In My Own Words

Writing and Images from the heart...

In My Own Words

Writing and Images from the heart...

Ashley + Justin | Engaged

I met Ashley + Justin at the Springfield Bridal Expo last year. They had emailed me shortly after and said they had loved my booth and chatting and wanted to know if I could set up a consultation with them. The day we were both able to meet on? Valentines Day! It must have been a sign! Love was in the air, and the rest is history!

Ashley had a very specific vision for their Spark session. She wanted something timeless, classic, and romantic. She was also hoping for ocean (if possible), and even better if we can find a castle. Well, it took a lot of discussion, but in the end, we decided on Colt State Park, one of my favorite places to photograph in Bristol, Rhode Island. Ashley also wanted a more lifestyle shoot so I had suggested we go to the downtown Bristol area and walk along the pier with some ice cream. It really was picture perfect. Ashley and Justin have a great sense of style. They out a lot of thought into their outfits and against the amazing backdrop of the sky everything balanced out so beautifully.

We were photographing away when all of a sudden it began to rain out of nowhere. I remember thinking ‘we came all this way, we will wait it out and it’ll be fine.’ Justin asked me ‘Is the rain good for anything in photography?’. At the time, it was a downpour so I responded ‘Not really!’. But looking at the sky there were areas where the sun was trying to come through. When I saw a break in the rain, we’d drive over to where it was and start to shoot. Ashley and Justin were only to happy to run across open fields to get to the perfect spot in the rain. Cap that off with a beautiful marina walk, and this shoot was nothing short of perfect. In fact, their collection will be published next month on The Westchester Wedding Planner Blog! Stay tuned for that!!

Here are my favorites from their unforgettable Bristol, Rhode Island Spark Session.

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Can’t wait for your wedding this fall!! 🙂 <3 xoxoxo

Follow Along on my Socials

I can definitively say that 2024 was the most transformative year I’ve ever had. From having back surgery which changed my quality of life, to losing 45 lbs (and still going!) every second felt like a culmination of long journeys I’ve been on for years. Seeing The Rolling Stones, Creed, and The Eras Tour are all core memories I’ll store away for a rainy day. Nothing was without surprise, like making an unexpected and major career change into CTE Administration, and becoming a Ciocia again. I wouldn’t change a thing that happened in my life in 2024. I’m thankful for the friends and family who I shared incredible memories and experiences with this year. I can’t want to make even more in 2025. ✨Happy New Year! ✨
And with that, my 2024 wedding photography season is complete. The first wedding I ever helped out on I was 18 years old. I’m 43 now which means that I’ve been working in the Wedding Photography industry for 25 years. Every year I learn something completely new and this year was no different. 

Working with families and couples side-by-side, in some cases for years, to help them orchestrate the day of their dreams is something I take great pride in. I feel honored that my clients have chosen me to be present and document some of the most significant moments of their lives. I am also grateful for their faith in myself and my team to give experience based guidance, always with their best interest at heart.

All of my experience and the things I’ve learned along way have only made me a stronger entrepreneur, leader, and instructor in my vocation to the thousands of students I’ve taught over the years. Some of them moving on to become professional photographers, filmmakers, or artists themselves. Being a practicing photographer in my industry has given me more than I could have ever dreamt of as a 17-year-old kid taking Photography as an elective at HCC. 
 
For that, I want to thank all the couples, families, friends, and wedding professionals that I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year. Each one of you has filled my heart with joy and gratitude. Thank you for trusting me with documenting some of the most important moments in your lives. It’s been some of the greatest joys of my career. 

See you in 2025!
Instagram post 18085561792518647

I can definitively say that 2024 was the most transformative year I’ve ever had. From having back surgery which changed my quality of life, to losing 45 lbs (and still going!) every second felt like a culmination of long journeys I’ve been on for years. Seeing The Rolling Stones, Creed, and The Eras Tour are all core memories I’ll store away for a rainy day. Nothing was without surprise, like making an unexpected and major career change into CTE Administration, and becoming a Ciocia again. I wouldn’t change a thing that happened in my life in 2024. I’m thankful for the friends and family who I shared incredible memories and experiences with this year. I can’t want to make even more in 2025. ✨Happy New Year! ✨
And with that, my 2024 wedding photography season is complete. The first wedding I ever helped out on I was 18 years old. I’m 43 now which means that I’ve been working in the Wedding Photography industry for 25 years. Every year I learn something completely new and this year was no different. 

Working with families and couples side-by-side, in some cases for years, to help them orchestrate the day of their dreams is something I take great pride in. I feel honored that my clients have chosen me to be present and document some of the most significant moments of their lives. I am also grateful for their faith in myself and my team to give experience based guidance, always with their best interest at heart.

All of my experience and the things I’ve learned along way have only made me a stronger entrepreneur, leader, and instructor in my vocation to the thousands of students I’ve taught over the years. Some of them moving on to become professional photographers, filmmakers, or artists themselves. Being a practicing photographer in my industry has given me more than I could have ever dreamt of as a 17-year-old kid taking Photography as an elective at HCC. 
 
For that, I want to thank all the couples, families, friends, and wedding professionals that I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year. Each one of you has filled my heart with joy and gratitude. Thank you for trusting me with documenting some of the most important moments in your lives. It’s been some of the greatest joys of my career. 

See you in 2025!
Instagram post 18085561792518647

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I can definitively say that 2024 was the most transformative year I’ve ever had. From having back surgery which changed my quality of life, to losing 45 lbs (and still going!) every second felt like a culmination of long journeys I’ve been on for years. Seeing The Rolling Stones, Creed, and The Eras Tour are all core memories I’ll store away for a rainy day. Nothing was without surprise, like making an unexpected and major career change into CTE Administration, and becoming a Ciocia again. I wouldn’t change a thing that happened in my life in 2024. I’m thankful for the friends and family who I shared incredible memories and experiences with this year. I can’t want to make even more in 2025. ✨Happy New Year! ✨
And with that, my 2024 wedding photography season is complete. The first wedding I ever helped out on I was 18 years old. I’m 43 now which means that I’ve been working in the Wedding Photography industry for 25 years. Every year I learn something completely new and this year was no different. 

Working with families and couples side-by-side, in some cases for years, to help them orchestrate the day of their dreams is something I take great pride in. I feel honored that my clients have chosen me to be present and document some of the most significant moments of their lives. I am also grateful for their faith in myself and my team to give experience based guidance, always with their best interest at heart.

All of my experience and the things I’ve learned along way have only made me a stronger entrepreneur, leader, and instructor in my vocation to the thousands of students I’ve taught over the years. Some of them moving on to become professional photographers, filmmakers, or artists themselves. Being a practicing photographer in my industry has given me more than I could have ever dreamt of as a 17-year-old kid taking Photography as an elective at HCC. 
 
For that, I want to thank all the couples, families, friends, and wedding professionals that I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year. Each one of you has filled my heart with joy and gratitude. Thank you for trusting me with documenting some of the most important moments in your lives. It’s been some of the greatest joys of my career. 

See you in 2025!
Instagram post 18085561792518647