Storm King Mountain Engagement Photos on the Summit
Storm King Mountain Engagement Photos on the Summit
Kate + Shawn
Set amidst the rugged landscapes of Upstate New York, Storm King Mountain provided the perfect backdrop for Kate and Shawn's engagement session. In this blog, we'll explore their thrilling journey as they embraced nature's beauty, scaled rocky trails, and captured moments of love amidst the wilderness.
Embracing Nature's Majesty: Kate and Shawn were drawn to Storm King Mountain's natural beauty. With camera in hand, they set out to explore the untamed wilderness, admiring towering cliffs and sweeping vistas along the way.
Scaling New Heights: As outdoor enthusiasts, Kate and Shawn eagerly tackled the mountain's rugged trails. With each step, they embraced the thrill of exploration, ascending the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the Hudson Valley.
Capturing Moments of Love and Adventure: Against Storm King Mountain's dramatic scenery, Kate and Shawn's love story unfolded. Their engagement session was a celebration of laughter, joy, and tender moments, captured effortlessly by their photographer.
Cherishing Memories Amidst Nature's Splendor: As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Kate and Shawn reflected on their day with gratitude. Amidst nature's embrace, they found solace, knowing that their love was as enduring as the mountains themselves.
Greenport Long Island Engagement Photography
Greenport Long Island Engagement Photography | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers | 67 Steps Beach NY
Gina & Peter
Coney Island Engagement Photography
Coney Island Engagement Photography | Brooklyn Engagement Photos | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers | NYC Photographer
Jenny & Frank
The last time I was at Coney Island before Frank and Jenny’s engagement session I was swinging from a trapeze. For real. Now I’m not in the circus and judging by my performance that day, I should stick with photography, but for an afternoon my best friend and I took a trapeze class at Coney Island. It was pre-covid and I was still living in NYC at the time, so Terrence, Grace, and I all took the subway down to Coney Island for the day. We spent some time on the beach, and the blistering sun reflected off the waves on all the New Yorkers looking for a summer escape from the hot concrete in Manhattan.
When we were there, the beaches were practically shoulder-to-shoulder busy, and the boardwalk was booming with both locals and tourists. The rides were in full swing, and we made the obligatory trip to Nathans. I think I got tatertots, the lame-o vegetarian that I am.
Jenny and Frank have similar memories from Coney Island, and have spent many date-days exploring this fun spot. We met up in October for their engagement session and Coney Island looked distinctly different than the peak season craziness that I remembered from my last visit. At first, it was mildly eerie, like the set of a movie where the streets are a little vacant and the year-round dwellers are all characters of their own. The amusement park was closed for the season, but the sun was warm and the light was hazy and reminiscent of summer despite the time of year.
My father was visiting from South Carolina, so him, Terrence and Capa all took off for a stroller tour of the area while Jenny, Frank, and I made our way up and down the boardwalk. We took a moment to get on the sand near the beach, but spent our time exploring and chatting. They are such a sweet couple planning a Buffalo NY wedding, so it was extra fun to get to shoot their engagement in Brooklyn in a place that is so sentimental for them!
Enjoy these photos from Frank and Jenny’s Coney Island Engagement Session:
Sound Beach Engagement Photos
Apollo Fields | Long Island Wedding Photographer | Engagement Photos On Long Island | Long Island Engagement Photography | Beach Wedding Photos | Beach Engagement Photos | Wedding Photographers Near Me
Krista & Matt’s Engagement Photos
Driving through the meandering roads of Sound Beach, Long Island, past the cottages and wooden fences, childhood memories of grandma’s house crept into my mind. This area on the north shore of Long Island, not quite “out east” and not quite “down port” [Port Jefferson], as Krista and Matt referred to it, is a mix of the beachy charm from Cape Cod combined with the vestiges of a simpler time. The chaotic network of the streets bend and shoot in all directions like the strings of a spider’s web as families wearing flip-flops with towels tossed over their shoulders casually make their way to the beach.
When Heather, Capa, and I arrived a little early for our engagement session, Krista and Matt invited us into their home. I immediately noticed a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf packed with titles ranging from classics to postmodernist and felt the nerdy bookworm in me bubbling to the surface. I couldn’t help mentioning a collection of David Foster Wallace’s non-fiction work, A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again: Essays and Arguments, because it means that either Matt or Krista took a deeper interest in the author of the infamously laborious work, Infinite Jest. It turns out Matt is an english teacher and we were off to a splendid start.
