We are a husband-and-wife photography team located in New York City. We bring a Fine Art approach to photography, shooting in both digital and film. We are available for local and destination weddings and engagements. For more information or schedule a time to come to our Midtown Manhattan studio, click on the Contact Us section of this site.
On this blog you'll learn all about us - our life, our art, and our travels. You'll hear the stories of the couples we photograph - their engagements, their proposals, their weddings. And, since you'll get to know them too, you'll see their personalities shine through in the images we capture. You'll find out our own love story, meet our family & friends, and come along with us anytime we get to travel somewhere great.
So take some time and explore our blog - view our galleries, vote on your favorite photos, and leave comments! Don't forget to check back often.
It was a setup, the meeting in the coffee shop that day. Only Joshua didn't see it coming. In fact, he had no idea. It had been a difficult few weeks for him, he had recently lost a close relative and wasn't much in the mood for social gatherings. He had agreed to meet his friend and his friend's girlfriend for coffee. That was going to be the total number of people in attendance, as far as he knew. And that was just fine with him. He could be himself with them, he could relax. That's exactly what he needed. Or, at least that's what he thought he needed.
He was sitting at a table in the coffee shop with his friend when Alice walked in. She was with Joshua's friend's girlfriend and joined them at their table. He knew pretty much right away what was happening. This was a set up. His friend knew that Joshua wasn't even thinking much about dating right now, but he had invited Alice along anyway. If Joshua's surprise and/or apprehension about a set up was displayed on his face, it didn't prevent Alice from flashing her usual bright smile at him. That caught Joshua's attention. That smile set the tone. The four of them sat and talked, with Joshua not saying much right away. He wasn't quite in a lets-get-to-know-each-other kind of mood. But as Alice talked, his mood started to change. Alice knew what Joshua was going through and was understanding and sweet. She talked to him, asked him about what he was interested in. She got him to smile. He got her to laugh. And when Alice laughed, Joshua felt a weight being lifted.
As Alice and Joshua discovered they had a bunch of things in common, it became pretty clear why the set up had been arranged. Why they had thought he needed to meet Alice. Because she gave him a reason to smile. He could be himself around her. He could relax. She was exactly what he needed. Sometimes a true friend knows you even better than you know yourself. Sometimes they know exactly what you need, and they bring it to you when you least expect it.
I walk past the three baskets of laundry, lined up in a perfect row, and I sigh. It's the second day in a row that I have walked past these baskets and I know I'm not the only one who has noticed. Rob sighs as he walks past them. He actually washed all the laundry and brought it upstairs for me to fold. But he knows I'll get to it. Eventually. When Malachy runs into our bedroom he runs toward the laundry baskets with joy, eager to pull out the clean clothes and fling them, one by one, onto the floor. I'm faster than he is, at least for now. I grab the baskets before he can get to them, shoving them into the closet before he gets the chance to liter the floor with his tiny T-shirts and pajamas.
Laundry was the thing that had to fall by the wayside today. And the day before. I'll take care of it tonight, I tell myself. I actually might. In the meantime, Malachy is pounding on the clock radio. He wants to dance. I'm happy to oblige. They'll always be T-shirts to fold and pajamas to put away. But I know there won't always be a day when Malachy's favorite thing to do is dance to the clock radio with his Mommy.
So I pick him up and give him a big hug. He lets me hold him for all of about 30 seconds before he wants to be back down on the floor, running and dancing. I place him down gently and he takes off, full speed. We dance around the room together, his infectious laugh bouncing off the still-empty walls we've been meaning to fill with pictures.
He darts across the room, over to my nightstand with the two bookshelves underneath. This time it will be my books that are strewn on the floor, pulled out one by one by tiny little boy hands. They're a jumble, his books mixed with mine. Dr. Seuss and Jane Austen. I make a feeble attempt to stop him, but I have to admit I love how much he loves books. Once he is satisfied with the amount of books on the floor, he sits down and opens one up. Doesn't matter to him if it's his book or mine. He looks up at me and then pats the floor next to him. "It!!" he implores. He wants me to sit down next to him. I'm happy to oblige. We sit, each with a book open on our lap. And for a few glorious seconds he leans his head on my arm.
In that moment I ignore the books laying all around us that I'll have to reorganize in just a few minutes. I forget about the laundry that fell by the wayside, sitting in the closet just steps away waiting for me. I let go of the pots that sat in the sink for days last week, filled with soapy water and good intentions. I don't even notice the still-empty walls surrounding us.
