Gantry Plaza Elopement in Long Island City
Apollo Fields | NYC Wedding Photographer | LIC Wedding Photography | Gantry Plaza Elopement | New York City Wedding Photographer
Dan & Alexis
We first met Alexis and Dan when Covid first hit in February. We met at an open, work-friendly cafe on the Upper East Side when hand sanitizer on every countertop was just becoming a thing. We sipped on some lattes and gameplanned their intimate ceremony at Gantry Plaza in Long Island City and the reception to follow at a bier garten in Astoria. As you might expect, the reception will have to wait until 2021 but Alexis and Dan still popped some champagne with a few family and friends on a gorgeous Saturday in November.
A light fall breeze accompanied by the warmth of unimpeded sunshine created a whimsicality to the afternoon. Alexis and Dan picked a shaded spot beneath a tree for a ceremony site and joggers and picnickers congratulated them in passing or at a distance. A slip-up or two in their vows and a maintenance truck added humor and levity to those precious moments; I think a ceremony for them sans silliness or laughter would be out of place. They are both such joyous souls.
Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, Alexis and Dan busted out some park-friendly personal 375ml bottles of Moët with some of the best desserts we’ve ever had. The ‘cake jars’ as they are called were from a local Astoria bakery, Cakes by Nerwan, and they blew us away with their lightness and flavor. Who needs hor d'oeuvres when you can have dessert first? Alexis and Dan 100% knew what they were doing.
From there we waited for some shifting cloud cover to get some family formals to commemorate the day. With the skyline of Manhattan in the background, this intimate ceremony turned epic pretty quick. I had no idea the view from Long Island City was so beautiful. We then borrowed Alexis and Dan to snap a few shots of just the two of them up and down Gantry Plaza. When it comes to hosting a wedding, Alexis and Dan showed that if you host it, the vibes will come.
It’s wild to think about the places we were in those short pre-Covid 2020 days and even crazier to think about all we’ve endured since then. Sandwiched between the unpredictable events were the couples like Alexis and Dan who planned an epic day to celebrate their marriage. Most rescheduled, others pared down plans, and some cancelled altogether. Heather and I are honestly so grateful that Alexis and Dan and many others chose to host something this year because it delivered us so much joy. People like to poke fun at “smiling with your eyes” when you’re wearing a mask but Heather and I took in all the happiness that we could.
When I look back on 2020 I will remember how trying it all was, how I experienced anxiety for the first time, and how we managed to work while Heather was pregnant with our first child; but perhaps most importantly, I will remember the moments of levity, the slip-ups doing vows, and all of the maintenance truck moments that kept us smiling with our eyes behind the mask behind the lens.
Enjoy these pics from Alexis & Dan’s Long Island City Wedding:
Summer 2020 Wedding in Long Island, NY
Billy & Cara’s Summer Wedding in Long Island | NY Weddings on the North Shore | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
Returning to work has felt like going back to my childhood home, rolling the garage door up, grabbing a basketball, and heading out to the hoop in the street. Even though my old hoop may be long gone; I still remember the give of the plexiglass backboard, the strange bend on the rim from when it fell during a storm, and how I used to countdown from three right before I heaved up a game-winning shot. Those memories literally feel like a physical part of me. Then this past weekend, when I walked into Billy’s mother’s house and began joking with the groomsmen as they bent their wrists as they put on their helicopter cuff links, I realized that Apollo Fields is becoming part of me in the same way.
Billy and Cara, like many other 2020 couples, have been run through the gamut of rescheduling their wedding (twice). On top of that, Hurricane Isaias knocked power out of Cara’s parents’ house and the location where they planned to have a small reception. Resilience, patience, and kindness are the first words that come to mind when I think of the way that Cara and Billy handled all of these obstacles, but even they don’t do justice for their wonderful relationship.
