Bailey & John’s Joy-Filled Lake George Wedding // The Inn at Erlowest // Lake George, NY

John & Bailey’s late June wedding at the Inn at Erlowest was one for the books – and I’m not just saying that because Bailey is an English teacher.  It’s hard for me to put into words just how much of a blast it was to spend their wedding day with them. Have you ever met anyone who just personified a hug? That is the best way I can describe Bailey and John. They both wear their hearts on their sleeve, and it was such a truly a perfect day on Lake George filled with magic, laughs and surprises. There were so many genuine moments of joy to capture that it was infectious.  Did I happy-cry at their wedding? Well, I didn’t NOT happy-cry, I’ll just say that.

Aside from being generally awesome and extremely well loved people individually, John and Bailey are even more electric as a couple. Yes, they are beautiful. Yes, they are kind. Yes, they are driven. But what is even more important is – THEY ARE SO DANG FUN! I mean, they even broke into a high-energy salsa dance halfway through their first dance as husband and wife that literally blew everyones minds (please note the reactions in the background in those pictures). You will find a lot of dance floor photos in this blog because they really brought the dance. THEY. BROUGHT. IT. I’m sorry I ever doubted John’s dancing abilities. Please consider this my public apology. Bailey chose the perfect dress to dance in, she was out there twirling like the dang queen that she is!

This wedding was the perfect blend of love, joy, family and future. I can’t wait to see what adventure awaits Bailey and John (because lord knows I fully instagram stalked their incredible world tour honeymoon) , and I’m so happy I could be a part of their very first day as husband and wife. Thank you for giving me the gift of your friendship and the very best first dance to photograph in my career thus far.

Cheers to the new Mr. & Mrs, Bailey & John! ❤

 

Lexi & Matt’s Sunny Lake George E-Session // Inn at Erlowest & The Miss Erlowest // Lake George, NY

Is there a better way to celebrate your engagement than a warm evening cruise on Lake George in a 38 foot Hacker Craft called the Miss Erlowest? Methinks not.  What an absolutely perfect night we had for Lexi and Matt’s E-Session!

We hopped from the boat, to the grounds of The Inn at Erlowest. We timed it just right because we even snuck in an appearance by the Mohican and some really cool late day light. Such a great evening with these two. I can’t wait to document their big day in just a couple months at Stonebridge Farm!

Here’s to Lexi & Matt ❤

 

Kaitlin & Kyler’s Tulip Fest E-Session // Historic Washington Park // Albany, NY

Nothing says it’s finally Spring in Upstate NY quite like the tulips and blooms in Albany’s Washington Park. I met up with Kaitlin, Kyler & their pup Pippa to take advantage of the scenery before the crowds of Tulip Festival ascended onto the park. We lucked out with perfect weather and basked in the glory of a (finally) warm Spring day in Albany. What a gorgeous and happy couple, I can’t wait for their April 2020 wedding in Saratoga! Will Pippa be a flower girl? I will report back on that in 1 year.

 

Chris & Tara’s Sunny Winter E-Session // Saratoga Spa State Park & Warming Hut // Saratoga Springs, NY

We had a really beautiful sunny winter day for Chris & Tara’s e-session. You can’t tell in these photos just how much ice we were navigating, but let me tell you, it was A LOT. Classic Upstate NY problems. After a midweek winter rainstorm, every surface we walked on became a obstacle course. I’m happy to report that we all managed to stay on our feet. Thankfully, the icy conditions did not impede on our fun!  I had such a great afternoon meeting and photographing these two after they travelled from Boston for their e-session. I was so excited to find a fire already made in the Warming Hut when we popped in to escape the frigid temperatures. It turned out to be an A+ decision.  I can’t wait to be there to document Chris & Tara’s wedding in October! What a sweet couple.

 

Lyndsay & Dan’s Cozy Afternoon at Home E-Session // At Home & Schenectady Municipal Golf Course // Schenectady, NY

Lyndsay and Dan wanted something that was more relaxed, felt like them and of course, included their dog. Nothing accomplishes that quite like shooting in your own home, doing the things you do in your day to day life. So that’s exactly what we did! We focused on their newly decorated (and adorable) first home and a golf course close by where they often take their beloved dog, Qynn. For two people who both admitted to being extremely nervous about being in front of the camera, they were naturals after exactly 5 seconds of coaching! This couple has a connection you can feel as soon as you enter the room with them. We kept things light hearted; enjoyed an afternoon drink, listened to some oldies, took a snowy walk and even included their house guest, Cooper. Man oh man, I loved everything about this session. So, let’s get to the good stuff!

Bailey & John’s Blustery Lake George E-Session // Prospect Mountain & Million Dollar Beach // Lake George, NY

I met Bailey & John for the first time at the top of Prospect Mountain – with 35 mph wind gusts. I had warned them earlier in the day about the wind but they decided to brave it, and we went ahead with our plan of meeting atop Prospect. My hat goes off to them for their positivity and willingness to brave the wind and cold!  But the upside of the wind is that sometimes it’s the extreme weather that gives us the best moments in photography. Thanks weather, you delivered!

Bailey & John were both so sweet and fun to work with right from the start! Calling them photogenic is an understatement. Bailey is a high school English teacher and John works in finance, but they look like a celebrity couple poised for awards season. It’s like they stepped right out of the pages of People magazine and directly into our hearts. They even witnessed my first ever tumble during a photo-session, and were gracious enough to not let it phase them at all. I promise I won’t fall at the wedding, guys!

Here’s to Bailey & John’s future together, with or without People magazine! I cannot wait to document their June 2019 wedding at the beautiful Inn at Erlowest!

