Yup, I admit I was a girl scout when I was little...

Corey & Isaiah met, fell in love and live in New York City; they're getting married in the beautiful Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport, MA in the fall and I can't wait to shoot their wedding!

Corey found me through the wonders of google and we had a GREAT (truly, really great - with lots of "oh, I think that too" comments) conversation - how they met (more on that when I blog their lifestyle pics), the proposal, the fabulous wedding plans (BBQ & Bluegrass band anyone?) and so I was delighted when last minute plans brought Corey to Newburyport tonight.

I got to meet Corey (even better in real life and can't wait to meet you too, Isaiah!) and her lovely parents - Don & Marilyn - and now I REALLY can't wait to shoot their wedding! While we chatted over coffee in Starbucks, there may have been a little coffee spillage incident and I was sorry that I didn't have my camera bag with me as true to my girl scout roots, I am always prepared....because posts are always better with a picture, here are some of the non-photography contents of my bag:



Contents of Leah's camera bag:
Little sewing kit,
Advil for any tension headaches
Tic Tacs for 2-calorie fresh breathe essential for kissing - for the bride and groom, I don't go around kissing everyone
Victoria's secret Stylist tape - LOVE it for fixing hems/hiding bra straps
Sephora blotting papers - shiny bride bad, beautifully blotted bride good
Shout stain remover & Tide to go - just in case that wedding cake smushing gets a bit out of hand
Band aids - although the smart bride is also prepared and wears in her shoes

Plus maybe a few lenses, flashes, batteries - all that junk :-)
Happy birthday to Marilyn on Friday

How cool is this? Imagine an instant wedding reception!

So I recently stumbled across "Improv Everywhere" - a group that cause scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 80 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City. The video below shows an "improv" of a surprise wedding reception.

Imagine being that couple - you've just got married at New York City Hall and then you have a surprise wedding reception complete with surprise best man, surprise maid of honor, surprise cake - love it!!!

Details, details, details...

Last weekend I photographed Karen & Scott's wedding - it was everything a wedding should be with so much love, happiness, joy, emotion, dancing, tears, laughter and dancing. Did I mention the dancing? A big shout out to Jonathan Covill from A Goodtime DJ - Jonathan had everyone up on the dance floor, shaking maracas and tamborines; there may even have been some crazy moments with the YMCA costumes...

I thought I'd use this post to talk about the detail shots. I see my role as the storyteller, I'm the extra set of eyes on the wedding day and I want to try to capture all of the little moments.

Every good story needs a beginning and so I'll try to find those opening shots that set the scene for the day ahead - they also make a great first page in a wedding album. Karen & Scott had beautiful invitations with a watercolor butterfly design:



Karen's "something old" and "something borrowed" was a stunning ring set that had belonged to her Nanna:



Karen got ready at her brother's house and I had some fun with a couple of little still life images:



Here are the wedding rings (plus Karen's engagement ring):



Once we arrived at the ceremony location, it was time to get some pictures of the guys and the small details:



During the ceremony, Karen & Scott lit a unity candle to symbolise the joining of their families, as the night went on the candles burned bright - just like the love that Karen & Scott have for each other:



And I couldn't leave you without a picture of the new Mr & Mrs MacNeill and so here they are:



Karen & Scott - it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you both over the last few months. Your wedding was absolutely beautiful and I was honored to photograph it for you. I wish you a lifetime of love and laughter, health and happiness together.

Hey dad!

Disclaimer: the blurry out-of-focus shot below was captured by my Mum. Mum - if there's such a thing as a photography gene, I didn't get from you!

But blur and composition aside it shows me and my Dad laughing pretty hard in Orlando last year and therefore in my opinion it's a pretty good picture.



And here's a slightly better one of my Dad playing crazy golf.

Happy Father's Day Dad - love you lots!

Lynn & Eric

Exactly two months from today, Lynn & Eric will become Mr & Mrs Paris at Harris' Pelham Inn, NH. I had the pleasure of hanging out with them recently for their lifestyle shoot and was stoked that they decided to really reflect their life together by bringing along their two little dogs.



Lynn & Eric met a while back when Eric moved to the area and they've been engaged for quite a while now. Meeting them, you'd think they'd maybe just had their first date yesterday as they totally have that new glowy love thing going on!



I am loving the way Lynn is looking at Eric in this one - plus I'm a fiend for a little sun flare.



See what I mean about the first-date style romance? There should be more dipping going on in this world. Loving how gently Eric is holding Lynn in this shot...



Eric & Lynn, I'm bummed that the dogs won't be part of the wedding party but so happy I'll get to photograph your big day! Your online gallery will be following very shortly...!