Ulysses Photography Blog

Rebecca & Ed’s Wedding!

Ulysses — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:29:36 +0000

Rebecca was adorned in all sorts of elegant precious accessories – diamonds, pearls, gold, silver, and more. Her radiant beauty was undeniable as she stood in her gorgeous designer gown. But it wasn’t simply the gown, necklaces, or bracelets or other gifted items that made her so lovely. It was her deep and abiding love for Ed that truly shined.

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Ed was equally excited to see his gorgeous bride, so they arranged to see one another before their ceremony in a private and romantic setting that allowed them to hold each other, tell one another how they felt, and simply bask together in their pre-wedding glow. It was absolutely beautiful. There were a few raindrops pending, but they and their entire party and family were all full of smiles and hugs as the elated couple welcomed everyone. We were delighted to witness a joyful tea ceremony honoring their grandparents and parents and accompanied by lots of gift-giving, followed by a ketubah signing. All of the positive energy must have pushed away the clouds because Rebecca & Ed were able to have the ceremony they dreamed about when everyone was ushered outdoors towards the green lawn and wide-open blue sky. It was truly a day to remember when so much culture and warmth came together for a perfect wedding day.

Rebecca & Ed, we are so happy for you both, and it was such a privilege to be allowed into your circle of love so we could capture your uniquely special day. And Amanda & Jason – thank you SO much for telling your friends about us. It was so wonderful to see you two again, looking so happy!

The complete gallery will be available in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website when the couple returns from their honeymoon. Until then, enjoy this preview of photos from their wedding day by clicking the PLAY button.

Rebecca’s gown: La Sposa
Birdcage veil: Unveiled Bridal Designs
Hair & makeup: Michelle LoConte
Florist: Lee Vasquez
DJ: Frank Burns
Venue: Perona Farms
Honeymoon: Eastern Europe
Rebecca & Ed’s Engagement session

Lara & Tom’s Wedding!

Ulysses — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:50:50 +0000

You know it’s going to be a unique and singularly fun day when the groom is busy sharing his iPhone photos and tweeting about his wedding day experience.

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Lara & Tom’s day was filled with colorful humor and emotional connectivity, just as we knew it would be. This very hip couple invited us to photograph their wedding day with a complete sense of trust in us and gave us ready access to their lives. We couldn’t have asked for more than that. Lara’s flowing designer gown and blue shoes were just perfect, setting a beautiful tone for the entire day.

Following a meaningful ceremony, the entire group of family and wedding party assembled at Monmouth University (NJ) for a fun photo session. Amazingly, although the weather was forecasted for 90% chance of thunderstorms, it didn’t at all dampen their spirits or their display of affection for one another. In fact, the rain came in rather handy for some of our photos (brides, take it from us… a little rain on your wedding day can lead to incredible photos). We cherished our private time with Lara & Tom in this grand location, and they did a fantastic job together. And then it was off to their evening reception on the Jersey Shore for great food and an excellent party!

Their complete wedding gallery will be posted soon in the “Client Proofs” section of our main website, so keep your browsers bookmarked to see their photos. Feel free to leave a comment for Lara & Tom, or for us, but clicking on the “Comments” link above.

Lara’s gown: Ramona Kaveza
Florist: Petal Beach
Reception venue: McLoone’s Rum Runner
Honeymoon: Whistler, British Columbia, CA

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Deborah & Chris Engagement Photos

Ulysses — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:00:17 +0000

Even though their wedding isn’t until 2010, we are completely jazzed about Debbie & Chris choosing us as their photographers! I mean, you’ve GOT to love it when the groom goes out for a day of shopping to find the perfect shades, the perfect shirt, and the perfect look just for this special occasion of engagement photos with his lovely fiancée. Not to be outdone, Debbie looked fabulous, as well, and she was truly full of life and even more full of love for Chris. We’re so happy they each let their passion for one another show in their photos. Besides preparing for a photo shoot like this one, we absolutely adore it when a couple gives us access into their deep feelings for one another. Debbie & Chris did just that.

We’re certain their wedding at the Glen Island Harbour Club is going to be every bit as amazing as they hope for, and we can’t wait to join them.