Cheers!

 

Kevy & Jim’s Adirondack Sunset E-Session // Takundewide Cottages // Lake George, NY

Kevy & Jim’s engagement session took place on a brisk and breezy October day at Takundewide Cottages in Lake George. At one point I thought we may lose them to exposure, but they champed it out in the name of love and Lake George.

Takundewide is a micro-community within a micro-community. Nestled on Cleverdale, a point on the east side of Lake George (hello, that’s where the Sans Souci is), it is a family-run collection of summer cottages that people rent or own. There’s a beach, tennis courts, docks (to play sponge tag on), sun decks (to jump off of), and all kinds of boats. It is a tiny little summer oasis that is perfect for families and kids.

I have known Kevy for most of her life. In fact, I even babysat her in the very beginning!  She has always been a fun little ball of energy, very athletic, always laughing, with a million dollar smile. Kevy’s family has a long history at Takundewide and has spent almost every summer of her life there (hint, hint; I did too, this is where our families met). When she called me after Jim asked her to marry him on top of a mountain to set up an E-Session, I didn’t even have to ask where she wanted to do it. I knew it would be Takundewide. What better place to kick off her next big adventure; marrying Jim! Jim is a sweet quiet guy with a passion for the saving the environment, solar energy and of course, beer. He even was a large part of developing and brewing a couple of signature beers in partnership with Northway Brewing, for his family’s beverage business. When I asked him to bring some of his first signature brew (4 Chords) to the session, he came through, and I’m so glad he did. You will see why below.

Despite the cold & the wind, Kevy and Jim’s energy and love was infectious. You could really feel that intangible “something” in the air that makes them work. Such a joy to be around.

Let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?

Cheers to Kevy & Jim on your engagement!

 

Alyssa & Adam’s Lakeside Wedding // Private Residence on Saratoga Lake // Saratoga Springs, NY

A perfect September day. A lakeside ceremony. A beautiful fun-loving couple. Fireworks. Jack Daniels. And, a sunset that ALMOST stole the show. That is the story of September 22nd, 2018 in a nutshell.

Adam & Alyssa live out west in Salt Lake City, but are from the Clifton Park area originally. They often spend their free time on a motorcycle exploring the breathtaking scenery of the Rockies, hiking, traveling to concerts and Patriots games. When it came to planning their wedding, it was important for them to be at home with the family and friends that mean so much to them.

The happy couple said “I Do” in the gorgeous backyard of Alyssa’s parents Saratoga Lake home, on a piece of property that her family has long called “The Point”. Alyssa’s father (with lots of helping hands, I’m sure) built the perfect stone ceremony location on the property, called in a favor from a friend at Jack Daniels and special ordered a sunset that will almost certainly never be something I can duplicate for a wedding again (Sorry,  guys!). Adam’s mother baked all of the tasty and beautiful desserts. It was truly 2 families coming together as 1 team.

Adam & Alyssa were a dream to work with. It’s rare to have BOTH the Bride and the Groom be so completely relaxed on their wedding day, but I think that speaks volumes about their relationship. There is an ease and happiness to them that is palpable when you’re around them.  Their wedding was like a being in a big group hug for 7 hours. Ok, have I nerd-ed out enough for you? Let’s get to the pictures, right?!

Thanks for including me in your perfect day, Adam & Alyssa! Loved every second of it!

Cheers to your forever as Mr. & Mrs. ❤

 

Samantha & Peter’s Summer Track Engagement Session // Saratoga Racetrack // Saratoga Springs, NY

7am comes early, but there’s a payoff when it’s paired with a warm summer morning  with perfect light at Saratoga Racetrack. Samantha and Peter love spending time at the track  in the summer and it meant so much to be able to do their engagement photo’s somewhere that brings so much joy to them. After our first session had to be rescheduled because of rain, we lucked out with some beautiful mid-summer morning sun. Check out Peter and Samantha’s session below. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding next year at The National Museum of Dance!

 

 

 

David & Cherie’s Wedding Celebration // Fasig-Tipton Saratoga // Saratoga Springs, NY

There is absolutely no wrong way to have a wedding. I tell my couples this all the time. Do it YOUR OWN way.

David and Cherie decided to keep things simple and eloped in the Spring of this year. But that does not mean they didn’t want to still be able to celebrate their marriage with their close friends and family that mean so much to them. So, they threw a Wedding Cocktail Party in the heart of Saratoga!

I had not photographed a wedding of any sort at Fasig-Tipton in a few years.  They stopped booking weddings officially after the 2015 season. So, when I was contacted by Cherie to help her with this event, I was surprised by the venue. However, I peeled back the surface a little and it all made sense as to why this venue was back in the wedding business for one night only. Cherie is a Thoroughbred Horse Trainer, and her husband David, is a prominent Bloodstock Agent. I mean, we’re talking a thoroughbred dream team here. Their roots are firmly planted in the world of horse racing and at this time of year Fasig-Tipton is like a second home to them. According to Cherie, the week of their wedding celebration they had spent every other night at Fasig-Tipton working the horse sales. So truly, they could not have chosen a venue that was better suited for their lifestyle and their connection to each other.

Saratoga in August set’s the perfect scene for this Thoroughbred kind of love. Thanks so much Cherie and David, for inviting me to document some of it for you. I wish you both nothing but the best!

Here’s to Cherie & David – Health. History. Horses. – (and LOVE!)

 

 

Hair // Mary Martin & Co.

MUA // Courtney Vogel – Make Me Fabulous

Dress // Jill Jill Stuart