Metropolitan Club Wedding : Ashley & Mike : New York, NY
On April 28, 2018, Ashley & Michael held their wedding ceremony and reception at The Metropolitan Club in New York City. One of my favorite things is when you show up to shoot a stately event in a private club on 5th ave and the party ends up feeling like a remote island wedding where everyone goes for it. As the night went on, the photobooth got crazy, boxes and boxes of pizza from Patsy's arrived amping up the fun atmosphere, and the band lit on fire. When all this happens in one of the most impressive spaces in the city, the energy is electric! After getting set up in the Club, I made my way through Central Park to The Parker Hotel, where Ashley was getting ready downstairs at Blushington. After capturing their first look in the rather spectacular space that is the main foyer of the Metropolitan Club, it was up to the roof and various points around the building for portraits. It was a brilliantly clear, bright day in New York giving a great amount of color and contrast to their outdoor photos. As the sun came down and guests began to arrive, we settled in to the warmly lit space on the first floor for their ceremony before things really started to get going during the reception. Special thanks to Allie Beik of Polka Dot Events who helped make everything run seamlessly.
Bride's Dress: Berta BridalBride's Shoes: Jimmy ChooMakeup: BlushingtonBand: Around Town EntertainmentStationary: MintedFlorist: FloraliesPopcorn: Brooklyn PopcornPizza: Patsy'sCake: Sweet PistachioVideo: Tweed VideoPlanning: Polka Dot Events
Lotte New York Palace Wedding : Amanda & Frank : New York, NY
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Amanda and Frank were married on July 1st in a ceremony at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, N.J., with a reception following at Lotte New York Palace. I had been Amanda and Frank’s engagement photographer prior to the wedding, and loved their unique session at the Jane Hotel in the Meatpacking District. So, I knew this wedding was going to be just as amazing, and a true pleasure to photograph. At the beginning of the day, Amanda got ready at her parents’ home, while Frank was at the Sheraton Mahwah in New Jersey, just a short drive away from the church. Tropical decorations in the “elegant Cuban” theme filled the church. One of my favorite images of the whole day was when Amanda was waiting at the front door of her home and the vintage Rolls Royce rolled up. Some weddings lend themselves beautifully to black and white, and this wedding was one of them—I truly enjoyed how much the wedding came alive in these images. I loved how personal the ceremony was, with its roots reaching back all the way to how these two met in high school. Their principal from their high school days is now the priest at the church where they were married. That was just one of the many reasons they held the ceremony in New Jersey at Amanda’s home parish. The couple truly wanted to pay homage to their families and beginnings. Mother Nature kept us on our toes all day, with the rains coming and going. But, as the ceremony ended, the skies cleared for us and we made our way to New York City in a vintage Rolls Royce where we took photos in Central Park. From there, we headed to the New York Palace Hotel, where we went straight to the rooftop to take advantage of the expansive city views. I love working at the New York Palace because it offers the classic feel of a historic New York venue, with the balance of a modern-feeling hotel upstairs. I also love the feeling of the outdoor space and the grandeur of St. Patrick’s Cathedral towering over us right across the street. At the reception, the band, Cubanoson, lit up the dance floor immediately with clave, which set the tone for a really fun evening of toasts and dancing. The cake was also a highlight, made by Ron Ben Israel, who you may recognize from the Food Network show “Sweet Genius.” Many cakes are decorated with live flowers, but not many cakes are topped with a stunning bouquet of flowers made entirely from sugar—and made entirely by hand as well. To cap off the night of fun, we went to the historic and beautiful courtyard of the New York Palace and sent off the happy couple with sparklers. Frank & Amanda, I have loved being your photographer, not only for this wedding but for your engagement session. You two both truly know how to have fun, and I’ve loved being swept up in the excitement with you!
