Anyone who’s been visiting this blog since November of 2008 might recognize a frequent commented named Mona. Mona is our #1 blog stalker of all time. I actually did a blog post on her back in August of 2009 to introduce everyone to her. Then later that year I photographed and blogged her and Andrew’s engagement session. A couple months after that they tied the knot and you know we were there for that! In fact that was two years yesterday! Happy Anniversary Mona and Andrew!! You also might remember a fun post Mona did last year called “Mona’s top 13“. Ok so now that we’re caught up lets get you caught up with Mona and Andrew!

Mona and Andrew are excepting a little girl in the months ahead. Mona actually teased the news in a blog comment a while back. I didn’t even catch on. I typically just see a comment come in from her and click approve and then read them later. Mona and I have become friends over the years, we’re always texting and what not but one day I received a phone call. Mona wanted to deliver the news to me that her and Andrew were expecting. I was super excited when I found out and my next question was “So, are we going to capture the bump? I mean we kind of have to keep your yearly appearances up on the blog”.  That brings us to the images below. Mona was traveling from NYC to Boston for some medical conference and made a pit stop in Albany for about two hours just for these photos. It was a rainy and cold night too! Not pouring rain but misty light rain. We only had one chance to capture these so we went for it. I love that Mona and Andrew have yet another chapter of their lives captured by us! As always Mona, it’s a pleasure. You’re an awesome person and I can’t wait to see you and Andrew holding that little girl. Congrats again!!

Peace,
JP

Yup. So here’s the bump..

A nice b&w..

I just love the tones in this one…

Another favorite from this set..

A mini blog stalker in the making.. a Mini Mona! ;)

I love the white… so simple and showed the form perfectly.

This is easily my favorite one. I just love it.

New outfit..

It was raining here and super duper dark but it worked!

One more… to be continued when Mini Mona arrives. ;)

Ok one more. I was obviously having a bad hair day lol.. How awesome are those big eyes?

OK next up is Carley & Bobby’s wedding! Man oh man! SNOW in October? Word. Who would have thought we’d get snow on Saturday October 29? Not me! I hope this isn’t a sign of whats ahead for our long winter. Anyway we showed up at the hotel and there really wasn’t much talk at all about weather. Carley was as cool, calm and collect as they come. She was also looking fabulous thanks to Amy and Sue of Make Me Fabulous. She was ready to become Mrs Digeser! But first we headed outside across the street from the hotel and took some pics of Carley and her ladies. All the girls were so pretty and photogenic as were the flowers from Ambiance Florals and Events. Then it was off to St Thomas in Delmar for the ceremony. Bobby was a little antsy greeting almost every guest who showed up. Usually grooms chill in the back of the church but I think he was so excited for the wedding he couldn’t sit still. While the ceremony took place the snow began to start. After the ceremony I asked Carley and Bobby if they were cool shooting in the snow. Without skipping a beat they were like “yeah!”.  So we wrapped up the family photos in the church then headed to Troy.

Now we’re heading to Troy and on the way there I noticed what was large pretty snowflakes in Delmar began to change to more of a wet snow consistency. Whatever. We went for it. I think their limo driver thought we were all completely nuts. As did some of the residents on the street we were shooting on. One even let us use his foyer. What a nice guy huh? Hayden commented many times throughout the day how awesome Carley and Bobby were by never complaining at all about the weather. They took what mother nature gave them and embraced it. So what if the dress might have gotten wet? So what if it wasn’t a blue sky fall day? I think the images we got are way more interesting and romantic than the usual predictable stuff. This why I love what I do. You never know what your going to get and every wedding is different. After we got back and they all dried off I noticed the iconic alleyway at Franklin Plaza looked incredible so I asked Carley and Bobby for one more shot. I knew I would regret it if I didn’t so thank god we went back out. It’s hands down my favorite image from the day and pretty much sums it up for me. After that it was officially party time. Franklin Plaza served the food, Elite Sounds played the music and Hayden held down the Elario photo booth. Carley and Bobby, I can’t thank you enough for everything. You both rock for braving the elements! We really enjoyed working with you both! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Peace,
JP

We’ll set it off with some bling..

Carley, complete with her Mrs Digeser starter kit. ;)

Who doesn’t love being made fabulous? Sue put the finishing touches on our stunning bride.

Getting ready.. we all loved her gown..

I like this little smile given by Dad..

How many cans of that hairspray you think MMF goes through a year?

You look great  girl!

Hey ladies!

Working it in the freezing cold..

Is it me or do we get spoiled over here with these beautiful brides?

One more.. her blue eyes really pop here.

St Thomas Church..

Fellas..

I love this moment with Dad and Carley.. fixing her veil before they head down the aisle.

The happiness is awesome.

Mr & Mrs..

Mad props to you all for braving this wacky weather..

Halfway working this spot we had to move because the people came home and had groceries in their hands. Wups!!

I love all the images from this little series…

Now and fall in the same photo.. I just thought that was so cool.

The gentleman who lives in “185″ was awesome. He saw us out on the street getting drenched and let us use his foyer for a few images. People can be so nice!

I love this one..

Ah the color.. this one is another favorite of mine..

A little Elario configuration in the wet snow. Why not?

As I was taking this image a girl came up and snapped this. Then she told me she was a blog stalker and apparently a friend of mine on facebook too because within minutes a notification came on my phone and told me Jona tagged me in a photo with this caption “look who I found out playing in the snow! congrats to the beautiful bride and groom” Jona, thanks for snapping this and for following the blog! You rock! Ok can we just chuckle for a minute at Hayden’s get up? Nice Hayden!

The result..

As I mentioned in my write up. This image sums the day up for me. Carley and Bob were there to get married and nothing was going to stop them. They were oblivious to the weather.. I love this and thats why it was my facebook teaser.

One more…

The Franklin Plaza..

Entering the room!

First dance..

Partying like crazy!

Carley and her twin sister Marke

Oh you look familiar?

Funny..

SIP!!!!!

How cute are they?

Did Hayden tell you act like bunnies or something?

Yup, its official! Congrats guys!!

Last Friday I think it officially changed from fall to winter. Gosh it was pretty cold in the beginning of the day! Eventually it warmed up a little bit. Tanya, Dylan, their families and bridal party were all troopers though! Everyone braved the cold! We also had my good friend Jason Valentine on the Elario roster that day. Why? We’ll he shot a behind the scenes video!  It’s been too long so we decided it was time to have a fun day and share what its like behind the scenes of the images we create. Stay tuned for that!

Onto October 28, 2011. We set things off in the Gideon Putnam Hotel for our getting ready portion of the day as well as the ladies photos. Tanya was in the suite looking all types of beautiful just waiting to get into that gown. After a flower drop off by my lovely and talented wife Kris Ann of Fleurtacious Designs Tanya got dressed and we headed downstairs. Originally we had planned to do all the first look at the Gideon Putnam but last minute decided to head to the Hall of Springs. Sometimes you never know what type of game day decision might happen. After Dylan got to see Tanya it was all fun from there. We got those family shots wrapped up with the quickness and were able to have a lot of time with our bride and groom.I know Al Woodard was getting some incredible stuff out there too! Then before I knew it the guests were starting to arrive and it was time to get married. The ceremony musician John Charles Cook grabbed his acoustic guitar and the processional began. After that it was party time! Hayden Yund set the Elario Photo Booth up and DJ Paul Malo pressed play. The party really was a super fun evening. Tanya and Dylan danced their butts off like ALL brides and grooms should! ;) It was a great day! I can’t thank you guys enough for choosing us to capture your day! I know I had a blast getting to know you guys and look forward to seeing you again sometime! Congrats!

Peace,
JP

The gown..

Hot shoes… ;)

Bling bling.

Our bride..

How pretty is Tanya?

Dad loves his first look.

Still some signs of fall in the back..

Do your thang Tanya!

OK, one more.

Some bouquets by Fleurtacious Designs

8 ladies trying to look like they’re not freezing their butts off!

Fun.

Dylan had this whole GQ thing down..

First look..

How could he not smile?

20 person group shot anyone?

I love this one..

but I love this one more. Thats why it was a my facebook teaser.

A little wind and light..

The Elario configuration, looking good.

a b&w for fun..

I was pretty excited about this image when I look it.. Its just right.

Big pimpin in the Rolls..

This car was awesome.
‘

Not to mention the color was as well..

One more forehead kiss..

Tanya and Dylans 2 month old baby Kinsley rocking a fascinator

The fam!

The ceremony space in the round… I’m seeing more and more of this and I love it.

The Hall of Springs was pretty dark for this ceremony. For the photo buffs ISO 5000 at 1/80 f1.2 (5d mk2)

Mr and Mrs…

A little combination of Fleurtacious Designs on the left and Tanya’s skills on the right..

First dance..

busting a move..

We’ll end with a little series from their photo booth!

This backdrop is called “black keys” by drop it MODERN (duh!)

cute

Was Hayden telling you to act like cats or something?

The Honor attendants with the b&g

Congrats again!!!!!

When Ashley approached me about capturing her and Paul at one of their happiest times in life I was pumped. I knew it would be a stylish and fun session! I decided we should shoot at The Historic Barns at Nipmoose because I love this place. How could you not love this location? I always come home with great images. Anyway to say Ashley and Paul had their stuff together in terms of wardrobe and whatnot would be an understatement. I can’t wait to see how they bring it at their newborn session! Keep stalking the blog because that should be happening sometime later this month and I can’t wait to work with these two again. Congrats to you both and thanks for choosing me to document your most happiest of times!

Peace,
JP

Meet Ashley, Paul and the bump

Some amazing light in the aspen grove..

Beautiful.

My favorite spot at Nipmoose. The corn crib!

Love this spot.

Ashley, you look amazing.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that child will have mad style.

I like this one.

One with the Scottish Barn in the background.

Now inside that barn..

The image that received more “wow” comments on facebook than any other I’ve ever posted. I too can only say WOW!

So pretty.

The b&w in this space always looks incredible.

Ashley, you’re stunning.

Thanks again guys. Can’t wait to meet you baby, I know he or she will be beautiful.