http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/ Robert & Kathleen Photographers Blog en-us http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=384 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=384 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:55:00 GMT
It wasn't long after Jason met Joyce that he knew he wanted to marry her. She was everything he had hoped he would find in a woman - smart, beautiful, and a great sense of humor. After all, she did happen to think all his jokes were funny. Clearly, she was the perfect woman. So when it came to purposing Jason knew there was only one way to do it. A native Texan, Jason knows that in these moments in life you must go big. It's the Texas way.

Going big meant it had to be a surprise. Not always an easy task when you happen to be dating a very smart, very observant woman. But he did have one thing up his sleeve. He happened to travel quite a bit and that schedule meant that there were definitely times when Joyce wouldn't even think that Jason was on the East coast, let alone in NYC. So on one particular trip, Jason took an earlier flight home. A whole day earlier, to be exact. He also enlisted one of Joyce's friends to drop her off at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge with instructions to walk up until she found a surprise.

As she walked up the Brooklyn Bridge, Joyce knew there must have been something good waiting for her in the center of the bridge, she just wasn't completely sure what it would be. As the usual crowd of tourists, commuters and bicyclists all hustled by, Joyce scanned them all. She walked the narrow bridge walkway, looking for a clue. Finally she saw something she recognized. Something that just happened to be her favorite thing to look at - Jason's smiling face. There he was, grinning from ear to ear, right in the very same spot where they had walked on their first date. From the look in his eye, she couldn't help but think that this surprise might just be the surprise. When he got down on one knee, her suspicions were confirmed. As Jason finally said the words, Joyce couldn't even contain herself - she burst out in happy laughter and said of course she would marry him. Then she playfully smacked Jason on the arm, shocked that he had caught her completely off guard.

As they walked back down the bridge, hand-in-hand and newly engaged, Jason no doubt brought just a bit of that Texas swagger into his step. He had pulled it off, a Texas-style engagement right in the heart of NYC.

Since they live in Brooklyn, Jason and Joyce knew they wanted to do their engagement session there. They happen to live right near the Brooklyn Bridge and since that happened to be where they got engaged as well - it was pretty much a no brainer that we would head up to the bridge.

First, we started at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6. I don't know how we had never been here before. It's a gorgeous park (there are even sports fields and apparently they have outdoor movies in the Spring ... Summer) and the views of the bridge and lower Manhattan are incredible.

Jason really has a knack for making Joyce laugh. Although you can't tell from the pictures - it was quite cold the day of their session but Jason made sure to keep cracking jokes to keep Joyce smiling.

We're always so honored when couples really trust us and go all out for a good photo. Joyce had to be super chilly, but she braved it out knowing it would be totally worth it. And it definitely was - don't they both look amazing?

I know we've said it probably a thousand times, but there is just something so special about the interweaving of hands together like this. You can see how much they care about each other without even seeing their faces.

As you can see - one phenomenal view. If you're ever walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, make sure to set aside time to head to this park.

This just might be my favorite from the session. I just love the way Joyce is snuggling into Jason and how happy he looks to have her do so.

Just steps away from the water, there are these walkways lined with lush greenery - perfect for some relaxed portraits.

I'm such a sucker for long patches of grass with hints of the busy city in the distance. I love the juxtaposition of it all.

We usually suggest to couples to bring two outfits - one dressy and one more casual so they can have that much more variety in their photos. For their casual outfits, Jason and Joyce decided to do a nod to his Texas upbringing.

Joyce has an absolutely incredibly smile, with dimples like that it's pretty easy to see how Jason fell for her.

With all of our sessions and wedding days, we are always looking around at any location (even locations we have been to before) for new areas to photograph. We just happened to spot this red door and staircase that screamed Brooklyn to us.

The other side of Brooklyn Bridge Park has this beach area and a brand-new Carousel that is encased in glass. It's a fantastic spot to visit, especially for families.

On our walk back up to the Brooklyn Bridge, we saw yet another "must shoot" spot - this cobblestone street area with "love" spray painted on the bricks of an old factory building. Jason and Joyce were happy to show off their love with this in the background.

We've done many sessions at the Brooklyn Bridge, but it never, ever gets old. We feel incredibly lucky to get to photograph in NYC - something many other photographers only dream of.

Many people think that you want a bright, sunny day for your photos. This isn't necessarily true. While a sunny day can be great, an overcast day is actually really great for photos. The lack of bright sun acts as a natural light diffuser, making all the bright colors (like Joyce's shirt) pop against the sky.

Joyce ... Jason, thank you so much for braving the cold and introducing us to a new spot in Brooklyn. We had so much fun with you both and can't wait for your big day!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=383 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=383 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:40:00 GMT
Melissa never believed in love at first sight until she met Craig. She still remembers walking into the kitchen of the restaurant where they worked together, seeing Craig for the first time and feeling something she never had before. Something she couldn't explain. She fell for Craig quickly and he feel for her right back. It wasn't long before they were practically inseparable, the first date turning into a five year relationship before they knew it.

They both knew were the relationship was heading. They knew they would get married someday. Of course, after five years of dating, Melissa was eager to turn that "someday" into someday soon. There was no question in Craig's mind that he was going to propose very soon, but he was determined to make it a surprise. Not exactly as easy task when he's so used to telling Melissa everything, but he came up with a plan. He selected the perfect day to pop the question - a family trip to the beach in Rhode Island. He decided to use the long car ride to back peddle and throw Melissa off. Ten minutes into the ride, Craig tells Melissa that he thinks marriage is a big commitment, one that he doesn't want to rush into. In fact, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to get married at all, he tells her. To say the Melissa was upset is an understatement. She was devastated. To be honest, it made her pretty mad. For him to be suddenly saying this to hear after so many years of dating, how could she not be? They barely talked the rest of the way up. In fact, she barely spoke to him all day.