We piled into our respective cars as Matt and Krista led us to a private beach a few minutes away from their house. After descending a flight of steps that would make a stairmaster blush, we kicked off our shoes and walked onto the rocky and shell-laden beach. Krista and Matt moved with each other effortlessly, stopping every so often to bend down and pick up a piece of beach glass to add to Krista’s collection. They then busted out a wicker picnic basket complete with champagne and stemless flutes (with two for us!), and settled onto a blanket. They told us about their relationship’s beginning, a friendship turned romance, but got a little distracted when they remembered they also packed sparklers for the engagement shoot!
We love when our couples come prepared like Krista and Matt--props, champagne, beer, wine, picnic blankets--whatever makes you feel comfortable! Whatever makes you feel you. It’s easy to retreat back into your shell when the camera comes out, but this is why engagement sessions are so great: they give us a chance to get to know who you are before your wedding day. So by the time the big day arrives, when your family descends upon your location ready to test your patience, we know when to let you soak in those beautiful moments and when to pull you away for a breath of fresh air.
After taking their engagement photos in Sound Beach, we got to enjoy a nice dinner with Krista and Matt at one of their favorite local spots. We got to talking about Matt’s favorite book to teach (Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury!) and growing up on this part of the island with most of their family close by. Turns out Heather and I moved back to Northport for the same reason Matt and Krista see themselves staying around Sound Beach. Family visits become less of an obligation (in our case) and more of a welcome trip down memory lane.
Autumn Foliage Engagement Photos in Connecticut
Autumn Foliage Engagement Photos in Connecticut | West Hartford CT Photography | Fall Leaves for Engagement Pics
Ashleigh & Joe
It was 6:30AM when I pulled up to the parking lot at the reservoir near Hartford, CT where I was going to meet up with Ashleigh and Joe for their engagement session. I was relieved that these two were all aboard for the idea of a sunrise sesh (turns out they are early risers anyway!) because the light is just SO worth it, and this morning did not disappoint.
The parking lot was totally empty and only a little bit of light had begun to break at that point. The morning chill was pretty real and wasn’t promising to warm up any time soon, but I was walking around by the reservoir watching the fog rising up gave me a real sense that I was happy to be out in nature, despite the early wake up. I sipped on my coffee and waited for the dawn to break and Ashleigh and Joe to arrive.
When they pulled up, I could just tell that we were about to have a great morning. Ashleigh and I both went to The Ethel Walker School and it was fun to have that common ground while also catching up on life post-high school. It has been twelve years since I graduated from Walkers, and it was there where I discovered photography for the first real time in the darkroom. My graduating class was only 36 to paint a picture of how small our school was, so even though Ashleigh was in a younger class, we were such a tight knit community that everyone knew everyone. I’m so lucky to get to revisit many of these friendships now as a lot of my old classmates are getting married and we have the privilege of shooting their weddings!
I also loved getting to know Joe a bit, too. They have such a fun and whimsical energy between them, but you can also tell that their relationship has a super solid foundation. I think my favorite takeaway from our morning together was when we were chatting and I asked them how quarantine has been for both of them. I got a surprisingly positive response from Joe, “It' has been amazing for us!” he started, “It sort of fast-tracked our relationship, actually”. COVID was the reason that Joe was able to move up to Ashleigh and brought them closer both literally and figuratively. A silver lining for an otherwise crazy year, indeed!
Enjoy these pics from Joe & Ashleigh’s sunrise engagement session in CT:
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:
Princeton University Engagement Session Photographer
Danielle and Kevin's Engagement Photos at Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey Photographer | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
Talk about a fun blast from the past! I was so lucky to get to spend the afternoon with Danielle and Kevin at one of my old digs— Princeton University— for their engagement session. A little backstory: Danielle and I used to ride together YEARS and years ago at Fox Chase Farm in New Jersey. I was riding and training professionally all throughout my undergrad career and Danielle was one of my favorite riders at the time. I always loved her determination, quiet demeanor around the horses, and our shared love of art and photography.
