Rebecca and Jared's Elegant Summer Wedding
Rebecca and Jared's Elegant Summer Wedding

I had the pleasure of working with Leah from Leah Arsenault Photography on June 27th, 2015. Taking me on as a second photographer for the couple's wedding, Leah entrusted me with photographing the guys getting ready, cocktail hour, and much of the details that were put into this gorgeous oceanside wedding.

The wedding began with the bride and groom getting ready in separate locations at the private estate. Becca got ready in the house with her bridesmaids, maid of honor and mother, while the guys got ready in a small townhouse nearby. I love photographing the guys getting ready for a wedding. It's always a fun experience and this wedding was no exception. We even had time to photograph the groom and his family before the ceremony which allowed the couple more time for bride and groom portraits and some time alone after the ceremony.

Rebecca and Jared had a beautiful outdoor ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. The ocean provided a scenic backdrop as the couple said "I do." Their reception followed just a few feet away in an outdoor tent that was beautifully decorated with the couple's wedding theme: pink and white floral with mint green.

I was especially impressed with the details. Their gorgeous cake was made by Plum Cove Grind and their beautiful wedding flowers were from Sage Floral Studio. Both vendors are located in Gloucester, Massachusetts.  

Working with Leah was great! She is laid back and has a natural eye for details. I was amazed at her creativity and approach to photographing the wedding. I hope I get the chance to work with her again in the future.

Rebecca and Jared finished off the night with dancing and sparklers. It was truly a beautiful romantic day filled with love and happiness. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Vendors:

Venue: Private Estate in Gloucester, MA

Cake: Plum Cove Grind

Trina Dinnar
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

More often than not, when you hire your wedding photographer, it is the first time you have ever hired a photographer. The process can be overwhelming. I remember hiring my wedding photographer four years ago when I knew nothing about the process or the industry. What was important to me then was the photographer's style and the price. Beyond that, I don't recall being too concerned with much else. After all, I was years away from entering the photography business myself (you can read more about that journey in Passion to Profit...)

So, what do you look for? You like their style, they're in your budget. Now what?

Are you insured?

Always, always always ask your photographer if they are insured. Business liability insurance protects both you and the photographer in the event of damaged goods or property, injury, etc. Of course these situations are very rare but should the need occur, both parties will be relieved in the long run if the business is properly insured.

Do you bring back-up equipment?

A wedding photographer should bring at least one back up camera (preferably as good as their main camera), several lenses, flashes, memory cards, charged batteries etc.

How many weddings have you photographed?

It's important that you know how much experience your photographer has photographing weddings. As you interview photographers, consider the cost with their experience. Are you willing to sacrifice piece of mind to save a couple hundred dollars? Professional wedding photographers who make a living in the industry and have experience are worth more. They know the flow of weddings, where to be at certain times, how to get everyone lined up and ready for portraits and ultimately, they will make best use of time so that you are free to enjoy your wedding.

Do you have back-up photographers? What if you get sick?

Your photographer should be able to provide you with names of professionals with similar experience and style to theirs who are available should a situation occur. Though most professional photographers would rarely miss a wedding in their entire career, no one can foresee an illness or accident.

Can I view a full wedding you have photographed?

The reality is, the images you see on a photographer's website are carefully chosen to represent their best work. Viewing an entire wedding will give you a much more accurate visual of what you can expect to receive from your wedding photographer.

Can you meet us in person?

It's always a good idea whenever possible to meet your wedding photographer before your wedding day. Not only do you want to be able to ask any questions, but it's also important that your personalities mesh well. It's even better if you and your fiancé have an engagement session with the same photographer who will be photographing your wedding. You'll build upon your relationship and your photographer will get to see what poses work best for you as an individual couple.

Of course there are many more questions you could ask -- and should if they are important to you. Your wedding will only happen once and you want confidence that your photographer will capture your special day just as you envisioned.

 

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Jessica and Kyle's Maine Engagement Portraits
Jessica and Kyle's Maine Engagement Portraits

Jessica contacted me back in January in search of a wedding photographer for her and her fiance, Kyle's wedding on September 12th, 2015 at the Franco American Heritage Center in Lewiston, Maine .

Jessica and Kyle's engagement session took place at a park just blocks from where they are to be married in just a few short months. We were lucky enough to have an amazing sunset that evening!

In her interview about their relationship, Jessica describes how they met and their wonderful proposal story:

How did you two meet?

I was a year behind Kyle in school and we had gone to the same small school from kindergarten to eighth grade. Every year, Kyle and his family would come to my family’s Christmas tree farm to get their tree. The year that he went on to high school, they came to get their tree and we really took notice of each other. Things kind of took off from there and we have been dating ever since, 11 years and counting! We are high school sweethearts, he was a football player and I was a cheerleader.

What did you do on your first date?

Our first real date was when Kyle got his driver’s license. We went to the Maine Mall… and as inexperienced drivers, we got lost trying to find it. We finally found our way and had a great time. We got pizza for lunch (Kyle's all-time favorite food) and had our picture taken in the photo booth. I still have the picture and we looked so young!

When and where did your engagement take place? Please describe the proposal.