So when they were all on the beach together and Craig came up behind her and told her he wanted to show her something he found in the ocean, Melissa huffed and turned around still quite annoyed with Craig. She was all set to snap at him but when she turned around he wasn't standing behind her. He was down on one knee. And he was holding the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. Melissa said yes as quickly as she could, pulled him up from his knees and hugged him. It was then she realized that pretty much everyone on the beach (including all of her family) were watching them and cheering. To say she was surprised - understatement of the year. Exactly as Craig planned it to be.

When she tells the story today, Melissa can't help but laugh thinking back about it all. Craig knew exactly how to surprise her, how to create a proposal that she would remember for the rest of her life. He was always keeping her on her toes, making her life that much more exciting and interesting. And she couldn't wait to see just how amazing he would make the rest of the lives together.

Although Melissa and Craig live in CT now, they used to call NYC home. They decided to do their engagement session in Central Park since it's one of their favorite places in the city.

We had actually never met Melissa and Craig until their engagement session. She had been following our blog for years (after some of her friends got married and we were their photographers) and knew that she wanted us to photograph her when she got engaged. As if that wasn't sweet enough, Melissa ... Craig also brought along a gift for Malachy to their session. We were blown away by their thoughtfulness.

After spending just a few minutes with Craig ... Melissa, it's easy to see why they hit it off so quickly. They have the same sense of humor and seem to make each other laugh constantly.

Any loyal blog follower probably recognizes this location - it's the band shell in the park. It's one of our favorite spots because it's beautiful and it always happens to be pretty people-free. Not always easy in the park.

Melissa said she was nervous at the beginning of the session, but we told her that after even just a few minutes in she would definitely feel more comfortable. By the time we got to the band shell, she totally was. As you can tell by her bringing out her inner model.

Central Park is filled with benches and the beauty part is that they're not all the same. This row of benches right next to The Mall area of the park are some of our favorites because they are reminiscent of a park from long ago.

Besides planning a wedding and working full time jobs, Melissa ... Craig also own their own business. They make delicious cake pops (we can attest to the deliciousness of the pops - Melissa ... Craig were kind enough to bring some for us to sample). Check out their business Facebook Page and get yourself some pops!!

We had a lot of fun with Melissa ... Craig - we could have easily spent the entire afternoon just hanging out with them and talking.

This is probably one of my favorite shots from their session. It's one of Rob's signature wide shots. It just feels like classic NYC Central Park to me.

This is my shot from right around the same time. For those of you that wonder how we don't get into each other shots - this is how. While Rob is shooting the wide shots, I'm usually off to one side capturing shots like these.

Melissa ... Craig brought an outfit change for a change of pace. Their autumn in NYC engagement session is the perfect compliment to their destination wedding.

This set of stairs just might be another one of our favorite spots in the park. You've probably seen countless movies and TV shows filmed on them for one obvious reason - they are so much fun to photograph.

While they would have liked to have their dogs George ... Gia to their session, Melissa ... Craig didn't want to bring them all the way to the city. So they brought them this way. We think it worked. :)

Melissa ... Craig, thank you SO much for everything - the delicious pops, the adorable gifts for Malachy (he LOVES them!), and for a wonderful afternoon. We are so happy for you both!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=382 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=382 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:12:00 GMT
Becky had trained for the day for months. Months on end she practiced, she trained and she ran until her legs and feet ached and her body finally let her know for sure: she was ready. Ready to run the streets of her adopted city, to go from borough to borough, to make it through the full 26.2 miles. All the while - through the months training, through hours of the run itself she kept her mind set on one single thought: when she crossed that finish line, it would all be totally worth it. And it definitely was.

Dave had been planning the day for months. Months on end he searched, he planned, and he brought all the people and details together so that he finally knew for sure: he was ready. Ready to finally ask Becky the single most important question he's ever asked anyone, to sweep her up in his arms and place a ring on her finger, to announce to all their closest family and friends that she was going to be his wife. So while Becky was running that race, Dave couldn't help but feel incredibly proud - of Becky, who was running her heart out, and of himself that he was able to not only find a woman as amazing as Becky but also because he was able to keep his plan a secret for so long. And as she approached the finish line, Dave knew that when he looked at her face when he asked her to marry him it would all be totally worth it. And it definitely was.

* * *
Ceremony ... Reception Location: Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, New York | Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Bride's Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti | Hair: Jeff Chastain | Make-up: Nam Vo | Bride's Jewelry: Borrowed from Bride's mother | Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy | Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss | Groom's Shoes: Calvin Klein | Flowers: Celadon ... Celery | Wedding ... Groom's Cake: Sugar Couture in Brooklyn, New York | DJ: Scott Melker

We really love getting to work at the Gramercy Park Hotel for many reasons: it's gorgeous inside and out, the staff are incredibly nice and the food is delicious.

This is the lobby of the hotel, just a hint of the glamour of a wedding in Gramercy Park.

The hotel seems to pride itself on it's darkly lit hallways, kind of setting the town for the relaxing nature of the rooms which feature great views of the park.

We're a sucker for the artwork and decor in the rooms of the hotel. We could easily do a photo shoot of the rooms alone, they're that inspirational.

In spite of the dark hallways, the rooms are bright and cheery - with large windows streaming in light all morning. Becky had her hair done by the window, with Jeff Chastain doing a vintage Hollywood inspired down-do.

Becky wore a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown - elegant and understated, much like Becky herself.

Becky wore jewelry that was borrowed from her mother, a beautiful and meaningful choice.

She completed her look with Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe pumps.

Becky looked flawless, with her make-up done by Nam Vo.

