Skin Care Product Photography

Yes, we shoot commercial work too! It keeps us busy in the winter - funny that nobody seems to want to get married in the dead of winter in upstate NY!! Well, that's not entirely true - we have one more wedding left before 2010 and two in February. All of them very much INSIDE (unless it starts snowing and I can talk them into going outside!) Here's one of our latest commercial ventures for Livad Skin Care. Check out their brand new website here. We did all of their online product photography, partnering with my friend Matt Ratto at Luxus Media. The website looks great Matt! Well done!

Lisa & Jason

Lisa and Jason were married just a few weeks ago at Saratoga National. The whole day for me was an absolute blast. Both families were so incredibly sweet and easy going - it made my job a real pleasure. It all comes back to the bride and groom - when they're happy - EVERYONE is happy. Lisa's father even had a chance to show off that new furniture at the house - (don't worry Tom - there will be MANY photos of the furniture to come in the complete online gallery!) It's always easier when the bride and her family plan on having the photographer to the house. It gives us all time to get to know each other, so when the wedding and reception roll around, everyone feels comfortable. Though at one point the bridesmaids did catch me lying on the hallway floor to photograph Lisa's wedding shoes! The ridicule I may have took for it was a small sacrifice for the sake of art... As usual, everything at Saratoga National was beautiful - the staff, always helpful, let us borrow a few golf carts to shoot down by the bridge and ponds along the course as seen above. Finally, I have to say that I've probably seen hundreds of cake toppers, but this one was probably my absolute favorite. It's the first time I've seen anyone use one passed down through generations of their family - so I HAD to photograph it. Lisa & Jason - CONGRATULATIONS again! I wish you both all of the happiness a marriage can bring, and keep an eye out for the online gallery in just a few short weeks or less!

Sarah & Matt

Happy Halloween and Happy Wedding! Sarah and Matt were married October 31st at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Niskayuna by Deacon Dick Thiesen. I had never photographed there before and what a surprise to see how beautiful it was inside! Thanks to the Deacon for a beautiful ceremony as well. Their reception followed at Glen Sanders Mansion - I can only tell you how good their food is so many times, and the staff is ALWAYS classy. Unfortunately, it POURED outside all night. Fortunately for all of us, we were inside, the music was great thanks to our DJ, Russ, from Piano Man and the dancing was non-stop until the end of the night. And how great was that "through the years" slideshow?!? I LOVE this picture of Sarah watching and tearing up! For those of you who were at the wedding and are friends with Matt, GO WILDCATS - I thought the UK cake was a nice touch. Congratulations Sarah and Matt! We wish you a long happy life together!

Jackie & Andy

Congratulations to Jackie and Andy! They were married on a COLD October afternoon just a few weeks ago. We still had some great foliage though and were able to photograph under a beautiful maple tree right next to the Museum of Dance that had turned a bright yellow. I spent the morning with the bridesmaids getting ready and we had a blast at the hair salon and back at the house. I had to post some of the orchid photos - how many hours did you girls spend snipping these orchids?! There was a full orchid team at the house just cutting, bagging, and handling the hundreds of flowers they used at the ceremony and reception. It was definitely worth it, they looked great! As always, the staff at the National Museum of Dance did a wonderful job supported by Kimberly from Classe Catering - they planned a delicious barbecue dinner that was served out in the courtyard. Besides the orchids and the BBQ, my favorite part of the night may have been Andy's family on the dance floor. Andy, I don't think your dad left the dance floor from the time the music started until the DJ was leaving the parking lot!! (And we've got pictures to prove it.) Way to go Jackie and Andy, congratulations again!

Andrea & Tony

Andrea and Tony were married last weekend on the East Side... of Lake George. Dunham's Bay Lodge is a perfect location for couples wishing to get married on Lake George without dealing with the traffic and general business that exists near downtown. It's always a pleasure to photograph there, and couples love being able to sneak down to the beach for a quick photo shoot. A beach with mountains in the distance - an all around GREAT view! I met Andrea as she was getting ready in the cabins, excited, nervous, but mostly just excited that the wedding day had arrived. The bridesmaids were buzzing all around helping her, and I knew I was going to be spending the day with a fun group. It always amazes me how many weddings seem to ESCAPE the threat of bad weather! It was cloudy and overcast right up to the moment that Andrea and her father stepped outside and began their walk down the isle. I couldn't believe it!! Here are a few photos from the day. Who doesn't love a bride who smiles this big?! That sort of positive attitude really rubs off on the guests... and when I left later that evening, every single one of them was wearing that same big smile - maybe it was Andrea and Tony, maybe it was Total Entertainment spinning the music, or maybe it was that great bar they have at Dunham's Bay. Who knows, who cares, they're married now, and had a blast!

Kara & Bo

What a great bunch of fall weekend weddings we've had this year! We squeaked by the weather a few weeks ago and were able to get Kara and Bo married before the rains came. They were married in a beautiful lakeside service in western NY. With the clouds rolling in and wind picking up, we were able to sneak some beautiful shots down by the lake before dark - we even got Kara to cross over the half submerged dock for the sake of art - now that's my kind of bride...Bo's kind of bride too! Soul Session provided the music and had the entire crowd on their feet the whole night! These are the kind of weddings I live for. There's always something to photograph when 200 people are on the dance floor. There isn't always some place to stand though, so I thank the heavens that I'm tall. Enjoy the photos, and enjoy the season - to Bo & Kara, congratulations and may you always remember what a ridiculously good party you threw for your wedding day! Thanks again for including me!

