The Boathouse in October

Remember when it was sunny and warm outside?!?! If not - look at these photos. What a beautiful day Jamin and Jennifer had to get married last October. The ceremony and reception took place at The Boathouse on Lake George. The day came off without a hitch - and it's a great venue, especially for a smaller, more intimate wedding. Rich Ortiz kept everyone dancing all night - which is amazing. Not often that you are fortunate enough to work with a single musician that can keep everyone happy and dancing all by himself! Rich is a great choice, especially for smaller venues where you want live music but can't fit a full band, or when you want something fun and a bit different than the "wedding norm." I've known Jennifer and Jamin for a few years now, and it was so much fun to take part in their wedding day. They should teach a course in "being happy and laid back on your wedding day!" It really comes through in the photos - and I thank them again and again for including me in their special day. Congratulations!! (And if you'd like to see more photos or speak with me about your wedding - visit our booth this weekend at the Saratoga City Center Wedding Expo from 11am - 3pm Sunday February 6th, 2011.)

Saratoga Springs Modeling Shoot Fall 2010

Here are a few photos from a fun modeling shoot we did here in Saratoga last fall. I always love getting outside and shooting with the natural light. When we're in the studio, we always strive to make the lighting look as natural as possible - and when it's 5 degrees outside... we're stuck in the studio! (At least for this type of shoot.) To me, the best part of being outside isn't the lighting though - it's the feeling of freedom you see in the subjects you are photographing. There is nothing like being outside in open space, rather than being trapped a certain distance from the light, or against a wall in the studio, etc... Looking forward to spring and more great headshot and modeling shoots!

Happy New Year

Looking at the time when I last posted, I bet you can guess my New Year's Resolution... So here I am back blogging. As it turns out, someone other than you is actually following this, or WAS. Our business is booming, and in large part thanks to social media such as Facebook. But some of you insist on not joining the FB world - or wish to stay anonymous and "not my Facebook Friend." I'm okay with that, as long as you enjoy the photos and leave a comment when you feel so compelled! Best wishes for a Happy New Year, and enjoy the new photos as they come online. These are a few photos while in Italy for Kristen and Marco's wedding last summer!

Julia & Matt

Let me summarize. It's raining, the hair salon is running about thirty minutes behind, the groom gets trapped in the elevator WITH the photographer, and the limo breaks down on the way to the ceremony. So if "rain on your wedding day is good luck," then Julia and Matt must have hit the jackpot with this one!! What's the moral here? They still got married, they still got great photos, and they still partied. As much as everyone wants to have that perfect sunny day, it doesn't always happen, though you've just spent thousands of dollars to plan this once in a lifetime event. Julia and Matt were so much fun to work with! Neither one of them seemed even remotely affected by any of this - and when it came time to see each other, it seemed that everything was suddenly right in the world. First off, Julia is beautiful, and Matt's no slouch either - who doesn't love a man in uniform! The Hall of Springs put together yet another outstanding event for us, always a pleasure to work there - with beautiful interiors, exteriors, the entire state park at our disposal, and the outstanding catering of One Reputation. It was easy to see how loved these two were by family and friends, particularly when Matt's brother stood to deliver one of the most heartwarming best man toasts I've ever heard. It sounded like they shared an utopian brotherhood as children... luckily I held my tears back, because as it turns out, Matt's mom gave me the "real story" which I'm sure was much more accurate! (Though not nearly as touching!) I've known Matt and Julia now for over a year, having photographed there engagement session in the spring of 2009, and as much as I'm happy to see them married, I'm sad that it has already come and gone - I was really looking forward to it! Luckily we'll have the pictures to prove the day was a success, and if you ever decide to renew your vows and throw a party for 150 people, please let me know! I'll be there in a heartbeat! Congratulations again to Julia and Matt - may you have a long and happy life together as husband and wife! To learn more about our wedding packages and availability, please call Rob Spring at 518 584 0596 or check us out online at: RobSpringPhotography.com

