W Union Square Wedding : Justin & Ian : New York, NY
Justin & Ian were married September 16, 2017 in a sincere, touching ceremony with glistening happy tears at the W New York Union Square in the middle of New York City. These handsome gentleman called me up from Texas to have me photograph their wedding, and I was delighted to shoot for them! Getting ready in separate rooms, the grooms readied their made-to-measure navy tuxedos from Suit Supply before we set up the magical moment of their first look on the grand staircase of the hotel. After a quick jaunt around Union Square, the time warp that is a wedding day led us right in to the ceremony. Justin & Ian's infectiousness love for each other made portraits a breeze. Flo NY Events did a beautiful job dressing with white florals the stately ballroom of the W which made for a lovely backdrop for several wonderful speeches, parent dances and a lively dance floor thanks to DJ Marvl of Scratch Music. Getting the opportunity to photograph such a loving couple and their families is what makes this job fun and fulfilling. Thank you Justin & Ian for having me!
VendorsCake: Butterfly BakeryFlorist: Flo NY EventsGrooms' Attire: Suit SupplyDJ: Scratch Music, DJ MarvlRings: Krombholtz Jewelers
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.
University Club Wedding : Syd & Adam : New York, NY
Syd and Adam were married on December 11th, with a ceremony and reception atThe University Clubin New York City.I arrived a few hours early for this event because I had no idea what was going to go down with all the nearby commotion surrounding a certain someone. Trump Tower is just a few blocks away, and right outside of the windows, we could see the first of the major protests marching down 5th Ave. Nevertheless, Syd was remarkably unfazed by the whole thing, and since all the guests made it to the club on time, we were able to proceed without a bit of interference thanks to the help of Polka Dot Events! In fact, we even ran out into the street for a picture with the protestors. There were plans to go to Central Park for portraits, but with all the activity outside, we decided to stay inside instead. That worked to our advantage with the classic New York touches in the University Club, which was erected in 1899 and has one of the most beautiful ballrooms in the city. But of course, we had to take a few portraits outside with their dog… arguably the most important guest of the night. The ceremony itself was especially beautiful, with romantic lighting and a moody old-world NYC feeling. I especially liked the epically-sized bouquet and the Chuppah from Xylem & Phloem. From there, it was time to party. The best part of the night was the toasts,because you could see the love they had for each other. Indeed my favorite image of the day was when Adam was glacing over at Syd as they listened to their loved ones gush. With all the formalities of the wedding now behind them, these were some of the first momentsthey had to relax and enjoy each other's company. 15 Minutes of Frame was the cinematographer for this event and with as many weddings as we shot with them this past year, we can predict each others' next move. It’s always fun, and easy, to work with Kaipo and the gang! Thank you, Syd & Adam,for entrusting me with documenting your day in such a beautiful space. I wish you both nothing but happiness. Congratulations!
Vendors:
Event Planner: Polka Dot Events
Cake: Mini Melanie
Florist: Xylem & Phloem
Stationary: Suite Paperie
Makeup and Hair: Vensette & Glamsquad
Band: Love Revival Orchestra
Lighting: SNS Staging & Lighting
Videography: 15 Minutes of Frame
Love Trumps Hate : Fifth Ave Wedding : New York, NY
Syd & Adam had quite the demonstration going on just outside the windows of the University Club on Fifth Avenue in New York City, steps from Trump Tower. It was a pretty amazing sight to behold.
