There’s something incredibly powerful about a small, intimate wedding—especially one held at the timeless and romantic Boston Public Library. I had the honor of second shooting this beautiful micro wedding for two amazing grooms, and I’m still smiling thinking about how joyful and present they were throughout the entire day.

This couple fully embraced the moment. From the quiet excitement before the ceremony to the tears during their vows and the laughter shared with their loved ones, they weren’t focused on the perfect shot or the timeline—they were simply soaking in every second. And because of that, the day felt so real, so full of heart.

As a documentary-style wedding photographer, I aim to capture the story as it naturally unfolds. This day was filled with genuine emotion and meaningful moments, and my camera followed it all—the spontaneous hugs, the joyful tears, the quiet glances, and the loud celebrations. Nothing was forced or posed, just beautifully human.

It was also a reminder of how much I value being an inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly photographer. Love is love, and it deserves to be celebrated fully, openly, and authentically.

If you’re planning a Boston elopement or intimate wedding and want your memories captured in a natural, heartfelt way, I would love to be a part of your story.

Second Photographer for Henry Cotton Photo.

Ryann and Noah’s wedding at Aldrich Mansion was a dream. The mansion’s grand architecture and moody ambiance created the perfect backdrop for their timeless celebration.

Ryann’s effortlessly stunning gown and Noah’s classic look embodied old-world romance. The dramatic lighting and rich wood interiors gave their wedding an almost gothic, storybook feel. I had so much fun exploring the mansion and getting to shoot the space creatively on digital and film.

Capturing their deep, effortless love was an honor. Ryann and Noah, thank you for letting me be part of your beautiful day—wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!

I had the incredible privilege of seeing Sam Gold’s Romeo + Juliet on Broadway, starring Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler. I actually traveled to New York City to see it in November, and the production left such a lasting impact on me that I had to buy tickets to see it again.

A Bold & Unforgettable Romeo + Juliet Adaptation

This adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy was nothing short of mesmerizing. The set design was colorful, edgy, and jarring (in the best way possible). The performances were nothing short of breathtaking, and the music moved me to tears.

• Rachel Zegler’s voice is like clear water—smooth, powerful, and effortlessly beautiful.
• Kit Connor’s performance was electric, bringing raw emotion and authenticity to the role of Romeo.
• The cast brought 16th-century lines to life in a way that completely captivated a modern audience.

A Perfect NYC Day Before the Show

My sister, Emma, and my friends, Fae and Anna, joined me on this trip. We took a 1.5-hour train ride from Connecticut straight to Grand Central Station. With a few hours to explore before the show, we visited some of my favorite spots in NYC:

• 📚 Kinokuniya New York Bookstore – A must-visit for any book lover.
• 🎭 The Drama Book Shop – Perfect for theater enthusiasts.
• 📖 The New York Public Library – A stunning and historic landmark. They currently have an exhibit called “Treasures” which has the original Winnie the Pooh characters and more!
• 🍕 See No Evil Pizza – We ate here before the show. It’s right across from the theater, so convenient! I highly recommend making reservations. It’s a tiny spot!

A Broadway Show to Remember—Even in a Snowstorm

We attended one of the final performances of Romeo + Juliet, and to make it even more memorable, it happened during a snowstorm! ❄️ We barely made it to our 11:27 PM train back to Connecticut, sprinting through Times Square in the freezing cold. It was chaotic, exhilarating, and unforgettable—a true core memory.

Why You Should Take the Trip & See the Show

If you’ve ever debated booking a trip to New York City to see a Broadway show, this is your sign to do it. Whether it’s Romeo + Juliet or another production, there’s something magical about experiencing live theater in NYC.

🎟 Book the ticket.
🚆 Take the trip.
🎭 Watch the show.
🌆 Explore the city.

You only have one life—live it to the fullest.

xo, Rachael

Last week, I had the incredible honor of photographing Varun and Elisha’s surprise proposal at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in Boston. It was one of those magical days where the snow fell in big, fluffy flakes, blanketing the city in a winter wonderland. It felt like a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie, with people playing in the snow and walking their dogs nearby.

Varun had worked with the amazing team at The Yes Girls to plan every detail of the proposal, and the stunning floral arrangements by Table and Tulip added a romantic touch to the already dreamy setting.

