Lifestyle Engagement Session Photography
Edie and Christopher's Lifestyle Engagement Photos in Their Home in PA | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
When Edie first called me, I almost didn’t answer the call. Not because I don’t love inquiries (duh) but because my cell number has apparently been sold to every telemarketer on Google, Yelp, Healthcare provider, and credit card company. It is almost unbelievable the amount of blocked calls and no-spam lists I have, but nothing seems to work. Sadly, as a result, I often let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
But for some reason when Edie called, I actually picked up and it was the best surprise! She is a close friend of my best friend’s mom, and it was her turn to get married!
We immediately clicked over our love of animals and spent most of our call chatting about our fur-families, so it only made sense to do their engagement session at their home with their four legged loves. They have two stunning black labs who compete in dog shows which also brought me back to my own childhood of being toted all over the country when my family showed Dobes.
They also have two cats (one indoor cat who is BEAUTIFUL, and one indoor/outdoor cat who is scrappy but adorable), and while I’m definitely #teamdog, both of these kitties were pretty awesome! It was so much fun to hang at their home in Pennsylvania, especially because they are located in one of the prospective areas that we’re looking in for our own farm.
In-home engagement sessions hold a special place in my heart. There’s something so unique about being in a shared space that holds so much meaning to a couple. Some of my favorite pictures of us were in our little cottage in CO because we put so much heart into that space. When I look back on those pics, it brings me to such a wonderful chapter in our lives.
We are so excited to shoot Edie and Christopher’s wedding in Blue Bell, PA next month! Enjoy these pics from their lifestyle in-home engagement session:
The Art Factory Wedding Photographers
Kelli & JP’s Wedding | Dawn of the Dead Themed Wedding | The Art Factory Venue | Paterson, NJ Weddings | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
We typically like to meet our couples before their wedding to strategize day-of timelines. This meeting allows us to prioritize shot lists, identify venue logistics, and gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better over a beer. Yet a couple weeks ago because of scheduling difficulties, we defied this practice for Kelli and John Paul’s wedding at The Art Factory in Paterson, NJ. Despite the beautiful “industrial chic” labyrinth that is The Art Factory, the playfully enigmatic couple of Kelli and John Paul showed us that spontaneity really is the spice of life.
For those unfamiliar with The Art Factory, it is a 170-year-old group of warehouse-like buildings sitting on 5 acres in the crime-ridden city of Paterson, NJ. There are 21 multi-use buildings that contain 280,000 square feet that currently function as local artisan shops, photo and video studios, office space, and a wedding venue. It is Brooklyn caught between the gun-toting era of Biggie and mustache-wax-wielding hipster. The one-of-a-kind space offers a canvas for any creative mind and any creative vision. Get in before the first Whole Foods opens around the corner.
Kelli and John Paul’s aesthetic spun the Art Factory’s labyrinth of studios and corridors into a mixture of dark moodiness and playful light. Upon every warehouse window sill or broken brick wall sat a framed picture or memento of their relationship. Edison lights lit the path to the next room or memory. Kelli wore white while her bridesmaids donned black dresses with red roses. John Paul wore a custom-made old fashioned tux with long, rounded flaps, while his groomsmen boasted a classic look with red bow ties. The entire space felt uniquely them, as the bright colors of their attire and tattoos on their skin blended with the darkness and burst in the light.
The ceremony took place in a wide open room with high ceilings, brick walls, and white curtains. Exposed steel beams gave the space an industrial feel, but the wooden pews and handmade aspen tree altar rooted Kelli and John Paul’s marriage right back to earth. They welcomed many words from close friends and symbolized the union of their families as their respective mothers lit a single flame. Their guests laughed at unsuspected analogies for love and teared up during the vows. In a large room with tons of space, eyes were fixed upon the love that filled the air.
