As a collaborative team player by nature,
I'm excited to create something beautiful together!
It's the end of the night. I'm in the corner drinking my requisite Diet Coke and packing my gear when my assistant says, "Turn around, quick!".
I see this moment unfolding: the couples' grandfather had lovingly picked up his own wedding photo with his wife, who had passed away, and gently kissed it.
He stood there a moment, reflecting, and we stood in the shadows crying as he gently placed their treasured wedding photo back on the table.
I will never forget this moment, as a photographer or as a human.
As your photographer, I use my ears as much as I use my eyes
I will always be on the lookout for images like this, for you.
..you aren't always sure where to land. Don't worry, I've got you! I'll gently guide you throughout your day so you can both be fully present.
This whole process is about teamwork. While I would love to be, I am not a magician. We need to all vibe well together to create images like you see on my site.
How? Trust. Communication. Guidance. Honesty. Collaboration.
Earning this trust and creating this comfort is literally one of my favorite things because it gives us freedom to create beautiful, natural images together. And that's the ultimate team achievement!
like when you walk into a party alone
Making sure
you are comfortable is really important to me
as featured in
After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology with my BFA in photojournalism, and many internships at prestigious news agencies like the Associated Press, The Hartford Courant and the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle under my belt, I found myself burned out.
Then, I brought my camera to a few weddings and discovered how much fun they were!
I loved the behind-the-scenes, all-access pass I had to everything. People were dressed in their best, and they actually wanted me there - unlike many news events I had covered. There were portraits and candids and action and details and landscapes. It was everything in one day and I got absolutely HOOKED.
I'll tell you what- the day that I don't feel like I am the luckiest person to do what I do, is the day I stop photographing weddings!
I always wanted to be a photojournalist
I promise to photograph your wedding like you are my family, with care and intention.
"Carla is fun-loving and we knew we wanted her energy at our wedding!"
-Katie Hasson
It's not just how you see stuff, it's how you feel stuff too.
As a parent and a recent bride, I experience your event through many lenses.
I use my eyes to see the action. Or observe the stillness. Or to catch the light. I use my ears to hear tone. Or the boisterous stories and raucous Aunt's laughter.
Or even, to sit in silence.
I feel the cold crisp air in my lungs, and I think about ways to show how cold it is in your photos. Or how to show you how beautiful the rain really is. Or how the warm breeze catches your veil and lifts it gently right before you walk down the aisle with your father.
I seek out ways to show the smell of the fire pit as it comes alive and the glow as it flickers across your face. I marvel at the love radiating from your partners eyes as they look adoringly at you. I want to show you that!
Can't you see and feel all of that?
I can, too and I can't wait to show you how I observe you both on your day.
When I work, I employ my senses.
ALL
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a Mexican-American woman, inclusivity is deeply personal.
As a plus sized woman, I have struggled with my weight for years and used to HATE being photographed.
I learned to loosen up and feel comfortable when I felt the photographer I worked with truly understood my struggles and made the time to see who I really was.
Feeling safe and comfortable with your photographer can yield some amazing results: you being your best self.
Seeing yourself on my site and feeling represented and SEEN is one of my missions.
To me, inclusivity isn't just a buzz word
want to dig even deeper?
Emotional intelligence is really important to me. I remind myself to be fully present for your day, to use my ears, my eyes and my heart.
To imagine all of the stories I don't know about each guest.
And to photograph with intention and care, for you, just as I would want my photographer to do for me!
As a kid I was always a voracious reader and would read everything from all of the Little House on the Prairie series to everything Stephen King could crank out - and believe me, it was A LOT!
I always dreamed of being a published author, and in 2013 I published the first of my two books, The White Dress: In Color followed by The White Dress: Destinations! They are coffee table books filled with wedding inspiration from shoots all over the world, and I am super proud of them!
On the wall behind me is a small smattering of work that I have had published over my 25 year career!
I was born + raised in Hartford, CT and currently live in my childhood home. To say Hartford is near and dear to my heart is an understatement.
When you hire me for your Hartford City Hall elopement, branding session or wedding you are getting someone who knows Hartford on such an intimate level.
Let me show you my hometown in a way you have never seen it before!
This is a photo of me on the very same Bushnell Park carousel horse my bride (on the main page) is on!
In 2018 I picked up golf. To tell you I was hooked is an understatement and I am still going strong!
Maybe it's the crisp sounds of the flag blowing in the wind or the beauty you can see on the courses. The expertly manicured greens or the way I can rock my pitching wedge with my cute chipping skills... or maybe it's being a part of a space that wasn't historically for me; a Mexican American Queer woman.
Come listen to some Yacht Rock with me and hit some balls, I guarantee you'll have fun!
I am a newly annointed Disney Adult and I am so excited!
Meeting my wife was my time to come out of the Disney Adult closet and I did with such a vengeance!
We implemented my love of themes and dressing up and became Disney Bounding Disney Adults! Yes, when I get into something I go ALL IN.
Mickey + Minnie are a big hit each time we go, Snow White and Prince Charming, Sully + Mike... I can't wait to dream up more!
I LOVE thrifting and finding deals and mixing and matching unexpected patterns and fabrics and styles of clothes SO MUCH!
Working from home can sometimes mean days in cozys but for me I feel best when I intentionally put together something that makes me feel GREAT.
What that means can change day to day but it's almost always pairing something like this thrifted vintage leather vest with a preppier striped oxford from J Crew and adding in a leopard scarf and some vintage red acrylic giant hoops!
Any excuse to add leopard or sparkles or unexpected jewelry is so JOYFUL for me!
Emotionally-Available
Fun Fact
childhood goals fun fact
hartford fun fact
what i do in my spare time fun fact
Disney Bounding fun fact
outfit of the day fun fact
I hail from a family of musicians, so music has always been super important to me!
On my way to your event I play music that gets me in the zone while I sing my heart out to Bad Bunny, Teddy Swims or Yacht Rock. Christopher Cross and his golden pipes anyone?
This pic is of me and my wife at the Yacht Lobsters concert in CT , they're so much fun!
Musical Fun Fact
I am married to Crys, my wife and the most joyful Disney loving stats nerd, a Momma to two amazing souls, my son Jackson, a singer / songwriter, carpenter and videographer and my daughter Georgie, a costume construction major in Boston.
I am also a proud- new- step mom to two of the cutest, most personality-filled 12 year old boys.
Our homes are filled with color, humor, cozy nooks, and cozy cats. There is whimsical art from our travels on our walls, a disco ball, multiple sets of rainbow stairs and neon signs. We love fun lighting and I may be obsessed with my digital photo frame!
family Fun Fact
Heated Rivalry * Bad Bunny * Pedro Pascal * Yacht Rock * Golf * Thrifting * Decor * Anything Sparkly * Rainbows * Cats * ted lasso * aldi *my paul greens * leopard * red shoes * my wife * my kids *any theme party * coke zero *costco *human rights *black lives matter *
I value connection deeply, so I only accept an exclusive number of events per calendar year. This allows me to focus on excellent customer service with my clients. And hopefully, this means you!
I can't wait to connect with you!
@C10ike
Eyes up, heart open. hartford,CT, New England & Worldwide