Photographic Philosophy of Robert Castagna

bride and groom

2012-01-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Getting ready can be one of the best times to photograph a wedding day. The anticipation and excitement build as the long awaited wedding day is finally here! The bride and groom have a different way of "getting ready" I find. Make up, hair, flowers and mom - these are all part of the bride's moments. Rings, cheers, toasts and a final group picture make for a grooms preparation. Similar for sure, but different nonetheless. All of my wedding day coverages and packages provides unlimited time. Key so that all of those preparatory moments are captured - right to the very end of the wedding day.

Happy Engagement!

2012-01-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Engagement!!!

It's a well known fact that December is the month when the most wedding proposals occur. For some reason the gift of a diamond or the promise of a life lived together seems to be the thing to do during the Holiday Season. In fact, I too proposed in December on a cold winter's night in Concord MA. With that goes the planning of the wedding day and possibly engagement pictures.

Engagement photographs have come a long way since the posed portrait of two people in black and white listed in the local newspaper. Now they are used to share on facebook, print pictures for family and friends, use on the wedding day's guest book and just plain fun.

I think you will find these engagement pictures quite fun and different. The weather conditions vary just as much as the New England climate. Fun in the snow, engagement pictures along the Cambridge MA side of the Charles River made for bright and fun memories. Or how about Fenway Park, where the couple first met? If the Red Sox weren't enough, how about the couple that donned Boston Bruin's jerseys? Or maybe at MIT, again where you first connected. Or in the North End's Christopher Columbus Park, the Boston Public Gardens? As you can see the sky's the limit and imagination leads to great pictures!

I wish you all a happy engagement!

a great year

2011-12-29T13:09:00.000-08:00

I took a moment to look back at the year 2011 and selected just a few images to showcase my beautiful Boston brides and grooms. The moments were special, and a realize more and more how special it is that I am allowed to play a part in these moments. Moments like these: two sisters sharing emotion before the wedding ceremony, the happy couple walking down the aisle, a quiet stroll in the park, parading past the Paul Revere statue in the North End, mom and dad walking into the reception hall, a limo ride for two, wedding couples prancing together, brides entering the church or falling on the dance floor, couples posing at their favorite locations and beautiful Asian bridesmaids dressed in traditional pink!

As I review the moments of 2011 I am honored that the families allowed me, a relative stranger to take part in their day. And as I look back, I realize that I am no longer a stranger but a fortunate photographer that connected with people on their wedding day.

So, to all the brides and grooms of 2011. I look forward to another great year in 2012. Happy New Years!

Thank you!

2011-12-15T10:42:00.000-08:00

I love hearing back from brides, grooms and clients about their wedding and event day experiences. Here are a recent few!

"Thank you for amazing pictures at our wedding. We love them all. And loved working with you." Kathy and Kevin

"Robert.... The photos are fantastic! What a wonderful job you did. You captured the spirit, energy and fun of the entire weekend. You have allowed us to keep the memory of that special time for a lifetime!" Victoria, mother of the groom

"Thank you so much for the album. I love it and its beautiful. Thanks once again for an amazing job!!!" Flore and Kers

"These pictures are so beautiful!! You really capture scenes wonderfully. Thank you soooooo much for everything!!" Anna

unique moments

2011-12-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

I was reviewing some of my most memorable wedding day events and looking at what made them memorable and special from a photographer's perspective. I've selected pictures from four weddings over the past couple years that particularly captured my imagination. There was the wedding in the North End, where a bag piper escorted the group through Boston's Italian section almost in parade-like fashion, while people cheered. It was a moment not to be forgotten. There was the chair lift ride on a beautiful summer day. Or that special Boston restaurant chosen as the wedding venue because that was where the wedding couple had their first date. And then there are those cultural elements, Boston's melting pot of diversity which lends itself to color and uniqueness being celebrated.

All in all these wedding days were filled with couples that truly wanted to celebrate and create moments that were unique and special. As a photographer I seek these things out. Not only in my event photography but in my art work. What is that unique viewpoint? What is different and special about how I both look at my life and live it? That is what makes my job so special. I thank all of the wedding couples and families this past year that allowed me to share in their special moments. Thank you!

beautiful and amazing

2011-12-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

"Dear Robert, Thank you so much for your professional and beautiful photography at our wedding! Your laid back approach and eye for beauty made our pictures more amazing than we ever could have dreamed. I will certainly recommend you to anyone needing a photographer! Laura and Matt"

I recently returned from Italy to find this beautiful note from Laura and Matt. They had a terrific day at the Saphire Estate and it was a pleasure to be a part of it!

MIT engagement photography

2011-11-04T12:34:00.001-07:00

I had a great time recently taking photographs in the autumn leaves and foliage with Anna and Brad. We waited until the leaves were just right and got to the MIT campus at 8 AM to catch the vibrant golden sun as it shed its light from the Boston side to the Cambridge side. As you can see we had lots of fun in our engagement photography session, using nature, memorial drive, the Boston backdrop over the Charles River and MIT itself. These are just a few of the many pictures from the morning. I look forward to Anna and Brad's wedding day next year!

boston north end wedding

2011-10-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Getting married in Boston's North End? Well, how about a beautiful ceremony at Saint Leonard, followed by a stop at Caffe Vittoria's and then a walk through the streets to the tune of a bag piper? If you are like me, you love it! The North End is Italian, and so am I. That's why I love to photograph there. The people are great, the cafes, streets and even the fire station is great!

I want to give the family and friends of Nadia and Sam a big thank you for including me in their special day. And I wish Nadia and Sam a long and prosperous life together. Salute!

rockport wedding

2011-10-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I was in Rockport MA photographing a beautiful wedding. Motif #1, the red barn, was used as a backdrop for a few pictures and of course the limo drive there made for some fun pictures as well.

autumn weddings

2011-10-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

An Autumn wedding in New York or New England is probably one of my favorite times of the year to get married. The cool, crisp air along with the changing foliage makes for a terrific backdrop to any wedding day. Add a lake and a beautiful couple and you have the makings for terrific wedding photography. My friends Jenny and Jens got married this past weekend and they had a fantastic celebration. I wish them a bright and fun future together!

wedding albums

2011-10-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Wedding albums are a great way to share your memories for generations to come. My packages include as an option custom albums. Since many enjoy sharing pictures online, or making their own wedding albums, the option to order an album is completely up to you, the client.

