Kelly and Scott’s Wedding – 8.7.10

Kelly and Scott came us from a rather enthusiastic referral from her maid of honor, Kristin, sister of a groom we photographed three years ago. I remember Kristin lending her fun-loving and energetic spirit to her brother’s wedding party, but Kelly & Scott’s crew needed no prodding. We had a large portion of the middle of the day to shoot group formals, and we worked it to the max: Ralph Wilson Stadium, City Hall, and the marina….

Kelly's dress detail.

Bridesmaids' flowers.

Kelly shot in our studio? How about mom's sliding glass door with our special beauty lighting:)

The ceremony was held at St. Gabriel’s Church in Elma, NY, officiated by the “energetic” Father Dan, who, it turns out, taught me in grammar school…

Exterior of St. Gabriel's Church, Elma.

St Gabriel's interior detail.

Kelly & her father, Tom, ready for the walk down the aisle.

Father Dan's blessing of the bride & groom.

Pew decorations.

...Becoming Mrs. Page.

The unity candle.

We had a four hour block of time between the ceremony and the reception, so we had plenty of time for plenty of options for the party formals. Scott has Bills’ season tickets, and thought we had an inside track on being allowed into the Ralph to shoot on the field. Turns out that the field was occupied by the drum & bugle corps weekend, so our best laid plans were in doubt. We walked up to the security building, banged on the door, and Steve Tasker (future HOF-er) opens the door, sees our bride & ecstatic groom in their dress & tuxedo, nicely posed for photos with us, and let us into the parking lot instead for some football inspired formals. I think Scott was in heaven…

Kelly, Chris, and future hall-of-famer Steve Tasker.

"Are you ready for some football..?!"

Hijacking a security cart...

"The Bills make me wanna' SHOUT!!"

…Then off to Buffalo City Hall and Niagara Square.

Buffalo City Hall & Niagara Square.

Mr. & Mrs. Page in the columns of city hall.

The happy couple in Niagara Square.

…I hear a splash!! Oh oh, Jamie’s in the fountain… :)

Adventurous Jamie...

…so all the ladies piled in…

Kelly and her girls...

Off to the marina…

On the rocks...

The reception was held at Banchetti’s in their new outdoor tent.

Gerber daisy cake.

The speeches were some of the best I’ve ever heard- Kelly and Scott were very good sports as their friends roasted them over the fire…   :)

Kristin and Stephanie roast Kelly & Scott.

"Only Kelly could love this face..." Now everyone can look like Scott.

"Only Scott could love this face..." Now everyone can look like Kelly.

Pernik's epic seven-minute roast of the bride & groom.

it was tough to tell who was who on the dance floor :)

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August 20th, 2010 , Mike
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Tarrah & Benjamin’s Wedding – 8.6.10

I arrived at Tarrah’s house the morning of her wedding expecting to take beautiful photos of her and her ladies. What I didn’t expect was to hear her say, “We have a bit of a problem!” Oh oh…. Now, I’m quite used to (and take great pride in) being able to think on my feet to deal with unexpected obstacles, changing light conditions, etc., but hearing the word “problem” always gives me pause… “I sprained my ankle last night!” Ppppph! No worries, just lean on your trusty photographer, and we’ll take our time… We hobbled over to the Asa Ransom House for the pre-wedding formals, and she was thrilled. Between my shoulders, her wonderfully helpful ladies, and eventually, her new husband Benjamin, we had a wonderful, if a little slowly-paced wedding day…

Tarrah's dress detail

"We have a bit of a problem..."

Tarrah's rose bouquet

Tarrah's mom lovingly helping her dress...

Pre-wedding formals at the Asa Ransom House.

Bridal details...

Tarrah's engagement ring.

Tarrah's wonderful ladies... so much fun!

Eden's ring- each of the girls received one as a gift from Tarrah

The aisle at LoveJoy Church

...becoming Mrs. Dietrick :)

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Dietrick

Such a sweetie!

…It began to rain just as we were leaving church… what to do? Straight to the reception to wait it out or go to the park where we wanted to shoot the party formals to see if it stops? Look to the trusty cell phone with internet access- I love my droid! Dial up the weatherchannel.com, look at the radar, looks like it’ll rain for about 2o min then stop for a bit, then some more rain… CHECK! We drove to the park, waited the storm out in our cars, then shot when it stopped. Perfect timing!

The fantastic couple...

Benjamin & his boys.

Love Kaitlin's muse pose... ah, inspiration.

The reception was outdooors, under the tent at Glen Oak Country Club.

Signature Plate

First dance as Mr. & Mrs. Dietrick...

...dancing the night away...

