Thirteen Year Session | Franklin Square | Syracuse, NY My little girl, I love you so very much. We are different in so many ways... You are an extrovert, you thrive being with others. You see the best in everyone and refuse to judge. You're a giver and a helper. You are easy-going like your daddy. You don't care about make-up or fashion or looks. You're everything I'm not and you have helped me to be a better person. I am blessed to be your Mama and your friend. My kind, beautiful Magnolia, I love you just the way you are!
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Tailwater Lodge | Altmar, NY Emily & Connor wrapped up my 2021 Wedding season. I can't think of a better couple to close out the year with. Emily is more than her perfect mermaid hair and bright smile. She is warm and kind and completely in love with Connor. Connor is more than his dapper style and approachable manner. He is patient, soft spoken and completely in love with Emily. I've worked with them three times now so we've gotten to know each other pretty well. I can honestly say, they are absolutely beautiful, through and through. They technically got married last year, but it was a very intimate event and they had to greatly limit guests. I'm so glad they were finally able to celebrate with their friends and family after such a year of uncertainty. And celebrate we did! I hope these images can convey even a portion of the joy from that day. Mr. & Mrs. Hughes here is your official sneak peek. . . Getting Ready. First Look. Bride & Groom. Ceremony. Bridal Party. Family. Reception. The Barn at Crescent Lake Wedding | Odessa, Florida Do you know what it means when a couple is willing to pay for you to fly from NY to FL, some 1,255.5 miles, to photograph their wedding when they could have easily found a local photographer that was less expensive? Do you know what it means when a couple announces that they don't want anyone taking cellphone images during their ceremony because they already hired a paid professional to do that job? Do you know what it means when a couple thanks you profusely for the job that you did, before even seeing their completed images? ALL of these questions have the same answer . . . trust! Jordy and Jim, I can not possibly thank you enough for the immense amount of trust you had in me. I adore you both and your family and friends! I had so much fun with all of you on your special day. I'm wishing you nothing but love and happiness, forever! I truly hope your images are what you dreamed they would be. Here is your official sneak peek . . . Getting Ready. First Look. Bride & Groom. Ceremony. Wedding Party. Family Formals. Reception.
Green Lakes State Park Engagement Session | DeWitt, NY These two adorable humans though! I had soooo much fun with them yesterday even if they did make my old, exhausted butt walk the entire length of Green Lakes. We were all tired and sore by the end, but it was totally worth it! I hope I was able to capture the thoughtful, easy-going love that Ashlynn and Sam share. Here is their engagement session sneak peek . . . The Sinclair of Skaneateles, New York Samantha and Michael, where so I start?! From the moment we first met, via Facetime I adored the both of you. We had so much fun laughing, and getting to know each other at your engagement session. I was super excited for your wedding day and it did NOT disappoint. Aside from your two beautiful hearts, everything about your day was equally breathtaking. (I mean, Samantha's custom dress had POCKETS ladies!!!!) The Sinclair is one of those venues that can not be matched. Every inch of that place is a pure dream! Thank you so much for inviting me into your most special moment. I will forever remember it. I hope you feel the same way about your images. Mr. and Mrs. Siegel, here is your official sneak peek . . . Getting Ready. Ceremony. Bridal Party. Family Formals. Bride & Groom. Reception. Click HERE to see my Wedding & Elopement pricing. To book your own Wedding or Event, contact me HERE. To view more Wedding images, click on my gallery HERE. Venue :: The Sinclair of Skaneateles
Wedding Dress :: Gee June Bridal Bridal Party Attire :: David's Bridal Wedding Shoes :: Steve Madden Wedding Rings :: Henry Wilson Jewelers Flowers :: AMK Floral Photo Booth :: 360 Bros Catering :: Rosalie's Cucina Senior Session | Elmwood Park | Syracuse, NY I photographed Eddie with his family 3 years ago. I can't believe how mature he's gotten. We had fun walking around Elmwood Park a little hidden gem on the south side. Full of old stone architecture and lush greenery. It was the perfect overcast day. Here is his senior session sneak peek . . . Backyard Wedding | Liverpool, NY Aubriea found me in a local Moms group, about a month before her wedding. I can't express just how much I love these small, backyard weddings!! They are so intimate and loving. And can we chat about Aubriea's dress?! Easily the prettiest dress I've ever seen! This couple and their family were so much fun and so sweet. I really enjoyed my time with them. I hope they enjoy this sneak peek . . . Ceremony. Family Formals. Bridal Party. Bride & Groom. Reception.