If you decide to have an album designed, you select the pictures and I personally make the design. The design is sent to you for review and then it goes to printing and binding. The album is completely customized by us. Here's a letter I received today:

"We were looking for an album which could bring our wedding to life for years to come, and that's exactly what this album does. The great work you have done will stay with us for years to come. Our kids and grand kids will know your name. From the bottom of our heart we thank you greatly!"

That's what custom wedding albums are all about!

party pictures

2011-09-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

If you are like me you enjoy a good party. That's why when all of the formalities are over I love to photograph party pictures at the wedding. (Note: I also love to photograph party pictures at Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah events too as you can see here: boston mitzvah photographer.)

I provide unlimited time which allows opportunity not just for great getting ready pictures but also when everyone finally starts to get loose and have fun. It's at this time that the dancing really starts, all the guests get to join in in the fun, and the bride and groom finally get a chance to relax and enjoy the celebration.

All the above photographs were taken at wedding celebrations at the Saphire Estate. I highly recommend the venue for your party!

the candid pose

2011-09-24T13:26:00.001-07:00

By the phrase "the candid pose" I mean the moments in between. Often times the emotion can swell up on a wedding day. Posed pictures become moments of joy, tears and happiness. It is the "in between" moments that can be the favorite pictures of the day. Candid photographs capturing the emotion and fun are by far the best and are what I seek out the most. Living the moment on your wedding day and experiencing its joy is what it is all about.

catching up!

2011-08-24T14:20:00.001-07:00

If you've been keeping track of my wedding blog posts you might have noticed a void lately. With a recent road trip (capturing images for a future gallery exhibit) and a current exhibition at The Art Complex Museum I've been busy. But I've also been busy photographing terrific weddings throughout the Boston area. Now I play catch up with my wedding posts.

As you can see above, a wedding day has many facets. There are the close up details, the spontaneous moments of emotion and fun and the celebratory kiss along the Charles River overlooking the skyline of our great city of Boston. Here's what Emily had to say about her wedding pictures!

"Hi Robert. I want you to know what a fantastic job you did. I absolutely LOVE the pictures. Each one is better than the next! You did a great job capturing our day without being intrusive. The photo albums arrived yesterday too and again - we had so much fun looking through. If you ever need anyone to provide a reference for you, we'd love to help in any way we can. Thank you again for helping make our special day truly special!"

The wedding was held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel of Boston which is a great venue.

In addition I worked with a fantastic videographer named Mike from Black Tie Video. I don't typically give shout-outs to videographers as I don't always get a chance to see their work. However Mike not only shot the video for the day and was great to work with, but he also created an amazing video presentation for the bride and grooms entrance to the reception. This was done while I was shooting group and couple pictures outdoors. I was highly impressed and would highly recommend him. So be sure to check out the Black Tie Video link above!

the brides day

2011-08-24T14:10:00.001-07:00

On this wedding day, we started at 8 in the morning and headed for the dock to take some dramatic pictures of the bride. It was a fantastic day and lots of fun as the dock was right next to her house. After the ceremony, the bridesmaids and the bride had fun bustling the wedding dress in preparation for the first dance and the party soon to follow!

"Hi Robert. Thank you for shooting our wedding. It was a pleasure working with you. I can't tell you how many guests approached me and said how personable, un-intrusive, and professional you were. You truly helped make our day special. The pictures look beautiful. With sincere gratitude, Kathy and Kevin."

It was my pleasure, as always, to take part in their day!

Villa Wedding

2011-08-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

I photographed a beautiful wedding at The Villa in East Bridgewater Massachusetts recently. It was lots of fun celebrating with Lisa and Anthony. The grounds of The Villa have recently been enhanced so that gorgeous outdoor ceremonies can be had and picturesque settings exist for the wedding couple.

Here's what the bride and groom had to say:

"Thank you so much Robert. You did such a wonderful job with the pictures. Thank you for capturing the moments of our special day."

beach wedding

2011-08-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

I love weddings when we get to use the beach and other great locations for pictures. Jerry and Katelyn had a terrific ceremony and many great moments throughout the entire day. When the trolley pulled up to the beach, the sun was coming down and the clouds were providing their magic in the sky, filtering the sun and giving a fantastic glow.

Here's what the wedding couple had to say:

"Hey Robert, the pictures are beautiful! Everyone loves them! Everyone was raving about how great your timing was for pictures and how relaxing the pictures felt. It was great! We will definitely recommend you to others for events and contact you for other events down the road."

Their comments made my day!!

What's up lately...

2011-08-16T16:48:00.001-07:00

As everyone knows I love to photograph Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs and I have lots of blog posts from recent weddings to post. However recently I’ve been busy putting together a new show for the Art Complex Museum of Duxbury Massachusetts and I wanted to share what I’ve been up to lately. It will be on display until October 2nd and my artist reception is scheduled for this Sunday, August 21st from 1:30 to 3:30. In addition I just returned from another road trip in my continuing project documenting the road. Hopefully this will bear fruit for a new exhibition of work at Rolly-Michaux Gallery in the Spring of 2012. In addition I’ve been busy with my new website entitled Boston Art Life. For more information on my art project visit Castagna Studio!

focus, fun and finish

2011-07-14T10:05:00.001-07:00

I was speaking to my assistant while driving home from a beautiful wedding (just look at the pictures above), and we started playing around with some of the key ingredients to photographing an event day. I often say it is time to FOCUS. It hardly needs explanation, but the term helps direct our attention on the day at hand and see its unfolding. At the same time, I love what I do. All events whether they are weddings or Bar Mitzvahs or whatever, are celebrations and a celebration is always fun in my mind. So FUN became the second mantra of our slogan. However we felt one final word was necessary and after some discussion came up with FINISH.

Thus FOCUS, FUN and FINISH became our maxim of the day and of all event days really. It sums up the component ingredients of photographing any day. The FINISH is never taking your eye off the action until the end. This can mean waiting for that spontaneous laugh, or just seeing the wedding couple at their final dance.

What do you think are the key ingredients to great event pictures?

Amazing Boston Wedding!

2011-07-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

I've entitled this "Amazing Boston Wedding" because it was! I love weddings where everyone is having a good time and LIVING THE DAY. It's true that it is one of the most planned and important days of a lifetime but for that same very reason it's true that one must enjoy it and experience the fun. From getting ready (see previous blog post), to coming down the aisle (I love the flower children), to the ceremony and beyond we had a great time capturing the moments. Here's what the bride had to say:

Hi Robert,

I want to let you know what a fantastic job you did. I absolutely LOVE the pictures. Each one is better than the next! You did a great job capturing our day without being intrusive.

