Paul + Lauren - Giorgio's, Long Island NY Wedding

There is a certain calm about them. They are soft spoken. Dignified. Kind. Sweet. 

The tender glances, his hand an ever present sight on the small of her back.
They have a quiet confidence, which I loved.

That's Lauren and Paul in a nutshell from what I gathered.

I was invited to spend the morning with Lauren and then head on over to get some shot's of the groomsmen. There is nothing that I love more then the 'prepping' images.

There is a buzz in the air that is almost tangible.

The excitement and anticipation are almost unbearable.

The best part of this wedding was the time allotment. It was amazing.
When you allow enough time from start to finish, you can really get the whole story told.
The day began at 9am...and it was still going strong when I packed up at 1am. 

 This was my second time working with the Markowski family and I just loved every minute of it.

They are laid back, real and make you feel right at home.

Waiting in line for her turn to get gussied up!

I got a thing for bling...

Bridesmaid gifts...oooooh.

The bouquet was done beautifully by Burton's.

I was very impressed by their work and the brides choices.

Just wait until you see the centerpieces!

I love ring shots. I think they are so symbolic...

Oooh lala!

The stationary.

It actually makes my heart pitter pat a tad. I mean check out the color coordination. Very sharp.

The tri-fold envelope, so sophisticated.

Absolutely L-O-V-E-D it!

The Markowski's gave me carte blanche of their home.

As I was wondering around, I came upon the room where the wedding details came to life.

You see, Mrs. Markowski had a big hand in the creation of all of the stationary.

She designed (with the help of Lauren) the magical invites, amazing menu's, gorgeous personalized votive candles, and the favors...a family/friend recipe book.

Yep, it was nothing short of fantastic and all hand created with love.

Organization...ahhhh...so nice.

Now, off to Lauren and Paul's new beach home

where the men were gathered to get ready for the big day!

The man of the hour...

 

The guys were super sweet, polite and actually didn't harass me.

They even let me get about 15 minutes of pictures in too! 

Not bad. Not bad at all. ; )

I promise Mom's I got some with the sunglasses off!

So here's how this next series of pictures went down.

See the little man. He wasn't really into the whole picture thing...but then again, what guy is?!

So, we finally get him into the shot, for oh, I don't know, 3 seconds and something very funny happened. 

You think he is leaving the frame of the shot.

Kinda just moseying (yep, that's the way you spell it, I looked it up, it looked funny to me too ; ) away.

But no.

He was heading right towards the action.

Up front and center, thank you very much!

I couldn't have planned it any better...

Okay, I was hoping to pose a picture like this next one.

But as luck would have it...I didn't have to, it kind of just happened!

Pretty darn cute, right?

What a face!!

He thought I was hysterical...

Oooor maybe he thought he was hysterical?!

Either way, he obviously couldn't get enough of himself at this point...

neither could I.

lol

The next two shots are my 'out of the box' shots that all of you have come to know.

There is a feeling of intimacy in them to me.

It's the 'peering' in factor and the surroundings I think.

Also, the importance that we are witnessing such a huge milestone in this couples life.

That is what makes these next images so different and appealing to me. 

The symmetrical look of both sides of this image is pretty cool.

I like how the emotions of the guests almost become more important in the picture then the bride and groom. I think it adds so much to the over all happiness of the image.

Their life as Mr. and Mrs. Edwards begins right here.

This was just a quick shot. It is not perfect, but I like it anyway.

If that doesn't look like a man in love, I don't know what does.

The look of admiration, adoration and devotion is written all over it.

Love Lauren's steadfast gaze.

This next shot should probably be with my 'out of the box' shots.

It's a bit different but for some reason I'm drawn to it.
I like the hustle and bustle on the street surrounding the bride.
The happy chaos that her and her husband created.
I like that she looks isolated from the crowd even though she is walking through it. 
The street sign that says 'church steet', adds a cute final touch. 

The party begins...

Some more detail shots of Mama Markowski's coordinating stationary.

I'm a sucker for elevated centerpieces. I think it creates a bit of whimsy...and an elegant, regal look.

The thing usually is, is that it blocks the view of the guests sitting across the table.

Ugh, what to do?!

Well, check out this solution to that problem. 

L-O-V-E!

Very unique take on table seating...

"Salute"!

A few generations of Notre Dame alumni die hards who know how to par-taaay.

Huge shout out to one of the guests at the party (Paul, I believe), who braved the crowd and stood on a chair to get this shot for me.

Not too shabby, huh?

Hey, anytime you want to help me shoot buddy...

Thanks for the capture!

The first dance.

Dark and moody, but I kinda like it.

I think it adds to the ambiance.

Dare I say a bit cinematic?!

So tell me what you really think of me?

Ahhh, come on, it wasn't that bad now, was it?

Thanks Mr. Markowski for not just telling me the directions to the guys but actually showing me.

It was very kind of you to stop in the middle of the busy afternoon to do that for me!

Thank you Lauren and Paul for allowing me the opportunity to witness and be a part of such a special moment in your lives!

Family and friends of Lauren and Paul -

Please help them reach 20 comments so they

can receive a complimentary gift!

The "M" Family - Long Island Family Photographer

The funny thing about this session was this.

The day was p.e.r.f.e.c.t.

We didn't need one thing besides the good old camera and a few beautiful kids.

The best compliment I can receive is being referred to by another client or friend.

It makes me so happy!

So thank you "Koz" family for spreading the word and for ultimately bringing the "M" family to me.

The morning was perfect. The humidity, barely there. The day, slightly overcast.

The kids, happy as can be, as good as gold.

The family, damn near perfect!

Mom, did quite a job working overtime to get their outfit's just right.

Casual, laid back...yet traditional. I have to say I have been blessed to work with the greatest parents EVER. They are patient with me and give me room to work. These two were no exception. I find kids give their most natural expressions when the parents can stand back a bit and observe rather then direct.

It also makes it so much easier to bond with the children and capture those sweet dispositions.

Thank you Richard and Marietta for allowing me the freedom for us to play at our own pace. When we were closing in on the end of the session, I told Richard that it will be over soon when I saw the glazed look come across his face. He looked at me, without hesitation and said,

"...this..." as he pointed to the children, "... this is history (in the making)..."

I couldn't have said it better myself!

So "M" family - here it is.

Your story. Your moments. Your life.

Two and a half year old twin brother's!

Adorable...

What a face! Look at those eyes. Aren't they just amazing?

They are the most unique color I have ever seen.

A gorgeous light sea foam green. I didn't even enhance them.

They are that cool!

The men...

Hot Mama!

Now you know why their kids are so darn good lookin'!

For my loyal readers...the 'out of the box' shot.

"Be still my heart..."

Love how her eyes just mimic the ocean.

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a super hero!

So freakin' cute, I can't stand it!

Always smiling! 

In fact, I don't think I have one picture where he isn't sorta smiling.

She sooo needs to be a model!

He wasn't even posing here. 

He just preferred his foot there.

I like this one.

A lot.

The next one is one of my faves from the session and it almost didn't happen.

But family "M" pulled up a half hour earlier then planned and we were able to capture those 

precious first few moments as the sun rises.

 It happens so quickly!

So happy we caught it.

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day and for arriving so super early. 

You were all so wonderful to spend the morning with.

Hey Readers! Help this family out by clicking on the 'comment' word to the right at the end of this post and leaving a message for them. For ever 20 comments the receive, they get a complimentary print!