A couple of Long Island natives, their engagement story is one of my favorites. Billy planned a kayaking trip on a bay on the south shore, going beforehand to bury a small box in the sand and marking it with an ‘x.’ They brought a couple of sandwiches with them on the trip and while Billy was doing his best to nudge Cara to hunt for buried treasure, all Cara could think about was how hungry she was and that she wanted her ham sandwich. “Who passes up buried treasure for a ham sandwich?” Billy playfully asked in the questionnaire we give to our couples to get to know them better. I’m sure any groom that has taken romantic lengths like this one knows all too well the anxiety of trying to maintain the surprise while trying to play it cool. “Just hunt for the treasure, damn it!”
You would never have guessed with Cara and Billy’s cool and calm demeanor during their wedding that they’re actually fierce competitors. Bowling and mini-golf are games in constant rotation, and Cara refuses to leave the alley until she wins a game (Heather does the same). Cara even disclosed in the questionnaire that she won’t play Clue with Billy’s family until they learn to play by the right rules (lol), showing the integrity of a competitor that we 100% respect. Whether it was from this backbone of competitiveness against the events of 2020 or the sentimentality behind buried treasure and a ham sandwich, we’re so happy that the celebration of their love prevailed.
It’s crazy how our memories and our work entangle with our identities, reinforcing who we are even though we think we are just living our lives. I definitely err on the side of reflection and contemplation as opposed to impulsivity, and am grateful that my job, through Heather’s undeniable artistic talent, continues to shape my reality through stories of love and basketball. Cheers to the love of Cara and Billy, who helped me realize that work can be just as powerful as nostalgia.
Wedding Vendors:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Ceremony Venue: St. Kilian Parish
Videographer: John Morelli
Officiant : Deacon Bill
Florist: Bloominous
Dress : BHLDN
Suit: Generation Tux
Rings : Blue Nile
Hair and Makeup: Luxe and Co
Invitations and Save The Dates: Minted
Transportation / Limo: All Star Limo
Charles River Engagement Photos in Boston, MA
Kendall And Kevin’s Engagement Photos On The Charles River Esplanade in Boston | Massachusetts Wedding Photographers | Apollo Fields Photography
I find peace in conversation, in taking the time to really listen to the words that people choose to express themselves. Some decide to speak with a less-is-more attitude while others feel the need to explain. I love that conversation is such a human experience compared to the way other animals communicate. As we walked up the Charles River Esplanade in Boston last week, it became pretty clear that Kevin spoke the language of the trees, naming them as we walked past, making sure to touch a leaf or a branch along the way. Kendall was a bit more cerebral, almost like you could see the wheels turning as she told a story, giving us the mental space to imagine it ourselves. As we continued on and stopped to take their engagement photos in Boston on an idyllic summer night, I couldn’t help but appreciate the serenity their conversation offered.
Early in their relationship, Kendall and Kevin used to run together on the Charles River Esplanade, which provides bridges in two-mile intervals that act as guides for the city’s active dwellers. I’ve always been jealous of couples that exercise together—the only crossover Heather and I have athletically is mini-golf. In our conversation I learned that I’m more the Kendall-style runner, choosing to push rather than pace, and wind up running shorter distances. I’d compare Kevin and Heather’s running styles but Heather does most of her running on horseback and that’s not fair. I love the idea of Kendall and Kevin getting to know each other while jogging, swapping stories between breaths—it sounds like the beginning of rom-com with a happy ending.
In the last few months, Kevin has seen his tree-cutting business boom during Covid-19, as people are reallocating their vacation funds to projects they’ve been putting off. He said that he’s had a difficult time expanding his team in light of government unemployment, but Kendall being a team player pitched in. “Kendall can drag brush with the best of ‘em,” Kevin bragged as he laughed.
Kevin went on to explain that Kendall loves to talk at night before bed but that he often falls asleep too quickly. “Not that night,” he said, “that night she worked in the field she was out.” Kendall also helps on the administrative side of the business that can give Kevin a headache and it’s really wonderful for Heather and I to see another couple work so well together. A healthy relationship really can be the basis for a wonderful life.
