Speak To me does salem

Best Friends Photoshoot Experience

This Halloween Speak To Me Photography had the unique and amazing opportunity to help a pair of friends celebrate one of their 30th Birthdays. It was a serendipitous experience of how we came to meet our client, but it was an incredible experience we will not forget.

Planning began in the summer of 2022 at the exclusive Protocol Cigars Pool Party. We were present as favor to a close friend who wanted reliable event photography, which of course was a new experience. We met amazing people, some would become future clients, including Cassie.

She asked if we would be interested in following her to Salem, Massachusetts for a surprise cemetery photoshoot with her best friend Halloween weekend. Without literally any hesitation, I said ABSOLUTELY. Not sure if this was real, I gave it some time after the party. After a few days I reached out to her to make sure it wasn't a fever dream, and this was a real opportunity. She confirmed it was and I about lost my mind. We started some preliminary planning, but obviously with the photoshoot being a few months off, we parsed out the details, signed the contract and secured the deposit. Throughout the months to come we would discuss the vibe, I suggested a "picnic in the cemetery" type look, and she agreed. Cassie confirmed this was still very much a surprise and she was unbelievably excited to surprise her best friend.

Leah, our beautiful makeup artist made herself available to come with, to truly provide a lux experience to our clients with hair and makeup services. Our client gave us a plethora of hotels to choose from, and with my littlest sister Erika moving back to Pennsylvania, we had our assistant and full team.

The team decided to drive the 6+ hours to Massachusetts and it was a TRIP. We left the Lehigh Valley around 5:30 PM and arrived at our hotel around 11:30 PM. Did I mention that this photoshoot was a sunrise photoshoot? With both clients getting hair and makeup services (45-60 minutes per service), and sunrise being at 7:12 AM, math would dictate that Leah and Erika had to leave our hotel around 2:30 AM. So sleep was not going to be a thing. Because the entire end experience was still a surprise, we decided I would stay behind at the hotel and meet up with Cassie (our primary client) after she had completed hair and makeup and we would set everything up as her best friend Ashley was getting ready with Leah. When we met up at Old Burial Hill Cemetery, she looked stunning. She had also graciously brought us Starbucks which was more than appreciated considering the complete absence of sleep. So, we set up the scene, using flashlights as the sun was barely peaking over the landscape. Then it was time to wait.

What unfolded after was magic (pun intended).

They shared with us how they have been best friends since Kindergarten, and they try to take this trip each year. Their connection was incredible and it was the first time we did a best friend photoshoot. The location was stunning, the experience unforgettable, and ultimately we got to spend Halloween in the ultimate epicenter for spooky season.

We made the decision as a team to coordinate our costumes, but first, sleep. We got back from the photoshoot around 9 AM. We immediately drew the curtains and tried to get a couple hours of sleep before we got ready and hit the town.

After approximately 2-3 hours, we started the process of getting all dressed up. Our concept? Siren. Sexy, but deadly. Leah and I were the sirens and Erika the poor unfortunate sea captain. Our energy renewed, we looked hot and deadly, and it was time to take on Salem.

It was chaotic, Salem for Halloween is no joke, but it was such a memorable experience. We worked hard, played hard, and enjoyed every moment of it. Looking towards a new year it is definitely our hope at Speak To Me Photography to do more on location photoshoots and bring our unique experience wherever in the world it takes us. Traveling and continuing to meet amazing people, empowering them in our special way.

And next year we will definitely be going back, but maybe not the exact weekend of Halloween.