When Varun and Elisha arrived at the park, her reaction was priceless. As soon as she saw the setup, she was completely surprised and shed happy tears—it was such a heartfelt and beautiful moment to witness. Varun even planned a thoughtful game as part of the proposal. He laid out photos from the course of their relationship, and Elisha had to put them in order from oldest to most recent. It was such a creative way to relive their journey together before asking her the big question.

Elisha said yes (of course!), and their joy was contagious. They were such a sweet couple, and capturing this once-in-a-lifetime moment for them was a privilege. Even though I was freezing, watching their love story unfold in real-time made every second worth it.

Moments like this are why I love my job so much. Photographing proposals, weddings, and engagements allows me to freeze these meaningful memories in time, and being a part of Varun and Elisha’s snowy love story is one I’ll never forget.

To Varun and Elisha, thank you for letting me be part of this milestone in your lives. Wishing you both all the happiness in the world as you begin this new chapter together!

Photographing Innia and Jack’s wedding at Cruiseport Gloucester was such a meaningful experience for me. Not only is Cruiseport a stunning waterfront venue on the North Shore, but I’ve also had the privilege of knowing Innia since we were younger. We met at church, and her family has always been incredibly kind and welcoming to me. Seeing her marry Jack, surrounded by so much love and joy, was truly special.

The day was filled with heartfelt moments and beautiful traditions. One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was the traditional Filipino rope-tying ritual. Close family members wrapped a rope, called a yugal, around Innia and Jack as a symbol of their bond and unity. It was such a touching element that beautifully honored their heritage and added even more depth to their vows.

As a North Shore local, I always feel at home photographing weddings in Gloucester. The coastal views and serene atmosphere make it the perfect backdrop for a celebration. Innia and Jack’s portraits along the waterfront were effortlessly romantic, with the sea breeze adding a touch of magic to their photos. 

The reception was a lively and family-focused affair, with so many sweet and fun moments that stood out. One that I’ll never forget was the father-daughter dance. It was so emotional that I may have shed a tear behind the lens! Watching Innia share that moment with her dad was a beautiful reminder of how much love and connection filled the day.

What I loved most about this wedding was how Innia and Jack stayed present and focused on their family and friends. They truly had fun—laughing, dancing, and cherishing every moment together. As a photographer, it’s such a joy to capture genuine emotions, and this wedding was overflowing with them.

Innia and Jack’s day at Cruiseport Gloucester was a celebration I’ll always remember, not just for its stunning setting but for the warmth and love that filled every moment. Thank you, Innia and Jack, for letting me be part of your beautiful day!

I’ve always dreamed of taking a girls trip. That trip came true this August for me, my sister, and our cousins, Katharine and Jordyn. We’d been thinking about taking a girls trip for a while, and we finally decided to just do it. Our aunt and uncle are living in Athens for the next couple of years (they work for the embassy), so we figured we had to go visit them soon and take advantage of their current location!

We began our adventure in Athens. Our days in the city were filled with exploring Monastiraki Square, marveling at the ancient Parthenon, and soaking up the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Athens was such a unique city. It was so interesting to see such a modern city glittered with ruins in “random” places. It felt like history was coming alive.

We visited Monastiraki Square during the night and day. It was such different vibes during both. Even though it was as late as 10 p.m. at night, people were still just arriving at restaurants to eat! Back where I live, it’s normal for restaurants to close at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. on a weekday. 

After a couple of days in Athens, we flew to Crete, which quickly became one of my favorite places.

The island had everything—breathtaking landscapes, warm-hearted people, and unforgettable food. Two beaches stood out: Falasarna and Elafonisi, each more stunning than the last.

Watching the sunset at Falassarna felt surreal, like a scene from a painting. At first we struggled to choose what the best beach would be to visit, but we picked the ones that were easiest to get to, and they ended up being stunning. Elafonissi beach is known for its unique pink sand and glistening turquoise waters.

One of the best things to do in Crete, in my opinion, is explore the food scene. Everything is so fresh, flavorful, and I love the use of herbs and fresh olive oil. After sunset at Falasarna, we dined at Gramvousa Restaurant, a beautiful farm-to-table spot with some of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted. My favorite dish was their Cretan Salad, and lamb wrapped in Filo. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The restaurant was on part of the farm, everything was open air, no mosquitos, and beautifully decorated. It honestly felt like I was in a movie. While we waited for a table to open up, we got some drinks by the outdoor bar which was decorated in grape vines and had beautiful flowers and garnishes on display. The drinks were unique and hand-crafted. We sipped them, roamed around the restaurant’s garden, and picked grapes right off the vine: a perfect way to wait for our table.

