Here's the place where you can view intimate weddings featuring couples in love with their four-legged family.
welcome to the blog
1. My first name is Mei Lin (she/her)
2. I'm part of the LGBTQ+ & BIPOC communities
3. I really love pugs!
4. I’m a huge musical theatre fan
5. I care deeply about animal welfare as well as social justice issues.
6. I incorporate sustainable practices throughout your wedding photography experience
Let Me Introduce Myself
Queer Chicago Intimate
Wedding Photographer
For their celebration, Virginia & Rose picked the beach they would often go to as kids. It was redone with a beautiful boardwalk and features some forested areas surrounding the beach. They incorporated their love of botanical elements into their wedding and celebrated in the nearby forest.
A Chicago Rosewood Beach + Forest Intimate Queer Wedding
Aja & Kyra's day was held in an underground converted church in Logan Square Chicago. The couple went to dinner at St. Emeric's and fell in love with the place. As Aja recounted, "it was a charming space". They wanted a space that mirrored their personality and style as a couple and individuals.
Chicago Secret Underground Restaurant Intimate Queer Wedding
Rhiannon (she/her) & Carrie (she/her) knew they picked the right venue because it had the perfect feel and was in the neighborhood that they really love. They love walking at the pond with their rescue dog Winnie and it felt like a more formal, bigger, but warm extension of their own home.
A Loring Greenough House Intimate Queer Wedding with Rescue Dog
Not only did Rya & Britt host a marvelous intimate garden wedding in Chicago, they celebrated with their closest friends & family members while bowling and playing laser tag. Their guest of honor was Miss Lio (who -- yes -- is named after the Liopleurodon dinosaur).
A Chicago Lurie Garden & Bowling Intimate Lesbian Wedding with Rescue Dog
If Caitlin & Paul had a day where they could do anything and go anywhere in the world they would go to Greece. Greece truly is their favorite place; they love drinking the amazing wine, dancing, eating spectacular food (octopus for Paul), and seeing the beautiful landscapes.
An Intimate Oleana Greek Restaurant Lunch Wedding
Everyone was incredibly joyous and jubilant for Jin & Steven. Their ceremony was endearingly officiated by their very close friend Becca. It was a beautiful ceremony that finished with two emotional and heartfelt vows from the couple (Jin's even involved math).
A Gay Valley View Farm
Autumnal Wedding
As a couple, Kimia & Robert loved going to Vermont as an escape and to be in the moment away from the distractions that city life can bring. This love for the outdoors and the serenity heavily impacted how they chose to celebrate their love. They wanted it to feel comfortable, down to earth, and genuine for themselves as well as all of their guests.
A Spring Wildflower
Backyard Wedding
Katy and Brian held a spectacular Jewish wedding at The Essex Resort and Spa in Essex Junction Vermont. Incorporating Katy’s religious and cultural practices was especially important to her and by extension her now-husband Brian.
A Luxury Resort Jewish Wedding
Julie & Marvin hosted the most joyful Red Lion Inn wedding. They each have a huge family, hers Irish and his Guatemalan which made for a beautiful multicultural wedding full of dancing and love.
A Red Lion Inn Guatemalan Irish American Multicultural
Christmas Wedding with Dog
With Princess to help celebrate, they got ready together in their home. It involved an impromptu mini haircut (executed by Erin for Jeff), Princess almost eating Jeff’s boutonniere, and fun banter between the spouses-to-be about back sweat, leg hair, and fun versus boring socks.
An Intimate Urban Hearth Wedding with Rescue Dog
Officially married for two weeks, Shanna & Ian enjoyed a private wine tasting with their guests during their intimate and relaxed Burlington, Vermont wedding celebration.
They visited Burlington, Vermont for the first time two years ago and fell in love with the atmosphere and community.
A Hen of the Wood Intimate
Wine-Tasting Wedding
The castle was beautifully surrounded by fog which added an incredibly romantic element to their captivating ceremony. The vows resulted in tears and laughs from everybody.
