Author Archive for Ulysses

Arianna’s First Day

We promised a few more photos from Arianna’s first day with her family. Here are a few of our favorites. Jenni did a fantastic job capturing the anticipation and excitement everyone felt as she opened her eyes to all of her new family and friends.

Just click the “PLAY” button in the box below. Enjoy the show!

Grace & Michael’s Kind Words

Wow. Wow. Wow!

Grace & Mike are back from their honeymoon in Tahiti. They sent to us these incredibly kind words:

Jenni and Ulysses,

What can we say? These pictures are gorgeous! We can’t wait to see the entire gallery. We just got back from our honeymoon (half an hour ago), and checking your blog was the first thing we wanted to do. We have checked at every hotel we stayed at in Tahiti, but weren’t able to see the the photos. We read the blog entry multiple times (in multiple locations), and it made our day each time we read it we were really touched by everything you wrote, and especially agreed with the hardest part being saying goodbye to you two. Throughout the honeymoon, we couldn’t help but think of you two whenever we took any pictures (and we took a lot!) especially when the cruise photographer told us to kiss for the camera, and we remembered to linger. We were depressed to be leaving Tahiti, but finally being able to see the pictures after 2 weeks of anticipation was the light at the end of our tunnel.

For both of us, your arrival at our doorsteps was exciting and reassuring as if we were greeting old friends. Throughout the entire day (and for days after), our parents and bridal party couldn’t stop raving about how great you two were and how much fun the pictures at the park were!

Although we’ve only met you a handful of times, it was obvious from the beginning that you’re both really special people. We hope that it won’t be too long before we have the chance to see you again!!

Love,
Grace and Mike

Welcome home, Grace & Mike! And thank you for such a memorable time with you. We can’t wait to hear from you again soon.

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Jacquelyn & Thomas’ Wedding

A number of things we saw during Jacquelyn & Tom’s day truly touched us as we observed and interacted with them and their family and guests: The warmth of Jacquelyn’s mom and the deeply heartfelt expressions of her father; the extremely witty and funny comments of Tom’s best man; the affection of Jacquelyn’s sisters as they rejoiced in her happiness; the extremely high regard that everyone had for this amazing couple. And everyone was a great dancer at the reception!

With little time to spare, Jacquelyn & Tom were all for getting the best photos possible on this rather hot July day. It turned out that West Point had a concert performance scheduled at the location we’d planned to use for their photos. The crowded hillside lawn at Trophy Point was filled with the tarps and lawn chairs of early arrivals wanting to hold their places. But a nice group of people in a prime area of real estate kindly allowed us to use their spot for a mini-session to photograph this remarkable view of the Hudson Valley (THANK YOU, whoever you were!). So there they were… Jacquelyn & Tom on display during photo shoot with HUNDREDS of eyes watching them. I think they loved it. :)

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Jacquelyn & Tom, thank you so much for a day filled with plenty of laughs and romance, as well as the tasty meal. We truly enjoyed being with your family, too, some of whom we’re already well familiar with and hope to see again in the future.

Their complete gallery of photos will be available upon their return from the honeymoon. You’ll find it in the “Client Proofs” section of our main website. But for now, enjoy this brief slideshow, a teaser of the pictures to come. Just click the “PLAY” button in the center of the box below.

More from Jacquelyn & Tom’s Engagement Session

Arianna’s Arrival!

Jasmine and Josh are very tired, but also very overjoyed that she’s finally here. She has a head full of gorgeous dark curly hair. Josh says she looks just like her mom.

Arianna weighs 6 lb, 11 oz, and she is 20 inches long. She’s just perfect.

We’ll have more later.

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Kristina & Cory’s Wedding

What could be finer on a summer afternoon than a garden wedding? That’s what Kristina & Cory decided to do for theirs, and the scene that was set for them at the beautiful Catlin Gardens was just perfect. Kristina was stunning in her elegant but detailed wedding gown. Although they were each cool & collected and having a fun time with their friends during their preparation, they were probably caught off guard by the intense waves of emotion of their ceremony. We loved seeing every minute of it unfold. After spending a brief but fantastic period of time with this fun-loving couple for photos in the romantic gardens, we joined everyone for the cocktail hour, where a steel drum band was playing calypso music. As everyone filed indoors for the reception, they enjoyed all the other unique touches of the celebration, from the beautiful handmade place cards to the homemade cookie favors in gift boxes.

