Tony and Rebecca

It seems like only a few days passed since Alyssa and I hiked down into the Gorge with Tony and Rebecca, but there we were, really excited to be shooting them again! I say it all the time, but what makes our job so amazing is the wonderful families we get to photograph and it's just so, so easy to make beautiful images when two people are in love and everyone in their lives is on board, helping to make their wedding day special.

When we got to the "Princess's Castle" (I'll explain later), Rebecca was getting the finishing touches on her make-up...not that she needed it.

And you'll have to indulge me - a habit I've picked up from Alyssa is having to shoot into every mirror or generally reflective surface I can find:

So, anyway, "the Tone" was running around like crazy making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and taking care of some last minute things (typical sergeant, I should know) - but he took time to remind everyone about the important things in life...

...and then, of course, he proceeded to take care of some crucial details - like tying some Guinness draught cans to the bumper of their AMAZING car. Smart move for car-dangling cans - the Guinness cans have those little ping-pong ball widgets in them so they make a lot of noise. That, and it's an accepted fact that Guinness is the best beer in the world - so you're making a statement about your taste, too.

Also speaking of the small stuff - Tony had Rebecca do a spot inspection of his shave.

Rebecca's gorgeous flowers...

...and Tony's.

Tony and his best man took a walk to the local church. Don't worry, it was only a block away!

But you don't make a bride walk on her wedding day...ever.

You think Rebecca and her bridesmaids were excited?

And then they were married! So, I mentioned the car earlier, right? Check out the Dodge Challenger. We were super-focused on the couple, but I definitely could have photographed that car for a while. Best part? It's been in the family for the entire life of the vehicle, and it just recently came back from the shop after several years of restoration. So here's a couple shots of Rebecca and Tony leaving the church.

And then Alyssa and I settled in for a relaxed portrait session after shooting the formals...

Here's some shots from the reception - enjoy!

And it wasn't just us - pretty much everyone had to take a picture of the stunning couple. I mentioned calling Rebecca's house the "Princess's Castle" earlier. Well, one of the sweetest moments of the reception came when one of the guest's young daughters asked, no demanded, that her father go up and get "A picture of the princess." It was a really, really cute moment.

Great night, amazing couple - thank you Tony and Rebecca for having us capture your wedding day, we can't wait to show you the rest of your photos!

Kristy and Tom

When we met Kristy and Tom, we immediately liked them -- and not just because of the Driveshaft bumper sticker on their car. They're a really down-to-Earth couple, and we couldn't wait to work with them on their wedding day. Here are a couple shots of Kristy getting ready:

The rings!

And a shot of Tom and his best man, clearly very nervous and stressed about his impending nuptials.

While Kristy waited in the limo, outside.

Finally, it was time!

Kristy and Tom rocked the bubble exit.

Over at the gorgeous Wanakah Country Club, we shot some formals before the reception.

And then it was time for the reception. The bridal party all entered dancing and having a blast -- the best man totally won the "best entrance" competition, though.

A couple detail shots from the reception.

And then it was time for dancing.

Thanks for having us with you, guys and have a blast on the honeymoon! We'll talk to you soon!

Dear Murphy - $2.01

Hey Buddy,

So, dear old Dad just had to spend about an hour ripping the dashboard off of the family car and exposing the insides of the head unit to retrieve a small deposit you made a few months ago. At first we just let it go that you had jammed a few (well, we thought it was only a few) coins in the CD slot during one of your many jaunts pretending to drive, but lately it's just been brutal. With no games that actually matter in Buffalo, sports talk radio is horrible and your mother can't handle some days without her Pure Moods cd (yeah, I'll pay for that crack). Also, about two weeks ago the radio started turning itself off when we took hard lefts...

Anyway, just for posterity's stake - here's your deposit:

Maybe we'll stick that in a piggy bank and, barring further economic collapse, you can by a tootsie roll with it in a few years.

It's a good thing you're cute...and the CD player works again.

Rebecca's Bridal Portraits

When we started talking with Rebecca and Tony about shooting an engagement session, Tony had a special request. He had a vision of a photo of Rebecca in her dress at the bottom of the Niagara Gorge at the reception. So, we hiked down this weekend with them to hopefully capture the shot Tony envisioned. Here are a few of our favorite shots of the stunning Rebecca.

Tony got in on the action as our third shooter!

After we took a bunch of Rebecca, we slipped Tony in, as this was, technically, their engagement shoot. They look fantastic together.

We're really looking forward to your wedding -- Rebecca, you are going to be an absolutely stunning bride. We hope you guys had fun -- we had a blast... well, except maybe for those stairs back up!

Jenn and Jeff

We met up with Jennifer on her wedding day at Merle Norman to get her makeup done. She had an early morning, marathon hair braiding session, and it definately rocked.

Jenn and Jeff decided to see each other before the ceremony, so we did some formals at the Garden Place Hotel. It's always nice when couples do decide to see each other first -- it allows us to get the formals and allows couples to get right into their receptions.