Danielle actually took photos a few times around the barn when Riddy was a puppy that are still some of my favorite pics of him to date! We bopped around the shows together and always had a blast until Danielle left for SCAD. I hadn’t heard from her in a while besides casually following one another on social media, and then when Danielle and Kevin got engaged, I was so excited to hear from her again— this time for US to shoot HER wedding!
When I arrived at Princeton and hooked up with them, the only thing about Danielle that had changed was her badass hair! Other than that, she’s still the same fun spunky and energetic gal that I used to ride with. Except now, she’s engaged! So I also got to know her fiancé Kevin a bit and quickly realized what a great pair these two are.
We had such a fun afternoon as we caught a perfect golden hour on the campus and the last bits of autumn. The foliage and leaves really popped and I just love how the colors play with the classic artictecturhe of this epic campus. I’ve always loved Princeton and I was so stoked to be able to finally shoot at one of my favorite places to be.
Enjoy Danielle & Kevin’s engagement photos:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Venue: Princeton University
Hats are in!
We’re so excited to finally have some swag.
Autumn Engagement Photos on Long Island
Kristen & Mike’s Engagement Photos on Long Island | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers in New York | Blydenburgh park | Smithtown, NY
“Now kick your heel out behind you,” Heather said to Kristen and Mike as they posed for their engagement photos on Long Island. Never in Apollo Fields history have we seen a man in Timberlands lift his heel off the ground instead of the woman—but Mike made AF history that day. A funny miscommunication turned candid moment, the rest of Mike and Kristen’s engagement session in Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown was a literal walk in the woods.
Kristen and Mike’s engagement session began at the beginning of a path adjacent to an outdoor horse ring and historical building, which couldn’t have been more perfect. It’s too bad that our horse, Limbo, is a diva who doesn’t do trail rides, because the serene scenery was something out of an impressionist painting. As we made our way down to the path to Stump Pond, we passed a quirky, pink dollhouse-like old home down by the water that Kristen and Mike (more likely just Kristen) wanted to snap a few pictures in front of. The fall patterns of their wardrobe choices perfectly complemented the palate of the leaves, especially contrasting nicely with the eccentric muted pink of the house.
As we moved further down the path, Heather and I were surprised with the number of fisherman posted up along the shore. They reminded us of a story from Heather’s childhood, where her animal-loving aunt Pam, freed all of her family’s bait worms on a fishing trip while they weren’t looking. Mike’s family is a big fishing family so he got a good kick out of the night crawler jailbreak. He was also very familiar with the park as his family home is just on the other side of the pond. We finished their engagement photos on a dock as the sun set behind the trees; and we even got a few shots with Mike and his favorite fishing rod.
It’s very refreshing to be shown new places in the area that you grew up. I’ve lived on Long Island for over twenty years of my life and I had never been to Stump Pond or Blydenburgh Park before. Yet because of Kristen and Mike, we now have a new place to escape stress and stroll in serenity. It made me realize that part of the fun of running a wedding photography business is being invited into places where our couples have significant memories or moments. It’s a wonderfully romantic image to imagine little Mike on the same dock with his father, learning how to fish on a starter pole. If you’re reading this and planning an engagement session of your own, take Kristen and Mike’s lead and pick a place that is not only beautiful but also makes you feel comfortable or means something to you. It will be impossible to hide your happiness.
Kind of like it was impossible not to laugh when Mike lifted his heel off the ground. Who knows, he might even be starting a wedding photo trend in this 21st century world that we live in. All I know is that I’m just happy to have shared that walk in the woods. Cheers to you, Kristen and Mike!
Enjoy Kristen & Mike’s Engagement Pics:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Sapphire Point Engagement Photos in Colorado
Matt and Julie’s Sapphire Point Engagement Session | Dillon, Colorado Engagements | Lake Dillon Photography | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
I’ve never described a view as “sticky” before, but that’s the word that came to mind after we wrapped Matt and Julie’s engagement session at Sapphire Point in Dillon, CO. It was like the feeling I got as a kid when it began to get dark and there was just one inning left in our wiffle ball game. “Just one more inning, mom!” It’s this feeling that this moment is all that exists and to leave it would be to deny yourself an experience that you will never get back. Call it juvenile or dramatic but I think 12-year-old me and 31-year-old me might be on to something.