Because Malachy couldn't care less about any of those things. And moments like these are all that really matter anyway.
The last few days, hours, and seconds leading up to your big day, you’re bound to feel anything but relaxed. One of our past bride’s Liz says, “I know it’s hard, but the night before the wedding you probably won’t sleep. Make sure you get your rest leading up to the big day! You’ll need it!”
On your wedding day you will need all the energy you have to take pictures, talk, greet, and thank all your family and friends for taking part in your special day, and still have the vitality to dance the night away. Most importantly, you want to have the chance to take in all the moments of your ceremony and reception - and absorb the idea that you’re now married! But, before you walk down the isle, here are some “To-Do's” to set in place for your wedding day before you say, “I do”.
Delegate
It’s hard not to stress on your wedding day; the nervous butterflies, the anxiety of running late or just not having control – we get it! But instead of all the worries be on your shoulders, delegate a trustworthy family member or friend to take on your responsibilities for the day. “No matter what happened leading up to my wedding, when that day came I just had to keep telling myself to breathe, enjoy life, and treasure this huge moment”, says bride Lindsay. “I also made sure to designate my Maid of Honor as my bouncer! She knows me best and knew who/what would stress me out, so she was on hand to lead me away from anything or anyone that may take away from my "fun". This truly helped me remain calm and collected instead of worrying and stressing.” Like Lindsay, pick someone that knows YOU so they can prevent those triggers or pet peeves that may get to you on your big day. Remember, your wedding day is supposed to memorable, but also fun!
After speaking with many our brides it’s easy to see how essential it becomes to delegate at least one person on your wedding day, but sometimes a group of people could be just what you need… like your bridal party! Bride Kim delegated her bridesmaids to assist her throughout the day. When her wedding day arrived, Kim definitely had a lot of things on her mind, but stayed calm and collected. She says, “I had no clue where to find my wallet, next-day clothes, phone, or pretty much anything else that day, and I wasn’t worried in the least. I can be a control freak at times, so I chose bridesmaids who I knew would be as “type A” as I am. And then I let it all go. It’s your day, so allow other people to keep track of it all for you.” You may have that one person to handoff your worries to, but like Kim, have your bridesmaids possess small responsibilities too – it will definitely take off some unneeded stress.
Although these delegations appear mostly in the beginning of the day, you will definitely need that friend or family member to help you throughout your day, and especially into the evening, like when you need to bustle your dress or go to the bathroom. Today wedding dresses make it almost impossible to allow you to go to the restroom alone, so delegate someone to tag along with you. “Have a bathroom buddy,” says Liz. “I chose a bridesmaid to help me, it is a two-person job depending on the style of your dress… and it doesn’t hurt to freshen up throughout the day!” Although you may feel you are asking a lot from your family and friends on your wedding day – don’t worry! They will be more than happy to help out and partake in your responsibilities to make sure you have the most perfect and unforgettable day.
Get the Girls Together Early
The morning of your wedding day gather your bridal party all in the same place – this may be your parent’s house or a hotel room. For Kim, it was her grandmother’s home in West Hartford, Connecticut. Kim says, “Avoid wedding day stress by gathering your bridal party early. There is no wondering if someone will be late for pictures, etc. I set up my grandmother’s basement for a day of fun and girliness with snacks, coffee, pampering treats like fuzzy socks and lotions, and packed the room with happy, chick wedding movies like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Ever After,” games, and music. We set up hair and makeup there and spent the day gabbing and getting more and more excited. The weekend flew by, so it was so nice to have that time with my friends before the ceremony. “
To save yourself even more time and stress, have your stylists come to your house, or the location where you plan on getting ready for your wedding. That way you will have a much more relaxed morning getting ready and unwinding with your girlfriends before you walk down the aisle and save yourself the hectic trouble of traveling from place to place. Plus, as photographers, we love capturing every moment of your wedding especially those of you getting ready – from your makeup to your hair, to shots of your mother and maid of honor helping you into your dress.
Dance Lots, Eat Often
Days leading up to your wedding, brides are very cautious of everything they eat in fear of last minute weight gain – it’s all about the dress. However, on Lindsay’s big day, her mother knew what was best for her – a traditional and delicious breakfast Lindsay would love. “I had been watching my weight right up until the day”, says Lindsay, “but on my wedding day my Mom made sure that when I woke up I would smell 'Momma’s Eggs' and eat a good, strong breakfast. She knew that with the events to come you really don’t get much time to eat so having your favorite meal is really important and it makes you smile.” A wedding day is usually so chaotic you may not have a choice of when or where you eat or drink! Like Lindsay, we suggest well-balanced breakfast, and lots of fluids to keep you hydrated.
