Who doesn’t love a late September wedding? Or one with PUPPIES involved! Looking back at some shots from a blast of an evening second shooting with Julie Young from Young at Heart Images, where we managed to keep each other relatively sane and have all the laughs working together! Can’t wait for more fun this season!
Holy second shooting editing backlog! Getting myself (re)organized in the new year and getting back into the swing of things after a bit of a hiatus. Revisiting some of the fun second shooting I’ve done in the past two years with amazing folks! I love second shooting a ton and have had the privilege of working with and learning from some fantastic photographers so far.
First up in 2019: Second shooting with Kelly Cronin Photography at a lovely Cape Cod wedding between two adorable people. It was our first time working together and a bit of a whirlwind day, but with lots of smiles and moments among family and friends. Here’s a look at some and cheers to 2019!
It was a gorgeous, cool evening at The Villa at Ridder Country Club in East Bridgewater, MA. Shooting with Flavio DeBarros of Flavio D Photography was a blast! And between the couple's adorable son and other kids in the wedding party, this wedding was ooozing cute before the bride and groom even got to the altar. And then there was even more sweetness. Here's some shots from that fantastic day!
For my first blog post of 2018, let's flash it back to a simply lovely Memorial Day Weekend wedding at Migis Lodge in Maine on Sebago Lake. It is always a privilege and blast to shoot with Alex from Alexandra Roberts Photography. I always learn a ton and Alex is just one of the best people to work with and be around.
For this wedding, it was a bright, sunny day for the adorable couple and their sweet, sweet family and friends. Migis Lodge is so stinking cute, with adorable cabins, water views everywhere, and trees and trails for days. It makes me want to have another wedding myself — okay, maybe not quite that far, but still! After a moving ceremony, first dances, dinner (can we talk about Migis' warm dinner rolls, please!? OMG.), these guys busted out some awesome dance moves and didn't stop for the rest of the night!
Have a look at some shots from that great day!
It may be getting colder now, but Joe and Jordana's wedding day at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA was a scorcher (of love) for a late September day. Joe and Jordana have an amazing story of how they met, which may involve the MTV show Jersey Shore and "Ron Ron juice," when Jordana was a student at Northeastern University. Since then, they've created an incredible life together, with a hilarious group of friends, who were spread across both their brides-and-grooms people.
They spent the day getting ready in the Warren Center's cabins surrounded by loved ones (and Jordana's father's dog, Bingo!). After an adorable first look, they were married as the sun started to set in a sweet and personal ceremony.
To call Jordana and Joe's family and friends festive would be the understatement of the year. Joe is a firefighter and the crew from his Everett, MA firehouse crushed the dance floor. An epic, singalong-at-the-top-of-your-lungs finale to "Bohemian Rhapsody" involved some serious air guitar and dancing that shook the room.
Jordana and Joe: I hope you both had an amazing day celebrating your marriage and enjoy looking back at the festivities! I feel honored, and thankful, to have been apart of it! <3
Venue: Warren Conference Center | Ashland, MA
Flowers: Mugford's Flower Shoppe | Westbourough, MA
DJ: Main Event Entertainment | Londonderry, NH
Ceremony Music: Scott Sanchez | Holyoke, MA
It was a cold and rainy Saturday in early June in Lincoln, NH. But everyone was all smiles and laughter for this wedding. I had the last-minute opportunity to second shoot with Peter Bradford Martin at one of my favorite places, Loon Mountain. Ski mountains make for the best weddings, I think. Despite fog and rain, it was a blast, and the couple and their family and friends just oozed love all day and into the night.
This week, Emily and Jon had their second anniversary! Happy happy guys! It seems like yesterday that you were celebrating each other among your amazing and supportive family and friends, in an amazing place. From a gorgeous outdoor ceremony tucked away in a field/woods, to fun dancing under the Lareau Farm Inn pavilion, to (too good) after party bonfire, it was an amazing evening to remember. I'm so honored to have been part of your day, and love looking back at some of the special moments. Big hugs to you both!!!
Earlier this summer, I kicked off wedding season by second shooting with the lovely Kathryn O'Kane of Kero Photography. It was an early summer day – a little overcast in the morning, then sunny and lovely in the afternoon – and we were at the gorgeous Red Lion Inn in Cohasset, MA for the wedding. The relationship this couple had with their family and friends was amazing to see, particularly the bride and her father. They all looked gorgeous, were hilarious, and it was an awesome time. Great start to the season!
I recently sent seven rolls of film off to be processed at Richard Photo Lab. Some of these were rolls from (it turns out) as far back as 2006! Some had been in my film camera for years. These came back kind of meh – to be expected, I'm sure. Varying degrees of photos in focus, and some degrading film quality I'm sure with that much time. But I also had some newer rolls from a recent trip to Spain, and wanting to get back into film for fun things on the side.
