Tamara Merri
Jan 3
Updated: Jan 12
Good god I have the best job in the whole world and serve the best couples and families!!! Truly. I feel like I've dreamt of: joyful, down to earth people who value photography and a true connection. It's been so fun to create friendships with my couples which helps me with capturing their true dynamic on a wedding day.
I'm so proud of myself for sticking to my boundaries this year. In my 2022 recap post I shared that I'd be taking on less projects to not only enjoy more personal time, but to be able to provide a better service to all of my couples. I think I achieved both of those goals really well! This is the first year since 2020 that I haven't felt burnout by the end of the season and it's so refreshing.
In 2023 I photographed 113 sessions!
31 weddings and elopements
16 personal branding sessions
48 portrait sessions (engagement / proposal / family / maternity)
18 families for holiday minis
Those sessions culminated in 28,883 photos uploaded to my online gallery hosting site
Some other fun stats:
Photographed weddings in 5 states; MA, CT, MI, NH, and ME. While I love traveling, it's been nice to work at more local venues this year.
13,349 total miles driven for sessions.
I reached over 100+ five star reviews on Google!!
On a personal note:
I visited 4 new countries; Italy, Spain, France, and Scotland. I took 3 weeks in the spring to travel around Europe and then 10 days in the fall to visit the UK.
We traveled to Nebraska which means I only have ONE STATE left to visit until I've visited all 50! The last one is Alaska and we're already planning a trip for it in 2024. I also took personal trips to Shenandoah, San Diego, Quebec, Ohio, and Austin twice!
I joined a women's golf league and have a newfound obsession!
Here are a few of the different themes that consistently popped up throughout the year:
personalized heart sunglasses to pass around the dance floor
simple, "vintage" wedding cakes
jump rope + limbo with neckties or napkins tied together
neon signs are still holding strong since 2021
This year was the wedding season of rain rain rain! The Boston Globe reported that this summer was the second rainiest in recent history. From June to October, it rained 16 out of 20 weekends. Good riddance. While rain definitely can put a damper (no pun intended) on wedding days, it just goes to show that we all have to have the best attitude to make a wedding day the best! Throughout all of that rain, I was still able to bring couples outside for EVERY SINGLE WEDDING whether the rain cleared for a blip or couples were down to embrace the drizzle with some clear umbrellas.
It's funny - although my big goal for 2023 was to take on less work to have more free time, I actually took on more projects this year than last! There was a decrease in big weddings as expected, but I took on more portrait sessions. Since I had way fewer weddings, and therefore overall less large editing jobs, it didn't feel quite as all-consuming. I think my portraits work increased since many of my couples are growing their families. It's SO special to be invited back to document my couple's families and next chapters!!
Below is one photo from every session in 2023! It never gets easier to choose what photos to showcase. Similarly to last year I tried to choose photos that have a storytelling element.
Also, be sure to check out previous years recaps:
See More: Laura & Joe's Granite Links Wedding
Read More: Angie & Daniel's Boston City Hall Elopement
See More: Larry & Alyssa's Foggy Boston Proposal
See More: Sarah & Michael's Engagement Session
See More: Iggy Maternity Session
See More: In-home Lifestyle Photoshoot
See More: Newport Cliff Walk proposal
Related: Where to Propose in Boston
See More: Christopher Columbus Park Proposal
See More: North Shore Engagement
See More: North End Engagement
See More: World's End Proposal
See More: Central MA Engagement
To see a recap of my personal brand sessions from 2023, head over to my other website. And to see a recap of my holiday minis, click here!
PHEW! Quite the year. I almost ran out of musings related to Seaport haha. Thanks for making it to the end with me!! If you're interested in working together, please reach out!
Before you go, check out previous years recaps:
Cheers to 2024!
xx,
Tam
Tamara Merri Photography