The most interesting things about tilt-shifts for me was not what was out-of-focus—taking the same photo you would anyway except with blurry feet—but what was in focus, especially things otherwise impossible unless you feel like shooting with f/64 or an iPhone.
More and more over the years, maybe as tech got better and maybe just as the "meaning" of it all sunk in more, I have made sure that any "trick" was done with the intention of the thing first -- is this actually the best way to shoot at this time?
Over a career and even longer days and certainly when shooting on your own, there may be things external to the individual photo that affect the answer. Is it increasing the variety you provide? Is it showing a unique and valuable way of seeing? Heck, even "are you having fun along with the couple?" can matter. But the more important the moment, the more the needs of that individual photo take over.
Brooklyn Wedding at the Weylin /
Marielle and Andy couldn’t have asked for a more perfect summer day for their wedding at the Weylin under its iconic domes. They kicked off the morning at The William Vale, then stole away for a quiet stroll through Domino Park with sweeping views of the NYC skyline—proof that this stretch of Williamsburg has become one of the city’s most sought-after destinations. It was an honor to work alongside Peter and Film Cars NY, with Slick Little Bride planning every detail to perfection and Abigail Kirsch Catering keeping everyone happily fed. Huge thanks to the Rous Film team for capturing the day on video and to Mod Society Music for a dance-floor soundtrack you could hear all the way in Manhattan. Shout-outs, too, to Book Hipstr for the photo booth, Styles on B for hair, Jen Xiixii for makeup, Fleuresque Design for florals, and NY Trolley Co. for stylishly ferrying guests between locations.
The Pearl, San Francisco wedding /
The Suffolk theatre wedding /
Garden City Hotel Wedding /
We feel truly lucky to have been a part of Julie and Marc's incredible wedding at the Garden City Hotel. The sun was shining brilliantly, setting the stage for a beautiful celebration.
We've had the pleasure of photographing two of Julie's cousins' weddings, so seeing so many familiar faces made the day even more special. The wedding party was filled with vibrant energy throughout the event.
The most unforgettable moment was when Julie, a talented trombone player, surprised everyone (including Marc!) by joining the fantastic Hank Lane band for a set.
The dance floor was electric, with Julie fully embracing the moment and dancing with as many friends and family as possible. We're genuinely grateful to have shared this unforgettable day with Julie, Marc, and their loved ones, capturing memories that will last a lifetime.
Tribeca Rooftop wedding: Salisha and Andrew /
Salisha and Andew smile with their whole bodies. On a typical day, it’s a pleasure to be around their cheer and energy … but on their wedding day, their joy and personalities were busting down the walls of the fantastic Tribeca Rooftop.
The wedding was filled with talented performers bringing energy, bringing song, bringing emotion, and frankly bringing it, but the deep emotion of the day was anything but a performance.
Thank you for making the world a better place with your laughter and love, Salisha and Andrew!
Edgewood County Club wedding /
It was great to be back at the Edgewood Country Club for Zoe and Judah’s wedding. Edgewood is a beautiful venue that recently expanded with extensive construction and renovation. It is just the place it takes to house a wedding with rafter-shaking energy like this. We knew from our Manhattan engagement that they would bring the style and emotion, but as you'll see see, their friends and family also brought the party.
Band: Frank Simmons Band
Caterer: Northern Valley Affairs
Florist: Adam Leffel Productions
Videographer: Creative Image Productions
Hair: Vanessa Pesantez
Makeup: Michelle Stern Beauty
Dress: estee’ Couture
Box House Hotel wedding /
Once upon a time, we were writers, and this wedding shows why we changed over to documenting lives through our lens. Because using words here about how joyful, raucous, hilarious or ecstatic seem both obvious and not enough when you see the expressions on Shayna and Brennan’s face at almost any point on their wedding day. It was electric to be around them and in Brooklyn’s fantastically chic Box House Hotel.
Harvard Club wedding /
Neither rain nor more rain nor … even more rain … could keep Kelly and John from a marvelous wedding day. The grandeur of the reception at the Harvard Club and ceremony at Church of St. Vincent Ferrer didn’t hurt, but their deep connection to each other and family was truly what defined the day.
Legacy Castle wedding /
Right from the start we knew Suzette and Andres had a tight bond — so tight that they introduced themselves to us as “SuDre.” We also knew that a giant (for 2021) Hindu/Dominican wedding featuring a couple as fun as they are would be raucous , joyous, and just an amazing experience throughout. Few venues could properly hold all of this energy — the pre-2020 plan was to essentially take over the city of Montreal — but The Legacy Castle served perfectly.
Le Chateau South Salem wedding /
Usually our highest compliment for a wedding is “Boy, I wish I’d been a guest!” But our assistant Brendan did us one better in his assessment of Lauren and Taylor’s wedding. As we packed up, he said “Well, I don’t need to plan a wedding now — this was perfect in every way, I’ll just do this one.” There are, of course, a few more stages in wedding planning than just saying “Give me the Lauren and Taylor!” but it shows what a fantastic experience this day was, partially due to the fine work of Le Chateau but also because of the great spirit and kindness of their friends and family (which are probably not part of the package.)
Bryant Park Grill wedding /
Hudson River Engagement Photo /
It was a wonderful shoot with Barrie and Ari, who were game to cross a highway and brave the winter-like temperatures and winds of a riverside night for this.
We are glad also for the magic sauce that allowed us to be comfortable shooting portraits for the gorgeous ambient at 1/100th, 135mm f/1.8, ISO 8000.
New York Botanic Garden wedding at The Garden Terrace /
The New York Botanic Garden is a magical place, and Amma and Jesse’s wedding made the most of it. From the incredible greenery — enhanced with the wonderful asymmetric designs of WYLD — to an absolutely crazy dance floor featuring Jesse’s hilarious and unique dance moves, every part of this day reminded us that part of the fun of this job is that we get to go back and re-live the stories ourselves.
Mansion at Oyster Bay wedding /
Here it comes, 2021! I don’t think we’ve ever been so excited to document or even just be at weddings again, tied only with last June when our job and passion became legal again. Every wedding has felt deeper and more meaningful than ever, as every guest had to be deeply conscious and *work* just to be there, and we are vaccinated as of the end of March (but still careful) and ready to mix with that wonderful energy again.
And what a fantastic way to start 2021 than with Alli and Alex. A little FYI: We were once slated to star in our own reality show — but it turns out that you’re not the perfect reality show subject when your job is to be an oasis of calm at all times. Still, it was a fun experience to make and we got to meet amazing people like Alli. And since then, she met the amazing Alex, and they make beautiful music together … literally. They met when they joined the same band.
They were originally slated to have a big party at the Mansion at Oyster Bay. That didn’t happen, but we are so thankful that the Mansion opened itself to us to do portraits with them.