Spain, May 2017
Photos from a day trip to Girona, outside of Barcelona, and the few days we spent on Mallorca.
Cuba, December 2016/January 2017
In addition to having my D750, I also had a half unfinished roll, and one other that I took some shots with.
Bonus photo: Brewer from anywhere between 2011 or 2012!
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of hanging out with Jordana and Joe for a "practice"/engagement shoot. They are tying the knot this coming September at the Warren Conference Center and Inn and have been engaged for two years now, but we wanted to give it a little bit of a test run before the big day. Bonus: They brought along their hound pup, Milo!
Jordana and Joe are a blast to be around, and they have this fantastic combination of poking fun at each other and at the same time making each other laugh. I've known them both for over five years now (crazy!) but even if I had just met them today, they are the kind of people that draw you in off the bat and make you feel like part of their family.
It was a hot and humid morning at Assembly Row in Somerville before we headed over to Short Path Distillery in Everett, where Joe is also a bartender. Between board games, piano playing, and some very cool block glass, we had a fun time hanging out in the amazing, industrial space. And Milo, pooped from the morning's adventures, snoozed on the concrete floor.
Cannot wait for September to see you both celebrating with all your family and friends!
*A special thanks and shout out to the folks at Short Path for allowing us to come by early and shoot before they were open for the day. You all have an amazing space, and some pretty damn tasty blueberry gin and pommeau (apple cordial) to boot. Thanks so much again, and hope to see you soon!*
I'm finally getting around to blogging one of the coolest moments from last year. On the top of Stratton Mountain in Vermont, two amazing women said 'I do,' among their amazing, dynamic, and tight-knit families and friends.
Maisha and Libby are one of a kind – they did each other's make up while getting ready, drove themselves to the ceremony, and rocked the cutest booties and hiking socks under their fabulous dresses. Their ceremony was full of personal touches, stories, and laughs. And their reception was non-stop, awesome dancing fueled by Beyonce. Seriously, it was like the entire wedding were amazing dancers – from their friend-turned-officiant, to their siblings and significant others, and especially their spirited niece.
Maisha and Libby are two of the warmest, instantly accepting, and genuine people, and I felt so honored to be there to document their special day. The way they connect and support each other is lovely and I couldn't help but grin behind the camera. And, their six-month anniversary was the other week too, so happy happy to Isha and Libby!
Have a look at some moments from their warm, September day at Stratton!
It may be the middle of a snowy winter storm out right now, but flash back to earlier this summer! I got to second shoot with Kathryn O'Kane of Kero Photography. Just over the border in New Hampshire, it was a warm, sunny day at Castleton Banquet & Conference Center. A head-over-heels in love couple and adorable tiny humans made the evening while hanging with Kathryn again. Here's a look at some shots from the day!
Late last year, I came across a PetaPixel article with different photography exercises to help you develop creativity, see things in new ways, and challenge yourself. There's 13 of them, so I'll be doing one a month (and one extra here or there!) and blogging about them to share. I think this will help me keep shooting even in slow times, and I'm super excited for "assignments." I make time to go to the gym every week, time to make time to workout the photo mind too.
First up! The challenged is called Two Dozen. You pick a location, stand in one spot, and take at least two dozen photographs – without moving your feet. Those are the only stipulations. After a fluffy 10 inches of snow fell one weekend, my husband and I headed out for our first snowshoe of the season, to Needham's Cutler Park Reservation. We've taken the pups there many times before, but haven't snowshoed there yet, and I thought there might be some fun spots to complete this exercise.
A couple reflections:
Stay tuned for Exercise #2 in February!
Is it possible to have too many resolutions or plans for the upcoming year? If not, I think I win. There is a ton I'm looking forward to (I'm using the Volt Planner this year and so far it is awesome!), and I'm ready for the next chapter and the next set of experiences and changes to come for Casey Gizmo Photos in 2017.
This last year plus was a biggie for sure. A little look-back: After shooting my first solo wedding, with an incredible couple, Emily and Jon, I launched the business in late 2015, getting all official and cozy with LegalZoom, and attempting to learn more about things I suck at – business plans, accounting, and contracts and legal agreements. There's still a lot more I need to learn too – I still suck at most of those things.
Attending Inspire last February was really the kickoff though! It was an intense, amazing experience of networking, learning more about photography and business, and of course, dancing and Cards Against Humanity! So many of relationships I formed there and beyond helped get me on track and focused – and I'm so thankful to this community and its continued support throughout the year.
