Watching these two cuties get married at Maneely's Lodge in South Windsor was a dream! I have been so excited about their day since last fall (see their engagement session here) and it finally came together so perfectly. With rain and thunderstorms taking place all week the forecast finally cleared and the sun came out! So many other lucky things happened from the rain, a ladybug on the flowers, and the "blood" moon lunar phase.

Being a creative business owner I am always trying to improve by implementing new techniques and shooting different types of things. I have always wanted to put together a "styled shoot" which is where brides get all those Pinterest worthy inspo! It is so hard to get vendors together while having a unique vision, so when I found out about Heather Benge and her brilliance of travelling across America putting these shoots on, well ya I was all over it.

This session was my first after officially moving to Middletown so I couldn't wait to meet up on a relaxing Sunday evening to explore the beauty that is Wadsworth Mansion. Chris loves the grounds and building and is a big architecture buff and I enjoyed hearing about the history from someone who appreciates it. Sam is also one fun mama and these two just compliment each other.

Let me preface this post with Andrena and Tim are fantastic people but not technically my clients. As a photographer I am hired to work with other industry people as an associate so when one of my past lead shooters from last fall, Kellie Ryan Photography contacted me I was happy to do it. See the thing is Kellie followed her photography passion all the way to Kenya and wouldn't be back stateside until their wedding day this December.

One of my most favorite things about wedding photography is getting to visit new venues that I haven't before. Before I even thought about moving to Middletown, John & Victoria chose this venue on the water with its own little beach. I love anything rustic and woodsy and this location had it all. The rings were also a stunning combination considering the bride used to work at the jeweler.

Christy got in touch with me about a month ago telling me all the details she had planned for her elopement style wedding in June. From the moment we spoke I knew she and her fiance Jason were "my people" Both are creative, sweet and smiley lovebirds.They wanted their engagement photos in their home and ensured me there was big beautiful window light (!) which is the stuff all photographers want (told you they got me).

Wow this year was really a great one! I saw steady growth in Mariel O. Photo and got to meet new people and gain new clientele. Its always hard to pick my favorite images from each session so I started logically - beginning to end. I got to check a lot off my photo bucket list -- January brought me two winter weddings, May a destination wedding (!) and June lovely lakeside nuptials.

When your best friend gets engaged you take her pictures and when she has her first baby you take pictures! I was super excited to get to meet baby Cobbe.Heather and Mike chose not to know the gender which not many people do now a days. From the moment she texted me the ultrasound photo I guessed a boy which I had a 50/50 shot at!

Its that time of year.... HOLIDAY MINI SESSIONS! I put out a brief "hey is anyone interested" post on my personal Facebook and got some hits so for the first time I put together a 2017 mini-session package. I got to photograph some clients I hadn't in a while as well as friends and a local resident. Once I gained interest I had to find a location and there was only one place that came to mind, my favorite place, the Webb Barn. I couldn't beat the proximity as well as feeding my obsession of old rustic barns. I also made the trek to a new place, Comstock Bridge which was also super charming -- covered bridge on the water?! Yes please. I really loved doing this and for next year will put something together even more spectacular.

One thing (out of many reasons) why I love photographing weddings is exploring new places. Teresa and Ryan are such a sweet and fun couple and we shot at two great locations. The fall weather was on point with a little bit of a crisp at Enders State Forest and Saville Dam.