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Shauna & Steve’s Engagement Photos

Ulysses — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:00:23 +0000

Shauna & Steve’s engagement session was a highlight of our week, partly because we asked us to come down to their hometown of Hoboken, NJ. We always enjoy going to this hip area across the Hudson River from Manhattan. But we had added reason to be excited about their photo shoot because this was our first time meeting them. We were booked by Shauna’s mom without their having even met us first. It always makes us feel great when the strength of our work and our boutique-style personalized service comes above all else. They rode in together on Steve’s motorcycle, and we spent the afternoon dodging a few raindrops while getting some great photos in some of their favorite places to walk together.

We’re eagerly looking forward to capturing yet more artful moments for them during their wedding day at the beautiful Onteora Mountain House.

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It’s the Journey

Ulysses — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:29:24 +0000

When it comes to photography, I love the process of working with a couple, a bride, a family, or a baby to get that “perfect shot”, a frozen moment that tells me something about who my subject is. It’s almost as if they’re sharing a tiny little secret with me alone as I look through the camera lens. Of course, I know my responsibility from that point onward is to share that secret by producing a viewable result that they and their families can also enjoy. But for that moment in time, at shot time, I feel like the secret is just between us.

But what about after that photograph is taken? Sometimes when looking again at a photo, my imagination takes routes beyond those dictated by the moment and environment of the photo session. I think about the journey of taking that photo somewhere else artistically and emotionally. Having the opportunity to explore in this way is as much of a joy as it is to actually take the photo in the first place. The beauty of this portion of the process is that I never ever know where my imagination will take me, and I love the surprises that result. Sometimes it’s a technique someone has asked me about, or a “look” that I’ve had on my mind for a while, or maybe a completely new recipe for expressing the photo differently than the way I originally imagined it.

I don’t do this sort of thing for all of our photos, but just a few from each session as the photo and the mood moves me. Often, I’m happy with a photo exactly the way we photographed it. I suppose I’m simply not destination oriented that way. Where photos are concerned, for me it’s more often about the journey.

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Joette & Pat’s Engagement Photos

Jenni — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:47:50 +0000

Did we get to mention that we spent some time photographing yet another fantastic couple? Joette & Patrick are such a perfect fit for one another. Sometimes due to being nervous about working with a pro photographer for the first time, we’ll give a little help on posing or ideas on how to keep the session affectionate and fun. But none of that was needed with these two.

An adorable couple who obviously enjoy spending time together, they presented us with lots of opportunities to showcase just how much they love life and love one another to pieces. They took us to one of their favorite places to walk, and the scenery suited them just perfectly. It was like getting a look at Date Night with Joette & Patrick, only with cameras!

We are definitely looking forward to their summer wedding at Round Hill House.

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Valerie & Michael’s Engagement Photos

Ulysses — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:03 +0000

From the first time you meet them, there is absolutely no doubt that Valerie & Michael are a couple who are made for one another. Their mutual interests, ranging from juggling spheres to crashing their steins into one another, and from their avid interest in all-things-medieval to their passionate (and completely accurate) combat simulations with glowing Star Wars light sabers, naturally led to a mutual love for one another. So who could blame them for keeping their arms wrapped around one another during the majority of their photo session! They were delightfully affectionate during their photo shoot. It was perfect! We enjoyed every single minute with this very expressive couple.

We are very much looking forward to joining this awesome pair for their wedding and party at The Tides Estate next year.

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Kerry & Marino’s Engagement Photos

Ulysses — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:45:52 +0000

Kerry & Marino live in one of the most beautifully rustic areas of the Mid-Hudson Valley. So when they asked us to explore the scenery near their home, we happily jumped at the opportunity to do so. It seemed like everywhere we went, there was a brand new photo opportunity waiting just around the corner.

More enjoyable than the scenery itself was the time we got to spend with Kerry & Marino, one of the sweetest couples you’d ever want to see in pictures. They had no problem being comfortable and loving together, and they had just as much fun as we did during the photo session.

We talked about some fun things planned for their wedding day photos, so we can’t wait to join them. We know it’s going to be a beautiful wedding day and a fun-filled reception at The Manor in West Orange.

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Kylie & Scott Trash The Dress

Ulysses — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:10:42 +0000

While your mother may cringe in horror to hear that you want not only to “trash the dress”, that beautiful and almost sacred bridal gown you’ve dreamed for years of wearing, but that you also want PHOTOGRAPHS of the actual trashing, it gets us incredibly excited when we have a couple wanting something out of the ordinary in their photos. And it’s always great news for us and our couples when other photographers and active blog sites give recognition to the effort it takes to create amazing photos. While we rarely use the term “trash the dress”, our goal is always to produce work that is beautiful, compelling, unique, and most of all an experience that will be cherished by our couples. Period.