Off to the honeymoon!

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August 18th, 2010 , Mike
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Pam & Jordan’s Wedding – 7.31.10

We got to know Pam & Jordan during their engagement portrait session at the Rochester Red Wings’ stadium. We scrambled all over the stadium, from the bleachers to the field, taking photos all the way… When their wedding date rolled around, we had their favorite print from the day matted into a signature matte for their guests to sign- a picture of them piggy-backing around the base path. The ceremony was in the beautiful Asbury First United Church on East Avenue, and before riding to the reception at Cobblestone Creek County Club, we quickly stopped outside our studio on Schoen Place for some formals.  Flowers and centerpieces by my plaza mates, The Topiary.

Laura helps Pam with her shoes.

Pam's wonderful shoe details.

...how many bridesmaids does it take to...?

The beautiful soon-to-be Mrs Meehl.

Pam and her bouquet...

The exterior of Asbury.

The rings.

Exchanging the rings.

Lighting the unity candle.

Schoen Place, on the canal.

On Cobblestone Creek's amazing flowered bridge.

Cobblestone Creek

The signature board with the engagement session print.

Centerpieces and Ireland table numbers.

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August 13th, 2010 , Mike
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Sabrina & Pat’s Engagement Portraits

Sabrina & Pat are being married in a few weeks, and we met at the reception site,  Genesee Country Village, in Mumford, NY,  to scout out wedding day photo locations and snap some engagement photos for use in their reception signature matte. Playing up the 1800’s theme of the site, they chose to dress the part, with Pat in a cappy and suspenders… I kept reminiscing back to the days of watching Little House on the Prairie, and kept throwing around references to Charles Ingalls, Nellie Olson and Doc Baker… Our tour guide seemed amused by my antics, and did me one better by saying that the actor that played Almonzo Wilder was making an appearance the following week… Looking forward to the wedding day, shooting in front of the lovely architecture, and sampling the homemade beer from the on-site brewery  :)

Love Pat's suspenders

Walking through the gardens

In front of the Hyde House, built c. 1870,

Garden Porticos

Outside the brewery... hops and barley growing behind it.

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August 11th, 2010 , Mike
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Buffalo Bills Training Camp – 8.1.10

My camera & me were lucky enough to be invited behind the scenes at St John Fisher College to be up close & personal during the Buffalo Bills training camp over last weekend. So I grabbed the long lens, my monopod, and my trusty sidekick (lovely wife) Debra, and made for the practice field… Looking for a great year out of the veterans and a breakout one from the rookies…  and to sideline photos of the Bills beating the Patriots… and the Jets… and the Dolphins… :)

Roscoe Parrish showing off his wheels.

Fred Jackson breaking out during the run drills.

Shawn Nelson runs after a catch

Marshawn Lynch- "BeastMode" entering the field.

Aaron Maybin turning the corner...

Ed Wang learning the ropes- the OL coach was riding him hard...

Ed Wang learning the ropes- OL coach rode him hard

Naaman Roosevelt- fellow alumni of both my HS and college- it would be nice to see him make the squad.

Trent Edwards and Debra- "THE nicest guy..."

Debra and her new favorite Bill, Brian Moorman.

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August 3rd, 2010 , Mike
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Melissa & Tom’s Wedding – 6.26.10

Melissa & Tom came to us to shoot their wedding in Honeoye Falls, one that would include many “firsts” for us: the first at the Lower Mill, the first with the Reverend Kris Miller, the first that included the Milwaukee Brewer’s team song…   What wasn’t a first for us were the wonderful people involved in the wedding party, as we’ve been on the receiving end of a great many compliments from them… This is the latest in a long string of referrals from bride to bride, as former bridesmaids would turn to us to shoot their own wedding. After spending all day with us, and viewing their friends’ images and beautiful storybook bridal album, they are enthusiastic about us spending their special day with them also … The best compliment we can receive!

Invitation

Melissa getting laced into the dress, with help from Mom and Jamie.

Melissa getting laced into the dress, with help from Mom and Jamie.

Jamie helping Melissa into her garter.

The lovely bride in our special beauty lighting.

Waiting for the ceremony at the Lower Mill.

Melissa and Dad coming down the steps to meet Tom.

Outdoor ceremony at the Lower Mill, presided by Rev. Kris Miller.

Blessing of the rings.

Rev. Kris Miller and the handbinding ceremony.

The handbinding, a lovely touch.

Wonderful friends and family in the bridal party.

Formals down the road at the Honeoye Falls waterfall

Honeoye Falls

Melissa's bouquet

Reception at the Lower Mill restaurant & art gallery.

