It was a hot drive down to the salon in Northeast Pennsylvania. The smell of hairspray was strong in the air and on my tongue. Jamie looked beautiful as she had her hair done. She chatted easily with family and friends and didn’t appear anxious.

I’ll stop talking now and allow the photographs to speak for themselves.

Jamie’s ruby slippers.

I love when I can find a suitable location to do an outdoor dress shot.

I loved the detail on Jamie’s dress.

Jamie did her own makeup and did a wonderful job.

That’s all for now. I’ll post more from this couple’s ceremony later.

Thank you Jamie and Michael for placing your trust in me and allowing me to be a part of a very special day in your life. Congratulations!

Thanks for reading.

Chris

I raced home and we drove to the 2.5 hours Alfred, NY. As I drove the Thruway munching on a Wegmans sub listening to NPR I attempted to contemplate the magnitude of the plans I had scheduled into the next two days. We arrived on campus at 8:00 PM and caught the last quarter and a half of Kujo’s pre-season game. He played well breaking up a pass play and four tackles. It was great to see him and know, first-hand he is doing well. His classes began earlier in the week. We make another trip South when he plays his first season contest Saturday September 4, 2010.

We drove the 2.5 hour drive back home and arrived home in the early morning hours. Both of us collapsed and immediately fell asleep. The next morning I packed the care and made the two-hour drive to Westfield/Barcelona, NY. I met with Ronda and Mike (the couple whose wedding I photographed last week) and photographed their Trash the Dress shoot. Once we completed the shoot I took a leisurely drive back to North Tonawanda in time to shower and change to head off again this time for dinner with friends for my birthday. Thanks Christine and Bobbi for a wonderful dinner and a wonderfully relaxing time.

Sunday was no less busy. Nancy and I spent the afternoon at the Music is Art Festival in Downtown Buffalo. It’s all good and the weekend, despite being very busy was a lot of fun.

We stopped at the cemetery yesterday and found they had installed Paul’s headstone.

I love to take Jack for a walk by the Niagara River. As you already know my camera is never left behind. I grabbed several of an awesome sunset with my trusty point and shoot.

Here’s a sneak peak from Ronda and Mike’s Trash the Dress shoot. I love showing these photos locally and discussing Trash the Dress in Western New York. I get the strangest looks and people say things like, “What? Are they crazy?” I love the concept. I think there are far too many things we hold on to and never use or see again. Send me an email with your thoughts and opinions. maybe I’ll include them in a blog post about Trash the Dress shoots and their place in wedding and portrait photography.

This one was from the beginning of the shoot.

Well, that’s it for today. Come back later in the week for more photographic fun.

Chris

I arrived at the salon for the hair and makeup photos and Ronda pulled me aside and said, “I need to tell you what the plan is. You’re the only person other than Mike who knows this but when he goes to get the garter he’s going come out with a derringer pistol in his teeth.” I asked where the pistol will be and Ronda responds, “tucked into my garter.” Of course, why didn’t I think of that. So this is where I tell you, faithful reader that Ronda and Mike are police officers. Henceforth the interest in firearms.

We completed the shoot at the salon which by the way was a pretty awesome place. It was Marcel’s in Jamestown, NY. I arrived at the church located in a town called Stillwater just outside Jamestown. Now if Stillwater sounds like an old western name keep reading. So I see the groom and the groomsman all dressed in tuxedos that are reminiscent of what Doc Holiday might have worn, complete with cowboy hats, cowboy boots with spurs and bollo ties. The guys in the bridal party also wore badges which denoted the groom as the “Marshall” and the groomsmen as “Deputies.” Now, before I forget every groomsmen also wore a holster containing a sidearm, a six-shooter to be exact. I would find out at the conclusion of the ceremony the guns were real as the bridal party fired blanks into the air to celebrate the couple’s union. There was also one member of the bridal party who sported a shotgun, and yes he fired it as well. Now Ronda had mentioned this to me but I’m not quite sure what I was thinking because when the guns were fired it took me by total surprise.

