Splashing in the fountain in Copley Square after a sweltering day in Boston.

Temps were in the 90s in Boston but Jessica and Leo were cool as could have been in front of the camera. They had a plan in mind and spots they wanted to hit–mostly the Boston Public Library and Copley. The late afternoon light was yummy and the haze provided a natural softbox–plus it didn’t hurt to have an assist from my super second camera, Chris Gagne–thank you! Just some pix from our day in the late-afternoon light of mid-Summer.

Finding the light in the BPL.

Kanoodling in the book room.

And more kanoodling.

And even more in the nooks and crannies.

Having some fun being statuesque.

Courtyard reflections.

Beautiful end to a beautiful day.

Under the pagoda on Boston Common where he first proposed.

With just weeks to spare we snuck this lil’ engagement shoot in just before their wedding next week.  They had a plan from dress (we changed into saree and kurta at the Sevens Pub on Charles Street), to the places on Boston Common that meant something to them.  Late afternoon light did the rest and some impromptu first-dance-practicin’ added a bit of the unexpected.  If this is how their Trinity Church ceremony and Colonade reception next weekend will go down it will be quite a day–and they only have to change outfits 3 times that day.

Shadows and light along one of Beacon Hills side streets.

Sondra and Erik play under a canopy of green in the Public Garden.

Lots of fun with Sondra and Erik and their little doggie strolling about Beacon Hill and then stepping out in the North End. As a Boston wedding photographer I always encourages my couples to bring props (umbrella’s come in handy) and a quick change of clothes ’cause you never know what Mother Nature will do.  S &E took it to a whole ‘nother level having a 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier complete with hair-do and bling. I can’t wait to see if lil’Oliver will be the official ring bearer for their November wedding. Time will tell–until then we have their Summer engagement shoot–”And her little dog, too.”

Every tree in The Public Garden is named with genus and species and a few have other names carved in as well.

North End bistro.

Of all the engagement spots this Boston wedding photographer has photographed over the years Nahant has to be one of my all time favorites. I was so happy Lissa and Brian chose it as I rarely impose my will on the “where”; I like the spots to have meaning for the couples–whenever possible. The day was a bit overcast but warm with a chance of rain but the scenery and all the different nooks and crannies that this gorgeous spot has to offer is Mother Nature in all her glory – no matter the weather. There was one shot where I asked that they go way out on one of the rock formations. The tide was coming in and I knew they had hurry.  These nature lovers easily traversed the rocks and incoming tides but as I was shooting from a good distance away I was only able to watch. A couple of perilous spots and a quick jump had them out on the point. We communicated via cell phones and experimented with different positions. I then ran, camera gear banging against my hip, around to meet them on their return–thankful that my clients were safe but excited to show them the shots. Here’s some for all to enjoy!

My intrepid couple making it look easy (notice tidal gap they had to traverse).

The sun came out just in time to set.

Me and my Honey in Millenium Park having some fun!

Last weekend I got engaged again for the first time. It was months in the planning: A trip to Chicago to see Oprah’s last studio show (thank you to our fab client Julie for the tix), a romantic getaway sans kids for the first time in 8 years (dog years at times), and a modest little 10 year anniversary gift for my wife, Asha. A long time ago, almost 10 years ago, we were busy buying a condo and moving. I was too poor and she was too practical  and the standard engagement style ring never materialized. I promised her then that if she can hold out until our ten year anniversary that I’d make good on the customary ring thing. Years passed and I’m sure she had forgotten my promise. Dharma was born, then Sarada. Dog died. Jobs came and went and the usual snowball-rolling-down-hill Life we had just kept jugging along collecting everything in its path.  Anniversaries were celebrated and I quietly remembered. Birthdays and births. Laughter and our fair share of tears but through it all I remembered. It is no small feat to celebrate 10 years of marriage and is something of which I’m very proud.

So fast-forward to Chicago 2011. I’m carrying this ring around with me everywhere. I was genuinely nervous–I mean she could say no, right? After all she has spent more than 10 years with me and my socks on the kitchen table, shoes in the hall, tardiness, etc. Also, I was afraid she’d hate my choice of ring. I asked Dharma if she thought Mami would like it and her response, “I’d take it!”

So where to do it? Do I get down on one knee? Should it be private or public? We were only in Chicago for a couple days so I was under the gun. The first night didn’t have the magic and I think we even bickered about some stupid thing. Before we left for dinner that night we were randomly watching some Ben Afleck movie and the damn guy has this scene with Jennifer Anniston where he has her pull the engagement ring out of his grubby cargo pants. WTF! Ben, man!  He just stole my thunder. That night the restaurant  just wasn’t right and plus I still had Ben on my mind.

