Some love stories come full-circle


And in this case, I'm talking about the love story between me and this ridiculously gorgina bride, Patricia.


Lemme explain: Way back in 2013/2014, when I was just a baby and shooting primarily high school senior portraits, I co-created the MADD Models Fashion Show, a charity fashion show with proceeds benefitting Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The models for that event were primarily teens between the ages of 14 and 18, and as you can probably guess, Patricia was one of those models. I'll try to scour the depths of the dark web to find some photos from that era and add them in to the bottom of this post so we can all have a good laugh.


So when Patricia got in touch with me all these years later to inquire about having me shoot her wedding?? What a feeling. She was cute enough to ask in her email if I remembered her- as if I could forget a perfect angelic human being like her. When she and her fiancé, Mario, described to me what they had planned for their intimate, family and close-friends-only Boston wedding day, I was giddy. The day's schedule consisted of Patricia getting ready at the Revere Hotel with her mom and grandmother. I hadn't planned on capturing any of her getting ready, but since I'd arrived early, I was so happy to have some time to capture a few moments of that section of the day. I have to shoutout Mayelin Vicente who does such incredible makeup and hair styling- Patricia looked like a doll when she was done. We started with the first look outside of Boston City Hall- which happened very quickly because Patricia didn't give a F if I was in position to shoot the moment, she saw her man and made a beeline for him (this is why I wear comfy shoes on wedding days so I can run into place for eager brides). After shooting formal family portraits outside City Hall, we went inside to have their ceremony, witnessed by their closest family and friends. Then we started a walking portrait tour of Boston, from City Hall Plaza, through Boston Common and the Gardens, and over to the Revere Hotel, where we hopped on a bus to drive to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Somerville for their reception where the two were toasted, had an incredible dinner, and cut their cake. Absolutely 10/10 food there, would totally recommend if you're looking to do something similar with a smaller wedding reception.


We ended the night by driving back to the Revere Hotel where they hosted an after party on the rooftop with their extended friend group. They had drinks flowing, a photo booth, and Patricia changed into the CUTEST dress to match the casual vibe. If I didn't have to leave on a flight to Stockholm the next day, I'd have crashed the party and stayed later just to hang out.


The day was so perfect, honestly, from start to finish. We were laughing all day and I felt like part of the family, which is the best way to spend a work day in my opinion. It was hard to narrow down my favorites, so I've added here what I think tells the story of the day, squirrels included. XO

