Posted on by Krista Guenin · 5 Comments

Jessica’s Trash The Dress Session – part 1


Last Spring I posted a Trash The Dress session that I shot in Las Vegas while I was there for WPPI. In the same post, I offered a FREE TTD session to the first 2 brides to respond. As I expected, Jessica was the first to take me up on my offer! (no one else took me up on it, so I suppose there’s still one more spot available…) I think it’s high time I shared the photos from our afternoon together. We had such a fun shoot and there are so many hilarious and wonderful images that it’s gonna get 2 posts!!

First up, are the images of we captured of Jessica before her honey, Albert got home…

This is the garage behind their apartment building. The perfect spot for portraits, especially on a rainy day…





The roof of the garage has this awesome deck…




I think this one’s my FAVORITE!!


The weather wasn’t really cooperating with us, so we had to get a little creative… We decided to photograph Jessica preparing dinner for Albert – wifely duties and all ;) But first, we had to go to the grocery store to pick up a few necessitites….


I mean, how awesome is this?! A bride walking around a grocery store in her wedding dress?! It was so fun!



we were getting all sorts of crazy looks from people…


Eventually the manager kicked me out for taking photos. Um, I’m fairly certain that I have a right to take pictures in a grocery store, but whatever! We had the items we needed, so we headed back to the house to cook…


Isn’t this how all wives cook dinner?


mmmmm, yummy cheese puffs!


And while we waited for Albert to come home, life went on as usual…


Haha! Jessica you’re so fun!!!!

Stay tuned for part 2… :)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 4 Comments

Justin & Gretchen’s Wedding – Sneak Peak!

Justin & Gretchen got married earlier this year at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel here in Boston. The whole wedding isn’t quite ready yet, but they wanted a few photographs in time for Christmas and I do what I can to make my brides happy :) So, here are just a few of their favorites to tide you over until the rest get up on the blog…


Merry Christmas Justin & Gretchen!! :D

And keep the comments coming folks! Only 2 days left to help orphans in Zimbabwe by leaving a comment :)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Julia’s Bat Mitzvah

Wow, it’s been a couple weeks since I posted on the blog!! I hope you all weren’t worried ;) It’s been a busy few weeks with a sinus infection just in time for my parents to visit, and then a lovely bout of vertigo just in time for my birthday. Trust me, it’s been a blast (insert sarcastic tone here). But, I’m feeling better, finally blew out my birthday candles, and am back in business!

So without further ado, I present photographs from Julia’s Bat Mitzvah!

The lovely Bat Mitzvah Girl


And her wonderful siblings


Julia’s Dad, Andrew is one of the best caterers in Boston. I was absolutely honored to photograph this special event for their family!


And what an event it was! The party was huge, everything was so colorful, the decor and the details were so gorgeous, and of course the food was amazing! Special thanks to Nathalya Mamane, flowers by Carol Silverston, and Rentals Unlimited!


The dance floor was definitely my favorite part of the whole day. This was one of the most energetic dance floors I’ve ever photographed. I got knocked over, feet jumped on, and bumped all over the place – it was totally awesome! Music by the Nafshenu Orchestra out of New York.


I LOVE the Horah!!


More dancing…


And what’s a celebration without a few toasts?!


Thank you Andrew and family for having me as part of such an important day for your family – and for such a great time and an awesome party!!


To see more, check out the longest slideshow ever…

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Tamara & Jason’s Wedding at The Overbrook House

Can I just say that I love Tamara & Jason? Seriously, they’re just the sweetest, most genuine and wonderful pair of people I’ve met in a while. LOVE them!! So, I was very excited to photograph their wedding a few weeks ago in Buzzards Bay at The Overbrook House. Here are some of my favorite images from the day…

The dress


Jason and his brother “getting ready”


Tamara’s vows – she wouldn’t put them down all morning :) I love it when couples write their own vows!!!


Tamara and her flower girl


The lovely bride (with vows still in hand :)


Heading down to start the show


In love much?


I love this shot of one of the groomsmen during the ceremony!