The photo albums arrived yesterday too and again- we had so much fun looking through.

Also- if you ever need anyone to provide a reference for you, we'd love to help in any way we can.

Thank you again for helping make our special day truly special!

-Emily

reviews and being ready

2011-06-29T18:23:00.001-07:00

Just like the bride getting ready for the wedding day, I like to get ready and prepare for the event day. First, shooting pictures of the bride getting ready is lots of fun. There's an air of anticipation, excitement and tension underlying the joy of the moment. That's what I love to capture. But of course for me, it takes lots of preparation. I like to arrive early, in this case, Emily was getting ready at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge - a great venue! I arrived early to orient to the grounds, ceremony room and the flow of the day.

Preparation makes the moment easy and fun. It's about being there and just letting the moments happen. Here's a batch of recent reviews and comments from clients:

We got the album today and it is beautiful. Thank you so much for all you have done for us.

I LOVE IT!!!!!! Thank you so much! You did a GREAT job!!!

Thank you so much! We love them!

Thank you so much for the pictures!!! They look great!!!

Again, thank you SO much. I love your work!

Summer Wedding

2011-06-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

Click on any picture to enlarge!!

There's nothing like a perfect summer wedding and Liz and Eric had just that this past weekend with terrific weather and a great venue. The Saphire Estate in Sharon Massachusetts was the location, and with recent renovations its becoming an even more popular spot for events!

wedding couple II

2011-06-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Photographed a beautiful wedding this past weekend in and about Providence Rhode Island. The above pictures were taken at the Statehouse in Providence RI. We had perfect weather as it was beautifully sunny but not too hot. After posed family pictures I took the wedding couple around the grounds for some intimate pictures. I used a golden reflector on the top two photographs so as to be sure to provide enough light on the wedding couple. Cathy and Roger were lots of fun to work with and the pictures came out great!!

wedding couple

2011-05-31T18:09:00.001-07:00

I was photographing a wedding in Hudson Massachusetts this past weekend and after the ceremony and family pictures were done we took a little walk to a bridge that was just down the dirt road. We were warned not to go down the road as it was muddy, but Brianne the bride was game for it and the setting sun was perfect. Her bravery was well paid off. Along the way we stopped for some posed pictures but as always the more candid pictures make for those decisive memories and great moments. Providing a bit of space and time for the couple to relax and take in the day, I sometimes photographed from afar making for a beautiful candid moment.

chinese wedding

2011-05-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

I had a great time photographing a Chinese and Vietnamese wedding this past weekend. It started early in the morning with tea ceremonies and beautiful pink dresses. Then a change into the traditional American wedding dress and a gorgeous ceremony overlooking the Boston skyline. I really like experiencing the different cultures and seeing the way various cultures express their wedding traditions.

Boston wedding moments

2011-05-14T09:20:00.001-07:00

My favorite wedding moments are the intimate moments together. They are usually shared by the newly weds shortly after the ceremony and provide a time for reflection in an often fast-paced day. It is my job to document such moments in an unobtrusive way. Above you can see moments shared at the Boston Public Garden. The Lagoon Bridge provides a romantic and iconic Boston backdrop. As black and white photographs they become timeless memories. There is nothing that captures the mood and expression of the event like photojournalistic candids. I always advise to be yourself and pretend I'm not there. I could never pose such wonderful pictures.

Boston engagement pictures

2011-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

An engagement session is a great way to commemorate a wedding pledge and commitment and shooting engagement pictures can be lots of fun. For example Greg and Emily met at The Place in Boston (a restaurant and bar) so we started our photography session there. With stops at Faneuil Hall we then made our final destination Christopher Columbus Park along the Boston Harbor. We had a great time, being creative and finding beautiful spots along the way using the trees, leaves, benches and trellis of the park.

With a booked wedding date, an engagement session is $150 and provides you with a disc of over one hundred engagement photographs in high resolution and fully edited for your own use. Please contact me to see if your wedding date is available and best of luck in your wedding planning!

Boston Art Life

2011-04-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is doing well. I want to promote a new website that my wife and I just launched called the Boston Art Life. It's a great new venture and social network devoted to promoting the artist lifestyle, fostering creative ideas and sharing those ideas amongst artists. Please take a few moments to look it over, make comments, join the facebook fan page and twitter feed. In addition to online space for artists we will be holding regular public art salons providing real space for artists and creative individuals to share. All the best!

wedding photography styles

2011-04-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation with a wedding client recently and I asked what it was that attracted her to my photography. Her answer was the "candid" photographs that she saw on my website. This led me to think a bit about my style and the various styles of wedding and event photography that exist. There is a more "traditional" style of photography that seems to center on posed pictures and recreating moments. On the opposite extreme is "photojournalism" which never poses a shot and relies completely upon the unadulterated moment. Yet again, there is another style which I would classify as "artistic". I'm sure there is a better name for this, but I would put those photographers who concentrate on highly stylized and often photoshopped pictures in this category. These pictures can be posed or candid but rely heavily upon editing techniques after the fact. I think all of these styles are great, have their due and that there isn't one particular overall style that I would fall in. Often weddings and events require a blend of styles. However there is a certain picture that I work for which would be a candid picture captured at the height of emotion and fun. It would be that decisive moment of action or celebration! Those make the best picture and require an aware anticipation.

wedding party shots

2011-04-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Wedding party shots are fun and a large part of the full wedding day. I provide full service and capture all the fun and down-right party atmosphere at the reception. At this time you'll see your guests having a great time, moving with the music and celebrating. In addition you'll find those tender moments where the wedding couple is caught off guard, providing that candid moment that will be THE memory.

Contact me to book your wedding at info@robertcastagna.com. I photograph weddings in Boston and throughout New England and would love to travel to your special destination spot to be a party of your day.

boston events

2011-04-04T13:51:00.001-07:00

This was another great party and event held at Faneuil Hall in Boston and the Intercontinental Boston Hotel. The event was planned by none other than Twist Events!

For starters there was an inauguration at Faneuil Hall with U.S. Senators Scott Brown (pictured above) and John Kerry. After the party there was great food, spectacular decor and fantastic dance music. It was another great event to shoot and as always I have to tip my hats to the terrific event planners that make it all so special! In Boston we have some of the best event venues and planners that make my job easy and fun.

boston event photography

2011-04-04T13:34:00.001-07:00

Janie Haas and Billy Costa

Great events are a complete joy to photograph. This one started out with terrific planning by Janie Haas Events. The room decor and lighting are essential to set the mood. Then of course fabulous food and appetizers help get the crowd set up for a fun evening of dancing and fund-raising. In this Boston event held at the Artists for Humanity located in South Boston a fantastic charity event was held to support Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly. Every year I photograph this event. Billy Costa runs a fun and energetic live auction and a host of vendors volunteer their time and services. It's a great cause that I recommend you check out!

