Charles River Esplanade Professional Portrait Photography | Andrea Schroll

Charles River Esplanade Professional Portrait Photography | Andrea Schroll

Let me first open this post by saying social media is really cool, but for reasons that have recently surprised me! It can be too easy to get sucked into aimlessly scrolling through Facebook's or Instagram's feeds (speaking for myself here!), but with intention, the power of social media can totally be put to greater use! 

I discovered this firsthand recently when Andrea and I connected in a Facebook group. I had put out an "open call" to other entrepreneurs and small business owners, just looking to make some friendly connections with other people who share similar values in life and business. Andrea responded to my post online, and we ended up chatting over coffee for a couple hours soon after! It was so exciting to meet another woman at a similar place in her business, and get to talk about business and life in general with her! I didn't expect to book any photo sessions from a little Facebook post, but as we sat talking, Andrea told me she wanted new professional photography to use for her business. I couldn't wait to plan this session for her and bring fresh, personalized imagery to her brand!

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Adventures in Maine | Part One

Adventures in Maine | Part One

When I first discovered photography, my camera came with me almost everywhere, and I would explore and experiment with it non-stop. I feel so happy and refreshed to have gotten back in that headspace. I loved being in the moment with my craft and my favorite man in these beautiful landscapes. But, what's even more special is knowing that as a family, Andy and I will have these photos forever to remember this time in our lives, and the wonderful places we've been together. In this digital age, our lives seem to fly by so fast, and it's so easy to get pulled away from staying present with those we love. For me personally, these photos, and the trip itself, are a wonderful reminder to keep coming back to what's important.

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Getting Camera-Ready | Skincare

Getting Camera-Ready | Skincare

Today I'm writing for those of you who have had the thought this summer, "Oh yeaaaahhh…I need to get photos taken." It seems like I hear that comment every week! Whether you're thinking of headshots for that company publication or your LinkedIn profile, or of family portraits with your kiddo who has only had cellphone snapshots taken of them past newborn age, or of photography to market and boost the image of your blog or small business, this post is for you. Read along to learn about one major way you can get camera-ready!

I'll be honest: sometimes I majorly think ahead. I'll plan details for events that are coming up days or weeks ahead, and sometimes overlook those same details when the event arrives because I'm thinking even further ahead by that point! I annoy even myself with this habit sometimes, and I'm doing my best in this phase of life to slow down and be more present! However, I decided today to leverage my habit for planning details and share the spoils with you all! These are some tips I would give to any client who has an upcoming portrait session with me. 

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Boston Summer Lifestyle + Professional Portrait Photography | Mary Casiello

Boston Summer Lifestyle + Professional Portrait Photography | Mary Casiello

Today, I'll be honest, I'm pretty psyched to share this portrait session with you. Partly because my portrait subject, Mary, and I both love how the photos turned out, and partly because this day was a really awesome one.

It all started two months after Mary's Day In The Life session with her family, when she got in touch with me again to say she was looking to get some updated photography for her website, and for posters advertising her musical performances. Let's just say I was totally thrilled to hear that!

Mary was a TOTAL trooper on this hot and sweaty August morning! We enjoyed our time taking a stroll around Larz Anderson Park and stopping where the scenery and the light looked inviting, and it made a great opportunity to catch up too!

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Moving House and Creating A Home | Boston Day In The Life / Professional Portrait Photography Testimonials

Moving House and Creating A Home | Boston Day In The Life / Professional Portrait Photography Testimonials

Disclaimer: I try to keep my personal "Wholehearted" posts separate from my photography-specific posts, but today's post is a little blending of the two…because sometimes, personal life and work life blend a little, and I think that's ok. So here's what I've been up to:

Andy and I spent the entire week the last week of July piling boxes in our car and taking trips to our lovely new apartment, all while sweating our faces off! It was an exhausting week, but waking up to my favorite person in a space that it finally feels right to call "home" is so worth it. We couldn't have done it without the help of some awesome friends, and without the courage to help each other take the leap into a big life change!

Since my life for the past week has been consumed with moving house and I've barely had time to get any new photos together for a more visual post, I thought I would share some awesome testimonials I received after a couple recent photo sessions! Everyone loves a good, sincere compliment, but I think these testimonials are even more than thatthey show what the actual experience of a photo session is like, and why the investment in yourself (and sometimes your family too) is so worth it.

In contrast to the first section of today's post, houses and apartments come and go, but your personal story, and your family's interwoven stories, really are forever. As people, our internal memories, thoughts and feelings can be fleeting, but the visual and physical keepsakes of photographs solidify our stories and create a very special, shareable experience.

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Boston Lifestyle + Professional Portrait Photography | Kari O'Briant

Boston Lifestyle + Professional Portrait Photography | Kari O'Briant

Happy Monday, friends! Have you ever heard of music therapy? If not, then you're in for a treat today!

Kari is a music therapist, and believe it or not, we met in college when we both went to Radford University in Virginia! After Kari and I had both graduated in our respective years, we both moved to Massachusetts unbeknownst to each other! We reunited up here not long after I arrived, and I'm so glad we've been able to keep in touch and have more fun times together!

