Kaitlyn & Cameron // Vermont, August 11th 2018

So it’s rather safe to say I have been terrible when it comes to blogging.. but I feel like it’s super important, for so many reasons, although for me it’s mostly personal. I have always, my whole life, kept a journal. In recent years I write less but have tried to use my blog as a place for me to share my feelings and thoughts, as well as my creative passions. I just delivered this wedding Gallery to these two beautiful people and I figured what better moment than now to take a little extra time to share their incredible day with you all.

After having the opportunity to photograph Kaitlyn and Cameron’s engagement shoot, I just knew that their wedding day was going to be beautiful. They are the kind of couple that you just feel love when you’re with them.. their history together, the way they talk about one another, the mutual respect between them, the way they hold hands and look at each other tells it all. These two couldn’t be more perfect for one another, and we saw it over and over again throughout the day; from the first look to the very end of the night when they were dancing on the dance floor together. These two found something very special in one another.

It’s not always easy, photographing weddings and being a mother of three. It is weekends away, and lots and lots of editing, during a time of the year when my kids are off from school and I wish I could be spending more quality time with them. I take only 5 weddings a year for this reason, and even then I sometimes feel like it’s a lot. But I don’t know if I will ever not photograph weddings at all because being able to be a part of these kinds of days, to be able to witness that much love in one place, well it always reminds me of what truly matters in life; family, friends, and love.

a HUGE HUGE thank you to my dear friend and second photographer Jason Langevin. Thanks for always being game to join me on a Vermont wedding weekend!! xoxo

Flowers: Chappell's Florist

Food: Cast Iron Catering

Music: DJ Disco Phantom

Dessert: Oh Sweet!

Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca

Bride's Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Bride's Earrings: Aurora Boutique Bijoux (Etsy)

Bride's Hair Comb: Everything Bride (Etsy)

Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal

Bridesmaid Earrings: Lilykay Couture (Etsy)

Suits: Calvin Klein 

Vests: Tasso Elba

Ties: The Tie Bar

Groom's Shoes: The Rail

Men’s socks: Darn Tough Vermont

Wedding Rings: Perrywinkle's Jewelry

Favor Beer Glasses: Grandstand Glassware

Jamie + Steve // engagement // Montpelier, Vermont

On my 34th birthday, Mathieu and I drove down to Connecticut with our girls to spend the weekend with my family and close friends. On our way down we stopped off in Montpelier for a quick evening engagement shoot with this gorgeous couple, who also happen to be the winners of my Wedding Giveaway Contest!!! This was the first time we were meeting, and I couldn't be luckier to have them as my clients. They were so easy going, and their adorable dog Mocha was just an added bonus. What was supposed to be just a thirty minute shoot turned into over an hour as we kept chatting and discovering sweet little allyways and cafés down State Street and onto Main.

Our session ended on a green between two buildings where Mathieu, our girls, some of our mutual friends and their daughter were all eating pizza and enjoying the warm spring evening. After a little more conversation, we said goodbye and walked back to the car. Mathieu looked up and noticed something on our windshield. 'Oh man, did I get a ticket??' He asked out loud. It was almost  dark now, so it was hard to tell what it was on the car. As we got closer, we noticed there was a bouquet of flowers stuck under the wiper!

'Awww babe you got me flowers for my birthday! You're so sweet!!'
'Ummm, no actually I didn't.'
'What do you mean?? haha you're joking right?'
'Ha! No, I wish I could take the credit, trust me!' was his response.
'Well if you didn't, who did? Dayna and Scott?' (These are friends of ours who were there also with their daughter..) 
'No, it couldn't have been them. They didn't walk back this way.' Mathieu confirmed.
'So you think it was Jamie and Steve??'

As we got into the car I shot Jamie a text and sure enough, she responded with a 'Happy birthday.' How sweet?? Such a simple little gesture can make someone feel so special. I seriously couldn't have asked for a better birthday evening.

This is why I am drawn to photography. I am so privileged to be able to be a part of such an incredible time of people's lives.. the gratitude is immeasurable. Needless to say, I could not be more excited to photograph their sure to be swoon-worthy wedding day next month!

For now, some sneak peeks from this sweet Vermont evening in late April.