Becky's bridesmaids were so happy for her smiling with her (and at her) all morning.

Gramercy Park hotel rooms are filled with artwork and art books - one of which was perfect for a shot with Becky and Dave's rings.

Just another piece of artwork hung in the hotel, this piece was in the Rose Bar on the day of Becky ... Dave's wedding but the hotel makes a point of moving the artwork on a regular basis so it always looks just a little bit different.

While Rob was finishing up photographing the ladies, I headed over to Becky ... Dave's apartment where Dave was getting ready with his groomsmen. They were relaxed and joking and toasting Dave for his good luck in finding Becky.

While at the apartment, I got to see Dave's special wedding gift to Becky - a Fender guitar autographed by all the members of Radiohead.

The actual park of Gramercy Park is private - and actually really difficult to get into, even if you are getting married at Gramercy Park Hotel. Dave worked his magic and was able to get an elusive key to park so he and Becky could do their "First Look" there.

And it was a sweet and romantic first look, with Becky and Dave laughing as she could hear Dave walking up behind her.

The very first thing Dave did was pull Becky in for a big hug - he couldn't wait to hold her.

Becky looked absolutely stunning. This is the type of picture their grandchildren will cherish.

Like we've said before, it's hard to guess when the leaves are going to change in NYC but Becky and Dave lucked out and seemed to hit the peak of the fall colors.

This just might be one of my favorites from their day. I could easily see this hanging up in the apartment.

Ok, maybe this one is my favorite. (Disclaimer: I definitely have a lot of favorites in this post!)

Becky's all-white bouquet and Dave's boutonniere where made by Celadon ... Celery.

Before we headed back inside, Becky and Dave's bridal party came and joined us on the street. They looked fantastic, especially the ladies in their bridesmaids gowns by Dessy.

The Rose Bar just happens to be one of the most popular night spots in the city and is pretty hard to get into on your average Saturday night. Becky and Dave got to have it all to themselves.

Before the ceremony, we stopped at Becky's hotel room for her to do some finishing touches on her make-up. We happen to love the hotel rooms and jumped at the chance to photograph Becky and Dave together inside the room. I'd have to say it was totally worth it - this is my absolute favorite shot of the day.

We pride ourselves on blending into the background once we're done with the formal photos of the day (bride ... groom portraits and family photos). In doing so, we get to capture some really special moments when the bride and groom don't even realize we are there. This is one of those moments. It's a quiet moment between Becky and Dave - he is putting on the sash that matches her gown.

Becky and Dave's ceremony and reception took place on the top floor of the Gramercy Park Hotel. The floor was originally the private apartment of the hotel's architect and still has the distinct feeling of being someone's home which made it that much more special as a reception venue. At every wedding we've been to at the hotel, we always see a group of people hanging out in this room, just like they're at someone's home.

The sun was starting to set as the ceremony began, with the lights strung on the ceiling providing romantic atmosphere for the ceremony.

Before heading down the aisle, Becky did one final check in the mirror as she put on her veil.

Becky was escorted down the aisle by her father while the song "All I Need" by Radiohead played.

It was a romantic ceremony, with plenty of personal touches and laughs for Becky ... Dave.

Becky's mother looked on with pride as she watched Becky and Dave exchange their vows.

It was a mixed faith ceremony, ended with the Jewish tradition of stomping on the glass which was greeted with cheers from all their guests. They then walked down the aisle to "Do You Realize?" by the Flaming Lips.

One of the best features of the Gramercy Park reception area is the room which features a ceiling of lightbulbs (an original feature put in by the architect of the building).

While the guests were ushered into another room for the cocktail hour, the staff of the hotel (and the ladies from Celadon ... Celery) transformed the room.

I loved Becky ... Dave's centerpieces done by Celadon ... Celery, the bright beautiful blooms in the mercury glasses really set the tone for the reception.

Becky had a unique idea in place of the traditional place cards - she listed the table numbers on antique mirrors. Her simple white-on-white cake was made by Sugar Couture.

Sugar Couture outdid themselves with Becky and Dave's cakes. The wedding cake was simple and elegant, picking up touches from Becky's Monique Lhuillier gown. The groom's cake was a surprise for Dave and inspired by his love of travel.

The hotel installed a new bar in the reception area - a dramatic piece that really encourages guests to spend a lot of time on (or near) the dance floor).

It's clear that Becky and Dave love music and they made thoughtful choices with each song. For their first dance, they choose "Something" by the Beatles.

Becky and Dave chose to do a private cake-cutting, inviting over only their parents to watch the moment.

Becky and Dave had many people get up and toast them - each offering up sweet antidotes and memories of the happy couple.

Becky's Dad had many reasons to be proud of his daughter - not only did she find an amazing husband but she also followed in her father's footsteps (literally) since he is a marathon runner as well.

Dave's mother was beaming with happiness. She was so glad that Dave found such an amazing woman to be his wife.

Becky ... Dave, thank you so much for choosing us to capture your incredible day. We had a wonderful time with you, your family and your friends. We wish you nothing but happiness!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=381 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=381 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:45:00 GMT
It started all the way back in the ninth grade, in band rehearsal of all places. Two fourteen year-old trombone players and one single gesture that would spark a will-they-or-won't-they romance that spanned more than a decade. Joel reached over and fixed the collar of Kim's shirt. And in that single moment, Joel set himself in Kim's heart. A huge fan of all things neat and organized, Kim knew that she had found a kindred spirit in Joel. It's no surprise that they became close friends throughout the rest of middle school. What may have surprised them was the feelings they would start to feel over time. The inkling that maybe there was the potential for something more between them, something more than friendship.