One of those fun times includes the one where she emailed me and said she wanted new headshots, and I don't think I could have said yes any quicker! However, I didn't want these to be stale and boring, full of fake smiles and flat walls, so we decided to take a trip to Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain and play around (literally) with her guitar. You'll see lots of big smiles in Kari's photos, and that's because I kept asking her to tell me about her puppy, Reshi. Worked like a charm, and made us BOTH happy! 

Visit the full post to learn more about music therapy, and to read a glowing review from Kari after she received her photos!

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Boston Fashion + Style Photography | The Cubicle Collections, Chapter Three

Boston Fashion + Style Photography | The Cubicle Collections, Chapter Three

For this portion of Jackie's Fashion + Style photo session, for her blog The Cubicle Collections, we paid a visit to the Boston Public Garden, and it was a lovely day for it, let me tell you! The slightest breeze and some warm sunshine really brought Jackie's outfit to life and made these colors pop! Be sure to visit The Cubicle Collections to read about why Jackie wore these particular pieces together, and to find links to where you can get them for yourself. The top especially was a bit out of her comfort zone, so I'm very excited that she decided to face her fears and totally work this outfit!

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Boston Fashion + Style Photography | The Cubicle Collections, Chapter Two

Boston Fashion + Style Photography | The Cubicle Collections, Chapter Two

Although I do love being around green leaves and blue skies, Boston's cityscape blended with the minimal color palette and clean lines of this outfit speak to my heart. The opportunity to make urban-centric portraits like this was a big motivator for moving to the Boston area!

This whole ensemble includes quality brands like Rag & Bone, Nine West, Cole Haan, Rebecca Minkoff, H&M, Marc Jacobs, and BCBG. These are all such chic brands that this portion of our photo session was begging to have more of an air of serious confidence. Us Lady Bosses mean business, and so do our outfits! Sometimes the best way to refocus your confidence is to dress the way to you want to feel.

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Boston Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Six

Boston Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Six

This session was photographed right next to the Zakim Bridge. Urban textures juxtapose grass and trees (much like the rest of the city), and allow for so many different "look and feel" opportunities for styled sessions like this. I love when all you have to do is look around to find inspiration! Read on to see more Winter-To-Spring style!

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Methuen Day In The Life Family Session | The Casiello Family

Methuen Day In The Life Family Session | The Casiello Family

In this post you'll see: interactive book reading, silly faces and big smiles, snuggles with mom, dad playing with his kids as all good dads do (holding kids up in the air, flipping them around, and letting them climb all over him of course), a paper crown, and special appearances by the family cat. I'm so grateful to have been able to capture these sweet, loving moments of home life for this family that welcomed me in with open arms! Enjoy A Day In The Life of the Casiello Family!

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Boston Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Five

Boston Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Five

Melissa had the great idea of visiting the area around the Zakim Bridge. Even though I have lived between Cambridge and Somerville for about 3 years, I had never actually been under the bridge, so I was excited to explore! As it turns out, it's architecturally a very interesting space and and I think it paired well with Melissa's navy and white with pops of accent colors. This outfit is a perfect "winter-to-spring" ensemble! Feminine yet simple and modern, it's the perfect outfit for a day in the city.

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Charlestown Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Four

Charlestown Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Four

Melissa styled a fashion, product and accessory photo session in late March for her blog, and personally, I had a blast helping it come together! I always love seeing what textures and colors she groups together for our styled sessions. As a girl who is not always super girly, it always inspires me to think outside my own box! Click through to see vibrant floral heels, the perfect rugs for New England apartments, skincare and makeup kits from Trish McEvoy, and a lovely spring dress!

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Charlestown Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Two

Charlestown Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles, Chapter Two

Melissa and I are at it again! This week's fashion post is a different take on the classic New England style. If you have ever felt like a schlub trying to pull together something semi-presentable to cover your body with for weekend errands while still rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, this outfit inspiration is for you, dear reader!

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Charlestown Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles

Charlestown Fashion + Style Photography | Chic Coles

I'm very excited to announce that Melissa and I are teaming up to bring you some lovely visions of Boston-inspired wardrobe ensembles to inspire your own, while we highlight our favorite spots around the city. Melissa is inspiring me already to expand my own personal style, usually composed of color blocking, edgy textures, and lots of black. If you enjoy the photo story below, please pay Melissa a visit at her blog, Chic Coles, to see more and to even pick up some of these pieces for your own collection, including the makeup she used!

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A Day In The Life | Watertown and Melrose Sneak Peeks

A Day In The Life | Watertown and Melrose Sneak Peeks

I have started offering Day In The Life sessions this winter and it has been so awesome to see the results and experience hours at a time in clients' homes. So far they have included lots of baking, in-home gymnastics (seriously), getting dressed up, and snowshoeing, among other things. Here are some sneak peeks from two of my recent sessions to warm the heart on this freezing day! Enjoy!

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