One of the first things we loved about Jenn and Jeff were how funny and relaxed they both were. It made for some seriously fun pictures throughout the day. This one was supposed to be romantic...

And how can you not love the mohawk-tux look?

They picked up these cool silver rose ring-carriers for the ceremony.

And before they knew it, it was time to head down the aisle:

Exchange some rings:

And then they were married:

Right after the ceremony, the chose to do a dove release via the White Dove Company, which Rich and I thought was really fun (They're technically white pigeons, so they aren't just being released -- they fly home).

We took Jenn and Jeff away for a mini-portrait session, and these are a few shots we loved from it...

So, one of Jenn's sisters joined the military and couldn't be at the wedding to be with her sister. Jenn absolutely lit up when the DJ announced he had a very special phone call for her -- of course, it was her sister. She chatted for a little while, then the DJ played a really special radio clip. Jeff had actually proposed to Jenn on a radio show, and one of the groomsmen recorded the clip and saved it to be played at the wedding. It was seriously cool -- especially since Jeff and Jenn are both pretty hard rockers. She had warned us it wouldn't be a typical wedding -- that it was going to be a metal wedding. And, they were, in fact, our first head-banging newlyweds.

I really liked this shot of Jenn's ring.

Everyone got into a celebratory mood.

And these were a couple of quiet portraits toward the end of the evening.

Congratulations, again, guys. We seriously had a lot of fun with you -- you've got a great group of friends and family, and we can't wait to show you the rest of your photos!

Dear Murphy - African Lion Safari

Hey there kiddo -- it's me, Mom. So, when I moved back to Buffalo a few years ago, with your Dad in tow, one of the first things he saw a commercial for was African Lion Safari. He couldn't wait to take you. Seeing as you still lived in my belly, it wouldn't have been all that exciting for you. So, fast forward two years, and one night, while watching t.v., your father suddenly yells, "I am so fed up with not being there!" So, we made plans and finally headed into the great, white north to visit the African planes. When we arrived, the drive-through reserve wasn't open, so we headed over to the petting zoo and got a little time in with the goats.

At our last zoo visit, you were rammed by a petting-zoo goat. That, in addition to the goat poop you tried to hand me convinced me to usher you on to the next animal. A camel!

We played with the camel until he got a little too close for you, and you told him, "No!"

A flamingo was kind of just walking around, and your dad snapped this neat photo of him taking a drink of rainwater.

The bats were settling in for the night as the sun started to come up.

So, it was just about time to head into the reserve.

The first animals we saw were lions, and boy did this lioness think you looked tasty!

Your dad really just wanted some animals to sit on the car, so we headed into the baboons and immediately saw this baboon pulling the weather stripping off this minivan and going all Tarzan on the car.

Your daddy laughed until the monkey jumped on our car.

Okay, so let me explain this next bit. No, actually, I'm just going to post these photos because I think everyone can figure out this narrative.

Yeah, so basically you decided that the windshield was looking a little dirty with a baboon's ass on it. Yeah. Notice your mom's expression in that last photo. I was convinced we were about to be rushed out the side door. Thanks, kiddo -- you keep us on our toes. So, after we laughed, a lot, we made some monkey faces for daddy.

We finished up our drive and headed into the rest of the park. You immediately took us on the train, twice, before we got to head over to mommy's favorite, the elephants. It was a special day, because we got to see a month-old elephant.

It's really hard to get across how tiny he was. Especially since he weighed 235 lbs. at birth. Then we walked past some flamingos and snapped a picture for your Nana because she loves her flamingos.

Then you got to ride an elephant. Seriously.

The park was really a great place for you -- aside from the animals, they had some seriously well-designed kid's areas, including a giant ball pit.

And a waterpark. Your daddy took you down the waterslides and after a few runs, you got the idea to go on your tummy.

You had a blast. That was about the point you stopped being able to walk in straight lines, so we called it a day and headed out. You were knocked out about 15 seconds into the car ride back to Buffalo.

Courtney and Cory

The scene was "Babeville," as it is now known...and down in the basement, next to the hulks of now-defunct boilers and crazy colors of paint on the new walls, we found ourselves shooting another great couple with Buffalo in their hearts.

When we walked in, the first thing I noticed was Cory looking over his vows cheatsheet. I was really touched at his last-minute changes...that's one determined groom who wants everyone to know it.

And this is Courtney, who was working out some last-minute nerves.

Cory wasn't nearly as relaxed as he looks here, either. It was definitely a case of two people who really, really could not wait to be married as we got closer to the ceremony time.

After the ceremony we got the chance to do some portrait work with the "C's"

And then it was party time...

Wow - another great wedding...Thank you again, guys, and we can't wait to show you the rest of your photos!

Yang and Ben

When I first met Yang, I was floored by what an amazing, beautiful and gracious woman she is. I couldn't wait to shoot her wedding, and we got a treat in that she got married twice in one day! We started the day meeting up with her and her future mother-in-law at Capello's Salon in Williamsville to get her hair and makeup done. She was nervous, but already glowing.

