The day starts with A TON of laughing, perfect - that means we’re in for a PARTY. I get to Katie’s room and one of the bridesmaids is DEFINITELY keeping the party vibes on high (You the true MVP). There was no shortage of laughing, champagne, beautiful details and loving family in this room. Before her mom gets to put on her dress we take a couple of photos of Katie and her Bridesmaids on the balcony and a small champagne toast. When Katie is all buttoned up in her dress, we did a quick first look with Dad and then I moved into Ryan’s room to capture some details as he gets ready. His sister helps him put on his jacket and a family friend/florist help pin the flower and we quickly whisk ourselves away to get ready for the First Look before it starts to have the IDEA of rain.

On this day, in the zenith (SAT Word right there) of the Autumnal season where there are plenty of beautiful colors to be had, Asia and Tammy get MARRIED. Like every couple, they’ve been waiting to have this day together for a while now, and its quite obvious (you will see in a minute) that when someone says “If you cry, I will cry” that its true for this silly, laugh it off type couple. When Tammy cried at the ceremony, Asia cried, and then I CRIED (even if you won’t have proof)

What more do I need to say about Asia and Tammy? They are a low key, fun loving couple who deeply love with all of their being. Silly, Sarcastic, and always a good time - We took an engagement session with these two at Schodack Town Park, maybe one of my new favorite places for a nice wintery sunset through the forest (you’ll see what I mean at the end). This is a place that is not without beautiful fall colors and a fun path through a small forest, close to the river and plenty of room to roam.

This day was always going to be beautiful and things couldn’t have gone any better on this wedding day! The weather was perfectly blue with a couple smattering of clouds just to keep everyone a little cooler on a hot August day. They both wanted to do a first look (My favorite!) and they were going to do it as a back to back but the one challenge, They both wanted to get ready in the upstairs room with the family that was more important to them.

We’re starting off this week’s Pride Celebration with a couple who’s created a beautiful life together already and they only want to continue this adventure together. Kim is a bit shy, very intellegent, and so compassionate you just want to give her hugs all day and Jen is an outspoken, heart on her sleeves and self sacrificing kind of person who would do anything for the people she loves.

On THIS day in July, It was a hot day - Ironically enough we were all worried there would be rain so we were first coming up with a rain plan - then as the days got closer, it was definitely NOT going to rain. Instead, Mother Nature said “Let there be sun” and TONS of it. It was a hot and humid day, thank goodness for AC at the Marriott Troy and Takk House because we took advantage of all the cool interiors as much as possible.

These two are nerdy, silly, passionate, and downright FUN to be around. They were down for capturing their personalities in multiple different places in the city that they love so much. A bit of role playing maybe, but a couple of really unique compositions while they joked, sarcastically participated, and in some quiet moments, softly enjoyed each other’s company. Philly is one of my favorite cities to just be in, walk around, and explore the congruence of Historical and Modern Architectural elements. I would come back here in a heart beat, if not for the city vibes, then for these two amazingly fun and chill couple!

Its amazing what memories come flooding back when I’m creating these blogs and it just reminds me that I love doing this because I love storytelling. Sam and Kevin have been waiting for this day for a while and we definitely talked over the logistics of the day to death on how it was going to go down because THIS WEEKEND WAS MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND. Why was this important? Well…

This Winter Wedding was supposed to be the type of wedding that people would talk about - AND BOY was this a freaking crazy story! The night before, I come into town to stay the night at the hotel so that things would be smooth sailing on the day of - Fast forward to me driving down the interstate hours before a major snow storm trying to safely make it to the venue. Thankfully, I made it with close to half an hour before i start to see flurries out the windows….

Jin is a quiet but fierce and loving individual, complimenting Dennis’ Quiet, Caring and humble demeanor. You could tell that all they wanted to do was be with each other and laugh with each other. No First look with a ceremony at the church, there was no other way that they would’ve wanted this day to go. With the amazing details and arrangements in the spaces, it was the perfect day for these two. Their party was equally fun and ready to get down to the fun! Always a good time with Nick Maddalone entertaining the dance floor!

Okay first off, this is QUITE the story and I pretty much tell this story all the time now and Secondly, if I havn’t already said this, my couples are THE BEST and are worth adventuring for EVERY time. This day was a wedding day of course and what they say is, Rain brings good luck - do you know why? SIDEBAR

Rain brings good luck because a wet knot is harder to untie, when you pull on a wet knot it only gets tighter. For you scientists and physicists, because a wet knot has a more condensed volume allowing the fibers to be closer and tighter etc. etc.

