Tonight is  a year in the making. Literally. My husband and I set out a year ago to create a brand new website that reflected my photography style and the vision I have for the company. When you go to my new site I hope you feel like the images are light, airy and full of life. Kind of like me.

I would LOVE to hear what you all think of the new site! Do tell…

http://peartreestudio.showitsite.com

Here are a few from a recent session I did with a woman who created a book of images for her husband’s 40th!

So, with a build up like this, I’m sure you would all like to know WHY Jodie is my hero, right?

Jodie, who is a dear friend of mine, read my last blog post giving everyone the sad news of our studio’s abrupt closing. She said she read it, felt for me and then… then. She leapt into super-hero action. She happened to be at her sister-in-law’s hair salon, PURE in North Hampton. Jodie told my story to her amazing sister-in-law, Stephanie and figured out that there was an unused space in the downstairs of the salon that would work perfectly for a photo studio! Jodie called me (three times… it was supper time) and we talked briefly and I called Stephanie right up, saw the space the next day and this morning Tom and I signed a contact to use the space!

I don’t even know how to begin to thank Jodie (and Stephanie) properly. Groveling seams wrong. Long hugs seam a overwhelming. So, the least I can so is write this message to my hero.

Dear Jodie,

In a day and age where most people struggle to take care of themselves, their families and their own problems, YOU went out of your way to help me and my family out. You are my hero and even better, you are my friend. I thank you, Tom thanks you, my kids thank you.

All my gratitude,

Nichole

P.S.

I completely stole this photo from Jodie’s Facebook page. You all need to get a look of this amazing lady. AWESOME mom by day, super-hero by night. If you see her, hug her from a very long time for me!

Coreen and Rusty, who met back in their busy college years, met me for the first time at their engagement session last fall and I instantly fell for them.. ha! I left their session telling Coreen that my husband was in trouble when I got home after hearing how Rusty takes her on picnics and dates and ENJOYS planning them for her.

But that’s just the way Rusty is. He is devoted to Coreen and her happiness. He has this fun-hearted side to him that draws people to him and it definitely worked on Coreen.

Then there is Coreen, who is soft and kind, loving by nature and has a heart of gold. She was the whole package for Rusty and they fit so perfectly together.

Their wedding day was just like their personalities. Full of love, life, music, friends & family, laughter and good times. There were the quiet moments, like when Rusty and his father hugged after Rusty’s and his mother’s first dance and there were live out loud moments like when Coreen reeled Rusty in on the dance floor like a fish.

I can not end this post without telling you about their amazing reception {AKA- 4 hour, non-stop, AMAZING dance party!}. Rusty and Coreen chose the Needles Lodge at Camp Kiwanee in Hanson, MA to hold their reception and I can’t say enough great things about their choice!! Typically I only show a few dance photos from receptions, but with 4 hours of non stop dancing I had a lot to show you all!

Congratulations Rusty and Coreen! I can’t wait to hear about all the adventures you will have in your amazing life together!  xoxoxoxo

I word it that way… “made it official” because their love and commitment was already there from the first day I met them, they just needed to make it “official”.

Steve is a true Maine guy through and through. A hunter and fisher {as you can tell by the gorgeous handmade garter that Heather wore down the isle in honor of her man’s hobby.} But even though Steve is an outdoorsmen he has this soft way with Heather and Heather’s daughter that was so sweet to watch. In fact, one of my favorite photos of the day was of Steve holding little M’s hand before the ceremony. That quiet little moment was just them and was so tender and sweet to capture.

There were so many other little moments of their day that were just as amazing. Their funny vows to each other, the way they smiled at each other after they kissed I do, the way Steve was by Heather’s side through it all. Just the way he will be by her side for the rest of her life.

Congrats to you Steve and Heather! It was such a joy to be with you both on your wedding day!

On a gorgeous August evening we all met at the Cape and had one of the best nights photographing I’ve ever had. Not just because they were all such friendly, kind-hearted people, or because they made Tom and I feel like apart of there day, but because I truly felt like they wanted to create family memories that day with us. They hired us to preserve a moment for them and it was such an honor. In the digital day in age that we live in, where photos can be taken with a phone and treated as almost disposable, it was important for me to see that there are families out there, like this one, that still treat photography as a keepsake, a way to remember important moments and people in their lives. THAT is what photography means to me and it was so important that day to see it meant the same to them as well! Tom and I left their session on a high.

Thank you so much to such a beautiful family!

I know that Brandy won’t mind me admitting for her that she was nervous. A big ball of nerves that had been building for weeks prior to the wedding. She had been having dreams that her dress would not fit, that she would forget her petty coat. That the whole day would not go the way she had dreamed and planned for.

I saw the nerves. I felt them and I felt for her. I knew she was about to marry the MAN of HER DREAMS and she was…. a wreck.

Then.

Then she saw Joe.

Joe and Brandy opted for a First Look. ( A First Look is when a Bride and Groom see one another for the first time prior to the ceremony. They get to experience that first time seeing one another on their day in private. To talk, to cry, to laugh, to take a breath… together.)

As soon as Brandy saw Joe and Joe saw Brandy, I saw a Brandy that was back to herself. Calm, happy, ready.

She and Joe chatted and snuggled as I captured a few photos for them to remember that moment by. The moment that the whole day turned around.

There are more moments to this day than I have words for. Brandy’s red shoes, her sash, the way Tom captured her father’s hand’s as he waited to see Brandy for the first time in her dress. Oh, and the look on her father’s face when he saw his girl for the first time. The pride. The gorgeous bridesmaid’s and their amazing red flowers in their hair, the groomsmen and their willing attitude to be photographed with smiles on and cell phones off, the way that Joe looks at Brandy, the way her hands held her bouquet, the way his hand held the small of her back, the yummy apples that made up their centerpieces and the awesome dance Brandy and her father had together, and all of their friends and family out dancing and celebrating. So many moments.

Joe and Brandy. I adore you both. I love the way you love each other. I think if we had to pick a theme for your wedding day (ha ha ha ha) it would be “Forever”.

xoxoxoxoxo

Nichole

P.S. And a very special thank you to my dear friend Kristen who suggested Brandy contact me in the first place. Thank you so much Kristen!

Bailey, her mom and I met is Hampton Falls and captured some great photos in a field behind their family church and then we headed to Hampton State Park to finish her session.

Thank you so much Bailey for all you have done! You rock:)

Nichole

I want to thank you Mallory for being such an awesome person! Thank for all of your hard work, sweet words and fun times!

You will do so many amazing things with your life and I can’t wait to hear all about it!

Take care,

Nichole

Gina, it was great meeting you and I hope you make it to France one day!