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Capturing Unforgettable Moments: Photographing a Wedding at The Barn on the Pemi in Plymouth, NH

Wedding

April 11, 2025

As a wedding photographer, few venues inspire creativity like The Barn on the Pemi in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Karissa and James had the most beautiful wedding day with a venue nestled in the heart of the White Mountains. This historic barn offers a stunning blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, making it one of the top wedding venues in NH. Recently, I had the honor of photographing Karissa & James’s March wedding here, and it was a day filled with breathtaking backdrops, heartfelt moments, and endless opportunities for wedding photography. In this post, I’ll share why The Barn on the Pemi is a photographer’s dream and highlight the venue’s standout features for couples planning their big day.

Why The Barn on the Pemi is Perfect for Wedding Photography
Located just off I-93 in Plymouth, NH, The Barn on the Pemi is a restored 1855 barn originally from Canterbury, NH, now perched high above the Pemigewasset River. With over 10,000 square feet of event space, it’s one of the most versatile wedding venues in New Hampshire, accommodating up to 300 guests. The barn’s exposed wooden beams, high ceilings, and massive stone fireplace create a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s ideal for capturing rustic wedding photos. Whether you’re shooting candid moments or posed portraits, the venue’s natural textures and historic charm make every frame a masterpiece.

The Greenhouse: A Dreamy Space

One of the venue’s most unique features is its seasonal greenhouse. This glass-walled space, with its brick floor and surrounding flower gardens, is a top choice for outdoor wedding ceremonies in NH. We headed to the Greenhouse for some beautiful portraits of the bride and groom and the natural light pouring through the glass created a soft, ethereal glow. The White Mountains and snow in the background added a dramatic touch, making it easy to capture stunning wedding photos. For small weddings in NH or rehearsal dinners, the greenhouse is perfect, but it’s also a great spot for golden-hour portraits. Couples looking for unique wedding venues in New Hampshire will fall in love with this fairy-tale setting.

The Main Barn: A Rustic Haven for Timeless Photos

The heart of The Barn on the Pemi is its three-story barn, a photographer’s paradise with its blend of historic charm and modern amenities. The exposed beams and wide-plank floors add depth to every shot, while the three-story windows flood the space with natural light—perfect for indoor wedding photography. During the wedding I photographed, the couple’s first dance by the stone fireplace was a highlight. The warm glow of the unique chandeliers and the barn’s neutral palette made their love story pop in every image.

With climate control throughout, the barn stays comfortable year-round, ensuring guests and photographers alike can focus on the moment. The built-in dance floor and full-service bars (one on each level) kept the reception lively, giving me plenty of chances to capture candid shots of guests enjoying The Common Man’s farm-to-table cuisine. For couples searching for rustic wedding venues near Plymouth, NH, this barn delivers both charm and functionality.

Seamless Logistics for Stress-Free Photography

What sets The Barn on the Pemi apart is its blend of rustic beauty and modern convenience. The venue’s event specialists were phenomenal, keeping the day on track so I could focus on capturing every moment. Nearby accommodations at The Common Man Inn & Spa and The Common Man Lodge, plus an antique trolley for guest transport, made logistics a breeze. For couples wanting extra photo ops, Plymouth’s hiking trails and Lakes Region are just minutes away, perfect for adventurous pre-wedding shoots.

Why Couples and Photographers Love The Barn on the Pemi

Photographing this wedding at The Barn on the Pemi was a reminder of why I love NH & New England wedding photography. The venue’s mix of historic charm, natural beauty, and modern amenities creates endless possibilities for stunning images. The couple’s joy, set against the White Mountains and rustic interiors, made for photos that were both timeless and unique.

For couples searching for rustic wedding venues in New Hampshire, The Barn on the Pemi is a must-see. Its versatility, breathtaking views, and thoughtful details make it one of the best wedding venues in Plymouth, NH. And for photographers, it’s a playground of light and texture that turns every wedding into a work of art. I’m already counting down to my next wedding here—because with a venue this incredible, every love story shines.

