Originally we were supposed to do our session outside, but our unpredictable New England weather brought snow and cold! Katie had the great idea to to moving inside to the Providence Public Library where it was nice and warm and they could show off their adorable outfits. I'm a total reading and book nerd, so doing a session in a library, especially as gorgeous as this, was right up my alley!
Cozy Home Engagement Session | Victoria and Brandon
There's no place like home, home is where the heart is, you always lead me back home...there are a million sayings that revolve around love and being home with your family. Victoria and Brandon spent so much time and love on renovating their beautiful home that they couldn't think of a better place to share their engagement session! From all of the charming details, including a super sweet sparkley wedding count down (which has since lost some numbers!) they were perfectly at home and proud of their hard work. Thank you for inviting me into your home Victoria and Brandon, I can't wait to capture your wedding next year!
Connecticut Sunflower and Harry Potter Engagement Session with Michelle and Brian | RI Wedding Photographer
I met Michelle when we were both freelancing as graphic designers last year, and we bonded instantly over our obsession with Harry Potter! When she asked if we could incorporate wands and a Wizarding theme into their engagement session I was more than happy to oblige! I've been wanting to do an engagement session at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, CT since last year, but unfortunately I was too late and the sunflowers were no more when I went to check out the field. I knew this had to happen this year and that Michelle and Brian were the perfect couple to frolic through the flowers with! We had the most beautiful weather and delicious ice cream after as well! Congrats guys, you are completely magical!
xx,
Alicia
©2017 Alicia Ann Photographie www.aliciaannphoto.com
Monday Musings | A Labor of Love
Love.
When most people think of love, they think of relationships between a couple. Love doesn't have to just be for a person, it can be for a place, an object, an activity, a hobby, a lifestyle and is so much more than a lustful whim. The saying "the labor of love" is one that I feel directly connected to with photography. I didn't just wake up one morning and thing "I think I'll be a photographer today!" (anyone get the Legally Blonde reference)! It took me years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears (sometimes literally) and thoughtful, conscious decisions to launch my passion and career.
My first love was for dance and movement. As a dancer and gymnast since childhood, I came back to dance as an adult while in art school. We had to do a project that was a series and I wanted to figure out how to incorporate dance into it somehow. So armed with my point and shoot camera I headed down to the beach with some old pointe shoes and a rickety tripod and took some photos I dubbed "Urban Dance". They weren't well received by the other students who thought I was just vain. I went to Starbucks and cried to the barrista, second guessing my entire final project. However, I remembered that art is subjective. I loved my project, and just other didn't like it didn't mean it wasn't successful.
Here are some of the photos from the project circa 2012 (because I'm not afraid to show progress!):
Now these images are completely not a representation of my current photographic style, but I still love them because this moment was when I started to create with a camera and that is special.
I didn't give up. Fast forward about a year, when my boyfriend got me my first DSLR, a Pentax K10D. Again, I was drawn to photographing dance in outdoor places, and mostly self portraits because I couldn't afford models and didn't know how to reach out to people. Some of those images:
I mean, check out my rockin Zapfino watermark!
I kept going. Just last year I did one more shoot:
The reason I'm sharing this is passion and love. Years of practice that shows progress, both technically and artistically. Love is something that can be cultivated with time and nurturing. Sure, anyone can pick up a camera and say "I love photography!", but until you work, fail, work harder, fail, work harder, fail, work harder, fail...repeat! Does it drive you past those roadblocks that seperate lust from love, and profession from passion. If it's handed to you and you never have to experience the hardships that drive the passion so deep into you, the labor of love and learning won't be the same.
Keep pushing, keep driving, keep reaching for those goals. Pursue them with learning, experience, failure and persistence. Work hard and dream big!
Happy Monday!
Alicia
Rhode Island and Connecticut Maternity Photographer | Sleeping Giant State Park
Maternity Photography in RI, MA and CT
Maternity Session
I'm not too familiar with many parks and places in Connecticut but am always up for an adventure. When Danielle suggested Sleeping Giant State Park, with the promise of beautiful views and a castle, I was all for it! Her little man just loved the idea of seeing a castle and eagerly participated in the session as he awaited his moment of being a big brother! Thank you for taking me on a fun adventure and congratulations on the new addition!
Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wedding Photographer | Megan + Mike
Wedding Photography in RI, MA and CT
Wedding Photography
I was completely honored when Megan, one of my college professors, asked me to photograph her wedding in August! The ceremony was held at St Lukes in Westborough, Massachusetts, one of the cutest towns I have ever seen. The reception was held out of state later so I didn't cover it, but had a great time capturing this adorable couples I Do's!
Dress: www.bhldn.com
Jewelry: Kate Spade at www.renttherunway.com
HMUA: Bride/ Maid of Honor
Flowers: Handmade by the Bride!
Shoes: www.davidsbridal.com and www.bananarepublic.com
Suit: www.bananarepublic.com
