Kendall and Ricky's Wedding :: Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor, Massachusetts

In early 2019, I was hired to photograph a family friend’s Cohasset wedding in September 2020. At the time, I was easing out of weddings and decided this would probably be my last wedding for a while...maybe forever? It felt like the right time, and I looked forward to their engagement session in Boston, MA that summer.

Well, 2020 arrived, and Covid hit turned the whole wedding industry upside down. With all the uncertainty in the world, so many events that were looked forward to, had to be postponed. Couples, families, small businesses and wedding professionals felt enormous impact, on top of the day to day worries and struggles. Plans had to change.

In April 2020, Kendall and Ricky’s wedding date got pushed to April 2021. And then in early 2021, more dates were discussed, landing on July 9, 2021. This time, they had to change their venue. They’d still be getting married in their hometown, at the Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor restaurant.

Spring came and went, and things were looking up! Vaccines were being distributed. Mask regulations were lifted and large gatherings were allowed. We optimistically looked forward to this final date, knowing the wedding would happen no matter what!

My family was in New Hampshire all last week for summer vacation, when Sean told me that tropical storm Elsa was heading north, and would hit south of Boston....on Friday. July 9, 2021.

Holy smokes! I was already anxiously mentally preparing for the wedding - it had been almost 2 years since the last wedding I had photographed! My nerves were kind of high, on top of the whole "coming out of Covid" world we're all adjusting to at various paces.

The one thing I have told my couples (and myself) over the years is that the only thing we cannot control is the weather, and that no matter what, it will be a beautiful day, because a sweet couple will gather with their loved ones and get married.

I have photographed weddings on top of mountains, in thunderstorms, in the hottest summer heat, and in the snow. I’ve almost been struck by lightning, and I’ve trudged through torrential rain loaded up with all my gear. I’ve shot weddings at various stages of pregnancy and post-partum after having c-sections. I’ve pumped in bathrooms while sweet, tipsy wedding guests come in and out.

So, a tropical storm? Eh…what can you do?

I texted Kendall’s mom to check in, and she assured me that they didn’t care about the weather - they just wanted to get married and enjoy their long awaited party!

When you’ve waited as long as they have, it puts everything into perspective.

And if there’s one thing you learn as a wedding photographer (or any wedding industry professional), it’s how to be flexible and roll with whatever unfolds as the day happens.

And then, as the day progressed, the rain tapered off, and the fog lifted, and the most gorgeous summer sun shone down over Cohasset Harbor, just in time for their late afternoon ceremony.

In New England, any weather is possible if you just wait an hour or so.

Ricky and Kendall, it was an honor capturing your day! Seeing your loved ones surrounding you with love and laughter, beaming, so happy to be there - finally - to witness you starting this chapter of your lives together, was so special. And they were ready to PARTY!

Congratulations, and wishing you happily ever after!

Here’s a first look at highlights from their beautiful day. :)

VENDORS: Photography Shannon Sorensen Creative Studio // Venue Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor // Dress Alexandra’s Bridal Fall River MA // Alterations Amanda Catherine Custom Design Scituate MA // Shoes made in the UK // Flowers Awesome Blossom Cohasset MA // Cupcakes Montillio’s Bakery // Engagement and Wedding Rings King Jewelers Cohasset MA // Stationery Shutterfly // Hair & Makeup Pretty Bar by Danielle Keefe Artistry // Officiant Dr. Kathleen Keiran-O’Malley // Ceremony Music Violinist Cami Sylvia // DJ Mike Degagne Mass Bay DJ // Videographer Wicked Good Videos // Photo Booth Peter Chambers // Handmade Heirloom Pillow, Purse, Sweetheart Tablecloth by Heidi Sews Hanson MA

Bridal Details :: Practice, Practice, Practice

It must be winter! I've blogged three times in a week. I don't even recognize myself anymore! Oh me, oh my...

I thought it would be fun to share a little project I'm working on. I have always felt so comfortable and great about being a natural light photographer, but have also felt like I need to pony up on more general lighting knowledge, because if it's a dark and cloudy day, or a bridal party is getting ready in a cave of a room, or a reception venue has low, dark ceilings and is lit by candlelight, homegirl wants to walk into that situation and BAM - nail it - without a moment of fear or panic. Not every room has big windows with light pouring in, and it's important to be prepared for anything!

So, to better myself and serve my clients better, here I am, continuing the learning process. I do not know everything, I do not claim to know everything, but I'll be damned if I continue on with my business without trying to better myself constantly. The life of an artist is always evolving and changing, trying new things and styles. I go back to old weddings where I felt so cool because I didn't use flash, and kind of want to pinch myself and say "whyyyyyyyyyy?"

I am in the midst of an amazing lighting course, and part of the homework is practice shooting bridal details with flash in such a way that the image feels like it was shot with window/natural light. It's all about control, and no matter what the room looks like or the getting ready situation is, being able to confidently and quickly set up shots that look natural, high end and well lit.

Using some of my own wedding accessories, my wedding dress, a fun sparkly vintage skirt and some cheap glittery Old Navy shoes, I set up what I'd consider a difficult lighting situation and started using the tools I've learned. I edited and posted a few photos to my Facebook page and Instagram last night of my "homework", and asked people to guess what time of day and what my lighting conditions were, based on the look of the photos alone.

My friend Jess said "I'm gonna guess morning around 9 or 10 near a window but not in direct light."

Carly guessed "Dark and OCF?" (OCF means off-camera flash)

Lindsay thinks it was shot at nighttime without natural light. 

And my girl Ashley said "I'm going to say middle of the night. Living room lamp perhaps. Although it looks like it could be natural light, late afternoon before the sun fully sets."

