Liz and Mike were married Friday with a wonderful winter wedding at the Publick House in Sturbridge MA–light snow, relatively warm temps, clear roads, and fun that wouldn’t quit.

LOTS of photos!

Are those working buttons ?!!?!?!?!?

Doesn’t Liz make the most beautiful bride?

Liz and Mike decided to do a first view before the ceremony

And all the formals! A real time saver, and everyone could get right into the cocktail hour!

I love sequential shots that tell the story a few moments–these were from the few quiet moments the bridal party had before the ceremony started.

I don’t wanna wear shoes! Mia, I’m with you on that!

A fabulous ceremony table! Friends and family, past and present to help and suppost Liz and Mike on their journey. VERY touching!

That’s enough–I am SO done with this!

I told you guys that nothing would escape our lenses!!

Holy smokes. I wouldn’t want this job–even with 2 hands!!!!!!

One of my favorites of the day–Johnny stole Liz for a few alone minutes.

The softball crews

Thank you all for your hospitality, your warmth and laughter.

A few special thanks since this was a bit unusual for me.

9 days before the wedding I broke my wrist in 4 places, when the dog walked me over black ice and I went flying.

Literally, before I got into the house, my first thought was ‘oh rats’ (insert your favorite expletive here and rats is not my favorite)’what am I gonna do on the 26th. Immediately after I got x-rayed the next day, my mind was at ease when Johnny agreed to come and help out. I didn’t think I would last through 3-4 hours and I couldn’t risk a collapse over the dinner plate I know Pete, who is my current second shooter, is a fabulous sniper with the long lens, and I figured I could work at least part of the day, but really needed to make sure Liz and Mike had what they were contracted for. Thank you Liz, for not missing a beat when I had to make the awful phone call telling you about my situation–for trusting that the day would go as planned. You’ll never know how much that conversation contributed to recovery.

As it was I think we got some of my all time favorite images — I had to work with a lighter lens than what I normally use-but it afforded some real creativity with the shallow focusing, Pete used other than his normal lenses, also with shallow focusing and Johnny made use of off camera lighting for the formals and reception that I would never have been able to do, one handed. Thank you all. We made a great team

I hate having my picture taken but this one during the formals light setups made me laugh. Man, I gotta get the sling right!

Date: February 26

Ceremony and Reception Location: Publick House, Sturbridge MA

To celebrate the season of lovers, I’m offering a limited time, limited edition package with include 8 hours of photography with one photographer and a bonus 2nd photographer/assistant/human light stick, all digital files from the day, 250 4×6 proofs, up to 3 hours of PHOTOBOOTH! rental with up to 100 printed strips for your guests and you to enjoy, and a 9×12 digital album with 20 pages, telling the story of your day.
$2950.00

Save $1200.00 off normal prices.

Valid for remaining dates in 2010, and some off season 2011 dates.

Some travel restrictions, and offer may be withdrawn without notice.

Warning: if at work turn off your speakers   Heather and Scot incorporated my favorite wedding song into their ceremony so I had to incorporate it into their post.

Such a glorious winter day, and I’m not necessarily talking about the weather.

Thank you for sharing your families, and your love.

Happy travels to you both.

xoxoxoxo

Date: February 13

Ceremony Location: Grace Fellowship Church, North Stonington CT

Reception Location: Crocker House, New London CT

Coordinator: Joanne, Matthews Catering

Caterer: Matthews Catering

An enormous thank you to Pete–without him it wouldn’t even be photographable (and if there is one thing I HATE to do is strip wallpaper; Pete just told me to find something else to do and got it done in a day, and to Armand who helped patch and patch and sand and patch

The before pictures:

2 Main shooting areas ~18′ wide, total 33′ long

I want to make this a quiet nook

The other end of the 2 main shooting areas-check that nicely blown light

Hallway to downstairs (and outside entrance) and Desired Weddings!! One stop shop for brides!

Conference and a place to relax.

‘After’ pictures are gonna take a while–maybe a week or 10 days cause there’s a big wedding coming up a week from tomorrow–yay Heather and Scot,and a bridal show on the 14th (Indian Ranch, Webster MA–come on out!)  some senior pictures over the weekend, a ball game on Sunday. Maybe some more in progress as the week goes on.

