Unique meetings: A contest for engaged couples

May 14, 2012

boston_best_wedding_photographer

Do you know an engaged couple with a unique meeting story? Help them win a FREE engagement session to celebrate their relationship and inspire others!

 

Maureen Cotton Photography is running a voter-chosen contest for engaged couples and their unique stories! The winners receive a free 2 hour engagement session and sign-in photo guest book ($550 value)! If possible, part of the shoot will take place where the couple met, or had their first date.
 

Here’s how it works:

1) Nominate a happy couple by emailing the story of how they met and a picture of them to weddings@maureencotton.com. Put “Unique meetings” in the subject line. Submit by May 26.

2) Maureen will create a Facebook gallery of the photos and stories. Users will vote by “liking” their favorite story! Voting begins at 10am on May 28 and closes at 10pm on May 30.

3) Keep your eyes on Maureen Cotton Photography’s Facebook page on May 31 for the lucky winner to be announced.
 

Fine print:
• Submissions will be limited to 25, so get your nominations in early!
• Engaged couples should be able to do their photoshoot within 100 miles of Boston, or in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
• Couples must currently be engaged, and able to schedule their photo shoot for summer or fall 2012.

 

Why am I running this contest?

I love meeting couples at this very exciting time in life and hearing their unique story (because every story is unique). Even better, I love a incorporating a couple's story and personality into their engagement session.

Tell me your story, and check out some of my favorite engagement photos below, and on Facebook.

Posted in engagement session | Leave a comment

Happy Mother’s Day {Boston candid & creative portrait photographer}

May 12, 2012

houston_57 Whether we just arrived in the world, still need a push on our bike, are learning to read, having a tantrum, or are getting married, we need our mom!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted in family, wedding photography | Leave a comment

Erin & Shaun’s neighborhood engagement + dog {Boston candid & creative wedding photographer}

May 12, 2012

erin+shaun_eng_062
Erin and Shaun’s deep love for each other is visible from a mile away. They are light-hearted, affectionate, love to laugh (at themselves and each other), and love their dog Dru.

Their engagement session was a total blast as we wandered some fun sights in their neighborhood. We meandered along the river, up a train track bridge, and finally explored the flowering graveyard. 

 

Posted in engagement session | Leave a comment

Maureen Cotton’s Wedding Yoga featured on Boston’s Bridal BFF

May 7, 2012

picture-40

I have been practicing yoga since I was 14, and the yogic mindset pervades everything I do, especially being the in the moment and being a source of calm for my brides and grooms. Last year, I decided to offer the gift of yoga directly to clients; teaching yoga the morning of or night before their wedding, bringing calm, presence and another way to bond with family and friends to their wedding weekend. 

In other words, it's the best possible way to have a stress-free wedding day and enjoy it to the max.

Local wedding planner and blog goddesss Bridal BFF highlights my wedding yoga in today's blog article. If you're not familier Bridal BFF check her out–she lives up to the name, offering solid advice, not just "inspiration overload" that many bridal blogs can be.

Posted in wedding planning, yoga | Leave a comment

Somersault lesson from Dad! {Boston candid & creative family photographer}

May 5, 2012

fun_family_photos

It's been a rainy week here in Boston. But worry not! We'll all be rolling in the grass soon.

This little one receivied a key lesson in life duing my Family Photo Outing event two weeks ago. When did you learn to somersault? (I just learned how to spell that, it's a French word, thanks wikipedia!)

 

Posted in family, portrait | Leave a comment

Brianna & Cheryl’s double proposal story featured on 4realeqaulity weddings {Boston same-sex weddings photographer}

May 1, 2012

picture-20

I am honored to feature another engagement story on the Boston-based LGBTQ wedding inspiration site 4 Real Eqaulity Weddings. This blog is a much-needed source of inspriration, as the owner says broadly and lovingly, "for those who don't fit in the bride/groom category."

 

Brianna & Cheryl have a unique and beauitful story of double-proposing. That's right, they both wanted to be proposed to, and here's how it went down.

 

If you missed it, see more of their engagement photos from my post last fall.