With all of the options what a wedding could be, I never imagined a couple walking into their reception to blaring heavy metal and sparklers. I never would’ve guessed that the groom’s garter belt dance would be modeled off this scene in Reservoir Dogs. I never pictured a realistic interpretation of two hearts resting upon the top of an immaculate cake instead of the plastic cookie-cutter bride-and-groom. There were so many aspects about Kelli and John Paul’s wedding that I didn’t expect and would’ve loved to plan for—but perhaps the lesson here—is that no amount of time or planning could’ve prepared me for the wedding I was lucky to experience.
Enjoy the pics from Kelli & JP’s Wedding:
Vendors:
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | The Art Factory, Paterson NJ
Reception Band | The Randy Haze Trio
Cocktail Band | Shawn and Big Al
DJ | Tony Saxon MC
Cake | Meredith Robinson
All Masked Up!
It’s us having a blast at Kelli & JP’s themed wedding.
Harry Potter Themed Wedding at The Highlands Ranch Mansion
Micaela & Shane’s Wedding | Harry Potter Themed Weddings | Highlands Ranch Mansion | Highlands Ranch Colorado | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
I wish I could rate my couples online because these guys would be 5 stars across the board! First of all, they were a photographer’s dream - super easy to work with, very kind, easy going, and also GORGEOUS (the icing on the cake right). But most of all, they were a super down-to-earth easy going couple that just loved each other.
I’ve shot a few weddings at the Highlands Ranch Mansion so I have a few spots that are my go-to’s for that amazing golden light. I vividly remember getting ants in my pants during the ceremony because we were close to losing the golden light (they had a late summer ceremony so the light was absolutely DREAMY during the ceremony and we were going to lose it fast). Their officiant announced them as husband and wife, they kissed, celebrated down the aisle, and I immediately scooped them away for a few natural light romantics.
Micaela and Shane were such good sports about it, too. I knew that if I didn’t steal them for * five minutes * that we would lose that epic light and guests would want to storm them so it would be impossible afterwards. I always joke that golden hour is my catnip, but for a synesthetic photographer, it really makes my skin tingle and I just get totally high on it. These guys rolled with all of that energy and gave me the best five minutes that I could have ever asked for. I loved these shots because I felt like we just punched so much love and emotion into – literally – the last few moments of light and the photos are so indicative of that.
After the ceremony and epic romantics, I was able to take the back seat a little and snag relaxed family shots, cocktail hour, and intros. Micaela and Shane did a great job balancing a ‘themed’ wedding without feeling like a college party (haha). They are both huge Harry Potter fans and did such a tasteful job of showing this off and having fun with something that has shaped their relationship. Their friends and family were so much fun and I really loved working with this awesome couple!
Photography: Apollo Fields | Wedding Photographer
Wedding Venue: Highlands Ranch Mansion | Colorado
Published on Wedding Wire: Micaela & Shane’s Wedding
Vail Chapel and Silverthorne Pavilion Wedding Photographer
John & Yahaira’s Wedding | Vail Chapel, Vail CO | Silverthorne Pavilion, Silverthorne Colorado | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
Mountain weddings are always epic and John and Yahaira’s beautiful Rocky Mountain wedding was no exception! There’s just something magical about the energy that the mountains bring, or maybe it’s just the altitude ;)
The day started calm, with the guys and girls getting ready in their AirBnb’s with their friends and family. Then everyone made their way over to the Vail Interfaith Chapel which is an adorable and iconic little church in the heart of Vail Village. I love this little ski town and have shots tons of weddings here so it’s a great excuse for a non-skier to hang in such a rad area. The village has tons of little shops, coffee spots, tasty food, and of course good beer! The chapel is a quaint little white church that sits right in the heart of town which makes it super easy to do pictures in the village itself.
The ceremony was sweet and sentimental, and afterwards we decided to do some romantics down by the river. The weather was starting to look like it was going to rain, so we were moving pretty quickly and then suddenly the skies broke and it began to downpour. Colorado weather can be erratic and unforgiving at times, so I wasn’t surprised at all about how it could be totally sunny and cloudless one minute and pouring the next. We sought shelter under the covered bridge which was a pretty cute photo-op. We’re all about making lemonade here!