Nobody could hold in how stunning their promises of love were to each other. Bharat even spoke words of love to Amrita in her mother tongue which was incredible.
A Vermont Scottish Castle
Intimate Indian Wedding
K & Erin chose their venue because it is extremely special and meaningful.
It is their friends Laura & Sarah’s new home which they offered especially for their wedding. They became their “framily”, as they are lovingly-dubbed, in Brooklyn, but have since relocated to Maine in order to be surrounded by beautiful nature.
A Joyous + Prideful
Backyard Wedding
After enjoying a long engagement, Shannon & Jared tied the knot on the very porch where Jared proposed to Shannon.
Their elopement was extremely laid back and quick because as Shannon said "it was about time!".
An Intimate Summer Backyard Elopement with Black Lab
Paige's aunt baked a cake, a family friend helping plan the wedding, and there were so many people who helped ensure everything was all set to go for the big day.
Throughout their wedding, Paige & Chris had numerous sentimental items, namely the couch where her grandfather proposed to her grandmother.
An Intimate Backyard Wedding with Bernese Mountain Dog Flower Girl
College sweethearts Tom & Missy had a meet-cute during their time as orientation advisors at their university.
Turtles & squids brought Tom & Missy together in the form of fun, odd, and perhaps unrealistic drawings on Missy’s script for a play they were mutually performing in. From that day they knew they had something wonderful and their story soared.
An Intimate
Summer Solstice Elopement
While their original plans had to be altered, Naomi & Andy were able to have a huge wedding in their hearts thanks to live streaming.
Because of Naomi & Andy's strong religious beliefs, they held numerous heart-felt prayers. They held a prayer right before becoming husband and wife, had a joyous ceremony where great friends and pastors said prayers to welcome them as newlyweds, and had a prayer over their rings before placing them on one another's fingers.
An Elegant Backyard Wedding
Nic & Bree's housewarming party was made extra special because it was their wedding day. Together as a team, they decorated and planned their day with so many gorgeous and touching elements.
With an epic first look location, Nic & Bree started the first day of this new chapter in their lives with love from all their closest friends and family.
A Housewarming Backyard Wedding
Samantha & Dan incorporated a wine box time capsule in their ceremony where they enclosed a bottle of wine and letters that they wrote to each other to open on their anniversary.
This was such a sweet personal touch as this will be a tradition they continue for each year of their marriage.
An Historic Glen Magna Fall Wedding
Their day was beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated. Tad planned a stunning day full of small touches that made their wedding so personal. From having Cricket their pup attend the ceremony, to a custom Crawford logo drawn from The Boston Athenaeum's real logo, to a collection of port to accompany the well-crafted desserts, everything came together wonderfully.
A Black Tie
Boston Athenaeum Wedding
Set among the beautiful Vermont foliage on a small independent farm, this wedding inspiration is perfect for couples looking to host an intimate wedding without sacrificing on unique style elements from a more traditional wedding.
This brunch style added a great element of whimsy in addition to delicious and expressive food.
Vibrant Autumnal Brunch Vermont Wedding Inspiration
The ceremony was filled with so much contagious enthusiasm from all of their friends and family.
No one could have expressed greater joy for the newlyweds and greater joy for their faith as Kassandra & Stan's friends and family. Their first dance as husband and wife was incredible. They danced to two songs and had a *fog machine*!
A Chic & Roaring Modern Black Tie Wedding
The ceremony was filled with so much contagious enthusiasm from all of their friends and family.
No one could have expressed greater joy for the newlyweds and greater joy for their faith as Kassandra & Stan's friends and family. Their first dance as husband and wife was incredible. They danced to two songs and had a *fog machine*!
A Timeless Codman Estate
Autumnal Wedding
Weddings
category:
Recently engaged couple Emma (she/her) & Maya (she/her) brought their pup Kona (he/him) to celebrate with some gorgeous Chicago sunset photos at the North Avenue Pier.