While they may have been unsure of how they felt, it was pretty obvious to those closest to them. Although Kim may not have said it out loud, her family could tell exactly how she felt about Joel. Her feelings are always written all over her face. And if Joel's parents were unsure of how he felt about Kim, they found all the proof they needed when they moved furniture in his bedroom and found the name "Kim" carved into the back of his desk.

The middle school friendship created a deep foundation and a connection neither of them could deny as they grew older. Several times they each came to the conclusion that they wanted to see if there was something more between them. It just always seem to happen at opposite times. She would be ready, and he wouldn't. Then he would be ready when she wasn't. The timing was never right... until the one day it finally was.

It was a day with another simple gesture. Joel picked Kim up from the airport. In that single moment, Kim finally could see this was the perfect time to see what else there was between them and Joel knew that he didn't want to let even one more week go by without taking Kim out on a proper first date. A trip to the comic book store, he decided. It would be romantic, he said. I like to think that's because comic books remind him of when he was fourteen years old back at band rehearsal when he reached over a fixed a pretty girl's collar and found his best friend.

* * *
Wedding Gown: Reem Acra | Dress Shop: Mariella Creations in Rocky Hill, Connecticut | Shoes: Nina | Hair: Angela Dubreuil from Naomi Studio and Salon in West Hartford, Connecticut | Make-up: Christina Balay from Naomi Studio and Salon in West Hartford, Connecticut | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Flowers: Carol Albert of Buds in Bloom in West Hartford, Connecticut | Ceremony ... Reception Location: Beth El Synagogue in West Hartford, Connecticut | Caterer: Catering by Shuman | Band: Bock and Blu

* Special thanks to Brian Henderson of 47 Moments who assisted us at this wedding. *

Kim selected elegant earrings to compliment her Reem Acra wedding gown.

To complete the look, Kim chose classic Nina pumps.

Kim's make-up was done by Christina Balay from Naomi Studio and Salon.

Rob took advantage of the basement location where Kim was having her make-up done to get this unique shot.

Kim got ready at her grandparent's house in West Hartford. She decided to go there because she had fond childhood memories from there and because she thought her grandparent's decor would make for some fun photos. We agreed.

This is Kim's mother's childhood bedroom, meticulously maintained for decades. Kim loved the wallpaper and decided that would be the perfect place to put on her dress with her mother and grandmother zippering her into it.

I love this shot, you can see how happy Kim is without even seeing all of her face. She's glowing.

Kim's bouquet was gorgeous and unique - a spotted orchid bouquet made by Carol Albert of Buds in Bloom.

A few more of the great details from Kim's grandparent's house. I love that clock.

The bathroom had another wallpaper that Kim loved. She decided to put her earrings on there.

In Kim's mother's bedroom is a window seat where we knew we had to take some shots of Kim.

Kim put on her cathedral length veil so it could drag behind her as she went down the stairs and her grandfather saw her for the first time in her wedding gown.

Kim's grandmother requested that we re-create a shot that was taken at Kim's mother's wedding. We were happy to.

It was a chilly day, but Kim wasn't afraid to brave the cold.

We did Kim and Joel's first look right in her grandparent's backyard.

This was Kim's expression as she walked up to meet Joel. She was incredibly excited.

And Joel was just as excited as soon he turned around and saw Kim.

If you ever wanted to see one image the pretty much sums up Kim and Joel, I think it would be this one. They laugh pretty much all the time, that's what makes them so much fun to be around.

Joel decided to wear an ivory tuxedo jacket, something we don't see that often but it totally worked for him.

As a wedding gift, Kim got Joel special cuff links, a nod to one of his favorite things - comic books.

Kim's bridesmaids wore blue one-shoulder gowns from David's Bridal.

Just down the street from Kim's grandparent's house is this cliff with a gorgeous view of Hartford.

Kim and Joel's group of friends were extremely excited for them, probably because so many of them know just how long Kim ... Joel have been crazy about one another.

We headed over to the Beth El Synagogue where the ceremony and reception took place. The events started off with the Ketubah signing.

Then Joel placed the veil over Kim's face. It would be lifted again when he kissed her after the ceremony was over and they were officially husband and wife.

The Beth El Synagogue has a dramatic temple where the ceremony took place. We loved the architecture.

Joel was escorted down the aisle by both of his parents.

Kim was walked down the aisle by her mother.

Kim and Joel's chuppah was adorned with spotted orchids.

Rob was able to get this angle of the ceremony, capturing the expressions on Kim and Joel's faces....

...while I was in the aisle getting this view.

Another one of my favorites, probably because it's another one that shows just how happy Kim was that day.

When we all walked into the temple, we gasped at how dramatic the space was. Of course we had to take advantage of it.

After Joel stomped on the glass at the end of the ceremony, he grasped Kim's hand, held it up and cheered.

Then it was time for the big kiss as husband and wife...

...and their first walk down the aisle arm in arm.

Kim had a very clear vision of what she wanted for the reception, using the blue uplighting to create a stunning winter fairyland look.

The room was topped off with the large orchid centerpieces.

They tied in more orchids into the cake decoration as well.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by Bock and Blu.

Ok, maybe another favorite.

Kim wore her cathedral length veil during the first dance, holding it in her arms as took Joel's hand for their dance.

Then it was time for our favorite event of any Jewish wedding - the hora!

One of our favorite moments from their day, the very end of the hora when everyone gathered around them and Joel pulled Kim in for a big kiss.

Kim's grandfather had the honor of cutting the challah and offering up the first toast for Kim and Joel.

Then it was time for Kim's mother and Joel's father to toast the happy couple.

Finally, Kim's maid of honor and Joel's best man toasted them as well.

After dinner, Joel escorted her grandfather out to the dance floor for a special dance.

Then Joel danced with his mother.

And finally, Kim and Joel had a song dedicated to her grandparents.

