Photography Blog

Boston wedding photographer passionate about documenting exquisite celebrations rooted in family and one of a kind experiences. Based on Boston's North Shore.

Happy Holidays from the Deborah Zoe Family

As a family we've made it a priority to spend time together at the end of the year to decompress, relax and truly ENJOY the Holidays! And I'm excited to share that the tradition will continue this year!

Boston Harbor Engagement

Nothing is more fun than having the opportunity to photograph the siblings or family members of past DZP couples. Like Lauren, whose brother RJ is a past DZP groom. I first met Lauren and Marshall on RJ & Meredith's wedding day this past June when I had no voice (read : my voice was competely gone due to the flu), so imagine how fun it was to meet them at their engagement session with a full voice!! I loved spending the morning with this adorable duo, who first met in Boston, began a flirtation over Bruins vs Canadians hockey and have been insperable every since. Fittingly they wanted their engagement session to reflect their love for the city that started it all for them.

The Mentor Sessions

Several times a year I have the joy of connecting with other photograhers and helping to them to walk through goals, solve probelms and answer questions through one on one mentor sessions. This past week I met the beautiful and lovely Dina of Dina Godzik Photography who is a talented New England portrait and wedding photographer!

Tis the season for albums!! I love this time of year when client albums are being packaged up and sent to their homes. It's an incredible way to relive the wedding season and relive the beautiful wedding days that DZP was honored to be a part of, like Sarah & Justin's epic Cape wedding from this past summer!! I loved everything about this wedding from the updated classic touches to Sarah's amazingly gorgeous dress to the sweet families that were a part of the day.

Sarah and Justin decided upon a Signature Wedding Album and I'm so glad they did! This album is HUGE and BEAUTIFUL!! It's such a statement piece and will be an incredible heriloom that they can pass down to their families and loved ones, an heirloom that will be a lovely reminder of where it all began for them.

So take a peek inside with me won't you?! Let's breath in the fresh summer air, listen to the soft ocean breeze and relive Sarah & Justin's beautiful wedding day!

Holiday Cheer with Les Fleurs

Holiday Cheer with Les Fleurs

It has been a pleasure getting to know the the Fleurettes, the team behind the beautiful floral creations at Les Fleurs. I have had the privilege of photographing their beautiful designs for several portrait sessions this past year (don't miss this floral inspired newborn session or Christine's stunner of a bouquet or the glorious cream pastels for Meredith's barn wedding!!). Most recently we collaborated together for our epic Mini Portrait Session Event which the Fleurett's helped to style!!

Last week I was invited to come photograph the gorgeous store front (they have the BEST gifts for the Holidays friends!!) in Andover which we turned into a mini styled shoot incorporating some of their BEAUTIFUL winter florals...I mean these wreaths, gah!! Check out all the pretty below and be sure to stop by Les Fleurs for a gorgeous floral arrangement..or be like me and just tell the Hubby ;) :).

Holiday florals from Les Fleurs in Andover photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

A Pinehills Golf Club Wedding

Wedding dress at Mirbeau Inn & Spa by Deborah Zoe Photography.

I can't believe today I'm sharing my last wedding of the 2015 wedding season!! And I couldn't imagine a better couple to share that milestone with than Christine & Anthony!! On a chilly November morning Christine gathered with her Bridesmaids at the Mirbeau Inn & Spa where she and her ladies listen to Christmas music and prepared for the day. Only a short drive away, Anthony got ready with his Groomsmen at the Pinehills Golf Club and even had the chance to take a few drives at the range. It was an incredible relaxed and easy morning, the perfect way to begin a wedding day!!

Christine & Anthony are an incredibly kind and generous couple and throughout the day friends and family took opportunity to share just how much they loved and adored this sweet duo. From the way they incorporated their loved ones into their ceremony, to releasing balloons in honor of Christine's grandmother, to the Bridal Party filled with their closest loved ones, Christine & Anthony made sure to honor those that they loved in meaningful ways throughout their day.

Christine & Anthony, thank you for having us as part of your day (and for the amazing paparazzi t-shirts!!) It was a joy to celebrate with you and I hope these images help you remember all the loved you share, with your loved ones and each other, for years to come!!

Wedding details at Mirbeau Inn & Spa by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bridal party getting ready at Mirbeau Inn & Spa by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bride getting ready at Mirbeau Inn & Spa by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Classic Bridal Portrait at Mirbeau Inn & Spa by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Plum wedding details at Mirbeau Inn & Spa by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Exchanging of vows by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bride & Groom during ceremony by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Communion photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography

Bride & Groom during recessional by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bridal party at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bride in flowing tulle skirt at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bride & Groom on wedding day Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Pinehills Golf Club at sunset during November wedding photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Gold wedding details at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Bride & Groom share first dance at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Groom & Mother dance at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Apple Cider donut favors at wedding at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Wedding Reception at Pinehills Golf Club photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Venues : Mirbeau Inn and Spa & Pinehills Golf Club

Ceremony : St. Bonaventure Parish

Bridal Gown : Pronovia's from Alexandra's Bridal

Makeup & Hair : Charlotte & Co.

