Photography by Nikki Cole
Feb 17
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 0 comments

How to Prepare for Your Engagement Photos

An engagement is a beautiful time in a couple’s life filled with various parties, choosing décor and spending plenty of time with friends and family. If you’ve recently booked your engagement shoot and want it to go seamlessly, read my tips below! Choosing the Location Think about places that are meaningful to you as a couple such as the proposal location, where you went on the first date or favorite spots such as beaches, forests and gardens. When you have the opposite problem and there are too many wonderful locations, your photographer can help you narrow down your choices to get the best variety with the least amount of travel. What to Wear Pack at least two outfits – one casual and one a bit dressier. Avoid matching your outfits, rather coordinate. If he’s wearing a blue tie, opt for a blue sweater. If she’s wearing a red dress, put on a red coat. Smaller patterns are much less visible in images but statement jewelry, colored shoes and scarves stand out beautifully. Makeup or Natural? Most women opt for makeup for their engagement photos even if they don’t wear it on a day-to-day basis. Even some foundation and mascara goes […]
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Jan 01
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 0 comments

Happy New Year! Best of 2016

Another year has come and gone.  I’m floored to say this is the busiest year Photography by Nikki Cole has ever had.  I’m honored and grateful to have been trusted by so many wonderful people to capture their precious memories in photographs.  As has become tradition, I’d like to share some of my favorite images from 2016’s weddings.  Having photographed so many gorgeous and unique weddings this year, I found it difficult not to post hundreds of wedding images!  But this year, I’m staying true to my new year’s resolution to keep life simple and special.  I’ve chosen my favorite 15 images from each part of the day to post.  I tried to concentrate on the most special images and moments of the year.  My very favorite.  Of course, this means I’ve left so many photographs that I absolutely love on the cutting room floor.  So I hope you’ll take some time to browse through my blog and wedding galleries if you find yourself wanting more.  You’ll notice I chose to not include a single detail photo.  I chose to concentrate on what my wedding photography does best…telling the story.  I chose moments captured in time.  And most of these […]
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Dec 30
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 0 comments

Laura and Andrew – Paine Estate Winter Wedding

Winter weddings are so romantic, especially when you get just a little bit of snow.  Laura and Andrew’s wedding was the perfect winter setting!  They hosted their ceremony and reception at the Paine Estate, a historical home in Massachusetts.  The house had a traditional New England flair that was perfect for a winter wedding.  We woke up that morning to a few inches of snow, so the grounds were covered and sparkling.  The house was decorated for the holidays and everything seemed magical.  Laura went right along with the holiday theme with her decor.  Now I have to admit, when I hear a client tell me they are going with some romantic holiday decor, I start to worry.  It’s very easy to go overboard with that kind of theme!  But Laura’s taste was impeccable.  The tables were dressed in just the right color red and just enough accents of white.  It truly was romantic and elegant with a touch of holiday flair.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.   I arrived a bit early and was able to shoot some of the beautiful snow covered landscape.  It looked just dreamy.  When Laura arrived, we started […]
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Dec 22
by Nikki Cole in Engagement, Photography Blog 0 comments

You’re Engaged, Now What!?

First Steps After Getting Engaged! Couples fall in love and get married every day.  But prime engagement season is known to start on Thanksgiving and end around Valentine’s Day in February of the following year. Sharing this moment with family and friends is a blast.  But don’t be afraid to take some time (a few hours or even a day or two) to relish the moment together.  When you’re ready to share this important decision, call those closest to you! You don’t want your siblings finding out about your engagement on Facebook before you’ve had a chance to call.  After you called your relatives and shared the exciting news with the world, you should take the time to sit down and begin to make the big picture decisions about your wedding.  Who do you want to share this special day with?  Should it be a casual day or a formal affair? If you’re not quite ready to get into all the crazy details of planning a wedding, you can delay by spending time celebrating your engagement with all your friends and family. Be aware, one of the many questions that you will be asked during your engagement celebration is “When […]
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Jan 17
by Nikki Cole in Engagement, Wedding Portfolio 0 comments

The Benefits of an Engagement Shoot

The engagement period in a couple’s life can be a beautiful, memorable time that should be captured gracefully through the lens of a professional photographer. The difference between your wedding photos and engagement photos is that your wedding is celebrated with your family and friends, but an engagement shoot is all about the two of you. There are great reasons on why you shouldn’t pass up the occasion for having a pre-wedding photoshoot! Having an engagement photoshoot is the perfect way to practice for the big day! An engagement shoot can help lighten your discomfort if you sometimes feel awkward with professional photography. You’ll have a chance to look at your photos and discover if there are certain looks you love or want to avoid.  It’s also a great opportunity to build confidence and comfort in front of the camera. By the time your wedding day comes, you’ll learn to stop focusing on the camera and more on each other. One of the many advantages of having an engagement shoot is the comfortable rapport you will develop with your photographer. The engagement shoot is a slower, more deliberate session since the timeline is not as crucial.  It gives you time […]
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Dec 03
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 2 comments