One of the trip highlights was wandering around in Old Town Chania in Crete. It was so walkable (which is nice because you don’t need to drive and worry about parking). The Old Town was bustling with energy. There were so many restaurant options, an old fort that we walked on to watch the sunset, and plenty of little pop up shops to explore into the night. We ended up eating at a waterfront seafood restaurant that offered us some free Raki for dessert.

On our last night, we tried another farm-to-table restaurant, Peskesi, which my aunt’s friend from the embassy recommended. The fresh bread and olive oil were incredible, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The menu was detailed and explained the source of each of their menu items, its travel distance to the restaurant, and how everything impacted the environment. Everything at Peskesi was done with such care.

Leaving Greece, its delicious cuisine, and my aunt and uncle was hard. The food alone was a reason to stay! This trip with family was the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and memories that I’ll always treasure. I’ll definitely be coming back.

Until next time Crete,

Rachael

Samantha and Stephen’s Boston engagement session was the perfect blend of fun, spontaneity, and genuine moments. We started early in the morning in the heart of Boston, before the city had fully woken up. With the quiet streets and iconic Boston landmarks as our backdrop, it felt like we had the entire city to ourselves, creating the perfect atmosphere for this engagement photography session.

Right from the start, it was clear how laid-back and easygoing Samantha and Stephen are as a couple. Their chemistry made this engagement shoot feel effortless, with natural moments of laughter and joy replacing any stiff posing. As we wandered through Boston, we stumbled upon a local donut shop, and without hesitation, decided to pop in. This spontaneous stop gave us some of the most memorable photos, showcasing their fun-loving personalities and genuine connection.

Capturing these candid moments during their Boston engagement photography really highlighted why I love doing engagement shoots—it’s not just about perfect poses, but about preserving real memories that reflect who the couple truly is. For Samantha and Stephen, that meant donuts, laughter, and exploring the city they love.

If you’re looking for Boston engagement photographers or planning your own Boston engagement photos, let’s connect! Sessions like these are all about creating a relaxed, enjoyable experience that tells your love story in the most authentic way. I’m beyond excited to also be photographing their wedding next summer, and I can’t wait to capture the next chapter of their love story!

When I first met Chrisanta of Married And Social, I was second shooting, and she was creating content for a wedding. Within a year, she was married, went full time, and now has two associates under her wing! Talk about a girl boss! When Chrisanta reached out to me about taking photos for her growing team, I was ecstatic! We looked at a few studios, but ultimately fell in love with the vibe of The Newburyport Studio. The clean walls, simple decor, and professional atmosphere was everything we needed. Chrisanta also brought a beautifully decorated (and delicious!) cake by United Cakes Bakery. Talk about a sweet surprise!

Thank you Chrisanta, Sasha, and Amber for allowing me to capture these special images. I can’t wait to see the beautiful weddings you get to be a part of in the coming years!

I called this post The Endless Summer, but the truth is that it’s so far from that. It’s ending way to fast. I only wish with all my heart that it wasn’t. This summer was somewhat unexpected. My cousins from Arizona visited and stayed with us for two whole months! We usually only see them once a year, or every other year if they can’t come down for Christmas. In the time they were here we tried to do everything. We went to Newport, went paddle boarding, ate ice cream, had Boston days, watched movies, played games, went up to Maine, went to the beach, etc…it was truly a summer that I never wanted to end.

My cousins went back to Arizona the other day, so I’ve been looking at the pictures of their time here. I sent in 5 rolls of film to Indie Film Lab and the scans recently came in. I love the photos. Some (ok, most) are blurry, but regardless, they bring me right back to the moment. This is the reason I take photos. Pictures are how I interact with the world, interact with my memories, and interact with my future self.

Until next time, cousins. Boston will be here waiting.

From the second I met Esther and Will over a Google Meet, I knew we would get along. They both have an infectious energy and laughter that lights up the room. Their beautiful wedding was at Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA. Surrounded by so many friends and family (and their dog Joji!) we celebrated their union. One of my favorite parts of Esther and Will’s wedding was how much you could tell that they were loved. Their vows had me in tears, and all their friends and family were celebrating together as one. They walked down the aisle to a rendition of “Leaves from the Vine” (IYKYK), and I definitely shed a tear.

Esther and Will’s wedding was a reminder that as hectic and stressful as wedding days can be, if you truly focus on the reason that you are there, everything will be ok.

You love each other. Everyone is here to celebrate you. Let’s party.