During the vows, looking into each other’s eyes


They’d planned a beautiful ceremony in the trees by the pond, but there was a hurricane coming up the coast that day. Up until the last minute, we hoped that the weather might hold. Luckily, Jason made the executive decision to do it in the tent. Thank God he did, because right after the ceremony began it started POURING!


And then after the ceremony, the sky cleared up just in time for some portraits!

They had almost a dozen of the cutest kids you ever saw in their wedding…




Sisters


Brothers… a little less civilized than sisters ;-)

the girls


the guys


the Bride and Groom…



I captured this shot in black & white film. I love shooting film at weddings! There’s nothing quite as timeless…


A film shot of their first dance

A few tears during Tamara’s Dad’s toast


Let the party begin!


But there’s always a few romantic moments on the dance floor…


Tamara & Jason, thank you so much for letting me into your lives and having me document your wedding day! It has been so wonderful to work with and get to know you both!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 8 Comments

Liana & James’ Wedding!

A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of shooting Liana & James‘ wedding. These two are such a fun, sweet, wonderful, not-to-mention-gorgeous couple and I had a BLAST spending the day with them and their friends & family! I shot over 4,600 images that day!!! I told you, I had a blast :) Not so much fun was the editing process of going through all of those images, but I’ve finally narrowed it down and am super excited to share some with you!!

The day started as I met Liana and her bridesmaids at her parents’ house up in Nahant. It was totally exciting, and definitely overwhelming, to walk up the steps to the door and have a gaggle of bridesmaids all waiting there to welcome me! They were all soooo excited to “get started”! So started, we got…


Liana opening her present from James – a gorgeous bracelet



Checking out the dress with her sister, and maid-of-honor, Jamie


Waiting at the top of the stairs to go down and see Dad


And this would be when Dad started crying, and when all the rest of us started crying!


Stylist from Peacock Alley putting on the veil


A few shots of the girls outside the house


There’s something about the way that bridesmaid is standing in the background that makes me LOVE this shot!


and there she is again…


The ceremony was at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, MA.


This may be my favorite shot of the day!


There were tons of moments like this one throughout the ceremony. I couldn’t help but smile watching these two whisper and smile at one another the whole time. They got an especially good laugh when the ceremonial crown got stuck in her hair, but we’ll leave those pictures for the proofs ;)



Married!


They don’t look happy at all, do they?! ;)


A cute moment in the Bentley on the way to the reception. I love tagging along in the car!!


We arrived at the Saphire Estate just in time to capture some portraits outside, and to get Liana & James down to the lake for the sweet pre-sunset light!


Careful, these next two are HOT!



The happy couple!


Then it was back up to the reception! I loved the centerpieces by North Shore Fruit & Flowers.



They choreographed their first dance, and it was AWESOME! And you guys were nervous! ;)




The Father-Daughter dance


My favorite thing about this wedding was the party! These guys had one of the most packed and energetic dance floors I’ve ever seen at a wedding! Everyone was dancing and having a great time!



The band, OnLine, really knew how to work the crowd! They were especially good at getting James pumped up ;)

There were also some sweet moments on the dance floor…



But for the most part, it was high energy! Liana’s Dad was cracking me up!!


And this series really just sums up the whole day… very sweet, very fun, and very James & Liana!


Thanks again you guys, for everything! Your wedding was awesome and I’m so glad I could be a part of it!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 3 Comments

Britt & Mike – mini eSession

I got an email from Britt earlier this summer. She was looking for a photographer for her wedding next May on the Cape, and she wanted to see if she could set up a time to meet with me and do their engagement session while they were in town. How can you not love a bride who’s ready to book her eSession before she’s even met you in person!?!

Britt & Mike live in D.C. but were coming to town for some wedding planning, and a visit with Britt’s family. They’re big baseball fans, and Britt loves those Red Sox, so we met up at Boston Beer Works by Fenway to talk wedding plans, look at albums, and get to know each other a bit before their eSession. We had a great time chatting and laughing (or gagging) over Britt’s fried pickles ;) It turns out we have a lot in common and it was more like hanging out with old friends than having a meeting with new clients. So, after we’d hung out for a while we decided to head outside to shoot for while before we got caught in the rain…

Mike loves the Orioles, Britt loves the Red Sox – somehow they’ve worked through it and still love each other :)




I love how much they make each other laugh


and how he’s all whole head taller than her!

and I love the views around Fenway!