Newborn Lifestyle Session | Syracuse, NY Cavanaugh (can we all just agree he has an awesome name!) is such a sweet, tiny nugget. He did so well for his newborn session. I love, love the pics of him with his big sisters. I hope these memories last forever . . . 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel | Clayton, NY As I entered Caitlin's hotel suite I had no idea what to expect. I had only spoken to her once, via phone. I didn't even know what she looked like. I walked in and she spotted me and excitedly squealed "Paige!!! I'm so happy you're here! I'm kind of obsessed with you and I've been telling everyone about you!" To which I had two thoughts. 1. Ummm, can everyone in my life greet me this way? 2. This is going to a good day! I was right about that second thought. I have never in my life laughed more or been more relaxed shooting a wedding. It felt so stress free, like we were lifelong friends. Caitlin and Bill are so gracious and kind, and they share such a sweet love story. They've been together since high school. Which in itself is special, but the fact that both Caitlin and Bill's parents also married their high school sweethearts is truly remarkable. They have had the best examples of what marriage is all about. I know these two will have a beautiful life together. I'm wishing them all the best. And I'm hoping they love their official sneak peek . . . Getting Ready. First Look. Ceremony. Formal Portraits. Bride and Groom. Reception.
Francesca's Cucina | Syracuse NY What a remarkable love story to not only last 40 years, but to still be filled with so much love and laughter. That is the story of Lynne and Joe. On a very hot and humid day last week I was privileged to document this beautiful milestone with their amazing and supportive group of close friends and family! There were so many fun highlights . . . like when Joe got back down on one knee and presented Lynne with a stunning anniversary diamond ring! There were tears and a gasp or two. He pulled off the surprise flawlessly! Then there was the incredibly sweet speech from the couple's son who told us all, just what kind of people Lynne and Joe are, both as parents and human beings! Not to be overshadowed by the squirrel that got so dehydrated it fell off the open roof and had to be revived back onto it's feet. These photos are just a snippet of those moments and all the wonderful emotion from this special occasion. I hope they treasure them forever. Lynne and Joe, here is your official sneak peek . . . Tailwater Lodge | Altmar, NY Cat & Rob's wedding kicked off my 2021 season. This sweet couple had to postpone their day due to the Pandemic, then ended up with the only day of non-stop rain that entire week. That said, they handled it all with grace and a beautifully relaxed ease. I remember heading upstairs to take some getting ready images of the guys. Rob was literally just soooo happy to be marrying Cat nothing else really seemed to matter. And Cat wasn't afraid of getting wet at all. She stood in the rain and got soggy and did it all with a smile on her face. The love between these two is so evident, I know that they will have a wonderful life together! Wishing you all the best Cat & Rob, I hope you love your sneak peek . . . Getting Ready. Ceremony. Family Formals. Bridal Party. Bride & Groom. Reception.