Taj Boston rooftop

2011-03-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Roof at the Taj Boston is a unique space for an event. The above elegant table setting was laid out on The Roof event space located on the top of the Taj. The Bliss Celebrations Guide just came out with their first issue which features a page spread on the Taj, an event I photographed some years ago. I highly recommend following the link to the celebrations guide and browsing their E-ZINE available to be perused right on the web. It's a great magazine with pages and pages of ideas and beautiful photographs to help you plan your next celebration!

best of class

2011-03-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

I was just recognized as 2011 Wedding Professional - Best of Class by Momentville - a cool website devoted to weddings. That's awesome and really appreciated! As my Bar Mitvzah and Bat Mitzvah season starts to wind down I'm looking forward to photographing all of those special moments for wedding couples! There are still a few dates open, and I'm always looking to book for next year and even the next!! Hope to hear from you soon.

wedding party

2011-03-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

I love a good party! From the wedding toasts to the joy of simply letting loose on the dance floor, all the aspects of the wedding party are a joy to capture. I like getting right onto the dance floor capturing the bride and groom, as well as all the guests having fun and celebrating the union. It's great fun!

under the chuppah

2011-03-02T07:31:00.000-08:00

Weddings under the chuppah can be very special. Here we have a beautiful wedding day in Sharon Massachusetts at the Saphire Estate. One of the reasons I truly enjoy photographing weddings under the chuppah is the fact that family and friends that are important and meaningful to the couple are all around them. No matter where you look there is someone playing a key part of the couples lives and adding to the overall emotion and joy of the wedding day.

Chuppah, also spelled huppah, is a long standing wedding tradition in the Jewish faith. For more information about that tradition visit wedding huppah.

life, fun, emotion

2011-02-19T09:31:00.001-08:00

After photographing many years I've finally decided what it is that I like to truly capture during an event: life, fun and emotion! My tag line has always been "capturing the moment as it unfolds". That symbolized a perceptive and aware ability to tell the story of a wedding or event day. But as I've progressed I've noticed that the moments that are most special involve the dramatis personae (fancy term for bride, groom, etc.) living their moment at the height of emotion.

So if you want to celebrate, live, have fun and reveal all of your emotion, I'd love to photograph your day!

winter wedding

2011-01-27T13:08:00.001-08:00

Nothing like taking advantage of the winter weather! It was great going out and celebrating with Sam and Maria after their ceremony. In this winter wedding the reception was at the Providence Biltmore and the skating rink was just outside making for a fantastic and fun quick get-away!

"Dear Robert - Sam and I wanted to thank you for our wedding photos. We really love the many images and especially how the final coffee table album turned out. We also very much appreciated your unobtrusive style while taking pictures yet somehow catching all the meaningful moments of the day. Please feel free to use us as a reference in the future. Thank you again."

New look

2011-01-13T12:11:00.001-08:00

I thought the New Year deserved a new look! Therefore I revamped my website so that the pictures were upfront, big and easy to see. I hope you like the change!

Above is a beautiful wedding that started and ended at the Lenox Hotel in Boston. The couple pictures were taken in the cold at the Boston Public Garden after the ceremony.

Lastly, I'd like to say a few things about reviews. I always appreciate the feedback from wedding, and event clients. So please keep them coming!! Now, more than ever, online reviews on various other sites are becoming quite important. Both for social networking, search ratings and just plain verification that your business is an excellent one. Makes sense to me!

For that reason reviews can be done at various other aggregate sites such as The Knot Forum, Yelp, Insider Pages, etc. Here is a site I like:

Robert Castagna Photography on Insider Pages

Boston holiday wedding

2010-12-22T11:25:00.001-08:00

My good friends Matt and Pene just had a beautiful holiday wedding ceremony right in Boston. I loved using the raw brick as a backdrop for photos. After the ceremony we made our way over to the Boston Esplanade where we braved the cold (especially Pene!) and had some fun taking pictures using the Charles River and the Mass Avenue Bridge as yet another scenic backdrop. I love to use signature environments that define the space and place. Congratulations Matt and Pene!!

The lost ring

2010-12-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

When one hears about the "lost ring" one may conjure up images of the Tolkien trilogy and Frodo. But believe it or not the lost ring in this case is a wedding ring and it fortunately was not lost forever nor did the groom need to travel to Mordor. But as you can see he did need to roll up his sleeves and pants and climb down into the watery depths!! Quite amazing and really quite fun!!

I'm offering a special right now!! I'll blog about it further as the holiday season moves forward. But here it is. Currently I can add a second photographer to your event for only $500. This is an added value, providing you with a second look into your special day. Mention the "Holiday Boston Photographer Special" to get this great benefit. Offer will end on January 1st 2011!!

To inquire about my packages just email me at info@robertcastagna.com.

Boston wedding photographer

2010-11-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

This beautiful series of photographs unfolded in about one minute. After having the bride take a seat in the wrought iron chair for two I then just allowed the chemistry between the two to unfold and snapped away.

If you are looking for a photographer in the Boston or New England area please don't hesitate to contact me. If you have special needs or are working within a specific budget I'm always willing to work with you.

boston gay weddings

2010-11-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

I had a great time photographing this past weekend. I had two weddings. The above pictures were taken in Fairhaven Massachusetts. If you are getting married in Boston or anywhere in New England area don't hesitate to contact me to see if I'm available. Boston gay, lesbian, same sex weddings, lgbt and civil union wedding clients are all welcome. I'm currently booking dates for 2011 and 2012!

Boston wedding review

2010-11-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

Oh my God we LOVE the pictures!

Dear Robert: We'd like to thank you for being such an amazing photographer!!! Your personality was transparent and you provided a calm support throughout the evening. We noticed that you were always there to capture pictures... so that we wouldn't miss a moment! Thank you so much!

