Love Recaptured: Matt & Meg at the Rose Garden at Lynch Park

May is probably my favorite month of the year. Ok, well maybe the entire summer if my favorite time of the year. I can't get enough of the sun and the warmth and the beautiful greens and, and, and... We've been blessed with some awesome weekends this year and believe you me I am not taking it for granted! Slight breeze, warm sun, and beautiful blue skies. And I know I've said it before, I LOVE warm summer weather! This weekend was no exception, perfect for a bridal session!

A little while ago I offered two gift sessions to anyone that wanted to take advantage of it on my Facebook Fan Page. Meg sent me an email saying she was interested and I jumped at the chance to get her and hubby in front of my camera. They will be celebrating their one year anniversary in August, but on Sunday they were transformed back into newlyweds on their "wedding day".

One fun fact about yesterday's shoot: Meg's bouquet was edible! She designed and created it herself. She's got a bit of the crafting gift as she also designs her own jewelry (check out her necklace!) And while neither of us are fans of collard greens for their taste, they sure where a nice and unique touch for her bouquet.

*After a few twists and turns in the plan, we decided to have their shoot at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts. If you have never been here before, you much check it out. Right on the Atlantic Ocean, it offers beautiful views and has a bunch of wide open spaces to have a picnic or nap in the sun. Brides to be, if you are looking for a place to have an outdoor ceremony, look no further. Right in the middle of the park, is a BEAUTIFUL rose garden, complete with a terrace, beautiful stone work and a garden that changes throughout the season. Check out the above link for more info!*

Alright, let's get to the pictures!

How cute are these two?!

A favorite from the day!

They were pros, I hardly had to direct at all!

Meg, you are beautiful.

More favorites.

And lastly, the bouquet!

Make sure to come back tomorrow for a slide show of their session, and as always, leave these two lovebirds some comment love!

A Preview of Matt & Meg's Love Recaptured at the Rose Garden at Lynch Park

Come back soon for a full post, but for now here's a sneak peek of the fun I had this afternoon!

Love Recaptured: Cindy at the deCordova Museum

As promised here's Cindy's slide show. Please enjoy!

Love Recaptured: Cindy at the deCordova Museum

Cindy is a southern belle. And while she relaxes into a duller version of her southern accent, get her talking with the right person and I feel like I am watching Gone With The Wind. And I love it. She's also probably the sweetest person you'll meet with the most infectious laughter ever.  I love hanging out with her and I'm so honored to have been able to spend the afternoon with her and her big, puffy, beautiful wedding gown.

Please enjoy these images from her session at the DeCordova Sculpture Parker and Museum in Lincoln. If you've never been you DEFINITELY need to check this place out! Don't be afraid to leave Cindy some comment love below!

I have many favorites from this day. Especially this one. Cindy, you're beautiful!

Can you believe these were made with little pieces of tires?

Another favorite of the day.

Absolutely stunning girl!

Come back soon for a slide show of our time together!

A Preview of Cindy's Love Recaptured at the deCordova Museum

Yesterday, I had a blast photographing my sweet friend, Cindy, at the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln. I have always wanted to check this place out and it did not disappoint! Neither did Cindy in her stunning princess gown! I couldn't resist, so here's a sneak peek of what's to come!

Check back soon for a full posting from this session!

Love Recaptured: Mandy at Harvard Square

As promised here's Mandy's slideshow. Enjoy!

Love Recaptured: Mandy at Harvard Square

You couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather for a bridal session than on Saturday. Blue skies with fluffy white clouds, temperatures in the 70's and a nice faint breeze. It was absolutely perfect! Now, if only every day in New England was as great! The session started out in Mount Auburn Cemetery. I know, what you're thinking. A cemetery, really? But Mandy has suggested heading there and told me about the interesting architecture of some of the buildings on the property, the lush foliage and the unique winding pathways. Don't worry I stayed away from any goth looking images and was blown away by the beauty of the property. That is until...

We got kicked out. Who knew that you can't take photos in a cemetery without a permit. As we were being reprimanded (I always like to ask for forgiveness instead of permission), I noticed every tourist that walked by had a camera around their neck. Not quite sure what made us any different, but they didn't want us there.

So cheerfully mumbling under my breath ;), we drove back through Cambridge looking for a second location. We drove past this little courtyard area and I couldn't resist. One big u-turn later and we were off and shooting again. Dare I say it was even better than our original location? Too bad I have no idea whose courtyard we were in.

Either way, Mandy rocked it out. I didn't really expect any less from this beautiful blonde. I had so much fun with her and I am so blessed by her willingness to walk around in her wedding dress for the day! Check out her GORGEOUS session!

