Chloe says, “Hey, did you hear? My little sister Layne will be here in October? I can’t wait!”

Yo, sometimes grooms be crazy. Ha ha. This is Brad taking a moment to be silly as he walks to the altar at The Century Houseto marry Heather recently. Needless to say, he is a funny guy. I had a blast documenting the day for him and Heather. And I finally got to work with Vinny Vin of nonstopmusic. He was a perfect fit for this fun couple.

One last teaser from Kate and Nick’s Saturday wedding. I love a little sunset love:

Thanks to my friends Katie O’ Weddings & Events, Ambiance Florals & Events, Make Me Fabulous, Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, Tuxego and Total Events, LLC for helping to make the day wonderful.

I think the recessional is one of the happiest, most authentic wedding day moments. After all, almost all the hard work is done and the marriage is finally official. Here, Kate and Nick beam with happiness after getting married on Saturday at St. Pius X Church. They look beautiful!

Thanks to the other wedding professionals who helped to make the day awesome, including Katie O’ Weddings & Events, Ambiance Florals & Events, Make Me Fabulous, Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, Tuxego, Total Events, LLC andWolferts Roost Country Club.

Congrats to Kate and Nick, who got married today at St. Pius X Church and had their reception at Wolferts Roost Country Club! What a beautiful day! I wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together. I had the pleasure of working with Katie O’ Weddings & Events, Ambiance Florals & Events, Make Me Fabulous, Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, Tuxego and Total Events, LLC.

Photography is certainly a job to me. I pay my bills with it, and I do photography-related tasks much more than 40 hours per week. However, it is one of the handful of things in this world that I am in love with.

Off the top of my head, here’s why:

1. Photography grabbed me by the shoulders a dozen years ago, shook me, and practically said, “This is what you are supposed to be doing with your life.” From the moment I began making pictures, it was what I was most passionate about. And I still feel that way.
2. I am a lifelong storyteller (before picking up a camera, I worked as a newspaper writer and I have published several books), and making pictures is the most gratifying form of storytelling I’ve ever been involved in. Whether I’m trying to visually make sense of the chaos of a bride getting ready or I’m illustrating a couple’s relationship, it is an absolute honor. And it fills me with happiness.
3. No two days are the same. Every couple is different, and I take pleasure in trying to make photos that capture the essence of them. I also, from time to time, end up in the dressing rooms of rock stars or with a beautiful model in my viewfinder. Unique opportunities abound.
4. I make a living as an artist. Sure, there are parts of my job that I do “for the money.” But even with the gigs that are somewhat mundane, I find moments to make an image or two that moves me. And my portrait work, which is what I live for, is all art to me. My portraits are often a direct result of my vision, of how I see the world, and of what I like to look at.
5. There does not appear to be any end to the learning process with photography. I am a dozen years into my career, and I am still learning new things on a daily basis. I regularly tweak the way I make pictures, and I challenge myself to get better on every shoot. New challenges and learning opportunities are a great recipe for keeping boredom at bay.
6. I’ve had some jobs that allowed me to make a small difference in the world (i.e., I was a PR person for Special Olympics New York and the American Heart Association), but I don’t think I’ve ever been in a position to make people happy each day. Now, every time I help a client feel attractive, each time I make a photo that visibly shows the love between people, I can see their joy. I know that what I’ve done has affected them in a positive way. I love that.
7. Finally, the fact that I make a decent living with a camera (and lenses and flashes and radio transmitters and backdrops and … well, you get the idea) is proof to me that dreams are worth pursuing. When I first started chasing this idea of being a professional photographer, I heard from some people that it wasn’t a good idea. “You can’t make a living doing that. Just do it as a hobby.” I hope my modest success inspires someone else to go after what they want in life. It will be worth it.

Let’s start at the very end of a recent engagement session. Here’s the last shot of the evening with Chelsea and John:

These pictures make me happy.  Thanks to Kristen Renee Photography for assisting.

Yeah, it was cold and windy outside in Schenectady this morning. So what?!?! I didn’t want all of Stephanie and Ray’s engagement photos to look chilly — I wanted some of their images to have a warm and romantic mood.

Mission accomplished!  I can’t for their Mazzone Hospitality (Glen Sanders Mansion) wedding!

JFP wedding clients currently each receive a complimentary pack of 25 greeting cards (folded 5- x 7-inch cards), as my way of saying thank you for hiring me to document your wedding day. I love providing my clients with a gift. It’s always fun to give people a little something extra. Here’s the front of Heather and Brad’s card:

This is probably the funniest natural moment I’ve ever seen at a wedding! (Thanks to Mary Ellen Schwarz of ellen jude : paper + ink for designing my save-the-date and thank you cards! She designed my cards to match the feel of www.JeffFoley.com, and I would highly recommend her services.)

Here’s another teaser from Heather and Brad’s recent wedding at The Century House. This photo was made during their first dance (they were joined on the floor by the bridal party as DJ Vinny Vin of nonstopmusicspun music).

I adore genuine moments like this. Sometimes a quiet, calm image can speak volumes to me. A new bride embracing her husband, her rings glowing … It’s a sweet moment.