Christine and Marcelo

Boston Harbor

2010-11-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Boston Harbor Hotel is a magnificent hotel right on the waterfront of Boston Massachusetts. Both this wedding and the Bat Mitzvah were held in the Boston Harbor Hotel's Atlantic Room. For the wedding, the ceremony was held and then the room was turned into a reception hall with live music. For the Bat Mitzvah, the room became a fantastic and dynamic party with candle lighting ceremony and the hora. Pictures outside can be done along the harbor or using the grand hotel arch as a backdrop. For more pictures of various Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs go to Boston Bar Mitzvah Photography.

Boston wedding

2010-11-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Boston weddings are a lot of fun. There is a host of venues and sites in and throughout Boston that make pictures both classic and full of character. One venue that really showcases Boston is The State Room. This wedding started in Cambridge at the Chapel at MIT and then found its way to the grand State Room located on State Street in Boston Massachusetts. The room is famous for its sweeping views and elegant style.

burning bush

2010-10-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

The autumn of New England makes for great picture opportunities for any wedding or event. And as far as I see it there is no better opportunity than the beautiful burning bush. I'm always on the lookout for interesting color and texture and this bush provided exactly what I wanted. This particular bush was located in the brides front yard. I used it as a gorgeous backdrop of color against the cool blues and whites of the bride and flower girl. Another interesting note is the flower girl's bird's nest. A terrific idea! And congratulations goes out to the beautiful bride Katie!!

Fruitlands Wedding

2010-10-18T10:52:00.001-07:00

I just photographed at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard Massachusetts. It was a great time with Christine and Marcelo! Fruitlands has a great outdoor space for weddings and events and the beautiful fall foliage made for a nice backdrop. To view more photographs from the day go to Boston weddings and select Fruitlands Museum. If you are considering a venue for your upcoming event I would strongly recommend checking them out!

Saphire Estate

2010-10-14T15:39:00.001-07:00

Getting married at the Saphire Estate in Sharon? I'd love to be your photographer. I've photographed their many times and love the availability of the sunset pictures along the lake and the outdoor space for holding your wedding ceremony. Not to mention their recently renovated interiors.

For more information on the Saphire Estate or their sister property The Villa go to Saphire Event Group. They can accommodate outdoor weddings, or cozy fireside ceremonies in the winter. And their food is excellent. I highly recommend them!

To view pictures from the Saphire Estate or The Villa go to Boston Wedding Galleries and select the appropriate gallery.

wedding raves

2010-10-04T15:54:00.001-07:00

Reflecting back on your wedding day? I love to hear back from you:

"I LOVE THE PICTURES!!! Thank you so much! I will recommend you to all my friends and family!"

"Sorry for the delay in responding, We LOVE the pictures!!! They're so great. Our parents have said, 'We don't know which ones to buy - they're all so great!' We feel the same way."

"Thank you so much for capturing our special day! All of the pictures are perfect - a great representation of our "perfect" day! Thank you so much - we hope to work with you again in the future!"

Boston engagement

2010-10-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

Meeting and getting in engaged in Boston is a lot of fun. Boston is a great city with a tremendous amount of character. Liz and Eric met just outside Fenway Park and therefore wanted to have their engagement photography reflect this. We toured the area around Fenway Park and then made our way to the waterfront.

A typical engagement session lasts an hour to an hour and a half and if you book a wedding with me there is a $100 discount off the engagement shoot. Typically there are about 100 pictures that reflect a fun, candid and artful style. Here's to many more!!

Labor Day wedding

2010-09-07T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures from yet another Labor Day weekend wedding. Now I leave for a road trip in hopes of finding some more elusive pictures for my upcoming show!

Labor Day weekend

2010-09-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

This wedding was in Quincy Massachuetts at the Tirrell Room over the Labor Day weekend. The weather was gorgeous. The gazebo setting made for a fabulous outdoor wedding and the late day sun made for some dramatic light and creative photography!

new photo blog

2010-08-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

Just in case you didn't know I've got a new photography blog. That's right, and it's devoted to Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah photography!! So of course it will be full of fun pictures and an occasional witty remark. To view my new blog you can go to the new website located at Boston Mitzvah Photography and then click on Boston Mitzvah Blog at the top. Or go straight to it via Boston Mitzvah Blog. Of course I'll continue posting great photos here, but with a slant toward weddings.

Also, after a busy upcoming weekend I'm taking a break from events and hitting the road where I'll be yet again photographing, as I prepare for an upcoming exhibition of road photos. I'm looking at a theme like "Lonely Road". I've already racked up more than 15,000 miles across the states taking pictures and traveling the blue highways (no interstates please!). Do check out my art website for periodic updates (I've been a bit remiss on this of late): Castagna Art Studio.

wedding photographer

2010-08-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

Being a wedding photographer means photographing in a host of different lighting and environmental scenarios. It means fast action and capturing the fun, life and spontaneous emotion of the moment as it passes by. That's why I love it! As you can see from the above pictures, all taken at Wachusett Mountain Resort, there are the details of the day, portraits, candids, dancing and of course the ceremony. All of these moments have to be watched for and captured. Together they reveal the personality and fun of the wedding couple.

wedding sunset

2010-08-18T04:59:00.001-07:00

Sunsets are a great time to take a moment from the day and just look and enjoy. The above wedding sunset pictures were taken at Saphire Estate in Sharon Massachusetts. A key feature at the Saphire venue is there small beach which is just a short walk from the venue and affords a beautiful view.

wedding words!

2010-08-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

It's great to hear what people are saying and I love to hear back from the brides and grooms once they've had a chance to take in all of the pictures from the wedding day. Here are a few recent comments:

"Thank you soooooooooooo much for the pictures!! They are GEORGEOUS! How do you make us look so good??!?!? I can't believe how quickly the night went by - thank goodness we have the pictures to look back on!"

"Thank you so much for taking so many wonderful pictures at our wedding. Anthony and I love each and every one of them. Also, you put together a fantastic wedding album. We love it! Thanks again for all your hard work. I will continue to tell people about you and your spectacular work."

"We thank you SO MUCH for being a HUGE part of our wedding day... You were exactly what we were looking for, and you even had the perfect attitude to handle my family! (and that's a compliment) haa - We will ABSOLUTELY recommend you to all of our friends getting married in the future, we enjoyed not only how you took pictures and your expertise, but also your company."

