Current updates on Buffalo, NY photographer Lindsay DeDario's photography musings

Nov 04 2020

Wedding Proposal at Letchworth State Park

Lisa + Tim

Wedding proposals might just be my favorite events to photograph. This proposal at Letchworth State Park surely added to that sentiment. Wedding proposals are such quick, fleeting events, but ones that completely change the trajectory of ones life. It’s a huge milestone and one that should be documented! I love being part of the preliminary scheming and pulling it off on the day of. It’s so very exciting and warms my heart each and every time.

Lisa and Tim’s proposal plans began with a vacation to Buffalo, NY from Portland, OR. They made plans to spend some time in Buffalo, at Niagara Falls, and here at Letchworth State Park. But this wasn’t going to be just any ordinary getaway. Lisa was planning to propose to Tim while peeping the fall leaves at Letchworth, and asked me to be there to document this milestone!

We planned for a sunrise wedding proposal shoot which meant I was up at 4:00 AM to make sure I was geared up and could make the drive out to Letchworth before the sun peeked out. I was the first one in the parking lot and got to spend a bit of time by myself photographing some scene setters. It was an incredible, foggy fall morning that was just breathtaking!

upper falls with fog during wedding engagement proposal photography session in Letchworth State Park

tourist in yellow rain jacket takes pictures at Upper Falls with fall colors at Letchworth State Park

I watched the crowds as they began to roll in, keeping my eyes peeled for Lisa and Tim. Eventually they wandered to our per-designated spot and spent a few moments soaking in the all the Letchworth State Park scenery.

Lisa pulled the engagement ring out of her pocket and had it behind her back for what felt like an ETERNITY! Tim almost touched it a few times as they stood there.

Finally the moment was here and Lisa dropped to a knee and proposed to Tim.

He said yes!

We spent a little more time wandering to the Middle and Lower Falls for a few engagement photos before I left the newly engaged couple to enjoy Letchworth for the day.

What an absolutely epic spot for a wedding proposal right? Big thanks to Lisa for asking me to be part of this special day. I’m so happy to be witness to these important moments in my clients lives, especially on mornings as gorgeous as this!

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding proposal at Letchworth State Park or elsewhere in the WNY region, please have them reach out to me here!

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Oct 27 2020

Engagement Photography at Delaware Park in Buffalo

Erin and Michael

Erin and Michael’s engagement photography session at Delaware Park here in Buffalo, NY left my eyes feeling so very happy. Every now and then I hear a photographer complain that they’re sick of working here. Not me. This park is huge and filled with unique new backdrops for photography at every turn. It’s the most popular spot around for good reason!

For Erin and Michael’s wedding engagement session, we utilized Hoyt Lake, the Ivy Bridge, some random trees, and the Lincoln Parkway sections of Delaware Park. One really special part of the design of Delaware Park is the huge variety of trees. Different varieties bloom and fall at different points in the seasons. Whether shooting in early fall or late fall, there is always some beautiful foliage to be found!

This random fiery red tree took us by surprise amid a mostly green and yellow sea of trees, further proving Delaware Park in Buffalo is forever full of new surprises perfect for photography!

That’s all for this one! Can’t wait for Erin and Michael’s 2021 wedding at two of Buffalo’s finest venues, St. Louis Church and the Admiral Room! It’s going to be a beauty!

If you or someone you know is interested in engagement photography at Delaware Park in Buffalo, or elsewhere in the WNY region, please have them contact me here!

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Oct 16 2020

Delaware Park Senior Photography

Portraits for Cheektowaga High School Senior, Andrew Lupejkis!

It was such a pleasure getting know Andrew last week during his senior portrait photography session at Delaware Park in Buffalo, NY. Andrew is such an compelling young man with a really diverse set of interests. It takes a special place like Delaware Park, with its own set of diverse backdrops, to match all these interests! Andrew’s a trumpet player, a soccer goalie, a social media director for an NFL Podcast, a boyscout and a future computing security expert! How’s that for a charismatic guy?

We began our session near Hoyt Lake with the lovely Albright Knox Art Gallery gracing the background.

Andrew plays trumpet through the music program at his high school, Cheektowaga Central, and also performs in the school plays and even jazz band!

Since Andrew is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping and boy scouts, we made use of the wonderful trails that pass through some of the natural areas in Delaware Park.

The Ivy bridge is always a classic spot for senior portrait photography in Delaware Park. It makes such a great backdrop for any type of shoot really!

We wrapped up our senior photo shoot with some pictures at Rumsey Field. I often refer to Rumsey as the field of dreams. Delaware Park has many lovely tucked away surprises, and this field is definitely among the best of them. It’s barely visible from the road and is surrounded by big beautiful trees. Soccer fields don’t get much more picturesque than this.

Andrew plays goalie for Cheektowaga Central High School, a position he chose to get out running and ended up really getting in to! I love that!!! Sometimes you just have to show up and good things happen. (:

That’s it for this one! Many thanks to Andrew (and his parents David and Amy!) for this fun shoot! It was nice getting to know you all!