Kylie & Scott are one such couple. They asked us not only to photograph their wedding in NY, but also to artistically portray their enjoyment of a beautiful day of their honeymoon in Cape Cod. The results are going to last each of us a lifetime. We’re happy to see the blog site at TrashTheDress.com has posted some of those photos, as well as some introductory comments by Kylie:

A Honeymoon on Cape Cod

If you’re inspired by photos like these and you’d like to talk about some unusual and fun possibilities for your own wedding day photos, a Day-After session, or even just a funky portrait session if you’re already married, please check in with us! And feel free to write your own comments and ideas by clicking on the COMMENTS link above. We’d love to explore some ideas with you!

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Sarah & Josh’s Engagement Photos

Ulysses — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:10:36 +0000

They’re like two peas in a pod. She’s the jelly to his peanut butter. It’s like watching Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers, or perhaps more like listening to the banter of Tracy & Hepburn.

Throw away every one of the above cliches because not one of them quite fits this energetic and perfectly paired couple. Sarah & Josh knew we were their photographers after looking at our work and speaking with us by phone and email. But it wasn’t until we got to meet them face-to-face that we realized just how much we’d love to photograph them together. SO MUCH FUN!! It was great seeing them just cut loose one moment, and then the next be completely and irresistibly romantic together. With so much emotive range and plenty of broadcast-quality material playing out before our eyes, we really worked to keep up with them!

Our day was made even more complete when a gentleman with a beautifully restored antique Ford Model “A” parked near our shoot location … for absolutely no apparent reason. So I went over and talked with him for a bit, asking if he’d mind lending his car to our happy couple for a few frames. He replied by stepping out of the car and opening the door wide for them to GET IN! It was just one of many awesome moments we had with the two of them. Jenni and I are increasingly eager to spend the day with them and photograph their autumn wedding at the lovely View on the Hudson.

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Andrea & Joe’s Engagement Photos

Ulysses — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:25:56 +0000

Andrea & Joe are a beautifully laid-back couple who have a natural magnetism for one another. That quality is what kept them close and involved with one another during their engagement photo session. We had a spectacular day at a lovely park that had meaning for each of them, allowing them to relax into one another and not think about anything other than enjoying their time together. A little romance here, a bit of fun there, and before you know it the session was over. That’s how easy they made it!

Their wedding at the spectacular Tappan Hill is definitely going to be a treat both for us and all their invited guests, so we can’t wait. But before that date comes, they can enjoy their gorgeous engagement photos!

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Ulysses Photography Published Again!

Ulysses — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:11:05 +0000

It’s always a treat when other photographers recognize the amount of work and level of high quality we put into our photographs. Rick Sammon, one of Canon’s venerable Explorers of Light, has collected more than 200 tips from himself and other incredibly talented photographers in his new book entitled Digital Wedding Photography Secrets. He asked if he could use one of my images, along with a brief explanatory article about the photo for the chapter, “Pros Share Their Shooting Secrets”. I was excited and honored to offer whatever help I could.

Here is the image that caught his eye and the article I wrote to go along with it (you will find it on page 118 in the book):

GOT IR?

When shooting weddings, it’s always my goal to find a way to bring just an added touch of the surreal to an already unbelievable day. Sometimes that means playing with f-stops or looking for interesting angles. And other times it means using an entirely non-traditional tool to create imagery the bride & groom have never seen before. One such tool is a DSLR modified to photograph in infrared light.

Since I’m always experimenting with new gear and cameras, I had a Canon Rebel that wasn’t seeing a lot of day-to-day use. So I had it modified for IR-only photography. The resulting tool was exactly what I needed to create some of our favorite and most compelling images.

On the technical side of things, I always shoot my IR images in the RAW file format. This gives me the greatest amount of headroom for recovering blown highlights in the initial file capture. Additionally, creating and using a custom white balance for your camera will help you to more easily visualize and review your images during your photo session. I find that one of the joys of photographing in infrared is the unexpected surprises you get after pressing the shutter release button. While you generally need strong sunlight to produce optimal IR photos, break the rules now and then. Make sure you EXPERIMENT with your camera settings and shooting conditions to find something special and unique.

