River Cafe Wedding : Ashley & Ben : Brooklyn, NY
Ashley & Ben were married on May 13th, with a ceremony and reception at the River Café in Brooklyn, New York photographed by Brian Hatton Photography. I started off the day at the stylish new 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. I love shooting here because of all the backdrops and textures available for photography. Also, it’s not often that I get to experience a completely new property here in NYC! With its industrial, modern design, as well as its living walls and amazing rooftop, this hotel has instantly become a go-to “getting ready” spot for weddings in the Brooklyn Bridge Park area. Once Ashley was ready, we staged a first look at the hotel under the covered entryway, then hopped in an Uber to head around DUMBO for photos near Jane’s Carousel and under the Manhattan Bridge. Even though it was raining, the bride and groom were both good sports and ready to try anything. So, we kept right on—they had an umbrella, and I had fully-weather sealed cameras. I might have gotten a little wet, but we were good to go! Besides, I always find New York to be romantic in the rain. Their ceremony took place under the tent at the River Café with the Brooklyn Bridge towering above. One of my favorite moments was at the very end, once Ashley and Ben were married, when Ben threw his fist in the air to the cheers of their guests. He was too excited to hold his emotions in. That set the tone for the fun reception filled with off-the-cuff toasts and a no-holds-barred dance floor. Throughout the entire day, I enjoyed the opportunity to photograph every single person there. That is one of my favorite parts of shooting small weddings: every single person in attendance was important to Ashley and Ben, so I had a great time pursuing each moment and expression to capture those personal interactions. Ben caught some light-spirited flack from his best man over his new vegan lifestyle (thanks to his bride). But the River Café provided a beautiful dish to accommodate those meal preferences—one of the many benefits of having a wedding at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Of course, I must praise the talented ladies of Exquisite Affairs Productions once again. No matter how big or small the wedding, having an extra hand to help with the dress and move family around with an eye on the schedule goes a long way. This was two weekends in a row with these amazing women, and I love every second of that partnership. Thank you, Ben & Ashley, for having me photograph your intimate day. Congratulations to you both!
Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Exquisite Affairs ProductionsFlorist: OpaliaBand: Elan Artists
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding : Lena and David : Brooklyn, NY
Lena and David were married on May 6th, with a ceremony and reception at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The day started out with a bang as Lena got ready at the Box House Hotel in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. She’d had to change her “getting ready” venue at the last minute, because the original hotel had flooded out the day before! I’m glad it all worked out, though, and the new venue perfectly complemented her and her stunning pair of gold and black titanium micro pavé wedding rings. We moved from there to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden so that Lena could finish getting dressed in their brand new bridal suite. The renovations—new carpets, walls, and chandelier—make a huge difference, and I loved photographing the new space. Once Lena was ready, we staged a first look and headed to the Cherry Esplanade. The iconic rows of cherry blossom trees had just dropped their blossoms a few days earlier, leaving the ground decorated in a soft pink. The whole first look was simply striking, in a sea of blooming purple. I found a spot in the distance to get low and capture a big, wide shot of the scene. As we headed back to the venue for the ceremony, I saw some of the guests coming in with large-brimmed hats and other Kentucky Derby-themed attire. After all, it was Derby Day, so Lena and David had encouraged their guests to dress the part. The ceremony itself took place outside under a beautiful chuppah as the sun came down and a guitar/cello duo, NY Ceremony Music, set the mood. My favorite image of the day was right at the end of the ceremony—when Lena and David gave each other a high five. That moment right after they are married is often when I get some of my most genuine expressions of the day. From there, it was off to the reception back inside the Palm House. They had a unique setup, with various themed food stations—an Asian food cart, Provencal cuisine, Moroccan food, and more. I love it when couples do something different for a nice change of pace like that! As a surprise to the guests, the Three Waiters blended in as catering staff—only to break out into operatic song to serenade the room! A number of ladies made no secret of their delight for these gentlemen when that happened. Once the dancing got started, I was pleasantly surprised by the crazy moves I was seeing out on the dance floor. It’s not often I see guests trying to disrobe the groom! LOL David was cool with it, though— amazing. It was clear these friends have a ton of fun together. This was yet another wedding courtesy of Exquisite Affairs Productions. We collaborate several times per year, and Christine, Tara, and Janine make my job so much easier as they keep all the moving parts together and pull out an awesome party for everyone involved. David & Lena, thank you for the chance to photograph your Brooklyn Botanic Garden wedding. You brought a totally different vibe to the classic gardens, like being at a fun dinner party, and I loved your unique spin on everything. Congratulations to both of you!
Vendors:
Catering: Patina Group Event Planners: Exquisite Affairs Productions Hair & Makeup: Sachiko Yanese Video: First Day Films DJ: 74 Evemts Florist: Rebecca Shepherd Photobooth: We Love Photobooths Transportation: Luxor Limo Buses: Brownin Transportation
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
Liberty Warehouse Wedding : Claire and Alex : Brooklyn, NY
Claire and Alex were married on April 22nd, with a ceremony and reception at the Liberty Warehouse.
The entire day took place at the Liberty Warehouse in the Red Hook Neighborhood of Brooklyn. The warehouse is just across the street from Hometown BBQ, the favorite after-wedding pit stop of photographers, so I was intimately familiar with the sights, sounds, and smells as I arrived at the cavernous bridal suite about an hour before the guests were set to arrive. I was particularly struck by the back of Claire’s Sareh Nouri dress, with its unique, intricate lace paneling. Alex, of course, looked stunning as well, wearing a suit by famed master tailor Martin Greenfield—who dressed the last two presidents! Because they wanted to preserve that emotional moment when they saw each other for the first time as Claire made her way down the aisle, we decided to forgo the first look for the two of them. It was the perfect decision for Claire and Alex, as that pure, open emotion was captured for everyone to see in the moment. After the ceremony, I grabbed the two of them for some pictures before the party got started. There is truly something special about taking portraits of a bride and groom once they’re actually married. All you need is the time and a beautiful location, and you have the perfect material to work with as that in-the-moment emotion shines through. Although the weather had forced us to have the ceremony indoors, I loved how the arched window perfectly framed them for a unique silhouette. The party continued into the night on the dance floor, underneath the warm glow of dozens of oversized Edison bulbs. As for food, Claire and Alex opted for baklava and cannolis instead of a cake, in a nod to both of their backgrounds. The guest gobbled them up even faster than you’d typically see of a cake!
Thank you, Claire & Alex, for trusting me with this special occasion. I love being able to step into a wedding and let the day unfold organically, and you were both wonderful to roll with the day as it came!
Vendors:
Cake - Cannoli from Ferdinando's
Baklava - Damascus Bakery
Florist - Stems
Stationary - Minted
Makeup & Hair - Agata Helena
Lighting - Pegasus
Band - DJ Neza
Wedding Dress - Sareh Nouri
Bridesmaids Dresses - Monique Lhullier
Rings - Marian Maurer & Elleven Jewelry
Groom's Attire - Martin Greenfield
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.