Balance - Carolyn + Anthony

His eyes actually twinkled when he talked about the elaborate ideas he has for their wedding day.

Carolyn rolls her eyes and fakes being uninterested, while throwing her head back in laughter

like she does often when he talks.

You can't help but be amused by his enthusiasm.

Or by their 'he said, she said' hysterical way of debating.  

While he would prefer their day to be over the top - she prefers it to be sophisticated and elegant.

Like a teeter totter that can't make up it's mind, the balance shifts left to right.

It finally finds a steady rhythm and then comfortably rests in the middle:

among compromise.

Their like yin and yang - the best of both worlds.

Their individuality is not lost being together, but complimented. Beautifully.

Together they're balanced.

***

No matter how we look at life - it's always a balancing act.

We all have too many pots on the stove and too many balls in the air.

It's hard to prioritize when everything and everyone seems to need our attention.

Life is about compromise though, and never is it more apparent then when melting two lives together.

The biggest hurdle we as couples all face is finding balance.

Sometimes it feels as if we will never get there.

That the climb is too high to ever feel satisfied with where we are.

Maybe it's not about getting to where we want to go, but being happy with where we are.

Maybe that's balance?! 

Do we like the direction we are going in and who we are going with?

We have all heard time and time again: it's about the journey, not the destination.

The 'ride' - whether it's down your road or someone elses - 

is best when enjoying the company and the view...not thinking about how to get there.

Decisions are better when met in the middle.

By doing that, we are not choosing who's 'road' may be best,

  but rather paving a new one and in turn creating our very own 'memory lane'.

Life is meant to go off course.

Sometimes we will get our way, sometimes we won't.

Sometimes the road less traveled is the one you never knew you

wanted until someone else brought you down it.  

One way is not better than the other. Maybe it's all in the way we look at it.

Compromise = balance. 

Playing it 'fifty-fifty' or going in 'half and half'...makes any marriage a 'win-win'.

***

We pretended we lived here.

I about died when they told me they got a permit for this location.

xo

Anthony has a way of making people laugh, especially Carolyn.

And Carolyn has a way of laughing with all heart.

And just in case you wanted to see it in color...

I spy...

So there is a rule in photography not to shoot into the sun.

But all rules are made to be broken, eh?

I'm diggin' the square crop on this too.

Some black and white shots for flavor...

'Leaves' me with a smile... ; )

Brings on a whole other meaning to 'falling head over heels' ; )

(inside joke...well kinda ; )

Couples that play together...stay together...

I can't help but grin a big goofy smile when I
see this picture. It makes me happy.

I love the paradox of the pastel and jewel tone colors below.

One last one...for the road.

Thank you Anthony and Carolyn for making me laugh, and 

for your extreme thoughtfulness and generosity.

Thank you for investing in such a cool location and having the patience with me 

when I acted like a kid in a candy store at the sight of our surroundings.

And last but not least, thank you for being so enthusiastic about working together.
It's beyond thrilling for me to work with couples like you who enjoy the whole experience.
Because we are not just taking a picture, we are enjoying a soon to be memory.
I love that you get that.

I'm super excited for your happy day next August!

P.S

A special thank you to Jill and Cam for sending Carolyn and Anthony my way!

P.P.S

Before you go, leave your thoughts below. 

20 comments = complimentary gift for the couple 

History - Joe, Melissa and ?

Joe is the DJ I refer to my couples.

He and his wife are expecting a little bundle of joy this December.

We got together last week to capture a moment that will soon be history.

So wait...does that make this...history in the making?

I'm pretty sure their babe is gonna come out a Met fan...what do you think?! ; )  

'DJ...turn it UP'!

; )

Thanks Joe and Melissa for giving me the opportunity to document such a special time!

P.S

If you would like to look into Eclipse Entertainment - you can contact Joe at eclipsenydj@gmail.com.

Right now his website is going through maintenance. 

P.P.S.

I promise to post a full blog post very soon my dear readers.
Thanks for hanging in there.

Double the Fun - The 'E' Family

Ohh how the time is flying.

This month is very, very crazy for me, but I wanted to give you all one or

two quick teasers from last weeks session.

Hopefully after this week I will be caught up enough to do a full blog post.

But for now...let's start with these two, 6 month old twin cuties and of coarse a quote to go with it!