Chittenango Falls State Park Engagement Session | Cazenovia, NY Meet my 2021 winners of a free engagement session, Jordy & Jim! Their session was one of the most challenging and fun times I've photographed in over a decade behind the camera. I knew it would be. It was only 25 degrees and the snow was knee deep. As soon as I pulled up, I asked them how adventurous they were. I will admit, even I didn't know the level of adventure we were about to embark on. The steep descent down to the falls resulted in some bloody hand wounds, sledding on our bottoms (without a sled) down flights of ice covered stairs, and inching along at a snail's pace down slippery trails. Once we got down there, I decided it would be a good idea to don Jim's heavy boots and wade knee high in freezing temperature rushing water with $5000 in gear in hand in order to get one particular shot. We weren't able to get close to the actual falls. The snow was just too deep. They were mostly frozen anyway. I'm just glad none of us broke any bones. Though one of us did tear our pants. LOL As for Jordy and Jim, they were such troopers. They trudged right along with me, Jim even held me upright most of the way, haha. And we laughed so hard, I think I wet my pants, though that may have just been snow. Who can know? Anywho, I'm so glad we did it because I love these images. I hope seeing them, makes this wonderful couple feel like it was all worth it. Sigh . . . twenty-twenty. I don't think any of us could have predicted such a crazy, topsy-turvy year. As, just about everyone else on the entire planet earth, I can't say I wasn't affected by it. My husband and I both worked less. However, we also got more time together and together with our kids, which was so wonderful. When we're working, we have opposite schedules. So there's usually only one of us home with them at a time, but what a treat for them to get us both at the same time and for so long! There were other pluses to the year as well. I read two whole novels straight through! I can't remember when I last had the luxury to read as a pastime. We worked on our house projects. We played board games and went for long walks. We stayed up late and watched old movies and caught back up on television series we had long since abandoned. We slept in, ate junk and referred to it all as our staycation because doesn't that sound much more pleasant than quarantine? So, despite some of the saddest and most heartbreaking news all around us, we managed to find some bright spots in our isolated bubble. Then, the moment we were allowed to open back up, I was greeted by my incredibly supportive and faithful clients who didn't miss a beat in booking new sessions! It was overwhelming to not feel forgotten. And I want to thank you! It brought me so much joy to see your familiar smiling faces. Just to SEE you! To have actual human interaction. Even with a mask, even at a distance with a zoom lens. I got to see my people and it meant so much! I know, especially for my wedding clients, things didn't go exactly how you had originally envisioned. And yet, every ceremony, every backyard, every local park, every union . . . was breathtaking. I feel so blessed to know so many wonderful people because of this industry. To be a part of your stories!! How could I have known eleven years ago, when I picked up that tiny blue $150 point and click camera that I would live an entirely new life? Photography has brought me an immense amount of happiness. Part of that is the craft itself, the creativity. Part of it is the freedom and flexibility. And a large part of it, is all of you! Thank you for another year of trusting me with your precious moments. And for making me smiling, even if you couldn't see it. 😷 Here are some of my favorite moments from 2020 . . . Couples/Engagements. Weddings. Families. Newborns. HS Seniors. Personal. Contact me HERE, to book a session for 2021!
Right up there with "where should we have our session", (btw, HERE is a list of location ideas) one of the most common questions clients have regarding their photos is, "what should we wear?" As I mention in my FAQ's The most important factor in choosing your wardrobe is that you are comfortable and feel good. If you feel awkward, it will show in the images. Personally, I am a big fan of neutrals (white, cream, nude, peach, grey, denim). To me, these read as "classic" as opposed to boring. Mix in a pop of color or two, and you have yourself a color palette. I recommend either reds, light to medium blues or gold/mustard tones. I think layered solids are the way to go. Layers can add interesting texture and dimension to the image. Picture a rural setting with a pretty floral print with layers on top, maybe a solid cardigan and a leather jacket. Removing a layer or two during a session is a great way to change up the look without having to change clothing or lose any time. PLEASE avoid neon colors at all cost! They cast color onto the skin and do not photograph well. Also, gone are the days of an entire family sporting all white tops with all khakis or denim bottoms. Of course, there are still exceptions where a solid neutral palette can be done well. For example, in this recent summer time image . . . Here, the palette was literally all white and cream. And it just works in such a lovely way. As a rule, however, do NOT attempt to perfectly match each other. Rather aim to coordinate each subjects outfit by tying in 3-4 complementary colors. You will also notice how nature itself, adds to a color palette. I also love accessories like scarves, layered necklaces, stacked bracelets, etc. Once