Boy Meets Girl Meets City

 asdf

A collection of my favorite engagement shots from the past year:

asdf

Amy and Oli

asdf

I was honored when Oli approached me about shooting his and Amy's wedding in England this past summer--their NYC engagement session at Chelsea Market was one of the silliest, most fun shoots of '09 and I was elated that I'd have the chance to work with them again, let alone in such an idyllic setting.

They were married on a charming vineyard in the English Countryside, near where Amy grew up.  The night before the wedding the parties gathered at separate pubs to eat dinner and tell stories about the bride and groom--coming together afterward to rock out to the local band. (Mere practice for the enormously entertaining party that was coming the next evening.)

Bright and early the next day, everyone began getting ready.  Guests were taken on guided tours of the vineyard before the festivities began, sampling the champagne and toasting the groom while Amy prepared to arrive for the main event.  After their touching, sun-filled ceremony, everyone congregated for the reception, which included champagne toasts, fish and chips, and a "cake" made entirely of gourmet cheese.....followed up by vigorous sing-alongs and a few very inventive dance moves. 

It was truly a weekend for the books, and I'm so glad I was able to capture it for this wonderful couple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The video!

asdf

Sybil and Neil

asdf

Sybil and Neil met me in Bryant Park after work,  days before they were to leave for their wedding in Texas.  Despite the quick nature of our shoot, they were immediately able to get into the spirit of things---diving right in without pause when I asked them to stroll repeatedly up the central path of the park for that perfect city street shot. 

Ordinarily it takes some coaxing to get portraits this relaxed, but with these two it was instantaneous--they are extremely serene and sure of both themselves and each other (not to mention photogenic, that always helps!)   I imagine their wedding was gorgeous affair, and I wish them all the best.

asdf

Erin and Bill

adsf

It's obvious upon meeting Erin and Bill that they compliment one another perfectly.  He is quiet and considerate, and she's all laughter and charisma.  When you're with both of them you can't help but feel a part of the balance they create in being so uniquely compatible with each other.

Their wedding day struck a similar harmony....with an intimate ceremony held in a modest little church near Erin's childhood home, and then on to the reception at Round Hill House--a large, rollicking affair in which the guests began dancing sooner than I'd ever seen before....as if they simply couldn't wait to have fun and begin celebrating the marriage of these two lovely individuals.   And I have to say, after having grown to know these two over the past several months....I can't blame them one bit.

 

  

 

asdf

The Video!

asdf

Farrah and Paul

asdf



Farrah and Paul flew all the way from England for their ceremony in Florida, but first they decided to take a few days and explore the city before the festivities began. When Farrah contacted me to see if I might be game for an engagement shoot while they were here, I was elated.

She had a very clear vision for the day, she wanted the city to play as much of a role in her images as she and Paul. So I thought it fitting that we begin on the Brooklyn bridge, and travel to Times Square for some classic Manhattan shots. (Plus, Paul's a police officer in the UK....working with the infamous NYPD sign was a no-brainer!)

It's not every day you meet a couple willing to tango in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge...these two compliment each other perfectly, and it was a joy to be able to document those special days leading up to their wedding.










asdf

Hascy and Tim

asdf

Hascy and Tim met in college, where they became close friends... later dating in New York City after graduation. It made perfect sense, then, that they would get married on the beautiful, tree-lined campus that had first brought them together.

The weekend began with a rehearsal dinner held in a stately, gothic dining hall on campus, followed by a whirlind day of preparations and pizza at the Dean's house....then to the main event in the college chapel, and onto a raucus reception above the college cafe. Every step of the way, guests could sense the love affair not only between the couple, but between the two of them and the sunny, picturesque quads and classrooms where they had first met.

It was remarkable to watch this couple return to the place that was for them so full of memories, nostaliga, and joy. Their relationship has grown so much since they were there last, and it was plain to see from the happiness in their eyes all weekend that this was only the beginning.

asdf




asdf

The video!

asdf

Rashida and Vaughn

adsf



Rashida and Vaughn met me in Central Park on a sweltering summer day. As I watched them approach, Rashida fanning herself and Vaughn soldiering on despite wearing a long sleeved shirt, I was worried the humidity and crowds would dampen their enthusiasm.

My concern soon evaporated--the moment I removed the lens cap, they began interacting and smiling with ease. Rashida had warned me that Vaughn might be shy in front of the camera, but frame after frame proved otherwise....when he wasn't cracking Rashida up, he was looking at her with a love so obvious, I barely had to coax at all. Their images clearly reflect the connection and contentment present in their relationship. I know their elegant ceremony on Long Island next March will shine with the same.







asdf