A Chicago North Avenue Pier Queer Engagement with Rescue Dog
Emily (she/her) & Alexa (they/them) have always planned on getting married, so it wasn't a surprise that they did, it was only a matter of time. The way they got married felt very true to them and this portrait session with their beloved rescue dog was a lovely way to commemorate it.
A Chicago Montrose Beach Queer Sunrise Beach Couple's Session with Rescue Dog
Canela the Goldendoodle brought her humans Argelia & Charles for a lovely, lowkey couple’s session at Portage Park in Chicago.
Donning her beautiful bright pink bandana, she was the star of the session even amidst multiple distractions including birds, squirrels, & other dogs.
A Chicago Portage Park Couple's Session with Dog
Along with featuring the city they love, Winnifred (aka Winnie, she/her) joined Rhiannon (she/her) & Carrie (she/her) for some photos (because *obviously* they needed to include the four-legged family member).
A Queer Arboretum Engagement
with Rescue Dog
About three years ago, Jinyan (he/him) & Steven (he/him) met like the modern couple they are, on Tinder. Steven swiped right first and knowing this, Jin was the one to make the first move. They had a great first date which led to them immediately want a second (and third, and fourth, and infinite amount of dates).
A Spring Arboretum Gay Engagement
Downeast Cider is an especially meaningful place in K and Erin’s story. K used to live in Boston; when Erin visited during the early parts of their relationship they always chose the brewery as “Their Place.”
Since then, they have continued to love the beer so much that they had it served at their wedding!
A Downeast Cider Brewery Anniversary with Rescue Dog
Tom & Missy came to visit Vermont with their four-legged family Marigold. It was Missy’s first time in Vermont, and even though it was a short trip it was one of the best weekends the state had to offer.
It was the perfect combination of peak foliage season, beautiful weather, and crisp temperatures.
A Mount Mansfield Summit Anniversary with Rescue Dog
Nine years ago, Erin & Jeff began their journey as partners in life together. They met in college and bonded instantly because they’re both self-proclaimed science nerds.
As a couple, Erin & Jeff discussed their future and decided they would get married. They found a local jeweler who was the perfect fit for them.
Lakeside Engagement
with Rescue Dog
Katy & Brian’s session was floral, understated, & warm. A lovely small family farm, Miller Hill Farm graciously offered Katy, Brian, & Ruben their farm as a great portrait location.
Between the gorgeous florals and beautiful Vermont farm scenery, it made for incredible portraits.
A Miller Hill Farm Engagement Session with Rescue Dog
Because of their adorable first date, Jackson planned an incredibly sweet and thoughtful proposal for Annmarie.
He laid out his own custom beach in Annmarie’s grandparents’ backyard. Complete with a towel (minus the turtles), seashells, and atmospheric fairy lights, he brought the Floridian beach to the Green Mountains.
A Beach-Inspired Backyard Proposal
It was a few months after the fact that they decided they wanted some couple portraits to commemorate this special time in their lives. Due to everything, their session was postponed, and so fast-forward to this year, their couple session ended up being an anniversary session.
An Historic Cambridge Longfellow House Anniversary Session
Couples
category:
Downeast Cider is an especially meaningful place in K and Erin’s story. K used to live in Boston; when Erin visited during the early parts of their relationship they always chose the brewery as “Their Place.”
Since then, they have continued to love the beer so much that they had it served at their wedding!
A Downeast Cider Brewery Anniversary with Rescue Dog
Emily (she/her) & Alexa (they/them) have always planned on getting married, so it wasn't a surprise that they did, it was only a matter of time. The way they got married felt very true to them and this portrait session with their beloved rescue dog was a lovely way to commemorate it.
A Chicago Montrose Beach Queer Sunrise Beach Couple's Session with Rescue Dog
Recently engaged couple Emma (she/her) & Maya (she/her) brought their pup Kona (he/him) to celebrate with some gorgeous Chicago sunset photos at the North Avenue Pier.
A Chicago North Avenue Pier Queer Engagement with Rescue Dog
Canela the Goldendoodle brought her humans Argelia & Charles for a lovely, lowkey couple’s session at Portage Park in Chicago.
