2012 Pick - 'The Knot Best of Weddings'

Because of all of my fabulous clients, Show and Tell was chosen by Long Island, New York brides as 

'The Knot's 2012 Best Of Weddings' for wedding photography.

What does that mean exactly?

Show and Tell Photography was in the top 5% of bridal reviews, receiving 5 stars across the board!  

In such a competitive market, the reviews of brides (and their family and guests)
means the world to me. 

I realize that life is busy, so I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to submit your kind words.
Word of mouth and your reviews have made my business what it is today.
To view the testimonials or to leave one yourself, click HERE!

***

Below is a five minute slideshow of some of the 2011 wedding memories
I have been fortunate enough to witness, and that have touched my life.
'Thank you' doesn't even begin to express my gratitude to the couples that let me into their
lives and families to document such a beautiful milestone.

-continued below-

This is an exciting year, and I have a ton in store for my clients, readers and Show and Tell.

Be sure to keep up on the blog for some big announcements that are set to debut in March!

p.s.

There will be another round of slideshows from the portrait and engagement sessions from 2011 as well, so check back soon!

To be notified when I post them, just click the tab 'follow' up at the top of this page.

I would love for you to join me on a stroll down memory lane...

p.p.s

Before you go, leave your thoughts below.

Chris + Danielle - Vineyard Caterers Winter Wedding

It was a last minute decision. A gut feeling. 

You see, I had taken the month of January off to just relax, recharge and rejuvenate.
But what began with 'tell me more' - turned into me saying 'yes' to photographing their big day.

I asked her one question knowing that her answer would decide the fate of whether or not my month off would be postponed: 

'If it snows would you be game to play in it?'

When they told me they were actually hoping for some snow and bought boots in preparation,

I knew without a doubt they were my kind of couple!

To tell you the truth, it actually

wasn't really about the snow - it was about living in the moment, and they totally got that.

While the venue, dress and other fabulous details add to the day,
they are only a fraction of the whole experience.
It doesn't really matter if it rains or snows....just whether you are willing to dance during it.
How often does the day come again?!
Live it...fully!

And that they did.
They smiled ear to ear the entire time.


Something blue...

Okay, before I get started, I must say a huge shout out to 'Flowers by Rosemarie' in Sayville.

Her work is by far my verrrry favorite. Just super creative, really fun and different. 

I mean pine cones, honey combs, wheat grass, and feathers - love.

Just onnnne more...

Okay, getting back to business.

The man of the day, getting ready.

I think...

; )

Great minds think alike...

Matron of Honor and Mom with the bride...

The girls...

Danielle used the lace from her Grandma's dress to make the veil.
I love things that are sentimental on a wedding day...

Hip ; )

A little bit of sparkle...

The lovely bride...

Riiiiight before the water works...

Danielle has a thing for Burt's Bees chap stick. More like an obsession.

I think she even made it a point to find a wedding dress with a pocket to keep it close!  ; )

So...Ms. Kylie must have thought she was getting a pair of Vera Bradley cozy boots too.

I seriously didn't know dogs could smile. I swear this wasn't photoshopped.

It looks like I drew that smile on, doesn't it?!

When she heard there wasn't a pair for her...

Ahhhhhh!

Coziness!

The church was the same church Danielle's folks got married in.
The priest was the same priest that baptized her when she was a babe.

A "frame within a frame",
and the walk to the man you will be spending the rest of your life with.

A bird's eye view.

Mr. and Mrs.

Did I mention it was friggin' freezing?!
30 degrees with the wind chill below 18.
We had five minutes.

With this ring...

Even though it was bitter cold, they totally humored me.

BIG time.

The wedding reception was held at the lovely Vineyard Caterers out east.

It would have been a sin not to get one or two shots outdoors.

The next few were taken from the balcony of their bridal suite.

We made it down to the grounds.
By this time the sun was setting and it was beyond freeeeezing!
Such good sports.
xo

The party begins...

What kind of cool wedding ideas do you get when the couple works for a library?

A bookmark favor and a card box made out of (you guessed it) books!

Their first dance...

A toast...

This is what it was like between them the entire time...

I'll leave you with this moment...

Top five...