Taking care of yourself is huge when it comes to your wedding day. Starting off the morning right is important, but make sure you stay hydrated. Bride Kim says, “Nobody likes a cranky, dehydrated bride. My bridesmaids stuffed pieces of cheese in my mouth all day, and I can’t thank them enough for it!” By keeping yourself satisfied, you’ll be able to take part and enjoy your day to the fullest. Keep bite-sized snacks available to munch on, and straws to sip that juice or water after you get your makeup done – it’s guaranteed to stay perfect. (Beware of too many alcoholic beverages, which can make you dehydrated especially on those hot summer days.)
Even though you may feel that most of your day will consist of mostly snacking – don’t worry! Feel free to indulge during your reception, you deserve it. “It’s your day”, says Liz, “make sure you have a drink in your hand and food in your belly! You will be sad if you miss the cake or dessert table that you planned for!” Your reception is the time to sit back, relax, dance, and enjoy finally being married! Although your first instinct may be to get up right away to talk to and thank all your guests, take a step back and look around. “As soon as I sat down to dinner at my wedding, I felt as though I had to get up right away to thank all the tables for coming. My husband however made a point that we would wait until halfway through the meal to thank everyone, as we had spent so much time on our menu – he wanted us to enjoy it”, says Lauren. “I remember him holding my hand during the first course and just saying, 'Okay. Stop and look around – how cool is it that we did this?! It looks amazing.' What a great moment to sit back and actually take everything in.”
There are few times in your life when you'll have an entire room full of people gathered together to celebrate you - take a few minutes at the beginning of dinner and look around at all the people who love you. After working so hard to plan your day, you will both be able to sit back and see how wonderfully it all came together.
Give Thanks
It's important to remember to thank all the people who helped you plan your day - your parents, bridesmaids, friends. A simple thank you toast in the morning or a thoughtful note can really mean a lot to them. Wedding days are emotional days for your parents too, make sure to give your Mom and Dad an extra hug and let them know how much they mean to you. You'll enjoy your day that much more knowing that you have told all the people that mean the most to you how much you appreciate them.
Even if all your guests didn’t take part in planning or preparing your wedding its still important for you and your spouse to acknowledge all those who had traveled to be with you. Liz says, “Don’t make it a job to go talk to everyone, but take the opportunity to really just thank them for sharing in your day." Most couples at their wedding will take a moment during the reception to really thank all their guests, however, you can also show your gratitude by offering a favor for each guest at your reception. At Lauren & Colin’s wedding they set up a “Love Is Sweet” candy bar, overflowing with all-blue candies for her guests to take home and enjoy. It was a huge hit!
Focus on Each Other
With all the guests and excitement it can be easy to lose track of what the day is all about in the middle of it all. After the ceremony you and your other half will be quickly overwhelmed by the excitement, and best wishes from your guests. So make sure to set aside at least a few minutes of alone time, just for the two of you (after your ceremony, or before your reception begins). Take that time to talk about all the things you are feeling, to hold each other close and to marvel at the fact that you are now officially a married couple!
Upon entering your reception and engaging in your first dance together it will become easy for the two of you to get separated especially when a family or friend will grab to picture with you, dance, or chat. “Hold your partner's hand and make the rounds together throughout the evening”, says bride Danielle. "Otherwise, it's too easy to divide and conquer; you could spend the entire time each separately chatting with guests as hosts and before you know it the night is over and you haven't spent your wedding together.” Make sure you don’t lose sight of each other on the big day. Keep each other close and make sure to share more than just that first dance together. You'll be creating memories you'll cherish for decades.
It was a crowded party in a small New York City apartment. Music was playing, drinks were flowing, the room was abuzz with small talk and laughter. In an instant all of that seemed to fade away when the eyes of two strangers met across the room. Stu had no idea who that gorgeous woman with the long blonde hair and incredible smile was, but he did know that he had to at least learn her name. She was so beautiful, he almost hesitated before going to talk to her. But then he didn't. When Emma spotted the tall stranger with the thick black hair and honest eyes leaning on a wall across the way, she almost looked away out of shyness. But then she didn't. Emma met his gaze and smiled. Stu made his way across the room and introduced himself. It was as though something stronger than themselves was pushing them to step outside their comfort zones, to take a chance. Because there was clearly a reason they happened to be at the same place at the same time that evening. This was NYC, after all. Chance encounters do happen, of course, but they rarely lead to something meaningful. And it was clear from that first glance, that this was something special.