you have made your selections, or as a way of narrowing down choices, I love to lay all the outfits out together on a bed or sofa. This allows you to get a better feel for coordination. I have been photographing families for over ten years. Below you will find just a few examples of clients who pulled together cohesive and complimentary family outfit choices. Some are on the warm side, some cooler tones, some strictly neutral and some full of fun colors. I wanted to show you a variety of palettes and how they all can work. A lot may depend on the time of year your session is scheduled as well, but I hope these examples serve as an inspiration for your own family. Belated Bride & Groom Session | Upper Onondaga Park | Syracuse, NY Carina and Craig got married five years ago. She bought this dress for their wedding, but they ended up eloping to City Hall. So, we played dress up and created the wedding photos that they never had. And Carina finally got to wear her dress! This was a special session for me, too. You see, this stunning WOMAN and mother of two was the flower girl at my own wedding 22 years ago! She was just three years old!! It is so surreal to see her grown with a family of her own. I am so happy I was able to give them this gift! Carina and Craig, you are beautiful. I hope you love your gallery. Here is a sneak peek . . . Newborn Lifestyle Session | Syracuse , NY Finally finding time to blog some older sessions. I wish I got more requests for newborn lifestyle sessions. They are so natural and timeless. I don't know any parents who wouldn't want a lovely and permanent record of these early and precious days with their babes. Here is but a small sneak peek at the images that were including in their final gallery . . . Salmon River Family Session | Pulaski, NY I was originally supposed to photograph the wedding that would make all these boys, brothers. Cue 2020 and the Corona Virus. Needless to say, Kelly and Todd did end up getting married, but sadly, not the way they intended. And not with me there to capture it. It was disappointing for me. However, it felt so great to see them a short while later for their very first session, as a family of 6! I was excited because it was a location I'd been wanting to shoot at for a while. We met up at the double stone arch remains from the old Syracuse Northern Railroad along the Salmon River in Pulaski. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Late fall, golden hour and nothing but laughter and love! These are just some of the images included in their final collection. Let me know what you think in the comment section below! Francesca's Cucina | Upper Onondaga Park | Franklin Square Park | Syracuse , NY 2020 was truly one for the books! So many last moment weddings and elopements that turned out absolutely breathtaking. Jessicah and Armando's was no different. They contacted me two days, yup, you heard that right. Just two days before their wedding!! They still didn't even know for sure where the ceremony would be yet. In 48 hours they managed to pull together all the details to make the loveliest of days, shared with but a few family members and close friends. I am so honored to have been a part of it. Here is just a glimpse into their memorable love story . . . First Look. Bride & Groom. Ceremony. Family Formals. Bridal Party. Reception. Three Year Old Session | Syracuse, NY Oh, Finny. our dear sweet rainbow baby . . . you're three now. Every morning you ask Mama to cuddle you on the couch with your Otis baby (stuffed goat) in one hand and a cup of kefir in the other. We watch robot videos together until sissy wakes up. She is your bestest playmate and partner in crime. And although you are very different from each other, in many ways you're a lot like her, too. I see her influence on you in the way you empathize with others and show small and yet breathtaking acts of kindness. You're affectionate and joyful and so much fun! That's not to say you aren't a mischief maker. You like to do your own thing, even when you've been told no. Then when you see me get upset, you always ask me the same question "are you happy Mama?" And I always reply with the same answer "I'm happy when you listen Finny." But the truth is, I'm happy even when you don't. I'm happy I get to teach you . . . to apologize. And to help you grow. I'm happy I get to be your Mommy. Even when you cannon ball onto the dog and try to ride her like a horse. Even when you dig through the recycling and litter our home with trash that you call "robots" and "airplanes". Even when you scream to sleep with me at night and when I finally cave and let you, you scream to go back to your room. Yes, Finny. Even with all the challenging bits, Mommy's happy, that you are you! "I like you just the way you are." -Mister Rogers Backyard Wedding | Syracuse, NY I can't fully express how touching Logan & Daniel's small backyard wedding was. Every precious detail, from Logan wearing her Grandmother's headpiece, to Dan's shocked and affectionate look at seeing his Bride for the first time, to the couple's parent dances (which absolutely did me in)! Their day was chock full of true emotion, breathtaking nostalgia and powerful love. It was such a privilege to witness two gracious and supportive families come together to make this dream, a reality, for this sweet couple. Congratulations Logan & Daniel!! Your love story isn't just surviving through this pandemic, it's thriving! And this sneak peek is the proof . . . (Enjoy!) Getting Ready. Ceremony. Bride & Groom. Reception. |
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