Alexa + Carmine | New York City Proposal | Long Island Wedding Photographer
Surprise Engagement Session | New York City
What an amazing experience with Alexa and Carmine! Whenever anyone calls and says something like, “I’m going to propose, but the experience going to be a little different,” I’m already in.
Carmine proposed to Alexa on a helicopter - right over the Hudson River as we circled the Statue of Liberty. He worked very hard to make sure this experience was going to be perfect for Alexa, and his plan was executed flawlessly.
One of the things I enjoyed about working with this couple is how I was part of the entire experience - from the planning stage to the proposal to the photo session we had after.
This surprise had a lot of moving parts. I had strict instructions not to call or text. Right after Carmine took Alexa’s dad to lunch to share the news with him, he came over to my house, and we walked through the whole day.
On the morning of the proposal, I went to lower Manhattan to get ready. After scouting out a few locations for a post-proposal session, I met with the fantastic people from HeliNY. Carmine had chartered the entire aircraft, and he asked me to meet briefly with the company to make sure that everyone knew that the proposal was a secret and to square away a few logistics.
Carmine and Alexa arrived about 30 minutes before our flight, and I sat a few feet away from them as an uninterested tourist. In the couple glances I was able to steal, I felt really excited to be part of the moment that was about to happen. Being part of an event that someone remembers for the rest of their life is special, and I take a lot of pride in capturing the moments that become part of their family’s story.
Carmine had told me that he was going to propose during our first stop - the Statue of Liberty. Right after we passed over Governor’s Island, I saw him trying to get Alexa to look away so that he can prepare the ring. The moment she turned back around, he had a beautiful, custom designed ring ready to show her, and he asked her if she would marry him! It is really a special experience to be part of a moment with such genuine emotion, and the images created become images that are shared with generations down the line.
After our session, we took a walk through Battery Park and then up the esplanade by the Hudson River. I gave them space to enjoy the moment, and we stopped to capture images throughout.
We then went to Tribeca for some more images in a different setting.
It was such a wonderful experience working with both Alexa and Carmine. They have an amazing story to tell of their engagement, and they have some great imagery to go along with it!
9 Ways To Use Your Engagement Photos
One of the main reasons I see couples decide not to take engagement photos is because they don’t know what to do with them. This article will discuss how to use your engagement photos. After all, no one wants to take photos that will end up on a forgotten flash drive in a desk drawer!
However, an engagement session is an intimate and romantic experience—and one every couple deserves to have. Plus, you can use your engagement photos both before and after your wedding in a variety of ways! Here are top 9 ways to use your engagement photos.
Save the Date Cards
We’ll start with the obvious. Personalized save the date cards are all the rage these days and with good reason—they’re absolutely adorable! Choose your favorite engagement photo to officially tell your family and friends that you’re getting married and you can’t wait to see them at your wedding.
Wedding Website
Building a wedding website is incredibly important. It allows you to keep track of your guest list and let guests know all the details about your big day. Plus, it gives you an excuse to show off your engagement photos!
Thank You Cards
Your engagement photos will look perfect on personalized thank you cards! There are a variety of websites where you can design your own thank you cards, or you can work with a professional designer to get that perfect look. Let your guests know how much you appreciate them with a handwritten note on each card.
Guest Book
Tired of the boring traditional guest book? Make yours memorable by creating a photo album full of your engagement photos! Leave blank spaces throughout for guests to leave a little message. Not only will your guests have the chance to look at your engagement photos, but you’ll have an incredible keepsake to look back on after your wedding day.
Holiday Cards
When you’re sending out holiday cards, you don’t have to stick to festive images! Use your engagement photos to send a cheerful “Happy Holidays” from the happy couple.
Social Media
If you’re active on Facebook, Instagram or other social platforms, you will likely be sharing as many wedding updates as you can. Your engagement photos are the perfect way to count down the days until you say “I do” on your social media profiles. Plus, isn’t a professional photo much better than a quick selfie?
Wedding Décor or Favors
There are so many ways to incorporate your engagement photos into your wedding day! You can use your images to decorate your venue or designate table numbers. You can even have them printed on custom favors to add a personal touch to the items you give your guests.
Gifts for Family
Your parents and grandparents love receiving photos of you, so why not gift them with your engagement photos? Whether you put your image in a nice frame or create a custom gift, they’re sure to enjoy seeing your smiling faces!
Decorate Your Home
Get a jumpstart on decorating your home together by having your engagement photos professionally printed on canvas or other wall art. These gorgeous photos are the perfect way to decorate your home and start your new life together!
If you would like more information regarding engagement sessions, you can find more information here.
