Janelle Carmela Photography, 1 Boston Street, Boston, MA (2024)

12/11/2024

Stop by The Cooperative Bank on Main Street (across from CVS!) to get your picture taken with THE one and only Charlestown Santa Claus 🎅🏼 from 5-7pm.

Photos with me are free! 🎁
But we are taking donations for to help support local families this holiday season. Any amount you can donate will make such a difference!

Let's line the streets and help make every child's Christmas a merry one!

***I had grand plans to really promote this year, but life got in the way!! If you can, please help spread the word by sharing this post to your stories! The last few years we haven't gotten as many people as we had hoped and I know tomorrow has some conflicting events! So please, share away!!

12/02/2024

You know...there's not much I'd bet on, especially when it comes to my kids. But Cecilia nailing her first school photo was one thing I would have put allllll my 💵 on. I had been through the ropes with the boys and their first school photos where they looked like deer in headlights. But Cecilis's first word was "cheeeeese" for heaven sakes--so of course her first photo would look like a glamor shot. No problem.

I got the email from the portrait company and was so excited to read the title "Your Child's School Photos are Ready for Viewing". I clicked that little button so quickly ready to be delighted with a beautiful, albeit, stuffy school photo of my baby girl. At the very least, I'd get a photo of her crying, even though I highly doubted she'd be intimidated by the camera. This girl is afraid of nothing--she walked into daycare on day one smiling and waving and never looked back. You can imagine my surprise when I opened up that email and read the automated message: We were unable to photograph your child."

As it turns out, little Cecilia wouldn't get anywhere near the camera. And, according to my spies (aka clients who happened to be there for their child--my kids can get away with NOTHING in this town...) she was freaking out when it was her turn, but would cheer on all her classmates on when it was their turn; the ultimate hype girl...and really, that's better than any school photo anyway. A supportive friend and someone who lifts up others--if that's who Cecilia ends up being, I couldn't be more proud.

You go, baby girl. 🌈🦄

(Sidenote: I had NO business thinking Cecilia would perform during school photos--I had to work so hard to get the photos of her in the garden and needed the help of a friendly neighbor to execute! Not really sure what High and Mighty planet I was on that day.)

11/13/2024

The benefits of having a two-day soccer tournament on a long weekend? You're free to photograph a surprise proposal.

The benefit of living where you photograph? You know the prime time for golden light.

A few days before Ben proposed to Katie, I had a photo shoot in the Navy Yard and we shot past peek golden hour and somehow, we managed to get the prettiest dusky light. Grateful that when I asked Ben to push his proposal time** back, he asked no questions and deferred to me. His go-with-the-flow attitude helped get this golden light.

**im proud of Ben for doing his research. When he told me his plan of proposing, he knew the golden hour times. I usually have to educate my clients on best times to shoot and we don't always get it for proposals due to other restrictions. Ben's a keeper.

Congratulations to this gorgeous couple! May all your days be as beautiful as this one! ☀️

11/12/2024

This Veterans Day I've extended my gratitude far beyond the troops onto the families of the brave men and women who are protecting our country.

Last January, my friend's family was rocked when her husband (and one of my boys' favorite baseball coaches) was deployed for a 9 month stint overseas, leaving Brittany and her boys home to manage life without him.

Stop and think about that--two boys with very full schedules left to one mom--add the stress and emotion of worrying about your husband's safety to that and helping your children process--I can't even understand how Brittany is managing (let alone finding time and energy to do a mini session!)

Brittany has not only taken this challenge on, she's excelled at making memories with Jack and Tucker while Alex is away; going on ski trips and taking a European vacation with them to name a few. I. AM. IN. AWE. OF. HER. If you tell her that, she'll say something along the lines of surviving by having a village to support her--and while that's true, it's also not giving herself enough credit. I don't know anyyyyyone who could manage what Brittany's been dealt...but she does so with such grace and optimism.

B-you continue to amaze me. You are truly one of a kind and our country is forever grateful for your strength and beauty. Those boys are so lucky to have such a strong set of parents as role models and I feel lucky to have you as my friend! You've almost made it to the end and I know that although this year seemed impossible, you'll hold tight to this incredible time you've spent with your boys. So glad we captured the three of you together. So much love and admiration. ♥️🤍💙

11/05/2024

11/01/2024

We're Route 1️⃣!

Leo is 🏒
Nico is the Orange 🦖 ⛳️by 🍩
Cecilia is the old 🌵 🥩🐄
I'm 🥡🥢
Alex is the Golden Banana 🍌

If you're not familiar, Route 1 is the greatest stretch of highway in Massachusetts with gigantic kitschy roadside commercial architecture; it's completely tacky and absolutley iconic and my favorite route to drive. If Sauce were here, he would have been our Leaning Tower of Pizza and would have completed our look. 🇮🇹🍕🐶

Leo told me last Halloween that he would only be a hockey player and Nico insisted on having a blow up costume--which didn't really work for my family theme UNTIL it dawned on me that we could make Route 1 our theme while driving the boys to camps all summer on that stretch of the road.