Kim ... Joel, thank you so much for choosing us to capture your day. It has been so much fun getting to know you both, we're so happy for you!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=380 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=380 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:54:00 GMT
There are some statements that people say to you so often that you start to roll your eyes when you've heard it for the thousandth time. Having a baby changes everything. As I got further along in my pregnancy we must have heard that close to once a day. That's not even much of an exaggeration. I get it, I thought. Why does everyone feel the need to say this to me? Of course I know it changes your life.. By time 999, I had to restrain myself from openly rolling my eyes.

The irony, of course, is that more often than not these are the statements that ring truer than any other later on. From the moment I heard his cry and held Malachy in my arms for the first time I couldn't help but think to myself - this changes everything. One look in Rob's eyes and I knew he felt the exact same way.

All of a sudden we went from relatively cool New Yorkers (well, as cool as two photo-nerds can be, I suppose) to freaked out first-time parents. All of the plans we had made were now called into question. Would that be good enough for Malachy? Would he be happy? Safe? Have the best life possible?

During those first days home while we stared at the beautiful, tiny little life we were responsible for, we couldn't help but start to really analyze our life and figure out exactly what we wanted… for him. Because it wasn't only about us anymore. It was about the life we wanted for him, the life we wanted to live while raising him, the life we dreamed for him.

While we have absolutely loved living in the city and had originally planned on staying here for at least the first few years of Malachy's life, we couldn't help but think about the life we each had lived growing up. Rob and I both grew up in the suburbs (he in Naugatuck, Connecticut, me in Monmouth County, New Jersey). We had yards to run in, streets to ride bikes on and family close enough to see on a relatively frequent basis. We kept coming back to it - that's what we wanted for him. We wanted him to grow up near his cousins, with family cheering him on during soccer games and a backyard with plenty of grass where he could do all the gross little boy stuff he's bound to do. A place where he could learn how to ride his bike on the sidewalk and still be just a short train ride away from this amazing city.

So, us being us, when we've decided it's the right time for something - we go for it. We leapt into action to find the perfect home in which to raise our brand-new family. It took a bit of hunting, but we found it. Close to my family, bringing me back home to the Garden State. We absolutely love the house - it's the perfect home for us with tons of charm and plenty of room for Malachy. (Don't worry, we'll be sharing photos soon and share our journey of renovating and decorating).

We'll still be available for weddings ... events in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey (and beyond). Our business will still be based in New York City with our studio in Midtown Manhattan. We'll just be commuting in rather than walking a block over for work like we've been doing. It's a small price to pay to give our little boy the kind of life we want for him. After all, he really has changed everything.

So to all those people who told us that over the last several months, I apologize for ever even thinking about rolling my eyes. You were right. And I am so happy that you were.

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=379 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=379 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:10:00 GMT
For a twenty-three square mile island, Manhattan can seem like a vast land with a sea of strangers at every turn. It's easy to feel lost among the crowd, eager to make new connections, meet new people and build a community of your own in the city of over a million people. This is especially true when you're living in the city for the very first time, far from home and trying to navigate your own path through one of the biggest "big" cities there is.

Such was the case for Jeremy, in Manhattan from his native Canada on a neurology fellowship. Little did he know that out there in that sea of strangers was Amanda, a girl that couldn't have been more perfect for him if he dreamed her up. They worked in the same field, but she was on the opposite side of the city. He was all the way uptown in Washington Heights while she working as a nurse practitioner downtown and living in Astoria. Without the Internet, they probably would have never found each other.

But as fate would have it, they both happened to try out the very same dating website around the same time - Jeremy looking to meet new people, Amanda eager to finally find "the" person. It didn't take long for them to find each other on the site and soon a first date was planned. It would be the very first date each of them would take from that website. And it would be the very last first date they would ever have.

That night they discovered just how much they had in common. They both worked in health care, had a similar upbringing (he in the Maritimes, she in New England), and the shared understanding that family always comes first. Soon they were running together and going to see independent films. They were even sharing books and making each other laugh harder than anyone ever had before. It was clear to each of them that in this city of over a million people they had somehow found one another. In that sea of strangers they found someone that could make anywhere feel like home.

They eventually went back to the scene of that very first date in the West Village. Jeremy lead Amanda by the hand to the exact place where they had first met. This time, he had one very simple question to ask. And there was only one answer he wanted to hear. In his heart, he knew what she would say.

This summer, Jeremy left New York City to return to Canada and he brought something back with him. Something even better than a completed fellowship. He brought Amanda, his finace.

* * *
Getting Ready Location: Omni Hotel in New Haven, Connecticut | Wedding Gown: Private Label | Dress Shop: Lucielle's Bridal Shop in Orange, Connecticut | Shoes: Nina | Hair ... Make-up: Chameleon Salon in New Haven, Connecticut | First Look Location: Edgerton Park in New Haven, Connecticut | Bridesmaids Dresses: White House Black Market | Flowers: Ashleigh's Garden in Essex, Connecticut | Ceremony ... Reception Location: The Union League Cafe in New Haven, Connecticut


* Special thanks to Jay Fleming of Fleming Portrait Design who second shot this wedding with Rob while Kathleen was on maternity leave. *

Amanda and her girls got ready at the Omni Hotel in New Haven which happens to have a beautiful view of downtown New Haven.

Amanda wore a gorgeous Private Label gown that she had found at Lucielle's Bridal Shop in Orange.

To complete the look, Amanda wore Nina shoes and a classic rose and calla lily bouquet made by Ashleigh's Garden in Essex.

Amanda's glamorous up-do and make-up where done by Chameleon Salon in New Haven.

I just love this shot of Amanda on the left - she looks stunning and so excited to be finally wearing her wedding gown.

