Tifft Nature Preserve – Engagement Photography – Buffalo, NY

Ah, young love.  Tori and Alec met while working at their local grocery store and it was love at first sight.  The joy and excitement these two share for the future is palpable as they are as bright eyed and all smiles as they come.  They’ll be married this weekend at a private property in Honeyoye Falls, NY.  An outdoor wedding ceremony and a reception in what sounds like a beautiful old barn are planned.  I can’t WAIT to see it all put together.

In the meantime, a few engagement photos to enjoy…

The three of us explored the grounds of Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NY.  Tifft is one of my FAVORITE locations to work in – always yielding gorgeous light and lush backgrounds at every turn.  From rolling hills of tall grassy fields to enchanted looking forest areas, the place is a dream.  If you’re lucky, you may even cross paths with some exciting wildlife.  I’m pretty sure we were standing 10 feet away from actual Bambi at one point.

On the nerdy photographer end of things, this was also an extra fun shoot for me in an unexpected way!  I had broken one of my favorite lenses (70-200 2.8) a few days prior to this shoot and so I decided to push myself to try some different things.  I shot all prime lenses!  It’s easy to get in to habits with photography and resort to what “works.”  Whenever people say they’re bored with a location or a subject matter, I always insist there are ways to make it exciting again – from emphasizing the story of the subjects to trying totally new angles, new poses, new lighting scenarios, and of course, experimenting with different lenses!  I find that when experimenting, you always pick up new ideas to implement in the future – it’s a great exercise and great way to keep things fresh!

Anyway… Enjoy!

couple laughing among tall reeds at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple laughing among tall reeds at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple embracing among tall trees in forrest at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple embracing among tall trees in forrest at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple embracing among tall trees in forrest at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple embracing among tall trees in forrest at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple walking and laughing among tall trees in forrest at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple sitting on bench among tall trees in forrest at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple kissing in tall grassy field at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple cuddled in tall grassy field at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple cuddled in tall grassy field at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple hugging in tall grassy field at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NYcouple walking in tall grassy field at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NY

Wedding Photography at the Avanti Mansion

Ashley + Randy

A little sneak peak of the photography from Ashley and Randy’s picture perfect spring time wedding at Salon Elizabeth and the Avanti Mansion near Buffalo, NY

I began the day with Ashley and her bridesmaids at my friend Lizzy Dugan’s new salon, Salon Elizabeth in Elma, NY. The space Lizzy has built is just GORGEOUS and was clearly created with weddings and photography in mind. There is so much natural light and gorgeous details in every direction you look!

Looks like the bridesmaids approve of Ashley’s gorgeous style!

Lizzy added a beautiful room on the side of her Salon where brides can relax and get dressed for their wedding. Everything about Lizzy’s Salon was so thoughtfully created!

On to the Avanti Mansion to get dressed and ready for the outdoor wedding ceremony!

Ashley and Randy had their wedding ceremony outside the Avanti Mansion ballroom in their garden. The forested area behind the Avanti makes such a beautiful outdoor backdrop for wedding photos. A few spring blossoms and gorgeous flowers from Blossom’s n’ Treasures really topped it all off.

bride and groom look at each other in garden at outdoor wedding ceremony venue, the Avanti Mansion, near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom smile at one another in garden with spring blossoms at outdoor wedding ceremony venue, the Avanti Mansion, near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom touch noses in garden at outdoor wedding ceremony venue, the Avanti Mansion, near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom look at each other in garden at outdoor wedding ceremony venue, the Avanti Mansion, near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom hold hands in garden at outdoor wedding ceremony venue, the Avanti Mansion, near Buffalo, NY
bride and groom hold hands in garden at outdoor wedding ceremony venue, the Avanti Mansion, near Buffalo, NY

This gorgeous ballroom makes wedding photography at the Avanti Mansion a breeze. The lighting here is beautiful, especially with these colorful uplights. The stairs also allow photographers to get really unique perspectives of the dance floor!

ballroom and decor at wedding reception venue at the Avanti Mansion near Buffalo, NY
center pieces, cake and other decor at ballroom wedding reception venue at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
champagne with strawberries at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
bride and groom are introduced at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
best man delivers speech at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
maid of honor delivers speech at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
bride and groom share first dance at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
bride and groom share first dance at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
bride dances with father at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
bride dances with father at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
groom dances with mother at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
groom dances with mother at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
guests dance at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY
guests dance at ballroom wedding reception at the Avanti Mansion in WNY

Cheers to Lizzy Dugan and the Salon Elizabeth crew for their stellar hair and makeup skills (and beautiful new space!), Blossoms n’ Treasures for the classic white flower arrangements and the Avanti Mansion for hosting the event! And of course a high TEN to second shooter, Steve Karosik for all his help!

If you or someone you know is looking for a wedding photographer, please contact me here!

And if you would like to see more photography from the Avanti Mansion, check out this blog post!

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Wedding Elopement at Knox Farm – East Aurora, NY

Melissa and Steve

Melissa and Steve were married by their close friend at a private wedding elopement ceremony.  I was lucky enough to join them afterwards at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora, NY. We took a little hike around the property where we created some wedding portraits and the cutest cake smash pictures of all time.   Joy and excitement beamed from these two sweet souls. You’ll soon see Melissa and Steve will be expanding their love even more in a few short weeks when they welcome baby Cora in to the world. In the mean time, let’s enjoy some pictures from their wedding elopement at Knox Farm!

We began our session on one of the tree lined roads that run through the property at Knox Farm State Park. These trees make for beautiful framing and make my photographer eyes very happy.

bride and groom stand on tree lined road while having their portraits taken during their wedding elopement at Knox Farm in East Aurora, NY
Photography of bride and groom kissing and snuggling on tree lined street at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom kissing and snuggling on tree lined street at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom laughing on tree lined street at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom looking out at field alongside wood fencing at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom smiling at camera alongside wood fencing at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY

There are many reasons to love photographing an elopement at Knox Farm, not the least of which is the variety of beautiful photography locations within the park. From the tree lined roads to the fields and the woods, Knox Farm has amazing nooks for photography at every turn. These spring time blossoms made such a gorgeous frame around the couple!

Photography of bride and groom gazing at each other beneath spring blossoms at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of groom kissing brides forehead on dirt path at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom snuggled under tree with spring blossoms at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom snuggled under tree with spring blossoms in field at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom snuggled under tree at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom smiling at camera alongside wood fencing at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom looking at eachother alongside wood fencing at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom kissing alongside wood fencing at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY

A picnic with just cake is a great picnic indeed! Melissa and Steve ordered the sweetest little cake that they shared in epic fork free fashion. Could this possibly be cuter?

Photography of bride and groom feeding each other cake at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom laughing after cake smash at elopement wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY
Photography of bride and groom kissing after cake smash at wedding at Knox Farm near Buffalo, NY

Many thanks to Melissa and Steve for having me as their photographer at their wedding elopement at Knox Farm.

It was such a pleasure to be part of. Their baby is due any day now, hopefully this will be a first fathers day for Steve!

You can see more wedding action from Knox Farm here.

And if you’re interested in learning more about hosting a wedding at Knox Farm, you can get more information here!

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