I hope everyone enjoyed the post and the photos. Thanks for reading. There are many more photos to come. You can also click here for a slide-show.

Chris

Beth spent the morning at the wonderful Belezza Salon located in Williamsville, NY. Beth and her Maids of Honor spent the night in the beautiful Avant Hotel in Downtown Buffalo. This was my first time in this beautiful hotel. The designers saw the need for a mixed use building. In addition to the hotel rooms there are also 26-luxury condos and five-floors of office space. Beautiful.

The couple exchanged their vows in the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Buffalo, NY. Once the ceremony was completed we drove to the Coast Guard Base on Furhman Blvd. and with granted permission were allowed to take photos at the base of the lighthouse.

After post-ceremony photographs, the couple celebrated with family and friends at the celebrated Saturn Club in Buffalo, NY. Music was provided by Whirlin’ Disc Sound.

Thanks for reading. Next week I’ll some additional photos from this and some other recent weddings.

Chris

This past weekend I had the opportunity to photograph an amazing couple. I had met Jason a year earlier when I accepted another social work position. I don’t make a point of discussing my photography at my job but I do display some of my work in my office. One thing lead to another and the conversation of wedding photography was broached. During the past year Jason became engaged to Kristina and he discussed with me my willingness to photograph the couple’s engagement and wedding. Naturally as I build my business I did not want to say “No” but I also didn’t want Jason to choose me because of our work relationship. Kristina and Jason were married on Friday July 16, 2010. We began the day at a really cool hair salon in Herkimer, NY. The salon, HotSpotSalonandSpa is a full service salon with very nice professionals. If you find yourself in Herkimer, NY and need a haircut, color, tan, etc. check them out.

Most of my favorite shots are the ones I’ve waited some time to get. These are the shots where people have forgotten about my presence and begin to assume their true selves. I fall in love with the expressions on their faces at that time as well as those expressions when they see those photos and don’t recall me taking the photos. Those are also

Hoping the rain stops. It did and then the humidity took over.

Kristina looked beautiful in her dress.

I have recently been consulting with Marc Fuller. Marc is an SEO designer extraordinaire. All I’m going to say is there are going to be some changes in my blog-site in the coming months. We’re going to share some fresh new colors and bold new images. I have not yet decided on a new avatar because I’m just not that comfortable in front of a camera. truth be told its simply more that I’m just not that photogenic. this past year i have had an opportunity to work with some amazing couples and they have inspired me to make these changes. I’m excited and I’m even more excited to share these changes with you.

Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

Christopher

Jamie and Michael are getting married on August 21, 2010. I was first introduced to Jamie’s mother when I received an email from her. That email arrived early December as she had located me via WeddingWire.com. It was around 10PM. A quick glance at my watch and I noticed it was only 7PM in Washington State. I decided to follow-up my email with a quick phone call. We made quick introductions and the rest, as they say is history.

Jamie was finishing her English degree in Washington State and would not be traveling to the Western New York area until July 5th. Michael works full-time and resides in a small town of less than 2000-people just South of Erie, PA.

We discussed venues for the couple’s engagement session and everyone agreed om Niagara Falls. The couple had only visited the Falls on one occasion and had never been on Goat Island thus missing the Horseshoe Falls and Three Sister’s Island. Despite the heat and humidity (you don’t have to shevel it) we all had a great time.

We arrived in the Falls to a packed parking lot, high temperatures and high humidity. Jasmie and Michael were a couple of real troupers. We walked around the island trying to locate as much shade as we could along the way.

Click here for a slideshow of the couple’s engagement photos.

Chris

Laura had contacted me last July and inquired about the date she had in mind for her wedding. I recall opening her email and thinking, “Is this some kind of joke?” Laura lived in New Jersey. We had never met. We had never spoken and we had no mutual acquaintances. Laura explained she had Googled Western New York wedding photographers and “really liked my photos.” I sent Laura a contract and the process began. Laura came into town within a few months to meet with her vendors and solidify the plans which had been made to date. I fell in love with Laura’s sense of humor right from the start. Laura fell in love with Tim Horton’s coffee. I mean who wouldn’t.

