Laura and Nikolas exchanged their vows on a chilly November day at the Lodge at Welch Allyn. They opted for a first look to take advantage of the natural light and I am so glad they did, the sun had set before their ceremony began. If you are curious to see what these two look like in warmer temps have a look at their mid-summer engagement session. Thanks for braving the cold and making the last wedding of the season one to remember!
Read moreSinclair Family - A Skaneateles Lifestyle Session
I spent a glorious fall morning with the Sinclair family running around their massive yard with their darling boys. I have to admit that I have shied away from family sessions in the past due to the the unpredictable nature of young kids, I never wanted to disappoint clients by not delivering the perfectly posed family portrait. What I have come to understand is that there is no such thing as the perfect family nor the perfect family portrait. I prefer to document real families as they are...messy, happy, pouty, loud, quiet, and playful! I would much rather see a kid's quarks and personality reflected an image than a forced grin, what do you prefer?
Read moreLynn Family Lifestyle Session
I spend a great deal of my time photographing life's grand moments but it's important to pause and capture the quiet little moments that make up our everyday lives. I adore working with families that aren't looking for the traditional family portrait, they opt for real laughter and life (which can sometimes be messy and grumpy). For the Lynn's session we spent a late summer day on Skaneateles lake where the family has gathered and made memories for generations. The last time I photographed the Lynn family was when William was a newborn, we had a great session in their home even in the middle of a CNY winter. There is nothing better than a genuine smile in a location that is dear to your heart, contact me today for your real-life family session!
Read moreLeah & Matt - Frog Pond Wedding
Leah and Matt were married on a sparkling October day at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Marcellus and then celebrated with nearly 200 guests at one of my favorite wedding spots, Frog Pond Bed and Breakfast in Skaneateles, NY. It had been forecasted to rain all day but instead of rain we were treated to the first snowfall of the season. Despite the very chilly temps, we managed to take advantage of the beautiful grounds the Frog Pond offers, thanks to Leah and Matt (and their hearty wedding party) for being such troopers, all the best to you both!
Read moreElsa & Patrick - Cazenovia Engagement Session
Elsa and Patrick took me to some of their favorite Cazenovia locations, including the spot where Pat proposed. My favorite spot by far was the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, I am already planning another visit with my family (the kids are going to LOVE it). These two are getting married next September at Emerson Park Pavilion and I am really looking forward to see how Elsa's Albanian traditions are incorporated throughout the big day (especially the money dance)!
Read moreMolly & Rich - Erie Canal Park Engagement Session
Molly and Rich took me on my first walk down the Erie Canal for their fall engagement session, it's a special place to these two because it is where Molly met Rich's Westie and the three of them hit it off (apparently the pup doesn't approve of many people)! Rich loves his puppy so much that he had her help in proposing to Molly with a cute sign he made for the occasion. I am so looking forward to see what their Sky Armory wedding brings next September.
Read moreEllie & Donny - Geneva Engagement Session
Ellie and Donny took me to one of their favorite spots for their engagement shoot, it was a great choice since the trail was just bursting with gorgeous fall color. We finished up the shoot at Donny's dairy farm, I couldn't resist the farm setting for a few pics (Ellie grew up on a dairy farm, too). These two are getting married next August in Skaneateles at the Lodge at Welch Allyn, I am looking forward to the wedding day!!
Read moreMolly & Eric - Skaneateles Engagement Session
The title really should read Molly, Eric & Claire since Molly's darling daughter, Claire, joined us for the first half of the session. It was so much fun working with a 5-year-old that will actually look in the camera (my 5-year-old is SO over having her picture taken). Once Claire fizzled out we sent her to play with my kids while the three of us went downtown to visit the spot where Eric proposed to Molly. Where do you think he popped the question? I am looking forward to their Sherwood Inn wedding next summer!
Couple kiss in the park surrounded by trees at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple play with their daughter at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple fool around in the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple kiss before they are interrupted by their daughter at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple and their daughter in black and white shot at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple's daughter explores the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple's daughter is surprised at the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple spend quality time together at the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple stroll with their daughter in the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple hold hands in the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple share happy moments in the sunlight at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple kiss in the sunlight at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple and their daughter make funny faces in the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple in loving embrace at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple take a stroll in the park with their daughter at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple rest by the lake at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple having fun in front of a brick wall at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple embrace by the lake at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple share good times at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple sit by the lake at Skaneateles Engagement
Couple kiss as the tall trees surround them in the park at Skaneateles Engagement
Lindsay & Michael - Lodge at Welch Allyn Wedding
Lindsay and Michael were married on a gray day in October but that didn't stop us from bringing the color when we took a little detour into a field of wildflowers on our way to their Lodge at Welch Allyn reception. I just love it when my clients trust me and play along with my crazy ideas (thanks for walking down those docks, ladies)! Some of my favorite moments from the day were when Lindsay teared up as her father escorted her down the aisle and when Michael fist pumped all the way down the aisle after they were declared man and wife (so cute). I wish you many happy years!!
Read moreJaime & Ryan - Anyela's Vineyard Wedding
Jaime and Ryan are two of the kindest people I have met, it was a joy to see how happy they make each other and to photograph their wedding celebration at Anyela's Vineyard. This was yet another wedding where it rained almost the entire day but it didn't stop these two from glowing. It started to pour just as they were exiting the ceremony at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Marcellus but it let up briefly at one of the most picturesque spots in the Fingerlakes, Anyela's Vineyard. I am so grateful to have such great couples that embrace what comes their way and makes the best of it, Jaime and Ryan thanks for all the smiles despite what the rain brought!!