Vendors:
Cake: Ron Ben Israel
Planner: Polka Dot Events
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang
Bridesmaids Dresses: Monique Lhuillier
Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren
Band: Cubanoson
Central Park Boathouse Wedding : Gillian & Cameron : New York, NY
Gillian and Cameron were married at Church of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a reception at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park. We got ready at the Nylo Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood, just a few blocks from the church. All that was required was a quick Uber ride off to the hidden gem that is the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. After the ceremony and some portraits at the altar, Gillian and Cameron took a tour with me of some of New York’s most iconic sites before we headed uptown. They were such good sports to go through the city even though the weather was inclement, and I think it was absolutely worth it. Taking couples out in to the streets of New York City is perhaps one of the biggest pluses of having your wedding here. Tourists feel like they’ve hit gold when they spot newlyweds out and about and make sure to treat the bride and groom like celebrities. Native New Yorkers, on the other hand, see couples all the time and let us do our thing -- never complaining if I need someone to move a little bit for a shot. While we were out, we visited Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. If you’re visiting NYC, the roof deck is the place to be for the amazing views of the Empire State Building and the 1 World Trade Center (Freedom Tower). My favorite image of the night was up inside the Observation Deck. There’s something magical about that view, and I love how the picture window framed them up so nicely. We took a quick taxi ride to Times Square, then a ride on the Q train on the new 2nd Avenue Line to the Upper East Side, taking a quick detour for a gondola ride right up to the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, where 45 Riots was on hand to keep the dance floor packed non-stop. Out on the dance floor, Gillian and Cameron owned their first dance. Brides and grooms will often spice things up, but their tango took the cake. I felt like I was watching Dancing with the Stars! Gillian & Cameron, thank you for letting me be part of your day, and thank you especially for being such good sports about shooting outside despite the weather. It was wonderful to be able to showcase you in our wonderful city.
Vendors
Cake: Cake AlchemyFlorist: Cress FlowersStationary: Bella Figura Hair: Emily CarcaramoMakeup: Michelle SternBand: 45 RiotsWedding Dress: LazaroBride's Shoes: Jimmy ChooRings: Weber GoldsmithGroom's Attire: The Black Tux
NYC Locations : Engagement Sessions : New York, NY
With so many locations in New York City for engagement photoshoots, we have plenty of options and flexibility for choosing that one perfect spot that best echoes a couple’s sensibilities. I wanted to tour through some options I receive a many requests for so you can see which one might be right for you.
Central Park is the most popular picks for an engagement session—and for good reason. I love the fact that there are so many ways to feature the park and the city that surrounds it. Over the course of an hour, we can go from a city street to Bow Bridge, with stops along the way filled with lush colors and iconic images like the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace. 
We call the area between the Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), but for such a curious name, it really does provide sweeping views of Lower Manhattan, bridges, and cobblestone streets that are simply perfect for engagement shoots. It’s been bustling lately because of a boom in development and new ferry service in the area, but if you go early in the work week or in the morning, you’ll have it all to yourself. 
Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side is another one of those unknown hideaways frequented by locals but untouched by visiting tourists. The way the light sneaks through the buildings late in the day is a big draw for me as a photographer, as is the fact that the East River runs alongside the park. 
This is one of my favorite places in the city in general. With lofts, warehouses, converted industrial spaces, and little to no tourist attractions, the TriBeCa neighborhood feels almost isolated, yet rich in the feeling of Old New York. We can stand in the street for long stretches without having to run away from cars, and when the sun comes down, the alleys and narrow streets turn moody and romantic.
The West Village has become very popular for engagement sessions to capture that classic Sex and the City look. You can never get enough of the cobblestone or the front stoops of gorgeous town homes. Sweaters in the fall and crisp, collared shirts in the spring are always a good look here. 
With its infamous ironclad oasis, Gramercy Park can’t actually be entered, but it’s beautiful just outside the gates as well. Since it’s so quiet and exclusive, this is perfect if you don’t want a million eyes on you as you canoodle in front of a camera for an hour.