Since their ceremony and reception were in the same place and they were getting married after daylight savings ended, we recommended that Amanda and Jeremy do a first look. They decided to go to Edgerton Park in New Haven for their special private moment.

Amanda couldn't help but cry when Jeremy turned around and saw her for the first time that day.

And Jeremy couldn't wait to pull her in close.

A necessity for any first look (and not something you get to do if you don't do one, actually) a spin around so that Jeremy can see all of Amanda's gorgeous dress.

Once they had really savored the moments of seeing each other, we took some time for some straight-forward portraits.

This just might be my favorite from the day - it's so simple and so beautiful.

Amanda dressed up her up-do with a brooch.

Ok, maybe this is my favorite. Amanda is just so happy.

The wedding party joined us in the park. I love the bridesmaid's cranberry dresses from White House Black Market.

As the sun was starting to set, we spent a few more minutes with Amanda and Jeremy before heading over to the The Union League Cafe for the ceremony and reception.

What better way to kick off a ceremony than with a cute flower girl?

Jeremy couldn't stop smiling when he saw Amanda walking down the aisle with her father.

It was an emotional exchange of vows as Amanda and Jeremy held hands and looked into each other's eyes.

This was our first time at The Union League Cafe. We loved the intimate atmosphere, unique setting and absolutely delicious food.

Since friends and family are so important to Amanda and Jeremy, they had a lot of people who offered up toasts in their honor. A tribute to how important they are to their guests.

Amanda and Jeremy's first dance was incredibly romantic....

...especially when you saw the way they were looking at each other.

Then it was Amanda's turn to dance with her father...

...while Jeremy danced with his mother.

Then, of course, a few more toasts...

...and lots of laughs. The shot on the left just might be my favorite. (Ok, I have a lot of favorites).

Finally, Amanda and Jeremy got up to the mic to thank all of their friends and family for traveling from near and far to celebrate with them both.

Amanda ... Jeremy, thank you so much for choosing us to capture your beautiful day. We're so glad you found each other.

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=377 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=377 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:00:00 GMT
Rob is a showman. He strives in front of an audience, feeds off their energy, eager to get someone to laugh or crack a smile. As comfortable on a stage as most people are on the couch, Rob isn't afraid to dabble in stand-up or sing with a band. He's a wonder to watch, not just because he's good but also because you can't help but smile while you're watching. There's something truly special about seeing a person do what they love. It makes you happy too. But there's one person that Rob loves to see smile the most. One smile that he would do just about anything to see. He'd stand on his head if he had to, just to get Gayle to bring out that pretty little smirk that he can't get enough off.

So on their wedding day, with a crowd of pretty much every one they know gathered together in one place, you know that Rob was in his element. He was cracking jokes as he walked up to the front of the aisle before the ceremony, shaking hands, patting backs - making sure that everyone was just as happy as he was that day. He even took the stage with the band during the reception and preformed a song. All of the guests went wild of course, thrilled to see Rob doing what he does best. While he heard all the applause and cheers, there was one thing Rob was focused on throughout the day. The one thing that is the reason he does pretty much everything - that pretty smile. And it was out in full force that day. In fact, it was like Gayle's face had permanently frozen into a smile that day. And it's a pretty safe bet that it won't be changing anytime soon. After all, Rob is going to do whatever he can to keep it that way. Even if he has to put on a show. (Not that he'd mind, of course.)

* * *
Wedding Gown: Modern Trousseau | Dress Shop: The White Dress by the Shore | Shoes: Kate Spade | Hair ... Make-up: Naomi Martinez Salon | Flowers: Flowers on the Green | Ceremony Location: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills | Wedding Cake: Kim's Cottage Confections | Reception Location: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills | Entertainment: Fake ID

* Special thanks to Robin Dini who second shot this wedding with Rob while Kathleen was on maternity leave. *

Every wedding post should start off with a cute pair of shoes - especially when they happen to be Kate Spade.

Gayle grew up in Guilford, so she didn't have to go very far to find her dream wedding dress. She found her gorgeous Modern Trousseau gown right at the fabulous dress shop, The White Dress by the Shore in Clinton.

Of course, a beautiful gown deserves some equally beautiful accessories.

Gayle naturally has that beautiful "girl next door" look which was amplified and glam-ed up by the team at Naomi Martinez Salon of West Hartford.

She looked absolutely stunning. Based on that smile, she thought so too.

Once hair and make-up were complete it was time for Gayle to put on her Modern Trousseau gown, with help from her mother.

And finally, the finishing touches.

Robert looked pretty handsome himself, of course. I absolutely loved his grey suit and paisley tie combination.

All of the beautiful flowers of the day were made by Flowers on the Green in Guilford.

Gayle and Robert had their ceremony and reception at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills where the grounds provided a beautiful backdrop for their "first look."

We usually suggest a "first look" for couples when their ceremony and reception are in the same place. It gives them the chance to join their guests for cocktail hour (which usually immediately follows the ceremony) and makes the day that much longer and more relaxed.

Plus a first look never takes away from the emotion of the day - we promise. Just look at that reaction on Rob's face when he saw Gayle for the first time.

And it brought Gayle to tears. Who can blame her?

As always, we took some time to get some relaxed portraits of Gayle ... Robert, perfect for framing!

The Barns is always beautiful but we almost always luck out and get to be there right in the peak of the fall foliage. The leaves on the ground and the trees just scream "Fall in New England." It's super romantic.

All day we never had to tell Gayle ... Robert to smile - they would make each other do that on their own.

Before the ceremony began, we were joined by the bridal party for some shots.

Then it was time for the ceremony, on the grounds of the The Barns at Wesleyan Hills with the water and the weeping willows in the distance.