White plush slippers with embroidered text cast shadows on a dark carpet in natural lighting.
A black and white detail shot of an elegant ankle strap heel being fastened during a formal occasion.
A person in a dark room stands in front of a window with dramatic lighting and shadows creating a moody atmosphere.
Delicate pink and white roses create an elegant floral arrangement with soft bokeh effect in the background.
A joyful bride smiles beneath her delicate white veil during an intimate wedding moment.
Historic brick buildings line a street in downtown Denver with autumn trees and the iconic clock tower in the distance.
A bride in a lace wedding gown and groom in burgundy suit stand against a brick wall on their wedding day.
A couple in wedding attire shares joyful moments against a brick wall backdrop during their special day.
A romantic wedding couple poses against a rustic brick wall backdrop in an outdoor setting.
A romantic black and white photo of a couple embracing during their wedding ceremony against a brick wall backdrop.
Two people in long dresses stand on a brick plaza near garden planters and buildings on an autumn day.
Panoramic view of people sitting and standing along a brick wall outside a building entrance.
A wedding couple poses in front of Boston City Hall with brick architecture and signage in the background.
A bride and groom share an intimate moment together, with the bride in white lace and the groom in a burgundy suit.
A black and white photograph shows a person standing at a service counter in what appears to be a bank or office.
A row of delicate white paper doilies with scalloped edges arranged in a decorative pattern.
A bride and groom walk down a brick-walled hallway with artwork displayed on the walls.
A couple shares a tender moment in a dimly lit hallway decorated with heart-shaped decorations.
A couple exchanges vows during an elegant indoor wedding ceremony with decorative lighting and floral arrangements.
A group of people share joyful laughter during a social gathering with American flags visible in the background.
A bride and groom stand together during their wedding ceremony while reading from cards or vows.
A wedding ceremony in progress with the bride and groom standing at an altar decorated with American flags.
A group of people browse through rows of red-spined books in a library or archive setting.
Professional in a navy blue suit sits at a desk in an office setting with brick walls and computer equipment visible.
A couple stands at the altar during their wedding ceremony with flags and decorative elements in the background.
A couple in wedding attire embraces during their marriage ceremony at a courthouse.
Two people in wedding attire share a joyful moment during an outdoor celebration.
People walking and conversing on a brick paved path during a sunny autumn day.
A wedding party crosses a busy intersection in New York City with tall historic buildings in the background.
Black and white photo series showing the flowing movement of a wedding dress train being carried along a paved path.
Wedding party in white dresses and formal attire walking through a park during golden hour.
Newlyweds share romantic moments in a sunlit autumn park setting with golden leaves and trees in the background.
Newlywed couple shares romantic moments under a weeping willow tree in autumn wedding photos.
A couple in wedding attire poses beneath autumn trees in a park during their outdoor photo session.
A black and white wedding photo showing a romantic moment between a couple in formal wedding attire.
A romantic black and white wedding photo of a couple sharing an intimate moment under willow trees.
A romantic couple embraces under a weeping willow tree near a lake during golden hour lighting.
A bride and groom pose together outdoors near a willow tree and pond in a black and white bridal portrait.
Couple in wedding attire walking along a scenic autumn path with golden sunlight filtering through trees in New England.
A black and white photo showing a wedding couple dipping in the Boston Public Gardens on their wedding day.
Two geese swim in the lake at the Boston Public Gardens during a sunny October afternoon.
A romantic black and white wedding photo captured in Central Park with the bride's dress flowing in the wind.
Couple in formal wedding attire walking and dancing together on a tree-lined path during autumn.
A collection of black and white wedding photos showing couples in formal attire outdoors in a garden setting.
A series of black and white bridal portraits showing a white lace wedding dress and flowing veil in an outdoor setting.
A bride in a white lace dress and veil stands in an outdoor setting with autumn foliage in the background.
A couple in wedding attire stands together by a tranquil pond in a scenic park setting, captured in black and white.
Black and white photo of a romantic wedding couple embracing outdoors in a park setting with autumn leaves.
Fallen autumn leaves scattered across a lush green grass lawn on a sunny day.
A sequence of black and white wedding photos showing a couple walking through a crowd of guests outdoors.
Bride and groom in a burgundy suit board a party bus to their wedding reception.
The exterior of Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurant in Somerville, MA, at Assembly Row.
Cocktail shrimp appetizer at a wedding reception at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Wedding reception appetizers at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
Wedding reception guests gather at tables in a warmly lit banquet hall with yellow drapes as backdrop.
People in formal attire enjoy conversation at an elegant dinner party with white tablecloths and decorative settings.
People gathered around a dining table for a celebratory meal with candles and drinks.
A black and white photo of wedding guests toasting with wine glasses at a reception celebration.
Wedding guests laugh and socialize at elegant reception tables decorated with colorful floral centerpieces.
A group of wedding guests share emotional reactions during a reception celebration.
A joyful couple cuts their wedding cake together at their reception, with the bride in white and groom in burgundy.
A couple in formal attire cuts their elegant white wedding cake together at an indoor reception.
A couple in wedding attire share a romantic dance moment in an elegant indoor venue.
A romantic black and white wedding photo collage showing tender moments between a bride and groom.
A group of well-dressed guests enjoy a formal dinner party with wine glasses and elegant table settings.
A collage of wedding reception moments showing dancing, toasting and celebration at an elegant indoor venue.
Silhouetted figures dance and celebrate in a dark nightclub setting with purple lighting effects.
People dancing and socializing at a nighttime event with blue lighting and floral decorations.
A wedded couple enter their after party and are celebrated by their family and friends.
Wedding guests gathered in the rooftop space at the Revere Hotel in Boston for a wedding after-party.
Close-up of a diamond and gold engagement ring and two wedding rings.
Black and white photographs scattered on a dark surface showing various personal memories and moments.

Ok time for a laugh

Before viewing these photos please remember:

  1. These were shot in 2013.
  2. I was 20 years old. I knew nothing.
  3. Event photography was not my forte at the time.
  4. I thought that logo needed to be that big. On every photo. I was very concerned with people taking my blurry, dark photos.
  5. Let's just focus on how beautiful Patricia has been her entire life, ok? Ok. Great. Thanks.
A series of close-up beauty shots showing a polka dot dress against a white background.
Models walk the runway showcasing fashionable footwear at a glamorous fashion show event.
Stage performers in dark shorts entertain an audience with dramatic lighting and backdrop effects during a live show.
A series of close-up photos showing someone wearing a white and black polka dot top with pink lipstick.

The moral of the story is

We all start somewhere. And sometimes we have to shoot out-of-focus, dark, weirdly-shot, over-edited photos to learn how to create beautiful, documentary, wedding photography that tells a story of a uniquely personal wedding in a truly authentic way. Trust the process. Patricia did and I'm forever grateful.