During the spring-autumn wedding season most couples are praying for clear weather. We’re happy to say last season we had a perfect record! Of course, with New England winter in full swing, one learns the art of embracing whatcha’ get. And this particular winter has been a force to be reckoned with. Which brings us to Thomas and Denaie :) The day of their engagement session, we were expecting a storm of some kind, though we wouldn’t realize what we were in for until later that day! Everyone was willing and sufficiently bundled (except for Kerry, who forgot his boots) so, we set out for the magical Nestlenook Farm. A beautiful resort, complete with Victorian architecture, ice skating pond, charming, fireplace-equipped warming huts, horse-drawn sleighs and oh yes, reindeer! It’s a happy place.

We, of course, did get our snow. Halfway through our session, it started coming down like crazy! It was beautiful. And Thomas and Denaie, even whilst getting precipitated upon, were enthusiastic and fun and great to be around. Thomas even cleaned our car off for us before we left! We are fond of them and hope they remember the day as happily as we do. Hopefully these photos will bring them good memories for a long time.

We’re excited to present our latest offering, which is Jessica and Justin’s chilly but lovely Newburyport, MA engagement session! They were so much fun and laid back and willing to let us have our way with them (photographically speaking). So, we all braved the cold January day and wandered our way through the town to see what we could see. Newburyport is so charming…crackly cobblestone, weathered brick and widow’s walks kind of charming. And full of history. It has much to offer in any season! And of course, the element of a wonderful couple makes things even better. We’re eagerly anticipating their beautiful May wedding. Thanks for being such good sports guys, we had so much fun!

And now, the fruitage of our wanderings….. :)

On the very first day of this year we had the pleasure of capturing the love and emotion of Brian & Kate’s New Year’s Day wedding at the Chase House in Meredith, NH. The Chase House is part of the Common Man family of restaurants and Inns and for atmosphere and wonderful food, you pretty much can’t go wrong with the Common Man. It sits right next to the Mill Falls Marketplace in Meredith, in full view of Lake Winnipesaukee. We had a great time photographing Brian & Kate’s “First Look,” which took us around Mill Falls’ charming New England lake town byways.

Their day was intimate and cozy and full of the love of family and friends. Brian and Kate have a beautiful little girl named Syndey and it was wonderful to see her share their happy day. In fact, as you will see, there was no shortage of adorable kids. We were we more than happy to record their steady stream of cuteness! Congratulations guys….we wish you a forever of happiness!

So I’ve heard about this for a long, long time. Yep, your kids grow up. Fast. I remember taking a road trip with my little girl, Lindsey (or ze-ze, as we used to call her), probably a year or so after this photo to the left was taken. We drove all the way to Arkansas, just her and I. We talked, listened to some great driving music and sang. She would make up her own little songs about all the things she saw along the way. Once, just outside of Nashville, she hid behind one of the seats of our Chevy Astro while I was pumping gas. Nearly gave me a heart attack! Looking back on her childhood, I don’t remember nearly as much as I wish I did…and sometimes I think I should’ve cherished every minute with her just a bit more than I sometimes think I did. But I do know that for as much as I love her now, every single one of those minutes counted.

So my little girl is getting married now. It’s pretty surreal. And it’s all true. You blink your eyes a couple times and your kids grow up. Of course, while it’s happening, you barely notice it. But then, from up ahead a milestone rolls around a bend in the road, mows you over and you realize you’ve been beamed twenty years into the future. And the future is now! My little Ze-ze has turned into a beautiful young woman, and just like when we trekked halfway across the country—a young dad and his 4 year old co-pilot—I still thoroughly enjoy her company, and friendship. She’s got a great head on her shoulders, she’s a pretty well-traveled young lady and she’s thrown-in with a new travel companion who I believe will share her enthusiasm for what lies up around the bend and take good care of her.

What do you do when you’re a photographer and your little girl gets engaged? You capture some of the most meaningful images of your career. Taylor and I spent the day in Boston with Lindsey and her Fiancée, Jalum, happily engaged in their engagement session. I’d like to thank Taylor, who took many of these photos, for helping me capture my first child’s “lift off.” Ze-Ze <ahem> Lindsey, and Jalum’s, big adventure will commence on Saturday, June 18th, 2011…

Saturday we showed up at the Purity Spring Sled Dog Race Classic in Madison, NH. Maddie and Dylan took a sled dog clinic last week at the adjoining King Pine Ski area, where they learned the basics of operating a sled, hooking up the dogs, and more importantly, how to stop! So, on Saturday they had a sign-up for the kids, and the first twenty could actually get a chance to run (actually, be towed might be more accurate) in a one dog race! Dylan was thirteenth in line (Maddie opted out of the racing part), but somehow didn’t make it in. But that wasn’t about to stop my Mom (thanks Mom!) from making sure that her Grandson got his place on the starting line…that’s a story for another day, but our sincerest thanks go out to local dog sledding hero Bruce Crowther, and Gretchen Karlson of Karlson Kennels, Concord, MA for lending Dylan not only their team leader, Squeaky (I apologize Squeaky, if I’m not spelling your name right) and a sled, but also their time and expertise in getting Dyl ready to roll (I mean, slide). He had a blast and so did we! Here are some shots Tay and I took…

Yes, their eyes are that blue!

After racing 12 miles, they’re just a bit tuckered out on the home stretch…but still workin’ it.

Nothin’ like a good old Dodge to get yer dogs to the race on time!

This next photo is one of my top 3 faves, I think. I swear I did not Photoshop the expression on that dog’s face (I didn’t even know a dog was physically capable of doing that). It’s priceless…way too funny, but I promise she is not choking him!

Another classic from Tay:

The kids have a go…I think it’s great that the kids can get involved in this great sport at such a young age…with or without a sled!

Pre-race pep talk:

…and she’s ready to go.

One of the things I love about photography is the story you sometimes find in your photos only after you take them. This little guy was doing his darnedest to keep his dog motivated…the dog, feeling a bit social I guess, stopped off to say hello to the spectators:

Oh well…

Ok, you definitely deserve some lap time…

Dylan finally gets his chance:

The End.