So who was right?

Ding ding ding! Carly got it right with "dark and OCF"!

Here's the setup behind the shots:

5:30pm (after sunset) on a rainy evening in my dining room area with my wedding dress and a sparkly vintage skirt draped over a kitchen chair. There were no windows and no sun. My dining room light was switched off and my living room area was flooded with tungsten light and Lily watching The Magic School Bus on Netflix. The kitchen and hall lights behind me were also off. These images were created using well positioned flash and reflector, shot on my Canon 7D and my 85mm 1.8 lens. Here's an iPhone picture of my super glamorous setup. 

Not even kidding. I won't even brighten this image because it was actually that dark. And I'm pretty proud of myself for what I made from that. I didn't even give myself much room to work in front of the chair, because on a wedding day, I'm often tucked between a hotel room bed and a wall, or in a corner away from the bridal party so I'm not in anyone's way. You literally do not know what you are walking into on any given day, unless you've shot at that hotel or venue before. So I'm feeling pretty badass. One step closer to becoming Wonder Woman!

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If you're a photographer and looking for a fantastic course, I am taking the J&M Lighting Course, which is 100% online and will probably be the best investment I've made in my business since starting. Justin & Mary have a whole slew of courses and guides that are incredibly helpful that you can check out here: https://justin-mary.myshopify.com/collections/all

I loved doing this exercise and plan on sharing more of this as I go. I loved taking my dress out for the first time in 7 years, except I'd forgotten that someone spilled 2 large streaks of red wine down the front, so those are probably never coming out. Oh well, it served it's beautiful purpose! And a wedding dress that's dirty and well worn is a mark of an amazingly fun wedding day, am I right?

Holly + Derek :: Salem Cross Inn North Brookfield Massachusetts Wedding

Good morning, friends. I'm pretty sure I'll be setting a record today for cups of coffee consumed in between yawns. I stayed up too late last night watching the Oscars, working on photos, writing, prepping for the week ahead... Someday I'll spend Sunday evenings with my feet up and catch up on this last season of Downton Abbey, but this is not the week. Luckily, I have this gorgeous wedding to share with you as a result of this late night!

Holly and Derek's wedding day was gorgeously warm and sunny, the perfect end to September. The entire day took place at Salem Cross Inn in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, a new location for me, and for me it was love at first sight. I love venues that are rustic, charming, and full of that classic New England character. The Inn is set on a rural road, and from the apple trees out front to the cow pastures out back, the open grounds and barns and that's before even stepping foot in the inn, it's an amazing place for a wedding. I couldn't resist snapping some scenic shots before heading inside to find Holly and the ladies. 

Holly and Derek are as sweet as can be, and I am a lucky lady to have photographed their day because Holly was the final bride of my sweet friend trifecta - first Liz's New Hampshire wedding in 2011, then Rosalind's Hanscom Air Force Base wedding in 2014. I've been blessed to watch them stand up with each other, support each other, toast each other's new marriages, and share amazing memories between their families. 

I also want to add that Holly's flowers were done by Helping Hands Florist in Plainville, Massachusetts, where children and adults with developmental disabilities are supported, educated and given work experience that encourages and promotes creativity. They were absolutely gorgeous and I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a florist in Central Massachusetts. They offer services for any number of occasions. http://hmea.org/helping-hands-florist/

Lauren + Eyvi :: Bascom Lodge Berkshires Wedding

Monday, glorious, Monday...My friend Amy taught me how to make foamy milk for my coffee which has helped me cut sugar out. I enjoyed a delightful latte topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon this morning and almost finished it before it was time to bring Lil to school. It's important to have goals in life. Drinking an entire cup of coffee while it's still hot is an ongoing one of mine. Someday...

It's time to share Lauren and Eyvi's wedding! When Lauren and Eyvi contacted me about photographing their wedding, I was so excited, because it meant returning to Bascom Lodge at the top of Mt. Greylock, a favorite place of mine since shooting Tiffany and Andy's wedding there the September prior. I love the Berkshires, it's such a special part of Massachusetts and I wish I could spend more time there.

Eyvi and Lauren are such a sweet couple. They're kind, funny, and have this ease with each other that made photographing their wedding day a joy. It was important to them to spend plenty of time with their friends and family. Eyvi is from Iceland, so many of his childhood friends were there to celebrate, as well as his family. Their friends were so funny and I really enjoyed getting to spend this day around them. 

There was also the most amazing sunset - I'm talking warm pink sky and a brief sprinkle that resulted in a rainbow over the summit! It was perfect. Like, a photographer's dream.

Lauren's dress was vintage that she found on Etsy, and Eyvi wore traditional Icelandic dress. There were a lot of small, personal touches to their day, things that meant a lot to them personally but also to their friends and family.  It was an honor to spend this day photographing their celebration!

Studio Announcement

I am excited to announce that I am taking a giant leap and pursuing my photography work full time! It's been almost six years since I started this journey, and I've been looking back through my folders of weddings, families, babies...so many happy memories that have kept driving me forward to this point. I'm thankful for everyone I've had the opportunity to work with, and am excited with anticipation of what's to come!

I have always felt the pull to pursue the work that I love, that not only fulfills my creative heart, but puts something good out into the world. It has always been about making beautiful photographs that can be passed down and treasured for generations. It has always been about connecting closely with the people I work with. It's always been about celebrating love, family, relationships, joy and sorrow, friendship and individual stories of strength. It has always been about creating images that are honest, emotional, and heartfelt. 

Thank you for being here, and for your continued support. It truly means the world to me. 

Cheers,

Shannon