April 11, 2025

STEP 1: We arrive to the location!

I like to start off every session, no matter if I’ve meet you in person before or not, with a solid 5-10 minutes of us just talking a little bit before I take any photos.

My #1 goal is to make you feel comfortable, and if we rushed into the session I don’t think that would happen right away. I love getting to know my couples and hearing all about them!

There is no rush when it comes to having your photos taken and if the photographer is snapping a hundred photos from minute one, before even speaking with you, then it sets the session off on a rushed note and you will see that portrayed in the photos. 

April 11, 2025

Time to get ready!

After our short chat we have typically warmed up to each other, maybe even cracked a few jokes. Laughter goes a long way, so I like to find ways to make the two of you smile and laugh. Now we will begin your photoshoot.

At the beginning of every photoshoot, I will have you stand close to each other, most likely hip to hip, but recently I have loved having my couples stand facing one another. You will hear me say,”Ok, so I am going to check my settings to make sure everything is good. These are just tests, so go ahead and just talk with each other while I set up.” 

I like to do this because it gives you and your partner the chance to see the camera go up, hear the shutter, but not really be too focused on what you are doing. It sets the tone for that natural candid capture.

Sometimes during these “test” shots, I actually capture some really cute moments between you and your partner. Like Ashley and Josh, in the photo above, you can see her laughing at something that Josh said to her while I was setting up. Because they are focused on each other, I was able to capture that true moment as it was.

April 11, 2025

Once the test shots are settled, the photoshoot will truly begin. Depending on the level of comfort and ease y’all show in those first moments, I will start one of two ways. The first is to have those more “posed” photos of the couple holding each other close together, holding hands, maybe a few smooches.

I do this because, if you are naturally less expressive with one another and need a little more posing help, I can start that from the get go so that you are comfortable. If you and your partner are naturals in front of the camera, I know that sticking you into poses is going to make you look unnatural and uncomfortable, so instead, I will coach you through movement and moments to capture those candid photos of you two in your element together. 

In general I like to work you through movements because every person, every couple will have a different way of expressing themselves.

Some of my favorite, more intimate moments are when I ask you two to embrace, cuddle up and hold each other close. Another trick I like to use, is having one of you whisper something into the others ear that they know is going to get them to crack up. It’s gold I tell ya!

For the majority of your session, we will all be chatting back and forth. I like to keep communication flowing because the silence can be deafening and leave the two of you feeling uncomfortable. Once we have gotten into a flow of me helping you into poses, or the two of you moving in and out of them on your own, I will typically ask you two to remember back to those first couple of dates. I love to do this because it can be really humorous and lead to those genuine laughing photos! (aka: candid moments ? )

I’m also a big “show and tell” photographer. Meaning I will be showing you the photos from the back of my camera as we go so you can see how adorable you and your fiance are 😉 This is also great, since I can get feedback from you to make sure you absolutely love the photos as we go. 

April 11, 2025

I like to throw out some experiences and just capture you and your bae’s interpretation of said experiences. A couple of my favorites are,

    Practice your first dance
    Go on a little stroll while holding hands
    Get in nice and close and visualize your wedding day

These are wonderful photography moments because it portrays who you are as a couple. Like I mentioned earlier, no two people are going to move in the same way as you both and it is so unique and memorable.

As we wrap up you session, I like to ask if there are any other poses that you envisioned that we didn’t capture and if so, let’s do them! If you are like me, you have several Pinterest boards full of poses that you have fallen in love with and I want to make sure they are all captured for you in the best way possible. I will say, it isn’t always 100% the same because every photographer is going to have different ways of photographing and different equipment. But I will try my best to get it just right!

And that’s about it!

Having your photos taken shouldn’t cause you anxiety, so if you are feeling nervous, let’s chat! I will always be up for a phone call or text if you are nervous about a photo session coming up. It is my job as your photographer to make you and your soon to be spouse, as comfortable as possible! And believe me, I work very hard to make sure every couple who works with me has an all time blast, that has them chatting about their session even after it is over!

So, let’s do it!!

x Kayla

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