Kelly & Dan's E-Session: Sudbury Grist Mill

Last Sunday we met our newest friends/clients, Kelly and Dan, at the renowned Wayside Inn Grist Mill for their long-awaited engagement session.  We don't think we've ever had a picnic in New England in March before, but this was a totally sublime day for it, especially with a couple so much in love.  The spring and summer tourist crowd hadn't yet arrived, so we took advantage of the relative privacy, and we had a blast!

When deciding where to stage this session, Kelly expressed that she and Dan are kind of casual, outdoors-y and unassuming, and it became clear that it had to be outdoors, in a country-ish setting.  We collectively decided we'd better leave their rather rambunctious Golden Retriever at home this particular day (tho we would have loved to photograph his adorableness!)


Having met the two of them a couple months earlier at Bocado Tapas Wine Bar in Worcester for a 'get-to-know-you', we discovered we shared a common love of red wines and savory food, so an Argentinian malbec and some sharp cheese just had to be part of the day's mix!

Kelly's got a real affinity for color and design (a mutual fan of HGTV!), as was apparent in her choice of props ... a client right up our alley!

We cannot WAIT for their wedding in September ~  it's bound to be a gorgeous affair.

Hey Wakeen, Why Watermark?

A while ago at Wakeen Photography, we made the decision that all photos that get released over the web will have a watermark on them. This is not a new practice by any means. Many photographers, particularly wedding and portrait photographers, have embraced it for some time.  However, there's been some debate about whether or not it's appropriate for all social media platforms.  Is the watermark necessary? Or are we just being a bit paranoid?

To begin with, we should clarify that this does not apply to photos that get published in a magazine, or that go into an album or high-resolution files that we deliver to clients. It simply applies to photos that will be published in one capacity or another on the World Wide Web-- whether on our own blog, submissions to other blogs, or the web-ready files we send to clients.



But why the heightened concern? The reality is that by putting one's photos on the internet, they become "public territory." They may start out on our blog or another's such as Style Me Pretty, but the photos are very often re-posted elsewhere, may go into inspiration galleries, and are found on sites like Pinterest, etc. Although most bloggers and sites are diligent about photo credits, there are some that aren't. There's also been a growing number of  "photo pirates" out there who have used our (and other photographers’) work as their own, which is a mutually harmful practice, both for the original photographer and also for the clients.



As photographers, we are responsible to our clients. Not only are we entrusted to document their very important day, but also to respect their privacy and identity. Having a watermark on the image severely lessens the probability of the image being stolen or misappropriated.

"I Keep Gettin' Richer, But I Can't Get My Picture on the...

Any budding rock stars out there?

If you were born after 1980, chances are you don't know the end of the song title above ... or do you???

No matter.  But let us remind you that spring is nearly here which means .... Prom Portraits and Senior Sessions! It's time to book your appointment as the "busy season" fills our calendar quickly.  This year's FREE bonus, when you choose either a prom portrait OR a senior photo shoot, is WE'LL PUT YOU ON THE COVER OF A MAGAZINE!   You'll also receive one FREE 8X10" glossy, and a low-resolution file for your Facebook page.

Last year's prom-goers

Additional 8"x10" prints of your magazine cover will be available for $15 a piece.  Choose from the covers you see here, as well as Us, Time, Newsweek, Cosmo, People, TV Guide, Vibe, Vogue or Essence.

If you'd like to see Wakeen Photography at YOUR school's prom, help spread the word by sharing the link to this blog on your Facebook page, as well becoming a Fan of our page too!

We can't wait to celebrate the Art of YOU!

Cheers ~  Chris and Vickie

A bonus with your Senior portrait!

Sneak Peek ~ Lindsay & Adam

Lindsay and Adam met at the end of their high school days at the Worcester Academy and they've been an "item" ever since.  When Adam joined the Air Force and was moved to Oklahoma, Lindsay moved too so they wouldn't have to be apart.  And now finally, just before Adam earns his A.F. wings, family, friends and colleagues gathered together at the Harding-Allen Estate in Barre to celebrate their marriage!

This wedding was such a joy to photograph and we cannot WAIT for the big reveal, but in the meantime, here are a few of our favorites from the day.  The bride was gorgeous in her Paloma Blanca dress (this is the first bridal gown we've seen with pockets - what a concept!)  Coordinating bridesmaids dresses by Ann Taylor also had pockets, so all the gals could carry a lip gloss or a tissue, should some happy 'lil tears arise.

