Nicole Baas is aWedding photographer based in Boston, Massachusetts with a focus on emotional storytelling in New England and Destination venues beyond

About My Wedding Photography Style

I take a quiet approach to Boston wedding photography and try to make you feel as comfortable as you can while having your photo taken. I want these images to be long-lasting. Each image should evoke a certain feeling within you and you should be able to remember the happiness and overwhelming set of emotions you felt on this great day.

I'll have you get close to one another for your couples portraits and actually document the story of your love. Because, after all, this is the story of your journey together.

With a photojournalistic perspective I capture candid moments for the majority of your wedding day, but also highly encourage portraits of you as a couple and family portraits for posterity. I love each element of a wedding from the smallest piece of heirloom jewelry to the biggest, most confetti-filled party moments. I incorporate all of the pieces to create a linear story of your wedding day for your final portfolio of images.

Light and Photography

Light is often one of the least considered pieces in wedding day planning, but it matters more than you would think for the sake of not only your wedding photography but also the comfort of your guests and your general timeline of events.

Mid-day sun is the least comfortable thing for everyone involved. For photography it creates stark contrast and deep shadows as opposed to the beautiful softness from late day sun, and it can irritate the eyes of wedding parties and guests if forced to face the wrong direction for the duration of a ceremony. If your ceremony will take place in this tough light, I recommend finding a pretty place in the shade that will create even lighting across the ceremony, or, at the very least, try to ensure that the light is behind the altar space. The last hour prior to sunset creates the most beautiful light of the day that is often known as the "Golden Hour." I often recommend leaving some flexibility in your timeline during this part of the day to ensure that we can sneak away for at least 15 minutes of portraits and so that the two of you can enjoy a bit of alone time during a beautiful moment of your wedding day.

Boston Wedding Photography Planning Recommendations

The most important things that you take into consideration during the planning of your wedding are how to have the most stress-free and fun-filled day and to ensure that you have the lighting and professionals in place to properly document (photograph) your wedding day so that you can enjoy the moments for years to come.

Rainy Day Wedding Plan

The chance of rain in New England exists no matter what month or season it is, so embrace it. All vendors should have experience with rain at this point so you shouldn't let it add stress. Have a backup ceremony plan just in case. And don't be afraid of the rain, it can make for some gorgeous photos. Have some umbrellas on hand, just in case - those big, see through kinds are the best for photos, and then dance and sing in the rain and I will capture it all!

Sample Timeline

I usually start around an hour to 30 minutes before your hair and makeup is complete. In this time I can capture all of your small details (jewelry, heirlooms, invites, etc) and candid getting ready photos. Following this is usually the first look or travel to the ceremony location for about 15 minutes. After a first look we can do family portraits and bridal party portraits. And then it's on to the ceremony for about 30 minutes to an hour.

After the ceremony, you can enjoy cocktail hour with your guests if you've done a first look and if not, we can wrap up the formal photos during this time. Following this we usually proceed into the reception for introductions, dances, speeches and cake cutting. During that last hour before sunset I will try to steal you away for about 15 minutes of portraits and then the two of you can enjoy a moment of quiet together. I usually only stay about an hour into the dancing portion unless you have a planned exit such as sparklers, or a special car etc.

Example 8 hour timeline:

2-3pm Prep and detail photos, 3-4pm First Look and Family Portraits, 4-5pm Ceremony, 5-6pm Cocktail hour and any additional formal posed photos, 6-7pm Introductions and first dance and salad, 7-8pm speeches, toasts, and entrée, 8-9pm parent dances and cake cutting, 9-10pm dancing, 10pm end of coverage.

Wedding Planners

I adore wedding planners,as they make your day incredibly seamless and you can enjoy stress-free perfection. A few of the planners that I recommend are Darling Creative Company, Whim Events, Always Yours Events.

Wedding Venues

If you're tempted to ask a photographer whether they've shot at your venue before, read here for why I think that shouldn't matter. Whether they're directly in the city or within the region, here are just a handful of my favorite venues in New England: The Taj, Hampshire House, The Crane Estate, Tupper Manor, Willowdale Estate, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Gedney Farm, Moraine Farm, Lyman Estate, Aldrich Mansion, Blithewold Mansion, Mount Hope Farm, Belle Mer, Rosecliff Mansion, The State Room

Hair and Makeup

On camera hair and makeup matters just as much as it would in a stage or movie production. Subtle touches and professional work can make all the difference. The experts that I recommend and have worked with are Love Notes by June and Kacie Corbelle.

Florist and Floral Designers

Laura Jean Floral Design, True Vine Studios, Wild Folk, Fleur Events, Whim Events all very talented and incredibly nice people too!

 Hotels

The hotels in Boston range in style and price and these are some of my favorites, with lovely staff as well: The Envoy, The Taj, The Ritz Carlton, The Four Seasons, The Verb

Things to Do in Boston

There is an abundance of things to do while in Boston - My favorite places include Parker's for the original Boston Creme Pie, Brattle St Books or grab a great coffee at Gracenote or Thinking Cup. Take a Duck Boat tour around the city or take in a game at Fenway Park. The Pops and The Boston Ballet are incredible, as is the MFA the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum if you love art. For a great meal I love Teatro and Sweet Cheeks and Barcelona and for a fun night out, Yvonne's is the place.