'The work I do for twins, naturally comes double

But four arms to hug me, repay all my trouble.'

Come on now...look at that face...and those eyes!!

and his brother...is full of the same exact cute-ness!

What super adorable babies...that have the most amazing eyes ever.

I love the interaction of twins.

There's like this secret language.

Meet the Fam...

Thank you both for spending a chilly afternoon with me.

I had a great time meeting you and the boys.

You made raising twins look easy -  they way you both worked so effortlessly together.

P.S

Thanks Andi and Joann for sending the 'E' family my way.

Back to the Future -Tara + Mike

I tried imagining her telling Mike that she had won the matching wedding bands in a contest...
before they were even engaged.

I tried to think what he would have thought or how he would have reacted.

I'm pretty sure it would be the same as any other time I have seen them together.
She just looks at him and his stoic expression softens and a smile comes to his lips.

You know the one when the smile reaches the eyes?

She makes the poor boy melt.

It's not lost on him either.

As the cars drove past us slowing down to get a glimpse of them during their engagement
session he said, 'right now they are saying 'I wonder what that poor sucker did to lose the bet'?!'

And she would grab his arm tightly...actually no...wrap herself around his arm tightly and bury her head into his body to stifle her fit of giggles. 

You can't help but be amused by her.

Like the bubbliest champagne that can't be contained in the tallest of flutes.
She overflows with enthusiasm and affection.
And it's contagious.

PDA - Public Display of Affection - would pretty much sum up Tara and Mike.
Not in a gross way though.
 Like in the cuddly, cozy, can't get enough of you way.
She can't simply sit next to him - she has to be touching him.
At one point when I asked her to separate herself from him just for a sec...

she looked like she was gonna die.
I'm pretty sure she was just looking for some mouth to mouth though!
Yes. I went there.

We spend the brisk moments after sunrise walking the cobblestone lined streets of a hidden gem of a town nestled within what was once part of the Vanderbilt Estate in Oakdale.
It was a charming piece of history that was sorta magical.
Reminiscent of a bygone era that you couldn't help but wish to have been a part
of when seeing the surroundings.

There was a spark of electricity in the air that made it feel like we had gone back in time.
When flirting mattered, and being glamorous was sexy.
Back in the day when they tried harder and weren't so lazy.
When going on long walks, and fun car drives were spent in each others company
and not texting to someone else.

We multi task too much these days and it's nice to be reminded to slow down a bit.
I think we can learn a lot by looking back...
to hopefully the future once again.
You know what they say...'what was once old is new again.'
Let's hope so.
I like the 'trend' Mike and Tara are starting.

***


So, they are both big fans of black and white imagery.
So much so, that they are having their entire wedding album in black and white.
I would be remiss not to include a few here.
However, some shots would be cruel not to showcase in color.


Case in point...

I just wanted to take this wall home with me.

The lovebirds...

 Sooo old Hollywood!
I died.
I literally did the happy dance in my car when I saw how they were decked out.
When else are you every going to have the opportunity to capture your prime - do it up.
Wear what you feel fabulous in.
Whether it's a sassy cocktail dress or your favorite team jersey.
Make it personal. 

Speaking of Hollywood - kinda funny we ran into it.
It wasn't even part of the plan.

Footloose...

Ain't love grand?

This is how they were the whole time.
No joke.

Sexy...
love the stockings.

Tara's Mama was a hat model...the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, eh?!

What a good egg you got there Tara!

A hazy romantic shot into the sun...

Ooooh. How I adore you both. 

From the moment I met you, I fell in love. 

Being in your company is like being engulfed in a huge bear hug. 

The art of flirting (there is such a thing you know). 

I love how natural it comes to you both.

The way you tell stories to each other, the way you whisper sweet nothings, 

the sideways glances, the permanent smiles. 

The smooches, the hugs and hand holding - all just make my heart happy. 

Thank you for letting me be there for a little piece of your history. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you both make history again in August!

p.s

Super huge thank you to two of my past brides Mindy and Kathleen who referred me. 

Big hug girls!

p.p.s

Before you go, leave your thoughts below.

20 comments = complimentary gift for the couple

The Game of Love - Vic + Nicolle

They were friends.

But when they made plans to go and grab a bite to eat and he opened the car door,

she knew it was a date.

