Why Candid Photography Captures the Real Story in New Hampshire & Boston

When you look back at photographs from a wedding, concert, or business event, what do you really want to see? Most people think first of the “big” moments—walking down the aisle, stepping on stage, or cutting a ribbon. But often, the photos that mean the most are the unscripted ones. The laughter between speeches. The nervous glance before a song. The proud smile of a small business owner right after a handshake.

That’s the magic of candid, documentary-style photography.

Instead of staging every shot, documentary photography allows events in New Hampshire and Greater Boston to unfold naturally, while I anticipate the moments that tell the deeper story. This approach has become my signature at Robb Goodell Creative—and it’s one that my clients say makes their photos feel “alive” rather than posed.

What Makes Candid Photography Different?

Traditional photography often focuses on perfection: flawless lighting, carefully arranged poses, and rehearsed smiles. There’s nothing wrong with polished portraits—they serve their purpose. But when that’s all you have, the collection of images can feel flat, missing the emotional heartbeat of the event.

Documentary photography focuses on storytelling. At a nonprofit fundraiser in Manchester, it might be the quiet joy of volunteers setting up tables. At a Boston wedding, it’s the tearful father seeing his daughter in her dress for the first time. At a Portsmouth café opening, it’s customers experiencing the space for the first time. These are the moments you can’t stage, and they’re often the ones people cherish the most.

Why New England is Perfect for Documentary-Style Photography

Living and working in New Hampshire and Greater Boston, I’ve noticed something: people here value authenticity. New England culture is about grit, warmth, and character—values that shine best when they’re not forced.

When I photograph a rustic barn wedding in the Lakes Region, the atmosphere is already rich with story. When I cover an event in downtown Dover, the energy of the crowd carries through every frame. New England provides backdrops that are visually stunning, but it’s the human moments within them that define the story.

Who Benefits Most from Candid Photography?

• Couples who want wedding albums filled with genuine memories instead of staged photos.

• Small businesses in NH & Boston who want customers to see their team in action—not stock photos.

• Musicians & artists who want their work represented with energy and truth.

• Churches & ministries who need to share stories of community and connection authentically.

• Nonprofits who rely on photography that conveys heart and impact.

Why Choose Candid Photography in the AI Era

With AI-generated content everywhere, people can spot fake or staged imagery instantly. What stands out are visuals that feel human. Candid photography builds trust because it shows life as it really happens. For businesses, nonprofits, and couples in New Hampshire and Greater Boston, this authenticity is not just nice to have—it’s essential.

In short: posed portraits capture appearances. Candid photography captures truth.

At Robb Goodell Creative, I specialize in telling real stories through authentic images that feel alive. If you’re looking for photography that captures the heart of your event or brand, let’s talk.

Maria & Dale (Northfield, NH)

This Memorial Day Weekend was a little extra special as I had the honor to capture the small, but memorable wedding of Dale and Maria. The small ceremony was held at their home in Northfield, New Hampshire amongst close friends and family. Maria, the bride, was absolutely radiant - full of joy and beautifully adorned with an unforgettable smile. For Dale, it was especially important to focus on his mother and a few of his best friends who have had a big part in supporting him throughout his life.

I really wanted to capture the intimate nature of the ceremony and some of the more “unscripted” moments - and I think I achieved that! Congratulations to this happy couple - I hope that their wedding photos will help them to share the story of their love with all of their friends and family.

- Robb

Are you looking for a photographer? Someone who will help you tell your story? Inquire today - let me know how I can help!

Professional Photography as “emotional insurance” Part ONe: Why Memories Need Insurance

Today I want to help you reframe the way you think about professional photography, and moreover, why you should consider hiring an experienced photographer to capture images of the people and moments that mean the most to you. I want you to think about photography as “emotional insurance”

Now, that concept probably sounds foreign and odd to you. We don’t often associate insurance with taking photos, unless we’re taking pictures of our car after an accident or a tree that fell onto a rooftop. Insuring emotions, though? What does that even mean - and how can skilled photography help with that?

Quick note about the author: While I am, myself, a professional photographer - I certainly didn’t start that way. In fact, much of my professional experience has been spent in the personal and commercial insurance space, helping people and businesses analyze their risk, understand how insurance coverage works, and building plans and policies to help protect them financially from unexpected or inevitable loss. To put it simply, I’ve helped thousands of people by helping them make wise decisions about using insurance to protect their homes, cars, businesses, and loved ones - and I bring that experience and approach to how I help my photography clients.

