Jen & Chris' Wedding

Simple mathematics: Beautiful Couple + Beautiful Day = Beautiful Wedding!!

That's how I like them ~ throw in a handful of well thought out details to the mix and the recipe is complete.

I met Jen by way of two of our favorite past brides - Katie and Katrina - Jen just happens to live across the street from Katrina's parents in Babylon. I was very excited when she booked with us because not only are they a great couple and lots of fun to be around, I knew we would end up on the beach at sunset and get some great images.... I wasn't disappointed!

The getting ready photographs are usually some of my favorites to take - there's always plenty of activity to capture and brides and bridesmaids are usually oblivious to my presence. Here Jen is getting ready while being bathed in some incredible window light.

Dad's reaction at seeing Jen for the first time as a bride..

Now, as you will be able to tell in one of the images below, Jen's parent's house is literally 50 yards from the Church so after photographing the girls and Jen's family, I was able to high tail it down the street and get acquainted with Chris and the guys...

No limo required!! As I mentioned before, the Church is about a 50 yard walk!

After the Ceremony, Jen & Chris snuck downstairs and out of the way so their guests could filter outside. I, however, snuck upstairs and found a great vantage point to spy on their musings....

...but that shutter is a dead giveaway and I was only able to get a couple of shots off before they caught on to my game!

And on to the beach for sunset!

The timing was perfect and after we had photographed all the bridal party and family photos, I had the bride and groom all to myself as the sun started to sink below the horizon on a beautiful cloudless evening

I love this tender moment between the two of them ~ not really aware of my presence and enjoying being husband and wife for the first time!

The reception was held at the Bellport Country Club not far from the beach. I particularly like this next photo of Jen's Dad dancing with one of the guests!!!

Chris and the BoyZ!

and a cute image to end the post with... Let Them Eat Cake!

Warbirds Over Long Island

Kim and I were very saddened this week to hear about the loss of pilot Robert Baranaskas this past weekend when his P-40 Warhawk crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Fire Island while he was practicing maneuvers for an upcoming air show. We were very fortunate to have met him when we photographed the wedding of his son Chris to Jen in the summer of 2006 and he was a true gentleman who loved his family, his aircraft and his country's military history.

Our thoughts are with Chris and the entire Baranaskas family during this difficult time and hope they can find peace and solace knowing that Robert died doing what he loved best.

Out of respect for the family, I am honored to be able to showcase here some of the photos from Jen and Chris' beautiful wedding including those magnificent aircraft! It really was a once in a lifetime photographic treat for Kim and myself to have such amazing props!!