Ascent Photo & Video

06/30/2024

Grow like the wildflowers - scattered in unexpected places, vibrant in your creativity, and radiant in your natural beauty 🌼

06/27/2024

When your wedding is at your family’s summer home, the vibe is pure nostalgia. It feels like a childhood reunion, like stepping back in time with your best friends by your side. All the people you love, gathered in one place, as cozy and familiar as a holiday.

Catering:
Flowers:
DJ:
Cake:
Officiant:
Tent:

Wedding Photography | Vermont Photography | Documentary Photography | Vermont Wedding | Microwedding

06/26/2024

What if your engagement session was a reflection of your unique bond, rather than comprised of generic poses? What if you turned your session into a romantic lunch date, complete with wine and oysters? What if you and your partner laughed your whole way through the session, instead of feeling stiff and awkward?

Well, your photos would look something like this. 🍷

Couples Photography | Vermont Photography | Romantic Photo | Engagement Photo | Documentary Photography

06/26/2024

Hot take: Your kids don’t hate having their photo taken.

They hate the approach. When we let go of the pressure to sit still and smile, the joy finds its way to the camera naturally. Here’s how to make your next session a breeze:

1. Make it an adventure! Instead of telling them you’re going to do a photoshoot, tell them about the fun outing you have planned. Let the camera capture the natural joy of the moment without any forced poses.

1. Embrace the chaos! Kids are meant to explore, play, and be a little wild. So ditch the expectations of perfection and let them be themselves. Whether it’s their favorite game or a chat about their day, keep it natural and watch the magic unfold.

Remember, the best shots come from letting kids be kids!

06/18/2024

Exciting news! I am extending the Pride Month giveaway until June 30th in order to allow more people to enter! 🌈 Follow the steps in slide 2 for a chance to win.

06/18/2024

R & S’s mountain view wedding was timeless, classy, intimate, and joyful. I’m filled with gratitude that I got to be the one to capture it all! Cheers to a lifetime of happiness, you two deserve it!

06/17/2024

I talk a lot about photographing people and how important it is to capture the authentic moments between family and friends on a wedding day. So what’s the point of taking detail shots?

Including photos of the cake, table settings, and venue create your visual story. They tell about the in-between, the setting, the stage on which your story takes place. They paint a complete picture of your wedding day, showcasing not only the people but also the ambiance and aesthetics you worked so hard to orchestrate!

Details deserve to be noticed, appreciated, and photographed.

05/30/2024

I finally did the thing! Go check out my blog

Documentary-style family, couples, and wedding photographer serving US nationwide.

05/28/2024

It just occurred to me the other day that I’ve been doing photography full time for 7 months now 🤯 Actually, 7 months and 7 days.

Ever since I picked up a camera, I knew in my bones that this was meant to be my life path. But for many years I talked myself out of it, letting fear lead the way. It’s easy to let doubt run the show, but eventually it became time to face it.

These past 7 months I’ve felt scared, joyful, proud, passionate, unsure, and everything in between. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you’ve considered turning your passion into a career, this is your sign to do it. No amount of fear can overcome the immense bliss that comes with pursuing what you love.

📷:

05/24/2024

When you look back on your wedding day, what do you want to remember? The way I directed you, moved you, or made you repeat actions or expressions? Or, the genuine emotions and spontaneity that defined the day? In the end, it’s the authenticity that resonates most deeply in our memories and photographs alike.

In the realm of documentary-style photography, it’s about capturing life as it unfolds, embracing the imperfect beauty of genuine moments, even when the light is less than ideal.

Most people don’t consciously consider the nuances of lighting as they go about their day. They’re simply immersed in their experiences, living each moment. We don’t naturally put our back to the sun or avoid shadowy corners. We don’t delay an embrace waiting for the light to shift. To do so would be to sacrifice the beautiful authenticity that unfolds all by itself on a wedding day.

For a documentary photographer, it’s less about orchestrating perfect lighting conditions and more about honoring the raw essence of the moment. We prioritize actions and camera settings over controlling where people stand or how they do things.

If you want a wedding photographer that lets you be YOU, who lets you move throughout your day without the stress of a shot list or contrived poses, I’m your person.

05/18/2024

How do you get authentic family photos without all the stress? As a former preschool teacher, I’ve been there—hoping for picture-perfect moments with little ones. Family photos don’t have to be a struggle! Here’s how:

Keep it moving. This one might seem silly when thinking about capturing still images, but the more movement you can incorporate into your session, the more dynamic your photos become. It adds energy and keeps those kiddos engaged. Plus, dynamic shots are always a hit!

