Planning perspective
What to consider before reaching out
A strong first conversation is about fit, not just availability. Share your date, approximate guest count, location, and the feeling you want the day to have. Ask what is included, what typically changes the final quote, and what decisions need to be made earliest.
For a photo & video partner, confirm how communication works, who will be present on the day, and how the team handles changes. Pricing was not included in the supplied research, so request a current, itemized proposal directly from the business.
In their clients’ words
What people say on Google
Jessica Olsen
6 years ago
Jim, with Carlen Images, was fantastic for us on our wedding day. He did a great job at managing my disorganization and the last minute decision of mine to jump in the lake in my wedding dress. He captured this perfect moment of my dad throwing the pass and so many other great moments that day. Jim is affordable but without sacrificing quality, which is so important on a wedding day. Thank you Jim, we're beyond happy with our photos!
Emily Cray
a year ago
My husband and I got married on January 25 of this year and four days before our wedding. Our photographer canceled. She had some kind of fever and couldn’t make it. We are from Massachusetts and got married in New Hampshire so we didn’t even know where to start when looking for a photographer. We found Jim and he was willing to drive 2 1/2 hours to save our special day. I cannot tell you how amazing he was with our chaotic wedding parties and with the glare of the sun off the mountain he did an amazing job and I would recommend him to anybody getting married. It means a lot that he cared enough to make a commitment four days before, and capture the magic of our wedding day. I am eternally g...
Helaine Hughes
a year ago
Jim Carlen is wonderful. I needed pictures of my mom's art for a memorial book after she passed on. He came to my house with all his equipment and took pictures of her acrylics, her oil paintings, a batik, a pen & ink and a pastel portrait. He made sure the actual colors came through, using several test pictures with a color match piece. He was friendly, useful and meticulous. He adapted as needed to get all the pictures done correctly. The pen & ink was in a frame with glass and he made sure there were no reflections. He sent me the picture files the very next day. Job done well, prompt follow-up, worth every penny.
Nicholas Moore
5 years ago
My wife and I just got married ( June 26, 2021) after trying to plan our wedding for over a year. Our original date was supposed to be May 2nd, 2020, and it had to be cancelled twice because of the pandemic. Jim was an absolute pleasure to work with from Day 1. He was responsive to all of our questions, concerns, and requests, and took all of our changes we had to make in stride. He was extremely accommodating and made sure we felt taken care of. He ended up photographing our wedding, but during the planning process, he had a team of equally great people who were ready to help out and photograph our event on the off chance he couldn't make it (we were so glad he could attend!). Beyond the p...
Dorian Bown
12 years ago
My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Jim for our wedding in October 2013. We met with several photographers prior and knew once we met Jim we felt much more comfortable. Throughout the entire process, Jim was patient and worked very well with us. He was very consultative and really put us at ease so we could focus on the wedding. Once we received the photos and the high quality album, we could not have been more pleased - absolutely fantastic! We give Jim the highest of recommendations and are very pleased with our experience and grateful to have so many amazing pictures. Thank you, Dorian and Charlene Bown
Reviews from Google. Read all of them on Google.
Getting here
How far is this from home?
Pick the city you and most of your guests will be driving from and we will estimate the trip.
An estimate for planning, not live traffic. Leafy weekends in October always take longer.
For your guests
Lovely places to stay nearby
Mill Falls at the Lake, Meredith
Four inns on Lake Winnipesaukee, easy for a large block.
The Wolfeboro Inn
Lakeside rooms right in the village.
Church Landing, Meredith
The most special rooms of the Mill Falls group.
Three stops worth the detour
Somewhere pretty for photographs, and somewhere warm for a good cup of coffee.
Castle in the Clouds overlook
Mountain estate with a view down the whole lake.
Weirs Beach boardwalk
Classic lake-town afternoon for guests with kids.
Wayfarer Coffee Roasters, Laconia
Riverside roastery for the morning coffee stop.
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Editorial note: this profile is based only on the vendor research supplied to New England Celebrations. It is not a paid endorsement, interview, or first-person testimonial. Pricing and availability are on request.