nh images photography + video blog

So here is a story...As you all know I'm a wedding photographer...so what happens when that wedding photographer...who has shot hundreds of weddings...and has been single for a long time...gets married...and is now on the other side of the camera...that is now my story.

A little background on my life (which normally I refrain from telling because quite frankly I don't think anyone really cares...aka I have an average life I guess you would say). I was married once for about 12 years...and I was very very young when I got married...I would not change anything from that experience as I have two awesome kids from that relationship (and another came along later on)...We essentially eloped and I had a friend of mine take the pictures...and although he did the best he could the reality is most of them did not come out at all (I always preach to get a pro from this experience). Holly, my now lovely wife was also married once before and has two great kids from her marriage. We met online via Match.com and the rest they say is history...and yes we are the Brady Bunch between us and 5 kids total...

So here we are on our wedding day. So much planning, so much stress, with last second things to do and I am not going to document the day via photography...I am not going be creating works of art myself...through my eye...I left that task to my staff Sarah & Leah (they did an amazing job)...when Sarah came to visit me for some brief getting ready I was very self aware of what was going on...the background the images would be taken...I laid out all the important items for detail shots...and then I had to tell myself...stop it...The advise I give my couples to just enjoy the day and be in the moment I wasn't doing initially...so I stopped it...I really started to be in the moment and just enjoy being around my boys.

Then came the first reveal or first look. I know virtually every aspect on how to bring the emotion of seeing your mate for the first time that day...and Leah sent me in a new direction (great job!) making me reflect back on my journey...my journey that brought me to this point...and for me the journey before that moment was full of highs and lows of which I was able to rise up when it mattered most. Holly is what mattered most and what our new life was about to become...I really thought about that and the tears started streaming down. I was about to be with my love, my partner, my friend.

So now its time for the ceremony...for me its normally a series of check downs on where the bride is going to come and making sure that I am ready to photograph the ceremony...except the guests are all looking at us...frankly it was like a dream that someone took my camera away and said...its your time...its your turn at love now...you don't have to photograph it this time...this time...you are the lucky one...

We really had a pretty custom ceremony for us in so many ways. First our kids made up our bridal party...my daughter Olivia was the maid of honor and my son Troy was best man. My son Hunter was ring bearer and my new step daughter Madeleine was flower girl and Cam was just plain cute holding a sign that said “here comes my mommy”...just awesome. It continues with my business partner and one of my best friends Jaime officiating the ceremony...she did such an awesome job and worked so hard to make it special for us...great job Jaime!! We wrote custom vows to each other and did a family unity sand ceremony so everyone was involved which was important to us! And finally I have witnessed Ed Charest perform so many weddings of which he always talks about the journey of life as your marriage progresses and I have always enjoyed that aspect of his ceremony...well he was kind enough the speak to us about that very topic...and it was icing on the cake...yes of course the pun was intended ;)

The Omni Mount Washington Hotel is just an amazing place to have a wedding for the beauty inside and outside of the venue and we were able to get some magical shots in the snow.

We had great time with our friends and family which is really what its all about. So from our amazing wedding I have a renewed appreciation for all that goes into a wedding...and I have a renewed appreciation that life is short so be in the moment with the ones that matter most...we had the most awesome photo and video people (great job Matt who filmed our wedding!) from NH Images take care of things and that gave us the freedom relax and enjoy...thank you all for your support in wishing us a lifelong with happiness.  

Laura + Brian live in Chicago.  She's from Boston and he's from Ohio and they both love the Red Sox!  =)  They chose to have a late winter / early spring wedding on March 29th at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown NH.  I always love filming there, it's one of our favorite venues.  No matter the season, it's always beautiful and Rue, Sallie and their staff do a phenomenal job.  It was an amazing night with some of the best vendors in the industry and the night was completed with a fireworks display!  Laura + Brian - Thank you for letting me share in your day!

Music used with license from Song Freedom

Wedding Location: Zorvino Vineyards
DJ: Get Down Tonight Entertainment
Cake: Chickadee Hill
Flowers: Susanne's Weddings
Planner + Officiant: Melanie at Blissful Beginnings

Who ever said that you can't have a wedding ceremony outside in the rain didn't know Lauren & Matt!  On June 26th I had the distinct pleasure of sharing in Lauren & Matt's day up at the Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, NH.  Such a fabulous spot, I love filming weddings there.  It was raining when it was time to have the ceremony, but Lauren and Matt still went for it outside anyways, and they got the cheering approval from all their guests.

With the help of Diana Ma Weddings, Lauren planned and designed the details of this day so perfectly.  From the awesome green color of the bridesmaids dresses, that carried through in the linens and AMAZING flower arrangements by Emily Herzig Floral Studio to the programs by Gus & Ruby Letterpress and lighting, this wedding was one for the magazines. 

Oh, and let me just say that the band Lauren & Matt chose - OUT OF THIS WORLD!!  First Class Band out of Boston, MA performed phenomenally!  The dance floor was packed the entire night.  I would highly recommend them if you're interested in a band for your reception.

Thank you to Lauren & Matt for letting me be a part of such an amazing day.  It is certainly a day that I will not forget.

All my best,
Jaime

On Saturday June 5, Shannon and John got married at the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield, NH.  What a crazy day this way.  I started out with Shannon during bridal preparations, and she was as calm as ever.  After she got in her dress I went downstairs to the ceremony location and as I proceeded through the ballroom, the fire alarm went off.  Thankfully it was just a false alarm.  

While outside, you could see storm clouds beginning to circle the resort, with the sound of thunder and the sight of lightening bolts in the near distance.  It was very questionable if the ceremony should still take place outside.  The decision was made to go for it and wouldn't you know, just as Shannon walked down the aisle, it started to lightly rain.  And then it started to come down heavier, with large rain drops.  So, we proceeded into the ballroom and resumed the ceremony in there.

During the ceremony you could hear the rain pouring down outside and the sounds of thunder getting closer and louder.  About halfway through the ceremony, right when John was reading his vows, the skies cleared and the most spectacular double rainbow appeared in the windows right behind the bride and groom.  It was absolutely perfect.  During their formal session it started to rain again, but it was short lived.  And wouldn't you know, that they got another full rainbow for their formal pictures.

It truly was an amazing and unforgettable night.  From the unpredictability of the rain, to the rainbows, to the fantastic entrance that Shannon & John made - they kept smiling and kept calm through it all, even finding laughter in it.  I can not thank Shannon & John enough for letting me be a part of such an fantastic day. This is their highlight video.  All my best ~ Jaime.