We had to include a few shots with thier “baby,” Tessa :)



At this point we’d only been shooting for about 15 or 20 minutes and the drizzle was really dampening our spirits, and my camera equipment. So, we decided to hold off and finish our engagement session the next time they’re in town. It may not be until the holidays, but I’m looking forward to some snowy engagement photos of Mike & Britt later this year :)

Thanks again you guys for a fun, albeit short afternoon! I’m really excited to work with you and get to know over the next few months!! And I’m praying that you both passed the bar :)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Evan & Kelly’s Wedding!!

Wow! It’s been WAY too long since I posted anything on this blog of mine! I’m sure you were all checking back each day wondering what the heck had happened to me. I hope you weren’t too worried ;) I have so much to blog about, but I definitely wanted to get this wedding up before anything else!!

Evan & Kelly got married a few weeks ago, on a beautiful sunny day in Cambridge. I started the day with Kelly at the Harvard Faculty Club where she was getting ready. It’s such a cool old building, and I was definitely excited to shoot there for the first time! One of the first things I got to see was the room they were staying in at the Club. It had the coolest window, and I just had to shoot the dress in front of it!


Then it was back downstairs to spend some more time with Kelly and her family. Kelly was a little anxious and definitely wanted to get the show on the road! She just couldn’t wait to get down that aisle and marry Evan, which is the best reason to be anxious before your wedding!



The ceremony was held just a block away at Harvard Memorial Church. The ceremony was so nice, and Evan & Kelly just looked so happy!


After the ceremony, we walked back to the Faculty Club, and made a few stops along the way for some casual portraits.



Are they cute, or what?



Back at the reception, the guests were mingling and enjoying the day, while I was eying the cake… Don’t you just want to pluck off those little flowers and eat ’em?!


Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way… My assistant, Melissa, totally busted this kid trying to snag a bite!

The first dance as husband & wife…


All day long, you couldn’t get the adorable kids off of the dance floor. Not even during the father-daughter dance!


After a bit of dancing, Evan & Kelly were toasted by their loved ones. The toasts were awesome…lots of tears are the proof!

I love this series! It totally makes me cry because you can just see how close Kelly & her sister are, and how much they love one another. Sisters are awesome!


The Best Man got a few more laughs than tears…


But Kelly’s Dad really takes the cake. I have looked at these images at least 5-6 times now throughout my editing, and I have cried EVERY TIME!! He’s a total crack-up, so I was expecting a really knee-slapping kind of a toast. But, then he starts talking about how when he was a kid he loved the movie Peter Pan (the live-action one w/ Mary Martin – which is a totally great version, btw). And then he goes into this long description of the part where TinkerBell almost dies – and he actually starts crying just talking about it. Which makes all of us cry, of course. I can’t exactly remember how he worked it all out, but in the end he had us all clapping for Evan & Kelly the way kids over the generations have clapped for Tink. I’m telling you, it was the best Dad toast, ever!


Did I mention the adorable kids?



The happy couple enjoying the last dance of the day!

Before the afternoon ended, there was one shot that I HAD to get. I’d been dreaming of it since we visited the Faculty Club during Evan & Kelly’s engagement shoot. The club just has the best staircase, you see…



Evan & Kelly, it was such a wonderful day! You are surrounded by love, and it was an amazing thing to witness. Thank you for trusting me to be a part of your wedding. And thanks for sticking it out to the very end to get my dream shot :) I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you both over the past year – and I look forward to working together to design the perfect album to tell the story of your day! I hope you LOVE the photos!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 5 Comments

I LOVE Black & White film!!!!! That’s right, I said FILM!