Florist : Flair Floral

Cake : Sweet Cakes by Caruso

Entertainment & Phootbooth : South Shore Entertainment

Stationary : Dulce Press

Celebrate Small!!

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The annual Holiday sale is here (almost)!! Beginning on November 28th Small Business Saturday and ending on December 6th, 2015 print galleries will feature a 30% discount for print orders.

-- In celebration of the Holidays please enjoy 30% off your next print order or 20% off your album order placed by December 6th

-- Use code HOLIDAY30 during check out of your print gallery. Email deborah {at} deborahzoephoto.com to place your album order

-- To find your print gallery click here

-- Don't see your gallery? Email me to get setup. For questions about this promotion email deborah {at} deborahzoephoto.com

Over the years of hosting this sale, past and current clients alike were able to revisit their images, print TANGIBLE memories for their homes, all while enjoying a 30% discount!!

Remember, images are not meant to sit on a computer or a thumb drive. They are meant to be printed and ENJOYED. Get out there and order some prints, for your home and for your families. Enjoy!!

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden Family Session

I first met Kristin oh so many years ago when I was starting my photography business. A total newbie to the world of weddings and small business, everything seemed so intimidating to me. Kristin was one of my first photography friends and together we shared info and grew our businesses. I'll never forget the friendship she graciously extended to me making me feel less alone, making those first few years a lot more enjoyable!!

Flash forward and my how life has changed!! Marriage, kiddos, a big move. Kristin now calls New Jersey home with her wife Maarit and their beautiful kiddos. This past weekend while Dave and I were visiting New York, we had the opportunity to reconnect with this sweet family. We met at the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden and spent the afternoon photographing the kids picking flowers, collecting acorns and snuggling their Moms. The gardens are a spectacular area right in the heart of Brooklyn, bursting with foliage, even this late in fall!

Kristin, thank you for asking me to capture your sweet family and thank you for extending your friendship all those years ago!! We had such a wonderful time reconnecting with you and your family, throwing leaves for the kiddos and generally doing whatever it took to get those cute smiles!! I hope you enjoy the images!!

A family session in the heart of Brooklyn by Deborah Zoe Photography.

A family session in the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Family Portraits in the Heart of Austin

It is with a VERY full heart that I get to share with you today one of my best and dearest friends with her brand new addition. It's been quite the journey for Amy & Jon as they have embarked on this adventure of parenthood. Which makes sweet baby girl's arrival even more joyful. At the end of October I had the pleasure of traveling to Austin to photograph this sweet addition along with her glowing and proud parents. As a photographer, having the opportunity to capture a family as it grows is an absolute joy. When it's one of your best friends, well nothing really compares.

We utilized the comforts of home for the first half of this family session and ventured to the Austin Botanic Gardens for the second half. The late fall Austin weather did not disappoint and provided us with beautiful sunny skys and warm weather.

Amy & Jon, I am so proud of you!! It fills my heart to watch you become parents, to see you love your baby girl and to know how proud you are of this little life who has joined your family. Thank you for asking me to document something so special for your family. I hope that these images remind you of the love you share together and how much that sweet baby girl means to you!!

Family Portraits in the Heart of Austin by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Website Refresh

I'm SO excited to share the new and refreshed look for Deborah Zoe Photography!! We've been working hard over the summer to bring a refreshed look to the website with new content, pages & galleries!! With this refresh comes a whole new way to experience DZP including multiple wedding & portrait galleries, FAQ's, investment information and lots more!!

A full branding overhaul (YAY!!!) will begin this winter and I cannot wait to start that process!! Until then I wanted a small refresh to reflect all the amazing changes DZP has experienced over the past several years!! I encourage you to take time to explore the new layout and features including new pages like Travel, My Family & Investment, I'd love to hear what you think!!

So pull up a chair, grab your favorite drink and explore the refreshed Deborah Zoe Photography website!! Enjoy!!

Mark Your Calendars!!

Introducing Winter Mini Sessions

Time to Mark Your Calendars!! I'm delighted to share with you that DZP will be offering Winter Mini Sessions for the first time EVER this month, only a few short weeks away!! Perfect for your Holiday cards, updated family portraits or just because, mini sessions are an excellent way to capture your family & loved ones in a relaxed and fun setting!! For the very first DZP Mini Session event I have partnered with the amazing team at Les Fleurs & the beautiful Peirce Farm to bring you a styled session in a beautiful wintry setting!! I'm delighted to be partnering with two of my favorite wedding industry professionals and beyond excited to be sharing the stunningly beautiful Peirce Farm with you!!