You see what we mean? Robert's smile was just as big when he saw Gayle walk down the aisle as it was during the first look.

And Gayle couldn't help but smile herself as they said their vows.

I loved Gayle's sash - it was the perfect compliment to her gown.

This shot really kind of sums up Gayle and Robert for us - just look at how happy he is and how sweetly content she is.

Gayle went all out with the decorations - taking the simple barn and making it look absolutely magical.

The delicious wedding cake was made by Kim's Cottage Confections .

I'm always a fan when couples bring a bit of nature into their centerpieces, Gayle and Robert's pinecone touches were whimsical and unexpected.

The Mr ... Mrs. pendants were set on Gayle ... Robert's chairs.

The reception kicked off with a grand entrance by Gayle ... Robert.

Followed by a very romantic first dance.

And, of course, a big finale to their first dance. You wouldn't expect any less from Robert!

Gayle ... Robert danced with their parents immediately following their dance, which gave them more time for dancing after dinner.

True to his showman ways, Robert got up to sing with the band, Fake ID, serenading Gayle with Huey Lewis's "Power of Love."

A little known fact about us: we love the faces couples make during cake cutting. There is almost always a great reaction shot to be had.

Gayle ... Robert, thank you for choosing us to capture your day! We really enjoyed getting to know you both and couldn't be happier for you! Enjoy your first married Christmas together!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=378 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=378 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:10:00 GMT
As marathon runners, Carrie and Randy aren't afraid of taking the long way to get somewhere. They know full well that patience is rewarded when something is really worth it, whether it be with the satisfaction of winning a race or the joy in finding the person you were meant to with with. It has been a fourteen year journey for Carrie and Randy, one that took them from high school in Pennsylvania to attending colleges 150 miles apart and ultimately brought them together in the greatest city in the world.

They met as students attending the same high school. They had a similar group of friends and would run into one anther at concerts and parties throughout Randy's senior year. They became closer while competing together on the track team. While they didn't date in high school, they did manage to make an impression on one another - even taking a picture together at the senior prom even though they were different dates. (A picture that they now have on display in their apartment - a treasured momento that reminds them just how far they have come together over their years.)

Flash forward seven years later, Carrie and Randy had each graduated college and somehow both ended up living in New York City, delighted to find one another again. Randy had been living in NYC for a year already when Carrie arrived so, ever the gentleman, he graciously took Carrie under his wing and showed her around town. Suddenly their friendship was different. While it may have taken them seven years to discover that there was something more to the connection they shared, once they did it took them no time at all to plan that very first date. It was as though they were destined to find each other once again, like their paths were meant to cross and ultimately blend into one. Suddenly all those years in between seemed like the training they needed to prepare them for the ultimate marathon life has to offer - a lifetime together as husband and wife.

Central Park happens to be a special location to Carrie ... Randy - it's where he proposed and a place they have come to train for marathons.

We are a huge fan of the benches in the Mall section of the park. Something about them says classic NYC to us.

Like this, probably my favorite shot from the session - looks like a movie poster for one of the many romantic comedies set in the city.

It's difficult to judge when full autumn color will be in effect in the city but Carrie and Randy lucked out, planning their session at the height of the foliage.

There was incredible light streaming through the trees during their session.

A lot of couples tell us that they're nervous about having pictures taken but we always stress that our goal is to capture the connection between the couple. This picture of Carrie and Randy does just that.

Another one of our favorite spots in the park - the Bethesda Terrace. There's such a romantic vibe under there, especially when there are musicians playing.

Engagement session must-have shot: a solid portrait. Maybe Carrie ... Randy can hang this in their apartment next to their shot from the prom.

And this one? Perfect for Mom ... Dad's mantle.

We usually suggest that couples to have a change of clothes for their session - to have a casual outfit and a dressy one. It gives some great variety for the photos.

Carrie ... Randy, thanks so much for a wonderful afternoon in the park! We hope all the wedding planning is going well, the big day will be here before you know it!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=375 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=375 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:16:00 GMT
Genevra is not the kind of girl that likes a big fuss to be made over her. She would much prefer a low key night at home than any kind of fancy event, let alone one that would involve her being the center of attention. Like so many brides, she couldn't help but be concerned about how she would feel with so many people's eyes on her as she walked down the aisle. The dramatic moment when she would appear at the back of the aisle and everyone's heads would turn to watch her with so much anticipation. It's enough to stress someone out just as much as planning the wedding itself.

But on the day of the wedding a funny thing happened. Somehow, walking down the aisle Genevra didn't even notice the crowd gathered for the ceremony. Not even for a second. Her eyes were focused on one thing. As everyone looked back to watch her walk to him, Genevra stared straight ahead, her eyes set upon the one thing she knew would get her through this moment - those sweet blue eyes that made her heart beat just a bit faster. When those eyes met hers, they locked in a gaze that seemed to promise just as much as the vows that would be spoken in just a few minutes. I will be here for you always, they seemed to say. And that's all she needed. From that moment on, she didn't mind the eyes on her. Because anytime they were, she would feel his hand on hers or his arm around her back and she'd know that some moments are worth the big fuss. Especially when you have something so special to celebrate.

* * *
Wedding Gown: Romona Keveza | Dress Shop: The Plumed Serpent | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Hair ... Make-up: Pirri International | Flowers: Diane Gaudett | Ceremony Location: The Inn at Longshore | Wedding Cake: DiMare Pastry Shop | Reception Location: The Inn at Longshore | Pies: Silverman's Farm | Entertainment: Heartbeat Dance Band

* Special thanks to Jay Fleming who second shot this wedding with Rob while Kathleen was just about to give birth. *

The grounds at the The Inn at Longshore are always beautiful, but we particularly like being their in the fall. The colors pop against the bright blue October sky.