So, let’s dig into the idea of “emotional insurance” and talk about the reasons that investing in professional photography is an important way to protect and preserve your life’s most important moments and memories.

Why Memories Need Insurance

I’ve never had the unfortunate experience of losing my home to a house fire; but I’ve spoken to several people who have - and to lose one’s home and possessions in the course of a few minutes is a gut wrenching and tragic event that leaves a family vulnerable, exposed, and seeking anything they can put their hands on to remind them of life before the fire. Quite often, the first thing homeowners look for once they’ve had a chance to walk through the ruins are their family portraits, baby-books, and photo-albums. Why is that? Why do people gravitate so strongly to these printed images? It’s simple - because at the end of the day, when everything else burns away, the memories we have of the people we love and the emotions we’ve attached to them matter a great deal more to us than much else in the world.

Here’s the reality: Time is a relentless force. Like the proverb so aptly states - life is like a vapor. It moves so quickly; before you know it the years have come and gone. Your children grow up, relationships evolve, and precious, irreplaceable moments simply slip through our fingers. We can’t restrain time from its inevitable march forward, but we can, in a meaningful way, preserve individual moments and the meaning that they hold to us.

Just as we insure our valuable possessions, professional photography serves as emotional insurance that allows us the ability to keep and revisit another time, people who have long since passed away, or special memories that hold significant value in our hearts and connect us with people and places we love. Through photography, we can limit the toll that time takes on our ability to communicate our stories to future generations by freezing that moment in time forever.

Next week we’ll talk more about your “insurance premium.” What are you actually paying for when you hire a professional photographer? Stay tuned for that an more.

Need a quote for your “emotional insurance?” - Tell me how I can help! Inquire at www.robb-goodell.com/inquire  or email me at robb@lumospix.com

The True Cost of Bad Photography: Why Quality Images Matter for Your Business

We’ve all seen it. Maybe you’re shopping for a plumber or an HVAC tech and you come across several different listings on Google. You click the link and it takes you to a page that hasn’t been updated in who knows how long. The photos are obviously old, some of them shot on a cell phone, and others you’re pretty sure don’t reflect the best side of the business. You probably didn’t hire that person…and you know what?

You’re not the only one who turned away. Chances are hundreds of people bypassed business with that company or individual entirely based on what they saw. And that’s not to say that a book is what its cover shows…not at all. But the cover should tell you all you need to know about what’s inside.

First Impressions Matter

In today's digital-first world, your visual content often serves as the first point of contact between your business and potential clients. According to research, people form first impressions within 50 milliseconds of viewing a website, and 94% of these first impressions are design-related.

The Impact of Poor Photography

• 75% of consumers judge a business's credibility based on their website design, including image quality

• 60% of consumers avoid businesses that use low-quality or unprofessional images

• Professional photos are 40% more likely to be shared on social media compared to amateur photos

• Businesses with high-quality images see an average of 35% higher conversion rates

Why Bad Photography Hurts Your Business

Poor quality images can damage your brand's reputation, reduce trust, and drive potential customers away before they even learn about your products or services.

Here are the key ways bad photography impacts your business:

• Diminished brand credibility and professionalism

• Lower engagement rates on social media

• Reduced website conversion rates

• Weakened competitive advantage

• Inconsistent brand messaging

The fact is - bad photography and a poor visual online experience costs you money. A lot of money. The good news is that you can always start chipping away at improving your web presence with just a few essential high-quality images.

The 5 Essential Photos Every Business Website Needs

1. Team/Professional Headshots: High-quality, consistent headshots that showcase the human side of your business

2. Product/Service in Action: Clear, well-lit photos demonstrating your offerings in real-world situations

3. Behind-the-Scenes: Authentic images that tell your brand's story and build trust with potential clients

4. Customer Success Stories: Visual testimonials that showcase real results and satisfied clients

5. Environmental Shots: Professional photos of your workplace, storefront, or location that set expectations for clients

The Return on Investment

While professional photography requires an initial investment, the returns are significant:

• Increased customer trust and credibility

• Higher engagement rates across marketing channels

• More effective marketing materials

• Longer website visitor retention

• Improved conversion rates

Ready to transform your business's visual presence? Let's discuss how professional photography can elevate your brand and attract more clients.

Book Your Free Consultation

During our 30-minute discovery call, we'll:

• Assess your current visual content

• Identify key areas for improvement

• Create a custom photography plan for your business

• Discuss investment options and timeline

Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward elevating your brand's visual presence.

www.robb-goodell.com/inquire