Long awaited at Longfellow's...

Well, let me clarify that. Beth and Matt were high school sweethearts, so for them, this wedding HAS been long awaited. But on that crisp September evening, it certainly didn't take long to see that they were STILL sweethearts. People always ask what it's like to photograph so many weddings, and to be doing them every weekend. Isn't it boring? Isn't it stressful? And I always answer them the same way - it all depends on the bride and groom. If they are great people, and they are in love, the experience is ALWAYS GREAT. Well, I won't keep you in suspense, Beth and Matt were GREAT. Sometimes I have to take a moment to realize that, though I work at weddings every weekend, I am being paid to not only do what I love (be a photographer) but to do it for a couple in love themselves. It's really an amazing situation to find yourself in. Look at the sun streaking through that photo of them kissing!! And to think we were worried about weather all day long, only to have the sun pop right out of the clouds when her father walked her down the aisle. Way to go Longfellow's! I think Rebekah and the staff there arranged specifically for it. And again, kudos to the staff at Longfellow's. As always, they really go out of their way to keep the bride and groom happy, keep everything running smoothly, and serve great food. Congratulations to the newlyweds!! I hope married life is treating you well!

Canfield Casino

It was just last weekend that Rosie and I spent the day with Ryan and Sarah. No more rain, we were in the midst of the most beautiful weather we've had all summer. Ryan and Sarah were a breath of fresh air, the definition of a relaxed, happy, and loving couple. The Canfield Casino always has a way of making me stop and remind myself how much I love my job. From sneaking outside for pictures at dusk, to the first announcement of the bridal party through those grand doors with the chandeliers glowing in the background, you couldn't ask for a classier reception location. Classe Catering really outdid themselves on this one as well. I found myself photographing the food during dinner instead of eating. The spiced apple and pumpkin soup served in a half pumpkin bowl did me in. Greg Frasier from Frasier Entertainment provided the background music and was a true pleasure to work with. I've heard so much about him, and he lived up to all of the expectations. Shannon Whitney from Wedding Planning Plus also helped to coordinate the day with her play by play keeping everyone on schedule. Unlike many wedding coordinators, Shannon was so relaxed and pleasant, it rubbed off on Ryan and Sarah, from the time I started photographing until I packed up to go home, they were grinning from ear to ear. Well done Shannon! After all was said and done, Ryan and Sarah remind me of how special marriage can be, and how wonderful the day really is. Take it from a married guy... best day of my life! Maybe that's why I chose to photograph weddings every weekend.

More rain, more marriage.

Yes, that's right, we got rained on AGAIN just a few weeks ago. It seems that if you want to make sure it doesn't rain on your wedding you should get married inside. The good news is that they had a great time and got some great shots even IN the rain! I loved shooting the bride and groom underneath the umbrella. It forces them to stay close and takes their mind off of the camera. They're too busy trying to stay dry! We stopped in downtown Albany for a few photos on the steps across from the plaza and then on toGlen Sanders Mansion for the reception. It was a party unlike any other. The staff at the mansion did a marvelous job as always, but the real highlight, and first for me even, was the Albanian folk dancing and traditional Albanian band they had at the wedding. Typically you will see the guys hiding in the corners of the dance floor - not at this reception! The REAL MEN were on the floor leading the way. All in all, it was a rousing success. She said yes, he said yes, they left together, and they've pictures to prove it. Congratulations!

Annie & Steve

Well - I always dreamed of being able to photograph my own wife on her wedding day... but I had other (more important) things to do. So, this was the perfect wedding for me, my wife's sister got married! Rosie and I spent last weekend in St. Louis partying, photographing, eating Mom's cooking, listening to Pop's stories, hitting golf balls with my brother-in-law, and most importantly spending Annie and Steve's wedding day with them. As I say time and time again, it's always fun to photograph a couple so clearly in love, especially when they are so close to you. The church looked great thanks to Pop and the decorating committee! And the service was made memorable by Ross and Rosie singing for the newlyweds. The entire day was a blast, but I couldn't make an entry here without giving a shout out to Steve's "best men," who delivered the knockout punch with a full length, fully produced music video as their toast to Annie & Steve. Hysterical. As Rosie just told me...looking over my shoulder as I type... "May they stay in love forever."

Nick & Nikki

As promised, here is the second installment of Nicole & Nicholas' wedding! I just couldn't keep it in one post. Mostly because I was feeling the overwhelming urge to shamelessly plug The Hall of Springs, and my favorite new florist, Kasie Altamura of Vero Verdes designs. Find her on FACEBOOK or send her an email at: kaybird11@hotmail.com The Hall of Springs and One Reputation catering did an outstanding job with the reception. Having photographed "food assignments" for One Reputation and The Glen Sanders Mansion in the past, I've come to expect food that not only TASTES great, but most importantly (to me)... LOOKS great! This reception was no exception. Kasie (the florist) and I have known each other for quite some time now and FINALLY had the opportunity to work together. She was outstanding, and more involved in the planning process than most brides and their mothers probably are! If you are still looking for a florist, do yourself a favor, stop reading this blog and seek her out. And don't forget to scroll down to see more photos from N&N's wedding!!