Salem, MA Wedding Photographer | Kim Indresano Photography Blog

So recently I said to Brian, “Love, you need to step it up this year with the camera. I want to be in some of the pictures. Just in case I croak early I want the kids to know they had a mother.” A couple of weeks ago he used my camera, rise and shine first thing in the morning. When I took a peek in the back of the viewfinder later I groaned, and I’ll tell you why in a sec. And then I just looked at them again tonight and had a different feeling, which was more in the peaceful category. Maybe that has something to do with the recent document that I’m part of this family in pictures, too.

I was surprised at my own reaction when I first saw the images. I did that thing that my clients sometimes do, typically the mamas over 40: I barely noticed the mood, the light, the everything, and instead went right to the details. My sunspots, and holy smokes I knew I had wrinkles but oh, and the unruly skin, and is that the makings of a double chin–while lying down? I was a little ashamed for thinking it, especially since I’m the first to council my photo subjects that that isn’t what we all see in the image, it’s more about the energy there, we’re our own worst critics, etc., etc. Let me just say it’s good for me to get in front of a camera once in a while and experience that little thing called empathy.

As much as I really want to say and believe that I truly don’t care about this stuff, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. But it’s not at all a melodramatic kind of thing, more of a quiet noticing, simply recognizing that heading towards 42 looks like this on me. It’s far from bad, and honestly I rather like my wrinkles and grey strands. It’s more that I don’t really feel this age, or what I thought this age would be. Or maybe it’s just that I’ll probably feel spry in body and a bit confused in mind about numbers and time moving so swiftly from here on out.

The next time my clients sigh and maybe disregard what I think of as a stunning image of them, I’ll let that space between their thoughts and mine linger a bit longer. I get it. But then I do want to reassure them.

Meanwhile, these pictures that Brian took grow on me. This is how we look in the morning, my kids and I. Playful, thoughtful, just happy to be together on this new day. Would I want to look untouseled and planned out, no. It wouldn’t show the us in us, and that is what I want my family to have a chance to peek back on down the road.

Okay, I’ll admit, this made me feel so proud. And honored. When Kari contacted me last month to say she was engaged to Dan it was so exciting to hear the news. (Her energy is infectious!) A very sweet thing too was that she hadn’t chosen the day yet and was waiting to see what my 2011 fall wedding schedule looked like. Awww! How I LOVE it when my clients care so much about the photography that they prioritize it. I know the venue and the tasty food and all the other preparations are so important but it’s the photographs, near and dear, that become the treasured keepsakes when all else fades into memory. I know I’m more than a little biased, but don’t you think it’s true?

Earlier this month Kari, Dan and I got to play with the cameras in one of my favorite settings, a trail along the Crane Estate. Open fields and tangly brush that lead to a beach. Making pictures like these, casually, is a great way for my clients and I to get to know one another better before the big day.

I love a mama who weighs the immediate needs of her ocean-loving kiddo over the consideration of keeping him dry (without a lick of back-up clothing in sight). Quinn and his one-track mind made for some chilly water shots in October that had me cracking up out loud while editing in the studio. I love love love my repeat clients and, on this day, getting to know Quinn after photographing his parents’ wedding a few years back.

Game for an adventure with me during their wedding reception, we walked straight into Harvard Square’s bustling vibe. People hooted, waved and congratulated this pair from sidewalks, crosswalks and cars. Tourists snapped their picture. Of course you recognize this venerable magazine kiosk in the heart of it all. Sara plopped her bouquet down on the Dasani cooler and picked a mag of choice while we maneuvered postcard racks out of the way to get this shot. Todd Wemmer was a great help with the lighting.

I’m very excited to photograph Sara and Sherwin’s wedding in Cambridge next month for a number of reasons. First off, they are a completely lovely and in love couple with a healthy dose of perspective on creating a fun, not overdone, celebration. And I have a personal, heartstring attachment to this event. I have known Sara and her family since she was wee. Yes, this was one of my most cherished families to babysit for. We go waaaay back! I have some hilarious memories of caring for Sara and her two siblings, sometimes for overnights while their parents were away. I suppose my driving them to school (groggy and in my pajamas) caused some serious eye rolling in the back seat. Needless to say, Sara has turned out amazingly, has chosen a very fine man to complement, and, yes, that’ll be me at the wedding, the weepy one with the cameras over there.

Some of you have been asking to see what Dessa’s been up to and what she looks like these days. Well besides working on her tricky D7 chord on her guitar (I’m serious), she decided to chop off a bit of her princess hair and let the daily brushing be a little more cheery. So without further adieu…

Today Brett Mentuck, the mastermind behind Mighty Aphrodite consignment maternity clothing, came by the studio for a headshot. I typically do these while standing on my windowsill using the huge amount of natural light behind me. Today was the first time I seriously made a mental note of the large glass panes and my body pressing up against them. Why? Because Brett, that effervescent beaut, has a laugh so infectious that some of our pictures had camera shake. Plus every time I asked her to lift her chin a bit her eyes went up instead. (Brett, if you are reading this I wonder if you were the Simon Says mastermind too, saying one thing but sneakily coaxing everyone to follow your actions?)

If you are in the vicinity of Salem, MA (and I definitely recommend going out of your way) and if you have a burgeoning belly or want to treat someone who does, head on over to Mighty Aphrodite for some gorgeous duds that’ll keep your glow on high. Gently worn, gently priced and happily reused. Makes me want to do it all over again. Well, almost.

In other exciting news, I’m offering a belly portrait special for Mighty Aphrodite aficionados: Two 8×12 favorite prints with every paid maternity photo session. That’s a whopping $190 savings you can put towards more clothes down the street. Book your session before September 15 and my offer is good any time during your pregnancy. Gift certificates available of course! kim@kimindresano.com 617.820.6919

Lately I’ve been having a great time making head shots in my studio, mostly of women in their 40′s, 50′s and 60′s. And then my skate-and-snowboarding 13-year old neighbor, Jake, needed some shots to bring to a modeling agency and audition for sporty projects. How fun to hang out with this super easy going kid for awhile and create some images together.

Back in April when I photographed Johanna and Ben’s utterly sweet and romantic wedding in Italy, I had the great fortune to get to know these two artists, Anica and Bryn. They are both Maine and Brooklynites and they both have known Johanna for ages and therefore had large roles in the wedding festivities.

Open a window, let in that Tuscan sunshine, plop two beauties in front of a camera, and bam!