They were both coaching separate basketball teams at the

time and when their paths ended up crossing -  it was just the right time.

And that's where their story begins.

***

Love is a game, no matter how we look at. 

There is a 'give and take'. Ebb and flow. And a winning and losing side.

But like Grantland Rice once said,

 'it's not whether you win or lose - it's how you play the game.'

Now some may argue that, but

I think he could have been on to something.

We have all played defense and offense at least once in our lives in a relationship.

But really, if we tried playing on the same team - it's so much easier. 

And no. I don't mean like that. ; )

I mean, if you don't worry about keeping score (with each other) - 

you'll just enjoy the 'game' so much better.

When you have the same direction, the same game plan - life and love is easier to navigate.

Life puts us all through a bunch of hoops some times and it's nice to have someone there to pull us through.

That's a concept that's not lost on Vic and Nicolle.

Maybe they said it best when describing their relationship in one word, 'harmonious'.

Harmonious.

Good word, right?

I think if your relationship stays defined by that word there is no question in my mind

that you both 'could...go...alllll...the...way!!!'

3 points if you can name who said that last line?  

***

Their newest team player...

Meet Miss. Tampa

Cause you need a traditional kinda look thrown in the mix for the folks...

I'm a fan of leading lines.

I love when the location has amazing architecture.

I think it adds so much character, and depth to an image.

Rather apropo I think...

An 'in between' moment.

If you have been following me for a bit you know I love a 'frame within a frame'.  

Look at that craftsmanship!
A moody moment...

Happiness...

Oh, I love you guys.

Just playing with some different perspectives and the architecture.  

How it all started...

Love when the couples bring a few outfit choices!

Now this is a picture my Mother would be like,
'Stacey, I don't understand why you have them so far away, you can't even see them.'
Oy. Mothers!
It's just a nice way of telling a little more of the story and their environment.
The tree looked like a handful of Skittles with the sun highlighting it - so we took advantage.

**Sighhhh**

Nothing makes me happier then engagement sessions.

I love them.

Maybe because I love love.

I love seeing how everyone goes about it.

It's different with every. single. couple.

I learn something from each of them.

Thank you Vic and Nicolle.

 Thank you for sharing your story with me.

For spending a freezing afternoon with me.

For bringing the props, and the outfit changes and for coaching me 

(without you even knowing) about the game of love ; )

P.S

Before you go, leave your thoughts below!

20 comments = compliemtary gift for the couple

Love and Marriage - The 'A' Family

The most fabulous compliment in the world to me is when a bride comes back to visit me

and have their family pictures taken as well.

I love getting to spend time with them, and seeing how their families are growing.  

Another reason why it's a huge compliment? Because, let's face it.

Portrait photography is a little pricier then your typical Sears or Target.

I get it, and I realize that they are investing not only in their memories, but in me to preserve them.

It's something I don't take lightly and something that just tugs at my heart.

I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me. 

Some of you may remember Veronica and Steven from their wedding this past September?

Well, we got together again last weekend and had a fun family session.

It was extra fun because they came supplied with Munchkins!!

I mean now that is thinking! : )  

***

So here's the thing about a family pic.

 You want everyone to look good, be well behaved and sit still.

It's totally not easy. I'll be the first to tell you.

You see the little man on the left hand side?

He wanted to play and I don't blame him, and while ideally you would have thought a traditional pose of having him sitting up straight would have worked better - his lounge position totally makes this picture for me. It shows so much personality and character.

I love when things fall into place like that.

Brothers...

A toothless grin and a piggy back ride for his little sister.

*melt*

I love the eye contact in this one...

Talk about eyes...

So sweet...

Handsome devil... ; )

I took an extra five minutes for their newest member - because let's be honest -

the third (no matter how hard we may try) always has the least amount of pictures usually.

I wanted to make it up to him now.

4 months of pure happiness... 

 What a face!

I'll end on this out take...it's a random moment - but I still love it.

See if you can spot the hand holding with his sister!

Steve and Veronica, thank you so very much for letting me into your lives once again to document not just your wedding day, but your marriage itself.

To me, marriage is about family and maintaining the crazy and happy dynamics of it all.
Love and marriage is much more then just the wedding day.

I loved seeing you all in the moment and enjoying it for all that it's worth.