Photographer & Photojournalist – Buffalo, NY – Weddings, Portraits, Brand

Often times my clients live out of town and I don’t have the chance to meet them before their weddings.  I generally try to at least get a Facetime call in before the wedding so we can get to know each other a little bit.  The second that facetime call went live with Alexa, I had a real good feeling I was going to get some great moments with her, and I was right.  The joy was as visible as I’ve seen – all the laughter and tears brought about some of my favorite candid shots of the year.  Add to that Rob’s tux, the single coolest military uniform I’ve ever seen (Rob’s a PARATROOPER… also probably the coolest military job I could think of) and this wedding was a sight for sore eyes.

I started the day with Alexa at her parents home while my lovely second photographer for the day, Ms. Teri Fiske, hung out with the guys at the Mansion on Delaware.

From here we traveled to Blessed Sacrament church, enter the water works.

Favorite!  ↓My favorite moment from my facetime call with Alexa was when she asked, “would it be ok if we went to Mr. Goodbar for a few photos?”  Now my friends spend a lot of time in Mr. Goodbar, so I had to ask what the connection was.  Rob chimes in, “she likes drinking!”  Yes, we’ll get along just fine.  Onward to the reception at the fabulous Mansion on Delaware!

Big City Horns may have taken up half of the room, but no one would have had it any other way.  They are fantastic entertainers!  Last but certainly not least – a photobooth photo ready for awkwardfamilyphotos.comMany thanks to Alexa and Rob for having us along to document this beautiful day and many thanks to these fabulous vendors who contributed to the day:

Ceremony: Blessed Sacrament Church

Portraits: Albright Knox Art Gallery

Reception: The Mansion on Delaware

Second Photographer: Teri Fiske

Hair and Makeup: Pure Organics

Band: Big City Horns

Florist: Tops

Bakery: Tops

 

 

Hayley and Steve reached out to me with news I hadn’t heard before, “we’re having a destination wedding in Buffalo, NY”

My thoughts: “Really?”  I mean, I love Buffalo, a lot, but of all places?  How random!  For these two though, not really.  Hayley and Steve met online while Hayley was doing mission work in CHINA and Steve was hunting wild game or wrestling or some other interesting thing he does in the YUKON.  Somehow these two connected across all those miles, and when you see them together, it all makes sense.  Is Steve from China, you may ask?  Is Hayley from the Yukon?  Still no.  These two haves ties every where from Jamaica to Great Britain, Arkansas, Boston, California, I seriously have lost track.  So getting married somewhere in the middle of it all and making an adventure of it just made sense.  So, there we were.

The couple got ready at the Hampton Inn in downtown Buffalo before heading off to Templeton Landing for a rooftop ceremony overlooking downtown Buffalo and Lake Erie.

Let the rooftop ceremony begin!Steve’s parents offered heartfelt prayers during the ceremony.I don’t want to commit to saying this was the hottest ceremony of the summer, there have been a lot, but, yea… it was.  Everyone made the most of it though and a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony was witnessed by all.  The bridal party took a walk to the gardens and beach at ajacent Erie Basin Marina for some portraits.  I was a little surprised no one dipped their feet on a hot day like this!Back to Templeton Landing for a reception in their bright and beautiful ballroom!For sure the most animated marriage certificate signing I’ve seen to date:Many thanks to Hayley and Steve for allowing us in to their worlds for a day and for choosing our beloved Buffalo for this celebration – photographing such an amazing variety of people and witnessing such a touching wedding day was beyond lovely.

More thanks to the other vendors who made this day special:

Preparation:  Hampton Inn

Ceremony + Reception: Templeton Landing

Portraits:  Erie Basin Marina

Bridal Makeup: Holley Fromell

DJ: Moving Music

When Jill first contacted me about her wedding photography, I remembered her instantly as the maid of honor from her best friend Jenna’s wedding.  Memories of bridal party members tend to come and go a bit over the years, but Jill had a magnetic smile that stuck with me.  So needless to say, when I found out I was going to have the chance to photograph Jill again, I knew I was in for a celebration filled with the happiest of smiles.  We started the day at Jill’s childhood home.  I always feel lucky when I have the chance to photograph clients in places that are so personal to them, places filled with history and memories, and to add to those memories on the wedding day.

Meanwhile Andy and the groomsmen got ready at the Embassy Suites in downtown Buffalo.  These custom sunglasses were gifts to the bridal party!

Jill walked me through her house and showed me a few options for where she could but on her dress.  I just loved all the history of her childhood bedroom, it was a no-brainer.  But… those clowns had to go.  Look at those things that watched precious little Jill sleep at night!

I guess the groomsmen stopped by this garage sale for some last minute wedding gifts?

On to one of my favorite places in Buffalo, Wilkenson Pointe, for some bridal party portraits!

Much like my love for photographing couples getting ready in their childhood homes, stopping by the place where the couple met is always such a nice tribute to how things got started.  We popped in to the Alley Cat in Buffalo’s Allentown neighborhood for a quick drink and maybe made a small scene during a fairly intimate open mic session but it was so lovely to spend a little time in the place where it all began.

On to Kleinhans for the wedding reception!  This National Historic landmark is a music hall and the home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Built in the 1930s by famed designers Eliel and Erol Sarrinen, it has a unique style that makes for a really special wedding backdrop.

Friends who mop up spilled drinks with this much style make for great wedding guests indeed.

Preparation Bride: Private Residence

Preparation Groom: Embassy Suites Buffalo

Ceremony: St. Marks

Portraits: Wilkenson Pointe/Outer Harbor Buffalo

Reception: Kleinhans Music Hall

DJ: Sean Heidenger

Flowers: William’s Florist

Bakery: Megan Kordrupel

Hair and Makeup: Sass Salon

Amanda + Daniel

Bride Prep Location – Private Residence

Groom Prep Location – Courtyard Marriott Harbor Center

Ceremony + Reception Location – Kloc’s Garden Grove

Hair + Makeup – Sass Salon – Christina Duco

Flowers – Flowers by Nature

Cake – Muscoreils