Kyle and his sister, Krista, came up with a great plan. In 2013, Kyle and I were both in Krista’s wedding party. The ceremony was beautiful, a warm September day outside at a local apple orchard with a view that went on for miles. The reception was in a big tent at the same location. The time came for the bouquet and garter toss. They did the garter toss first, and Kyle stood front and center, which I thought was really odd, since he’s such a shy, quiet person who certainly doesn’t like to be the center of attention. The groom, Alex, threw the garter and Kyle lunged to catch it.

Krista got on the microphone and announced that since Kyle caught the garter, it would only be fitting for her to give the bouquet to me. I was so embarrassed! I sat down in the seat in front of everyone just praying for it to be over quickly. Just when I was starting to tell Kyle to hurry up, I looked down and he had pulled a gorgeous diamond ring out of his pocket and asked me to marry him. We even had our own dance, at his sister’s request. The whole thing was a complete surprise to me.

Here's the video of the proposal:

What are some activities or hobbies that you love doing together?

Our absolute favorite thing to do together is to go camping, hiking, and taking day trips to new locations. Our favorite spot to camp is Daicey Pond at Baxter State Park. We look forward to making lots of new memories as a married couple. Our next adventure is our honeymoon, a cruise to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Elizabeth and Jason's Engagement Photography Session

Elizabeth and Jason met through mutual friends, though it was several years later that they began dating. During the winter of 2013, they had dinner together on their first date. Elizabeth describes their relationship: "Jason and I are the type of couple who can spend every waking moment together and not grow tired of one another, as we get along like the very best of friends, yet we are also fiercely independent and cultivate our own interests. I own horses and he owns pulling oxen and steers, so we fit well together, caring for our animals and all the responsibilities of a farm."

On November 1st, 2014, Jason woke Elizabeth very early out of bed to take her deer hunting for the first time. She recalls it vividly: "I admit I was slightly cranky after hiking to the very top of a steep hill called the Great Ledge, which is part of the Saddleback Mountain Range in Baldwin, Maine, but once to the top, the view was breathtaking. Taking in the beautiful landscape, I turned around and realized Jason was down on his knee, holding an open ring box. Though we had talked about marriage, I never imagined he would surprise me in such a way. Suddenly, it didn't matter that I was wet from the persistent rain and sore from lugging a heavy gun. The man I adored was very nervously waiting for an answer and I did not hesitate to say YES!"

The couple is to be married on July 4th, 2015 at Jason's great grandmother's farm, which was also the location of their beautiful sunset engagement session. They plan a rustic country Maine wedding and I anticipate being their wedding photographer. This is a very exciting year for Elizabeth and Jason. On top of planning their wedding, the couple became first-time homeowners this year. They were also surprised earlier this year to find out that they are expecting! "It was a little sooner than we planned, but sometimes the best things in life don't always work out how you plan."

I'm very excited to be Elizabeth and Jason's wedding photographer. They have so many exciting new things happening in their lives this year and their happiness radiates into their photos. It's happiness that makes the best wedding photography, as no matter how much detail and planning, nothing can replace that. Although, on top of their happiness, they are planning a beautiful wedding that truly embodies who they are -- a country wedding with rustic details! I can't wait to travel back to West Baldwin, Maine as their wedding photographer.

Trina Dinnar
Amy and Eric's Bethel Inn Maine Wedding

I photographed Amy and Eric's wedding at the Bethel Inn in Bethel, Maine last Saturday. May 16th, 2015, the couple anxiously prepped for the big day. Amy and Eric got ready in adjacent townhouses at the inn. I loved photographing all of the pre-wedding emotions that took place in the two townhouses. Soon after, the groom and groomsmen greeted their guests and many were ushered in golf carts across the golf fields.

The couple exchanged vows amidst the mountainside on the golf course of the Inn. I had the pleasure of photographing their families, who seemed to enjoy every minute -- even the formal portraits when it got buggy.  They truly were a happy, fun-loving group! I have to admit, I almost shed a tear on numerous occasions because their vows were so beautiful. The officiant asked them to picture their loves together in 20 years and I imagined them still happy and very much in love.

The reception took place in the main and south dining room at the Bethel Inn, where the couple and their guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and lots of memories!

Angela Poulin from White Jasmine Weddings NH was Amy and Eric's wedding planner. She did a fabulous job making sure everything went smoothly throughout their wedding day. Her attention to detail and ability to coordinate such a large event did not go unnoticed. Gorham House Florist provided the flowers from the bouquets and boutonnieres to the table centerpieces. I absolutely adored the flower arrangements. Jeff Morgan Allain was their wedding officiant. I have to say, I was impressed when he knew to step to the side to let to couple share their first kiss. It makes for much better photos of the couple enjoying an intimate moment. Lastly, the gorgeous cake was made by Carri from Piece of Cake.

Amy and Eric are having a romantic honeymoon in Connecticut. They plan to visit Foxwoods casino and go site-seeing throughout the state. Though I love all weddings I photograph, there was something special about this wedding. It was such a beautiful, happy romantic day filled with family and friends who loved each other.

Trina Dinnar