The redeveloped elevated trackway otherwise known as Highline Park, running from Meatpacking up to Hudson Yards, has been a staple location since it first opened and has become a major destination for out-of-towners. On weekends it can be a little busy, but on a blustery winter day, it’s absolutely perfect—just us and a few diehard joggers. 
Grand Central Terminal amazes me every time I enter it. There is something about the way the building is nestled between all those modern skyscrapers and whisks people away to the serenity of the burbs that makes it so enchanting. It’s famous the world over, so be prepared—everyone’s families always go crazy for photos in the space.
A lot of 20- and 30-somethings working the infamous 12-hour NYC work days in Midtown tend to have crash pads close to work. A lot of the high-rise buildings have stunning common areas, which are perfect for the end of any session. Obviously, we can’t just waltz into any of these places, but if you live in one, it’s a golden opportunity.
Some couples like to take photos at the spot of their first date or a favorite date location. It’s great to have an environment with a personal meaning, but be warned—you sometimes have to reserve the space on off hours or make other arrangements. For example, I met up with a couple at the Jane Hotel to shoot in their roof bar and get a few pictures in some of the dramatic spaces throughout the hotel. 
Finally, the hallowed grounds of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden during that magical week where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom is a must-have for many a couple. It takes a little planning, a permit, and an early morning session to avoid the crowds, but it’s well worth it.
No matter what spot you choose, one thing is always true: the more comfortable you feel and the deeper the personal connection to your surroundings, the better you’ll look in your pictures. It’s up to you to choose the place that best fits your personality—and there are truly so many to choose from.
Central Park Elopement : Ivan and Martina : New York, NY
Ivan and Martina eloped on September 20th at Central Park. I shoot a couple elopements every year, and it’s always so much fun to be part of the intimate feeling of the day! Martina and Ivan flew in from Montenegro with just a couple of their best friends to be witnesses. We started at a rented apartment in NoHo to prepare for capturing pictures around New York surrounded by its culture, tall buildings, and the iconic Central Park. I’m a big fan of renting an Airbnb or One Fine Stay for getting-ready photos because they often have so much more space than what hotels can offer and often cost significantly less money! If you can, find a place with large windows for natural light and plenty of room. After I arrived, a limousine pulled up and whisked us uptown to the West Side of Central park for their ceremony in the Ladies Pavilion, a unique little spot tucked away next to the lake which you can access from Central Park West near the Natural History Museum. It’s one of the spots in Central Park you have to make prior arrangements to use, but it’s worth it! To add to the New York flavor of the day, we got out of the limo a little early and took a pedicab the rest of the way. In my 15 years here, I’ve never ridden in one before, and I ended up loving the image of them rolling along as I rode behind! The weather was perfect as we arrived at the pavilion for the ceremony, and Ivan and Martina enjoyed a beautiful moment together to the cheers of onlooking New Yorkers. That was by far my favorite part of the day. For as stylish and cool as Ivan and Martina come across, they turned into butter for their vows! Because this was a last-minute elopement booking, I was totally surprised to see my buddy, Kaipo, from 15 Minutes of Frame, filming the ceremony as I rolled up. I was also startled to see two talented people I went to music school with, playing as we approached the Pavilion! You’d think I’d see people I know more often with as many weddings as I shoot, but it’s always a surprise when I do. After the ceremony, we walked around looking for opportunities to get some pictures around NYC. It’s always fun for me because people from overseas especially want to feature the city itself as prominently as possible in their pictures. I always try to give them an insider’s look of New York—not just Times Square or the Statue of Liberty but side streets far South of Midtown or casual strolls on the Upper West Side. I feel so honored when a couple comes to New York to elope and chooses me out of a sea of possibilities to photograph their wedding. Often, these photos of their NYC vows accompany them back to a more traditional party at home, so I know just how much of an impact the images will be when received by their family and friends who weren’t able to be there. Thank you, Ivan & Martina, for letting me be part of this amazing day! I hope you will always remember your adventures in New York!