Want more deatils?! Check them out below!!

Where : Peirce Farm at Witch Hill, Topsfield, Massachusetts

When : Sunday November 22, 2015

What : A 20 minute portrait session

Investment : $150 session fee with $50 gallery credit

Don't miss out on this rare opporunity to be photographed with the people you love in a beautiful setting!! Mini sessions have been and will continue to be a rare offering with DZP, so don't miss out!! If you'd like to sign up and secure your time slot, please email deborah[at]deborahzoephoto.com. 1o slots will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Currently Available Sessions :

1:00pm-1:20pm

To book your session email me today at deborah[at]deborahzoephoto.com!!

2015 Styled Winter Mini Sessions with Deborah Zoe Photography.

Fall Home Family Session

Remember these two and their beautiful Boston wedding from a few summer's back?! Or how about their gorgeous maternity session this past spring?! One of the beautiful things about being a wedding photographer is having the opportunity to help my couple's celebrate the important milestones of life. Engagement, marriage, growing family, anniversary. Celebrating life's big (and small) moments with photography is something I am incredibly passionate about and LOVE when a couple feels the same way!!

For the Shaw's family session we decided to use their beautiful home as the backdrop for their family portraits. On an unseasonably warm fall afternoon we gathered outside and breathed in the beautiful air, with blue skies and warm sun to keep us comfortable. It was a joy to photograph this sweet family of three and celebrate all the blessings they have experienced together this year. What a joy to help welcome their sweet baby boy and capture their family in photographs, enjoy!!

At home lifestyle newborn session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

A Fort Point Engagement Session

Sometimes it's funny how life works out. Matt and Erica grew up together, almost a mile away from each other, they've known each other since Kindergarten. And now today, they are planning their wedding!! Who knew that these childhood buddies would grow up, fall in love and begin a new stage of life together?!

While they grew up on the North Shore, today they call Boston home. Working and living in the city, they both love the vibrant pace of city life and fittingtly they wanted a piece of that captured in their engagement session. We picked the Fort Point neighborhood which offers amazing views of Boston's skyline and the urban atmosphere that Matt & Erica love. On a brisk fall afternoon we explored their favorite part of the city, capturing their relationship in a place that holds such an important place in their heart.

Erica and Matthew, I cannot wait to celebrate with you next summer!! It was so wonderful getting to know you both better as we explored Fort Point and chatted about life!! I hope you enjoy these images!!

A Fort Point Engagement Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Crafting The Wedding Day Timeline

This week I'm delighted to continue the Wedding Essentials series with tips on how to craft a Wedding Day Timeline. One of the questions I receive over and over again is "How much time do we need?" or "How Do we Plan the Timeline?" It's important to think about several key points as you pull together your timeline which we'll walk through today. Planning for these things and doing it well in advance of the wedding will ensure that your day runs smoothly. More importantly, it means you can enjoy each and every moment together, create memories with your loved ones and relax!! At DZP, I work hard to help couples craft a timeline that leaves lots of room for photography, relaxation and FUN. Click the video below to learn more!!

As always, if you have any thoughts or specific questions you'd like to see address in an episode of Wedding Essentials, please join the conversation in the comment sections, I'd be happy to answer your questions!!

Downtown Boston Family Session

After taking a History of Journalism class my freshman year at Northeastern University I made the decision to pursue a Journalism degree in addition to my degree in Art. I still remember one of my very first classes where I met my vivacious friend, Vanessa. She radiated joy, kindness and always had a smile on her face. Over the course of college we shared many classes together and always managed to sit next to each other where we'd catch up on our work load and college life. In fact Vanessa was one of the first people who learned I was engaged after I showed up to classes with a sparkler on my hand :)!

After graduation, thanks to the power of social media, we've stayed in touch over the years. During that time Vanessa met and married a wonderful man, received a second degree and welcomed her son Adrian into the world. When she contacted me about a portrait session for her growing family I jumped at the chance to catch up and photograph this sweet family!!

We meet in downtown Boston on a beautiful fall morning and spent our time together catching up and documenting this sweet family of three!! I loved connecting with you Vanessa, thank you for asking me to photograph these precious moments :)!!

A Downtown Boston Family Session by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Fort Point Engagement Session

Jim & Taryn love good food, good drinks, good company and the hustle and bustle of city life. Fittingly they chose the vibrant neighborhood of Fort Point for their engagement session, a place that seems to pulse with the heartbeat of the city. In the shadow of Boston's skyline, Fort Point epitomizes everything they love about Boston and is a place that they feel at home in. Getting married next fall, we planned their engagement session almost a year to the date to their wedding day. It was fun walking the city streets thinking that a year from now they will be celebrating together with their closest family and friends at a beautiful winery.