If I can help you with any of your photography needs, contact us now!
5 Reasons You Should Hire A Small Photography Company For Your Wedding
Choosing a photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the wedding planning process. While other vendors will be a part of your wedding day, the images your photographer takes will become a part of your life—something you’ll look back on for years to come as a reminder of how special that day was and how you felt saying “I do” to the love of your life.
As you research potential photography companies, you will find that there are a lot of options and variations, not only in style and pricing, but in product offerings and other details. Large photography companies often have multiple photographers working for them, but they may not offer the personal touch you want for your wedding.
That’s why a smaller local photography outlet is often the best choice—and is also well worth the investment. Here are the five reasons why you should hire a wedding photographer.
You can develop a relationship with your photographer
With a large photography company, chances are you will have a photographer assigned to you, and you may not even have the opportunity to meet with them before your wedding. A local photographer, however, will take the time to meet with your personally, ensuring that you feel comfortable working with them. You will have the opportunity to discuss the details of your wedding and any specific moments you want the photographer to capture. The chance to get to know your photographer personally means you have more opportunities to ask questions and make sure that you get exactly the images you want.
They will work to make you happy
A smaller local photography company has more to lose if a client is dissatisfied with their service, and for that reason, they work especially hard to meet your needs and make sure you’re happy with your images. While a large company may simply assign a photographer to you and move on, a local photographer will sit down with you and work out all the details, from pre-wedding to the day itself until the images and products are in your hands.
You will know exactly what you’re getting
A local photographer will take time to show you some of their previous work, giving you the opportunity to make sure their style fits the type of images you want. You don’t want to hire a photographer whose style is drastically different from what you’re looking for, but with a larger company, it can sometimes be difficult to know what type of images you will get. A smaller boutique company will work with you to ensure you get the images you’re dreaming of—and will be honest upfront, well before any contract is signed, if those images are not something they can provide.
They will work with your budget
While a larger photography company may offer lower-priced packages, those options may not get you the products or even the hours you need for your wedding day. A local photographer, however, will be understanding of and work with your budget, whether that means developing a payment plan or creating a custom package that works with your allotted budget for photography. With a smaller company and a photographer you can talk to easily, you’re more likely to be able to negotiate a package that works for you and your big day.
You deserve that personal touch
Chances are you prefer a local salon to a chain experience because of the difference in service and the relationship you have with your stylist. The same goes for a photographer. You want your images taken and edited with skill, but someone who has spent time speaking with you and knows just what moments are most important to you will go into both the photography and editing process with your desires and needs in mind.
A smaller local photography company can offer the attention to detail and personal relationship that a larger company often lacks. When it comes to your wedding photos, you deserve nothing but the best. These are images that you will enjoy for years to come, photos that even your children and grandchildren may enjoy looking back on one day. Choosing a local photographer can help you get the photos you want and make sure your wedding day is just as memorable and special as you’ve planned it to be!
If you would like to learn more about the services and packages I offer for your special day, please contact me at any time! I would love the opportunity to explain how I can work with you to understand your vision and exceed your expectations. You can also find out some more information about wedding services here.
5 Tips for Getting Epic Wedding Photos
Are you dreaming of stunning wedding photos you can hang on the walls of your home, the kind of images you can show off to family and friends?
Well, it takes more than an awesome photographer to get those kinds of Epic wedding photos—it takes you and your partner working with your wedding photographer to create the images you dream of. Check out these five tips for getting epic wedding photos!
Invest in a great photographer.
There are plenty of places in your wedding budget where you can cut costs, but photography shouldn’t be one of them. After the wedding is over and the cake is eaten, your photos are all you’ll have left to remember the day. You don’t want to have subpar photos because you asked an amateur photographer or family member to take them so you could save money.
Take time to interview potential photographers and find one who you feel comfortable with and whose images are just the type of photos you want. And be sure to book your photographer for the whole day, so every moment of your ceremony and reception is covered. What couple doesn’t want those awesome exit photos? Make sure your photographer will be there to capture all the moments that matter to you.
We know every wedding is different, which is why we offer a consultation to help you pick out the package that suits your needs.
Focus on the love of your life.
A lot of people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, but of course, they still want wedding photos they’ll love! The best thing you can do is focus on your soon-to-be-spouse and remember what the day is all about. If you spend too much time thinking about posing and the positioning of your body, you’ll feel and look awkward. Just focus on your partner, and your body language—and smiles—will be perfectly natural.
