Emilie and Max’s wedding day was also very special to me for personal reasons. While I don’t play favorites, Emilie has been a bride who has kept in touch with me (reading my blog probably more than me!) over the year plus that she’s been planning her wedding. I felt I had an inside look into the excitement and anticipation she and Max had for the day. Their wedding was also my first one “back in the saddle,” so to speak, after having Harriet. It was a joy to start this year off with such a wonderful couple. A big congratulations to Emilie and Max!

Also, a special thanks to Milla and Madeline who photographed with me. Here are just a few favorite moments from Emilie and Max’s day.

That’s what I love about my couples–they go with what their passionate about. So whether that means heading to the ski slopes or visiting a favorite restaurant for some drinks, your engagement session is best “themed” when it reflects you.

I feel bad that I didn’t really give Harriet a proper newborn photo session, so I am determined to make up for it with dedicated photo sessions for her three, sixth, ninth and one year milestones. Honestly, it’s hard to believe that she’s already three months old! Well…maybe the bags under my eyes from sleepless nights give it away.

And yes, I realize I’ve become that mom…you know…the one who truly believes her baby is the cutest thing in the whole wide world. I mean, it’s true, right?

One of my favorite things to do during engagement sessions is photograph my couple in places that are meaningful and familiar to them. What better place for that than your home?

Here are some of my favorites from the session. Enjoy!

Here’s how it works:

1. Start by “liking” Birchtree Photography’s Facebook business page and then locating the 2011 Favorite Wedding Contest album.
2. Find the photo of the couple/wedding you like the most and “like” their photo.
3. The couple with the most likes wins the prize: a 20×30 Standout Print of a photo of their choosing (a $750 value).

Contest begins April 2nd and ends next Monday, April 9th at 11:59pm. So start voting!

Every year, The Knot sends out questionnaires to their brides to ask them about their wedding and to get feedback about the professionals that they used. They tally the results, and the vendors with the best reviews are recognized as the “Best Of” for that year. So, I was very pleased to find that I was awarded “Best Of” by my couples from this last year.

Ultimately, my goal is to create meaningful photographs and provide exceptional service to my clients–whether I photograph their wedding, kids, or dogs! And while recognition by my peers means a lot to me, too, I’m most happy when my clients are happy.

Thanks to everyone for a great 2011 season, and I can’t wait to start the 2012 one!

Love this embrace.

But in terms of my work, I’ve also gained a new perspective on photography and the value of photos. As I flip through the pictures on my phone, I’m amazed to see how much Harriet has grown in just two months. The quick snapshots I took half-awake and bleary-eyed of her as a newborn have already become treasured images to me. And yes, since I’m a wedding photographer, I think about her as she might be on her wedding day (of course at least 40 years from now .

This has also led me to think about the moms of my brides and grooms, and now, I understand just a little bit more what they must be thinking and feeling on the wedding day. When they see their daughter walking down that aisle, they don’t just see her as she is today–a stunning woman in a beautiful dress–I think they also see that helpless babe they rocked to sleep in their arms. Those moments become even more meaningful, and the photographs I take even more powerful. How quickly life changes. How important those photos are as a window into what has been.

From my own wedding, one of my favorite photos is of Harriet’s namesake–Jay’s grandmother Harriet whom everyone called “Ha Ha.” It’s just a quick photo of her in the crowd, but I love it because it’s one of the last ones of her. I’m looking forward to showing it to my little Harriet someday and explaining the story to her.

For now, though, I’m excited to photograph weddings and portraits this year with a new “mom” perspective. I think it’s fair to say I’ll be watching and capturing those intimate family moments just a little bit more than I used to. Here are a few favorite mom and daughter moments from this last year.