I never believed in true love...Yes, you read that right!
My name is Rebecca Castonguay and despite the fact that I take wedding photos for a living you might be surprised to find out I never believed in true love. After many failed relationships and divorce, I gave up on the entire idea. I planned weddings for a living [I know, ironic right?] and though I was genuinely happy for my couples, I was a bit of a cynic. They'd be off on their honeymoons and here I was heading home to my dogs and empty house. Don't get me wrong, dogs are my life, but it was lonely from time to time. I got really complacent and set in my ways until the one day I finally decided to join the world of "bumble". If you don't know what that is, it's a dating app that gives women the upper hand in swiping and finding a match. I had a few successful dates that turned into ghosting sessions and when I finally got to the point where I was over it, there was Matt. Ok, he was nothing like I pictured; his profile photo showed him holding a glass of wine while smoking a stogie. I saw he worked for a wine distributor that we used at work so I decided to swipe right. It turned out that he was also on there after a failed marriage, so we decided to go on a date. Now, what I can tell you is, admittedly, neither one of us wanted to go. He later told me he sat in the parking lot of the restaurant deciding whether or not to bag the entire date, great - thanks.
Meet Rebecca
I'm not sure if it was just the nerves or what, but he talked the ENTIRE time. No seriously, the man never stopped to take a breath and eat his food, he had to take it home later and I was intrigued. Here was the first time someone in my life was real, honest about himself and where he was at. That date turned into many, we couldn't stop seeing each other - six months later [in the midst of a global pandemic] we got pregnant with our son and on the most perfect day in October 2020, in my parents backyard (masked and all) we said I do in front of our families. I remember it like it was yesterday, 70 degrees and sunshine with the fall foliage colors in the background - the most quintessential New England Fall day. If you're from New England, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say you could smell fall in the air. The crisp leaves beginning to decay emit a perfume that is unlike any other and perhaps it could have been the raging hormones from pregnancy, I could not stop crying happy tears - but I think it was more the fact that I had finally found my person. After years of repressed anguish in failed relationships, promises made and unkept, I was finally free to love and feel what I had been missing all along. The once cynic was now turned believer and found her perfect match. With his help, we've created a beautiful life that we love and cherish. I can tell you from experience that it does exist, its out there and when you're lucky enough to find it, hold onto it with every ounce of your being. Find and make time for one another, go on date nights even if its just to the living room to prioritize your relationship. My family is hands down my greatest accomplishment. Love is clearly the greatest life lesson of all...
More than a wedding photographer
My core value is to live intentionally every day with my work and most importantly for my family; to serve my local community through acts of kindness and compassion and live each day to make those I love proud. To capture snippets of authentic moments and enrich the lives in any given marriage through the use of elegant and timeless wedding imagery. I aim to provide my couples the tangible evidence of the love that exists between them which will serve as a daily reminder of the commitment they’ve made to one another when they need it most. I hope to inspire and empower others to discover the best in themselves through capturing fashion editorials and boudoir photography. Most of all, I hope to leave a long legacy for my clients, and my own family for many generations to come.
My VISION
for this body of work
Let's get more in depth - my life has taken many turns. Yeah, I know everyone says that - but let me dive right in.
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I'm an only child and my parents are the epitome of what I'd consider the perfect couple; which makes it even weirder that I struggled in relationships. I think that's because I was looking for the perfect relationship that looked like my parents instead of trying to find the perfect one for ME. I also had a huge savior complex and here's the reason why: In 2003, I was involved in an auto accident that nearly claimed my life. To be fair, it actually did - the EMT crews thought I was dead on scene and when I came to, my life looked a lot different. I'll get more in depth at a later point in a blog post about what actually happened [so make sure to read that one if you're interested to know what surviving a bulldozer looks like]. That accident was the catalyst I needed to become a stronger person. It showed me that life is fleeting and you should go after whatever makes you truly happy. I felt like since I was saved, I could be the one to help save others [especially in relationships] which was a hard life lesson to learn - you can't. People have to save themselves - so I chose to save myself.
As an only child, I was always shy but agreeable. I've always been a people-pleaser and that still holds true to this day, it just looks a lot different. After I healed, I promised myself that I would follow my dreams and at that time, I really wanted to be a Broadway performer. Yes, you read that right! I worked really hard and got accepted to the Hartt School of Music studying musical theater. I graduated in 2009 and it was the best education I could have - it brought me out of my shell. I had always loved singing since I was little and began taking professional voice lessons when I was 14 years old with renowned Opera singer Judith Gray - and then, Maureen O'Flynn among others. I finally got to school and began performing in front of hundreds of people - and then thousands in the years to come. That shy girl persona wore off and I stepped into my own. My work Off-Broadway and in regional theater houses like Goodspeed Opera House, The Bushnell and Berkshire Theater Festival opened many doors for me. If you are at all into Broadway, like me, you might be surprised to find out that I once shared a stage with Shirley Jones and her son Patrick Cassidy. I still get goosebumps about it to this day...
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So why am I telling you this? It's because anything is possible if you put your mind to it. You can overcome tremendous adversity, [even the unimaginable] and do whatever you want in life with heart and determination. I LOVE taking photos, a once hobby that I shared with my Dad turned into a business. Waking up and going to work doesn't feel like work at all - which means it's the right fit for me. No, I didn't go to school for it, but I've studied it on my own for over 14 years and honed in on the skill-set needed to craft masterful imagery. Working in the wedding industry for as long as I have and having this diverse background gives me a unique perspective on your wedding day. Literally nothing [when it comes to weddings] scares me, I've planned and orchestrated nearly 100 from start to finish so I know what to expect and I've developed skills of adaptability which is so necessary in this industry. My ability to work well in concert with other vendors as your ensemble while you both take center stage has proven time and again that I can handle any situation. I will be the calm in your perfect storm. If I see something out of place, I will naturally fix it [especially for the image], if someone needs help, I will always reach out a lending hand. If you want someone who will make you feel completely at ease and confident that your wedding photos will be documented extraordinarily for generations to come, then let's start chatting...
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