Afterwards, we ran into our cars and made our way to the Silverthorne Pavilon which is a great wedding venue in Silverthorne, CO. It sits along the river there and has a great outdoor spot for cocktail hour. Everyone was enjoying the sun which came out shortly after the crazy rain (go figure) and having a few drinks along the patio. Then the reception began with grand entrances, speeches, special dances, and of course tons of dancing!
I loved working with this sweet couple because they had such a gentle and fun way of interacting. They loved being outdoors so I was so happy that they chose to celebrate their wedding in such a beautiful place!
Colorado Wedding Photography: Apollo Fields
Ceremony Venue: The Vail Interfaith Chapel, Vail CO
Reception Venue: Silverthorn Pavilion, Silverthorne CO
Wild Horse Inn Mountain Wedding in the Rockies
Carolyn & Shawn's Romantic Wild Horse Inn Mountain Wedding | Devils Thumb Ranch | Colorado Wedding Photographer | Mountain Weddings | Apollo Photojournalism
The Wild Horse Inn is the perfect Colorado Wedding Venue for epic CO mountain views and a rustic but elegant vibe. I love the way that this venue is situated in the mountains but is still accessible to Denver and the airport, it is a great option for an awesome CO wedding. Carolyn and Shawn had planned their whole wedding in just a matter of months and it was crazy to see how much they were able to pull of in such a short amount of time!
Their ceremony was so beautiful, with these awesome vintage chairs and couches instead of crappy plastic chairs. They had this beautiful arch set up that was custom made with aspen trees and florals, such a dream! I loved all of the rustic touches, the lace, the cowgirl boots, and the live music. It made for a great lively party where all of the guests and family were sure to have a great time.
One of my favorite elements of their wedding was how enthusiastic that they were about including their nieces and nephews! There were TONS of kiddos and while this might sound like a nightmare to some photographers, it was a welcome addition for us. We love the energy and animated vibes that little ones bring to wedding days and even though it can mean a little more organizational power being needed, I think it also makes for great pictures. They had each kiddo sign their wedding certificate as their witnesses which was one of my favorite parts of the whole day. It was such a fun way to incorporate their love of family into their wedding.
The night was unseasonably warm which kept everybody outside dancing into the late hours. The food was delicious, the speeches were heartfelt, and the dances were upbeat. I loved working with this fun couple and wish them so much happiness!
Rustic Elegance Ranch Photographer: Erny Photo CO | Apollo Fields
Wedding Venue: Wild Horse Inn | Fraser Colorado
Perry Park Country Club Wedding in Larkspur Colorado
Kelsie & Jeremy’s Wedding | Perry Park Country Club | Larkspur, CO | Colorado Wedding Photographer | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
Kelsie & Jeremy’s wedding was fun and packed with personality! I loved working with this animated couple because they kept things so fresh and lively. The morning was abuzz with everyone getting ready, hair and makeup and mimosas (of course) in the gals room while the guys hung out by the putting range. It was a fun way to get the day started while the venue finished setting up the ceremony and reception locations.
They decided not to do a first look so we jumped straight into the ceremony. Perry Park has a beautiful ceremony site, with epic mountain views and the beautiful pond behind the setup. The weather was beginning to turn and so everyone hustled to get started on time that way we could continue with the beautiful outdoor location. It ended up being a photographer’s dream because the light was so diffused and sparkly as it peeked out from behind the ominous clouds! I think one of my favorite parts of the day was during the ceremony when Kelsie’s maid of honor pulled the umbrella out when it started drizzling and held it over Kelsie!
I loved working with this couple because we immediately connected over the laidback and adventurous CO lifestyle. They love hiking together and exploring with their two dogs, and we even did their engagement session in Golden Gate State Park with their pups! I love “dog people” so that’s always a great start for me :) The rest of the wedding day was filled with upbeat celebrating, lots of dancing, and plenty of antics (including the groom getting iced by his bride) which was a real crowd pleaser.
Big congrats to this awesome couple and a lifetime of happiness to them!
Larkspur CO Venue: Perry Park Country Club
Colorado Wedding Photography: Apollo Fields