Melissa & Brian

Melissa and Brian had a classic New York City wedding in Bryant Park. Everything was perfect, from the intimate wedding service for just a few to the full out party at the reception following.



Recognize Melissa's friends? Lisa on the right was one of my brides years ago on Fire Island. Melissa was one of her bridesmaids. Laura on the left, Lisa's twin if you couldn't tell was also on the blog earlier this season. We had a photo session with her little guy PJ on one of the most beautiful Fire Island nights ever!





















I could not resist ending on this shot- take a look at the wine glass!

Congratulations Melissa and Brian!

Neeve and Justin

The email said: would you be against shooting in a cemetery?

Meet Neeve and Justin, two creative lovebirds from Brooklyn. On a crisp and colorful day we met at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Did you know that in America's early history that cemeteries were used as public parks? Way back when on a fine day you might have found yourself flying a kite and dodging tombstones!

So no, Nevee and Justin are not morbid. They are like many, fond of this cemetery as a place of tranquility and inspiration. If you are ever in Brooklyn I would highly suggest a visit. Read this below from the Green-Wood web site. Fascinating!

Founded in 1838 as one of America’s first rural cemeteries, the Green-Wood Cemetery soon developed an international reputation for its magnificent beauty and became the fashionable place to be buried. By 1860, Green-Wood was attracting 500,000 visitors a year, rivaling Niagara Falls as the country’s greatest tourist attraction. Crowds flocked to Green-Wood to enjoy family outings, carriage rides and sculpture viewing in the finest of first generation American landscapes. Green-Wood’s popularity helped inspire the creation of public parks, including New York City’s Central and Prospect Parks.

http://www.green-wood.com/index.php/GWC

















I included this picture because it is becoming quite odd that on almost all engagement shoots there have been hawks close by!!







Neeve and Justin are not yet married if you are curious about his ring. They had these rings custom designed and on their wedding day they will exchange them for the second time.





I will end this series with my nod to Norman Rockwell.

Neeve and Justin, thank you so much for this wonderful idea and great day in the cemetery!

~Neeve's dress was created by Joanna Baum out of Brooklyn
~The rings were created by Blanca Monros Gomez also out of Brooklyn

PJ

Let me start by apologizing for the lateness of my blog posts! It has been crazy days here with wedding season, summer portraits and back to teaching! I have my last wedding of the season next weekend and then I hope to fully catch up on all my posts!

Now onto the star of this post- PJ!

Pj is the son, of the identical twin sister, of a past bride of mine! Sounds like one of those tall tales but its true!

Similar to Cole a few posts down, PJ is a little guy with fast legs and a mind of his own! The first quarter of the shoot was just what you see in these first two shots, PJ moving away from us and squealing with laughter!







The light in this shot was was so amazing. The whole evening was incredible, but there was this moment for about 4 minutes before the sunset that created this glow. It was really unique!






PJ I had a blast with you and your parents on truly one of the most beautiful evenings on Fire Island!

Amber and Brendan ~ Fire Island Wedding

The 10 day forecast did not look good, nor did the morning of the wedding. Rain on any wedding day is not great, but rain on a beach wedding day I think is even worse. Luckily we had a weather miracle that day, not only was it dry, but the weather was so dramatic it made for incredible lighting! I could not have wished for better weather! We felt so lucky that day, not only for the weather, but also to have been chosen by such a fun, sweet and loving couple to document their wedding day!



The children of Fire Island are wonderful entrepreneurs! On wedding days they create shells with appropriate messages that people from the wedding cant help but buy!





I love this picture of Amber and Brendan, they both have beautifully colored eyes. Here Amber and Brendan are enjoying their cocktail party before their wedidng, a new and popular tend in weddings.



Amber shot from above at the cocktail party. Love it!



Amber is walked down the sand by her Aunt.









Married!!



















Amber and Brendan's wedding was held at The Fire Island Hotel in Ocean Bay Park. A great little place full of charm and character and right on the ocean.

Congratulations Amber and Brendan! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!!

A Fire Island Family

Remember this little guy from above?

Well this year I got the honor of photographing him again! This year he could walk, and well, when a little boy can walk they know how to walk away too! Although it would be great if the little people were not walking away, I always love the honestly of a child. So at the times the light was as perfect as could be, yet he had no interest - walk away. At the times Mom and Dad were ready with big smiles - walk away!

I love this challenge in both photography and teaching, every age group has its charms and its obstacles! This year it was definitely Cole calling the shots, but you know what, in the end he lead us to some great shots! Thanks Cole!



This year I brought a little prop. Fire Island is famous for its iconic red wagons and right before the shoot I noticed that my husband had this mini one that he used for change! We washed it out and Cole loved it!



Mama love!



Here Cole took his favorite doggy for a wagon stroll!



We at least got a few family shots in, you 3 are gorgeous!



Although he is walking away, I just love it!



And if you wait patiently you might get a look back.



Father and son.



Mother and son.



The precious little feet that I followed....



...that lead us to this. Incredible, a Mama deer and her baby arrived on the beach at sunset for a stroll. Cole was watching them as intently as they were watching him. It was such a sweet moment, and oh so Fire Island!



Thank you so much for once again allowing me to capture a slice of your life at the beach! Cole, you're an amazing kid and your parents are amazing too! After the session we all sat down to a glass of wine, sippy cup for Cole, all shoots should end on that note!