Grist Mill

2010-08-16T18:10:00.001-07:00

The Grist Mill in Sudbury ranks high in the list of favorite wedding photo destinations. It's not as high as say the Boston Public Gardens but it's up there. It's easy to see why. Who could ask for a better setting and background to work with? This wedding was held at Martha-Mary Chapel just across the street. Of course the fact that the groom was a firefighter also made for some very interesting pictures!

along the lake

2010-08-11T07:28:00.001-07:00

I like this wedding picture taken along the lake in Sharon Massachusetts. It was in the middle of the day so the sun was high in the sky. This made it necessary to use a golden reflector to throw some light into the shadows and even out the tones. The result was a great wedding picture of Marc and Heather who got married at the Saphire Estate in Sharon.

I'm currently booking for 2011 and 2012 so don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot my an email to discuss options for your wedding day! There are even a few remaining dates for 2010 - oh my!

wedding photography

2010-08-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun at Wachusett Mountain this past weekend. Taking the chairlift up to the top of the mountain and really enjoying the scenery. To see more pictures from Bridget and Nick's wedding day go to Boston Wedding Gallery. Enjoy the view!

wedding shoes

2010-08-02T19:29:00.001-07:00

I love these shoes! It's those special touches that make a wedding day or any event day stand out. Take these shoes for example. You got to love the bold yellow and black. And then to go hiking in them! C'mon that's what I call really cool! I'll post some photographs of our final mountain-top pictures in my next blog post as this weekend's wedding was held at Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort and was a lot of fun!

making up

2010-08-02T19:17:00.001-07:00

I know what you are thinking: Fighting is not good for a healthy relationship. Well, don't tell that to Bridget and Nick as they met at the boxing rink, both taking lessons. So it was apropos that they should get announced at their reception wearing boxing gloves and robes! What a way to make an entrance. It literally took everyone by surprise and created a very large stir! So, my advice to couples about to get hitched: A fight now and then doesn't hurt the marriage, as long as you can make up after...
Stay tuned for some more wedding pictures of Bridget and Nick...

Boston events

2010-07-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

Above photograph taken at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Here are some recent client comments:

"From the moment I first saw your website and the quality of your pictures, I knew I'm interested in having you photograph our event, and upon meeting you and seeing how friendly, warm and easy going you are, I had no doubt that you were the right choice for us. You captured every moment, emotion, celebration, and decoration of the event; we literally relived the Bat Mitzvah. Your eye for composition added an artistic element that made everything look even more beautiful than it was, at both the Temple rehearsal and the Country Club party. We are beyond thrilled with the results and can't thank you enough." Daphna, Michael, Maya and Gabriel

"Robert these pictures are amazing. You're so talented... I'm so happy you were there to capture all these wonderful moments. Thanks so much!" Kerry and Jeff

"Robert the album arrived and it is so fabulous. Thank you so much for doing such an outstanding job." Jessica

"Hi Robert. We are floored by your work. You did a terrific job!" Bob and Jessica

"Hi Robert. Thanks so much for doing an amazing job at our wedding. Everyone was commenting on how nice and flexible you were. I absolutely love my pictures. You did such an amazing job! I can't thank you enough. I've got so many compliments on them - you should be very proud of yourself as an artist. WOO-HOO!" Kim

"We really appreciated the professional way that you handled the wedding. You always seemed to be in the right place at the right time without anyone noticing, and everyone enjoyed your calm, positive approach." Ray, Father of the bride

Here are some recent professional accolades:

"You really are a great photographer Robert. You should teach college courses in photography." Natalie, photographer

"Every year, brides on the Knot vote for their favorite local wedding professionals, and this year, you were voted Best of Weddings winner! As a winner, you've received the highest kudos... endorsement from real brides. The recognition comes from REAL BOSTON BRIDES who were thrilled with the level of service you brought to their wedding day." Val, The Knot Inc.

I'm really appreciative to those that have allowed me to be a party of their special day and I'm very fortunate in that I love my job. Thank you! Robert Castagna

Salem Wedding

2010-07-28T09:18:00.001-07:00

The above pictures were taken this past weekend in Salem Massachusetts. The wedding was at the Peabody Essex Museum, however this little find (and by find I'm alluding to the brick wall and large black door that came to life with the setting sun), was across the street behind the library that belongs to the museum. I scouted the area out before the ceremony and fell in love with the spot. Of course other pictures were taken in other areas, but I love the character, texture and antiquity of the building facade.

Boston photographer

2010-07-26T16:05:00.001-07:00

There are plenty of good spots for photographs in Boston. How about the Boston Public Gardens? That's probably the classic spot for pictures after the wedding ceremony. However probably even more iconic are pictures set against the Boston skyline. In a recent wedding I found a perfect Boston destination for pictures. It's behind the Boston Federal Courthouse or otherwise known as the Moakley Courthouse. All of the above pictures were taken there. Although we had access to the courthouse interior (friends of the groom), anyone can go behind the courthouse on either a leisurely stroll or for excellent pictures. It's great for its un-obstructive view of Boston's city skyline.

fun and easy

2010-07-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

It's great to hear from the bride and groom with their thoughts about their wedding pictures. Here's a note I just received from a wedding I photographed earlier this year:

"I don't know what to say - the pictures from our wedding are gorgeous! They are perfect - candid shots that really capture the whole day from start to finish. Half of the time I didn't even notice you taking the pictures! You were so fun and easy to work with."

Maria and Justin

bistro wedding

2010-07-22T17:49:00.001-07:00

If you ask me there may be a new trend in Boston weddings. Receptions are often had in large party venues and reception halls. Let's face it there is a lot of room there and hotels specialize in this catered affair. However, Boston is known for its restaurants and bistros, some of which have been around for quite some time. They add a hint of flair and local character to your event. The above event was held at Marliave in Boston located on Bosworth Street. This restaurant happened to be a favorite with the bride and groom. Although it was a bit tight in terms of space, the staff pulled it off quite well, converting the dining hall into a dance floor and making room for good fun. When I look back upon it, the ambiance and decor helped set the stage for a unique Boston wedding experience. I'd recommend such a setting for your next wedding or event. To see more pictures from this wedding day go to Boston's new wedding trend!

boston wedding

2010-07-22T13:17:00.001-07:00

So much goes on before the ceremony even begins! Jessica is getting ready at the Omni Parker House in downtown Boston and then makes her way to the church on a rainy but fun day. I love shooting candids before the ceremony as the anticipation and excitement is high.

Jessica had the following to say about her wedding pictures:
"These pictures are amazing. You did such a great job with capturing all the groups of people and the special moments in such a unique way. It was a pleasure having you as our photographer. We will definitely recommend you for events in the future."