Our first meeting with Matt and Julie happened in one of our favorite places—a brewery. Oasis Brewing Company in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver, CO, is a multi-level, exposed-brick venue with rustic wooden tables and industrial steel beams to anchor the open, charming space (I actually helped re-open it in March 2018). Once we grabbed a beer we all took a seat at one of the banquet tables along the wall and chatted about Matt and Julie’s wedding in Littleton, CO, in May 2020. The conversation mimicked the space in which we spoke: laid-back, organized, and youthful yet sophisticated.
Matt (a lawyer) and Julie (a teacher) represent the kind of couples that we are grateful to attract and meet. Matt and Julie know what they want, aren’t afraid to ask questions, and their communication is a wonderful mix of professional, candid, and casual. These conversational cornerstones allows us to navigate the complexity of wedding photography, i.e. “what do we get?” or “what are we paying for?”, with ease. Instead of bogging down the meeting in the details, we candidly ask what they are looking for in wedding photography as we all casually take a sip of our beer. This way, we can deliver a customized package based on their priorities rather than trying to sell them products or services they’re not interested in. Of course, we don’t expect every one of our couples to know what they want like Matt and Julie, but it’s definitely something we’re grateful for when it comes down to the brass tacks of wedding photography (totally thought it was “brass tax” until I Googled it).
Fast forward a few months and we’re meeting Matt and Julie at Matt’s family home in Dillon for their engagement shoot. We were welcomed by his mother and father, two dogs, and a brilliantly blue Colorado sky quickly approaching our coveted golden hour. We began by taking a stroll down by the cliffs of their home for a more casual start before we made our way up to the photographer-and-chipmunk occupied Sapphire Point (seriously, there were adorable little chipmunks scampering everywhere). Luckily, we came on a Sunday night when it wasn’t that busy, we don’t even want to imagine the amount of hikers we would have photoshop out of a picture on a Saturday afternoon.
The love was real, the mood was romantic, and the view was...sticky. Everything about Matt and Julie’s engagement session made my eyes and heart want to stay but it was starting to get dark. It was an experience I may never to get to live again exactly, but perhaps that’s the best way to appreciate a moment. To allow your desires to remain a bit unsatiated, to walk up the hiking path away from the view so that your mind clings to its pristine image in all its glory. I can still see that sunset when I close my eyes, and even though I won’t know how that wiffle ball game was supposed to end, maybe I’m not supposed to.
Enjoy Julie & Matt’s Engagement Photos:
As seen in: Couture Colorado Magazine
Breweries and happy couples… these are a few of our favorite things…
Hanging with Matt and Julie after their Sapphire Point engagement photos! What better place to connect than over a craft beer! If that makes us hipsters then you should expect handlebar mustaches on both of us shortly!
Wedgewood Boulder Creek Wedding Photographer
Apollo Fields | Wedgewood Weddings at Boulder Creek | Intimate Wedding Photos | Candid Wedding Photography
The modernization of traditions keeps our jobs as wedding photographers fresh and inventive. From DIY ceremonies and weddings in the woods to more conventional rituals in churches; each wedding reveals each couple’s unique relationship to their respective belief systems. Kelly and Alec’s catholic wedding at Sacred Heart of Mary and reception at Wedgewood-Boulder Creek in Boulder, Colorado, showed us that you can both honor your past and embrace the new.
Before Kelly and Alec’s wedding, I never knew the significance of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. But when we went to photograph Kelly and Alec’s first touch (a version of a “first look” where a couple doesn’t see each other) right near a fountain with a golden statue of St. Francis, Alec filled me in after they shared a few moments of beautiful tension. Alec spoke about St. Francis the same way that an environmentalist speaks about Jane Goodall, worshipping the person for what they mean to the natural world rather than elevating them as an idol outside the realm of natural phenomena. It was incredibly refreshing to see someone who holds a monotheistic belief system so close to their heart also share a deep love for Mother Nature.
Following the ceremony inside the church, the caravan climbed Boulder Creek Canyon Road to the reception hall a few minutes into the foothills of the Rockies. Wedgewood-Boulder Creek is an immaculately designed, accessible, and romantic setting to host one of life’s most precious gatherings. Upon entering the space you can hear the trickle of Boulder Creek, just as the friendly staff of the venue greet you with your favorite refreshments and libations. The flow of the property mimics the way the creek carves its way through the mountains, allowing for family and friends to naturally convene on patios and berms of fresh green grass. There is no doubt in my mind that St. Francis helped Kelly and Alec choose this venue to celebrate their love.
On a day where clouds were kept at bay, golden hour floated in the early evening air like lightning bugs on a summer night. We borrowed Kelly and Alec from their celebration for a few romantics down by the creek and thanks to their genuine chemistry we didn’t keep them for long. They spun and smiled and danced and frolicked. They kissed. They unabashedly enjoyed themselves, wrapping their arms around one another like vines around a tree. Undeniably in love, we laughed, snapped pictures, and danced with them. When love is as natural as the trees, the breeze, or the trickle of the creek, you better believe that you’re doing something right. If Kelly and Alec wouldn’t take credit themselves, I’m sure they’ll be thanking St. Francis for a long time to come.
AS SEEN IN COUTURE COLORADO MAGAZINE
Vendors:
Venue | Wedgewood - Boulder Creek
Dress | Madison James
Floral | Painted Primrose, Sabia Magrun
DJ/Band | Diamond Empire Band
Suit | Generation Tux
Rings | Shane Co.
Hair & Makeup | Serenity Salon- Arvada
Cake | Kelly Leigh Cakes
Oh Hey!
It’s us at the end of the night having the best time with Kelly & Alec.
Rollins Pass Nederland Colorado Engagement Session
Mercie & Dan’s Engagement Session | Rollins Pass Nederland, Colorado | Mountain Engagements | Apollo Fields
As night gave way to day, rays of sunshine swept away the shadows on the trees, lifting golden purples and greens to contrast with the muted blue sky. The morning chill still lingering in the air brought our breaths and bodies closer together as our reflections shivered upon the reservoir’s still surface. Movements warm our bodies just as emotions stir our souls; and there’s always that one look during these engagement sessions that reveals this inward dance in the eyes of our couples—a sort of intimate revelation—that leaps from their irises like the first light over a dark horizon.
Mercie and Dan were first set up in high school and their relationship still shines with an optimistic and exuberant young energy. Bolstered by their strong and confident characters, it’s hard not to be enamored by the story of how Mercie asked Dan to prom by spelling it out in sushi at Dan’s first experience with the Japanese culinary tradition. Cuter still is how Mercie doubled down on this romantic gesture when asking Dan to marry her! (If that doesn’t immediately make you think of a scene in a romantic comedy I don’t know what does.) Their happiness during their engagement shoot in Nederland was as palpable as the smiles on their faces. Kind of like what Dan said about the first time she told Mercie she loved her (at prom), “[the words] just sort of fell out of my face.”
Bearing witness and documenting relationships like Mercie and Dan’s is just one of the many reasons why Heather and I love running Apollo Fields. Whether it’s the privilege of connecting with such loving people, or appreciating a love in an idyllic yin-and-yang, conditional-meeting-unconditional balance that serves as a reminder for Heather and I’s own symbiotic relationship, or perhaps the most practical and paramount point— what these photos mean to them. Around every corner of every moment of these engagement sessions are parts of life to be appreciated. We promise to never to forget that. For our sake—and for Apollo Fields’ sake.
Mercie and Dan aren’t sure where or when they are going to get married, but we hope to be there. They’re moving to California in a couple months and we’d follow them coast-to-coast, hell maybe even continent-to-continent if they asked us. We’re so excited for them to start this next journey together and know that they have all of the support they will ever need.
Sometimes in life you take leaps and sometimes you take bruises. “You learn to figure things out,” Mercie said, “I am who I am through trial and error.” I believe that the freedom to explore the world inside and outside ourselves is the key to finding enduring happiness and supportive partners. By staying close to home, or refusing to acknowledge the movements of the emotions inside our bodies and minds, our worldviews become myopic and close-minded. Learning to take risks and choosing to be brave opens an entire world of experiences, so if you’re looking for that little push—just remember—that first light is just on the other side of the dark horizon.
Here’s to you Mercie and Dan!
