06/05/2026
I can hardly believe we are coming to a close and wrapping up this season of photography, but it is here! Our very last highlight for Nominee in the Small Business of the Year Category for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Business Awards is none other than the husband/wife team, Brian and Melissa Reilly, of Cured Catering and Arlington's. Lovingly referred to as a Cure For Catering, the Reillys believe whole-heartedly that hospitality and catering should be fresh, fun, deliberate, personalized, and artistic. Relying on their skills with over 30 years in hospitality, special events, and management, they create engaging displays with a fresh approach and an incredible fusion of foods.
In case you couldn't tell by the way they showed up for their amazingly creative session, the Reillys are all about personality blended with meticulous sincerity, setting a stage with lights and effects, and showing up for their community with creativity to curate something both visually appealing, highly stylized and delicious while still feeling much like home. Brian and Melissa are family focused. They have seven children of their own (I still don't know how you do what you do and I am in awe of you both!) and when Brian started brainstorming Cured in 2016, they talked about keeping memories and family recipes alive through their menu of elevated comfort food. When you are with the Reillys in any capacity, you immediately feel like family, because it is who they are to their core. When I say this, I wish you all could have been a fly on the wall during our session. The level of love and respect that poured out of them, the way they cheered each other on- just admirable and inspiring, truly special to observe! And now they own Arlington's where they had their first date! We talked about work-life balance, if there is such a thing, and I fell in love with the idea of work and play. Brian talked about how one minute you are under the fire, preparing meals for hundreds of people and then Melissa talked about finding yourself cleaning up in a venue bathroom and throwing on a ball gown after setting up to serve. So, fun fact, the dress Melissa is wearing in their official nomination portrait is one she saved all of her money for in high school for Prom and a fur that comes close to matching one from generations past in old family photos.
It was truly a pleasure to have you both in my studio and to hear your stories. You have left an imprint on this community with how you show up in the world. Congratulations on your nomination!
