Capturing Moments: A Vibrant Reflection on 2024 with Tamara Merri Photography

I will never cease to proclaim from the highest points that I am the most fortunate individual in the universe. A couple of years back, I made a deliberate decision in my work to decelerate and be mindful of the projects I accept and the individuals I collaborate with. I can genuinely claim that this year I partnered with precisely whom I cherish working with and feel incredibly satisfied with what we’ve accomplished. Though I continued to be busy, this is the first year I consistently responded with “no” after reaching my limit. It’s challenging because I ADORO my profession and DESIRE to work, but it remains crucial to carve out time for myself and my family as well. I am simply so, so thankful that I possess the option to say “no” and that this profession provides for me and my family!

In 2024, I captured 116 projects!

• 33 weddings and elopements

• 31 portrait sessions (engagements / proposals / family)

• 22 families for holiday mini-sessions

• 30 personal branding sessions

• These sessions resulted in 24,467 photos uploaded to my online gallery hosting platform

• Photographed projects across six states: MA, NH, VT, RI, CT, and NJ.

• 16,902 miles traveled in total.

• I received 128 five-star reviews on Google!!

• This year marked the opening of my very first photography studio, The Lumos Room! Although I received the keys in March, the space required significant renovations and wasn’t available for rentals until September. It has been a delight to establish a space that functions for my requirements while also connecting with other local photographers and observing how they utilize it as well!!

Here are a few of the various themes that consistently emerged throughout the“`html
year:

• White Blossoms – While I anticipated this year to be vibrant, nearly all my brides selected traditional white and green bouquets. Perhaps we will witness more hues in 2025!

• Content Creators – Increasingly, couples are incorporating content creators into their special day to capture authenticity. A content creator uses a phone for behind-the-scenes footage and provides you all the images and videos the following day! I authored a blog about this, so click here if you’d like to learn more.

• Dance Floor Accessories – I noticed that every wedding I attended featured those foam glow sticks on the dance floor! It made for some exceptionally fun pictures and allowed guests to have something to hold onto, which can be beneficial for our dance-averse friends. I also spotted quite a few large cut-out heads of individuals (or pets!) to represent those who couldn’t attend. We had an assortment of amusing wigs, hats, and other props typically seen at a photo booth scattered around the dance floor to energize the atmosphere.
  
  

• I encountered two positive pregnancy tests this year. The first was in April, quickly followed by a loss. Then, once again in July, which led to a little boy currently moving around in my abdomen as I type this. I am INCREDIBLY thrilled to start a family with my husband, but I also feel quite anxious. They say no one is ever truly prepared, so I simply hope we will be the best parents possible for this little one. Balancing motherhood and my business will be a transition, but I eagerly anticipate growing and learning amid the challenges 2025 may usher in.

• Maintaining the secrecy of my pregnancy news for such an extended period (and this being the first occasion I’ve publicly shared about my initial pregnancy) truly highlighted that you never can tell what others might be facing and reinforces the importance of being kind and patient in various situations. It can be incredibly challenging! However, this became a valuable lesson I learned this year.

• Excursions: I visited NYC for my birthday in February to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway (highly recommend!). I traveled to Austin four times; for a bachelorette celebration, my brother’s wedding, to inform my family of my pregnancy, and for Christmas! We purchased a teardrop trailer and took a road trip to Nova Scotia for two weeks in June. In December, we enjoyed a babymoon in the Bahamas!

I typically strive to capture candid moments during sessions but this year I specifically endeavored to take an even more subdued role on wedding days to capture more moments and direct less. I’ve been inspired by documentary photographer Tracey Jade and her perspective on how humans naturally engage in fascinating behaviors of their own accord, and there’s no necessity for me to be a puppet master, compelling individuals to act in ways they wouldn’t ordinarily choose. Many standard poses during a wedding day yield stunning photographs! But wouldn’t it be wonderful if those instances unfolded spontaneously, and I was merely there to document them?

My aspiration for the upcoming year is to be more purposeful with every shot I capture. Additionally, I want to be more mindful of my time. Lastly, I aim to transform my perspective on weddings through the lens of motherhood!

Below is a single image from every wedding + portrait session in 2024! To view a summary of my personal brand sessions from 2024, visit my other website. And to see a summary of my holiday minis,
“`tap here!

It never becomes simpler to select which images to exhibit. In past years, I aimed to pick images that told a story, but this time I simply chose images that resonated with me the most.

Additionally, ensure to explore the recaps from previous years:

What a remarkably stunning year I experienced, thanks to all my lovely clients! I appreciate you sticking with me until the end!! If you’re keen on collaborating, kindly get in touch!

Before you leave, take a look at past years’ summaries: