Yes! There’s nothing more I love than sharing my work with you all. This particular shoot I’m a little more excited to share since it’s accompanied by some sweet video (all the way at the bottom of the post). Natalie & Ryan’s engagement session had a lot of fun stuff going on folks. Aside from the couple I think the wardrobe changes, the props, the location and the good good light are some of my favorite things in this particular session. Incase you haven’t noticed, different, unique locations are a big part of what my engagement sessions are all about. I’m not a huge fan of repeat locations and spots. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t shoot at the same place twice, it just means I’ll always try to make it different every time for every couple. Big Joe once said something like this ” its special people in ordinary places” and I totally agree with him. Sure Fenway Park or Saratoga Race Track are special locations but when I put our subjects in the location the backdrop becomes ordinary. In a nutshell  it means our clients are more awesome than any location could ever be. Maybe I’m rambling a little but thats my shooting philosophy. So anyway when Natalie & I began brainstorming about none other than the perfect location we hit a little road bump. The idea we had wasn’t jiving with our schedules and what not. So we thought about some spots and long story short we ended up on this piece of land with a barn and some hills. We thought since we were going to shoot in the middle of nowhere some props would be good. So we ended up with some balloons, blowup hearts, some flowers we never really used, a guitar, a dog and a red wicker chair. After non stop evenings of rain and gloom mother nature hooked us up with what was a perfect night. The rest folks is history.

So when it comes to the fun little video below basically it goes like this. I knew this would be a perfect shoot for my man the one and only Al Woodard of Al Woodard Films to document me doing my thing. So that day with 3 hours notice I called Al and like a true loyal friend he came out for an hour and did his thing. Al hooked me up with some crazy footage and I edited it down into an eight minute recap of what was an hour and a half session. Again let me stress that I edited the video, if Al had edited for me I’m sure it would be on a level of quality I couldn’t begin to fathom. Since Al had to roll out early and I do my token “bling shot” at the end of all my engagement sessions I had Natalie’s sister shoot me doing that and Becky I thank you for that! I thank Al for taking care of me and most importantly the bride and groom to be Natalie & Ryan, coming to a JEP blog near you in June of 2010.

Enjoy, leave love,
JP

When an engagement session starts with the good good light like this you know its going to be a good good night.

How perfect is that yellow balloon and the yellow scarf?

I’m really digging these two next to each other.

YES! That sky is wild. One of my favorites from the casual series.

This barn wears b&w so well.

Wardrobe change… one of my favorite shots from the green dress series.

and the light got better…

Seriously how cool are these hearts?

One more wardrobe change by Natalie.

The dress choice perfect for the balloons. This is one of my favorites.

I can’t wait to photograph her as a bride.

I had to give Natalie & Ryan’s boxer Casco some blog love.

So Ryan busts out the acoustic and starts playing Dave Matthews and Natalie tells me her brothers in a DMB tribute band. This couple just got way more cooler. Ryan’s good too, I was bout to put my camera down and start requesting tunes.

and as we always do it here folks. my token “bling shot”

Heres the video. I know I can be a goof sometimes but its all about having fun right? Also since these two are dmb fans I had to throw some in.

Wow! What a sweet engagement shoot with unbelievable light to boot. BIG thanks to my man videographer Al Woodard for coming out on such short notice and documenting me doing my thang. Coming soon to a JEP blog near you.

Enjoy, leave love & happy friday!
JP

Wow, what can I say? Jaimee & Sean’s wedding was as expected, off the hook. I mean I knew given Sean’s background and years experience with Glen Sanders would play a roll in this wedding but wow. All that plus Jaimee’s style and personality and boom you got yourself an awesome party. Seriously Glen Sanders outdid themselves on this one. I think some of the Mansion family might have gotten a little teary eyed watching one of their own tie the knot. I can’t wait for our wedding with Mansion Catering.

So April 24th 2009 was a lovely day to say the least. When we arrived at the house Jaimee & all the girls were ready to rock and roll. The photo op’s started upstairs in Jaimee’s room where her last three sisters stepped into their wedding gowns. Then it was downstairs where Mr & Mrs DiGesare awaited to watch their last of four girls take that walk down the stairs in her gown. Jaimee looked gorgeous in a wedding gown she had added her own personal style and touches to fit her personality, the gown was from Something Bleu Bridal and Bird of Paradise Boutique. Then it was off to the front lawn for some fun and relaxed portraits with videographer Al Woodard along side as well.

When we arrived at The Hall of Springs Sean and the guys we’re ready to go as well. I expected nothing but a punctual bunch since Sean’s a seasoned veteran at coordinating events for Glen Sanders. I was surprised how relaxed Sean was, I figured given his background he’d be delegating and what not. Surely the whole crew up there at the hall had it locked down. The ceremony was totally unique with a lot of different musical numbers and some readings sprinkled in as well. It was so obvious during the ceremony that these two were so happy to be tying the knot.

The reception was for lack of better words, crazy! The New York Players were on their A game all night. The hall looked like I’ve never seen it before, all kinds of different color washes throughout the night the keep the mood and atmosphere constantly changing. It was awesome to shoot with all this color and I love color. Renaissance Floral Design had the personal flowers and reception flowers looking awesome too.  Jaimee and Sean’s first was dance was super high energy and was great to shoot. After dinner Sean surprised Jaimee with a custom jazz lounge in the back where there was an array of milkshakes, cookies and other deserts and the guests were loving those milkshakes. All and all I expected a fantastic and wonderful wedding and Jaimee and Sean sure delivered.

Enjoy, leave love,

JP

We’ll start from the top of the stairs… I love this shot. It has such a behind the scene’s feeling.

Jaimee & her three beautiful sisters.. can you guess the twin?

What a great looking bunch.

The ceremony by Renaissance Floral Design

This ones kinda fun… I love throwing the focus in and out.

I told you they were happy.

I love this shot of Sean’s sisters…

The only reason I’m showing this photo is because when I took it I said to Sean, “thats not the first gown you’ve picked up” and Jaimee was like nah uh! I said it because from the hundreds of weddings we’ve worked with Sean at the Mansion etc he’d often be the guy to work alongside the bride and groom and help out. Jaimee’s expression is great though, isn’t it?

What a day, look at that buttery light.

And this light!

You all remember their engagement shoot, right?

My favorite shot of the whole day.

Ok ladies, take notes. Jaimee hooked Sean up with a nice timepiece as a wedding gift. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m into a nice time piece. In fact I have the same one and love it. So Jaimee, great job here and Sean, welcome to the club ;)

Again the room by  Renaissance Floral Design

And here is the great David himself putting some finishing touches on that awesome head table.

The first dance was awesome.

I love when I can shoot available light during the toasts.

The jazz lounge opened up after dinner.

And we’ll end with this. After the cake was cute there was one last color change. How great is the image of Jaimee & Sean with the orange and all the smoke, straight up romantic.

Oh no, this blog post isn’t over… he’s a little video piece Sean & Jaimee’s videographer and our friend Al Woodard put together of me and big Joe doing our thing. (editors note: Al supplied me with the clips, I edited them, he’s a way better editor than me for real)

Here’s another fun little video blog….