll get an extra entry with your comment.  Simple!

3. Sessions will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time. Please keep your appointment, but if you’re sick or the roads are impassible we can reschedule once.

Pesky Details:

All sessions are approximately 1 hour long and will take place at the studio, 191 Providence Street, Putnam. Location sessions may be available for additional cost.

No minimum purchase required. Your free 5×7 will be chosen at your preview session at the studio, approximately 1 week after your session. Additional prints and digital files are available for purchase with very special pricing.  Prints will be available to be picked up approximately 2 weeks after your preview session. Mailing service is available at additional cost.

Sessions have no cash value, and are non-transferable.

Unless noted, session is for 1 person. Must be 18 or older, or have parent sign session release. Enter for each session if you want, but only 1 session per person will be awarded. In other words, you can’t win every session.

Weekend sessions are very limited, especially in spring and summer, and all sessions are subject to prior sales. Weekend sessions will be confirmed no earlier than 2 weeks prior to your session.

Sessions must be completed by expiration date; no extensions, no exceptions. If your session is not completed by the expiration date you will forfeit your prize.

Entrants not selected will have the opportunity for reduced session fees.

We had a great walk-around session last weekend in Putnam–still some amazing fall colors and foliage, and even the river water was ‘warm’

I think this is by far my most favorite season (well, except for spring and summer which would end in a tie); it’s almost like the trees are saying that we’d better enjoy the vibrancy of life before the white stuff starts blinding us.

They are SO cute!

“I hear the train a-comin’.

Not really, tho a couple backfires from a motorcycle made everyone move pretty quickly.

Thank you guys!! It great fun relaxing with you, hearing more about what the day will bring, and getting caught up on fantasy football

Can’t wait til next spring!

It is so wonderful to work with people in love, that can laugh, and don’t mind getting a little dirty.

We used almost every inch of the fabulous Pink House grounds in Woodstock, including the wild flower fields behind the estate–incredibly beautiful grounds were just icing on the cake!

Kim and Bill are SO MUCH FUN to work with. Spontaneous laughter from everyone

I met Kim almost 5 years ago when photographing her sister’s wedding — on Kim’s recommendation!  Bill is a Customer Service Manager at my bank and I had no idea they were engaged to each other, so I was thrilled to be asked to photograph their wedding

One question I get alot is: “I don’t know what to do”.  It usually doesn’t take too long to know instinctively ‘what to do’

I was a little reluctant to ask Kim and Bill to get down on the ground, but couldn’t resist the wonderful wild flowers.

Shouldn’t have even hesitated!

Hoping the Courthouse didn’t mind if they came in a little worse for the wear

Part of the fun of these sessions is acting a little crazy, role playing and hamming it up at little.

You’ll just have to ask Bill what was going on here

(And a huge shout out to Norm for his usual brilliant, and twisted mind !)

LOVE THIS! Friends of Kim had painted a heart on her car window — perfect!

THANK YOU! More than I can say.

I’m not sure I can wait til the wedding!

xoxxoxo

Walk around time, cuddly time, play time, moments of honest emotion with a single suggestion.

They met while working together about 6 years ago, and become good friends and built an enormous trust. When both their other relationships ended it was only natural for them to fall in love, friendships and trust already established. That is the way to do it!

It’s fabulous that New York has passed the same sex marriage laws and it’s wonderful to live in a state where love is celebrated no matter your gender.

Your wedding at the Inn at Woodstock Hill will be spectacular.

Tornadoes had ripped thru Springfield and western MA the night before, but you’d never tell it just 90 minutes away.

Spectacular grounds, clouds, blue water, and lots of wind.

And Jen and Mike that made the session so much fun–they were up for everything!

And thanks again to Norm who is a tremendous help, and has great ideas.

I’m not sure whose idea it was to go to the rocks, but THANKS!!

We’re gonna have a great time at your wedding next month!

We had such fun-I almost ended up in the (swiftly flowing) river; Scott scared the wits out of me by climbing trees and the bridge rails, and they each took turns going piggy back I’ve only just started with the processing and it’s going to be VERY hard to get only 15-20 images for the Guest Book. Very!

This one cracks me up!

I want you to stand there and not smile. Probably the hardest shot of the day

Thanks Guys! Such great fun– and I can’t wait for your wedding in February!

Our first stop was Victoria’s Station–such great pastries and coffee. And the atmosphere is right out of ‘Friends’.  And most of Putnam thought today would be the best time to catch up with friends over coffee and pastry. We moved tables a few times, waiting for the bright sunny front windows and sofas to come open.

Sara has the most beautiful eyes!

We ended up at Bella’s Gourmet Market for coffee and cappuccino which was delicious! The guys there were welcoming, and we didn’t have enough time to enjoy all the goodness the guys were cooking up.

So even if the weather didn’t co-operate, we had fun! just hanging around, trying not to fall over people, and some quiet talk. Thanks guys for your flexibility–and I’m really looking forward to May at Eolia!