I remember where I was when I heard the news….. another soldier who would not be coming home from our fight for freedom.  

This time it was not just another name.  It was a Glastonbury boy.  It was someone I did not know personally, but, someone I knew of.  I had met his beautiful fiance before.  I knew they planned to be wed this September.  I knew he was only weeks away from finishing his tour of duty.  So, a year ago, having just read the facebook post about SGT Steven DeLuzio’s death in Afghanistan, I sat at my desk and my eyes welled with tears.  This time, the sacrifices of our soldiers and of their families was a lot more “real” to me than they had been at any other time.

So, when we were asked about contributing to the first annual Steven DeLuzio golf tournament, a tournament to benefit two scholarships funds in Steven’s name as well as a military charity, we were honored to be a part of the event.  This was an amazing tournament- a FULL field of golfers – some many golfers that some had to be turned away!   And, the banquet to follow had close to 300 people in attendance – including the parents of two other boys who recently lost their lives in military service.  I have photographed charitable golf tournaments in the past – and this was something extra special. 

Please be sure to mark August 20th of next year on your calendars for the 2nd Annual Steven DeLuzio Memorial Golf Tournament.  I imagine it will be just as amazing as the first – and, a wonderful way to keep the memory of this amazing young man alive.

To Mark, Diane, Scott, Leeza and everyone else who held Steven so dearly, my blessings to you.  I am in awe of your strength as you mark this one year anniversary.  Thank you for allowing me to participate in this event.  And, thank you for your commitment to our country and to our freedom – even at the cost to your family.  We, as Americans, are indebted to the many families who have lost their sons and daughters. 

Sooooo many volunteers helped out!

Some of the live auction items included a gorgeous custom watch by Baribault Jewelers, a basketball signed by the UCONN women’s basketball team and a Traveler’s Championship package…. and some amazing raffle prizes!

But this was the auction item that brought everyone to tears….handmade quilts were promised to Steven and to his brother when they left for duty.  Steven’s brother received his upon his return, but Steven did not.  This auction item is the fulfillment of a promise.  It was auctioned off – to Steven’s mom – and to a standing ovation and a room full of wet eyes.  What a beautiful memory and keepsake – a work of art and a promise kept.

Jessica and Jon are getting married today!  Since we did their engagement session a very short time before the wedding, it never made it’s way to the blog!  So, as a means of celebrating their nuptials, here is a little taste from their Hartford, CT engagement session.  To explain the last photo, you have to understand that Jessica is a science teacher….. and my eyes just happened to catch this gigantic bug that was on the marquee at the CT Science Center…… well, that led to taking a photo that makes it look like the bug is a part of the session.  Cheesy, I know.  But, it just HAD to be done….. well, at least in my head it HAD to be done!  :)

Can’t wait til later today….. Jessica and Jon are getting married at Harkness Park.  BEAUTIFUL couple, BEAUTIFUL location, excited photographer!

Colleen and I got to spend a beautiful day with Tracey and John and their friends and family.  These two met online and they were a fire ball couple from the start!!!  Ok, there is a story to that comment.  On John and Tracey’s first date, the restaurant brought them each an atomic fire ball with their bill.  And, if you have never had an atomic fire ball, it should be noted that they can get pretty “warm” in your mouth.  So, despite Tracey’s better judgement, she popped it in her mouth only to have to spit it out in front of her future husband on their first date!  So, when John proposed, he put an atomic fire ball into the ring box he gave her…. and so they remain, a fire ball of a couple!

The girls got ready at John and Tracey’s home in Portland where It’s So Ranunculus Flower Shoppe had dropped of the most beautiful and vibrant pink bouquets.  Seriously, atomically HOT pink peonies!  Then, off to Elizabeth Park in Hartford for photos and the ceremony.  One of my favorite JP’s was the celebrant for their wedding.  Mary Coburn delivered the story of how they met.  She perfectly described their connection and their hopes for the future.  Mary incorporated a beautiful “blessing of the rings” ceremony where their friends and family passed their rings while offering their “blessings” for the couple.  The rings were passed in a pouch that Johns’ mother made from Tracey’s mom’s wedding dress.  They also introduced an “anniversary box” that Tracey’s deceased father had made for her when she was a child.  It was a very unique ceremony.  There was also beautiful music by Millenium Music.