OK, so those of you who know me, or who have at least met with me once about shooting your wedding, know that I started my photography career shooting black & white film. My first job in photography was for a phenomenal photographer, Steven E. Gross. At the time, Steven shoot ONLY black & white film – and so that’s what I did too. During the 4 years I worked at his studio, Real Life Weddings, we discovered that digital was not invented by the devil, but is in fact, good. So, we all began learning the art of digital photography – or better yet, the art of shooting digital and film at the same wedding. Steven still only shoots black & white film for weddings, and leaves the digital to his second shooting Assoicates – and you’ve got to love him for it! He knows film like the back of his hand, and he has surely perfected the craft. What’s more, he knows that there is NOTHING quite as lovely, as timeless, nor as archival as a black & white fiber base print made by hand in his darkroom. And for weddings, he believes that his clients deserve only the best!

Now, while I’m in complete agreement with Steven on the issue of film – I also love digital! Digital is so flexible, satisfies that instant gratification we all long for, and the quality has improved by leaps and bounds over the past 4-5 years. It’s pretty stinkin’ awesome, actually.

But, then there’s film… mmmmm, film…

So, all of my clients have the option of having some black & white film shot at their wedding. It’s quite a bit more expensive than digital these days, so it’s rare that I get to shoot it (not everyone cares about it the way I do). But, every once in a while, one of those couples come along that get it – they really get it! And recently, that couple came along…

Evan & Kelly sat down with me after their engagement session and showed me some old photographs of, and taken by, Kelly’s great-grandmother. As we flipped through the 70+ year-old photos, we all remarked at how perfectly beautiful they still were. How timeless and classic they felt. And Kelly & Evan decided that they had to have a little of the same from their wedding.

Well, their film came back from the lab the other day and I was SO EXCITED!!! So, even though their digital pics aren’t quite ready for sharing (instant gratification only works if you don’t actually edit the photos… darn digital!), I couldn’t wait another minute to share my favorites from their film! Are you ready??? :)

Here’s my favorite from my 35mm, Nikon F100… Doesn’t Kelly look gorgeous!?!


The week before the wedding, I picked up a new toy. Literally – I picked up a new toy camera! It’s called a Holga and I’ve always wanted one. Since they’re only like $20, it was about time for me to get one already :) But check out how cool the photos are! I’m so pumped!!!





And last, but not least, film from my favorite camera of all time – my Widelux! The Widelux is a true panoramic camera with a lens that rotates and captures 140 degrees. It takes photos that you just CANNOT get with digital! (A lot of people think you can just take a fisheye lens on a digital camera, crop it to pano to get the same effect, but it is NOT the same!!!!) Anywhoo, check ’em out!



Sometimes when I lay on the floor and take pictures like the one above at weddings, with my clunky old Widelux, people look at me like this…

But, it’s worth it! Check out the unique portraits you can get with it!


So, what do YOU think? Is it worth it? I guess you’d have to touch & feel a fiber base print to truly understand, but still…

Ok, I feel better now! Back to work everyone!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 9 Comments

Jessica & Albert’s Wedding!

I love Jessica & Albert! Not only are they such a fun couple who love God with all their hearts, but Jessica is my all-time favorite blog-stalker! I mean, at least, she’s the one who leaves the most comments… If there are more of you stalkers out there – drop a comment and let me know you’re there!! ;) Seriously though, these two are awesome! We had a ton of fun at their engagement session, so I was really looking forward to their wedding day.

Jessica & Albert both got ready at Le Meridien Cambridge. Jessica was bright-eyed and ready for me as soon I got there :)


love the shoes


Can we talk about how cool the bed spreads are at Le Meridien??? It was originally The Hotel @ MIT – so everything’s all math-tastic :)


Making sure everything is in order


Albert & his parents, getting ready next door (shot by my assistant, Marie)


and killing time in the hallway with some of his groomsmen


Jessica’s sister and Maid of Honor, Joyce, helping with the jewelry


And looking on while Jessica reads a card from Albert


I loved this moment after Jessica put her dress on. She’d forgotten to put lotion on first, and so her Mom and Joyce did it for her. It was priceless.


And this is what’s great about having an assistant around. I usually bring assistants who are photo students, hoping to learn about wedding photography. I let them shoot when they have time, and then go over the images with them later. Well, Marie, captured this awesome shot of the same moment from across the room. I love it!


