It was the magic hour and the wonderful Sean and Melissa trekked out to the gorgeous Medford Fells with me for their equally magical engagement session! It was a fairly chilly autumn day, but Melissa braved it in a lovely sleeveless dress, and we warmed up a bit as we hiked around, so it wasn’t too uncomfortable! The Fells are amazing – really lovely, especially in the fall, and they made the perfect backdrop for these lovebirds. Congrats on your engagement, friends!
Filed under Engagement
Kate and Dan had a wonderful day wedding at their home in Sudbury – everything was absolutely gorgeous! This intimate affair included some of the most gorgeous floral arrangements I’ve ever seen, including whimsical flowers hanging on ribbons from the tree where their ceremony took place. The tents were lovely, the food was delicious, and Commodore the dog participated, too! The day started at a nearby inn where Kate prepared:
Back at the house, I photographed the rings, and a heart-shaped stone Dan made as part of his proposal to Kate. So sweet! The bouquet was pretty fabulous, as well:
The ceremony was completely unique; about seven of Kate and Dan’s closest friends all acted as “officiants,” each reading a selected passage and sharing their stories of Kate and Dan. It was such a touching, personal event, full of laughs.
While guests enjoyed some pre-lunch cocktails in the outdoor lounge area before proceeding to the tent for a delicious meal …
… Kate and Dan and I took some portraits! They are the sweetest couple, with the cutest dog, too!
The floral design was stunning. I could not stop taking photos of all the details! I want to live in these tablescapes:
And, oh, the food! Absolutely delicious. Unbelievably delicious. It really set the scene for a delightful cocktail hour and a fabulous luncheon, complete with funny and sentimental speeches galore:
Kate and Dan, thank you for having me there on your wedding day. Your laughter is still ringing in my ears!
Venue: Private Home
Prep Hotel: Wayside Carriage House Inn
Bride’s Hair: Michelle McGrath
Bride’s Makeup: Salon Sama
Bride’s Dress: Watters
Florist: Michele Bernard Florals
Filed under Weddings
Happy Feb. indeed, world. I cannot believe it’s already almost Valentine’s Day. I’m the lovey-dovey type no matter what the time of year, but I especially love V-day and all the hearts and flowers that come along with it, corny as it may be. I know, I know, Hallmark made this holiday up, but I think any holiday that expressly encourages love and affection and appreciation of others is okay in my book.
With Valentine’s Day in mind, I have a new set of cards in my Etsy shop! Check out Julie Sterling Studios to purchase these beauties, perfect for Valentine’s, especially, but great for everyday, too.
Wouldn’t you want to get one of these in the mail (I LOVE mail!)?
Show someone how much you love them today!
Filed under Art, Julie Sterling Studios, Nature, Personal, Product
Early November still has a spooky holiday vibe to it, with Halloween just past and Day of the Dead and All Souls’ Day and whatnot. What better time to go visit one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country? No better time, I say.
I’m currently working as a teaching assistant for the photography school I attended, and as a break for my class’s computer-intensive Photoshop II module, we set off for Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge for a shooting assignment. As the TA, I get to come along, help out, and photograph to my heart’s content. And I LOVE cemeteries, especially old ones. Mount Auburn was founded in 1831 and landscaped to 19th-century perfection. I’ll let its beauty on a New England autumn day speak for itself:
Mount Auburn Cemetery is BIG – 174 acres big. There are hundreds of named paths and walkways, all nature-related, to wander. I could have explored all day and still had more to see.
There are many significant memorials, sculptures, and architectural gems in the cemetery; I captured just a few of them.
Here’s a sphinx Civil War Memorial and the gorgeously gothic Bigelow Chapel:
And here’s the Mary Baker Eddy memorial:
The Visitors’ Center lives in the lovely red-stone Story Chapel:
The Washington Tower looms over the entire place and offers great views of the Boston skyline in the distance:
The fall foliage was truly incredible; the leaves reflecting in the various ponds around the grounds looked like watercolor paintings. Amazing.
Artistic stonework is everywhere, in delicious states of disrepair:
Who wants to come back with me in awesome outfits to stage a full-on photoshoot here?
Happy November!
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending, and photographing, my friends’ wedding in Vermont. Ben and I went to college together, and though Lauren didn’t actually go to Middlebury, I feel like she did! These two are perfect for each other and it was such a joy to be a part of their wedding weekend in a state that means so much to all of us. Lareau Farm Inn, original home to the delicious American Flatbread, is just about the most picturesque place ever for a wedding, especially one for two foodies and nature-lovers like Ben and Lauren.
Since we stayed at the Inn the night before (and the night after), I got to take my time documenting this wonderful day and all its details.
The color scheme for this country wedding was gingham and gray, and I loved it! Ben and Lauren brought the gingham touch to every little detail, from the gentlemen’s ties to the bouquet’s ribbons, even to the back of Lauren’s “something blue” shoes!
When it was time to get ready, Ben and Lauren were cool as cucumbers, really relaxed and simply excited to get married. I ran around the Inn capturing both of their preparations.
Before we knew it, it was ceremony time! The Lareau Farm Inn has a gorgeous secluded grove for these occasions, and it was so perfect.
I love seeing anyone get married, but it’s especially touching when I have a very personal connection with the couple. I was definitely kneeling in the aisle, wiping away tears, for this one! After the lovely outdoor ceremony, we had time for portraits! We stayed in the very same grove for some of them because when you have such a gorgeous setting, why not?
There may have been a jump-off between the groom’s party and the bride’s … who do you think won this one? There are some pretty impressive moves on both sides …
While the guests enjoyed a delightful cocktail hour with pizza from American Flatbread, amongst other delicacies, Ben and Lauren and I took the time to make some “just married and so in love” portraits of the two of them. We traipsed all around the farm in the fading light and got some really nice shots.
The reception was held in the Lareau Farm Inn’s pavilion, and it is quite a lovely spot. Ben and Lauren styled the entire wedding themselves, and the pavilion was no exception. It was absolutely gorgeous! They also handmade their wedding favors: bags and bags of “Nutty for You” granola from the L & B Granola Factory! I’ve eaten ours, and it was delish! I see a future business venture for them … Lauren also hand-painted their bride and groom cake topper to look like her and Ben. Adorbs!
The wonderful pizza oven and an artistic shot of a guitar case seen appropriate to post here, right?
The party kicked off with some awesome speeches, then turned into dancing madness! There was the requisite Middlebury College attendee shot, too, of course. I handed my camera off to a trusted friend of the family and jumped in, too!
Ben and Lauren, it was a night to remember. Thank you so much for having me as your guest/photographer/friend. I had a wonderful time and I look forward to more Vermont adventures with the two of you in years to come!
To see Ben and Lauren’s wedding slideshow, follow this link: http://www.juliesterlingphoto.com/Ben_LaurenSlideshow/index.html. Enjoy!
Filed under Weddings
It’s a summer of gorgeous weddings! This is just a quick peek at my good friends Ben and Lauren and their lovely Vermont wedding. So much more is yet to come! Congrats, you two – it was so much fun being your photographer (and a guest!) on your big day. I think I really like photographing the weddings of people I know … take note, friends!
Filed under Weddings
Julie Sterling 