Then, to The Pond House for a great party, led by Mark from Jock in the Box.

Dress from The Wedding Dress in Portland.

Cake – Creative Cakes by Donna.

I met the most amazing and committed athlete years ago through some professional networking.  As it turns out, this woman, Darcy Lucas, who is the co-founder and owner of Mission Fitness in Glastonbury, CT would be instrumental in helping me to re-discover my own identity as an athlete.  And, as I have gotten to know Darcy, I have been amazed by her ability to transform people’s bodies through her boot camp training!  And, having watched a number of brides work out with Darcy, I invited her to become a “guest blogger” on our site.   So, without further ado, please welcome Darcy to begin sharing some fitness tips for those preparing for their wedding day….. and for their wedding photographs, of course!  :)

From Darcy…..

As a fitness instructor, it always humors me when one of my clients tells me the BIG NEWS: “I’m engaged!!”  After showing me the bling the next statement is almost inevitable: “now it’s time to really get serious”  Let’s face it ladies, there is nothing like an engagement ring to get you motivated to get in shape!  All eyes are on you (and your dress) on this very special day, and it is important that you not only LOOK, but FEEL confident and beautiful.  Not to mention the honeymoon (and bathing suit) that follows the wedding, and the photos that will be cherished for a lifetime.

If you have been “stuck” and hit a plateau, this may be the motivation and push that you need to make some healthy lifestyle changes.  The good thing about this goal….there is a distinct deadline, and there is no changing it!  So use this BIG DAY as your motivation to get healthier for your wedding, but also for a LIFETIME!

My name is Darcy Lucas (mission FITNESS, LLC) and I will be checking in with you brides-to-be as a “guest blogger” to give you tips and motivation to help you achieve and surpass what you ever thought you were capable of.  Through the years I have seen MANY of my bride-to-be boot campers transform their bodies AND MINDS in ways they never thought were possible.

MY FIRST TIP:  Find a training partner, group or class to be ACCOUNTABLE!

At mission FITNESS (www.missionfitnessllc.com) we offer fitness boot camps that have been incredibly successful for past brides.  The boot camps are a mixture of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, circuit training, plyometric drills, flexibility, body weight exercises and much more.  The constant change in format and the fact the no class is ever the same, keeps people coming back!

Another reason why doing a boot camp is so successful: ACCOUNTABILITY!!  Studies show that when you are accountable to a trainer or instructor you are more likely to stick to a workout plan.  When you are just going to the gym on your own schedule you can miss a day without anyone noticing…heck, you can miss a month!  When you train with a friend, group, or class, people notice!  You wouldn’t believe the amount of texts/Facebook Wall Posts “where have you been?”  when boot campers miss classes!

Not to mention, when people find out that you just got engaged, the countdown begins!  You cannot come to a class without someone mentioning it, “only 4 more months”  What better way to stay on track then 20 workout partners reminding you how long until the wedding (DRESS!).  If you cannot do a class, find a friend to commit to a workout plan with.  If you have a scheduled time to work out with someone, you are much less likely to skip it.  You can push each other, motivate one another, and enjoy your workouts even more!  Find a partner, group, or class and start your journey to ultimate fitness today!

I will leave you with a couple quotes:

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been”

“Nothing taste as good as being healthy feels”

It comes down to one question:  What do you want and what are you willing to do to get it?

Jackie and Jason are getting married on Saturday!!!!!!  We snuck a quick engagement session in before their wedding.  This is a beautiful couple in a beautiful place….. now that is a good day at work! 

I have had the joy of being a part of the wedding celebration of two beautiful people named Amy and Pritesh.  Amy and Pritesh are, in one word, extraordinary!  How does one become extraordinary?!  Well, I know that it has a lot to do with the influence of one’s family.  Because, quite frankly, these two come from extraordinary families.  There is so much to tell of their story and of their amazing wedding!!!   In the next week or so, you will be seeing a lot of them on the blog!  Between the wedding day itself, a special ceremony to prepare and bless the bride for the wedding and marriage, and this mehndi party (or henna party) we have been preparing quite a story…… and editing sooooooooo many photos!  I am going to blog each event separately because they were each so special and unique.