Colorado Engagement Photography:
Colorado Wedding Photography | Apollo Fields
Montauk NY Engagement Photographers
Bri & Tyler’s Engagement Session | Montauk NY | The Hamptons Destination Weddings | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
An early evening summer breeze coming off the Atlantic reminds the Montauk locals of the sun and the salt on their skin, but that same breeze that warms a beach bum’s heart can chill a Texan to the bone. A kind memory of home to Bri is a reminder to Tyler just how far he is from his, but come October 2020 their families will join to celebrate their love in a half-homegrown, half-destination wedding.
Many would consider it a luxury to grow up in a destination wedding town, embracing the lifestyle and culture that seems as light as a day on the beach. Others might say that the summer months that bring tourists and city slickers who clog the one road, two-lane streets like the sidewalks in Manhattan are killing their vibes. The reality is that the sun shines no matter what and despite the traffic we are all going to enjoy our drink of choice on the beach for one reason or another.
For Bri, hosting her wedding in Montauk will be like having her own personal welcoming parade of family and neighbors, smiling faces lining either side of the aisle like a beach version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While Tyler and his family, although no strangers to coastal waters, will mostly likely be dipping their toes into the Atlantic a bit more timidly than they do in the Gulf of Mexico. The thing about the locations of weddings is—whether a new or familiar experience—the love in the room is all the same.
Weddings offer us wonderful opportunities to connect with groups of people we might not speak to in our daily lives. Too often our occupations and locations restrict us to familiar routines that can limit our world experience, but when love is the accepted common ground all conversations and connections are possible. There is simply no space for judgment when love is in the air. Breathe it in, take it in, and clink glasses with someone you might otherwise not meet.
Heather and I are so lucky to share these spaces in places all over the world, snapping photos and writing down all of the emotions that we see. I’ve said before that our emotions are our secrets until we share them with someone, but on wedding days most people wear them as proudly as their finest suit or most elegant dress. Restraining the contents of our hearts would be like putting those garments back in the closet and throwing on the wrinkled clothes that adorn the floor. Instead we see tears trickle down cheeks like rain down window panes and eyes well up like dams that are about to burst.
A forum to express the version of ourselves that is too often buttoned up and hidden away is one of the many reasons that make our jobs more than an occupation or service. According to our tax documents we are wedding photographers, but according to ourselves we are photojournalists who never settle for the surface, always scanning the room for people to show us the best version of themselves.
Enjoy these pics from Bri & Tyler’s Montauk Engagement Session:
Hi! We’re Terrence & Heather…
…we are the husband-and-wife duo of Apollo Fields! Thanks for checking out Bri & Tyler’s engagement photos. We are so stoked to shoot their 2020 Wedding at Gosman’s Dock in Montauk!
Golden Gate Canyon State Park Engagement Photography
Kat & Brett’s Engagement Session | Golden Gate Canyon State Park | Colorado Engagement Photography | Jeep Wrangler Engagements | Cannonball Brewery Beer Photos | Apollo Fields
The crunch of pine needles under your hiking boots. The kind nods of strangers walking by. The mountain wind that sings aspens into a dance also fills your lungs with movement. The comfort of adventuring in Colorado where the unknown trail feels like a well worn couch. Sink your soul into nature and the wild woodland sounds will lull you to sleep. A community of one in the safe outdoors—or better yet—bring a friend or two and set the trail ablaze with laughter and conversation. Expand your community, bring people together, and fill your heart with trust.
Hiking Golden Gate Canyon State Park with Kat and Brett for their outdoor engagement session felt just like this. Light with laughter and steeped in love. It made me miss living in Colorado, but it made me grateful for the communities we’re helping bring together. “Talking with a friend about friends you meet and I’m so glad we met,” Kat said in a text yesterday, and I couldn’t agree more. We cross paths with strangers and acquaintances on city sidewalks, hiking trails in the woods, and in line at supermarkets—and it is up to us to decide who we should invite into our lives.
Kat and I met working at Oasis Brewing Company together and I still love to use that space as our hub for connecting when we’re back in town. Firstly, because beer; secondly, because of the honest and kind-hearted eyes of Morianne and Erik Smith that welcome me back into that building; and thirdly, because the beautifully decorated rustic modern space is a comfortable and conducive atmosphere for meetups of all sizes. By purposefully perpetuating relationships out of this space (I’m not forgetting you Kael and Kelly), Heather and I hope to cultivate long-lasting friendships that never end at the bottom of the glass.