So its an on and off rain type of day and these two were supposed to have their wedding on top of the Hudson 360, but because of how saturated the grounds were, it just wasn’t going to happen, dreams crushed right? Aaaaaabbbbbbbsolutely not! Alexis was determined to get up that hill because it was one of her dreams. Luckily, I packed some trash bags in my bag and some plastic bags because being prepared is my name. She also had socks and boots. THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

We get to Stable gate for first look, and yes its romantic, one of my fav moments, you’ve heard it all before BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

Brian, being the steller guy he is, is ALL IN FOR THIS PLAN. Helps Brooke with putting Socks and Boots on Alexis, pokes holes in a trashbag and has her hop into it to protect her dress from dragging, puts on double bags on each foot to protect his shoes from getting wet, and OFF we trot with Sarah Connor, Coordinator Extraordinaire leading the way to avoid horse “landmines” and UP THE HILL WE GO. The entire time - Alexis is excited, frustrated with the rain yes, but just exstatic that we got to get up on the hill. I mean, talk about magic. Lesson learned from this day?

1. Marry someone who will have these adventures with you

2. Mother nature best beware of Alexis

3. If there is a will, there is a way.

Now, Meg and Bill are one of the chillest couple’s i know, and what’s important to chill couples? Chill friends and a bumping party, which of course, Caroline of Upbeat Occasions ALWAYS brings when she’s Dj-ing. They were definitely a little nervous, but more so excited to see each other for first look, they just wanted to be together and party together and having this moment with just the two of them was perfect. We were able to enjoy time documenting these two causing shenanigans with each other and making each other laugh, but most importantly, avoiding messing up that beautiful hair done up by Ashley. Only way this day was going to get better, was if reception was a load of fun, and boy was it ever.

Colleen and Bill (And Bear!) are a super fun and FUN LOVING couple who are up for adventures. The city of Albany hold a very special place in their hearts, so we explored the city where they met, and where they lived and worked within. This day was NOT SHORT of TONS of laughing, tons of really silly and RIDICULOUS things happening, and definitely creations of some more moodier photos with some quiet moments.

Kevin and Katherine are one of the most chill people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and yes I know they are at this point as i’m typing this MARRIED and SO IN LOVE and have had THE BEST time at their wedding, But i can’t help but want to do all of my Blogs in chronological order! Let me tell you though, couple’s all start out the same, a little nervous and unsure and then completely confident and ready to just have some fun. These two were no exception

This day has been a long time coming! These two came to be excitedly to me after two other couples had enthusiastically referred me. Both those couples? Amazing, So it was a no brainier - I was meant to have the honor of Documenting their amazing day. Briana is an intelligent, resourceful and brilliant woman who has a plan and a back up plan, and can come up with a new plan if needed. Tom is strong willed and methodical who loves deeply and intentionally. These two throughout the day just wanted to see each other, be with each other, and party with each other. There were so many different details that captured who these people are.

Rick and Nate are two wonderfully witty and smart people who can match each other’s “humor” and banter word for word. They both strongly involve themselves in the community and are always willing to do anything they can for their loved ones. They started their day together, helping each other put on the details of their outfits. They both were ready to have a great time with all their loved ones and it shows but how much laughing they do with each other and with their party! It was truly a perfect weathered October Wedding Day.

Ryan and Matt were friends first, and over time they became more than friends. A long story of being together and having fun to being apart and hating every minute, to returning to each other and well, as they say - the rest is history. They were both nervous, in their own little ways, Ryan the soft, quiet and methodical was excited, only slightly nervous and doing everything that he was doing as planned for the day. Matt, the whirlwind, ready to have some fun and just couldn’t stop laughing and giggling until the very moment we had to take him to the first look. The moment of the first look was indescriable.

Sure, I’m a little bias because I’m also in a relationship that slightly mirrors this, but in that moment when they saw each other for the first time that day, it was as if all the ice had melted, the world had faded away, and warm comfort emitted from their beings. THEN THE REAL FUN BEGAN when the party came into play, and BOY were they ready to PARTY.

If you’ve been to a wedding show you KNOW that you can easily be overwhelmed with information from every vendor trying to gain your favor. If you haven’t been to one, GET READY to be overwhelmed by the free swag, friendly faces, and hard choices from all the amazing vendors.

From a photographer’s perspective, I’m going to give you some key questions to think about or ask when you’re going around a Wedding show choosing a photographer.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this blog will be advice from the context of a Wedding Show specifically hosted in a Venue that people typically book, so most vendors will be properly branded to the type of couples who would want to book this venue

Their wedding though was full of warm heart felt moments that just couldn’t be expressed with words. I can tell you this though, there were lots of laughs, smiles and dancing that were had. Hearing Rachel laugh and Sean softly smirk at her because of it, MADE MY DAY.