Sunrise Elopement Vow Exchange at Brooklyn Bridge
Apollo Fields | Brooklyn Bridge Engagement | Sunrise Brooklyn Bridge Photos | Wedding Photos Brooklyn Bridge | Brooklyn Bridge park, NY
It’s funny how the arches of Brooklyn Bridge, in all of their man-made glory, reminded me of the natural beauty of the Grand Tetons at sunrise. I’ve really learned to love the quiet of early mornings, especially in places like New York City that are known for their cacophony of sounds. When we met up with Vanessa and Jake to photograph them as they shared their vows that October morning, there were plenty of cars whizzing by below us but none were blaring their horns. The only sounds we heard were the heavy breaths of bikers passing by and their bells ringing in the distance.
Vanessa and Jake are one of those couples that claim that they don't know what to do in front of the camera then proceed to dance and play like they are the stars of a rom-com. I’m trying to find a word more accurate than ‘chemistry’ that captures this--the way that two people interact when they are so obviously in love. I think it’s part being comfortable with PDA and part being comfortable with yourself; and we could tell very quickly that Vanessa and Jake had it whatever it is.
Vanessa and Jake picked the Brooklyn Bridge to have a vow sharing/first date anniversary because that’s where Jake proposed. They playfully recreated the moment on the spot where it happened while popping a bottle of champagne! It seems that in every proposal story the person who is proposing is always uncharacteristically failing at trying to be sly to get their partner to the spot they want to propose and we think it’s hilarious. I mean there’s no smooth way to be like, ‘let’s walk to this super picturesque spot and just take in the good vibes’ without it sounding super forced. Everyone knows that those fleeting moments are so great precisely because they aren’t scripted. Here’s one for all the romantics out there like Jake and I who try no matter what.
From there we trekked to both their old and new neighborhoods in Bed Stuy and got some shots of them at other landmarks of their relationship. We love taking a trip down memory lane with our couples, it gives us a chance to really get to know them. Jake and Vanessa even took a silly photo in front of a token NYC Chinese food restaurant because Jake has an affinity for those hole-in-the-wall joints--and who can blame him, boneless spare ribs are effing delicious.
Spending that morning with Vanessa and Jake really solidified why I love New York as much as I love the mountains. We just walked and told stories and watched as the city came alive (I was totally blown away by how many people go for a run at sunrise). Heather goes on and on about the beautiful alpen glow of the morning and the golden hour at night and I hate to admit that I’m beginning to enjoy chasing the light with her. Whether it is on mountain peaks, city streets, or a fluorescent light behind a Chinese restaurant sign, to the light we go.
Enjoy these images from Vanessa & Jake’s sunrise ceremony:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Brooklyn Bridge Park DUMBO Photography
Katie & Anthony’s Anniversary Session | DUMBO Brooklyn Photography | Top of the Rock Session | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
From a Colorado mountain engagement sunrise session to an anniversary celebration in New York City, the early hours of daylight continue to breathe new life into our work. Who knew that the Brooklyn Bridge is literally empty at sunrise? Or that you can basically have a private session at the Top of the Rock if you show up around opening time? By utilizing the sunrise rather than our beloved “golden hour” sunset, we captured one-of-a-kind moments of Katie and Anthony that they will cherish forever.
Katie, a fellow photographer based out of Illinois initially found us through our shared network of shutterbugs. This made taking their anniversary photos a breeze! There’s nothing like working with professionals who know what they’re doing. It was refreshing despite the fact that it required us to get out of bed at 4am. Through yawns and coffee we all powered through and had a magical morning.
I say magical because you will never find a time where the Brooklyn Bridge is completely empty — it was like stepping onto the front of the stage at Carnegie Hall to an empty auditorium — and the silence and solitude allowed the immensity of the structure to sink in. That’s because a moment of peaceful reflection in New York City is more rare than an empty, clean air conditioned subway car. You gotta get real lucky to find one. Or maybe you just gotta get up as bars are just closing and the morning papers are hot off the presses (Do people still say this in the 21st century?)
The point is, if you have your heart set on a certain shot in a certain spot in New York City, you have to make a concerted effort like Katie and Anthony to get it. Otherwise it’s a battle against a city of 8 million people who all have a place to be. At Apollo Fields, we are more than willing to schedule a sunrise session because of what it avails us — whether in New York or in the Rockies (or anywhere else for that matter!) — because there is an undeniable peace or resetting of the mind that comes with the real beginning of the day.
Don’t settle for the cookie cutter images that other people have. Don’t settle for what is easy. Pursue the photo or the life you imagine because the world outside of your body should reflect what’s on the inside. The kids say that they’re “woke,” and Childish Gambino tells ‘em to stay that way, but we’re telling you to wake up early, reset your mind, and truly embrace the peaceful light of the day—at least once in awhile.
Enjoy these photos from Katie & Anthony’s anniversary session:
New York City Photography: Apollo Fields
Locations: Brooklyn Bride | DUMBO | Top of the Rock
From our family to yours!
There are bumps in every road and our wheelchair-bound badass Jack Russel, Riddle, handles them better than most. For those who aren’t afraid of life’s curveballs, drop us a line, we’d love to be your friends or your photographers!