This is one of the reasons why we chose the cemetery. Check out that awesome statue of a sphinx! There was this beautiful chapel on the property as well. And this is one of my favorites from the day!

AND THIS ONE!

At this point we got kicked out and moved on into Harvard Square where we found this location :)

That's the Mandy I know and love:)

Can you believe that those are her natural eyelashes. What I would have given to be blessed with those!

Work it girl!

This just captures her beauty perfectly.Some lady stopped us to explain that we were shooting in front of the Longfellow House , which was a wedding gift from Longfellow to his future son-in-law! What a great wedding present!!

* Come back tomorrow for Mandy's slide show! *

Life Captured: Mason

I cannot believe that last Saturday I was photographing little Mason. It's been a long time coming for this little bugger and I can hardly believe that he is finally here! He's such a joy. A little miniature version of his parents. When I was shooting Tricia's maternity session, I couldn't even imagine what Mason would look like. And now that he's finally here, he's perfect! Please enjoy their newborn session and feel free ooh and ahh over the adorableness that is Mason! look at that face!

I love that you can see TJ giving Mason a kiss in the background:)

And of course we can forget TJ and Tricia's first baby, Liebchen!I am so happy for you guys! Mason is the best and I can't wait to watch him grow and watch you grow as a family! Congratulations!!

A Preview of Mason's Life Captured At Home Portraits

Hi folks! Last week my lap top had to make a trip to the Apple Store hospital. They've had a delay on the part that needs to be replaced and so it's been a week and no computer!:( Hopefully I'll have it back this week so I can post this recent newborn session with my good friends TJ and Tricia. But for now here's a little sneak peek of what's to come! Enjoy!

Ain't he a CUTIE?!! Oh, I can't get enough!

Life Captured: Alissa's Portraits at Tufts University

One of my goals for 2010 was to get connected with other local photographers in the area. Thanks to the [B] school, I'm already succeeding at that goal:) Two of the people I have met locally via [B] school is Leah Haydock and Erik Patton. Both of these photographers are super nice, encouraging and knowledgeable. I met with Leah over Passion iced tea at Starbucks where I talked her ear off about business, photography and more. She patiently answered my questions and I left that get together feeling so motivated encouraged. Thanks Leah!

Several weeks later I met up with Erik, at a local pastry and coffee shop. (as a side note, I've been going to this coffee shop since it opened, as I had a good friend that worked there, and have watched it grow and flourish. I was excited when Erik asked to meet up there because I love being able to support a local small business!) Anyways, Erik and I are at very similar stages in our business, so it was nice to be able to talk about problems, frustrations, goals and accomplishments with someone who knew what I was talking about.

Erik is into fashion and setting up fashion shoots and invited me to tag along to one over the weekend. While I LOVE fashion, I have little to no experience working with models or doing fashion shoots. I just wanted to watch and see how Erik worked, set up lights, etc., but in between set ups Erik allowed me to get the model in front of the camera! Thanks Erik!

It has been really exciting to get connected with other photographers in the industry. Leah and Erik, a special thanks to you guys for being so open and friendly! And again, a big thanks to [B]ecker for creating a place where this kind of community can come together. I know that the [b] school has and will continue to grow my business and help me grow as a photographer!

Life Captured: The Schmidt Family

I am beside myself. Moose, as he is fondly referred to, has made his grand entrance. My very good friend Tricia gave birth to this little nugget on Friday. Oh what joy! I still can't really believe that he is here! It feels like it took him forever, as we were all expecting him a lot earlier than his due date. But he knew what he was doing and decided that we wanted to be well done before he greeted the world. I am so excited, happy and over joyed for TJ and Tricia. They delivered a happy, healthy little baby boy, what a gift!

Here is the happy before:

And the happy after :

Life Captured: Tricia's At Home Portraits

Tricia just glows. From her head to her toes she exudes happiness and excitement about her little man who will enter the world in the next few months. Moose, as they call him until he is born, (they are waiting to tell people the name they have picked) is an active little fellow, even posing for pictures during the session, according to Tricia. He was kicking and rolling all around. What a ham already! It's plain to see how much TJ and Tricia already adore their little one. What joy it is to see two parents, who deeply love each other and the life they have created together. It really is wonderful to witness. TJ and Tricia, thank you for letting me document this special time in your life! What an honor. I cannot wait to meet little Moose and squeeze his little cheeks!

Please enjoy a slideshow of their session!

View my portfolio | deborahzparker@mac.com

Love Recaptured: Amy and Jonathan's Worcester Portraits

As I mentioned in my last post, this past weekend I photographed one of my best friends, Amy and her husband, Jon, while they were in New England for the holidays.

