To put it simply, choosing Emilie was one of the best choices we made during the wedding planning process. We found Emilie online in searching for New England photographers and were so happy she was available for the weekend of our wedding on Martha's Vineyard, and was willing to travel. We have so many overwhelmingly positive things to say about Emilie- my husband and I both agree that we don't know what we would have done without her!
And, here's the long version :)
*Photography*
If you've seen Emilie's portfolio or blog, it goes without saying that her photography is exceptional.
Prior to the wedding, she sent us a detailed survey with many thoughtful questions regarding day-of logistics, names of our family members and wedding party, and desired groupings of family / friends for formal portraits. Her attention to detail was critical here and she made sure our formal portraits were efficient and fun. She took remarkable candid photographs of us and our guests too, all while remaining unobtrusive and kind.
We mentioned to Emilie before the wedding that we loved how she captured the surrounding scenery in wedding photographs on her blog - our gallery includes extensive images of the landscapes and our venues that beautifully set the scene for all of the wedding events. It is impossible to be everywhere on your wedding day, and as the bride and groom there are so many details and interactions you miss - Emilie is so thorough and observant that she captures them all. We were married less than a month ago, and just received our full gallery of photographs (even more than promised, in less time!). The photos are gorgeous and we, and our families, already treasure them.
*Organization / Communication*
Before our wedding, Emilie was completely prompt and kind in communication and took the time to get to know us prior to the big day. We never actually met Emilie before the wedding because we live on the West Coast, but by the time the wedding arrived we felt like she was already a friend.
Few things are more helpful in a wedding vendor than prompt and thorough responses to emails. Emilie responds quickly and kindly to questions at any point in the planning process whether related to photography or not, makes timely suggestions, and is unfailingly positive and fun. She seemed to smile the whole weekend, even when she was on her feet working for 8 hours. Her optimistic and helpful personality was noticed by our guests. She has a remarkable ability to make everyone feel comfortable and as if they're long-time friends, from our 6 year old flower girl who felt shy at first in the rehearsal to my grandmother who said after the wedding that Emilie was one of the best parts of the whole weekend.
*Wedding Weekend*
Other than each other, Emilie was the person we spent the most time with the whole weekend - she was there from the ceremony rehearsal through our post-wedding brunch, and her friendliness, kindness, and calm were so essential to us. When the bridal party was running late, she effortlessly kept us calm and helped us stay close to schedule. When our rehearsal felt briefer than we had hoped, she checked in with us to be sure we felt comfortable with the order and offered to talk through any questions she could help with based on the many weddings she's photographed. She thinks of everything - giving us brief tips on the best way to cut the cake or having extra power bars on hand to share with us as we rode back to the venue after our church ceremony.
I was very concerned about forecasted wedding day rain because I had my heart set on doing outdoor formal portraits. I emailed Emilie a couple of days before the wedding to ask her thoughts- her response really sums up so many of the positive qualities she has - she reassured me that there is always, in her 13 years of photographing weddings, a break in the rain, promised to come by the venue the day before to scope out backup locations for indoor portraits anyway, recommended some great fun umbrella ideas, and, when our wedding day was misty and chilly, never once complained about taking outdoor portraits and had the same upbeat positivity she likely has when it's 75 degrees and sunny.
Overall, Emilie perfectly balances true professionalism with genuine warmth and a sense of humor - she is constantly helpful while never pushy, and is promptly responsive while still making you feel like you are her priority (all, of course, while photographing a wedding nearly every weekend). Her photographs perfectly tell the story of our weekend. I know it's common for brides to feel let down after the wedding or a bit sad that it's over, but the two things keeping me from feeling that way at all are that everyone had so much fun and that Emilie captured it all beautifully. We recommend her whole-heartedly and without hesitation. read more