Boston bride

2010-07-08T16:42:00.001-07:00

Boston brides have been good to me. I love them! Here I've included four pictures of Stefanie. They include a range of styles from the funny and contrived (see her being courted by all of her groomsmen) to the candid where a tear can be seen rolling down her cheek! I'm looking forward to the summer wedding season, and beyond! There are still some dates open, so if you are planning a 2010 wedding date, please feel free to contact me for availability. And of course if you are planning a 2011 wedding I'm happy to provide rates, packages and set up a meeting. Aloha!!

boston sunsets

2010-07-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

It's true, my Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah season has come to a close and I'm now in the "heat" of wedding season. But fortunately for me I get a 10 day get away starting on Monday as I make a visit to the island of Kauai, a gorgeous nature island of Hawaii. But before I go away I wanted to post a little bit about weddings. Above are three sunset pictures. Taken with my trusty assistant holding a golden hued flash off camera to provide a beautiful glow on the wedding couple and allowing me to freeze the twilight colors against the sky. These photographs were taken outside of Boston in East Bridgewater at a venue called The Villa.

new site

2010-07-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy these pictures of a Bar Mitzvah with the theme of robots!! No kidding! All the tables had cool robots on them. It seems that Ford is quite a science whiz.

I'm introducing a new website (yet another) that is devoted specifically for Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs. It is www.capturingtheimage.com. I already have another website for mitzvahs which is www.bostonmitzvahphotographer.com but I thought I would try another. One is html and the other is flash. Which do you like best?

50th Anniversary

2010-07-06T05:30:00.001-07:00

How about two events in one? Photographing a Bar Mitzvah is quite fun, but celebrating it on the same day as your grandparents' 50th Anniversary is quite another experience all together. A beautiful moment!

Navjote Ceremony

2010-07-06T05:12:00.001-07:00

I just photographed another Navjote Ceremony. A fabulous tradition of the Zorastrian religion that has similarities to a Jewish Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah as it is a coming of age in your religion ceremony. The ceremonies themselves are, on the outside, quite different however there are many customs that are similar. There is the recitation of religious text and the training and instruction that lead up to the ceremony. And of course there is a grand celebration and party immediately after. You can view more of my Navjote pictures at Navjote and Mitzvah Galleries.

The Action

2010-06-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

The key to any good party, whether a Bat Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah, wedding or other celebration, is the action. Let's face it, people having a good time and at the height of emotion is what partying is all about! I photographed a great party this past weekend in celebration of Maya becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Held at the Wellesley Country Club and MC'd by Chris from Siagel Productions, it was a blast!! Congratulations goes out to Maya!

Boston weddings

2010-06-16T08:13:00.001-07:00

This wedding was photographed a couple weeks ago. We had a spell of rain, so the umbrellas seem to play a large part in the pictures. My philosophy is to embrace the weather. If it's raining break out the umbrellas and have fun. Of course the children make for even more fun pictures. Here's what the mother of the bride had to say:

" Robert, Thank you for everything. You were a pleasure to 'work with', not to mention a phenomenal photographer. The pictures are loved by all."

Nothing more makes my day!!

Custom Albums

2010-06-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

Custom album designs are a great way to showcase your wedding or mitzvah images. I've created a new brochure that provides you with all the information you need to select and prepare for your custom album: Album Designs by Robert Castagna

Boston weddings

2010-06-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

I've been photographing weddings in and around Boston now for 15 years. There are so many great venues that I'm amazed! This wedding was at the Andover Country Club . And although this past weekend had a fair amount of rain, we were able to get out there and take some fun pictures in the garden. In these pictures I've focused some on the details. As I document any wedding day and its unfolding I also like to focus one of my cameras on small details. Together they give a complete story of the day!

Mitzvah Albums

2010-06-12T07:02:00.001-07:00

Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah albums showcase the special moments of the day and provide a high quality book to share with friends and family. I use Renaissance Albums for their beauty and archival qualities. Quality leather choices and thick pages make for a stunning book that will last.

My design spreads are customized per your request and use the images that you choose. Of course there is nothing like seeing the albums in person so please make an appointment. I look forward to meeting you and discussing your plans!

Wedding Albums

2010-06-12T06:53:00.001-07:00

Wedding albums showcase the special moments of the day and provide a high quality book to share with friends and family. I use Renaissance Albums for their beauty and archival qualities. Quality leather choices and thick pages make for a stunning book that will last.

photography brochures

2010-06-10T14:41:00.001-07:00

Pictures, pictures, pictures... We love them. Yes it's true that the new cameras all shoot video but does it really matter? I think not. I realize that I'm bucking a trend but there is something special about a still photograph. The moment of time, especially if it is the decisive moment, caught and frozen for us to ponder and reflect upon. A single moment that now extends into the future to become eternal. But I digress. Click here for more information on the eternal moment.

Now to my point: I've created two brochures to help us create more eternal moments. One for weddings and the other for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. To download them click on the links below. Here's to happy times and fond memories!

Wedding Photography Brochure

Mitzvah Photography Brochure

Boston wedding tip

2010-05-29T04:59:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for your Boston area wedding? Preparation is key for any event and the getting ready images are often some of my favorite moments. I hope you enjoy the above pictures which were taken last weekend at the Church of Our Saviour in Brookline Massachusetts. To view a great photograph of the cloister at the Church visit Boston Photography Blog.

I've also created a photography tips sheet for wedding couples that I will share with clients who are planning their wedding day. I will be posting a tip a week for the next coming week. The first tip is Consider the Light:

"Consider the light! I realize that this is not always in the control of the wedding couple and depends on availability and time of year, but one should always consider the light when planning a wedding or other major event. Available light always assists in picture taking and makes for better pictures. For example, if you had to decide on getting married at 5:00 or 6:00 and you know that the sunset at 6:00, you may want to select the earlier time (unless sunset is part of the ceremony itself). There are always many factors when deciding on the elements of the day, so my point here is to simply be aware of the light and try and work with it. Your images will be the better for it."

lipstick sequence

2010-05-27T16:40:00.001-07:00

This lipstick sequence was a great series of photographs from a Boston wedding I shot this past weekend. Why do I like it? It's just fun! The ceremony is over and the maid of honor decides to freshen up the lipstick on the bride before we take some more pictures. Of course the groom is looking on which makes a great sequence of images and reactions. Event was photographed in Brookline Massachusetts. I'll be sure to post more of the images from the day on my blog as it was a great day for photography!

