Grazier Photography... The Blog

Joyce and Jon | Anguilla Wedding Photography

Matt — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:37:00 +0000

We are so excited to be sharing Joyce and Jon’s wedding photos from Anguilla! Joyce and Jon live in Toronto where Joyce is a fitness instructor and Jon gets away to surf as much as possible (when he is not surfing he works in the financial industry). They booked a penthouse at the modern Viceroy for the week and had their ceremony on the beach at Cap Juluca, a gorgeous morrocan themed resort. If you are thinking of having a destination wedding, debate no more, and plan your event in Anguilla: I have been to 7 caribbean islands and Anguilla is just amazing for weddings! What makes it so special? The people, the food and the beaches!

Joyce and Jon enjoyed a casual morning getting ready at the Viceroy and then met up for their first look in the long open air hall. Joyce was stunning in her Jenny Packham dress! After a brief portrait session we headed to Cap Juluca for the ceremony and then returned to their Viceroy penthouse for the reception. There were a total of 12 in attendance for the event, plus myself and the amazing Alex and Julie Hill of Elysium Productions. Working with Alex and Julie is always amazing as we compliment each other so well in our style and personalities.

Joyce and Jon put a lot of thought into planning their destination wedding in order to create an intimate experience for their family and friends in attendance. When the toasts were finished and it was time for their first dance, instead of Joyce and John dancing alone, they invited everyone to join with them and the balcony of the penthouse was full of love. It was a beautiful moment that made it a romantic moment for all. The next day we met up for their Trash the Dress session where we explored a construction site, found an old roofless building, and then ended the session with some fun in surf.

Congratulations Joyce and Jon!! It was so much fun spending time with you on the island and we love your photos! ~Matt

Joyce & Jon's first look

Sheri and Eben | Arnold Arboretum Engagement Session

Enna — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:14:52 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe we’re fully immersed in wedding season again! We took a hiatus from much of our blogging over the winter, but now we’re back in action, and so excited to share photos for all of our upcoming shoots! Next up, Sheri and Eben, whose wedding is going to be held at the lovely MIT chapel.

When I heard that Sheri and Eben were trying to figure out how to incorporate legos into their wedding decor, I knew that I had to be there! These two are incredibly fun, and I can’t believe their wedding is just over a month away! Here are just a few of my favorite shots from their engagement session. Needless to say, we laughed a LOT during their engagement session.

Congratulations Sheri and Eben! I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day – I know it’s going to be amazing and tons of fun!

Alexandra and Alex : A Boston Engagement

Matt — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:55:29 +0000

In about two months time Enna and I wil be photographing Alexandra and Alex’s wedding. Their wedding ceremony will be at Larz Anderson Park with their reception at Adolphus Busch Hall. For their engagement session we met at Copley Square and strolled through Boston visiting some of their favorite Boston locations. We can’t wait to them on their wedding day!!

Stages One Washingon | New Hampshire dining destination | food photography

Enna — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:18:58 +0000

One of my favorite assignments of 2011 was a self-assigned project – behind the scenes at the Heirloom Harvest Barn Supper on a lovely old farm in Stratham, New Hampshire. So I was delighted when one of these chefs, Evan Hennessey of Dover NH contacted me about his new restaurant which just opened last weekend. Stages One Washington is located on the 3rd floor of a renovated mill building, and it is a gem for locavores and diners from farther afield. They’ve already collected some wonderful reviews from Seacoast NH food critics! Chef Hennessey and his team have created a unique environment and experience for their guests – each weekend features a completely different menu, all uniquely themed and choreographed. Here are a couple of my favorite images from the first two shoots (for the “soft” opening serving a sumptuous dinner to family and friends).

I adore witnessing the creative process in the kitchen:

A variety of innovative cooking techniques are implemented including sous-vide, and induction top burners (there’s no gas in this kitchen!)

This is one of my favorite shots: chef contemplating the next few weeks’ menu drafts adjacent to a clock… 2 hours before first plate served in his dream restaurant.

Another really special aspect of this restaurant is the warm easy style Hennessey has with his staff. I have always been interested in collective/collaborative management styles, so I’m really enjoying seeing how the kitchen is organized and run. Here the chef demonstrates how to spherify iced tea for the evening’s amuse bouche.

Dishwasher, first job, first day on the job:

There are 6 seats in the kitchen – in my opinion these are the best seats in the house. It is so much fun to watch the team compile each plate – when we eat here I am definitely going to be sure and reserve well in advance to have one of these prime spots!

One of the 5 courses served: an exquisite goat cheese ravioli sprinkled with pistachio dust, dehydrated green olives, and just-cut micro-greens grown on the kitchen windowsill. Yum!

This restaurant space is ideal for a wedding rehearsal dinner or private dinner party of up to 30 guests! It’s also (in my humble opinion) a perfect spot for an exciting food-themed date night (hint hint… Matt Grazier!). The cooking techniques are innovative, but because much of the cooking is inspired by or includes familiar flavors this would be a fantastic way to introduce a non-foodie to the world of modernist culinary adventure. Chef Hennessey and his team also offer fine catering around Seacoast NH region under the name Flavor Concepts. We are definitely adding them to our list of recommended vendors for our wedding clients!

PS – this former Oregon barista was extremely delighted to discover coffee roasted by what one of the waitstaff told me is their local “nano-roaster”… in 7 words: Red Rover Coffee holds up against Stumptown. My family and friends out west may shrug when they read this (they take things like fine coffee at every food establishment for granted), but honestly this is the FIRST amazing cup of coffee I’ve ever had at a fine restaurant in New England.

Black and White Images of St. Lucia

Matt — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:44:45 +0000

One of the great things about destination weddings is it gives me a chance to do some street photography, and a new location is always big time eye candy! Here are a few of my favorite black and whites from the trip.

Whitney & Chip | St. Lucia Wedding Photography | Part 2

Matt — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:32:55 +0000

The day started with breakfast on the porch, and soon after folks were starting to prepare for the wedding day. The farm workers gathered flowers and Laura (Whitney’s mom) created arrangements. Whitney and Chip chose to do their portraits during a “first look” session, seeing each other before the ceremony. Chip stood in a field of tall red flowers as Whitney walked out to greet him in her dress. It was an amazing setting for this very romantic start to their wedding festivities! We then headed down to the old mill for a few more portraits before the ceremony. The old sugar cane mill, out of use for many years and now rusted into place, was a beautiful back drop for their ceremony. Their rings were passed from guest to guest for blessings and after the ceremony everyone paraded to the farm house led by a dear friend playing the ukulele. We dined on the porch and just before toasts were given we had the sudden realization that a page had been skipped during the ceremony and they hadn’t said their “I Do’s”. So with a laugh and a lot of love they stood again in front of everyone and finished their ceremony. To add a bit St. Lucia farm-charm to the event they cut the cake with a machete. The chef, his staff, and the farm employees all joined us for the toasts in which Whitney and Chip saluted them for their amazing effort to pull off a full week of hosting the guests.

The next day we met up at lunch and hopped in Terry’s truck for a trip to the beach for a day-after photo session on the beach with horses! I had three elements not working in my favor for the shoot: the strong wind, extremely long shadows and the sand and sea water being blown up into my camera. At one point I was in the water up to my shoulders shooting and if I wanted to change a lens, I had to run up the beach and crouch down in the grass to try to change my lens out of the wind-blown sand. I must of cleaned the sea spray off my lens 20 times! It was all worth it – I love the images and am excited to be posting them for you here!

Congratulations Whitney & Chip! Your wedding was amazing and I had such a great time with you, your family, and your friends!

Cheers ~ Matt