As you can see from her details and beautiful Stuart Weitzman shoes, Generva has a classic understated style.

As evidenced further by her elegant Romona Keveza gown.

We were very excited when Genevra told us that Diane Gaudett would be doing their flowers. She does amazing work.

Check out that sunflower arch, another creation from Diane Gaudett.

Genevra's wide smile appeared the minute she heard the music when it came time to walk down the aisle.

Her eyes were locked on Mike the minute her shoes hit the grass.

The overcast sky added to the romantic feel of the wedding ceremony, just steps from the water.

We always make sure to take an overall ceremony shot at every wedding - it's a great way to really encompass the moment, get to see all the guests and (especially in this case), see the beautiful surroundings.

Genevra's parents looked on as she and Michael exchanged their vows.

It's always fascinating to see that the world seems to go on even during these amazing moments - like the boats just sailing along in the background, their owners completely unaware of the ceremony taking place.

Michael has a way of making Genevra smile...

and she does the same for him.

Big smiles as they go in for the kiss...

and there it is - first official kiss as husband and wife!

I love the look on Michael's face in this one - he is just so happy.

We happened to know Genevra's maid of honor from our days back at Sacred Heart University.

A little more of the beautiful handy-work from Diane Gaudett.

How amazing does Genevra look? You can see why Michael had a giant smile the moment he saw her.

And, of course, Michael looks pretty handsome as well.

Probably one of our favorite shots from the day. Such a great way to really take in just how beautiful it was.

I'm a big fan of branches for centerpieces, especially for Fall weddings - they're a great way to incorporate nature and give just a touch of dramatic flair.

The beautiful wedding cake courtesy of DiMare Pastry Shop.

Another bonus of branch centerpieces - they offer the ability to hang candles off them.

Waiting for their first official introduction as husband and wife.

Followed by a very happy first dance...

...ending with a dramatic dip.

There were many toasts - lots of sweet messages and quite a few laughs.

The party really kicked off when Heartbeat Dance Band took to the stage.

Genevra ... Mike wanted to bring a touch of fall to the dessert table as well and decided to have a variety of pies from Silverman's Farm for their guests.

Genevra ... Mike thank you so much for choosing us to capture your day. We hope you had an amazing time on your Italian honeymoon!

]]> http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=374 http://www.robertandkathleen.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=374 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:51:00 GMT
Melissa had no intention of going out that night. It had been a rough couple of weeks to say the least, and she was in no mood to be around a crowd of people. Her grandmother had just recently passed away and all Melissa wanted to do was be at home. But a friend called and encouraged her to get out of the house. Melissa reluctantly agreed. She would meet the man that would become her husband that night and have no clue that she did.

Nick spotted Melissa in that crowded bar pretty quickly. He was happy to discover that she was friends with one of his friends, giving him the opportunity to go over and try to spark up a conversation. But Melissa wasn't really up for talking that night. In fact, she barely talked to Nick at all that night but she still managed to make quite an impression on him.

Eager to find her again, Nick took to social media to track her down. He friend requested her and mentioned how much he enjoyed meeting her. It took her some time to remember who he was and when she did she thought back about that night. She thought about her grandmother, who had been on her mind that whole evening. And she couldn't stop thinking about something her grandmother had said to her before she passed away. She had told Melissa that she knew she wouldn't be single for very much longer, that she would meet someone special soon. Little did Melissa know that on that night in that crowded bar with her mind very much somewhere else, she had met that very special someone. So I guess Melissa has two people to thank for helping her friend Nick. That persistent friend who encouraging her to go out that night, and her grandmother - who Melissa couldn't help but feel had somehow put the whole thing into motion. Maybe sometimes fate gets a little help from above.

It pretty much doesn't get more classic NYC than Central Park in the fall. Melissa and Nick decided to start off their session in the park. It's a popular spot for engagement sessions and it's easy to se why - it's gorgeous.

Even though it was a unseasonably warm day, we lucked out in that the park wasn't too crowded so we were able to spend a lot of time in one of our favorite spots, the Bethesda Terrace.

The terrace area is beautiful and meticulously maintained, quite often when we go there they are working on one section of the tile ceiling to keep it looking its best.

We have to admit that we have a soft spot for this section of the park, it happens to be where we did our own engagement session over five years ago.

Nick and Melissa are quite obviously very good looking individually, but when you put them together and see how they make each other smile it takes it to a whole other level.

We had actually never met Nick and Melissa before their session so we really enjoyed walking around the park getting to know them. Melissa has the kind of bubbly personality that you feel like you've known her forever, even after talking for just a few minutes.

In the middle of a usually very crowded section of the park is this bandstand area that is empty during the day. It's one of our other favorite spots in the park (ok, maybe we have a lot of favorite spots!).

We have a lot of couples asking to do sessions in the fall in NYC to take advantage of the leaves. We always recommending waiting until November, which usually sounds pretty late to most people since in areas outside of the city the leaves are probably all on the ground by then. Not so in NYC, the leaves change later here but when they do, it's amazing.

Not sure why, but this one totally feels like a poster for a romantic comedy. Starring Nick ... Melissa, obviously.

Once we finished up in the park Nick ... Melissa had a quick outfit change and we headed over to the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a special place for the two of them because it happens to be where Nick proposed.

There is a certain bright blue sky you can only find on the perfect kind of fall days. Nick and Melissa just happened to have one of those days for their session, check out that bright blue sky.

Easily our favorite shot from the day. Love everything about it.

And, of course, no session is complete without a mantle-worthy shot for Mom ... Dad.

And runner-up for our favorite shot of the day. The shadows are unbelievable.

Nick ... Melissa, thank you so much for an amazing afternoon! We really enjoyed getting to know you both!!

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