Kristina & Cory, we had a remarkable time with you on your wedding day, and we’re so glad you chose us to enjoy it and capture it with you. We were blown away by all the little details that helped make your day so special and memorable. Thank you so much for the delicious multi-course meal.

We’re anxious to show you the day’s photos and are busily preparing the online gallery, which will be found soon in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website. Please leave a comment for Kristina & Cory or for us about what you enjoyed about their day!

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More from Kristina & Cory’s Engagement Session

Labor Has Begun!!!

Maybe this is a bit premature, but we’re really excited because we just got word a little while ago that Jasmine has gone into labor. She’s pretty tired right now, and the doctor has told her to get some rest for a couple of hours before checking on her progress again in a little while.

Jenni has her camera packed and is about to head out with Jasmine for a visit to the doctor soon.

WE CAN’T WAIT!! :D

More news as it happens . . .

For everyone waiting for updates on our most recent weddings (especially for Kristina & Cory as well as Jacquelyn & Thomas), we’ll post those for you as soon as we’re able. Thanks for your patience.

Lost a Friend Yesterday

We lost a dear friend in death yesterday. Bernard was 79, but had the heart and spirit of a much younger person. Jenni and I shared some of his last moments with him in the hospital as his body simply gave out on him. He is survived by his wife, Lillian who has just as much love for life and a deep sense of spirituality as Bernard did, as well as several children who love him. He’ll truly be missed by all who know him.

Although we’ve been out of the office for the past couple of days, we’ll be back soon with updates on the latest weddings, e-sessions, and portraits. Thank you for your patience.

AnnieCam!

Someone forgot to tell us that when we’re pointing our cameras out at our couples and their guests, there will often be a camera or two pointed right back at us! LOL! At Stephanie & Matthew’s wedding we had a chance to have spend some time and have some fun with another of our favorite couples, Annie & Jason, whose wedding we photographed last year.

To our great delight, Annie has become quite the camera hound over the course of the past year. She found opportunities to get pictures of Jenni and myself.

Of course, the more excited we were about seeing and shooting one another, the more you could see it in our body language. I tend to get down low to the floor, and you’ll probably see a leg go out. Annie stands on her tip-toes, and one of her legs goes up. Here we caught one another at the exact same instant. Too funny! :)

I’m not exactly sure, but I think I may also have inspired Jason, who now also finds his best shots by getting down on the floor and finding some fascinating angles. Go Jay!!! I’m so proud. And thanks, Annie, for getting this last shot of myself, Jenni, Steph and Matt together. :D

In the end, it’s all about people and relationships. And we’re so glad to know these two awesome couples. Can’t wait to see you guys again at Kim & Eric’s wedding soon! Get your cameras ready! LOL!

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Stephanie & Matthew’s Wedding

It’s early in the wedding season, but we’ve already had some amazing weddings. Stephanie & Matt’s wedding was definitely one of our favorites partly because we got to spend so much time with them, and also because we got to see some friends and familiar faces again.

Stephanie filled her day with superb details, from the intricate designs of her gorgeous gown to the beautiful flower arrangements and exquisite designs for the reception room tables. She was so excited about the way everything would photograph. Little details are so important.

NOTE: I forgot to mention another COOL detail. Stephanie & Matt purchased one of their favorite engagement session images for use on the cover of their wedding music CD handed out as favors to everyone at the wedding. The final cut of this CD includes a song written and performed by Matt titled “To Make You Feel My Love“. We loved it!

Of course, our favorite part of the day was when we got to go off with just the two of them for a private photo session. Steph & Matt, what an awesome job you guys did, despite the heat! We know you’re going to fall in love with the results. You looked as if you were cast for a movie or magazine spread. We loved every minute of it and hope you did, too. Thank you so much for a great day, as well as for the scrumptious meal!

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Their gallery will be available very soon in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website. Check it out! And please be sure to leave a comment for Stephanie & Matt or for us here on the blog by clicking the “Comments” link immediately above this entry.

More with Stephanie & Matt:

Say ‘Hello’ to Maya!

Maya finally said “hello” to the world only a few short weeks after the arrival of her cousin, Gianluca. And what a beautiful baby she is! When we arrived for her newborn session, we found her comfortably swaddled in an adorable printed jumper. Just as we were getting started, she slowly opened her eyes to see what was happening around her. Needless to say, there were more squeals of delight and anticipation coming from us than from Maya at this point. :)

Her parents are just great with her. She loves to be warmly cuddled. She has Anna’s gorgeous almond-shaped eyes. And Jonathan rocks her to soothe her and to let her know everything is alright. A beautiful family.

