When asked where to photograph an engagement session, 9 times out of 10 I’m going to reply ”Let’s go to the beach”. For Kristen and Jim’s session, I thought the best place would be Spring Lake Beach. We chose a spot on the beach that is a short drive from The Mill, where their reception will be next August.
Engagement sessions can be tough - couples don’t know what to expect: what to wear, how to stand, look, kiss, etc. etc. For us, every session is a learning experience about our clients. Once nerves fade, great picture taking begins and a relationship between all of us is created.
Kristen & Jim,
I had blast photographing you guys and love the way the shots turned out.
- Chris
The Save the Date post card we designed together
I still can’t believe the summer is over :( A perfect way to end our summer of weddings with with Jim and Christine. These two were so much fun to photograph - motorcycles, the beach and a little Jimmy Buffet! Thanks to Dona and all the staff at The Breakers and Elite Entertainment!
The blushing bride.. OK, not so blushing!
Jim and his Hog.
Peek-a-boo!
Jim’s sons and his brother are ready for the alter!
Beachfront porch at The Breakers, Spring Lake
What a happy groom!
I love this cake topper - says it all!
Goofing around on the beach…
Who’s idea was this - Chris ???
Good air…
This was one of the best 1st dances ever!
This is one of mt favorite shots - truly happy couple.
A very late night swim!
A huge thanks to everyone at The Breakers who let us do this last shot of the night. We had to be extremely quiet and quick as to not wake up the guests at the hotel. It was a great time!
Best,
Suzanne
I have been told I am a “slow-poke” because I am a perfectionist, so I have made it a point to get this blog post up. I really enjoyed Wendy and Glenn, so I want to make sure I pick the ones that reflect their personalities. The weather was warm, the sky blue and since it was early in the day, not too many people on Long Branch beach! Thanks to McLoone’s Pier House for a wonderful set up! (BTW - this begins our month at McLoone’s!)
Here is our happy couple, just getting started!
Beautiful beach theme!
Thank god for the Stewart’s cart!!!
Look - even the Groom has to pay to get on the beach!
A favorite…
These two know how to have a good time!
Wendy tries her hand on the mic - Keep your day job, Wendy!
I hope you enjoy these as much as I have. Suzanne is over my shoulder laughing at me and she likes what I picked, so I am ok to post!
Enjoy guys!
Chris
I had such a great day with Betsy and Bryan on their wedding day. The weather was beautiful, the couple was beautiful, their children are beautiful! They came together as a family this day, and it was so evident in how the images turned out. McLoone’s Pier House provided the site & reception and the gorgeous flowers were provided by Petal Beach in Long Branch (Bonnie and Chris). Take a look…
These two were so excited to see each other, it was hard to keep them out of the adjoining rooms!
Starting off to the ceremony together with little friends to follow…
One of my favorite shots of the day.
Pretty little maids all in a row…
Truly a happy family.
Last moments alone before the party begins…
This says it all.
Thanks guys for a fantastic wedding and beautiful shots!
Best,
Suzanne
Thanks to Michelle and John for a great time at their wedding August 2nd! A little rain early on created the perfect sky later in the day for these great shots. Our couple are turf grass experts. Michelle is a professor at University of Massachusetts in the Plant Science department and John works with golf courses and athletic field owners to maintain and improve their lawns. So we brought some yard tools to the wedding for a few fun photos! Our Lady of Fatima in Elizabeth was the site of the beautiful ceremony. Photo shoot afterwards was at Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Reception at Iberia Restaurant in Newark was phenomenal!!! The food was endless and the presentation gorgeous! For all you Portuguese food lovers, this is the place to be! Thanks to Tony, the Maitre ‘D, the night was great.
A quiet moment after the ceremony
Our lawn experts can’t get away from their work!!
The food just went on and on and on… Gorgeous presentation!
This poor guy never has a chance!
Enjoy Italy Michelle and John!
Best,
Suzanne
To say the weather was HOT this weekend is an understatement, but we managed to keep cool and had a great time with Bernadette and Marc. Verona Park was scorching, but the bridal party and families we good sports and stuck it out for a few shots - thanks everyone!!! The ceremony and reception at The Atrium was gorgeous! Take a peek…
A little help with the shoes…
Our beautiful bride!
Just be sure to move the rings BEFORE drinking…
Our handsome groom…
Our flower girl was beginning to meltdown in the heat, so we had her lend a hand to Chris with the bridal party formals. He needs all the help he can get!!!
After a few Mojitos - don’t drop her, please!
A KICK-ASS cake shot!!! Thanks to Gerry at Golden Note Entertainment for the wall lighting!
After a few MORE mojitos - Party-Time…
Screw the electric-slide, this is my new favorite group dance! Sunshine & moonlight…
Good-night everyone!
Have a great trip to Hawaii! More to come…
Best,
Suzanne
What started out like your typical ‘let’s catch the bouquet’ moment, quickly turned into a wrestling match. It was something to see two bridesmaids’s jumping away from the rest of the girls in line for the toss; each of them had a hand on the bouquet as they hit the floor.
We quickly got the sense of what was happening and just kept shooting. Neither of the girls would let up once guests started cheering them on.
It took one of the girls to pin the other to the ground with her foot & rip the flowers out of the other bridesmaid’s hand. In the end, one got the bloom, the other got the stems!
You should have seen the look of the best man who caught the garter. Very few of our weddings still do the garter and bouquet toss - this wedding was refreshing!
Had to share,
Suzanne
Point Pleasant Beach - January 5th
Yes, we photographed on the beach in January
Rumson - February 10th
Within a wine cellar
Eagle Ridge Golf Club, Lakewood - March 29th
He did not deserve that
Dolce, Basking Ridge - April 5th
Just loved the lighting of this wedding
The Mill, Spring Lake - April, 19th
This was a very touching and emotional wedding
Grand Marquis, Old Bridge - April 26th
Love shooting at Monmouth University
Waters Edge, Sea Bright - May 10th
One of our favorite places to photograph
Eagle Oaks Country Club, Farmingdale - May 24th
This group was a blast to work with
McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch - May 31st
Yes, that is a taxi cab limo
American Legion Hall, Neptune - June 21st
A little romance in Spring Lake
Waters Edge, Sea Bright - June 22nd
Taken right after the wedding, once the rain shower passed
Eagle Oaks Country Club, Farmingdale - June 28th
Fooling around in Spring Lake Beach
It’s about;
- just going for it!
- being creative under pressure!
- taking risks, capturing the unplanned and unexpected!
- not duplicating the same type of images wedding after wedding!
- not allowing a passion to become a job!
- capturing the real you!
There are numerous ways to photograph a wedding and we have developed our own. Suzanne and I absolutely love what we do; we are in business to have fun!
So go on, rip up ‘The Shot List’ page of your wedding planner and start thinking about really having some fun with your photographers. Feed us your ideas; let us know what you’re about and what your interests are. Suzanne and I will take it from there.
~ Chris