Hiland Golf Course Wedding

Congratulations to Diana and Will! They were married a few weekends ago this month at the Hiland Golf Course in Queensbury, NY. I am always impressed with the professionalism and beauty of this venue. I wish I had the opportunity to work there even more! For those of you who have attended a Jewish wedding, you know that it is a photographer's DREAM! There are so many great traditions throughout the day, from the groom's "unveiling" of the bride before signing the Ketubah, or the breaking of the bread before dinner and the dancing of the Hora when the couple is hoisted into the air by their friends and family. Diana and Will's wedding was exciting from the first moment I arrived to find Will racing around on his cell phone coordinating and making sure everything was perfect before Diana's arrival. Well done, Will. The other excitement came as a result of the pouring rain stopping just as we started the family portraits before the ceremony - and the sun breaking through right at dusk to give us some beautiful late day light outside on the golf course. Also my first time working with videographer Al Woodard, who was an absolute joy to have with us throughout the day! DJ Andy Pratt kept everyone dancing as he always does - I always recommend Andy to my prospective clients, knowing that if they are happy with their DJ, they'll be happy with their reception - and I won't have to look for something to photograph since everyone will be on the dance floor! Thanks Andy. Finally, I just have to say, that I was a little nervous about photographing Diana and Will since I had not had a chance to meet with them before the wedding. Living so far across the country, our schedules never permitted us to meet face to face, only through e-mail, Facebook, and the phone. I always like to KNOW each couple beforehand so that we have a working relationship the day of the wedding. This just wasn't possible, so I would like to personally THANK both Diana and Will for being so completely amazing to work with and so willing to just go with the flow, and let their day unfold without worrying about me or what I was photographing, or what I was asking of them. You two are the best!!! Congratulations again - may you have a long and happy marriage!! To learn more about our wedding packages and options, please call Rob at 518.584.0596 and visit our website at Rob Spring Photography.

Jen & Dan

Jen and Dan are married! What a great day we had - back at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady, a GORGEOUS church that we LOVE photographing in and followed up with another amazing reception at Saratoga National. Some couples come to me with lists of formal photos that they want, some come to me with lists of special moments they HAVE to have or certain groups they want photographed together at the reception. Not Jen and Dan - their big request - we need a picture of our dog in a tux!! And then it turned into, "let's play frisbee with him," and then "let's get a shot of him looking out the window of the house at Dan on his way to the church." Now that's my kind of couple!! And that's how your wedding SHOULD be!! Low stress and FUN!!! Jen and Dan had a great day, and I know it because I never once had to ask them to smile or act happy for the camera. They were just plain happy to be there, happy to be married, and happy to party... and I was happy to help! The staff at Saratoga National once again outdid themselves, bending over backwards to make sure everything was just perfect and that everyone was well taken care of. This was a particularly poignant wedding for me, since I was there to photograph Jen's sister just one year ago. Seeing her family again and being in their house to share in the wedding day excitement brought back all sorts of great memories from last year. If only every couple I photographed was someone I knew - even if that means simply shooting an engagement session before hand with the bride and groom, or meeting for a glass of wine - they're comfortable, making the day a stress free event for everyone. If you'd like to learn more about our wedding photography services, feel free to call me directly at 518 584 0596 or visit online at www.robspringphotography.com Congratulations Jen & Dan! Marriage is a wonderful wonderful thing!

Jen & Nick

Jen and Nick were married on the sunniest, windiest day in May! I just adore photographing here at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL church! I should have given you two a discount for getting married in such a great church. I've known Jen and Nick for about a year now, having photographed their engagement session last summer, it was so nice to be there for their wedding. Jen, you looked GORGEOUS! Nick, you looked okay too, for a guy... Actually, the look on Nick's face was priceless when he saw his new bride walking down the aisle. He did sort of this coy, I'm looking at you, not looking at you, sort of thing and his best man just laughed at him. Loved it! Grooms take note - this is what we're looking for out of you!! Photographing over at Union College was a blast, I'm so glad we went for it - though we may have lost a few bridal party members (blown away in the gale force winds) - it was well worth it! The reception at Mallozzi's was well orchestrated as always, and it was my first time working with Mike from Music Man Entertainment. Mike did a great mash-up sort of thing for Jen and her father during their father-daughter dance that was worthy of mention (and several laughs!) It was great working with Mike, he is very laid back and extremely easy to work with. Hopefully the first of many weddings together in the future. Thank you so much for inviting me to help with your wedding Jen & Nick! It was a blast and I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed making them! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Beating the weather...