Being the wine lovers that they are, Jim & Taryn had really wanted to incoporate some of their favorite South Boston haunts into their engagement session. Unfortunately establishments were less than excited about the prospect (bummer right?!) They decided to grab a few drinks before the start of the session at Trade and casually mentioned they were waiting for their session to begin. The bartender immediately suggested that they have part of their session in the beautiful bar area and of course Jim & Taryn loved the idea!! It was such a beautiful gesture and made for a great start to their Boston engagement session!! Thank you Trade!! (And thank you Jim & Taryn for being such amazing clients, go with the flow attitudes and kind spirits, here's to you!!)

How To Plan For Your Engagement Session

Several weeks ago I introduced a new video series titled Wedding Essentials here on the blog!! Geared at helping couples plan for the wedding day I kicked off the series with an introduction and my heart behind Wedding Essentials and how to stay connected through the photographic experience.

My plan was to share a new video every week and well, wedding season happened. But not to worry, I'm back at it this week sharing my favorite tips on how to best plan for your engagement session!! From location to hair and makeup there are small things you can do to prepare for your session that make a BIG difference, click on the video to learn more!!

Next week I'll be sharing about how to plan your wedding day timeline, I can't wait to connect with you!!

Wedding Essentials by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Product Highlight | Signature Album

A Chatham Bars Inn Wedding Album

With temperatures in the 30s yesterday morning (!!!) summer seems far, far away. But not to worry, I have a little dose of summer love for you today!! Over the past several months I have had the pleasure of helping create a wedding album for Jayme & Cory, who you may remember from their beautiful Chatham Bars Inn wedding this past June. It was a day full of celebration, friends & family along with the prettiest of nautical details and Cape Cod Charm, and their album reflects just that.

Jayme and Cory chose the Signature Album and one of the things that I love about this particular album is the ability to create completely unique designs for each couple. No two albums are alike and each design is created specifically for a couple's unique story. Cory & Jayme picked a lovely blue leather for their cover which complimented their nautical theme perfectly, it's like a summer ocean breeze!!

Here's a glimpse into their beautiful album! If you'd like to create your own wedding album, email me at deborah [at] deborahzoephoto.com for all the details!! Now, on to the pretty!!

Signature Wedding Album by Deborah Zoe Photography.

The Gardens at Elm Bank Maternity Session

Aubrey is a fellow wedding photographer who I met several years ago (was it at a workshop?), and while I can't exactly remember where we met I have been ever so grateful for her friendship over the years. She has been a constant souce of wisdom and someone who I look too for encouragement and knowledge as I navigate what it looks like to run a business while growing a family. The experience can at times feel like a roller coaster but friends like Aubrey help to keep me grounded and push me to continue to grow.

It's been a joy getting to know her adorable son and sweet husband. Each year Max grows just a little bit bigger, gets a little bit older and it is a delight to photograph their family; my hope being that their images will become like family treasures, stopping time and capturing life just as it is right now.

What made this session even more exciting is that Aubrey is due with their second child later this fall!! Maxwell can't wait to be a big brother and it was just the sweetest thing to watch him kiss his Mama's tummy or cling tightly to Dad while I photographed Aubrey.

These are the moments of life for me, the moments you just want to capture in a bottle to be saved and enjoyed again and again. To me photography is like that proverbial bottle, perserving time, momemnt by moment and it is an honor to be asked by Aubrey and her family to do just that.

We chose beautiful Gardens at Elm Bank as the location for their session and even though it was early October the gardens were in full bloom. Maxwell happily picked dandilions while photographed his Mom and it was a morning filled with sweet moments just like that. Aubrey, thank you for continuing to trust me with these important moments in your family's life, it has been an honor to photograph your family and a joy to call you friend.

A Family Session at The Gardens at Elm Bank by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Fairmont Copley Plaza Wedding | Angelica & Matthew

Angelica and Matthew are both from different parts of the country, Angelica an East Coaster hailing from New Jersey and Matthew from the midwest who has called Wisconsin home. Today Boston is their home, a place that has captured their heart and where their love story began. So fittingly Angelica and Matthew wanted to celebrated their wedding day in the city that means so much to them. With families that live in two parts of the country it seemed like the perfect fit to have their celebration in the historic city, a fun way to share this city with their family and friends!!

Guests flew in from all over the country to celebrate with Angelica and Matthew at the historic and beautiful Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. In between their ceremony and cocktail hour the couple treated their guests to private Duck Boat tours and offered as much Boston adventures as they could. Guests snacked on appetizers with classic New England flavors like mini lobster rolls, baked mac n' cheese and more. It was a true Boston celebration (down to the Priests lack of r's ;))!

Angelica & Matthew, thank your for inviting us to share in your celebration and document your beautiful day. It was so fun to celebrate alongside you as you floated down the aisle, cuddled in the park and danced the night away. Enjoy your images!!