Boston + New England Wedding Photographer bio picture
  • Award-winning Boston wedding photographer Kate McElwee creates kick-ass images of people in love,
    in a style that is fresh, modern and emotional.
    Grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the ride!

PRESS: SEACOAST WEDDINGS 2012 EDITORIAL SHOOT

Back in August last year, I was asked to photograph a color story for Seacoast Weddings Magazine at Rivermill at Dover Landing – my first editorial, woo!  It’s been so hard keeping the resulting photos under wraps these past few months, but now the magazine is out I can finally share them with you.  Yay!

Our theme for the shoot was tangerine/orange, to which we added soft gold and cream highlights.  I had a fantastically talented team to work with, including my favorite florist in New England, New Leaf flores in JP.  Jeb and Daniel at New Leaf really pushed the boundaries for the tablescape, sourcing amazing china from Bloomingdales Chestnut Hill, and using the gorgeous gold table mats we found there as decoration, tying the whole shoot together.  We were also lucky enough to work with Lena at Hair That Moves and Jana Lamas for hair and makeup; Wild Orchid Baking Company made the super fun cake; Albertine Press was in charge of all the paper goods (I LOVE the flower motif that she chose); Be Our Guest provided the tables and chairs; Flair Bridesmaid on Newbury Street not only loaned us the gorgeous gowns but Stacey also came along to help fit and style, thank you Stacey!  The accessories came from Anthropologie, Stella & Dot, and Salmagundi ( a local store here in JP that specializes in wonderful hats).  Finally, we couldn’t have done this without our wonderful models, Catherine, Charlotte and Chantal.  Thank you ladies for your enthusiasm and beauty!

And of course here’s what you’ve been waiting for: a sneak peek of the article!

I also had another photo from Kathleen + Andy’s wedding featured full-page in the magazine (that’s pretty cool!)

And here are some of my own favorite images from the color shoot … enjoy!

SOUTH END ENGAGEMENT SESSION: LEAH + JIM

Last weekend, I met up with Leah and Jim for their winter engagement session in Boston’s South End. We were still pre-snow at that point, and had the most beautifully sunny – but bitingly cold – afternoon for photos.

We started out at their gorgeous apartment where I was very happy to spend a few minutes taking photos of their doggy, Winnie. Winnie is one of the sweetest, easiest dogs I’ve ever photographed, and she’s SO good-looking too. There’s something almost regal about her.

I had Leah and Jim invite Winnie onto the couch for this little series – love it!

Jim and Leah live right on the Southwest Corridor, and it’s pretty much photo heaven all around there. We took a few photos at the Christian Science Plaza (and managed not to get chased off by guards, hurray!) I love the repeating lines here:

You didn’t think I was done with the photos of Winnie did you? Such a pretty girl …

We headed back to the tiny park next to Leah and Jim’s apartment for these next few. These two are pretty darn cute together.:)

And a couple of final favorites from across Huntington. Thank you both for a very fun afternoon and for letting me totally indulge my dog-loving nature. I can’t wait for your wedding in April!

BEST OF 2011 WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: RECEPTION PHOTOS

One of my very favorite parts of the wedding day is the reception.  Cocktail hour is perfect for capturing candids of your guests having a good time … the first dance and parent dances are often filled with emotion (did you know that preparing for the first dance is the most nervous I am all day?) … and then I get to eat. :)  No shame here, wedding food is wonderful – and I work hard for it!  And after dinner, the party really gets started and I LOVE stepping onto the dance floor and seeing just how crazy your friends and family will be with my camera right there (I’m usually very pleasantly surprised … maybe it’s the champagne that’s served over dinner …)

My weddings this year took place in Boston, of course, and all over New England.  And two in Seattle (yeah!)  Some of my favorite venues below include Belle Mer in Newport, RI, Saltwater Farm Vineyard in CT, The Towers in Narragansett, Turner Hill in Ipswich, MA, Castle Hill Inn (another beautiful Newport, RI venue), Taj Boston, Boston Marriott Cambridge, DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, The Liberty Hotel, Museum of Science Boston, Four Season Boston, Omni Mount Washington Resort in the White Mountains, The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Wentworth by the Sea Country Club, Rockport Art Association, Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA and a lovely backyard wedding at a private residence.  Enjoy – and let me know if you have any favorites!

BEST OF 2011 WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: PORTRAITS + CEREMONY

Last week I posted some of my favorite getting ready and first look photos, along with a handful of portraits … so today it’s all about the ceremony.  OK, and maybe a few more portraits to get the ball rolling. :)

In 2011 I had the good fortune to photograph in some amazing places, and the photos below came from Seattle (a super cool indie wedding no less), Wentworth by the Sea Country Club, The Connor Family Retreat, The Liberty Hotel (and the Cambodian ceremony the day before at a private home outside Boston), Turner Hill in Ipswich, MA (possibly my favorite estate venue in the area), Belle Mer (my new favorite Newport, RI venue), The Paulist Center in Boston, a private home south of the city, a winter wedding on the beach in Plymouth, MA, Le Meridien in Cambridge, The Boston Marriott Cambridge (an amazing Indian wedding!), The Taj Boston (love that rooftop terrace), The Omni Mount Washington Hotel in the White Mountains (a fairytale venue if ever there was one), Cambridge City Hall (my most intimate wedding of the year with just the couple, myself and the officiant present), an old favorite – Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA, and a number of cute churches dotted around the New England area.  Enjoy!

BEST OF 2011 WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTING READY + FIRST LOOK

Over the last week or so, I’ve looked through each and ever image from the twenty three weddings I photographed in 2011 … and wow, what a year! I originally wanted to choose one photo from each wedding to share in a highlights post, but it quickly became apparent that just one image would never fly. I’ve ended up with just under 150 photos to share with you in three posts, starting with getting ready photos. I’ve also included some favorite details (I can’t get enough of the gorgeous flowers I’ve shot this year) and a few special first look moments. A portrait or two may have sneaked in too.

The photos below come from weddings in grand hotels, such as the Four Seasons Boston and Taj Boston, from couples’ homes, parents’ homes, even tiny rooms in the most modest of hotels and inns … The weddings took place in Boston and all over New England … even two in Seattle … and I photographed Jewish weddings, Christian weddings, my first Indian wedding, my first Cambodian ceremony, and a ton of multi-cultural and non-religious weddings. I’ve experienced the full gamut of emotions, and I hope some of them are apparent below. I’ve seen a whole lot of nervous anticipation, emotional tears, but most of all, excited and delighted couples, full of laughter and huge smiles. Enjoy the highlights reel – with more coming soon!

SIGNATURE WEDDING ALBUM: PATTY + NATE FOUR SEASONS BOSTON

One of my favorite things is receiving new albums in the mail for my clients. Patty and Nate’s wedding at Boston’s Old South Church and The Four Seasons was back in May, but it took us until late fall to put our heads together and design the album.  They ordered a Signature Flush Mount album in pearl leather, and two silk bound parent books.  I don’t have photos of the parent books as they came in just in time to be given to their families for Christmas, but the Signature album takes longer (it’s hand bound in luxurious leather) so I got to take some photos before handing it over.  Happy days!

Here are some of my favorite spreads from the album … it’s so nice reliving this beautiful wedding through the album.