Boston Wedding Photographer | Eric and Jeremy's Fourth of July Wedding at the Arnold Arboretum

There's no better way to celebrate the holiday known for it's fireworks than with a wedding! On a hot (I mean HOT! it was over 90 degrees!) summer day, Eric and Jeremy had a small and tight-knit ceremony on top of Bussey Hill at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Surrounded by their tight-knit group of family and friends, and their too cute for words ring bearer a puggle named Stewie, they made a meaningful journey to the top of the hill to recite their vows. I love intimate weddings because I feel like I leave with a group of new friends, and had a blast at the funky south end restaurant Cinquecento for cocktail hour! Congrats again Eric and Jeremy, wishing you a lifetime of happiness and fireworks!

xx,
Alicia

© 2017 Alicia Ann Photographie | Rhode Island and Boston Wedding Photographer

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 Massachusetts Wedding Photographer | Narragansett Engagement Session | Kristin and John

Wedding Photography in RI, MA and CT

Engagement Session

I've always wanted to do a shoot in this gorgeous patch of open space in Narragansett right next to Narrow River. So when Kristin and John decided to do an engagement session I knew it would be the perfect place. One, because it's beautiful and near the beach, and two, because there is river access where these two paddle board all the time and they wanted to incorporate their favorite pastime (and how he proposed!) into their session. Perfection! The light was gorgeous just as I expected and it was so difficult narrowing it down to my favorites. Next up will be their wedding!

Check them out at http://paddleboardri.com/ !

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! 

RI and CT Maternity Photographer | Jamie and Alex

What an amazing Spring day for this lovely couples Maternity Portrait Session! After exploring several locations, we decided that Cotton Hollow Preserve in Glastonbury was a great location! With its history, natural beauty, bubbling brook and cascading waterfall, it projected the most perfect backdrop for this expecting couple! Congratulations Jamie and Alex, on your beautiful baby boy!