Read moreWelcome Baby Allison - Skaneateles Newborn Session
I am always hugely flattered when my wedding couples call me to photograph their first little bundles of joy and I just ADORE newborn sessions. Amy and Joe, one of my favorite couples of all time, just had a darling little girl named Allison. Two years ago they had a fabulous Mandana Barn wedding complete with a square dance (have a look at their wedding day)! Joe's musical skills came in handy during the session when little Allison needed some soothing (I think he needs to create a bluegrass lullaby album). Amy, Joe and Allison, thanks for the honor of letting me document your new family!
Read moreNicole & Todd - Marcellus Engagement Session
Nicole and Todd met in Syracuse and after falling in love he proposed in a quiet corner of Marcellus Park. It is really important to incorporate a couple's history into the engagement session, it makes the photographs so much more meaningful. It made perfect sense to shoot their engagement session in the spot where she said yes...can you guess which image is the place where he popped the question?
Read moreJessica & Ryan - Aurora Inn Wedding
Jessica and Ryan are almost too good to be true but I promise you they are not models I hired to document the perfect wedding at the Aurora Inn! Eventhough it poured all day (except for a 20 minute interval during cocktail hour) these two were delightful and the proof is in the genuine smiles they sported all day. It just goes to show you that rain on your wedding day will not ruin your day...unless you let it! With a great attitude and a positive outlook beautiful images can be made in all sorts of conditions and circumstances. I wish Jessica and Ryan the most fabulous lifetime together and I hope they decide to relocate to CNY since I desperately want to hang out again...love you guys!!
Read moreLauren & James - Brewster Inn Wedding
Lake in central New York. Although this power couple live and work in NYC they chose James' hometown of Cazenovia for their wedding day because of its refreshing small town charm. The wedding was quite elegant and traditional except when James grabbed the mic and surprised everyone with his freestyle rapping skills, the guy is legit...he just might be able to quit his day job! It was delightful to photograph a Cazenovia wedding and I hope to get back soon, thanks again for having me Lauren and James!
Read moreKatie & Brad - Skaneateles Country Club Wedding
Katie and Brad, WOW--just, WOW! They had such a beautiful ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church and a stellar reception at the Skaneateles Country Club, everything fell so perfectly into place and it really shows. Thank you so much for choosing me to document your wedding day, it was a pleasure!! I am going to leave it there and let the pictures tell your story...
Read moreLeah & Pat – Turning Stone Casino Wedding
Leah and Pat were married in her beautiful childhood parish, Blessed Sacrament, in downtown Syracuse and then celebrated their wedding at Turning Stone in Verona, NY. I loved all the sentimental details that Leah included in tribute to her late father, he was definitely present and it shows in the images. These two meticulously planned their wedding so when a few hiccups in the timing arose it didn’t matter in the slightest because we accounted for the inevitable wedding day delays. I have yet to photograph a wedding that ran exactly on schedule, no matter how perfectly you plan and prepare for your wedding day there are ALWAYS delays. That’s why when I create timelines for my couples I budget a lot more time for portraits than is necessary, that way when we get a late start we have enough time to get the images you want without missing out on the festivities. Much love to you both!!!
Read moreRosie & J.B. - Skaneateles Country Club Wedding
Rosie and J.B. were married at St. Mary's of the Lake in Skaneateles and celebrated at the Skaneateles Country Club on a perfect Saturday in August. One thing I loved about their wedding day was Rosie's choice to do portraits on the grounds of Hobbit Hollow, a gorgeous inn and horse farm near the country club. I strongly recommend setting aside plenty of time for pictures of just the newlyweds on your wedding day and the best way to accomplish that without missing out on your reception is to do a first look, make the most of that time by selecting a backdrop worthy of your wedding day...you won't regret setting aside the time when you have tons of great images to pore over after your wedding day!
Read moreKelly & Tyler - Skaneateles Country Club Wedding
Kelly and Tyler are an incredibly energetic couple who surrounded themselves with an equally animated and huge wedding party making for a wild and fun wedding. It was a lot of work keeping this group wrangled but I was able to collect a range of images that documented their fun-loving ways while still managing to collect a few quiet moments in between the partying. Kelly and Tyler slipped away at the end of dinner to get some beautiful photographs on the docks of the Skaneateles Country Club. I love it when clients trust me, happily take my recommendations, and give me the space to step back and document a wedding rather than keeping me busy with extensive shot lists. Thanks Kelly and Tyler!!
Read moreSuzan & Jared - Emerson Park Pavilion Wedding
Suzan and Jared were married on a gorgeous Saturday in July. They started their wedding day in style at Mirbeau Inn and Spa one of my absolute favorite spots, it doesn't get any better than the gardens for a first look! It is so important to allow enough time for portraits on your wedding day, I think most couples underestimate how much time it actually takes to get comfortable in front of the lens (even when you have already done an engagement session). Suzan and Jared planned well by taking advantage of the gorgeous gardens at Mirbeau before heading out to their ceremony and reception at the Emerson Park Pavilion. It's great that they allowed for the extra time together before the ceremony since a tremendous thunderstorm hit right when we had planned for some sweet light portraits at Emerson. Enjoy the lavash wedding that Suzan and Jared created, much love to you both!!
Read moreErin & Michael - Emerson Park Pavilion Wedding
Erin and Michael had a beautiful wedding day at Emerson Park Pavilion. All day they were surrounded with lovely people! Everyone from their officiant, wedding party and guests were all delightful and with such positive energy in the air you can't take a bad picture. I was so pleased with the images from this wedding I posted not one but two blog entries (see the veil post here) and just incase you are on the fence about whether or not to wear a veil my answer is YES, YES, YES...the longer the better!! Erin and Michael thank you for sharing your joy with me, may that happiness be with you throughout your marriage!
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