Chasing Dreams Photography has been through many evolutions over the years.
I started photographing people for fun when I was 16, in 1999. Maybe that was my own haphazard way of healing myself after a tumultuous childhood and a trip to juvenile corrections.
I learned during my time incarcerated how important photos could be – how a single photograph could literally see you through the dark. Indeed, I had a photo of the back of my crush’s head. Completely insignificant, yet enough to sustain my tortured, love sick teenage heart for 9 months.
After that, I carried an instant camera everywhere. My bedroom wall was tiled with 4x6s, chronicling my life in Newport, RI.
I learned early the worth of a photograph.
As I took to photography in earnest in 2010, I quickly began to understand the therapeutic value of the photo session itself.
In 2011, I organized a picture party with a few friends. I will never forget how awesome that party was – drinks and food, and the living room strewn with our “potluck” of props, accessories and outfits. Less than two months later, one of those friends passed away and we were left with aching, bittersweet memories and glossy snapshots of her genuine smile and laughter. I watched her husband cry over them and hold them to his chest, whispering between tears, “My beautiful wife.”
I used to think that a boudoir session was the only way to experience an empowering photo shoot (no doubt, boudoir sessions are amazing!), but when we started covering weddings and couples in 2016, I realized that empowerment and inspiration can happen there, too. A photo shoot can facilitate and unexpected connection between people in a way that life cannot.
Your wedding or photo session is a place where you can be free, be silly, be glamorous, be raw and emotional. I believe this experience can be an amazingly therapeutic outlet, for both client and photographer. Surely, nothing quite compares to the good feels you have at the end of a great session!
I (sometimes we) am available for weddings and portrait sessions in southern Vermont, Rhode Island and beyond. I shoot colorful, dynamic, directed and candid. I LOVE moody black & white, also!
I hope we can form a mini friendship throughout the process.
Love,
Mary (& Eric)
Chasing Dreams Photography
Wedding and Portrait Photographers Based in Southern Vermont & Rhode Island.
chasingdreamsphotog@gmail.com