Keeping with the rustic nature of the room, Melissa & Tom used photos from our engagement shoot hung by a clothesline to accent the decor.

Milwaukee Brewer Fever...

The ladies of Delta Phi Epsilon...

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July 12th, 2010 , Mike
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Aimee & Adam’s Wedding – 6.12.10

Aimee and Adam Snyder came to us, as they are friends with one of our former brides, and simply loved her photography and finished album. We told them to trust us, that their wedding would look just as beautiful as our previous work… Come the big day, held at Westwood Country Club, Williamsville, NY, and Aimee and her twin sister Kim(ee) were looking lovely, and seemed cool as cucumbers. The previous evening, at the rehearsal ceremony, I got to meet and “warm up to” the flower girls, so they were all smiles for me on the wedding day. Have you ever seen such cute little redheads?  The little one, 6 yrs old,  told me she was, “Sarah…. with an h…” so her big sister introduced herself as, “Kaitlin…. with a K.” So cute…

Aimee's gorgeous dress hanging at Westwood Country Club

Hair & make-up at Capello's Salon

Aimee's girls helping her into the dress

Aimee in demme photography's special beauty lighting.

The guests at Westwood CC waiting for the bride

Aimee & Adam becoming Mr. & Mrs. Snyder...

"Kaitlin... with a K, and Sarah... with an h"

The rings...

Look at the height Nicole reached- far left...

Such cuties... great little personalities!

Mr. & Mrs. Snyder at Westwood Country Club.

...Loved the cake table with the rose petals.

Nice dip, Adam. DJ and bubbles by Phenomenon Sound

Look Out! The Party Girl comes out on the dancefloor... :)

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July 7th, 2010 , Mike
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Sarah & Eric’s Wedding – 6.5.10

Sarah & Eric Soehnlein had a wonderful wedding day, with the ceremony at Christ the King Chapel on the Canisius College campus, formals at the Erie County Historical Society and the reception at Brierwood Country Club…. Sarah was a bit worried about the weather, as the forecast called for rain on their special day- we found bad-weather locations for formals just in case. So, I cashed in some of my karma with momma nature, and performed a wonderful sun-dance on the night before the wedding. The thunderstorms arrived Friday evening, petered out by the morning, and by the time of the ceremony, the sun was shining bright, with a light breeze blowing…

Sarah in her beautiful dress.

Approaching Christ the King Chapel, Canisius College campus.

The long walk down the aisle, Christ the King Chapel, Canisius College

Bridesmaid's bouquets.

Exchanging rings.

Receiving line, Christ the King Chapel.

Erie County Historical Society, Buffalo, NY

The bridal party- friends & family- steps of the Erie County Historical Society.

Sarah & Eric - Erie County Historical Society, Buffalo, NY

The groomsmen's presents from Eric- light blue Converse for everyone... :)

Sarah used her grandmother's wedding cake topper, 50 years old.

Bouquet toss, Brierwood Country Club- Hamburg, NY

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July 1st, 2010 , Mike
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Kids & Cupcakes

…My sister-in-law Kristi recently opened a cupcake bakery, Dolce Cupcakery in Pittsford, NY- www.dolcecupcake.com.  She and her staff make the most delicious cupcakes, and, as she’s located right under my new studio in Schoen Place, I’ve become the official taste-tester. Not a bad gig really, tastebud-wise, but I think my waistline would disagree… As Kristi’s walls in the shop were a blank canvas, I decided to gather some little ones, hop them up on her buttercream frosting and chase them around while they were on a sugar rush to capture some wonderful portraiture for her customers.

Kristi Dellaria- Dolce Cupcakery

Little Maddy

Adorable Ava

Cute Kayden

Landen looking to eat...

Messy Matthew

Danielle digging in...

Darien said, "Delicious!"

Paige is pretty in pink

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May 24th, 2010 , Mike
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Rochester Nightcraze with WPXY and CJ Sound

I received an invite to shoot the craziness that is Rochester Nightcraze, a dance-fest at the Expo center’s Minnet Hall produced by WPXY FM 97.9 and CJ Sound, and I readily accepted.   Music by WPXY’s Rafael and Buffalo’s WKSE 98.5’s Nicholas Picholas and CJ Sound., Lit by a full laser show, attendees were glowing in the dark, breakdancing and sweating to the beats…

Nightcraze by CJ Sound

This kid amazed me- dancing has changed a bit since this leadfoot last hit the floor...

Fantastic laser show...

WKSE 98.5's Nicholas Picholas and WPXY 97.9's Raphael.

My head hurt just watching this kid...

WPXY crew working it...

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May 20th, 2010 , Mike
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