Kerri & Sean certainly beat the weather during their May wedding on Lake George! I couldn't believe it. I've never seen the weather be so miserable, turn so nice so fast, and immediately turn HORRIBLE as fast as it did! We started shooting outside in the light rain, ending up under cover for some heavier showers, and within about five minutes the sky opened up to reveal a perfectly blue sky and 70 degree temperatures. Luckily this sunny spell came just before the outdoor ceremony and the staff at The Fort William Henry did an outstanding job of getting everything set up outside for "PLAN A." The ceremony was beautiful, and perfectly timed, because within about three minutes of the bride and groom's exit, the chairs lifted up off the ground, tree limbs came crashing down and we had a massive downpour! Amazing. And here's the picture to prove it. As amazing as the weather was, the real story was Kerri & Sean. I don't think I caught either of them without a genuine, full blown smile plastered to their face the entire day long. I just love shooting weddings like this. Sometimes photographers throw out suggestions to newlywed couples to hug, or kiss, or hold hands, but if you can't smile without being asked on your own wedding day, that's just no good! Never a worry here. Kerri, Sean, and both of their families were such a joy to be around, and the wedding day was a resounding success because of it. I always tell couples that if they have fun at their wedding, so will everyone else. And these two just proved me right once again. Thanks Kerri & Sean, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Matrimonio Riva

So thanks to Kristen & Marco - I'm officially an international wedding photographer! As if Kristen & Marco weren't amazing enough, they had to go and get married in the Italian countryside at a vineyard and monastery built in the 13th century... until going to Italy, I'd never even seen anything that old! And though it wasn't the sort of beautiful sunny evening we all prayed for, it wasn't difficult to get great shots of these two! I can't thank you enough Kristen for saying YES to going out in the rain to shoot! You are my hero! I'm not usually the photographer who talks brides into trashing their dresses - but having traveled so far to be there, I just couldn't leave without photographing outside, at least for five minutes - and that's about how long we had before being absolutely soaked! And though one of things I will always remember about this wedding is the rain and the mud, even more so I will remember how no amount of bad weather could spoil the love between Kristen and Marco or the amazing time had by everyone involved. As I stood in the chapel and watched Kristen and Marco exchange vows through tear filled eyes, I couldn't help but cry a happy tear myself - seeing the hundreds of people that came together from all around the world - Europe, North America, Australia - just to witness these few minutes. Had I not been photographing, it would still have been well worth the trip. Congratulations Kristen & Marco! There will no doubt be another post with additional photos! Viva Italia!

Inn at Saratoga

My first time shooting here - and what a pleasant surprise! Amanda and Riley were married just four short weeks ago on a BEAUTIFUL sunny, albeit cold, April afternoon. This is a charming venue for a small to moderate sized event - newly renovated rooms (which made for some great bridal prep photography) and a nice space that opens to an outdoor patio for those that need fresh air. And after three hours of dancing - everyone could use a little fresh air! Though I've known Amanda's sister and brother-in-law for quite some time now, I hadn't had the pleasure of spending too much time with her and Riley before the wedding. I feel like I owe them one for being so amazing to photograph! I truly had a great afternoon at the wedding, saw some old friends and hopefully made some new ones. It's alway exciting to get good weather for an April wedding - and even more so when the couple is so clearly in love and perfect for each other. I couldn't have been happier with the outcome and I hope they enjoy the photos for years to come! To get more information on the Inn at Saratoga, click here. Or to learn more about our great DJ for the evening, Cap Capello, click here. I can't say enough about how well everything went off with the great people on staff at the Inn and with Cap. Well done everyone! And especially to Amanda & Riley - congratulations! To learn more about our wedding photography packages, please call 518 584 0596 or visit our website online at: http://www.robspringphotography.com