Go with the flow. Tears and tantrums? No problem! Instead of seeing them as ‘ruining’ the shoot, I see them as opportunities for genuine connection. This is a chance to get down on their level, offer a hug, touch noses together, or give a tickle.

Plan ahead. Packing snacks, toys, extra layers, and water ensures you’re ready for anything that comes your way! If you need more suggestions on what to bring or not to bring, just ask your photographer!

05/12/2024

Wishing a joyous Mother’s Day to this incredible woman! The past few years of being a mom and wife haven’t been without their challenges, but your resilience shines through. Grateful for your unwavering support, your consistent updates on our fur babies, for always correcting my grammar, and for never shying away from asking the hard, but important, questions. Excited to squeeze you next weekend!

05/06/2024

Perfect family moments: one kid on a bug safari and the other staging a pacifier protest. Of course the furry kid was most well behaved 😉

05/06/2024

Perfect family moments: one kid on a bug safari and the other staging a pacifier protest.

04/30/2024

Warm weather got me wanting my feet in a river with my camera in my hands 🌸

Throwing it back to when I was doing a ton of creative passion portraits, fueled by collaboration, unique hobbies, and open hearts. Seriously craving this energy right now. Who wants to go play outside??

04/28/2024

Happy happy oh my friend 💜

04/26/2024

When did weddings start revolving so much around the photographer? Collaborating with a photographer who grasps the genuine flow of the day, beyond just capturing moments, enriches your gallery with authenticity. It makes me wonder whether prioritizing photo ops has shifted our focus from experiencing the moment, to forging it. In the long run, will couples and their loved ones gain more from curated images or from genuine memories of their bonds and experiences?

04/26/2024

Your time machine awaits! Nothing like a little Super 8 magic to fuel your nostalgic heart.

04/22/2024

This earth day, let’s pause and embrace acts of kindness toward our shared home. May we strive to coexist harmoniously with the planet, rather than in opposition to it. Here’s a few of my favorite sustainability tips to get you started! 👇

🌎Next time you spill, clean up with a reusable dish cloth rather than paper towels. I swap the dish cloth every couple of days and run the used ones through my regular laundry at the end of the week. See if you can source the cloths from a secondhand shop or by cutting up an old towel!
🌎Thrift your household items instead of buying online or new.
🌎Keep a set of utensils in your car. That way, if you get a snack on the go, you avoid needing single use plasticware.
🌎Collect your veggie scraps in the freezer. Once the bag is full, use the scraps to make broth!

Happy everyone!

03/28/2024

Including little ones on your big day? Here are my top tips for a kid-friendly wedding:

✨Involve them in the ceremony: Whether it’s as ring bearers, flower girls, or junior bridesmaids, let them play a special role. (The kiddo pictured was “ring security”. He had a little badge and everything!)
✨Create a kids’ corner: Set up a designated area with games, coloring books, and snacks to keep them entertained during the reception.
✨Plan activities: Organize fun activities like a scavenger hunt or a dance-off to keep them engaged and happy.
✨Hire a professional sitter: Consider hiring a babysitter to look after the kids during the event, ensuring that parents can relax and enjoy the celebration.

Remember, including kids doesn’t have to be complicated; it adds an extra layer of joy to your special day!

03/27/2024

Dropping in to tell you about a little promotion I'm running this spring!

Friends, if you and your partner want to do a date session for any of the following concepts, I will photograph the session for half off!

Arcade
Bonfire
Library
Foraging
Kite flying
Gardening

Check out more of my documentary-style work at https://www.ascentphotoandvideo.com

03/27/2024

Must-ask questions during your wedding photography consultation:

✨Can you share more examples of your work or a full gallery? Especially weddings similar to our style or venue.
✨What is your booking process and timeline?
✨What’s included in each package? Are there any additional costs or add-ons we should consider?
✨What is your approach to capturing celebrations? Do you lean towards posing or prioritize candids?
✨Do you have an emergency plan, like unexpected circumstances, illness, or equipment failure?
✨How will you work with us throughout the planning process?
✨What is required of us in order to secure our booking? How do you handle contracts and deposits?

Some of these questions might be answered on the photographer’s website, while some may require a deeper conversation. Wedding planning can be chaotic, always speak up if there’s something you’re unsure about!

