Massachusetts | Afterglow Photos® :: Connecticut and New York Wedding, Portrait & Lifestyle Photography by Sarah Lehberger

In Category: ‘Massachusetts’

06/25/2011 Wish Upon a Wedding Boston & New England Launch Party | Charity + Non-Profit Event Photography by Afterglow Photos

Some days I have those moments, when I wonder if things will ever get easier. I wonder what it would be like to have 8 extra hours in the day, as the time seems to escape me. I wonder what it would be like to be someone else or to live somewhere else and to not have to worry about the everyday “dramas” (I’ll call them) and dream of escaping. I think we all have these days, the most stressful or anxiety filled, and I think that is part of the roller coaster called life. On those days, I often find myself taking a few deep breathes and asking the big guy upstairs if he can give me clarity or peace or patience. (Lots of patience.) And then I usually get a big dose of reality that follows soon after, and I pause and feel extremely grateful that I am in these shoes. This past Monday was one of those days where I was given the opportunity to photograph an event and to donate my time to a great cause. By doing so, not only did I meet some wonderful people, but I also gained a little bit of perspective that I so needed this week. Meet Joanne and Joe, the first wish recipients of the Wish Upon a Wedding Boston & New England chapter gift of a Boston-based wedding. The couple had just found out that they had been granted their wish, and they were being introduced to all of the industry vendors and volunteers at the official launch party. Here are a few photos to give you a sneak peek at the event…but keep scrolling because the videos have everything you’ll want to see!

Every tiny detail of this event was a donation of someone’s time or services. From the food and drinks, to the entire event space, event photos and video, decor and music, etc. All of this was for our deserving couple, Joanne and Joe, introduced in the photos above. Joanne (pictured in the black dress) is a breast cancer survivor, and currently a stage-4 lung cancer patient. Joe (pictured lovingly here with Joanne and her daughter) is her rock and has remained right by her side through this difficult time. Joanne has been hospitalized many times in the past 2 years, so planning their wedding has been a hard thing to tackle while she’s been busy fighting cancer. Thankfully, this incredible non-profit has chosen them as wish recipients this summer and will plan every detail of their big day! Watch the highlights of the event in this slideshow below.

iPad and Mobile ready show of Wish Upon a Wedding Boston & New England Launch from Afterglow Photos on Vimeo.

DL Video Productions played the same-day reel of Joanne and Joe’s story with reaction to the news, and they have since produced this incredible video of the launch party introducing the couple. I hope you will take a moment to watch the video and to think about the ways that you can find clarity or perspective in your life like I did that day. Maybe you can become a wish granter for Wish Upon a Wedding in your area, or maybe you know someone who would like to request a wedding wish? There are so many organizations worth joining and volunteering for, and all you have to do is find something that speaks to your heart. You can search for the one that is the best fit for you here, and I am so glad that I found this one.

Many thanks to all of the vendors who so generously donated their talents and time, and gave me beautiful details and moments to photograph!
xoxo Sarah

Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. The organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends. Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization.

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Posted In: Charity, Event, Massachusetts.

Tags: charity, volunteer, wish upon a wedding

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12/01/2010 The Milton Hoosic Club + Karen and Rich = A Seriously Perfect Pair! | Massachusetts Wedding by Afterglow Photos

Rich and Karen first met during their sophomore year of high school. They became close friends and then best friends throughout college. Rumor has it that Rich had feelings for her for a while…

It wasn’t until Super Bowl Sunday 2005 when Karen finally professed her feelings. She caught him off guard, but Rich rebounded quickly and they’ve been together ever since! And yes, the Patriots won that year!

Rich had plans for his proposal to Karen. It would be a surprise, and she certainly wouldn’t expect it. It would involved flowers and Karen’s Grandmother’s ring. She was one of the most important women in Karen’s life, and now she would be with her everyday.

Well, it’s no surprise now that Karen said YES! And so here we are on their incredible wedding day in Medfield, Mass. Karen grew up in this church and always dreamed of getting married there one day.

Rich saw Karen for the first time that day as she walked down the aisle escorted by her father. It was one of the sweetest moments of the day. We were able to grab a few shots from the balcony of the church, one of our favorite perspectives during the ceremony.

Karen incorporated many special details into the day, and we just loved all of them! Here are just a few tidbits… her cousin helped make her veil, her sister-in-law let her borrow the handkerchief that both she and her mother had used on their wedding days, and the ring bearer bowls (shown at the top of this post with ribbons) were handmade by a local artist!

As we arrived at The Milton Hoosic Club, we were greeted by all of the comforts of home and fall in New England. Karen and Rich decided against a traditional quest book. Instead, they made cards with the words: wisdom, wish, memory and thought typed across the top for their guest to fill out. They plan to store them in a photo album and frame those that are really meaningful.

The food and decor were all divine! Karen incorporated a subtle theme of “the perfect pair” into everything but managed to keep it all brimming with fall colors and flair. She even designed the wedding programs and menus herself! A hint for all you foodies out there, that little espresso cup (pictured on plate) is filled with pumpkin soup and a touch of creme fraiche – YUM!

We’d like to formally introduce the new Mr. & Mrs. Rich Kelleher! A very big thanks to the following people who helped to make our job easy by providing us with such incredible details to photograph: Studio One Twenty Three (perfect florals), Dessert Works (cake extraordinaire), Patty Lamb and the Milton Hoosic Club (fantastic event space), Russell Morin Fine Catering (amazing food), and the sounds of Bock & Blu band (awesome music)!

