2023 Recap

Good god I have the best job in the whole world and serve the best couples and families!!! Truly. I feel like I've dreamt of: joyful, down to earth people who value photography and a true connection. It's been so fun to create friendships with my couples which helps me with capturing their true dynamic on a wedding day.

I'm so proud of myself for sticking to my boundaries this year. In my 2022 recap post I shared that I'd be taking on less projects to not only enjoy more personal time, but to be able to provide a better service to all of my couples. I think I achieved both of those goals really well! This is the first year since 2020 that I haven't felt burnout by the end of the season and it's so refreshing.

Some number fun for this year:

In 2023 I photographed 113 sessions!

31 weddings and elopements
16 personal branding sessions
48 portrait sessions (engagement / proposal / family / maternity)
18 families for holiday minis
Those sessions culminated in 28,883 photos uploaded to my online gallery hosting site

Some other fun stats:

Photographed weddings in 5 states; MA, CT, MI, NH, and ME. While I love traveling, it's been nice to work at more local venues this year.
13,349 total miles driven for sessions.
I reached over 100+ five star reviews on Google!!

On a personal note:

I visited 4 new countries; Italy, Spain, France, and Scotland. I took 3 weeks in the spring to travel around Europe and then 10 days in the fall to visit the UK.
We traveled to Nebraska which means I only have ONE STATE left to visit until I've visited all 50! The last one is Alaska and we're already planning a trip for it in 2024. I also took personal trips to Shenandoah, San Diego, Quebec, Ohio, and Austin twice!
I joined a women's golf league and have a newfound obsession!

Trends

Here are a few of the different themes that consistently popped up throughout the year:

personalized heart sunglasses to pass around the dance floor
simple, "vintage" wedding cakes
jump rope + limbo with neckties or napkins tied together
neon signs are still holding strong since 2021

This year was the wedding season of rain rain rain! The Boston Globe reported that this summer was the second rainiest in recent history. From June to October, it rained 16 out of 20 weekends. Good riddance. While rain definitely can put a damper (no pun intended) on wedding days, it just goes to show that we all have to have the best attitude to make a wedding day the best! Throughout all of that rain, I was still able to bring couples outside for EVERY SINGLE WEDDING whether the rain cleared for a blip or couples were down to embrace the drizzle with some clear umbrellas.

It's funny - although my big goal for 2023 was to take on less work to have more free time, I actually took on more projects this year than last! There was a decrease in big weddings as expected, but I took on more portrait sessions. Since I had way fewer weddings, and therefore overall less large editing jobs, it didn't feel quite as all-consuming. I think my portraits work increased since many of my couples are growing their families. It's SO special to be invited back to document my couple's families and next chapters!!

Below is one photo from every session in 2023! It never gets easier to choose what photos to showcase. Similarly to last year I tried to choose photos that have a storytelling element.

Also, be sure to check out previous years recaps:

Weddings + Elopements

storm clouds move in and veil flies in wind during wedding ceremony — Stormy ceremony at Omni Mount Washington

black and white photo couple walking away from camera towards Wadsworth Mansion — A black and white romance at Wadsworth Mansion

fun father daughters dance under tent during wedding reception — This father-daughter duo >>>

flower petals thrown in air while couple walks back down the aisle after wedding ceremony at Wychmere Beach Club — Flower petal shower for the newlyweds at Wychmere

guests shout at camera during wedding reception with cold sparks in foreground — Ending the night on a cold spark high note at Beauport

choreographed first dance under twinkle lights at Olio Wedding Event Space — A dance to remember at Olio

See More: Chris and Olivia's Wedding at Olio Event Space

a couple frolics through ferns at Fern Hill Barn (formly Zukas Hilltop Barn) — What fern fairytale dreams are made of at Fern Hill Barn

elopement at Worcester city hall grand staircase — Veil putting in work at Worcester City Hall

See More: Allison & Lindsay's Inn on Boltwood Wedding

Squam Lake Inn wedding with couple on boat waving to their guests on the bridge above — It's giving royalty at Squam Lake

a couple is introduced into their reception via a grand staircase — A showstopping entrance at Saint John's Resort

bridesmaids smoking cigars during cocktail hour — The formation of a core memory at the Ridge Club

bride and groom silhouetted in a red sky at granite links — A Granite Links sunset

See More: Laura & Joe's Granite Links Wedding

bride and groom showing off their new rings with the bride sporting taylor swift style friendship bracelets — The friendship bracelet era

a priest blesses a bride and groom in a greek orthodox ceremony — The queen to his kingdom

bride and groom smiling at camera holding their dogs — Always bring the dogs

couple smooching amidst the sea grass at white cliffs country club — Smooches with the seagrass at White Cliffs

a couple kisses under a clear umbrella that says love is in the air — Love and rain is in the air at Lock 50

groomsmen holds bride in the air — M'lady gets a boost

father speech at elopement — The speech is gettin real at The Reel house

groom wipes bride's tear away during private vows — Gentle support at The Pavilion at Pinehills

couple in indian attire at the check in window at worcester city hall — Checking in at Worcester City Hall

a couple stands on castle ruins at hammond castle — The perfect frame at Hammond Castle

guests cheersing at herb lyceum wedding reception — Cheers and smiles ear to ear the at the Herb Lyceum

See More: Kate & Juan's intimate wedding at the Herb Lyceum

a couple waits for their elopement ceremony at the city clerks office at boston city hall — A loud quiet at Boston City Hall

elopement photos on acorn street in boston — A golden hour love on Acorn Street

brie and her mom reach for tissues during wedding ceremony — Tissue Time at Boston City Hall

couple under veil photo for wedding portraits — A veil moment at Barn at Blackstone National

lancaster town hall elopement — Historic love at Lancaster Town Hall

two brides twirling in their wedding dresses at Tupper Manor — Twirling into matrimony at Tupper Manor

groom consoles his son during elopement ceremony in portland, maine — Becoming a family in Portland, Maine

Portrait sessions

black and white photo of couple embracing with foggy Boston behind them — A foggy proposal in Boston's Seaport

See More: Larry & Alyssa's Foggy Boston Proposal

couple sitting on bench in front of Ochre Court in Newport, Rhode Island — An Ochre Court love

couple standing on jetty at beach during sunset — Cotton candy skies on the North Shore

family session of little girl walking — Holding hands every step of the way

See More: Michael & Lindsey's Boston Seaport Proposal

proposal on a dock at sunrise — Coffee and an important question

couple sitting on beach for engagement session — Sun kissed and smiley at Singing Beach

See More: Sarah & Michael's Engagement Session

pregnant woman laying on bed with plant fanning over her face — It's giving Goddess.

See More: Iggy Maternity Session

in-home lifestlye photoshoot — A peek behind the curtain

See More: In-home Lifestyle Photoshoot

parents look at baby in crib with a bunch of stuffed animals — The gang's all here

guy spins girl around in air — Swept up in joy

guy kisses girl's forehead — I'll be there for youuuu

couple walks along beach at sunset — Golden hour giggles at Crane Beach

proposal at halibut point state park — Que: "omg omg omg"

family snuggled on bed — New family of four

newport cliffwalk engagement — Taking the next step at Newport's Cliff Walk

See More: Newport Cliff Walk proposal

Related: Where to Propose in Boston

proposal on acorn street in boston — Hoping for forever on Acorn Street

silhouetted photo of parents looking down at baby bump — Smoky sky silhouettes

coastal maternity session — Mother Earth shining on this new Mother

boston seaport engagement — Seaport soulmates

maternity session in Beacon Hill — Beacon Hill, baby.

engagement session at Maudslay State Park — It's giving folklore

summertime maternity session — Oh what a bright sunshiny day

wintertime proposal in boston — A frozen "YES"

generational family session — Forced family fun

newborn session at Newburyport studio — a [new]buryport family

proposal at Christopher columbus park — A cold "yes" ...

See More: Christopher Columbus Park Proposal

singing beach engagement session — ... to a warm "always"

See More: North Shore Engagement

maternity session in Charlestown — Family walk in Charlestown

boston public garden engagement — Sunny morning in Boston's Public Garden

in-home newborn session — Ava's first photoshoot

engagement session at restaurant in Boston's north end — First date recreation

See More: North End Engagement

winter engagement session — Smiles for miles

See More: World's End Proposal

maternity session mom hugs son — Snuggles for the soon-to-be big brother

couple runs on beach with "mama" jean jacket — Beachy baby announcement

beacon hill engagement — Big love in Beacon Hill

beach engagement session — Red lips and rosy cheeks

downtown engagement session — An urban affair

See More: Central MA Engagement

golden hour engagement session on a mountain — Mountaintop twirls

golden hour beach engagement session — Beach bums

sunny boston seaport proposal — Sunny Seaport sweeties

To see a recap of my personal brand sessions from 2023, head over to my other website. And to see a recap of my holiday minis, click here!

PHEW! Quite the year. I almost ran out of musings related to Seaport haha. Thanks for making it to the end with me!! If you're interested in working together, please reach out!

Before you go, check out previous years recaps:

Cheers to 2024!

xx, Tam

Tamara Merri Photography

www.tamaramerriphotography.com

hello@tamaramerriphotography.com