The wedding was held at Samuel's Grande Manor. Yang had a lot of planning to do solo as her fiance, Ben, had recently moved to Zurich. Her mother-in-law stepped in and helped Yang with a lot of the planning details, and even made her gorgeous wedding dress.

Now, Ben's best man is holding a trombone because he and Ben are both professional trombone players.

Actually, strike that -- make that the groomsmen all are trombone players. The groomsmen (and a couple guests) played the bridal party down the aisle in what was probably the coolest entrance I've ever seen.

The ceremony was in the Manor's beautiful gardens.

Then we took some portraits of Ben and Yang before changing for their second ceremony.

Yang is from Beijing, so in addition to a western ceremony, they decided to also do a Chinese wedding ceremony. This is a shot of dress number two.

And a couple shots from the ceremony.

A Chinese wedding is a ceremony in which the couple offer all the parents tea.

And then share some together, along with some figs, for a sweet life.

Then it was time for a third dress change and some dancing.

And a parting shot of Ben and Yang dancing. Thank you guys for having us with you on your wedding(s) day. It was a great day, and we wish you the best of luck in Switzerland!

Leigh and Tom

Last weekend we also got the cameras firing for Leigh and Tom, yet another awesome couple who we were so excited to see again! They got married at the classic Avanti Mansion and the weather cooperated for an absolutely glorious outdoor wedding.

The first shot is a pre-wedding present Leigh got from her mom: a beautifully framed copy of her invitation:

And, of course, here are some of Alyssa's signature detail shots. I really, really like the how the bouquet came out - it's so simple and perfect...

Leigh, her sisters and her mom are clearly very close. Leigh and her Mom were posing for a shot together just before Leigh headed downstairs to be married when they had a truly beautiful moment together.

And enter our man, Tom:

He was so obviously excited to get married...and it was beautiful how he walked down part of the aisle with Leigh.

Here's a long shot just to give you an idea...the Avanti is really amazing for outdoor weddings and I love the amphitheater style seating - I've never really seen another venue set up quite like this.

The kiss...

And the couple...

And then we were off to the reception - another great thing about the Avanti? The massive reception tent is in the front yard...and that's where things got started with the toasts.

And then they danced...

And loved each other...

And danced some more...

Even Grandma got in on the action!

Leigh and Tom - you guys were so great to shoot and so much fun to get to know throughout this process! And with one last shot, we'll sign off for this post...you always have to be ready to shoot, because you never know when someone's guest will stand on their head :)

Melissa and Jason

We just shot two more amazing weddings this past weekend, and we couldn't wait to post the first. Alyssa and I traveled down to Erie, PA on Saturday to shoot Melissa and Jason's big day:

Here's some shots taken while Alyssa was hanging out with the girls at the salon...

...and showing off Jason's pre-wedding gift...

...and then putting on Melissa's stunning Maggie Sottero dress.

Meanwhile, I was with the guys getting ready. Jason is really, really into comics among other things, so he and his groomsmen represented the "S" with some awesome Superman cuff links.

I would be extremely remiss in describing the wedding day if I didn't mention Melissa's gift to Jason - a monogrammed bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Oh, and do you see the tv screen? That's a pretty cool coincidence, all things considered...there is even more comic-themed goodness later.

We headed to St Peter's Cathedral in Erie for the ceremony and I totally caught Melissa peeking over the screen before she started her walk:

Here's some quick shots from inside the cathedral during the ceremony:

Right after the wedding we went to Mercyhurst College for some fun, informal shots with the wedding party.

This one was my favorite that Alyssa took - the bridesmaids look like they approve :).

M and J had their reception at the Avalon. Jason put together a really awesome slide show for the reception.

And then they had their first dances.

And now I finally get to pimp Jason's amazingly re-done classic comic book covers. Each one was made with Jason and Melissa as the subject...really, these were absolutely incredible and I'm sure Jason is going to continue to have an amazing career.

My favorite detail shot:

And as our parting shots - the circle serenade.

Thanks for everything, guys!

Chris and Jenn's Engagement Shoot

Chris and Jenn were in town for a short visit from Philadelphia, so we got together to shoot their engagement portraits this week down at Chris's family's cottage in Angola. We started out on the beach with their recently adopted retired greyhound.

We let her get out of the heat and hung out on the beach for a while.

Then we headed over to Tubby's for some ice cream.

While we were hanging out eating, Chris spotted a field of gorgeous, purple wildflowers, and I believe his words were, "Purple! Green! Photos!" So, we headed over, and the sun was starting to set, putting a gorgeous golden light over everything.

This shot of Jenn was my favorite shot of the day.

And we had to take a photo with a nod to one of the greatest shirts I've ever seen.

Thanks for hanging out with us, you two. You are seriously adorable, and we can't wait to shoot your wedding.