 I love how these 3 shots go together! Jessica is looking down at her dress, while her Mom & Joyce are looking at her. Their expressions are so great!


Another thing I love about Jessica & Albert is that they did a First Look on their wedding day. A First Look is when the Bride & Groom see each other for the first time before the ceremony. I usually set it up so that they can have an intimate moment “alone” to see one another, and to talk and enjoy that moment together without everyone else around. It’s so great because you get reactions that you just can’t get during the ceremony because they can’t really talk to one another during the ceremony. Plus, it gives us a chance to get portraits out of the way beforehand instead of afterwards when you’d rather be enjoying your reception! Anyway, here are the images… Oh, the expressions on Albert’s face! excitement, joy, tears, laughter – priceless!


We didn’t do a ton of portraits of the two of them that day. They really wanted their wedding to focus on the people in their lives, and we’re planning a Trash The Dress session for later this summer anyway where we can just focus on them. Here are some of my favorites from our time together, though…


After the First Look, we were off to Harvard Memorial Church for the family portraits and the ceremony. Here’s Jessica praying before the wedding.


the big entrance


Albert’s parents during a moment of prayer


I have to admit, that this next shot was an accident. I was holding my flash next to me, forgetting that I still had it attached to the camera and when I took the picture it went off right next to the lens – and this is the result! Sometimes, accidents are fun!


At the end of the ceremony, Jessica’s Dad got up to give some announcements, but ended up giving a beautiful speech as well! He had everyone in tears (including me)


but coming down the aisle, they were all smiles!


After the ceremony, we got ALL of the guests together on the stairs outside the church for a big group shot!


I had everyone cheer for Jessica & Albert – and here’s the result. My favorite is Jessica’s Dad, in the front. Love it!


Then it was off to the reception at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge


I love it when couples use the engagement photos at the wedding!


Jessica getting caught in the wind outside


And playing with the kids. Any surprise she’s a Sunday School Teacher?? I don’t know, it looks like she’s kinda uncomfortable with the little ones. I don’t think they like her much either… ;)


Most hilarious cake-cutting EVER! Albert gave her a humungous bite of cake – poor Jessica looked like she was going to choke! But, she stuffed his face too :)


Now, the reception was really like none I’ve ever seen. The majority of the reception was given over to Jessica & Albert’s friends and family. There were skits, songs, videos, and hilarious performances honoring (and roasting) the couple. It was so cool to see what their friends think of them, and how they feel about them, and to laugh along with them! They are SO loved!

And can I just say, that I can’t think of them now without singing “Chi-Pang, Chi-Pang” to myself in my head (to the tune of She Bangs)… maybe you had to be there…


Mixed in with the skits were some toasts by the wedding party. Once again, Jessica’s Dad had us all crying…


And then there was their one kiss of the day – at least that we all got to see ;) They do NOT like PDA (public displays of affection) and it took a room full of their friends banging their glasses and cheering to get them to kiss in public, but it worked! I am a bit proud of myself for capturing this. If I’d been a split second later, I would have missed it!


It was a really great day, and such a wonderful celebration of this beautiful couple!

Jessica & Albert – thank you again for having me! It’s been so great getting to know you and spending time with you over the last few months! I can’t wait for our TTD!!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Gretchen & Justin’s eSession

I’m back! Back from a great vacation, and back to work! I’ll post vacation photos eventually, but my wonderful clients are coming first – starting with Gretchen & Justin!

I met Gretchen & Justin at their place in Medford a few weeks ago. We hopped in the car and headed to a local pond to spend some time getting to know each other and taking some photos. Just like many of my clients, Gretchen & Justin felt a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera, and worried about being “unphotogenic.” Well, looking at these photos – you can’t tell at all! What did I tell you guys, huh? It’s your job to be YOU, and it’s my job to make beautiful photographs of YOU! I think it worked pretty well – what do the rest of you think???





See! You’re beautiful!!!





and adorable :)



and romantic



and hilarious!


Gretchen & Justin – it was great hanging out with you guys! I’m really looking forward to your wedding in October :) By then, I bet you’ll feel completely relaxed and confident in front of my camera from the start – that’s what these eSessions are for, after all!