Boston Photographer

2010-05-20T08:53:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a Boston photographer with a joy for capturing the joy and emotion of the day, then I'm your guy. To me photography is a medium that captures the fun, action and wild emotions of the day. And for the most part this means allowing the event to unfold and simply positioning myself and the camera in such a way as to create the best composition of that moment. Of course there are those moments when you capture posed pictures, but the remaining part of the day is a celebration after all! Let the party begin!!!

Hotel Marlowe

2010-05-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hotel Marlowe, overlooking Boston, is a terrific venue for a party. Whether a wedding or a Bat Mitzvah. They are adjacent to a park that overlooks the city skyline of Boston and they have a very cool living room that can be used for some creative photography. Be sure to check out more of my Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah pictures at Boston Mitzvah photographer.

Boston Harborside

2010-05-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Getting married in Boston? Boston's Hyatt Harborside Hotel is a great venue. I chose the above images because they highlight the beautiful cityscape of Boston. This Boston wedding was just this past weekend and as you can see directly overlooked the city of Boston. A great venue to get married at and a great venue from the viewpoint of the photographer.

I'm currently offering discount on available 2010 wedding dates. Contact Robert Castagna Photography to see if your wedding date is available.

Massachusetts Photographer

2010-05-10T17:58:00.001-07:00

This wedding was photographed at Look Park, the Sanctuary at Willow Lake, located in Florence Massachusetts. It was a gorgeous outdoor ceremony that was blessed with beautiful sunlight right when it counted. As we drove to the venue the rain was coming down, but as we arrived the sun came through. Most of my weddings and events are photographed around the Boston area but I'm happy to accommodate destination style weddings.

Open Studios

2010-05-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Brooks Estate is a bucolic landscape situated in the middle of Medford and Winchester, just a short walk from my studio. With roots back to the pilgrims, it provides a respite for my busy day and a window into nature and its seasonal migration.

You're invited to my studio this weekend as part of West Medford Open Studios. Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9 from Noon to 5, located at 160 Playstead Road in Medford.

To view more art images visit Castagna Studio.

Robert is a Medford and Boston based photographer serving clients throughout New England. His art photography is represented by Rolly-Michaux Gallery of Boston.

Mitzvah celebration

2010-05-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Hora is a great tradition and photographic moment. It's probably the height of excitement and fun for a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah celebration. The above pictures were taken at Chester's at Bell Tower. A fabulous venue located in the historic factory buildings of Lawrence. As always the key to good party pictures is capturing the fun and emotion in an unobtrusive fashion so as to allow the celebration to unfold. Currently I'm booking dates for 2011 and 2012 Mitzvahs. I also have a few dates for 2010 available. Be sure to visit my new mitzvah website at Boston Mitzvah Photography. Hope to hear from you soon!

Boston Harbor

2010-04-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

Photographs taken along the Boston Harbor while shooting a wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel. A great location for dramatic images. Be sure to visit more wedding galleries at Boston photographer.

wedding poses

2010-04-17T09:56:00.001-07:00

Working with the wedding venue and their grounds and environment, one can create some creative posed images. All of the above images were taken at The Villa, a nice venue situated within a golf course. Always, always, always my favorite genre of photography is the candid. However a balanced approach to an event includes adequate time for creative portraits. Boston and New England provides a beautiful background to work with and make creative wedding poses!

Boston Wedding

2010-04-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Boston wedding season is upon us and in May things start to get quite busy. However there are a few dates available in 2010 and I would love to fill them with weddings, Bar Mitvzahs, Bat Mitzvahs and celebrations. So please contact me to see if your event date is available. I can be reached at 617.833.9271 or by email at info@robertcastagna.com. I look forward to hearing from you!!

Bat Mitzvah Photography

2010-04-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

It's words like these that make my day!!

"Robert- I want to thank you for a job well done. As we discussed earlier, I am a former commercial photographer, and chose you to shoot Rachel's bat mitzvah based primarily on your on-line portfolio. Yes, you were recommended by Janie Haas, and that gave us some comfort, but one never really knows until the "prints" arrive.

"We actually got a good sense of how things might turn out on the day of Rachel's bat mitzvah. It is not uncommon to hear words of praise from guests: on the food or the decorations. I don't ever before recall hearing such praise from the guests about the photographer. We heard numerous comments from both family and friends about how courteous, sensitive, and professional you and your assistant were throughout the day.

"It is not uncommon for the photographer to come off as pushy or in the way. It is a job, and you have to "get the shot". But it is foremost a gathering of friends and family to celebrate a mitzvah. You were sensitive to that fact, mixed in where needed, and slipped into the woodwork when that was called for. In short, you managed to "get the shot" and keep the spirit of the day. Last, but certainly not least, you did get the shots. Your work is beautiful. Thank you."

Weddings at The Villa

2010-03-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a great series of photographs from a recent wedding at The Villa at Ridder Country Club. I love photographing there as there is lots of opportunity to make great images.

Bat Mitzvah Album

2010-03-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

The creation of custom albums is an option for any event package. Above are sample pages for a recent Bat Mitzvah. To view sample pages larger click on above images. For more information on Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah photography go to Boston's Mitzvah Photographer.

Boston Charity Event

2010-03-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

Just photographed a great charity event for Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly. So many people volunteered their time and services to help raise over $50,000. As you can see Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino was present and Billy Costa was in charge of a live auction. Janie Haas planned the entire event and the entertainment was provided for by Northern Lights.

wedding pictures!

2010-02-26T06:55:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to a great wedding season this year! If your wedding is on a Friday please ask about my Friday discounts...

Boston photographer

2010-02-26T06:34:00.001-08:00

I hope you enjoy these images!

Robert Castagna Photography is a Boston based wedding and event photographer with a studio in the suburbs of West Medford. I look forward to setting up a meeting with you to discuss your upcoming celebration!

Mitzvah music!

2010-02-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

I've made some recent updates to my Boston Mitzvah Photographer website so be sure to check them out. Probably the most notable is the music. I've used music written, composed and played by my wife Ksenia Mack. I'm also using her music to design photography montages for both Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs and weddings. I'm excited about these new music montages or videos (I'm not quite sure what to call them yet!).

wedding fun

2010-02-22T16:01:00.001-08:00

Both of these photographs are from the same wedding photographed late last year in Cape Cod. The top picture was taken shortly before the ceremony in front of the Church, which is actually now a Jewish Temple. I thought the pose would be an ideal American statement. Little did I know that their wedding cake would put them both in front of yet another edifice, this time a beautiful Sand Castle Cake made of brown sugar! To view more wedding pictures go to Boston Wedding Galleries.