Karen and Rich danced, laughed and shared a fabulous meal with their closest loved ones, and it is always so nice to witness the speeches, love and emotion first hand. It is part of the reason why we have the greatest job!

Our bride and groom are blessed with the most wonderful people in their lives, each one kinder than the next. They were so fabulous to work with and made us feel at home with them, as if we’ve known them for years. Many thanks and hugs!

The night had a sweet ending, complete with cake cutting and Rich’s favorite dessert. It was a surprise from his new wife… chocolate chip cookies and milk. If this is any indication of what their married life will be like, I’m sure they are both in for lots of sweet surprises!

K & R, You guys are great together! We wish you all the best this holiday season! xoxo

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Posted In: Massachusetts, Weddings.

Tags: Classic New England, Perfect Pair, Rustic

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11/22/2010 Karen and Rich’s Wedding Sneak Peek | New England Wedding Photojournalism by Afterglow Photos

We are working on a wedding full of gorgeous details and can’t wait to share it with you! It’s a fall “perfect pair” themed day and the rich colors and rustic New England feel are so yummy, we just know you are going to love it too! Here’s a sneak peek of some of our quick favorites and the always awesome Karen and Rich…
This was a cold November day but these two never showed it! We headed off to the old Grist Mill and nearby lake for some photos before heading to the reception at the Milton Hoosic Club. Stay tuned for more photos on the blog filled with jewel tone colors, the use of pears for their theme, and a warm and elegant feel!
A very big CONGRATS to Karen and Rich! xoxo

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04/27/2010 Love in Bloom at the Arnold Arboretum | MA Engagement Photography by Afterglow Photos

Sarah met with Karen and Rich in Boston recently for their engagement portraits, and Karen suggested that we head over to the Arboretum near her old apartment because it was beautiful this time of year. She was right as there was green all over, and the tree blossoms were in full bloom! Karen and Rich had visited here at various times over the years, both with family and each other. Rich has some crazy story from when he was a kid and some guy in a trench coat decided to give him and his family a show – he literally had me cracking up!! We were heading up the hill to see the city in all its glory, but we found a few places to stop and get them warmed up to the camera.
We finally made it up to the top of the hill and got to look down upon the city of Boston in the horizon. You wouldn’t know it from this photo but a million people were surrounding us and walking through the photos so we made it quick and headed to another part of the grounds so the couple could get comfortable and relax without a ton of eyes on them.
Karen wasn’t sure what to wear for her big photo shoot, so a friend helped her pick out this pink top. Little did she know that it would work perfectly surrounded by all these magnolia blossoms. Karen has this warm and nurturing personality, and Rich has this strong confidence about him. You can just tell that they feel safe and “at home” with each other.
So we took a walk to the other side of the Arboretum and we found these huge and incredible trees full of knots and limbs that hung all over the place or to the side. The kind of trees that you haven’t climbed up since you were a kid. So that is what we did! Well, they did. In fact, people were waiting in line behind us…as it was such a great climbing tree!
And since black and whites are Karen’s favorite, I wanted to give a few more of those to her. I just loved getting to know these two better, and I know they’ve got many years of laughter ahead of them (if Rich has anything to do with it)!
Thanks for a fabulous shoot, great laughs, and for an especially delicious dinner at Sophia’s Grotto! If you are ever in the Roslindale area of Mass, drop in and try their Ziti Boscaiola with a cold glass of Sangria – YUM!! Karen and Rich, we can’t wait until the big day this Fall 2010!

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Posted In: Engagement, Massachusetts, Portraits.

Tags: Arboretum, Bloom, Park

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04/26/2010 Spring Portrait Session | MA Family Photography by Afterglow Photos

Had the pleasure of meeting with Geeta and Amit to photograph their family just outside of Boston, Mass recently. It was the perfect spring day and we thought we had a great location picked out but it turns out that the mosquitos had other plans. Since their baby boy (just 5 months old) was our main subject, we decided to drive around and find a location that was a little less buggy. After a few tries we came upon a local town green, you know the kind of place… where the town hall is located and all kinds of events take place outdoors. This day happened to be the “family fun day” in town. The trees were blooming and the sun was out and cars were everywhere. Our little subject had all kinds of attention grabbers to watch, but he was most fond of the cars driving by. Yep, typical boy!

What struck me the most when first getting our session off the ground was how calm and comfortable this family was in front of the camera. Both Mom and Dad were so “in the moment” with their baby, and they couldn’t take their eyes off of him. You can tell that they are just “smitten” with him. He brightens their eyes, their world, their lives, and it is evident!
We had so much fun just doing what comes naturally to babies – PLAY! Geeta has this glow about her when she holds her baby boy. He is the most adorable thing that she has ever laid eyes on, especially all dolled up in his fantastic baby shoes! I found out that Geeta shares a similar love with me, her love of baby shoes! They are simply hard to resist — just like his smile!
Amit is so joyful and loving with his son, and he is not afraid to show his emotion. He is a proud father and a gentle protector, and it was so heartwarming to witness a family’s real love for a child.
Geeta, Amit and family, it was my sincere pleasure to capture this special time in your lives and to preserve your family’s history for you. Your warm and welcoming nature was most appreciated, and I know that your baby boy will surely know how much he is loved by you all!