Laura and Tim were to be married in Lockport and their reception would be at the home of Laura’s grandmother in Burt, NY. Laura and I spoke the week before her wedding and we decided I would pick up her and Tim and we would travel to a few different locations in Niagara County to complete their engagement session. I arrived at her grandmother’s home and needed help picking my lower jaw up from the ground. The grounds and her home were beautiful. I met Laura and Tim and said, “I think we can complete the entire session right her on your grandmother’s property.” That we did.

Laura was a natural in front of the camera. It took Tim  few frames to warm up to the idea of having his photograph taken so many times, but once he did…Tim commented once he thought there “was a lot of kissing” during the engagement shoot.

The view from the deck in the backyard was breathtaking. Lake Ontario is a beautiful lake. The sky cleared as the shoot progressed and soon we could see across the lake to Toronto, Ontario.

What a beautiful couple.

Laura has the most incredible smile. I pointed the camera in her direction and her face simply lit up.

We briefly ventured away from Burt, NY and took a little side trip to Olcott, NY. Before hitting the little shops next to the park we stopped by Byes Popcorn for a bag of some of the best popcorn around. Unfortunately the stand was not yet open. I love doing engagement shoots and rarely want them to end. This couple made their shoot sooo much fun.

To see more of the couple’s engagement shoot, click here.

Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

Chris

Anyway, I met Michelle and her bridal party at -”All That Jazz” Salon on Military Road in Niagara Falls. Michelle said she wasn’t feeling nervous and judging by her facial expressions I would have to agree. Michelle smiles easily. It’s a neat smile where she wrinkles up her nose and squints through eyes which have been transformed to mere slits. It’s a great smile really one that you know is genuine and followed by a deep laugh.

Nice salon. Beautiful job. Not that the girls needed any help…I’m just sayin’. Michelle had her hair done and we were off to the the couple’s home where Michelle did her makeup and slipped into her beautiful dress. I met with Suzanne who was hired as the videographer. My first opportunity to meet Suzanne when I nervously photographed my first wedding three years earlier. Suzanne was just what I had remembered; easy going, professional and results oriented.

After the girls got dressed at the couple’s home we headed to the church where the couple exchanged their vows. We then traveled to Niagara University where the couple had attended classes and Bryan works in the admissions office.

Photos were completed and we traveled to the Niagara Falls Conference Center which is one of my favorite venues in which to shoot. I love the great big windows that open floor to ceiling onto a pedestrian walk way and flood the room with natural light. The couple had their favorite band, Widowmaker play their wedding. I was happy I remembered to bring my earplugs as my ears just don’t tolerate such exceedingly loud sounds. The band wrapped up and guests began to leave. I grabbed the couple and we went for a quick walk outside and were able to capture photographs to cap off the evening.

Thanks so much for reading. Stay tuned for more.

Chris

Link a post with more pics to this post.

After Audrey and her brides maids had their hair and makeup completed, they headed back to the hotel where Audrey began to get dressed. The groom and his groomsman headed to the church. I followed close behind. Raindrops began to speckle the windshield and hope the good weather would remain began to sneak away. The sky grew darker as I approached the church. Shortly after arriving at the church we were forced inside as the rain arrived with great intensity. The limo bus arrived and the girls disembarked. the leas to leave the limo and enter the church was Audrey. She did so under the protective covering of a large umbrella. Thoughts quickly turned to the marriage of Audrey and Michael.

Audrey looked beautiful. Her face shined with happiness as she was escorted toward the alter and her future husband by her father. Vows were exchanged.  Two individuals were pronounced as one. Welcome Audrey and Michael Paveljack. During the mass the rain had come and gone. It was if God had said, “Don’t worry. I’ll ensure your day remains beautiful.” It did indeed.

Once the nervousness of the day began wear away, Audrey allowed her beauty and confidence to shine through.

Audrey and Michael wrote very beautiful letters to each other. I always love to see the emotional reactions on the faces of the bride and groom as they read each others words. Remember and cherish these words always and remember the rock on which you built this strong love for each other.