Anna, Jonathan, and Maya, we were so glad to be able to share this photo shoot with you! We could barely contain our excitement for all of you. Your gallery is coming online soon in the “Client Proofs” section of our main website. Feel free to share the password access to the gallery with any of your friends and family.

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More with Anna:

Melissa & Bo’s Engagement Session!

Melissa & Bo have been so incredibly busy working and getting ready for their upcoming wedding that it was high time they got together for a nice date together to simply enjoy some time together. We couldn’t believe how well the day worked out for them.

Both Melissa and Bo were all smiles and energy for us and wonderfully emotive. We had to WORK to keep up with Melissa because her gorgeous expressions would change so quickly. It was great! Best of all, they were really into one another, without any nervousness about showing their affection in front of the cameras. We had a fantastic time with them and can’t wait for their wedding day at the Eagle’s Nest.

Melissa & Bo, thanks for a GREAT time! You were awesome. Enjoy these preview photos while we prepare your entire gallery for you. It will be available very soon in the “Client Proofs” section of our main website.

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The Boys Are Back In Town!

Family time… It’s always a source of delight, especially when spending that time with my two little nephews, Malakai and Kobe. I can hardly believe how big they’re getting and how distinctive their personalities are. It truly is a little miracle to watch their growth and to experience their abundance of energy and curiosity. They remind me so much of my brother and myself when we were that age.

Here are a few pieces of our day with them and their awesome parents, Eric & Chrissy. Just click the “PLAY” button in the box below. And be sure to leave a comment if you can. :)

Eric, Chrissy, Malakai and Kobe… we love you guys.

Kim & Ray’s Portraits

Kim & Ray are an incredibly warm and friendly couple. Although married now for a few years, they didn’t have a chance to have wedding portraits taken. So we were delighted when Kim called and asked if we would photograph the two of them as if for their own wedding day. She looked lovely, dressed in a long white gown and with her hair styled and makeup done. Ray cut a powerful figure in his all-black attire. We needed to run between the raindrops on occasion, but that only added to the fun and surprise of the day. Ray loves his Harley motorcycle. He wasn’t able to bring it with him for the shoot, but they had a small addition of clothing when they each added their biking vests. What a blast! :)

Kim & Ray, thanks for choosing us for your special photo session. We wish the absolute best for the two of you in your future together.

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Grace & Michael’s Wedding!

For us the hardest part of Grace & Michael’s stunning wedding was when we had to leave. So many things came together throughout the entire day that made it an absolute joy to photograph. Grace gave careful consideration to how everything (and we mean EVERYTHING) would impact photography. From the very beginning of her planning, Grace & Mike put an extremely high priority on photography, and we couldn’t have been more satisfied with the results.

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This awesome couple gave us an incredible degree of access and time, guaranteeing an amazing range of looks into their day. We even had a couple of private sessions with them - including Grace’s change from her gorgeous wedding gown into an incredibly beautiful custom Chinese dress - for some drop-dead romantic photos. Both their parents and their wedding party were just as excited about the prospects for photos, so working with everyone was pure joy. We even got to work some fashionable fun for both the guys and the girls during the day.

Grace & Michael, what can we say? From the time we met you at Tanya & Craig’s wedding, we loved being with both of you! We are so glad you loved what we did then, and that you chose us for your own wedding! The warm welcome by your family and friends topped it off for us. You each did such a great job during your photo sessions. The time you gave us for your photos was so well worth it. We can’t wait to show them to you! Also, thank you for the delicious meal.

The gallery will be made available when Grace & Mike return from their honeymoon, in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website. But for now, here is a small teaser for you to enjoy. Click on the “PLAY” button in the box below.

To leave a comment for Grace & Mike, click on the “Comments” link at the top of this blog entry. We’d love to hear from you!

See Grace & Michael’s engagement session.

It’s the Little Moments

We love spending time with a couple to take beautiful portraits that showcase their affection and passion for one another. Julie & Swaroop, whose day was spent largely on the site of Lyndhurst Castle in Tarrytown, were one such couple who had no difficulty at all producing some gorgeous “Magazine Cover” opportunities for elegant fashion during their photo shoot. It’s part of who they are, and we loved every minute of it as much as they did.

But then there are also the little moments. . . times during the day that are so fleeting and yet so precious that you don’t ever want to forget them just because they lasted only a split second. Finding these and putting them on display for our couples is a virtual obsession for us, and we enjoy them just as much as the dedicated portrait sessions. Moments like these provide a cherished window into who our couples are and how they truly feel about one another.