Coolest: I'm going to go with the bridesmaid gifts. Loved the cozy boots! Okay, I can't stop myself. Here's another. RAINBOW cake!!! No joke.
All I kept hearing from the guests was that it was the best cake they ever had.

Sentimental:  Oooh. There were a few. I think it was beautiful that they got married in the same church Danielle's parents wed in. I loved that the church had such history and that the same priest has been there for the last thirty years. When so many things change so fast these days..it got me a little choked up to hear that some things remain the same.
It goes without saying: her Grandma's lace that was added to her veil was great too!

Unique:  I adored the rustic vibe of the flowers and all of the fun
elements like the honeycomb and wheat grass. 

Funniest:  There were a few funny moments, but what made them even better was hearing Chris laugh about them. He has one of the best laughs - hands down. You can't help but smile hearing it. And he is always laughing...which made tons of smiles for everyone that day.

***
Chris and Danielle, I loved working with you both. You and your families were so gracious and generous that I almost felt like I was with family. Thank you for braving the frigid tempertures with me and not complaining once. Your happiness and enthusiasm was contagious.
It was such an honor to be a part of your happy day.

Hope you have warmed up basking in the Island sun!

P.S.

Before you go...leave your thoughts below.
20 comments = complimentary gift for the happy couple

P.P.S

Special thanks to the Knot for bringing these lovebirds my way!

Apple, Starbucks and an Adventure - Charlie + Valerie

We were 3,000 miles away on different coasts when we first spoke.

We talked about love, their upcoming wedding day and everything in between.

Life is funny that way.  Sometimes a stranger can feel like a long lost friend. 

That's how I felt with Valerie. I liked her from our very first e-mail.
I'm pretty sure, though, that's how everyone must feel when they meet Valerie.
She has this fabulous enthusiasm and charm that just pulls you right in.

***

They met at Starbucks.

Valerie told me that when she first saw Charlie there, he was intently
reading a book (about computers) and she was intrigued.
Fast forward a few years later,
they're now engaged and his career with Apple led them both venturing
out to the west coast together.

***

I love new beginnings. Any kind of new start really.
Whether it's a new career, a new town or a new relationship.
They are the moments of possibility.
Where dreams sort of exist in reality. The fear of the unknown dares us to come out of hiding.
We would never know the other side unless we took a step in that direction.
It can be uncomfortable. It can be scary. Or you can make it an adventure worth having.
It's all in the way we look at it.
Valerie and Charlie look at life that way I think...and each other.
Love is perhaps the biggest and greatest adventure of all.
It reveals it's story one moment at a time and who better to share that with than your best friend.

Here's to a life of adventure and all the possibilities it brings to you both!

***

Where it all began...over Starbucks coffee.

He works for Apple.

We had to.

They both have these adorable dimples.

Who doesn't love some dimples?

A hint of a smile...

Before the real deal...

Some more yummy light...

Loved how they coordinated.

Just look at her features.

The eyes, the lips...the hair.
Lovely.

I tried to contain myself from bombarding him with questions when we met.

I mean - working for Apple is like saying you're a doctor these days.

Everyone wants some free advice.

He did mention one thing that I thought was cool: the

difference between Apple and Androids is that
Apple is committed to making touch screens flow more like a gesture than a command.

I liked that.

You found a good egg...apple Valerie! ; )

I will be photographing their Long Island wedding at the charming 'Three Village Inn'.

Speaking of charm, how about a little rustic charm...

As the light was fading they did a quick outfit change to get a cozy look in.

"Cozy".

I love everything that that word conjures up.

'I've got your love to keep me warm...'

31 degrees - perfect for snuggling.

The last frame of the day...

Sealed with a kiss...

Valerie and Charlie, thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I appreciate your faith in me so very much.
The fact that you booked me without meeting me was a huge deal.

It's important that my clients like working with me as much as they may like my work.

We spend an extensive amount of time together, and time well spent is spent with people just like you.
It never ever feels like I'm working a day in my life when I'm in the company of folks like you.
Thank you for braving the chilly air with me and for being so fun and enthusiastic.
Can't wait to see you both when you're back in town for your happy day!

P.S

Before you go, leave your thoughts below!
20 comments = a complimentary gift for the couple

P.P.S

Thanks to the Knot for sending Charlie and Valerie my way!