They will be getting married at our favorite venue in Maine, Granite Ridge Estate in June 2021. They are planning their wedding in much the same way that they communicated with us and each other during their engagement session. Kevin is the most excited about the flowers and maybe getting a keg of root beer while Kendall gave us a glance and a smile and I could see in a glint in her eye her imagining it all. Knowing the venue and now knowing these two, I know that they will find the same peace that I found in conversation with them that they will find in each other for years to come.
Long Wharf Boston Engagement Photographers
Jessica and Matt's Boston Engagement Session at Long Wharf and Somerville | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography | Massachusetts Engagement Photographer
The “Big Dig” I have against Boston, aside from my predisposition as a New Yorker, is that goddamned Callahan Tunnel. I say this knowing that 1) most Bostonites would agree with me, and 2) I haven't even driven there during rush hour. Other than that, the 3rd most walkable city in the U.S. was a dream to explore while donning a mask on a morning run through the Boston Commons and alongside the Charles River. My admiration continued when we met up with Jessica and Matt in the North End, popping into quirky alleyways and onto cobblestone streets as we captured their undeniably fun and playful vibe.
I’m not sure which I enjoyed more: learning Jessica and Matt’s origin story of how they got to know each other over countless lunches as they worked together; or stumbling across a location where they shot a scene in The Departed. Around every corner there seemed to be a cornerstone of the city’s history or a memory of their budding relationship, turning their entire engagement photo session in Boston into a beautifully light trip down memory lane.
Jessica and Matt then brought us north over the Tobin Bridge to Somerville, a quaint city adjacent to Cambridge where they spent a significant amount of their relationship. Just imagine if Boulder, Colorado came 2,000 miles east or Burlington, Vermont, came 200 miles south-- that’s Somerville. Jessica and Matt amusingly did their best to explain the Davis Square Statues, the strange non-Covid-related mask-donning bronze metal statues stationed around the cozy downtown area (apparently the masks were added after their creation as a result of vandalism). We then grabbed some ice cream and took a stroll by The Foundry on Elm to commemorate the place where they had their first date.
As we looked ahead to their wedding, Jessica and Matt sang their praises to their wedding planner, Liz with Elegant Aura, who is helping them with the fine details of their June 2021 wedding at Granite Ridge Estate in Maine. Lucky for them, Jessica and Matt both have families equipped with skills that will fit perfectly into their day. Jessica’s father runs a prominent catering company in Boston and can turn a skint cabinet into a delicious meal, and Matt’s mother is happy to crush the floral arrangements. It was really wonderful to hear how excited they were to see it all come together.
Whether it's learning a new city or about a new couple, Heather and I are just stoked to be (cautiously) back at it again. We thrive on new experiences and pull on the threads of the stories of our couples that give us goosebumps and bring smiles and laughter to the world. As we move through 2020 together my optimistic side continues to be fed by amazing people like Jessica and Matt who remind me to always keep it light. Here’s to a city I never thought I’d like, a couple whose doing it right, and all of the positive vibes we can send to anyone who has to drive in that god forsaken tunnel.
Harlem NYC Engagement Photography
Mike and Madelyn's NYC Engagement Photos in Harlem | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
There’s always one moment during our engagement photo sessions—when I’m holding Heather’s backup camera lenses and am more-or-less a glorified coat rack—when a tingle goes up the top of my spine and out onto my shoulders. It is the same feeling you feel at the crescendo of a theatrical performance when you’re seated in the front row, or the first time as a kid when you walk up the tunnel of old Yankee Stadium to the bright lights and green grass; it is being witness to something spectacular. For us wedding photographers, it’s when you watch a couple look into each other’s eyes and really mean it.
As professional performers, Mike and Maddy were no strangers to the camera. It is almost literally in their job description to turn their facial expressions on and off like a light switch. But the first time we asked Mike and Maddy to bring their faces close and look into each other’s eyes it wasn’t a performance. It was real. It gave me that feeling that I’ve discovered that there’s actually a word for: frisson; a brief moment of emotional excitement. It is accessing that space and capturing that genuine connection between our couples that drives us. We just can never get enough.
