Beth and Nick are engaged! — Rockport wedding photographer

June is always a fickle friend, no? Most years by the beginning of June there have already been a handful of great beach days and gorgeous balmy evenings, and then WHAM! We get a handful of raw and rainy days that make it seem as if we’re heading straight back towards March. I was at the summit of Mount Washington yesterday where the temperature (with wind chill) was NINETEEN degrees. My wet hair actually got crunchy and started to freeze. I forced Calder to pose for a photo as if we’d conquered Everest under our own power (we took the Cog Railway up) and he told me later that I “care too much about photos to worry about whether or not someone is freezing to death.” So, good parenting by me.

Last Sunday was an entirely different story, however. I got up at dark o’clock and drove to Rockport to shoot engagement photos for my amazing clients Beth and Nick, and we had nothing but blue skies and warm sunshine. I first met these two back in October, and I knew right away that I wanted to be their wedding photographer. They are so darn cute that I can hardly STAND it, and yet they radiate this happiness together that makes me kind of want to rope myself to them and hang out all day. Beth was really excited about shooting in Gloucester so that she and Nick could have pictures near Motif #1; however, when we arrived in the morning, some guy with a Really Big Boat had decided to tie up directly in front of the building. You know, blocking one of the most beautiful attractions on the coast. With his Really Big Boat. I thought about cutting his shore power just to see if he would consider me bad-ass enough to actually scare him into moving his Really Big Boat, but instead we just decided to get creative, and then the Universe came along and helped out.

How gorgeous are the eyes on Beth? I love when girls know exactly how to look into the lens.

We walked away from the building to see if there was another angle we could shoot from, when this salty dude come zooming up on his little dinghy and told us he could give us a shot we couldn’t refuse. He wasn’t kidding. Motif #1 is his OFFICE. As in, unlock the doors, usher us up this crazy skinny staircase, and open the windows on one of the most iconic waterfront buildings ever. His name is Bill Lee and if you are EVER in Rockport and want to experience things from a different view, especially as a photographer (or a bride and groom), you have to call this guy.

Not only will Captain Bill make you feel like you own the whole harbor, he will take folks out to the surrounding islands, which are super private, so that they can have their photos — or even their wedding ceremonies — done. He’s in the dictionary under Salt of the Earth, I know it. I told him I would kiss him full on the mouth for being such a great guy to us, but he just wanted a cup of coffee. Your mileage may vary, but LOOK at what Beth and Nick got to do.

The skinny little streets of Rockport offer so much color and life for photos. Beth and Nick were SO great for me.

I love Love. Especially when it comes in a gorgeous package.

Nick doesn’t say much, but he makes Beth laugh, and you all know I consider that the best kind of language. Love these.

Beth and Nick, I can’t wait to photograph you on your wedding day. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of something so special. A big thanks to Bill Lee and my very capable assistant Erik for making the day go so smoothly.