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More from Julie & Swaroop:

Lilline & Evan’s Wedding!

Two words immediately come to mind: Simply amazing.

Lilline & Evan’s wedding day had finally arrived. We were just as eager in anticipation as their families to see how beautiful the day would be, and it did not at all disappoint. Lilline waited for Evan in the garden area of The Manor in West Orange. As he walked up the steps and laid his eyes on his bride for the first time that day, Lilline’s eyes filled with tears of joy and excitement. It was the perfect way to begin their day of joy and elegance. After they had some private time together, we had a stunningly beautiful photo session with them, and couldn’t have been happier with the results.

Lilline & Evan, thank you so much for the day we spent with you. You’re each very special people to us. It was also a privilege getting to know your parents and your family & friends. It was easy to see just how close all of you are, and we were so happy to be welcomed by everyone.

We’re eager to show off this amazing wedding gallery! It will be available soon in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website. And please leave a note for them or for us by clicking on the “Comments” link at the top of this blog entry! We’d love to hear from each of you.

For now, click the “PLAY button in the box below to enjoy a brief set of teaser images:

Alexander’s 12-Month Session!

The time flies by SO quickly! We can hardly believe it, but little Alexander is already 12 months old! It seems that every time we see him, he changes so much both in his looks and in his rapidly developing personality. And what a complete ham, too!

Alexander enjoys the camera and taking photos. He really digs pushing his cart around the house and can’t wait to ride his new toy Harley. On hot days like the day of his 12-month photo session, he couldn’t wait to get into his swimming pool. He got the most curious look on his face when he found a frog there.

But of all the things that Alex enjoys most, it’s spending time with his parents, Jesyca & Bill. They’re each so incredibly fortunate to have one another.

The entire gallery of Alex’s most recent photos will be available very soon in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website. We love hearing from our readers, so please leave a comment.

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More of Alexander in the following links!

Jessica & Stephen’s Wedding

Despite the heat wave this past weekend, Jessica & Stephen had the most beautiful wedding at The Eagle’s Nest. Jessica was full of tears of joy and excitement as she spent the morning preparing herself with her friends and bridesmaids. When ready, Jessica looked amazing. She nervously walked out to the shady hill where Stephen was waiting to see his bride-to-be for the first time that day. It was the most tender moment imaginable, and you could tell that they felt truly complete again. The rest of their day couldn’t have gone more smoothly.

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Jess & Steve, Jenni and I are so happy for you. You have such supportive loving parents and truly caring friends. We had absolutely the best time spending the day with you. We can’t wait to show you your gallery of photos!

You can watch a preview of what is to come by clicking the “PLAY” button in the box below. The complete gallery of photos will be available soon in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website.

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Jennie & Kevin’s Engagement

We first met Jennie’s parents at Maureen & Andy’s wedding at Onteora Mountain House a few years ago. We hit it off so well with them, and we were so excited when Jennie called to tell us that she was now getting married.

It took literally only seconds for us to begin getting fun and engaging photos of Jennie & Kevin. We had every bit as much fun as they had with one another. They are a couple with lots of laughs, affection, and style. We know their wedding at The Mansion At Timber Point is going to be amazing.

We can’t wait to show them their entire gallery of photos. For now, look at a brief teaser of photos by clicking the “PLAY” button below. And then go to the “Client Proofs” area of our main website to see the rest!

Heather & Tom’s Album Arrives!

We love hearing back from our couples. A response like Heather’s is why we work so hard:

Hello, hello, hello!!! It’s so funny not to have spoken with you guys in a while since when we were in wedding mode. We were in constant communication!!! We just wanted to say….WOW!!!! Our album is absolutely AMAZING!!!! We LOVE it!!! You captured our day like we only could have imagined in our dreams!!! The story it told, the life in every picture…absolutely breathtaking!! We are blown away!! Our families absolutely fell in love as well!!! (they do keep teasing me though, because I put on the white gloves every time I take it out!!!) Thank you for all your hard work….we are speechless! It’s beautiful!!

With Love,

Heather & Tom

Heather & Tom, we are thrilled to hear your reaction to your photos and your wedding album. We wanted it to show every bit as much fun and beauty as displayed on the actual day of your wedding. It was such a privilege to be a part of the day. Love you guys, too. Please keep in touch as your family grows!

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More about Heather & Tom: