I just came back from photographing an awesome Connecticut couple’s wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Gimbert tied the knot! We started a long day together – starting with the bridal party getting their hair & make up done @ Hair Chatteau in Hamden, CT. It took a bit more time there than we expected, so we headed out straight to Kelly’s mom’s home church for ceremony in South Windsor, CT. I am a night owl by nature(?). Even though I had to practice waking up early gradually over a week to wake up at 5am and drive 2.5hrs just to get there, it was worth it and then some. As you can see from the pictures, I have no doubt in my mind that Graham will keep Kelly happy. We had a fun time shooting portraits at beautiful Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT and then went over to Jake’s in Wallingford for reception. Special thanks to Kelly for finding me online and also to Graham for obliging to all of my requests in the hot weather. Here are some of my favorites from the wedding day:

Connecticut Wedding Photography

There are many things that I like about intimate weddings. As a documenting photographer of a special day, I get to observe and capture what kind of relationships the couple have with each of their guests. After many years of long drives & flights that accompany long distance relationship, Patricia + Dusan are finally together in Boston and tied the knot! Patricia got ready at her beautiful condo on Beacon St. As we headed over to Cambridge City Hall for ceremony, I could see excitement and nervousness on the bride’s face as her father walked her to the city hall. There were some unexpected change of ceremony location within the building, but we improvised and had it done nonetheless… surrounded and blessed by all the important people in Patricia & Dusan’s lives. We planned on taking bridal & groom portraits at the Boston Common, but the weather was a bit finicky that day… so we played by the ear once again and did a shoot on the beacon st and on the top of the apt building. Thank you Patricia & Dusan for letting me be a part of your new start!

Massachusetts Wedding Photography

Gallery coming soon.

Ceremony part – Congratulations to Migdalia & Wikus on their wedding! A little unconventional, but this couple decided to have their ceremony at their Boston church and have separate reception and other celebrating events later this year in UK & Mexico, where majority of their families are located. They were a pleasure to work with and we ended up with a few cool shoots, check them out below.

About the author: Aiden Rhaa is a Boston Wedding Photographer whose photographic style can be described as a mix of contemporary photojournalism style coverage combined with creative posed shots.

Ally, Steve, and their 2 beautiful daughters live in Cambridge. During the planning process, we talked about a few different locations nearby and Navy Yard in Charlestown sounded like the best option. We walked around the boardwalk + a small park next to it in beautiful sunset and made these photographs.

It is said that 10000 hours is the magic number of hours required to be an expert at anything

whether your chosen field is art, sports, business, or perhaps something else.

However, 10000 hours is no guarantee of world-class expertise.

Some are more gifted than others at certain talents, which may add or subtract some hours.

Many jobs require college degrees pertaining to that field, an investment which usually

sums up to a significant amount of time and money.

For photography in 21st century we live in, entry barrier that used to exist is… well. gone.

While photography has been around for near 200 years now, it has never been

easier to get a useable camera with industrialization and mass production.

Everyone can buy a camera. Click a shutter button.

Turn a few knobs. Maybe even some photoshop tasks.

Being a professional photographer is more than having decent camera gears.

It is not about clicking a shutter button.

It is knowing when to press the button.

It is not about having a big expensive camera.

It is knowing where to point that big expensive camera.

It is not about doing a favor for a few people you know.

It is knowing how to run a business.

You have to earn it.

It takes determination.

It takes time.

It takes talent.

It takes work.

It is about taking a risk.

It is about following your passion.

It is about living in pursuit of happiness.

There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several years later his company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines. They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine fixed, but to no avail. In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the past.

The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. At the end of the day he marked a small “x” in chalk on a particular component of the machine and proudly stated, “This is where your problem is.” The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again.

The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service. They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges. The engineer responded briefly:

One chalk mark………………….$1

Knowing where to put it……..$49,999

It was paid in full and the engineer retired in peace

Preparation:

• Bride getting dressed
• Groom getting dressed
• Wedding dress
• Shoes & Jewelry
• Photo of the bouquets
• Bride with the attendants
• Groom with the attendants
• Bride arriving at the ceremony site
• Special guests getting seated at the ceremony

• Bride walking down aisle
• Spontaneous moments during the ceremony
• Reaction & expressions of parents
• Ring exchange
• Shots of guests
• The wedding kiss

Recception:

• Bride and groom leaving the ceremony
• Guests throwing birdseed or blowing bubbles
• Bride and groom stepping into the car
• Bride and groom driving away from the ceremony
• Wedding party arriving at the reception
• Reception area
• Close-up of wedding decorations
• Cake
• Bride and groom cutting the cake
• The first dance
• Bride/Groom dance with parents
• Wedding toasts
• The bouquet toss
• Bride and groom saying goodbye to the guests
• Bride and groom exiting the reception or driving away

Aiden Rhaa is a Boston Wedding Photographer specializing in contemporary photojournalistic approach.

These guys totally killed it @ Middle East Downstairs last night.

Ricardo Barraza: Guitar & Vox

Mike MacDonald: Guitar & Vox

Bill Noonan: Drums

Kris Hanson: Bass

www.reverbnation.com/strangemachinesboston

www.facebook.com/StrangeMachines

Ended up with some of my favorite music photos to date, check them out.

www.reverbnation.com/strangemachinesboston

www.facebook.com/StrangeMachines

Random strangers passing by the graffiti alley added some more fun.