03/25/2024

What you *always* get when you book a session with me:

✨30 minute initial consultation
✨Style guide to help you decide what to wear
✨Email reminder the day before your session, which reminds you about your time, location, and how to show up feeling amazing!
✨Round the clock text support
✨Follow up email so you never have to guess when and how your photos will be delivered
✨Secure, password-protected online gallery
✨Free downloads of your gallery
✨Prints, albums, and keepsakes available for purchase

After all the horror stories I’ve heard from clients working with other photographers, I’ve made it my mission to ensure my clients get the royal treatment. Everyone deserves to have a seamless, supportive, stress-free photo experience!

03/20/2024

What is a Passion Portrait?

Your passion is an extension of yourself. It’s the thing that makes your heart beat a little faster, the thing you can’t stop talking about once you start. Maybe you turned it into a business, maybe you find the most joy out of doing it simply because you want to.

Passion Portraits are crafted to not only showcase your skills, but also to celebrate the self-love and fulfillment that comes with doing what you love.

These images serve as marketing assets, a source of inspiration, or an invitation for connection over a shared hobby.

Your passion is a story waiting to be told, and I’m here to help you share it with authenticity and flair.

03/18/2024

I could relive S & E’s wedding a million times, and I would still cry happy tears every single time.

02/27/2024

You might be thinking about a photoshoot all wrong.

When I think back to photos with my family when I was a kid, it was all posing, perfectly curated outfits, standing in hot studio lighting in front of a white backdrop. Don’t see any of that on my page? Here’s why.

As someone who’s worked in childcare for 10+ years, I know how much kids love being on the move, exploring their world with awe and curiosity. Their energy and silliness are exactly what we’re looking to capture in our family sessions.

That might look like choosing a special activity you all love to do— like skiing, getting ice cream, or having a camp fire— and centering your session around that. It might mean they get a little dirty, with grass-stained knees and wind in their hair. Or maybe it’s an in-home session where you build a blanket fort and have a pillow fight. The idea is that we are capturing your family at this unique point in time, a time that goes by all too fast. We’re embracing a sprinkle chaos, a big scoop of movement, and a heaping bowl of authenticity.

Sounds like fun, huh?

02/26/2024

So what is documentary-style photography, anyway?

Think of it like having your own personal storyteller. Someone whose job it is to notice every expression, no matter how fleeting, then artfully etch it into permanence.

The moment your daughter’s older brother finally hands over the rock they’ve been playing Keepaway with. The frustration, then the joy, and the triumph – it’s all there, making you feel that sweet sibling bond whenever you glance at it.

How your kiddo’s face turns beet red when they run laps around you, an uneven circle carved in the earth with dirty sneakers. Imagine years from now, still having that perfectly preserved expression.

Or, those rare, almost mythical moments when all three of your children are playing harmoniously. A snapshot of that scene becomes a cherished artifact, capturing the magic of sibling unity and shared giggles.

That’s what documentary-style photography does – it transforms ordinary moments into everlasting memories. No awkward poses, just real-life tales told through the lens.

So, if that sounds like your jam – this style is your golden ticket.

02/22/2024

3/3: Let’s talk packages! Every photographer runs their business differently, and it can sometimes be confusing to know what factors to consider when booking. I’ll fill you in on a little secret… it’s not just about price. There’s no “bang for your buck” when it comes to photography. In a business that’s all about human connection, a valuable photographer goes far beyond the cost.
It’s no secret that wedding photography packages come with some extra hurtles. Which parts of the day should I make sure I have photos of? How long before the ceremony should my photographer arrive? How long into the reception should my photographer stay? Luckily, most wedding photographers will be able to ask the right questions to help you find what feels right, support you with your timeline, and get you the photos you’ve been dreaming of. The graphic you’re seeing here is just an example of some of the collections I can offer you. Custom collections are always available to make sure you get what you need.
Swipe to learn what wedding packages I offer and how they differ!

02/22/2024

2/3: Let’s talk packages! Every photographer runs their business differently, and it can sometimes be confusing to know what factors to consider when booking. I’ll fill you in on a little secret… it’s not just about price. There’s no “bang for your buck” when it comes to photography. In a business that’s all about human connection, a valuable photoshoot goes far beyond the cost. Swipe to learn what couples packages I offer and how they differ!

02/22/2024

1/3: Let’s talk packages! Every photographer runs their business differently, and it can sometimes be confusing to know what factors to consider when booking. I’ll fill you in on a little secret… it’s not just about price. There’s no “bang for your buck” when it comes to photography. In a business that’s all about human connection, a valuable photoshoot goes far beyond the cost. Swipe to learn what family packages I offer and how they differ!