Emma says she knew that Stu was the one for her after their very first trip together. They flew from NYC to the West Coast, not far from where she had grown up in Oregon, to drive up the California coast. From Big Sur to Sonoma, it was just the two of them, side-by-side in a rental car and miles of coastline stretched out before them. The trip could have tested their relationship, hours in a car together could have been too much. But it was exactly the opposite. It strengthened them. During that trip, Emma looked at Stu and knew, with a certainty, that this is exactly what she wanted. To go on adventures with this handsome man she had met at a party one night. To build a life together with this man that had become the first person she wanted to talk to when she had any news - good or bad. To spend every day with the man who had made her life infinitely better, simply by being a part of it.
To give an idea of just how sweetly romantic Stu is in general, on the day that he planned to propose Emma had no idea that it was about to happen. Even though Stu had packed a picnic lunch (complete with lobster rolls) and suggested that they sit on Hudson Pier to enjoy their lunch, take in the view of lower Manhattan and the Hudson River and just be. While that might have been an indication that something was up for other ladies, for Emma, this wasn't unusual. Because romantic picnics on the pier? That was just something they did. Like on a regular basis. So it probably comes as no surprise that when Stu popped the question on the pier that day Emma said yes as quickly as she could. She had known Stu was the one back on that trip on the California coast. In the time that followed, he had just reinforced her decision. He made her fall even more in love with him with each passing day.
Since the night of that crowded party in that small New York City apartment, they both knew deep down there was something about that stranger across the room. And not a day has gone by that she hasn't been grateful that she smiled at that handsome man with the dark hair and that he is so glad he introduced himself to the beautiful blonde with the bright smile. It was a chance meeting. It has lead to something wonderful. And this is just the beginning.
Emma & Stu, thank you for showing us some of your favorite spots in NYC, for braving the cold and look fabulous while doing it, and for introducing us to your sweet story. We can't wait till your wedding next month.
Ahh, three years ago. Seems like a world away now. Looking back, it's hard to believe what we've accomplished both personally and professionally in three years (moved to NYC, had a sweet baby boy, bought a house, added a fabulous studio manager/associate photographer to our team). It's been a three big, busy years. So big, so busy that sometimes it's easy to lose track of all the things we had done before, all those things that have ultimately led us to where we are now.
Back in 2010, we were starting on a new road. Forging a new path for ourselves propelled by the driving desire to do all those things we had been dreaming of doing. To take those written-down-on-paper ideas and make them I-can't-believe-we're-actually-doing-this realities. And we knew we couldn't do it alone. So we shared our ideas with others, talked about them (a lot) and made plans. Big plans. Plans that had me nervous. Nervous in the best way possible. Because when you're chasing after those big ideas, it shouldn't be easy. And if you're not nervous, then you're not dreaming big enough.
One of those big, scary ideas was our Taking Off Seminar and Amelie-inspired shoot in Paris back in March of 2010. It took months of planning, hours of international e-mailing and phone calling and many working lunches to pull it all together but then end result was worth all the hard work. And then some. It was such a whirlwind, that I had lost track of just how much fun it was until I was reminded of it all more recently. Looking through the images again, I was transported back and remembered how incredible it had been to see our big ideas become a reality and to feel so grateful to those people we had surrounded ourselves with that believed in us, who believed in our idea, added TONS of their own ideas and worked so hard to make it happen. HUGE thanks to Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the Shore, Candice Coppola from Jubilee Events, Paris-based make-up artist Masafumi Matsuda and the woman who pulled it all together in the City of Light, Paris-based wedding planner Kim Petyt of Parisian Events.
The resulting images have been published several times and one of them is now on the COVER OF A BOOK that I'm certain will be an International sensation: The Paris Wedding by Kim Petyt. That's right, the very same Kim that worked with us on these shoots (I think we have a knack for selecting very talented collaborators). Head over to Amazon and get yourself a copy of Kim's book. And while you're at, maybe plan yourself a wedding in Paris, or a Paris-inspired wedding in the U.S., Kim has tips for doing both in her book. And you know we'd always be happy to capture all that French-inspired beauty, wherever it may be. We'll even bring along the macarons. :)