Lucky for us, Mike and Maddy had moments like that on the ready as we moved through New York’s steamy summer streets. We started the photo session at the Hamilton Grange in Harlem, where they typically take their adorable dog, Millie, on a walk to a wonderfully secret local dog park. As the early evening golden light came through the trees, Mike and Maddy effortlessly showed us what it looks like to love someone. Turns out the fairytale vibes were just beginning.
In a beautiful combination of Heather’s understanding of the way that light refracts off of water and New York being New York, we stumbled across a fire hydrant spraying into the street. Whereas I would just walk by and smile as the neighborhood kids played and cooled off, Heather stopped all of us in our tracks and shouted “hol’ up!” She then told Mike and Maddy to do what they do best and love up on one another with the mist in the background. This moment led to one of my favorite images that Heather has ever taken and I look forward to storing it in my memory bank for years to come.
Mike and Maddy have decided to have a small wedding to celebrate their love in a couple weeks and it will be the first wedding we get to document as an Apollo Fields team since Covid-19 happened. I’d be lying if I said getting through the uncertainty of 2020 has been easy, but its engagement photo sessions in New York like these that my optimistic side will choose to focus on. Frissons of happiness may’ve seemed to be in short supply for the last few months, but if these photos of Mike and Maddy are any indication, we’ve got plenty of 2020 to look forward to.
Enjoy these sneaks from Madelyn and Mike’s Engagement Session:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Crab Meadow Beach Elopement in Northport, NY
Tracy & Matt's Fourth of July Beach Elopement at Crab Meadow in Northport | Long Island Weddings | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographer
My Fourth of July began at 4:15AM (the same time that many of yours might have been ending)! I woke up to a black night with no sign of sunrise, went downstairs, drank a cup of tea, and forced my reluctant dogs to go to the bathroom outside. Even they weren’t ready to be up, but I had been stirring every fifteen minutes for the past few hours, squinting at my clock to see if it was time to go to work yet.
Go to work. A sentence that I’ve been looking forward to for MONTHS during this pandemic. While many people might have eased into this stay-at-home lifestyle, I clung to the promise that I would be able to go back to shooting on location. Working with couples, documenting their important milestones, traveling to new locations, celebrating their love— all of this is my muse and very much what keeps the gas in my tank.
None of this quarantine felt like a vacation to me, and it did not “recharge my batteries” like it has for some. I love what I do, and that is why I was especially excited for Tracy and Matt’s elopement on the Fourth. At around 4:30, I grabbed my cameras, hopped in the car, and drove to the beach.
I was the first one there and loved the idea that this location would inevitably blow up with families later that afternoon, but for that moment, it felt like mine. The air was still cool and a breeze rippled across the sand. The first light of dawn was breaking, and before long, Tracy and Matt were exchanging their vows against the still ocean, with only the company of their officiant and myself (while I doubled as their witness).
I don’t take these moments lightly. To be included in these sacred experiences is a privilege and it brings me so much purpose to capture even—or perhaps especially—the most intimate of elopements.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to navigate reschedules as a 2020 couple-- you just have to do what is best for you guys. But let’s be serious, that’s what weddings SHOULD be all about in the first place! If there has been one silver lining that the coronavirus has had on the wedding industry, I believe it is that couples are having to step back and reevaluate their priorities more than they might have had to in the past. A lot of the more frivolous parts of planning simply aren’t important anymore, and maybe they never were.
At the end of the day, a wedding is about two people committing their love and lives to one another. It is no secret that my favorite weddings have always been a bit non-traditional, incorporating personalized details and reimagined rituals. This new wedding landscape is naturally conducive to these kinds of weddings, and it has been so refreshing to see couples adapting with grace and mindfulness.
Photography: Apollo Fields
Location: Crab Meadow Beach, Northport NY
