Channing Johnson Photography » A Photographer's Journal

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Hana and Brendan

Hana and Brendan got married at the Boston Public Library. I didn’t get a chance to meet them in person until the rehearsal dinner the night before, but I immediately felt comfortable around them and their loved ones. I laughed out loud regularly, and I loved documenting their excitement and joy as the day unfolded. Thank you to Gabrielle Stone and her team for making sure everything moved along smoothly. Gabrielle’s attention to detail and her understanding of a wedding’s purpose make her events among the most well-run and stress-free celebrations I get to work on. I’m so grateful I had the chance to be a part of Hana and Brendan’s wedding. Congratulations, guys!

Arianna and Zach

Arianna and Zach got married in a Westport, Conn. backyard. They wanted to overwhelm their guests’ senses, and that was certainly accomplished as you’ll see below. Although what I loved most about working with Arianna and Zach was not only the clear connection they have with each other but in how much they enjoyed delighting their friends and family. This included not only creating a unique event but dedicating a lot of themselves to make sure their loved ones were taken care of and made to feel special. Clearly, a lot went into this wedding, and I want to thank Chris Capozziello and Connie Miller who photographed with me. Their amazing work is featured in the coverage below. Tess Casey, Marjorie Wolfson, and Kelly Solomon coordinated a daunting level of variables to make this event stunning and still managed to go out of their way to continuously help make my job easier. And, of course, thank you to Arianna and Zach for inviting me to be a part of such an amazing weekend. I’m so happy for you guys and wish you all the best!

Gina - Wow!!!September 12, 2018 – 9:14 pm

KLC - This is so bonkers. Insane work.September 12, 2018 – 3:16 pm

10 Years: Meagan and Mark

My wedding portfolio was thin when Meagan and Mark decided to hire me 10 years ago. I decided to focus on weddings full time in 2008 and these two were among the first to hire me. A decade of anything makes one reflect, and as I do that I wanted to go visit Mark and Meagan to see them just before they celebrate their 10-year anniversary next month. Meagan still owns The Mercantile in Dennis, and they are still in the home they bought shorty after the wedding. But as the parents of Asher and Reese their daily lives have changed a bit in the past 10 years. “We realize now how carefree our life was in comparison to now as parents,” Mark said. “Parenting compounds every emotion ten-fold. The highs are tremendous, but the lows can really overwhelm. That being said, I wouldn’t trade any of it back. Although an 8-hour stretch of sleep is appealing.” The last image in this post is Meagan and Mark running into their wedding reception after being announced. They had been married for two hours.

Laura Hempel - Channing, your pictures tell such beautiful stories, even the ones that don’t include my family. I am glad you were there to capture the coming together of Meagan & Mark and their wonderful little familyAugust 9, 2018 – 6:43 pm

Jennifer and Peter

Jennifer and Peter got married at Gibbet Hill in Groton and planned the whole thing in six weeks. They had all their loved ones gathered in a beautiful place, eating delicious food, listening to wonderful music, and they only had to worry about wedding logistics for a month and a half. Well played, Jennifer and Peter. Thanks so much for including me in this intimate and beautiful event. Congratulations!

Caroline and Erik

Caroline and Erik got married at Emmanuel Church in Manchester by the Sea before heading to Caroline’s parents’ house in Wenham. I love backyard weddings, and after meeting Erik and Caroline at Keirsa (Erik’s sister) and Steve’s wedding last year I was particularly looking forward to this one. I’m always trying to add more meaning into photographs, and the best way to get that started is to take pictures in a significant setting. Caroline even got ready in her childhood bedroom. And long after the cars parked on the lawn disappear and the grass bounces back from where a tent once was, these photos will hold important context for Caroline and Erik and their story. Congratulations, guys! Such a pleasure to be a part of your wedding.

Fanny de Lacvivier - Channing, you certainly captured the wedding joy. I have so many favorites. Well done! I can’t want to see the rest of the photos.August 1, 2018 – 2:29 pm

10 Years

Yoon Byun took this photo of me as I got ready to leave for Adrienne and Brandon’s wedding on September 21, 2008. That year was my first full wedding season. Over 300 couples have passed before my lens since my first wedding. I don’t approach documenting these families any differently than I did in 2008. Sometimes I feel I should evolve in a certain direction and try a different approach. But what would that look like? How much do you tinker with a pure pursuit for capturing emotions and meaningful interactions? There’s nothing stylistically I can do that is going to enhance your grandmother’s laugh or that look on your father’s face as he fights back tears. But, it’s true I’m never as close as I want to be. My compositions are never as clean or concise as I want them to be. And I’m never as patient as I want while waiting for the subtlest of moments. I have plenty to work on for the next 10 years. I still love my job. And, I have no other employable skills. So . . . onward!

Natalie and Patrick

Natalie and Patrick got married at Sacred Heart Church before their reception at City Winery in Boston. The temperatures were high that day, but the laid back vibe Natalie and Patrick set held the heat as a side note to an otherwise beautiful summer day in the city. I love when the city integrates into a wedding. Walking through the North End to the reception slowed everything down and emphasized the beauty of familiar spaces. Congrats, Natalie and Patrick!

James - These images are awesome!July 31, 2018 – 10:05 am

Jessica and George

Jessica and George got married at the Red Lion Inn. The crossing of cultures included Indian, Italian, New England and Texan. I don’t know if this is what was responsible for the festive and joyous atmosphere, but the excitement was present from the moment I arrived and continued to grow before peaking on the dance floor. There were so many great moments from the smallest gestures to heightened expression of love and joy. Congratulations, Jessica and George. I wish you both the best and am so grateful to have been there to celebrate with you guys. And thank you to Kate Murtaugh for keeping everything running smoothly and being so great to work with.

The Suburban Dad

When you buy a house you hope for good neighbors. The problem is there’s no way to assess that before making your 30-year investment. You want them to be friendly but not overbearing. You want them to care about their property but not so much your mediocre yard maintenance sticks out. We ended up hitting the jack pot. There’s a block party, holiday party and, best of all, a handful of families with kids all the same age. And in a statistically impossible turn of luck, the parents also like each other. When I couldn’t meet up with the dad’s for a drink one night (Brooke was away, and I was with Ellis), they wired up a TV in my garage to watch the game while we grilled steak. With no sides. Just meat on a plate. Real dad stuff.