THE VENUE
A historic space in Cambridge
The Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center was built in the 1880s as a County Clerk’s Office, and plenty of its very cool original character remains. Inside, tall ceilings and oversized windows give the rooms a sense of scale, while aqua-painted metal railings, gold details, and embossed shell motifs on the white walls add color and ornament. The wraparound balcony is one of the space's defining features, with its intricate railings overlooking the room below.
Today, the building serves as a space for concerts, performances, and community arts events, so it has a life beyond weddings. It's an older building with plenty of history, and it has a character that feels different from a polished hotel ballroom or a purpose-built event space.
Ana and Daniel exchanged vows in the center's courtyard, surrounded by greenery and framed by an arbor. The courtyard also offered several spots for family portraits, with leafy backdrops and the building's historic exterior adding a sense of place.
THE PHOTOS
A little color, a lot of character
I was so excited to shoot at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center. The aqua and gold details! The wraparound balcony! There was so much to play with, and I knew I wanted to make the most of it.
We spent a ton of time on the balcony making portraits. I crossed over to the other side to photograph Ana and Daniel from a distance, using the architecture to show off just how big and cool the space is. We also played around with portraits along the side of the balcony, and at one point, the venue lighting person helped us out with a perfectly placed spotlight. Sometimes you get a little extra magic when the whole team gets involved in making a photo happen.
Of course, there were plenty of photos of their guests, too. I love having a mix of those more considered portraits and the moments that happen naturally throughout the night. And the centerpieces deserved their own moment! They were made by a friend of Ana's, which made photographing them feel like documenting another little piece of the people who came together to celebrate these two.
Getting Married at The Cambridge Multicultural Art Center?
Looking for a photographer who loves this space? Looking for a photographer who loves film, and digital, a documenting all the big emotions of your day?