Lauren and Anthony – Saphire Estate, Sharon, Massachusetts

I have to thank my good friend John LaRoche for referring me to Lauren Anthony.  I wonder if he know just how perfect this match was!  Anyone who knows me well knows I’m a proud geek.  I have Star Wars paraphernalia scattered around my home and a Harry Potter book going at all times.  When I know I have hours of editing to do, I put on the extended director’s cut of Lord of the Rings.  Lauren and Anthony are totally my people!  I knew this at their engagement shoot at the Arnold Arboretum.  We walked into a beautiful wooded area and one of them whispered “This looks like the Shire.”  I was in love.  At their wedding at Saphire Estate, Lauren and Anthony used a Lord of the Rings sword to cut their cake, a Honey Dukes sign straight out of Harry Potter at their candy table  and songs from both soundtracks scattered throughout the entire day.  It was so much fun!  Here are a few of my favorite images from the day. Lauren and Anthony got ready right at Saphire Estate.  It was a sweet, calm start to the day.  I absolutely love the detail in Lauren’s dress […]
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Nov 27
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 0 comments

Halle’s Bat Mitzvah, Pinebrook Country Club, Weston, Massachusetts

I was so thrilled to be able to work with Elisabeth from Upon a Star Events on this absolutely fabulous Mitzvah!  Elisabeth really does have her finger on the pulse of that generation and what they want in an amazing Mitzvah celebration.  No cheesy themes for this young woman.  Just a gorgeous, sleek looking room.  Halle had her own slick logo, which Upon a Star events had on the sleek, white dance floor, contemporary glass coffee tables, sequined pillows, hors d’oeuvre trays and even a snap chat filter!  Here are some of my favorite images from the day.   The late afternoon light and gorgeous fall foliage were the perfect backdrop for formal photos.  It may have been a bit chilly, but the entire family were great sports! I don’t always get to photograph the actual ceremony.  But Halle’s intimate ceremony was right on site and I was able to get a few images of such a special part of the day. The ballroom was just dreamy looking.  It was transformed into a swanky night club with dramatic lighting and a great stage for the kids to dance on. I love shooting Mitzvah’s.  Kids and adults dance with abandon.  There […]
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Nov 19
by Nikki Cole in Boston, Photography Blog, Sweet Sixteen 0 comments

Ashley’s Sweet Sixteen Bash, Taj Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts

When you want the most slammin’ Sweet Sixteen celebration ever, where do you turn?  Simeral and Co. of course!  Ashley’s bash was at the rooftop ballroom of the gorgeous Taj Hotel in Boston.  The rooftop sports a truly singular view of the twinkling lights of Boston.  It was the perfect compliment to swanky, sparkling decor in the ballroom.  Pink and blue lighting surrounded  the black and white dance floor with shadow boxes for the go-go dancers.  That’s right, go-go dancers!  Guests arrived and got to the party on the dance floor immediately.  No boring formalities for this teen superstar!  Here are some of my favorite images from the day. I arrived a bit early to get some portraits of the birthday girl.  I had hoped to photograph her in the late afternoon light in the Public Garden.  But the guest of honor wasn’t quite ready yet.  We lost the light, but not the beauty!  The Friday night bustle of Newbury Street was the perfect backdrop for this elegant young lady.  When life gives you lemons… Nicole Simeral never fails to deliver.  The rooftop ballroom was just gorgeous.  It looked like a swanky nightclub.  My favorite detail?  Definitely the sequin pillows! […]
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Nov 04
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 0 comments

Nicole and Paul – Sea Crest Beach Hotel, Cape Cod

Over the years I been honored to become a part of several important events in my client’s lives.  And occasionally, I get the opportunity to work with multiple family members.  That’s a real treat for me!  Working the second wedding feels like a family affair.  I got that chance with Nicole and Paul, and it was a blast.  I photographed Nicole’s sister Sarah’s wedding years ago and have since done maternity and baby sessions with them.  I just love the Smith family!  They’re fun loving and down to earth.  That easy and fun spirit was a necessity at Nicole’s wedding as the weather was no cooperating that day!  That weekend was the windiest weekend I’ve ever shot, and we were right on the beach.  All of the festivities were at Cape Cod’s Sea Crest Beach Hotel.  With the rain on and off, the seaside wedding ceremony they wanted was out.  But I was determined to get them outside for a first look and some formals.  Nicole and Paul were totally game.  They’re great sports!  Thank you Mother Nature for holding the hard rain off for that.  And thank you to Lisa George Hair and Makeup.  Nicole’s hair didn’t move an […]
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Oct 29
by Nikki Cole in Photography Blog 0 comments

Katelyn and Corey – The Lenox Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts

Katelyn came to me through a former couple, Kate and John whom I absolutely love and adore!  So I was pretty sure Katelyn, Corey and I were going to have a blast working together.  I was right!  I knew immediately at our engagement session that Katelyn and Corey were meant for each other.  They were so easy together.  Everything was just light and fun.  We started Katelyn and Corey’s wedding day getting ready at the Lenox Hotel.  The hotel has gorgeous Boston charm.  They were married at their neighborhood church, Saint Mary’s in Charlestown.  We took all our formal photos a short walk away at the Bunker Hill Monument.  The late afternoon light was just gorgeous.  Then we headed back to the Lenox Hotel where we were able to sneak up to the roof and take some fabulous evening shots before the big celebration was kicked off!  Here are some of my favorite images from the day.   Katelyn was just gorgeous on her wedding day.  And you don’t have to go very far to see where she gets her looks.  Check out how stunning her mom is!  Katelyn incorporated an important and touching memorial to her brother who is […]
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