Best of luck in your senior year Andrew!

If you or someone you know is looking for senior portrait photography in Buffalo, NY or the greater WNY area, please have them reach out to me here!

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Oct 06 2020

Knox Farm Senior Portrait Photography

East Aurora High School Senior – Cam Pierrot!

Cam is the second member of the Pierrot family I’ve had the opportunity to photograph senior portraits for, and this shoot lived up to all the expectations set by his sister, Whitney, some 7 years back! Cam is an East Aurora High School senior this year and a member of the football and basketball teams. He also loves the outdoors and so Knox Farm State Park made the perfect backdrop for his senior portrait photography.

Seniors often bring along some props for their portrait session to represent their hobbies and interests. A trumpet, a soccer ball, things like this. Cam brought his girlfriend, little brother and mom. Love it.

Without further ado, a few favorites from Cam’s senior portrait photography session at Knox Farm State Park!

Cam’s little brother, Max was a lot of fun to have along on the shoot. AND he found a snake!

Many thanks to this lovely family for trusting me with Cam’s senior portraits. Best of luck with senior year, Cam!

Hope to see at least one of you again in another 7 years when Max is a senior!

If you or someone you know is looking for senior portrait photography at Knox Farm or elsewhere, please reach out here!

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Oct 01 2020

Wedding Photography at Hotel Henry in Buffalo

Alexandria and Andrew

I FINALLY had the opportunity to photograph an entire wedding at the incredible Hotel Henry here in Buffalo, NY. When Alex, Andrew and I first started talking about their wedding photography, there were two things that immediately stood out. One, they wanted to incorporate their pet turtle in to their engagement session (yes, that happened). Two, they were getting married in this stunning architectural marvel. Ever since the Hotel Henry opened I waited for this opportunity.

The Hotel Henry was built nearly 150 years ago and originally served as an asylum. The building itself was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and the grounds by Fredrick Law Olmstead, the same landscape architect who designed Buffalo’s incredible park system (and Central Park!). The building was abandoned in the 1970s and sat vacant for decades, despite its designation as a National Historic Landmark. In recent years, the campus has begun a redevelopment transformation that has been truly remarkable to see. While the legacy of mental health care here in this facility is veiled with some dark history, seeing the space now being used for joyful celebrations of life and love feels like a beautiful renewal. Don’t get me wrong, this place has an eerie vibe at times, but it only adds to the wonder of the place.

Aaaaaanyway, we’re here because Alex and Andrew got married! We began the day in the hotel portion of the complex where the couple got ready in adjacent rooms. The guest rooms at the hotel are beautiful. But one of the BEST parts of this building are actually the hallways. Alex and her bridesmaids took over this beautiful nook for their makeup appointments and breakfast. It was the perfect space to spread out and enjoy the morning. This handsome ring bearer made for quite an entertaining greeter as well!

Hanging Alex’s wedding gown on this amazing column was no easy task. When I came in the room, the dress was hung on the back of a door and… it just wasn’t going to do. With the help of an ambitious and far taller than me bridesmaid, and a little ingenuity, we got the dress on the glorious column.

Meanwhile, second shooter extraordinaire, Jenny, joined Andrew and his groomsmen in their room while they prepared for the day.

EARMUFFS!

We had a whole series of “first looks” with Alex. First up was her bridesmaids, then down the hall to meet her dad, and finally to a different hall where we met Andrew.

One of my absolute favorite things about the Hotel Henry is the ever growing collection of truly good artwork. Every time I visit, there are more pieces on display and it truly feels like an art gallery as much as anything else.

From the Hotel Henry we ventured around the corner to classic Buffalo pub and the site of Alex and Andrew’s first date, Cole’s, for a few quick photos.

From here we wandered over to Buffalo’s beloved Delaware Park, another glorious Fredrick Law Olmstead design, for our wedding party portraits.

Back to the Hotel Henry for our family portraits and wedding celebrations!

During cocktail hour, Jenny and I snuck away with the bride and groom for a few pictures outside the Hotel Henry where we were able to photograph the couple with one of Buffalo’s most iconic buildings as our backdrop. Hotel Henry really is a dream for wedding photography, one of my favorite venues in Buffalo!

Wedding reception time!

That’s it for Alex and Andrew’s wedding photography at Hotel Henry in Buffalo! If you or someone you know is planning a Hotel Henry wedding, please feel free to reach out for more info here!

Many thanks to Alex and Andrew for having us photograph your beautiful wedding! And thank you to all these venues and vendors who helped make the day so great!

Bride Preparation: Hotel Henry

Groom Preparation: Hotel Henry

Ceremony: Hotel Henry

Portraits: Ivy Bridge at Delaware Park

Reception: Hotel Henry

Officiant: Jess Pecoraro of First Comes Love Buffalo

Hair: Elle Air

Makeup Artist: Beauty Atelier

Florist: Blossoms n’ Treasures

Bakery: Mundy Cakes

DJ: Full Swing Sound

Transportation: Status Limo