An intimate gaze. A joyful laugh. A quiet pause. These images capture the emotions that run through
a couple’s wedding day with reflections from the photographers and the story behind these special moments.
After the bride walked down the stairs to the cheers, huge grins and even a few tears of her best friends, she cranked up the music to let some tension go. The bride bundled up her gorgeous veil and started dancing. As she moved, her friends spontaneously circled around her to join in. The room was full of whoops and happiness as they all sang along to the music. Once the music stopped, the bride took a sip of champagne, smiled brightly and proclaimed, “ok, let’s do this!” Photo and caption by Rachel Bell Photography
When photographing couples getting ready, I’m always seeking unique compositions that make a getting-ready space more interesting. The window light here creates the perfect contrast for this moment, as Michael admires the watch gifted to him by his bride. Photo and caption by Alanna Hogan Photography
A little slow-shutter movement and black and white treatment paired beautifully here as the bride makes her way to see her groom. I often find that simple moments like these are the most impactful without the distraction of color. Photo and caption by Alanna Hogan Photography
I always encourage brides to embrace the wind. On this particularly blustery afternoon on the coast of Maine, I asked the bride to toss her gorgeous gown into the air and let the wind work its magic. Photo and caption by Alanna Hogan Photography
Tori and I had such a beautiful bridal portrait session as we fed off each other’s creativity with her century-old French lace veil. This frame was inspired by a Lana Del Rey music video that Tori happened upon prior to her wedding. We took the concept of a veil reflected beautifully onto its subject and ran with it — the lace casting shadows that made for one stunning portrait after another. Photo and caption by Alanna Hogan Photography
When you look at a photo and really feel the emotion that’s been captured in the photograph, that’s when the photographer has done their job. It’s candid moments like this that add so much to a wedding gallery. If you’re debating playing a game on your wedding day, we say always play the game. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
Mike’s final moments of getting ready before the couple shared an intimate first look. We believe photographs of even the simplest acts, such as tying a shoe, are photographs our clients can look back on and remember what they were feeling in that moment on one of the greatest days of their lives. Simple moments like this help tell the couple’s whole story. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
This little guy was eager for the ferry ride to the reception site. A child’s emotions can be one the most authentic moments to photograph on a wedding day. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
All hands on deck when it comes to bustling a dress. This is one of those simple, yet beautiful moments that’s such a pleasure to photograph. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
When a couple carves out time for photos at sunset the results can be magical. Erin and Grace share a romantic embrace before heading back to the dance floor. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
Two brides, jean jackets and a vintage car- it doesn’t get much better than that. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
Whether the bride buckles her own heel, the mother of the bride or the maid of honor, this is one of our favorite moments at a wedding because it’s part of the final touches before the couple finally gets to see one another. It’s the anticipation of what’s to follow that makes these moments so special. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
Sparklers are always a magical way to end the night. Jacque & Marcus couldn’t have had a more beautiful day- from the intimate ceremony at The Cliff House, the ferry ride to the Wiggly Bridge and the beach, and finally dinner at Walkers Maine- a smooch under the sparklers was the perfect way to end their special day. Photo and caption by Antoinette Photography
After a perfect tear and laugh filled ceremony, when Jackie & Maeve were pronounced married, the hall erupted with cheers as they kissed as wife and wife for the first time. Photo and caption by Caitlin Page Photography
Delaney & Michael had their first look in downtown Portland, and I absolutely loved this old painted sign on a building – it gave this portrait such a timeless feeling! Photo and caption by Caitlin Page Photography
One of my favorite aspects of Kara & Nick’s wedding day was that their sweet boy James was able to be a ring bearer. He squirmed for the majority of the time, but I love how sweet this portrait of the three of them is! Photo and caption by Caitlin Page Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Bianca had gotten ready in the bridal salon at Cliff House. Just before heading down to the rocks for her First Look, I saw this opportunity for an epic bridal portrait with her long veil and train. The black and white, and contrast of her silhouette in the window, created a feeling of beauty and grandeur. Photo and caption by Chris Keeley Photography
Cliff House is beautiful everywhere you look, including the chandeliers in the ceiling in the Atlantic Ballroom. After we created a few portraits outside at night, we returned to the dance floor where I then turned my camera to the ceiling and captured a few double exposures of the chandeliers to incorporate elements from their day into an otherwise ordinary night portrait. Photo and caption by Chris Keeley Photography
Brian and Emily were chauffeured to and from their reception in this incredible classic car. After they said their goodbyes to family following their reception, I suggested they wave goodbye through the back window as they were leaving. It was the perfect way to create an image that said “… and they lived happily ever after. The End.” Photo and caption by Chris Keeley Photography
Melissa was putting the finishing touches on her hair, and her veil was hanging nearby. The room itself was nice but small and didn’t have much of a background, so I held her veil up to the camera to create this little tunnel to hide all the distractions in the background and keep the focus on her. Photo and caption by Chris Keeley Photography
The property on which Mike and Stephanie held their ceremony and reception included a barn that they decorated with family. At the end of the reception, we used this setting for a few “end of the night” shots to incorporate the twinkly lights and chandelier. The image was lit with just one flash placed on the ground behind them. Photo and caption by Chris Keeley Photography
Photo by CityLux Studios
Photo by CityLux Studios
Photo by CityLux Studios
Photo by CityLux Studios
Photo by CityLux Studios
Ellen and Bubba’s intimate wedding was centered around celebrating their union and that of their families. Every moment of the day felt serendipitous like their first ever encounter with each other during a morning commute on a public bus. When capturing these moments, it was important to mirror the candid nature of the backyard celebration at Ellen’s childhood home and the spontaneity of life as it unfolds. Photo and caption by Maxine Cadman Photography
Photo by Maxine Cadman Photography
Photo by Maxine Cadman Photography
Photo by Maxine Cadman Photography
The bride’s dad was so friendly but, as the guests arrived and he went into the small chapel to tuck away with his daughter, I noticed he became more quiet and reflective. He was clearly in deep thought. When it was time, both father and daughter peeked out of the chapel door and began the walk to the aisle. Once they reached the back of the aisle, the bride was looking at her groom and just beaming and her dad was looking at her so tenderly. He took a deep breath, held it and they began the walk. After a warm hug for both his daughter and soon-to-be-son, he walked to his seat, let out a big exhale and promptly burst into quiet tears. Photo and caption by Rachel Bell Photography
“There is just so much love between this mom and daughter. The bride’s mom had just put her veil on, and it was clear she was just bursting with emotions. As the bride adjusted her hair, she was unaware that her mom was looking at her with so much love and awe. Just then, the bride turned her head towards her mom who, in an attempt to not be caught in her swirl of emotions, quickly looked down and started adjusting her daughter’s veil to get her ready for a portrait on the stairs. Even though mom tried to hide it, I could tell that the bride had glimpsed her raw feelings as when she looked up the stairs towards me, I could see her eyes starting to well up too.” Photo and caption by Rachel Bell Photography