Of course, photography is about so much more than technical details. It’s also about emotions, feelings, and reactions. If you have a love for photography and an eye for the unusual, then you may well find yourself drawn towards an infrared romance.

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Click this link to find Rick Sammon’s book at Amazon.com.

Jazz Fest at the Tribeca Rooftop

Ulysses — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:00:41 +0000

Zooey & Willie’s reception was incredible! Zooey is the associate director of public relations at Jazz at Lincoln Center for their orchestra in Manhattan. Her husband, Willie, is a jazz drummer in Brooklyn who has performed and recorded with great artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, among others, and he is owner/producer of his own label, WJ3 Records. As you can imagine, their wedding reception at the amazing Tribeca Rooftop was overflowing with the sound of jazz music. In fact, Zooey said:

I hear that our reception was more like a concert which, in our case, is so appropriate. We went into our planning knowing we wanted to have a party, not just a reception. And not only did we pull it off, but you captured the spirit so perfectly! I love that you could connect with Willie II and III as they were playing together. It was a special moment for all of us.

Indeed, we knew just how special this evening was for everyone. We found ourselves mesmerized by the sheer weight of musical talent in the room. The evening was started off by Willie’s niece, Jessica, who played a beautiful piano solo; then continued by Willie II on the ivory keys. A real highlight for me personally was seeing Willie III accompany his dad on the drums for a truly dynamic and touching song. Then each of Willie’s groomsmen played to everyone’s delight. And trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (who actually grew up in a house originally owned by my late Aunt Ella Mae, literally just two doors down from where I lived in a small town in Louisiana) was there among them to lend his own sounds to the jam session. They were all musicians unified and playing on the same stage tonight for their cherished friends, Zooey & Willie.

Here’s a peek at this amazing portion of the night’s musical entertainment, led by Willie III himself on drums. Just press the PLAY button:

Some of the evening’s performers included:

Jessica Keyes (Willie’s niece on solo piano)
Willie Jones II (Willie’s father, his earliest musical inspiration)
Willie Jones III (the groom himself, of course)
Teodross Avery
Justin Robinson
Danton Boller
Mark Thornton
Wynton Marsalis
Eric Reed
Eric Wyatt
Sherman Irby
Aaron Goldberg

Read more about Zooey & Willie’s wedding

ISPWP Spring 2009 Contest Results

Ulysses — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:47:05 +0000

The results are in for the Spring 2009 contest of the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP). In a field of literally hundreds of incredibly talented photographers with some spectacular images from all around the world, we’re particularly excited that six of our images placed in the Top Ten across several different categories. Thanks go out to our amazing couples who allow us to make images like these possible. Here are the winning entries:

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Placed Top 10 in Family Love category

Placed Top 10 in Movement and Motion category

Placed Top 10 in Bridal Party Portrait category

Placed Top 10 in Kids Will Be Kids category

Placed Top 10 in Venue or Location category

Placed Top 10 in Emotional Impact category

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Stefanie & Peter’s Wedding

Jenni — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:05:28 +0000

When a bride tells you that she’s purchased “once in a lifetime shoes,” then you know you’re in for something special. Well, they were exactly as described, and Stefanie was stunning from head to toe, as was her entire wedding day. Following their deeply meaningful ceremony, the happy couple sat in the back of their incredible Daimler DS420 limousine, with the convertible top down, and they kissed and smiled for the entire ride from the church to the reception venue. And then began what had to be one of the most joyous gatherings of friends and family ever. The recently renovated Scarsdale Women’s Club made for a breathtakingly beautiful venue, perfectly elegant for this perfect couple.

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We can’t wait to share their photos. Their entire wedding photo gallery will be available in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website as soon as Stefanie & Peter return from their honeymoon in Fiji. Until then, enjoy these sneak peeks! And please click the “Comments” link at the top of this entry to leave your thoughts for us or the happy couple.

Venue: Scarsdale Women’s Club
Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Shoes: Rene Caovilla
DJ: Brendan at BOK Music
Click this link for Stefanie & Peter’s engagement photos

Zooey & Willie’s Wedding

Jenni — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:27:27 +0000

Chic. Elegant. Stylish. Jazzy. Cool. We could go on and on with adjectives to describe this amazing couple and their wedding in NYC. They were each full of joy as they were surrounded by the love of their family & friends, the sounds of jazz music, and the unique sort of trendiness that you find only in New York.

