So what if I got pooped on by a bird (or a pterodactyl, judging by the pure volume and force of said poop) during tonight’s engagement shoot with Laura and Kevin? It didn’t stop me from getting this shot, which I love. Such nice post-storm light, and such a fun couple.

We basically wandered the streets of Schenectady, New York, for this shoot, working mostly in the Jay St. area.

Thanks for a fun shoot, guys! More pics to come …

The Borrowed and Bleu blog published Amanda and Mike’s recent engagement session today. You can view the post here.

Check out this new studio sample (of one of my favorite images)! This a 16.5- x 23.5-inch acrylic print. I’ve set it on an easel and used a clip-on lamp to back light it. I think I might be in love.

Deep (and random) thoughts with Jeff Foley …

1. Welcome to Ashley and Justin, the newest 2013 JFP wedding clients. And thank you to 2012 wedding client Amy Carhide for referring me! (Amy gets a free 16- x 20-inch print for the referral.)
2. I loved when, at this weekend’s wedding, a guest said that Alan (my assistant) and I looked like members of the Beastie Boys! We were rocking black and gray outfits with skinny ties. Needless to say, that comment made me feel hip for a moment.

 

I met Caitlin and Terry at Mt. Mohonk in New Paltz, New York, for the engagement session, and we hiked 1.5 miles (or so) to the Mohonk Mountain House (a Victorian Castle built in 1869, the Mohonk Mountain House is now a 266-room hotel) for some photos. We stopped along the way to make pictures (and so I could catch my breath, too — hiking is ridiculously hard when you’re carrying camera and lighting gear!). You can see the Mohonk Mountain House in the background of the picture above.

Once we got the Mohonk Mountain House, we toured the grounds, making pictures as we went:

Some of my favorite pictures of the day were made with Lake Mohonk serving as the backdrop:

It was then time to head back. We made several more photo stops:

I can’t wait for your wedding, Caitlin and Terry!

Katie, Dean and I had a lovely evening for their engagement session at Washington Park in Albany, New York. It was warm but not hot. And it was overcast, which meant that no one had to squint, etc.

I love pictures like the one above, where Katie’s eyes are on display, but I’ve been challenging myself to shoot a little wider lately, to include more of the scene. This is leading to pictures like these:

Halfway through our walk through the park, we found a somewhat secluded picnic table and we stopped to make some pictures:

We closed out the park section of our shoot with a view of the Washington Park pond:

We then swapped out the park for the city:

I even took over a stoop so that I could shoot from a higher angle:

Thanks for a great shoot, guys! Can’t wait for your wedding!

Here’s how the first part of my day went down:

1. I woke up way too early and stumbled to the car in grungy clothes.
2. I hit Dunkin’ Donuts up for coffee and a bagel and drove almost two hours to a small mountain for an engagement session. (Does ESPN radio talk about anything other than “Bounty-gate”?)
3. I climbed said mountain and made some beautiful pictures. I would have thought running several times a week would have meant I was in decent shape. Not so much. I could have used a sherpa and an AED.
4. Oh, and who can forget?, I fell in a mud puddle. At about one mile an hour. I actually let go of the branch I was holding on to so I could fall. Jack ass. I then cursed and gave thanks for being smart enough to wear grungy clothes. And we all laughed at how muddy I was.
5. 5. I drove home, tracked mud through the house, snuggled with one of my dogs and napped for two hours.

My days are always interesting.

Augie and Jim met 17 years ago to the day (5-6-02). I had the privilege of documenting their wedding day on 5-6-12. It was a wonderful experience. First of all, Augie and Jim are warm, funny and caring people. Secondly, they were surrounded all day by friends and family members who share those same traits.

I started the day at Augie and Jim’s house, where they got ready together:

After that, we headed to the New York State Education Building (in downtown Albany) for a quick portrait session. I had to risk my life by playing in traffic for the following shot, but it was totally worth it:

The ceremony (and reception) took place at the fabulous Glen Sanders Mansion (in Scotia).

After the ceremony, we made portraits with family and friends:

There is so much more from this wedding, which was simply a delight to be a part of … Please check back!

 

I love documenting the getting ready process on a wedding day. There is so much energy and excitement in the air. It’s a great time to be a fly on the wall. My job during the getting ready process is simply to look for and photograph the moments leading up to one of the biggest moments in a bride’s life. My job rocks! (For Shannon and Devin’s wedding, the getting ready process took place at The Comfort Inn & Suites in East Greenbush, New York.)

The first time a woman sees herself in a wedding dress on the big day is always fun:

I also wander around during the getting ready process, looking for things that speak to the significance of the day:

And, when time allows, I make bride portraits before the ceremony, too (wow, how beautiful is Shannon?):

I love the moment above, lit with nothing more than window light. Sometimes it’s best to just take what Mother Nature is giving.

Here’s Shannon with her maid-of-honor, Kayla:

Finally, as the time for the ceremony draws near, I head to the church (St. Joseph’s Church in Troy, N.Y., in this case). Here’s Devin as Ryan, his brother and best man, adjusts his suspenders about 15 minutes before the ceremony:

And then it’s time:

After the ceremony, it’s time for my favorite part of the day, the portrait session. Here’s a funny one of the bridal party:

I love these pics of Shannon and Devin:

For this next picture, I asked Devin to kiss Shannon, and I asked Shannon not to make it easy. She took me quite seriously (while still being silly) and we got a little glimpse at her spunkiness:

Shannon and Devin’s reception took place at Birch Hill (Castleton-on-Hudson), which has a beautiful ballroom:

Here’s a precious moment from the father-daughter dance, with Shannon wiping Jim’s tears away (so sweet):

Congratulations, Shannon and Devin! Thank you for choosing JFP to document your wedding day!