Dayna and Scott

I was up until 4 am Wednesday night finishing editing, uploading, and sharing these images. I have to say, I am honestly nervous about posting them publicly.. Something about it seems so unsafe, and makes me feel so vulnerable. Like you put your heart and soul into something, to then put it in the hands of people who may not have the kindest response to it is kind of intimidating, especially considering this is the very first wedding I have ever photographed. I have done hair and makeup for countless brides and bridal parties over the years, and I have worked beside the photographer many many times, but this was the first time I actually did both! (Yes, I did her hair and makeup too...) So yes, I am slightly nervous about putting it all out there. I did put so much into this entire process. Time, elbow grease, heart, and soul. From the actual day of the wedding, to the editing process, I had my work cut out for me. Not to mention that combined between my wonderful friend, Jason Langevin (who came to second shoot for me), and myself, I had over 2500 images to sort through, choose, and edit. I never realized how much work goes into photographing a wedding, and I have to say, I learned sooooo much from this experience. Yes, I learned how difficult certain lighting situations can be during an outdoor wedding on a bright sunny day in late June, and how quickly the moments fly by that you barely have time to think about the settings on your camera(which is why it is so important to know your shit!). I also learned some new little techniques and work flow tips in the editing process which I know will prove beneficial to me in the future. But I also learned some things that go beyond the craft of photography.

I was reminded of how true love, and solid relationships(family or otherwise) are irreplaceable and should never be taken for granted. I was reminded that distance can never hurt a true friendship. True love and friendship goes beyond miles, beyond oceans. I was shown what we, as human beings, can accomplish when we come together and work TOGETHER. Watching Dayna and Scott and their two families and all of their friends come together on this incredible family compound in Wardsboro, Vermont to build, cook, create, and put into fruition a day that Dayna and Scott had dreamed of was so inspiring.

We arrived around 9:30 that morning and the house was already in full swing. We watched, with a lens covering one eye of course, everyone playing their parts. Dayna's brother making the music playlists, grandmas, moms, aunts, and uncles bustling away cooking EVERYTHING for the party of 120+, the bridesmaids wrapping silverware, and the dads and groomsmen moving logs and setting tables and chairs. The cake arrived from Montpelier in a friends car just an hour before the ceremony and still had to be iced! So my amazing friend Patrick Langevin, (who was also the wedding coordinator), took up the task without hesitation, even though he had NEVER frosted a cake before in his life. My dear dear friend from childhood, who also happens to be Patrick's sister and Jason's wife, volunteered to 'man' the DJ station. And everything unraveled beautifully. I mean, it was seriously perfect.

And then of course, there were Dayna and Scott. Just to be able to see the joy on their faces as people rolled up the driveway from all over the world was a privilege. They had friends from Ireland, Costa Rica, California, and elsewhere all came in for the big day. And the love that they continued to gently exude for one another throughout the day.. without direction. Words could not describe it. Just honest, beautiful, magical love. It was magical. And I'm not just saying that. It was. A wedding is a magical, beautiful, special time and the images that a couple gets after that day shouldn't just consist of perfectly lit, posed family photos(although those are important too). They should tell the story. They should capture the truth. They should bring tears to our eyes as we flip through them because they transport us right back to that very place over and over again. This is what I was aiming for. This is what we set out to achieve that hot Vermont morning in June.

I received this in an email back from Dayna yesterday morning after I sent her the gallery, and my heart almost burst. I think this is why people love doing this. It's all right here;

"...So I am half way through the set up and I am crying. Just wanted you to know that I can't even describe the personal touch that you have. The shots capture everyone's heart and you didn't even know them. They are so special...."

My heart was so full of joy that day. And again as I have relived the moments through the editing process, I am reminded of all of that love. I am reminded of its beauty, its magic, and its power.. which is why I know I HAVE to share these images, regardless of how vulnerable it makes me feel.

Thank you, Dayna and Scott for inviting me to be a part of telling this story. Thank you for believing in me and my vision. I wish you both not just the best in life, but the strength to stick through the crappy parts too, to come out on the other end better and stronger and happier. This is love. xo

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photography: Jennifer Marcuson and Jason Langevin

image editing: Jennifer Marcuson

all images copyright of Jennifer Marcuson: the artist

a (no longer) secret love.

I am in the midst of packing and cleaning and getting ready to head back south into the states tomorrow morning with the family for a couple of weeks. Before heading to Connecticut, Mathieu and the girls will be dropping me off in Vermont where I will be spending the weekend photographing my very first wedding. AHHHHHHH!!!!! It is safe to say I am sort of freaking out... with excitement and nerves and anticipation! We did a little engagement session about a month ago in Montpelier on our way back north to Québec for Dayna and Scott. It couldn't have been more perfect. We were at this incredible nature reserve picking fiddle heads and tromping through mud and grass fields. I got to know them both a bit better, and am just so excited for them. They are beyond sweet and gentle and visibly in love. I mean, I have butterflies in my belly right now just thinking about their beautiful love story! And also, well, when I photographed them last month in Vermont, I learned a little secret.. But I was just given the go ahead by Dayna and Scott to share, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.....

Congratulations to you both. I am wishing you many many mannnyyy years of joy, laughter, the sounds of pitter-pattering baby feet, and love love love. xoxoxo