The Blog | Adventures and advice from an euphoric wedding photographer.

Passion, Love & Happiness. I'm on a journey to capture these emotions from people who radiate their inner beauty and joy into my lens. I photograph because I adore weddings, a spontaneous lifestyle and meeting amazing individuals who will change my life. I hope that next unique someone is you.

My Boys | Adirondacks, NY

September 03, 2010

I couldn’t help but share this photo of Billy and Pirate fishing on our last camping trip. I love the paws over the boat!

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The Deelicious Life

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Shaking My Hips at Ellicott Square | Buffalo, NY

September 02, 2010

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of photographing chocolates for Wahl’s Candies in Buffalo. I was told I would need to return in the fall when they whipped up a new batch of sponge candy. Sponge candy? Didn’t think much of this treat as I munched on other goodies, but customer after customer continued to enter the store demanding this sweet treat.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the popular candy on every table at Pat and Kate’s reception. Deciding for myself what all the fuss was about, I popped one in my mouth and continued following the newlyweds. OH MY GOODNESS! It wasn’t long before I couldn’t go 5 minutes without stuffing another chocolate in mouth. Hands down they were the best table treats I’ve yet to savor at a wedding!

Add to this reception a crazy dancing Elvis and Anderson ice cream sundaes, I was definitely sad to see it end, but excited to send Pat and Kate away on their honeymoon after a fantastic wedding!

To view all of Pat and Kate’s beautiful photos, here’s their wedding slideshow!

Music: “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” and “Cheek to Cheek” by Louie Armstrong
Ceremony: Our Lady of Victory Basilica - Lackawanna, NY
Reception: Ellicott Square Building - Buffalo, NY
Portraits: Tifft Nature Preserve - Buffalo, NY
Stylist: Heather at Capello - Buffalo, NY
DJ: CJ Sound
Dress: Oleg Cassini for David’s Bridal

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Wedding

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It Really is A Small World | Adirondacks, NY

September 01, 2010

So a few weeks ago we headed to the Adirondacks to go camping for our friend’s 30th birthday. It was about a 4 hour drive and I was pleasantly surprised that over 20 of us made the trip. I was also surprised to find out we weren’t just camping...we were truly “camping”. Camping to me is pitching a tent on someone’s lawn and having access to bathroom facilities and a refrigerator. Nope. I experienced the joy of cooking hot dogs on a stick, bathing in a lake, and sleeping on the bare hard ground. My body didn’t appreciate the hard ground part, but we did have a blast.

The Adirondacks are comprised of many small towns and on this particular day, the closest one was having a parade. We decided to venture to the festivities and while looking for a place to park, I noticed this patriotic woman sitting by herself waving her flag and waiting for the commotion to begin. I screamed with glee when I saw her and told my companions in the car my wish to capture her portrait, but we were on a mission to find our party. Of course we lost our caravan and ended up walking the streets looking for our friends. A few minutes later, Billy pointed out my previous captivation. “Hey look, there’s the woman you saw in the car, now you can take her picture!”

My stomach fell. I’d never approached a stranger before and asked to take their portrait, but I really wanted to photograph her. Really really bad. Of course when you have 3 people staring at you and expecting you to march right up to the subject, you grow some nerve quite quickly.

Charlotte was wearing a straw sunhat and a name tag. Oh my gosh was she darling. I asked her if I could take her portrait for my personal collection and her face lit up instantly. She had never been asked to be photographed before and she quickly started chattering. At one point she questioned how I was going to take a good photo if she was in the picture, but I knew she was immensely delighted that I had asked her.

The photos weren’t award winning, but that’s not what it was about. I simply wanted her portrait and I turned my camera to show her the results. She was thrilled but I was again embarrassed. I wanted to share the images with Charlotte for her kindness, but I didn’t have a business card in my pocket. Should I ask her for her email? Ummm....how about her mailing address.....well that would be awkward. So I just thanked her and left, but I felt really guilty for taking a photo she adored then walking away.

Hours later we finally found our friends. We shared stories of our adventures down the street of this small town when I told them of the adorable Charlotte. As I passed my camera around to share the images, my friend’s father exclaimed, “She’s our neighbor!”. YAY! Of the ten houses on their rural road, my one and only portrait subject of the day was their friendly neighbor who they agreed to give her prints I would send by mail.

I was thrilled to not only have concurred my fear of photographing strangers but also to bring a little joy to a sweet woman named Charlotte.

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The Deelicious Life

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A Couple Cute Collies | Warsaw, NY

August 31, 2010

My front yard is a ridiculous hodge podge of flowering bushes and trees which means it’s stunning in the spring. My Aunt was dying to get Chloe and Echo over for a visit to romp around in the flowering lawn and as predicted, once the leashes were off they were running wild! These pampered (aka spoiled) pouches have their coats groomed by my Aunt Deb every week so they’re like center folds for collie lovers. It was great fun to watch them run like pups, but even more enjoyable to watch my Aunt try to corral them for the perfect pose. But patience was definitely worth the struggle because their glamor shots turned out pawsitively perfect!

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Pets

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Romantic Portraits | Tifft Nature Preserve - Buffalo, NY

August 30, 2010

I was spoiled with the opportunity to photograph at the Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo for a couple relaxing hours. Nature and green foliage are a winning combination, but two thumbs up to my bride and groom for staying enthusiastic in the hot sun! Being that Kate is the ultimate wedding planner, we luckily had some chill time to enjoy a cool drink and soak in the lovely environment.

I’ve photographed many weddings and yet I’m always surprised by the uniqueness of each bride and groom. Pat and Kate’s wedding transportation of choice? A bright yellow taxi with the friendliest driver you’ll ever meet. The groom’s personal touch? A map tie because he diggs geography. And of course Kate brought a goody bag containing two plush animals which hold meaning to them both, resulting in an adorable photo straight out of a storybook. Maybe you’ll see their wedding album on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. ;)

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Wedding

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