Howard & Andrea's engagement session

We met Howard and Andrea earlier this year when they came to talk with us about photography for their wedding next year. Howard impressed me with his apparent ability to recite random facts from our online Bio!! I felt quite honored that he took the time to actually read it, let alone remember it!
They recently moved to Brooklyn and with this in mind, plus the fact Howard loves the Brooklyn Bridge, we decided to shoot their engagement session there. The sky was clear and the sun was out even though the temperatures dropped to around freezing at times taking into account the wind chill factor!! I'm not complaining however. We had the bridge to ourselves for the most part and a fun shoot together.

James & Michelle

Surely one of the most challenging jobs facing a photographer is that of shooting the wedding of a fellow photographer!! You know the scrutiny is going to be much higher and given the chance, they would probably prefer to shoot it themselves if they could, but if you share somewhat of a similar vision it can make for great photos.
James is a very talented photographer himself and got married to Michelle on November 3rd at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park. This was on the heels of Hurricane Noel and although the beach proved to be too windy for most group shots, we were blessed with phenomenal light as the sun set.

Michelle and her mom prepare the dress before putting it on..





This is not your traditional bridal crop, but I love it!! Michelle was about to come downstairs as Kim was able to get this shot..



..and then a quick peek to see if her bridesmaids were ready for her big entrance..



The ring bearer was a little shy at first but soon warmed up to the job at hand..



OK, you know it was just a matter of time before James pulled out his Canon 5D and started taking photos!!



The key to taking beach photos when the wind is gusting 40mph... very, very short hair!!



James with 5D in hand again..



We found some minor shelter behind the dunes but it wasn't long before the wind started tugging on Michelle's veil..



...but by the time we got to the Bridgeview Yacht Club, the wind had subsided and the sunset created an amazing pinkish blue sky backdrop..





One of my favorite candid photos from the day. This was taken as I followed Michelle downstairs from her bridal suite..



The DJ at the reception was incredible - probably one of the best I've ever worked with! At one point during the reception, he had all the guys crowd around Michelle and sing "You've lost that loving feeling" into 'fork' microphones!!



Three sexy guests taking a self portrait...



..then checking out the result :-) !

Katrina & Michael's Wedding

October 27th was Katrina and Michael's wedding day and one that Kim and I had been looking forward to for a long time. One of the first weddings we ever photographed was that of Michael's sister Rachel and to this day we are ever so grateful for her trust and support she has shown us and also for being our biggest advocate!! We love you Rachel!

The weather started off somewhat overcast and wet, but by the time the formals rolled around, the sun was out and the light was perfect - in fact after the ceremony, Katie and Michael drove off in a convertible!

So much time is spent and so many decisions are made on the seemingly small details of a wedding and we make sure these decisions don't go unrecorded. We know how much thought went into choosing the right shoes and the right flowers, but what about the programs? Did Katie and her mom sift through catalogue after catalogue of samples trying to find the right font for the right paperstock or the right ribbon that ties it all in together? We don't always know so we photograph it with equal importance..



While Kim was with Katie as she was getting ready, she noticed this beautiful note from Michael. .



Katie's mom and her Maid of Honor help her secure the dress...



...and Katie poses for a beautiful natural light portrait..



While Katie was adjusting her veil in the mirror, her mom walked behind her to admire her beautiful daughter - the shot is not 100% sharp but it doesn't need to be - the mood is intact!



What happens when you have lipstick on your teeth and no handkerchief in sight? You have a bridesmaid use her dress of course!



When Michael showed up at the Church it had just stopped pouring buckets so the limo driver shelters him from the falling raindrops from the trees overhead..



Katie's arrival..



I love this shot below!! Katie was waiting in her limo for all her bridesmaids to enter the Church and one of the flower girls couldn't resist a peek as she followed them..



The ceremony was held in a beautiful brick Church in Babylon - The Church of Saint Joseph..



The bridesamids check out Katie's new Wedding Ring!..



...and Michael grabs the video guys camera for some impromptu footage..







This is a fleeting grab shot that I am sometimes lucky enough to capture - the Groom toying with his new piece of jewelry! I would say that most men don't really wear rings until they get married so having a ring on your finger is sometimes an unusual sensation at first and causes this sub-concious reaction...



Before the reception began, I left the cocktail hour with Katie and Michael so they could check out their room before the guests came in. I turned off the flash and let them enjoy some moments from a distance, free from distractions..



If there's a fun group of people at the wedding, the reception is quite often my favorite part of the day! The libations have started to take effect and the guests are about as camera friendly as you could wish for. Once the party gets cranking all I have to do is people watch, point and focus - the revelers take care of the rest...

December 2nd 2006

Happy Anniversary (December 2nd) Lauren and Brett! I photographed their wedding at the Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove last year and wanted to post a couple of photos from the day.

Lauren looking positively lovely in front of some of the Country Club's Christmas decorations..



A dining room shot I kind of like complete with Christmas Tree and wreaths..