So, without further ado, meet Amy and Pritesh.  These photos are from the Mehndi Party or henna party that Amy’s parents hosted at their home.  It was the first time that I had ever photographed a henna party or seen these amazing artists in action.  Amy’s dad made this day extra special with his decorating skills as he personally prepared a room for the artists to work in.  I have to say, he did an impressive job!  I think you will agree!  During the course of the party, the women are painted with henna.  It typically decorates the palms of your hands – though I had to have mine painted on the outside so that I could work with my camera gear!  Thanks to the family for allowing me to not only photograph this celebration, but to also participate.  One of the things I really hope to convey in my blog entries about this wedding,  is how much I felt like a part of the celebration itself.  I was welcomed and invited to participate in all of the events surrounding Amy and Pritesh’s wedding.  The ladies pinned sweet-smelling jasmine in my hair, the family insisted I enjoy some amazing food and I was able to look at my henna’d hands for a week after the wedding!

Seriously!  Her dad did this decorating!  

And there was BEAUTIFUL dancing! 

“If you are on time, you are late!” say Steve and Janna!  And, it is no wonder they feel this way. ….. It is this ultra punctuality that is responsible for Janna and Steve meeting.  It is a really entertaining story.   Imagine two people set up on dates by friends….. These two were set up on dates to meet DIFFERENT people!   They were meeting their dates at the same place.  Only, they were early and their dates were late!  Guess the early bird REALLY wins out in this story!  

They had a very intimate ceremony and reception with their closest friends and family.  They were married at Gillette Castle in East Haddam, CT – former home of William Gillette, the original Sherlock Holmes.  It was a GORGEOUS day.  Under the circling of eagles over the CT River, they exchanged their vows.  Then, off to La Vida Gustosa for a fun and light-hearted dinner party-style reception.  The only “formality” being a cutting of their wedding cake.

It was such a pleasure to be a part of this celebration.  Congratulations Janna and Steve.  Thank you for having me be a part of your wedding day.

There are dogs… and then there are FURsons!  Meet Brady.  He believes he has opposable thumbs and walks upright!  Love him!  He also barks AT the camera…. made photographing him quite exciting!  :)

Is this face not ADORABLE!?!?!??!

Awwwww….. here it is again!!!!!  I just wanna kiss it!!!!!! 

We started out at the Boston Beer Works (admittedly, this little stop had a lot to do with me craving their amazing blueberry beer). Then, we ended up with unexpected access to Fenway Park (the trick was to LOOK as if we belonged at the party we were “unofficially invited to” by one of the guests who saw us on the street!) No one questioned our presence so we just strolled right up to the World Series trophies….. What a great surprise for our session since James is a huge Boston sports fan! Sometimes, you just have to roll with it! But, our Fenway side trip meant we burned through our daylight so we had to finish everything else in the dark – with a wrap up at the bar where Catherine and James first met. But, I love shooting in the dark – so with the exception of our drive back to CT in the wee hours of the morning, this session was perfect!

Catherine and James are having their wedding at the Omni Parker Hotel in Boston this September. I am suuuuuuuuper excited! I love the history in Boston and I can’t wait to shoot my first Omni Parker Wedding! And, if their wedding is anywhere near as much fun as their engagement, I will hardly be able to contain myself!!!

And when we saw this sign, we just could NOT resist!!!!!!!

And then we got our random chance to get into Fenway!  We created this soft glowy light with a little off camera flash – trying to use the right gear for the look we wanted – but still trying not to draw attention to ourselves….. a little tough!

And it doesn’t get better than this if you are a Red Sox fan!  (Disclaimer – being from Colorado, I get to appreciate BOTH the Red Sox and Yankees – though favor the Yankees so as to support my Yankees fan husband and Yankees fan Studio Manager! But, if push comes to shove and I HAD to pick a team?  Simple….. go ROCKIES!) 

The next two are some of my favorites from the night……

Then off to the Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market area to find the bar where Catherine and James first met.