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Royalton Mansion Wedding Photos, Roslyn New York- Caitlin and Chris

When I arrived at the Fitz Gerald home Caitlin’s Mom said, “This morning it felt like we had all the time in the world and now everything is happening so fast.” That is pretty much how most weddings go. I always emphasize to my clients how precious every moment of your big day is and how fast it will move. All of the stars were aligned for Caitlin and Chris’s engagement shoot and wedding. They were blessed with a perfect 63 degree day for their November 2014 engagement shoot at The Planting Fields Arboretum and their July 31, 2015 wedding day was in the 80s with no humidity. It was so wonderful getting to know Caitlin and Chris and being part of a day they planned so meticulously. Their wedding ceremony was at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. Another client to benefit from the new alter they installed. The Royalton Mansion in Roslyn was where their reception was held. The staff there is always so helpful. They know how to make each couple feel like they are the only ones to have ever gotten married there. Thank you Caitlin and Chris’s for the honor of being part of this monumental day in your lives! Congrats! Denise OXOX

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The Royalton at The Lawrence Yacht and Country Club Wedding – Cara and Larry’s Wedding Day!

It was an absolute pleasure meeting Cara and Larry back in July of 2014 and I couldn’t wait for their wedding day! Their ceremony was at Our Lady of Lourdes in Malverne. A local treasure of a church. Cara’s sister sang during the ceremony and she has a voice of an angel. The wedding reception was at the newly renovated Royalton at The Lawrence Yacht and Country Club. During the parent dances Cara included a special dance with her Grandmother and they danced to “Unforgettable.” This moment elevated the song to a whole new level for me. When Larry danced with his Mom, they danced to Paul Simon’s, “Love Me Like a Rock.” Which was too precious. Thank you Cara and Larry for being so terrific to work with. I wish you both all the best! OX, Denise

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Central Park Engagement Session-The Loeb Boathouse

We have all seen plenty of Central Park engagement sessions. As stunning as the park is, there are certain locations that are just too overexposed in the world of engagement photography, (Bethesda Terrace and Fountain). I can think of so many other spots in the park that need to be explored.  I wanted Chrissy and Anthony’s engagement shoot to be as fresh and exciting as they are! So when they said they wanted to have their engagement session at Central Park. I asked them how did they like the idea of having their session at The Loeb Boathouse on the lake? I loved the idea of showcasing the beauty of the lake with some vignettes of New York City. They were totally on board with the idea. The rowboats also gave my clients something else to do other than thinking about the engagement session. There were so many other secluded spots I wanted to visit in addition to the Loeb Boathouse, but we never made it. Being on the lake is where we stayed that 96 degree day in August. At one point I got out of the boat to get some shots and drinks for everyone. Getting out of the boat mid lake wasn’t as hard as trying not to roll down a side hill, get back into the boat with $6000 around my neck and two hands full of bottled water. We did not dock at a designated spot to say the least.

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Bridgeview Yacht Club Wedding bride and groom singing

Bridgeview Yacht Club Wedding Reception

Bridgeview Yacht Club Wedding Reception-Saint Agnes Ceremony

This is a couple who isn’t afraid of color or having fun! How can you not love Vinny’s navy blue tux and Kim’s fierce royal blue Manolo Blahnik shoes. Kim and Vinny’s wedding ceremony was at Saint Agnes in Rockville Centre. As you may or may not know, they remodeled the alter and it photographs so much better now. Before it always was too bright, if you were using natural light to photograph the ceremony. There are also plans to renovate the front of the cathedral, but we were lucky and had a scaffold free church front.

Kim and Vinny wanted to take photos at the Rockville Centre train station after the ceremony. It was a beautiful day, but still a hot June day. The train station underpass was about 10 degrees cooler and we were in the shade, woo hoo! It also looks like we are under an old boardwalk and it was a perfect spot for midday bridal party photos. After our train shoot Kim and Vinny drove off in a smokin’ hot dark blue Jaguar convertible.

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Long Beach Engagement Session- Modern Wedding Photography hits the beach!

As a New York photographer I love shooting all around the down New York down state and upstate area. Bonnie and Scott drove in from Queens for their Long Beach engagement shoot. When we discussed the shoot we tried to come up with fun activities for them to do in front of the camera. This way the images take on a more natural and lifestyle feel. I’m not trying to turn my clients into models. So having something to do helps bring out how much you enjoy each other as a couple. It’s also a great way to showcase your personalities. We conducted the shoot about 90 minutes before sunset. This way the light was perfect for our shoot, (no squinting and fighting the summer sun). The wind at Long Beach was to be expected, but it seemed windier than usual. The kite never really took off, but that was a blessing. It just hovered over Bonnie and Scott, always staying in the camera frame. Thank you Bonnie and Scott for a wonderful way to spend a summer evening!

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The Village Club at Lake Success and Saint Joseph’s Church in Hewlett-Lauren and Brendan’s Wedding Day

I met with Lauren and Brendan two and a half weeks after their spectacular wedding day. The tears of joy ceremony took place at Saint Joseph’s Church in Hewlett and the super dance party reception at The Village Club at Lake Success. Posted below are some photo highlights from their wedding day. It was now time for their In Studio Preview. That’s when I sit with my clients and go through all of their wedding photos with them. I help my clients select their favorites as we relive their wedding day. Looking at the images projected in HD on our eight foot screen helps give clients a complete studio experience. Lauren was already so excited to see her photos on her wedding day. She exclaimed, “I can’t wait for my In Studio Preview.” I love when my clients are excited about their photos. I feel the same way! As we were going through the images Lauren said, “It was a blur.”

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New York City’s Best Wedding Band Might Be In New Jersey- The Rhythm Shop

My client Lauren and I were having a final meeting before her big day. She told me her band was amazing. When I hear clients make this statement, the band is usually amazing or dreadful. Luckily for Lauren and Brendan The Rhythm Shop is incredible. They were so amazingly talented and you know what, they were so friendly too.  I always tease my clients that only they get to be the DIVAS on the wedding day, no one else 🙂 Sometimes you find talented vendors and they act like they are doing you a favor by being there. I have no time for that nonsense. So if you are looking for a spectacular band for your event, who are fun and friendly, The Rhythm Shop may be for you. Check out all of the fun photos I got of The Rhythm Shop at The Village Club of Lake Success.

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What to do before your engagement shoot?

What is great about having an engagement session? Most people think it’s the perfect chance to get to know your photographer. While this is true, you also have the opportunity after to see all the images from the engagement session. If you are not photographed professionally often, it can be overwhelming to see so many pictures of yourself. It’s better to get over the shock before the wedding, than after. Many people only see images of themselves on their phone and on the web. It’s amusing how many clients say to me, with much surprise, “Your images are so sharp, colorful and clear.” That’s one of the reasons why you hired me. I figured they aren’t used to seeing prints or at least professional prints. In the old days, you had to at least make small prints if you wanted to see the photographs.

This is where the engagement shoot or engagement session would come into play. This might be the first time you have commissioned a photographer to create photographs of you as a couple. Below I will outline some tips and suggestions for you to make your engagement session a treasured experience.

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