The wedding cake was created by the Harding-Allen's in-house designer, as were the stunning bouquets of blue hydrangea, white roses and white lilies.  DJ services provided by Bob Solano were ultra-optimized as Bob's saxophone accompaniment added a totally live music sound to the festivities.

Lindsay and Adam, may you share many years together full of blessings and good fortune!  It was our immense honor to share in your day!

Valentine's FREEBIE for Lovebirds

We're celebrating Valentine's Day with an OUTRAGEOUS and FREE offer!

Our mission statement is, Celebrating the Art of YOU!  So we've decided to promote an offer that we've NEVER seen any other photographer do.  From now until March 31st, any couple who contracts with Wakeen Photography for their wedding day coverage will automatically receive a FREE 20"x30" custom-created wall portrait using your favorite wedding image to proudly display and celebrate your new life and love.

Your large wall art panel is a $200 value and will WOW your guests as it's displayed over your sofa, your mantle, or even your bed.  Chromaluxe Aluminum Wall Panels have been described as "high definition", having "amazing depth" and "exceptional clarity".  With a large 20"x30" size, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning wall collage.  The panels are mounted using a system of blocks that blend in with the shadows once the art panel is hung on the wall.

If high-def aluminum is not your style, you may substitute with a linen-textured canvas gallery wrap of the same dimension.  (This is what we display in our dining room and it receives compliments galore!) This photographic canvas is stretched over and around 1.5" wooden supports, stapled to the back so no framing is needed.  The back is finished off with sturdy black paper and hanging hardware.  These are no "bargain-brand" wraps - we've seen the cheap competition, and they just cannot compare in quality.  You will feel and see the difference.

SO - WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?  TWO REASONS ~

We are so confident that you will love this type of wall art that we want every bride who books with us to experience the excitement of seeing her favorite wedding image super-sized!  BUT we can only afford to do this for a very short time.   We also want to quickly fill up the remaining dates in our 2012 calendar, and get a head start on 2013!

CALL IMMEDIATELY to book your no-obligation consultation appointment (late afternoons and evenings available).  Weddings must be booked under contract before March 31st; a standard $400 deposit is required.  We offer a convenient payment plan no matter what investment level you choose with us.  And because we know you'll ask -- our pricing plans begin at $999 for unlimited wedding-day coverage with two photographers, and go all the way up to $5,000, with most of our clients choosing packages somewhere in between .

AND IF you didn't know -- at Wakeen Photography ALL of our wedding album packages include a FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION (a $250 value) where we'll create beautiful art from a fun on-location outing together.  Our clients often use the resulting images for save-the-date cards, thank you notes, signature boards, or as display art at their reception.

DID WE MENTION what sets us apart from other photographers in the area?   OUR 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.  If we don't produce wedding images that make your heart jump with joy, not merely just satisfy you, but really bring you to tears, then we haven't done our job properly.  In all honesty, we've never had a client say they weren't thrilled they hired us.  We NEVER handle more than one wedding per day and we NEVER farm your wedding off to another photographer. 

Don't delay.  This offer expires March 31st - call Chris at 774-262-5332, or email chris@wakeenphotography.com to set up a consultation in our home studio.  Or we'll come to you!

Happy Valentine's Day to All!

Daddy's love. Daddies love.

We've been looking through our portfolio lately and thinking about the wonderful fathers we've met in the wedding photography business.  We all know how incredibly special a wedding day is to a bride and groom, but have you pondered the impact the day has upon the father of the bride?  I guess unless you've been one, you may not have ever really recognized what a monumental day this is in the life of a man.



Chris has told me several times that he's "gonna cry like a baby" on the day of his daughter's wedding ... and that still remains to be seen (but I'm looking forward to it!)  So today we salute the many fathers out there who've had to let go a little more of their "baby" girls. And we share a few of our favorite images with you.










Oh, and by the way, if you wonder what the Top Ten songs are that Fathers and Daughters dance to ~

1. I Loved Her First -- Heartland
2. My Little Girl -- Tim McGraw
3. My Girl -- The Temptations
4. Butterfly Kisses -- Bob Carlisle
5. What a Wonderful World -- Louis Armstrong
6. My Wish -- Rascal Flatts
7. The Way You Look Tonight -- Frank Sinatra
8. Cinderella -- Steven Curtis Chapman
9. Father and Daughter -- Paul Simon
10. Somewhere Over the Rainbow -- Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole

We believe fathers deserve a special gift as they (sort of) say good-bye to their grown daughter.  So for our 2012 weddings, we've decided to gift every father of every bride a complimentary 5x7" image that he can proudly display at home to remember his special girl and their special dance!



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