Thanks to for being our family photographer and Nico's donut/sidekick!

10/30/2024

I blamed my mom the other day for self-imposing this need to make my kids Halloween costumes, remembering how she sewed every single costume of mine as a kid. She looked at me in shock and said the only reason she made ours was because the store bought ones weren't very good 🤷🏻‍♀️So I've basically been torturing myself to live up to an out-of-date expectation....

Does it stop me? Not at all.

I managed to pull off a family-themed-costume by the skin of my teeth this year even though the boys had strict requests/demands and refused to be swayed. It's a bit of a stretch and is a very niche theme, but if you know it, you'll know it's the 1️⃣. (And I somehow managed to include 🍩).

We will miss having our Saucey Dog with us this year, but Nico picked out something for him to wear in doggy Heaven 🐶💫☁️

2023: WWE 💪🏻🤼‍♀️
2022: Larry Bird and Lucky 🍀 🏀
2021: Super Mario 🍄
2020: Space Men 🪐👨‍🚀
2019: Ninja Turtles 🐢
2018: Dinosaurs 🦖
2017: Elvis and a Hound dog 🕺 🐶
2016: Family Circus 🤡 🎪 🦁
2015: Spaghetti and Meatballs 🍝 and Sauce 🐶

09/23/2024

I introduced you to my cousin's daughter a few days ago, and now you're meeting Alex's cousin's son, Paul. They were both born on the same exact day and we've celebrated all their mikestones at the same time, so it feels only appropriate I share their senior photos back to back.

We feel so lucky to have Paul in our lives, not just because we're partial to him being a family member, but because I couldn't imagine a better role model for our boys. Paul is a great athlete and amazing student, but more than that, he is kind and thoughtful. He'll go out of his way to say hello to us and play with the boys even if it means leaving his friends to do so. He even volunteers his time at church without being asked for goodness sake-could he get any more perfect?! We couldn't imagine a better role model if we tried and if my boys grow up to be half as exceptional as Paul, I'll be grateful.

When we see him out and about, Paul now seems so old to me especially next to my kids...but when I put the camera up to my eye to take his senior photos last month, I saw the same little boy I knew over a decade ago. I cannot believe that next year he'll be in college, but we know he's bound to do something great and we can't wait to be along with him for the ride.

Paul, we love you, you are eternally grateful for what you've modeled for our boys and we wish you all the happiness and success in the world...and of course, more hole-in-ones! ⛳️ ☝️🏌️

09/12/2024

Tonight's the night! Set your alarms for 8pm for your chance to get a mini session! ⏰⏰⏰

Amazing photos in 15 minutes flat! Beautiful images of your family to have and to hold forever and ever...and to smack on a Christmas card to make your friends and family drool.

Space is limited!

Link will be posted in my stories! Have your credit card ready (and be sure to only submit once so you don't get charged twice!)

09/09/2024

My cousin Robert is the only family i have (from my side) in Boston. He grew up two hours away from me, was a number of years older than me, but still always felt like an older brother rather than a cousin. He's a shirt-off-your-back kind of guy and always welcomed me and my friends over to his house for lobster dinners, Bills games and Bison dip (iykyk). Since having a family of my own has always included us in celebrations and holidays, carrying on the traditions of our parents. I don't get to seem nearly often enough, but having him close is a comfort and a blessing.

When he first told us 18 years ago that his wife was pregnant, I was so excited. I waited for Kayleigh to be born with more excitement than I had waiting for my own kids. I rushed to the hospital the to meet her. She was the first of the next generation to be born and being there on her first day was something I refused to miss (thank you to her sweet mother Carrie who welcomed me without throwing me out!) Since then, I've felt lucky to be included in all her "firsts" from her first birthday, to her first communion and soon her graduation. Taking her senior photos flooded me with all these memories and reminded me that time really is a thief. How is it possibly this was the same little girl?

Kayleigh-you have grown into the kindest person. You sparkle inside and out and I know that you are going to leave your mark on the world, and I cannot wait to continue to be there for all your special days. We are proud of you and love you--and I know, for certain, your grandmother is shining down on you and beaming.

09/06/2024

And the last kids to go to school in the world are finally off! Baby girl is still home...for now.

I'll finally be able to get back into the swing of things next week when Cecilia starts daycare (after I sob for at least 1,000 minutes...someone please tell me daycare will be fine. I'm having mild panic attacks about leaving my baby for three long days).

Minis and emails will be answered and announced on Monday--thanks to everyone for being patient during the busy summer days of momming/chauffeuring/entertaining. It's hard but wouldn't change it for the world.