From the Sky Deck in the "Sears" tower--would have made a great spot to pop the question.

Day 2 Oprah Show: OK. It was a possibility. We waited in line (not good). Then had to check all our belongings so I had to insist that I get the claim check ticket and casually asked the woman securing our stuff to let me have the box with the ring. She says to me laughing, “You gonna get engaged on the Oprah Show.”  That was out now and way too public–not us.

We did stuff like this all the time when we were first dating.

In the end it happend just as it should have, organically, as we exited the Art Institute of Chicago. The rest I’ll keep to myself and between us but it was magical and meaningful. We cried and laughed and fell in love all over again.

Lens Babe!

Tulips were everywhere.

My Muse: We did stuff like this all the time, too.

Some big fountain along the Lake.

Two kids and 10 years and somethings haven't changed at bit.

How fabulous was this!

Photo by turistas just like us.

Oh my God! She's crazy (to have married me).

No engagement shoot is complete without the feet--103 stories above the street.

Asha right after it all went down.

I think we did this kind of stuff back when, too.

Chicago is home to the most skyscrapers of any city in US but they couldn't compete with Asha on this day.

So where to from here, Cleopatra?

And that is how it all went down those 2-1/2 days last week. I gotta say a big thank you to my Mom who took care of our littlest one for us. And to Jess, Gav and the kids for entertaining Dharma for a couple days. We put our network to the test and we couldn’t have done it without them. Lastly I want to thank Maria at Absolute Titanium Design for working with me all those months coming up with this one-of-a-kind ring for my truly unique Woman.

Thanks to Adam and Elyse on how well they designed this pseudo-Rocky-like shot from our Philly, PA engagement shoot. Its simple with a splash of wedding color. Whenever a photographer sends one of his photos (babies) out into the world without having any control of its ultimate use he or she is either crazy or very trusting. I went with trusting and think Adam and Elyse really designed something unique and classic. A big thanks to them for giving my work its reverence.  I  can’t wait until September 10, 2011.

It's always sunny in Philly's Love Park!

Here’s a very quick few shots in honor of St. Valentine from Elyse and Adam’s shoot this weekend in the City of Brotherly Love! More like the windy city this past weekend but Elyse and Adam were great sports. For this Boston wedding photographer I never miss the chance to shoot in a new place.  We ran the steps of the art museum (a la Rocky), bopped in and around center city (Love Park, Broad Street, South Street and the Ritz). I visited parts of Philadelphia I hadn’t known about and we escaped the raw day but constantly ducking into some unique little establishments for refreshments of all sorts. Thanks for a great tour of your city guys and I hope you are celebrating the Hallmark Holiday like I know you can. See you in September!

There is a line of people standing behind me waiting to take the same shot.

Some love and laughs on The Mall.

When we were planning this shoot with Angelina and Danny we went back and forth about the weather and whether we should schedule it for a time of the year that was more conducive for outdoor photos around Boston. Not only was there piles of snow with no where to park the car (best if said with a stereotypical Boston accent) and that sludgy brine covering sidewalks ready to ruin the nicest pair of shoes, but also, the temps were hovering around 12 degrees with a windchill making it feel like minus 5F.  Danny said, “I want the snow since our wedding is in the late summer.” Both from Indonesia I wondered just how my two fair weather love birds might take to the full force of a New England Winter. They had their spots picked out and outfits at the ready. Angelina had a Newbury Street stop for her hair and makeup and both had a playfulness that quickly made us forget (at times) the briskness of this late January evening. They climbed snow drifts, dashed across Mem Drive and just kept going. We ducked into the Boston Public Library for some warmth and hot chocolate.  I love shoots when we can take advantage of that late evening twilight mixing with the man-made glow from city lights.

Strolling along the (Commonwealth) Avenue.

Does anyone know where this is?

Lauren and Steve, on weekend furlough from the Left Coast, couldn’t decide on where to have their love shoot when they were visiting The Hub. They were between apple picking in Central Mass. and the Beacon Hill area. I think they chose wisely if their romped around the Public Garden and through the side alleys along Charles Street are any indication. We had fun and finished at the tap where “everybody knows your name.”  Here’s to you guys and one helluva wedding next year!

From Asha:

Two features in one week… we are thrilled! Glen is so laid back (taking it all in, in his own way) , but I’m usually jumping up and down to see my husband’s photos and the sweet couples we attract year after year. Thank you Brenda’s Wedding Blog & Wedloft- we are honored.

Enjoy the articles!

Avyanna and Navin in Nahant- Bollywood Style

To see full article visit: Brenda’s Wedding Blog

Tanya & Rob- The Proposal

Check it out: Wedloft by Wedding Window