 

Posted in engagement session, LGBT wedding photographer, published, same-sex wedding photographer | Tagged | Leave a comment

Outdoor family photoshoot in action {Boston candid & creative family portraits}

April 28, 2012

April is the time of family portraits–in time for Mother's Day! I brought a videographer along with me to Bridget & Phil's shoot so parents can see how to prepare and then relax for a successful portrait session. If you missed the post, you can still see more of their family photos.

Time flies—have you taken great family photos recently? Email me to make it happen, and make it fun!

 

Posted in family, portrait, video | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Published! Jeremie & James’ rainy day Jamaica Plain engagement shoot {Boston candid & creative same-sex wedding photographer}

April 25, 2012

gay_wedding_photographer_boston

I am so honored to be a new featured vendor for 4 Real Equality Weddings! A blog with wedding planning tips, checklist, and tons of inspiration for LGBTQ couples, or as the blogger states simply, "couples who don't fit in the bride and groom category." Check out this awesome blog, starting with their feature of Jeremie & James' rainy day engagement.

You can see more photos of their shoot from my post last May.

Posted in engagement session, LGBT wedding photographer, published, same-sex wedding photographer, wedding photography | Leave a comment

8 beautiful and fun eco-friendly wedding details {Happy Earth Day!}

April 22, 2012

Happy Earth day! In celebration I’m happy to offer 8 wedding details from the most earth-friendly wedding I’ve photographed yet!

eco-friendly_wedding1

Ashley & PJ are committed to living in a way that positively impacts the world around them. In fact, one of Ashley’s vows was dedicated to this way of life: “I promise to leave this world better than I found it.” I was so touched by that sentiment, and by impressed how this commitment showed in many aspects of their wedding day–while still being unique and beautiful.

Here are some steal-worthy ideas to express your wedding vision, stick to your budget, and care for the earth all at the same time! (Want to see more? Check out Ashley & PJ's autumn DIY wedding.)

 

eco-friendly_wedding2

1) Opt for a vintage dress, suit, and accessories, and ask the bridal party and groomsmen to wear their own best clothes. (This saves materials and labor, of course, and also prevents 'When will I wear this again?!' syndrome)! The bride's dress is a vintage Etsy find, and the groom scoured local thrift stores until he found the perfect fit!

 

eco-friendly_wedding3

2) Consider eco-friendly wedding rings: the bride and groom's were made of recycled gold from their parents' rings. If you want diamonds explore the many cruelty-free options.

 

eco-friendly_wedding4

3) Handpick flowers from friends' gardens. Nothing suites a rustic wedding better than local and wildflowers!

 

eco-friendly_wedding5

4) Try a potluck instead of catering to save on transport costs and the high energy use associated with commercial kitchens. Not only that but the food is often BETTER than a catered wedding as each guest will make his/her best dish with Love, and you don’t have to worry about allergies or dietary limitations!

 

eco-friendly_wedding6

5) Ask guests to reuse their plates and glasses, and use compost-able flatware.

 

eco-friendly_wedding7

6) Salvage reams of fabric to make table cloths. This bright combo lit up the wooden hall!

 

eco-friendly_wedding8

7) Hand out eco-friendly favors. The bride chose vintage handkerchiefs, which came in handy for those with tears of joy!

 

eco-friendly_wedding9

8) Paperless photobooth: instead of printing out photo favors from a photobooth, the couple set one up in an old Volkswagen bus. Guests could take as many photos as they wanted and the result was ths video slideshow perfectly recapping the party.

 

Need an awesome photographer for your awesome wedding? Email me, tell me your plans!

Posted in wedding photography | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sailor’s cap and standing in a tree: Anna’s one-year portrait session {Boston candid & creative family portrait photographer}

April 19, 2012

hennessey_47
This past weekend the weather was perfect for this special family portrait shoot.

I photographed Bridget & Phil when they were pregnant, and then when Anna was 3 months. At 3 months she slept through part of the shoot (which turned out to be her parents’ favorite photo!), but at one year, her personality is blooming, so we spent most of the morning playing.

Want fun, natural photos with your kids? Be sure to check out my page about my Family Photo Outings, for which sessions are just $50. I’m hosting one April 21st, and another in June.

Posted in family, portrait | Tagged | Leave a comment