Every package I offer includes an engagement session. In addition to providing you with stunning images for you to use before your wedding, it is an opportunity to work with your photographer in a low-stress environment. You’ll learn about posing, how to look amazing in front of the camera, and how to take pictures with your partner.
Ensure you have plenty of time for photos.
Epic wedding photos don’t happen in a few minutes. Make sure you have a solid chunk of time in your wedding day schedule for couple portraits, especially if you want to wander away from the venue for some gorgeous shots against the natural scenery.
Plus, you’ll need a little time to loosen up and start having fun in front of the camera, and stepping away from all your guests can give you a chance to relax and enjoy the moment.
Take the light into consideration.
When you’re planning your ceremony time, think about what the light will be like. For example, afternoon light can often be too bright and drain everything of color, while evening light has that golden glow that everyone—including photographers—loves. But there’s a limited window to taking advantage of “golden hour” before the sun sets.
Be sure to talk to your photographer about when the light will be best for photos and try to schedule your portraits around that time if you can. And if your schedule for the day doesn’t leave room for evening photos, consider booking a post-wedding shoot to get additional photos in the light you want.
Trust your photographer—and give it you're all.
If you want gorgeous photos in the mountains or on the shore of a lake, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Let go of your inhibitions and just be yourself! And don’t be afraid if your photographer asks you to venture a little off the beaten path. Trust their ideas and know that the resulting shots will be just the epic images you’re imagining.
By taking the time to choose the right photographer and trusting their ideas and skills, as well as relaxing and having fun in front of the camera, you can get epic wedding photos to remember the day you married your best friend!
If you would like to learn more about the services and packages I offer for your special day, please contact me at any time! I would love the opportunity to explain how I can work with you to understand your vision and exceed your expectations. You can also find out some more information about wedding services here.
Top 7 Reasons More Brides are Doing First Looks
The groom seeing the bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle is a time-honored wedding tradition. But these days, more and more couples are opting for a first look—an intimate moment between the bride and groom before the ceremony captured by their photographer.
There are a lot of reasons to do a first look, some of which benefit your photographer so I may be a little biased. But depending on your wedding day priorities, a first look can be the perfect addition to your wedding photos and to your big day.
Calm your nerves
Getting jitters on the wedding day doesn’t mean you have cold feet. In fact, it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous, whether you’re anxious about being the center of attention and speaking in front of a crowd or just afraid something will go wrong. For many couples, having a moment with their partner before the ceremony can actually help to calm both their nerves and ease the stress of the day.
Get your portraits done early
Posed wedding photos can take a huge chunk of time out of your day. If you leave all the portraits until after the ceremony, that means you will have to take family photos, wedding party photos, and couple portraits. Your guests could end up waiting at the reception for an hour or more while you get all the images you want. When you have a first look before the ceremony though, you can have some of those photos taken ahead of time, leaving fewer photos for after the ceremony and less wait time for the rest of your guests.
Be present at the moment
You’ve probably heard that your wedding day will go by in a blur, and it’s true! One moment you’ll be getting ready, and the next the whole day will be gone. That’s why photography is so important, and it’s also why you should take a moment to pause, take a breath and just take the day in. A first look gives you the opportunity to refocus on what’s important and to appreciate the love that brought you to this day.
The emotion will be there no matter what
Some couples worry that seeing each other before the ceremony will rob the rest of the day of its emotion. But I can assure that’s definitely not the case. I’ve worked with couples who waited until the walk down the aisle to see each for the first time, as well as couples who opted a first look, and both were full of joy, laughter and sometimes even tears during their vows. The emotions that are a part of your wedding day will be there whether you see each other beforehand or not.
Don’t miss out on natural light
This applies more to winter weddings, but if you’re having your wedding later in the day, you may miss out on the natural light if you push your couple portraits to after the ceremony. Similarly, if you have great weather before you say “I do,” take advantage! You never know when the weather will change, and you could miss your window to get some amazing shots.
Look your best
If you choose to do a first look, you will have fresh makeup and perfectly styled hair, and every accessory will be in place. There’s no guarantee the mascara won’t run during your vows or you won’t get a little rumpled from hugging and greeting all those guests. A first look can be a great opportunity to capture you and your partner at your best before the rush of the wedding day really begins.
It’s your wedding
Tradition shouldn’t dictate what you do on your wedding day, nor should the opinions of friends and family. When deciding whether or not to have a first look, choose what is most comfortable for you as a couple. After all, this is your day and no one else’s, so do what feels right to you.
If you would like to learn more about the services and packages I offer for your special day, please contact me at any time! I would love the opportunity to explain how I can work with you to understand your vision and exceed your expectations. You can also find out some more information about wedding photography experience here.