07/30/2024

Grateful for being awarded the Family Favorite photographer again this year! 🎉

Every day I pinch myself that this is what I get to do. That my whole job is getting to see the beauty in people and places and that I get to spend this one-of-a-kind intimate time with neighbors who become friends who become family. Getting an award for doing all this isn't necessary, but definitely the icing on the cake (or should I say donut?) 🥰🤗🍩

Thank you to all my clients who have trusted me year after year to document their lives. I know there's other people you can pick to take your photos, but everytime you pick me, you are part of my actual dream come true! 🌙✨💫

07/22/2024

She's Cheryl. And she's Tasha. And somewhere along our day together I started calling them Chasha, which turned into Sasha, and once I started calling them that, I couldn't stop. (I was shocked when they told me none of their friends or family had melted their names together yet and here I was doing it so freely 🤷🏼‍♀️😳).

Ten minutes into meeting ON their wedding day, I had them sneak onto the wobbly dock in their dresses and heels which got stuck in the holes on the ramp down. If you only knew the thoughts running through my head as I watched them almost fall into the water and knowing it would be my fault if they went in or lost a shoe! 👠

For family photos pre-ceremony, I told them we should NOT do photos by the lighthouse like they wanted and kept telling them we should do them by the gazebo--forgetting to explain that there was a beautiful waterfront area near the gazebo, but implying they'd be standing by a dated wooden octagon structure that didn't fit their vibe for all their photos. They hesitated, but rolled with it and when they saw the space, they understood my vision.

"Sasha" totally trusted me--and told me that over and over in our preplanning sessions and on the day of--even when I know they thought I was nuts. This wedding was shot in bright sunlight with lots of restrictions on location, so we had to get creative, showing how important trust in the vendors you work with is. Had they not, the day and photos, would have turned out so much worse!

I am thrilled that Sasha came into my life! (Thank you !) I have already decided that I am plunging myself into their lives forever and can't wait to hang out with them and their friends and a gaggle of espresso martinis! 🍸 . The love on this day between these two and their friends and family was magical. And I am thrilled to have witnessed it!

Congratulations to Tasha and Cheryl! Hope you dance the night away today and always! 🤍

06/03/2024

When I first started photographing weddings I felt like I was the cool, older sister of my brides…that was NINE years ago. More recently, I’ve been feeling a lot more like an aunt to my couples. And not even a cool aunt—because I feel like my kids have totally sucked all my cool outta me…an aunt that is still rocking her skinny jeans and no-show socks, and telling stories of the past when “I was your age…”. Luckily, my clients are nice enough to pretend I’m not a complete old hag even when I’m telling bad jokes and complaining of back pain. 🙃

Bella and Ryan were married at Granite Links on the most beautiful day. I loved spending the day with them, their families and all their friends. It really was such a joy—even if I realized my son was closer in age to half the guests than I am! 👵🏻

Bella and Ryan, I wish you all the love in the world and all the green tea shots your little hearts desire! 😘💚 .

05/21/2024

I always think it’s funny that the first question people tend to ask when they found out I photograph weddings is whether or not I’ve had any bridezillas. The answer is a hard no. Maybe it’s luck. Maybe it’s a little bit of “your vibe attracts your tribe” (which I only find funny since I, myself, was a major bridezilla) but I get the best brides. They are kind, they are fun, and they know their weddings are about love, not perfection.

When Katie emailed about her wedding and asked if I was free, she made sure i knew it was Mothers Day weekend and wanted to make sure that work wouldn’t interfere with my day knowing I had kids. Thinking about me instead of herself is exactly part of the reason I fell in love with her. That and her immediate love for Bravo and Andy Cohen she also made sure to include in her initial communication.

Katie and Matt’s day was incredibly special and the perfect kickoff to the 2024 season. 🥂

03/24/2024

“Hi janelle :) I wanted to reach out because the photos you took of our wedding are taking on a new, amazing significance.

My beautiful and amazing grandfather is sadly passing. And during this awful heartbreaking time for our family, we’ve taken so much comfort in having the amazing photos of him and my grandma from the wedding. So thank you for giving us that gift of forever being able to see him like this. You have such an amazing job to be able to give people what you have given my family.

Wishing you and yours well ♥️”

I’ve been quiet on IG recently. Have you noticed?

It started with having a 3rd baby and juggling the boys sports schedule…and then I started feeling self conscious that my work wasn’t good enough. I didn’t have time to submit work to get published and I no longer had the bandwidth to do styled shoots and blog and try to increase my following. I kept seeing other photographers grow and I felt like I was falling behind.

But then I went back to why I started photography. Not to be in magazines or have 20K followers. I started photographing because I wanted to leave people with photos that had meaning; that captured memories and people and love.

When I took these pictures at this wedding last June, the thought that they were special crossed my mind—but this was the reminder I needed to know that publishings and likes aren’t my goal. Memories and love are ♥️. And although I’m still juggling how to be a mom and business owner, I know I’m in the exact place I’m supposed to be.

Don’t wait to take the photo—you never know when it may be the last! Thank you to my clients for reminding me of this 💟

02/12/2024

Working on a fun new offering over here and am in search of working with fabulous hair and makeup artists who are able to travel to Charlestown OR who work in the area. Must love having fun and cheering other women on 🤩.

Know of someone who might be interested? Let me know or send them this post. Thanks for helping me find the perfect people to create a kick a$& team 🙌🏻