Some highlights! Keirnan Conroy Klosek helped encourage me to put myself out there, even at the beginning, and to focus on what I really loved. Jenn Alton was a down-to-earth sounding board to turn to early on. Kathryn O'Kane and Kero Photography gave me my first second shooting gig, which was beyond awesome and I was stoked to find someone I enjoyed working with so much – and I discovered that I loved second shooting with folks. Liz Mollica and I had a ton of laughs shooting a wedding on a super hot day at the Eric Carle museum. I had the fantastic experience of shooting with long-time friend and inspiration, the one and only Alex Roberts. I learned a crapton from her that day! Joline Richard and I hung out with some hilarious pugs at a dog rescue fundraising event in the torrential rain where a plethora of treats, patience, and her creativity rocked the day. And all the while, the indomitable Julie Young kept me in stitches with her stories.
I had my first family session and my first headshot session. I volunteered again with the great folks at New England Basset Hound Rescue, and had my first critique by a super helpful and supportive group at a Professional Photographers Guild of Massachusetts gathering. And I had an incredible opportunity to shoot my second wedding at the top of Stratton Mountain, with two spirited and loving brides (stay tuned for them on the blog shortly!). WHEW.
One of my favorite movies is High Fidelity, and so in the spirit of Rob Gordon's Top Five lists, here's some of my personal favorites from 2016 – from all walks and sorts. Okay, but 10, because picking only five is really too hard.
Let's do this 2017.
Every year, the rescue organization that we got our Basset Hound Ruby from, New England Basset Hound Rescue, holds a fundraiser – Bassetpalooza!
We bring Miss Ruby (it's a bit much for Mr. Brewer) and get to hang out with sooo many other ridiculously cute Bassets, their friendly owners, and the amazing people that run NEBHR at Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster, Mass. I take photos of the pups, people, and festivities and this year donated two sessions for their raffle.
The only bummer – and it wasn't even that much of a bummer because I've come to the conclusion that Basset people are super intrepid – was the freezing cold and rain ha! But everyone was in high spirits and had fun for a great cause. Can't wait until next year already!
Here's some of shots of the characters from Bassetpalooza 2016! Enjoy the Bassets!!!
Last month, I had the opportunity to shoot with Liz Mollica of Liz Mollica Photography. I had just met Liz, but we soon discovered we have a lot in common and it was great to shoot with her! Her adorable couple was married at the so-cute Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – think The Hungry Caterpillar. Here's some shots of mine from that summer afternoon!
The Eric Carle Museum had a lot of fun and quirky spaces. One was a giant red, metal elephant-type sculpture outside, which I was immediately drawn to, wanting to try and snap some shots through the elephants eyes.
My parents' home in Carmel, New York is always a fun place to play around and take some different kinds of photos when we visit. There's lots of nature and wildlife, moments with the pups, more (sometimes) willing subjects in my Mom and Dad, and it's always fun just walking around and looking at things a bit more closely and differently.
We last visited in late July this summer and it rained all. weekend. long. One night, after a pig out at Cathryn's Tuscan Grill in Cold Spring (and a fair bit of wine), I started to play with the outside lights around the house and dark, raininess going on. This is one of my favorites. My dad was just sitting introspectively at a table next to one of our picture windows and it just seemed moody and cool to me.
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to second shoot with Kathryn O'Kane of Kero Photography. Kathryn is super easy-going and professional, with a great sense of humor to boot!
From keeping the groom away from the bride at all costs earlier in the day and traveling with the hilarious family and wedding party to and from the ceremony, to learning a ton about the industry on the fly and having a lot of laughs, the day was a blast.
Have a look at some of my shots from the wedding!
Maisha and Libby are two people who absolutely light up when they are around each other. They have such an easy-going nature and just make each other smile and laugh so much. We met up for a quick glass of vino in Roslindale Square and then headed to the Arnold Arboretum for a quick sunset engagement shoot on a Tuesday night in May.
Maisha has a thing for flowers – especially lilacs. We were about a week after the annual Lilac Sunday, but we traipsed around and found some, much to Maisha's delight. And Libby was a pro at dancing, and especially at making Maisha laugh. It was great to learn more about them and to hear their story.
Come September, I'll be heading to Stratton Mountain (YAY!) to photograph their special day – at the top of the mountain! Can't wait to see how smiley and happy they are then!
I finally got to meet Campbell this weekend on a visit to New York City! His humans and our dear friends, Will and Jenna, are the luckiest with this amazing "dood," as we refer to him. A two-year old Goldendoodle, Campbell is the sweetest, most chill muppet.
And he likes to jump up for hugs, snuggle, and stick his butt up at you for pets. We only had a short time together, so if you want to know more about Campbell and his antics, follow @yodoodimcampbell on Instagram. It was hard to say goodbye to that adorable face and human eyes!
Oh, hello. Are you here to give the belly rubs? Excellent.
And I'd like to go for a walk and then have some treats. Giving the Campbell "human eyes" to get what he wants.
Sticking his muzzle on up in the air, likely asking for neck scratches.