I mean that should be understood without saying but let me be crystal clear. What I mean is that I live (as best I can) to be toxic free. Some people are curious about this somewhat new trend. For me, I found out about it via Instagram through a local photographer I follow who made this lifestyle change. Then my mother coincidentally gave me a diffuser for Christmas one year with some oils.

This day at Veterans Memorial Clubhouse with AnneMarie and Larry had my favorite details and lighting of the year! I arrived at the salon where the bride was getting the finishing touches on her hair and make-up. I got to meet her mother and maid of honor and enjoyed some hot cider and breakfast items...

Welcome welcome to a new series I wanted to start this year Mariel Monthly! I don't know about you but I feel that the start of the year means starting fresh. This updated blog launched last year and I made some minor tweaks for the start of this year. Now 2019 I did manage to highlight my couples and their special wedding days/sessions, but for this year I am stepping up my game....

Spirited photography is what Mariel O. Photo is all about. So what is it exactly? Well simply it's all about fun, natural posing and capturing joyful images! When in the movie Elf Buddy says it's his favorite, well it's mine too.

Wedding are what really drives Mariel O. Photo! Don't get me wrong I do fill in my year with family and other projects but these images have my heart. Looking back at my favorites of course bring me back to each day and how special and unique each wedding is. A friend of mine always asks if I get sick of weddings, and truth is I don't. There is such excitement all around and to be honest that energy is contagious.

Confession: Winter sessions are wonderful and a close up to my favorite time of year to shoot (second to fall). Sarah and Robby suggested meeting up at their favorite winery, Paradise Hills in Wallingford, Connecticut. Being a Wallingford native myself I had funny enough never been and boy was I missing out. This vineyard is quaint will a super kind staff and accommodating.

The years tend to fly by the older I get and so for the start of 2020 what better than to reflect on all the past year has brought me. Up first I wanted to first revisit all the Engagement sessions I captured in 2019! This year I went to a lot of different places to shoot my beautiful couples in love. From a Stratford, Connecticut brewery to a greenhouse at Smith College in Massachusetts.

Something new and different from me was shooting this session in the famous Two Roads Brewery in Stratford, Connecticut. Leading up to this shoot I was texting with Arianna and even though she was nervous excited her groom Stephen, was just mostly nervous. I get that a lot from couples prior to their shoots. When are you ever in front of the camera in this intimate way? I tell you everything you need to know so you can concentrate on hanging out with your favorite person.

Engagement season is is a short one here in New England. Everyone loves the glow of autumn and the October & November dates fill up fast. I met up with Kathryn and Timmy at their home in Tolland, Connecticut. These two met through a mutual friend two and a half years ago and adopted their darling and adorable pup Stevie! I just had to get a family shot first.

Gosh do I love doing styled shoots this year. I have been caught by a #allthingspretty bug that just won't go away. The Lace Factory in Deep River. Connecticut was the first venue I got to experience when I go into weddings.

Fall and engagement sessions go hand in hand. Ashley & Korey wanted lots of fall colors so we postponed their original date by a couple weeks to make sure they got what they wanted. We met up at Wadsworth Falls in Middletown, Connecticut on a pretty comfortable cool fall afternoon.

So I am a little behind with this blog post but this wedding in early October was so spectacular! The day started pretty cool and cloudy but really turned around with amazing light. I showed up at Powder Ridge Park in Middlefield, Connecticut to start with the bride. Mary, her girls, and both mothers were there - pretty calm and collected, just as I suspected. The hair and make up team just had a few more touch ups.

I met with Gina and Vinny only a week and half before their engagement shoot! The pair although engaged for 2.5 years already were just now begun the planning process. Vinny is in the Army and will be shipping out in a couple weeks for more training so that is why the speedy need for photos. It took place at Wickham Park with tons of options and fun spots. Fall decided to show up this week with some chilly wind gusts but also warm sunshine and of course the glow that all photographers love.

There are some beautiful *bonus* weddings I got to witness this year from so many talented photographers. It is so fun to be able to be an associate for the day! In a way it's more relaxing. I get to take the time for more creative shots and to be more observant. This year most of my experiences was shooting with Courtney Lynn (who my couples have seen). We got into a great rhythm this year and when you find a great professional working relationship you hold on to it. Thank you so much to all the leads I've met and worked with old and new! Enjoy!

Well I thought I would do something a bit different -- blog MY own wedding! It has been 5 years since Michael and I got married and this milestone deserves something special. After we go married that is when I transitioned from taking portraits and kids to love, couples and weddings. It has been such a ride these years and looking at these photos bring back those priceless memories of the best day ever 10.18.14!!

Shooting in new places is really what drives creativity. You would think working and living in Connecticut I would get the opportunity to shoot in Massachusetts often but I usually go to New York, however Mary and Todd chose Smith College Botanical Garden in their town of Northampton, MA

Super happy to have the chance to go back to the Lodge at Maneely's in South Windsor, Connecticut. The laid back nature of Sam and Chris are what they loved most about the lodge and the day reflected the fun and relaxing atmosphere.

With working from home mandated these days it allowed me the chance to put the finishing edits on this shoot from last year. I even wrote most of the post just never got the images together. There have been so many projects going on lately, adding this styled shoot was something else that worked out perfectly.

Back when I first got started and building my portfolio I photographed a couple of boudoir sessions for family members. I also participated in one myself and surprisingly loved being in front of the camera in this vulnerable way

This portrait session at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut was nothing short of a blast. These girls were all so sweet, fun and funny! This opportunity came at a great time -- I was just thinking how much I wanted to add senior portraiture to my business and the following week my inbox had this very inquiry (thank universe!).