So excited! Just signed a lease for my first real studio–and it’s none too early. I’ve been tripping over photo stuff in my front rooms for about 3 years (I NEVER give up!) and those clients-usually boudoir girls–have suffered from me climbing over stuff, constantly adjusting the lights to accomodate the tight shooting space, no real dressing area, etc etc etc.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s been great fun and nothing beats working in your PJs, but it’s time to MOVE UP!!

Office and studio will be located on the second floor of the old Labonte and Mercik building on Providence St in Putnam, right above Sandy Ouelette’s Desired Weddings Bridal and Prom Store.

Just some minor painting and electric work, and arranging and placing all the ’stuff’ and then we’ll be having a GRAND OPENING! Look for some in-process pics, starting tomorrow, maybe

In no particular order, and I thank you for looking:

]]> http://www.karenleaf.com/the-year-in-review-my-favorites/feed/ 0 http://www.karenleaf.com/wedding-albums/ http://www.karenleaf.com/wedding-albums/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:08:31 +0000 Karen Leaf http://www.karenleaf.com/?p=1476

Each album is designed around the events of the day; each image deliberately placed to maximize the story telling. Your album will become an instant heirloom.

Your Images are true photographs mounted on thick, archival board. Leather and faux covers in all colors of the rainbow, photocovers, metallics, are choices you can make to individualize your book.

Your album will be pre-designed to help you with your image decisions, but you are able to substitute whatever you like–it’s your book and your day!

Two Tones:  Sea and Sand

Beautiful, solid pages. This one is 26 pages, or 13 spreads.

Biker Chic is brown flecked with black. VERY COOL!!

Black is always so elegant, and stands the test of timelessness.

Photocover Mini Album

Mini Wedding Albums are available as duplicates to your full size album and are available in leather, and photocovers.

Just for fun, wallet size memory books make great gifts for your attendants or special family members. They have a leather cover and magnetic closer . CUTE!!!

Images taken at Tyrone Farm, Pomfret CT; Our Laby of Mount Carmel, Worcester, MA; St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Edgartown MA, Sacred Heart Church, Thompson CT; Sacred Heart, Webster MA; First Congregational Church, Woodstock CT; Eolia, Waterford CT; Candlewood Inn, Brookfield, CT

]]> http://www.karenleaf.com/the-year-in-review-part-3-the-wedding-venues/feed/ 0 http://www.karenleaf.com/the-year-in-photos-part-2-the-wedding-ceremony/ http://www.karenleaf.com/the-year-in-photos-part-2-the-wedding-ceremony/#comments Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:01:32 +0000 Karen Leaf http://www.karenleaf.com/?p=1402 I’m going to start the year in review with the ceremony, since that’s the real reason everyone is gathered together.

Whether the ceremony is in a beautiful old church with ornate architecture, or outside under sunny skies on a farm or backyard,  or under threatening skies there is one common picture. Beautiful brides, handsome grooms, and a whole lotta love goin’ on. A few of my all time favorites, really hard to choose.

I don’t know what touches me most: the moments before the walk down the aisle, the hand-off to your new husband, or the emotional reaction of all the family. I hope you enjoy the memories.

“The All Photographers Need to be in Focus Series”

Dad is pretty much a ham! I gave him one of my older DSLRs a few years ago, and he still can’t get over the fact that you can’t line up the prisms in the viewfinder. We’re working on learning how to get the photos from the camera to the computer.

For everyone who DOESN’T like having their picture taken, I completely and utterly commiserate. That’s why we have so much fun when I’m doing the picture taking

And of course Bailey didn’t want to be stuck in the car when everyone was having so much fun outside.

I love to travel, but didn’t get very far this year: DC, which I adore and so convenient since Morgan lives right outside the District (and I can’t wait to get back for the Cherry Blossoms!) Took the nephews down for a few days since they had never been

Didn’t make Martha’s Vineyard as much as usual since my weekends were pretty much booked solid, but the 4th of July is always off the calendar. Reading of the Declaration of Independence has been an annual family and friends tradition since ~1946, and Dad let Morgan be the guest speaker since she has missed the past 2 celebrations while serving in Iraq.

Brother Gus overseeing the whole operation….

Chilmark pond was opened to allow the water level to drop, and in the incoming tide caused large dunes along the ocean side. Such a cool shot of the water coming up and splashing the dunes.  One of my all time favorites cause it’s so weird.

Boston: Scott Kelby’s PhotoWalk North End Boston.

I Love Boston. Enough said.

Great day except I missed my scheduled train and had to wait 2.5 hours. BLEH!

Stay tuned for favorite wedding photos from the year. So many to choose from!!

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