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We are so appreciative to Maryann & Benjeil for sending this couple to us, and it was such a treat to see them again, along with their adorable little boy!

All of Zooey & Willie’s wedding photos will be available in the “Client Proofs” area of our main website as soon as they return from their honeymoon. In the meantime, enjoy these previews by clicking on the PLAY button in the box below! And please leave a message for us or for Zooey & Willie by clicking the “Comments” link above.

Nicole & Andy’s Engagement Photos!

Ulysses — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:59 +0000

Spring is definitely heating up for everyone, not due to rising temperatures but also because of the INCREDIBLE couples we’ve had the chance to photograph!

Nicole and Andy are one such couple that we knew we had to work with from Day One. She was already familiar with and excited about our work for a previous bride of ours, Jesyca & Bill and their growing family, so we had extra reason to feel fantastic about our experience with Nicole & Andy. In fact, our shoot with them not only lived up to but surpassed even our own anticipation. Nicole looked amazing, and Andy was in a playful mood, teasing her and getting her to laugh and smile. Their open and gentle natures blended perfectly with doses of of fun and flirtiness, making for a totally enjoyable e-session.

We can’t wait to share the photos with them! And we know their wedding & party at King’s Catering is going to be an amazing day for everyone.

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Introductory Special: Artful Moods On Canvas

Jenni — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:07:12 +0000

Hopefully you’ve all enjoyed seeing our fresh studio makeover. One of my favorite parts of this rejuvenating redesign is the black & white art on canvas in our dining room. It is particularly special because Ulysses and I spent a romantic day together at a park, somehow sharing one camera between us, with the specific goal of photographing for our dining room decor. We wanted to make it an even more special place to gather with family and friends. We wanted something naturally artful, unique, warm, and yet dramatic. We also knew these photos had to be displayed on museum-like canvas, and our fabulous canvas maker helped us see our vision through with perfect canvas wrap mountings with thick black borders. We couldn’t be more thrilled with how it all turned out.

Ulysses and I are so excited to announce that we are now making this artwork collection available for purchase on our site! It is available only on our thick canvas wrap, in black & white or brown tone. You can find the gallery at our main website under “Client Proofs”, or you can also access it here.

If you need help with your selections, we are available for design consultation. Just send us a photo of your room with measurements, and we’ll send you our custom recommendations on sizes and display styles.

And to assist further, we’re offering a great introductory special for the next 4 days only: 20% off any piece in the Artful Moods on Canvas gallery! So hurry over now and check out the gallery.

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A Spring Refresh for the Studio

Ulysses — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:24:37 +0000

After a long tough winter, Jenni has been in “spring cleaning” mode, itching to give a complete refresh not only to our studio areas open to our clients, but also to our entire home. Her excitement was infectious, and she got me just as motivated for this spring refresh.

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Our goal was to find just a few of our recent favorites, and then choose display methods that would truly showcase them as pieces of loved art and decor, the exact same way you might want beautiful photos and art pieces displayed in your own home. With displays ranging from our Art Mount and very popular Canvas Wraps in various sizes, to eye-catching Collections and Triptychs, we’re each incredibly thrilled with the results! You can get an up-close look at these when you stop by for a visit. And we know you’re going to love a similar approach when you make your own photo selections. Please send us your feedback by clicking on the “COMMENTS” link at the top of this blog entry.

Here’s a look at how our spring refresh has come together in various rooms of our home studio. Just click the “PLAY” button in the box below.

Melissa & John’s Engagement Photos

Jenni — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:26:49 +0000

What do you get when you combine an über hot couple with a yard full of wood, stone, flowing water and Humvees? The photos below will give you a pretty good idea of the great time we had during Melissa & John’s engagement photo session. They were total naturals, and they were completely willing to be the the clay in our hands while we got to work. We had a chance to learn about their mutual love for the outdoors, and John’s passion for collecting vintage Humvee vehicles, all of which helped us develop the perfect session for them. Keeping it real and relaxing for them was top priority. We could easily tell just how much they loved the results when they came back to our studio for the big Photo Reveal of their amazing images.

We think they did an awesome job together, and we can’t wait for their summer wedding at the Eagle’s Nest.

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