I've known Amy since our freshman year at college. Over the years our friendship grew and grew. We bounded over our love for Sex and The City, late night homework sessions, the best Thai food ever from Brown Sugar, Coach hand bags, pedicures, manicures, Top Gun and more. We only get to see each other a few times a year, as they live in the D.C area, but each time we just pick up where we left off. We just click. And it's awesome!

A few weeks ago Amy timidly approached me asking if I could shoot a mini session of her and Jon while they were up here for the Holidays. I couldn't have been happier that she asked! I have been dying to get these two in front of my camera and I am so pleased with the results. These two love birds are such a sweet, funny and all around great couple! I'm so happy to have had the chance to photograph their love! Enjoy!

Amy laughs with all she has and it always makes you laugh!

How fun are they?!

Hot, Hot, Hot!!

I love you guys, thank you for getting in front of my camera!!

View my portfolio | deborahzparker@mac.com

Love Recaptured: A Preview of Amy and Jonathan's Worcester Portraits

Folks, I am sorry. I am a negligent blog poster. And I have to admit, I've somewhat enjoyed it. I've taken these past few days without posting to rest, visit with family, and enjoy the Holidays. I've also been busy at work, creating a project on homelessness in Danvers, but more on that later.

For now, I'll leave you with something to wet your whistle: Amy and Jon!

Amy is one of my very best friends and I couldn't have been happier to document the love between Jon and his beautiful wife over the holidays.

Check back soon for more on this awesome couple:)

View my portfolio | deborahzparker@mac.com

Life Captured: Nia

On Saturday afternoon I got a phone call. It was my very good friend Anna asking if they could spend the evening at our house. "Sure thing!" was my thought in my head, but since she called while I was taking a nap, I  muttered a very groggy sure instead. Boy am I glad that they decided to visit! We don't get to see these folks all that often (these folks being Anna, her husband, Dave and their little girl Nia.) Since we had our first big snow storm on Saturday evening,  Sunday morning, while the girls stayed warm inside, the boys went out and shoveled out our house. It was a neighborhood event and was very fun to watch from the comfort and warmth of my living room!

Nia was fascinated with two things, watching daddy shovel outside and our Christmas Tree. So I took advantage of her sitting  by the window  and photographed away. Warning: Your hear my just burst with the adorableness of this awesome little girl!

She has more and more teeth coming in all the time!

She was so happy to watch daddy outside!

Nia has this thing about pointing. She was fascinated with the camera. It always amazes me to watch kids explore and think.

I just about died when I saw these next too!

We love you guys!!!

View my portfolio | deborahzparker@mac.com

Life Captured: Spring's At Home Portraits

Here she is! After shooting a wedding with Spring this past Saturday, we spent Sunday photographing each other in her back yard. She had this awesome old orange chair that we had fun playing with. She wanted some images with her and her SUPER adorable pup Coby (named after Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury :)), so I placed the two of them in the chair and started shooting.Spring owns the 5d Mark II AND a 50mm 1.4!! I was like a little kid playing with a new toy at Christmas. Between the two of us we ended up taking 693 images in the span of an hour and half. Yes, we belong to over shooters anonymous!

And here is the awesome orange chair!

Beautiful lady:)

As you'll see later, Spring and I, without planning it, walked out of the house in practically the same outfit. White sweater, jeans, black shoes and a scarf. Hey, it was all we could do to not freeze in the 30 degree weather!

I love her pup Coby. He's more like full grown dog by now though... I just met his this weekend and we're best friends now. He even came to wake me up and cuddle on Sunday morning. LOVED IT:)!

I love these images! They are just so fun!Beautiful Spring!

A Preview of Spring's Life Captured At Home Portraits

Hey folks! I am slowly recovering from being sick and have a lot to get caught up on!

I had a great weekend up in Maine and New Hampshire with my good friend Spring! I am busily working on the images from this weekend, posts will follow shortly! Saturday we photographed a wedding in Jackson, New Hampshire and then spent Sunday out in her gorgeous backyard. Here's a sneak peek of what we were up too... check back soon for more!

Life Captured: Dave's At Home Portraits

Dave and I moved into our house in June. We have been so busy since that time, that we haven't really had a chance to explore our new neighborhood. So two and half months after we moved, we found time to take a walk around. I love where we live. Right near the home of the best breakfast sandwich in town.  It's probably clear now why Dave decided we should buy this house! Next to the market is a large park that the whole neighborhood hangs out in. I feel like we are in the center of it all up here on our little hill. As we went on our exploratory walk around, Dave was a good sport and put up with me taking his photograph (even after he got a few cat calls!!)