Rachele and Ian

Growing up on Grand Island, I must have seen the Grand Lady a thousand times driving up and down the river, but I'd never stepped foot onto the boat until this past weekend for Ian and Rachele's wedding. It's really funny how you can come full circle in life - there I was, photographing a gorgeous wedding while floating by the house I spent practically my entire life in prior to joining the Navy as a photojournalist...nearly a decade ago (ouch).

We were a little nervous about the lighting inside the boat, but it turned out to be perfect. Rachele, the girls and I got there before everyone else did to make sure everything was just right on the boat for the ceremony.

Rachele's bridesmaids kept yelling at her, but she couldn't help peaking at her guests boarding the boat.

The ceremony was held pier-side and was officiated by the boat's captain. After the ceremony, we all went for a cruise up and down the Niagara before heading off to the reception.

This is Rachele and Ian totally driving the boat. She (and the captain) did a great job -- it was a beautiful ride.

We decided to stick with the nautical theme of the wedding for the semi-formal shots back on the dock. There is absolutely nothing better than a bride, groom and their wedding party who are excited about their photos. Rachele and Ian and everyone - thank you guys soooo much for being amazing to work with.

And as a parting shot, one of my favorites that Rich took. Congrats, you guys!

New packaging

Alyssa and I are always looking for better ways to give clients our work. We just found some new DVD cases that are closer to display pieces for a bookshelf than simple packaging. I actually took the time to take photos of a few I put in the mail today, I dig them so much!

Justin

I just finished editing the photos from my shoot with Justin last week. One of the greatest things about shooting kids on a regular basis is how much fun I get to have. Justin was like, "Hey you have a camera! Let's play!" and off we went. Here are some shots I enjoyed the most...

Father Francis Mary

Recently, Alyssa and I got a call to shoot something a little bit different. Actually, a lot of what we were booked to do was the same, i.e. document an important event in someone's life, inside a church. This time, however, we were shooting Father Francis Mary's first Mass instead of a wedding ceremony.

The Mass was held at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy in Buffalo, where a lot of intensive restoration work has allowed the old church to thrive again.

I think the photos speak for themselves - the friars were there en masse (no pun intended!) to celebrate with Father Francis Mary, and it was a beautiful occasion to be a part of.

Robynn to Darrell

We are still digging through all of the awesome photo-shoots and events we've had stacked up the past week or so, but I had to take a break from Photoshop to share Robynn and Darrell's wedding...

When we arrived, Robynn was putting the finishing touches on her vows...

I think writing the vows the morning of the wedding is a beautiful idea. You're in just the right mindset (if maybe a little stressed), and everything comes from the heart. Alyssa will make fun of me for saying that, since we had her sister help write our vows on our wedding day - but I still think it's am awesome thing to do.

The wedding ceremony itself was in the student union at the University of Buffalo. Robynn and Darrell have strong connections to UB and felt it was the best fit for them. Coming "full circle" from where you spent most of your time together dating is always cool.

Luckily for all of us, the weather was only a little chilly and windy - but not crappy enough to keep us away from Baird Point. The columns there are originally from the old Federal Reserve Bank in Downtown Buffalo, and they cut a majestic profile that is now synonymous with the UB landscape. The wedding was originally supposed to be held at the point...but weather in Buffalo is about as reliable as your drunk uncle who keeps promising to repay you that loan you made him...

Nevertheless, we still got some photos there that we hope they'll use to remember all the great times they had at UB.

Robynn and Darrell had an awesome mix of family and friends at the reception who were all equally excited about seeing them hitched. When they formally entered as a couple for the first time - the place rocked.

Darrell is a big-time acappella group aficionado (and a heck of a good singer, too) and the band Firedrill! was present to serenade him and Robynn (and, as you can see below, Darrell had to get in on the act). Check them out on MySpace: Firedrill!

I have to explain the next part a little. You see, Darrell grew up in Saratoga, so he knows his horses, and Robynn has gotten into racing, too. This past weekend was the Preakness Stakes, and the favored horse shared the same last name as the bride...so you can imagine it was extra cool when the favorite won - definitely a good sign.

This is Robynn reacting to the win.

This was really a wonderful wedding day. I know we say that about all the weddings we take pictures of, but each one in special and unique, and we're very grateful that we're entrusted to capture the memories that are made.

Our thanks to Robynn and Darrell and all their amazing friends and family members we got to meet - we can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you!

Ryan to Danielle

What a great summer of weddings it's started off to be! Our thanks go out to all the amazing couples and families we've been shooting.

Last weekend was Danielle and Ryan, who got married at the Chapel at Crosspoint. You guys were more than fun to work with!

I got the immediate impression that Danielle and Ryan are each others' spiritual glue, for lack of a better term. These two were definitely meant to be together. So, to the photos...

We start out with a gorgeous dress...

Add some "everybody getting ready" shots,

Insert one absolutely glowing, gorgeous bride...

Head off to the chapel...

And you have a perfect couple!

The ceremony was a lovely mix of Danielle and Ryan's history together and the future they hope to create. You guys get bonus points for the seriously tear-jerking slide show!

And then we all headed over to Michael's for the reception.

When people ask us how we can stay motivated for all the weddings we shoot throughout the year, I wish we could just take them along with us for a few minutes of a celebration like Danielle and Ryan's. Couple like them make what we do so fun and rewarding, I can't imagine doing anything else.

Elizabeth to Mike

Last weekend we had the opportunity to shoot the ever-so-wonderful Elizabeth (Libby) and Mike. As a big bonus for us, they got married at St Louis Church in Buffalo - a mere mile away from our studio, and a gorgeous old church.

In true Buffalo fashion, the weather wasn't exactly cooperating, but we'd gotten to know Libby and Mike well enough to know that a little rain wasn't going to dampen their spirits. Everyone was really excited waiting for Libby and her parents to arrive in their Rolls Royce.

The wedding got underway smoothly. Libby wrote us afterward about how fast the whole thing went, and I have to agree. It seemed like we had barely started shooting as she headed off down the aisle with her father!

Time flies for us when we have a great couple to shoot and so many moments to capture.

Congratulations, guys! Thank you for having us at your wedding, and we know you're going to have a great future together.

Leo

I had the pleasure of shooting Mari and Rob's newborn son, Leo, Tuesday. Everytime I'm around a newborn, I'm still completely blown away by exactly how tiny we are when we start out. He was a champ for the shoot, too -- quiet, awake and curious. These are my favorites from the shoot.