Donning her beautiful bright pink bandana, she was the star of the session even amidst multiple distractions including birds, squirrels, & other dogs.
A Chicago Portage Park Couple's Session with Dog
Along with featuring the city they love, Winnifred (aka Winnie, she/her) joined Rhiannon (she/her) & Carrie (she/her) for some photos (because *obviously* they needed to include the four-legged family member).
A Queer Arboretum Engagement
with Rescue Dog
Tom & Missy came to visit Vermont with their four-legged family Marigold. It was Missy’s first time in Vermont, and even though it was a short trip it was one of the best weekends the state had to offer.
It was the perfect combination of peak foliage season, beautiful weather, and crisp temperatures.
A Mount Mansfield Summit Anniversary with Rescue Dog
Nine years ago, Erin & Jeff began their journey as partners in life together. They met in college and bonded instantly because they’re both self-proclaimed science nerds.
As a couple, Erin & Jeff discussed their future and decided they would get married. They found a local jeweler who was the perfect fit for them.
Lakeside Engagement
with Rescue Dog
After enjoying a long engagement, Shannon & Jared tied the knot on the very porch where Jared proposed to Shannon.
Their elopement was extremely laid back and quick because as Shannon said "it was about time!".
An Intimate Summer Backyard Elopement with Black Lab
Katy & Brian’s session was floral, understated, & warm. A lovely small family farm, Miller Hill Farm graciously offered Katy, Brian, & Ruben their farm as a great portrait location.
Between the gorgeous florals and beautiful Vermont farm scenery, it made for incredible portraits.
A Miller Hill Farm Engagement Session with Rescue Dog
The South End in Boston was a beautiful location for portraits because of its timeless Boston brick and cobblestone streets. Howie donned a matching black coat with his mom and smiled throughout his entire session. Being a senior pug, he enjoys long naps (with extreme snoring), loads of treats, and many many hugs and snuggles from mom.
A Winter South End Senior Pug Portrait Session
Charlie Harry Houdini is full of overjoyed energy.
His mom didn’t choose him so much as he chose her.
He now happily lives with his parents in Vermont where he is enjoying climbing all of the gigantic snow piles.
A Snowy Golden Retriever
Puppy Portrait Session
To commemorate earning an exciting new illustration + graphic design job, Danielle decided to celebrate by getting brand new portraits of herself at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir with her rescue dog Milo (with no less than three matching outfits).
Chestnut Hill Reservoir Portrait Session with Rescue Dog
Grizzly is an absolute sweetheart. At the incredible age of 17, Grizzly has lived an amazing life and still has more to enjoy. Grizzly loves to play with her tennis ball, and while it's harder for her because she has aches and pains all over, she managed to have some fun in the sun just like old times.
Sweet in Home
Senior Rescue Dog Session
Sammy the rescue dog is one of the best examples of why you should consider adopting a dog.
He is full of love and kindness. He has enormous amounts of energy for an eight year old big dog and loves to play with his green toys in the backyard where he had his portrait session.
Rescue Dog At Home
Backyard Portrait Session
Dogs
category:
The new MBP x Inkpot Creative is finally live! Meet KP (she/her), the owner, designer, and one-woman entrepreneur behind Inkpot Creative, a queer-owned design studio "for the LGTBQIA+ community and allies who want to stick out from the crowd in all the right ways."
Mei Lin Barral Photography x
Inkpot Creative
It's important to me to advocate for causes that are very important to me. Here are four groups of organizations who could greatly use your help: Stop Asian Hate, LGBTQIA+, Black Lives Matter, & Four-legged Family.
Incredible Charities + Organizations that Need Your Support
Contemporary musicals like Hamilton and Six have cultivated a new audience and an even greater extension of the musical theatre community.
I love all kinds of musicals so here are ten songs that I’d especially love to introduce to you.
10 Underappreciated Musical Theatre Songs You Need to Hear