The rain wasn’t going to dampen anyone’s spirits, especially Audrey’s.

The flower girl and ring bearer were a hoot throughout the day. The young “couple” thought they were going to get married that day.

Mike was stylin’ the GQ pose. Nice!

We navigated the busy streets of Niagara Falls, NY thinking of the Maid of the Mist. The couple had been engaged at the same location and it was only fitting to have their first photographs as a couple at the same location.

On Saturday night as dinner was about to begin, the groom’s best man stood, raised his glass and proposed a toast to the couple. He spoke of the couple’s love for each other and of their willingness to share this love with each other.

My toast to you, Audrey and Michael, is that great love and happiness finds you always.

Witnessing the couple from behind the lens provided me with a unique opportunity to see what others might not have seen. As a wedding photographer I spend a great deal of time watching and observing; looking for that moment to capture in time. The moment which the couple and the guests did not recall but which was captured to be viewed later as a reminder of a very special night. For me it is capturing the details; a tear in the corner of the bride’s eye, the smile as she has her first dance with her husband and her dance with her father. Even writing this brings tears of joy to my eyes.

A wedding, the union of two people is a beautiful thing. It represents much for the couple as they become one and join each other’s family’s and embark on an adventure;  forming their own uniqe bond.

A slideshow of the couple’s photos can be viewed by clicking here.

Contact me by clicking here. I’d love to discus your wedding plans with you. You can see a slideshow of photos from the couple’s wedding by clicking here. Click here to see all of the photos.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

I’ve added some of my favorite photos from this years gala. The gala is difficult for me to explain. It’s something which really needs to be seen. It is a “creative black tie.” The theme every year is “Reach for the Stars.” The idea behind the theme is we are all stars. We all have the power to make change in our own lives and the lives of others. Most of us are lucky individuals and have no idea how lucky we are. We live in the wealthiest country in the world where opportunities are at every turn. It is up to us to identify them and to take them. I am one of those lucky individuals. I have a beautiful wife who supports me as well as two great kids. I have super family and friends who also are supportive of me and push me to be better. Of course I can’s forget the fantastic brides and grooms who trust me with their memories. I am privileged to have such a wonderful job. To all of you, I say “Thank you.”

This has to be my favorite photo from all of the portraits which I took. 1-minute with Sarah and you realized why you were at the gala. If Rob looks familiar it’s because I photographed Meagan and Rob’s wedding on January 9, 2010. You can see photos from the couple’s engagement and wedding here.

Ken and his team starred in “Revenge of the Nerds.” Ken is the COO of the Accessium Group and Secretary of the Western New York Chapter of Make-A-Wish. Ken is also the individual who has helped me to become involved with Make-A-Wish.

Grrrrr! This is the fun booth and the spirit of the annual gala. Have fun and support a great organization.

Dallas Pace and her friends. Dallas was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma. A rare form of bone cancer that affects 3-4 children in the US every year. You can go here to see a video interview with Dallas.

Dallas recorded a 3-song CD titled “Right Now.” Dallas recorded the CD in the same studio in Buffalo, NY where the Goo Goo Dolls had recorded their most recent studio album. I had been asked to photograph Dallas for her CD but was forced to cancel due to an appointment conflict.

Sarah and Ken.

I just had to have my photo taken with Sarah. Thanks Ken for snapping this shot. Sarah is a true inspiration. She smiles all the time and her smiles just make you want to smile.

As per usual the event was awesomely powerful. It makes me feel so good to be able to give something back to others who are less fortunate than I. When I have an opportunity to use my photography to capture smiling faces…well that’s just the icing on the cake.

So…in my last post I had said I was going to share an idea I had to become more involved with Make-A-Wish. As I have also said before more time is not an option. I’ve taken a page from Yvonne Chouinard’s company, Patagonia. I will donate a minimum of 1% from every wedding I book back to Make-A-Wish.

As always, thanks to my readers for your constant support. Please think about making a donation to you local Make-A-Wish chapter.

Chris