When we met up at the brewery this past Monday, we held a meeting with Matt and Julie, a couple potential (now actual!) clients, followed by an open invitation to all of our friends in the area. The turnout exceeded our expectations, including climbing buddies, fellow industry professionals, old friends, horse barn neighbors, and even a couple, Meghan and Armand, whose wedding we shot in the summer of 2018. Meghan and Armand were the real MVPs of the meetup as they beamed with happiness, recounting to Matt and Julie just how positive their experience with us was. Funny thing is, the meeting of these two couples was unintentional if not downright serendipitous, because we didn’t tell most of our friends that we were coming early to meet with Matt and Julie. Yet because we choose to cultivate relationships with our couples and with people in spaces that mean something to us, we continue to connect and create communities.
It’s that same feeling that washes over us when we take our puppers on a walk in the woods. It’s a community of one turning into a community of many, linked by trust and adventure. We’ve only known Kat and Brett, Erik and Morianne, Kael and Kelly, and now Meghan and Armand for a year or two, but as we hike forward towards the future, we aim to bring the Matt and Julie’s into our community one couple at a time.
AS SEEN IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDE MAGAZINE
Photography: Heather for Apollo Fields
Writing: Terrence for Apollo Fields
Colorado Location: Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Dress: Madewell
Beer: Cannonball Creek Brewery
Boulder Colorado Engagement Photographer
True Friends - Matt & Kerry’s Intimate Engagement Session in Boulder, Colorado
There are many different types of friendships. There are your drinking buddies, your work acquaintances, your lifelong second grade secret holders, and your intimate bonds with your significant others. There are exchanging “hello’s” on the street with strangers and there’s giving your time to the elderly or relationships that require a bit more patience. In every type of friendship there’s always something to learn—but even more important—there’s always something to be grateful for. This post is dedicated to our friendship with Matt and Kerry, who helped see us through the most difficult time of our lives.
As you may well know, in the beginning of December 2018, Heather was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. I received this news through the speaker of my iPhone while nervously pacing in our cozy kitchen in East Northport, NY, while Heather lay alone, sobbing in a hospital bed in Westminster, Colorado. I immediately began to book a flight the next morning to be with her, to console her, and to just hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right. But two people (among others) were there before I arrived—Matt and Kerry.
Prior to receiving the news that day, Heather snapped an engagement session of Matt and Kerry at the feet of the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado. Let me first say that Heather and Kerry go way back—they taught and mentored students at a fancy art school together in the Hamptons over seven years ago—and it’s crazy to think how friendships can evolve so much over time. But back to the sunshine, the smiles, and the genuine happiness that lived in their unsuspecting eyes during their intimate engagement photography session in Colorado.
Matt and Kerry never could’ve known the confusion and worry that whirled about Heather’s mind as she snapped away behind her Nikon camera. They never could’ve guessed that they were about to prove their stripes as people in the next few weeks. All they were probably thinking about was how most people feel during photo shoots—awkward as fuck—yet just like the mountains in the landscape behind them, the solid character that roots each of them to the earth—knew something was up.
Without hesitation or reservation, they opened their doors for Heather to stay as long as she needed. We weren’t sure if this process would be a week or a month—but it didn’t matter. Matt and Kerry couldn’t see anything but a friend in need, and they were prepared to help in any way that they could. We wound up staying at their place in Boulder for about a month as they left for a holiday trip, and our only responsibility was to take care of their plump orange cat, Nerboo, who kneaded our legs like an angry Italian baker with unforgivingly sharp nails. Matt and Kerry had no other expectations except to provide us with a private space to work through this unpredictable and unimaginably difficult time.
Their friendship, among many others of ours in Colorado, has stretched our understanding of relationships to new heights. Matt and Kerry gave their home to us without expectation, reservation, or judgment, teaching us what true friendship looks like. It was a trust fall in real life. And they caught us. I will never forget that and I will forever be grateful. This one is for all of you out there who have sturdy hands and are always waiting to catch someone. We love you all like true friends, Matt and Kerry.
AS SEEN IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDE MAGAZINE:
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Engagement Photography: Apollo Fields
Harlem NYC Engagement Photos
Lizzie & Rob | Harlem Engagement Session | NYC Engagements
When you walk in New York City you get lost in the crowd, paradoxically providing you an opportunity to assert yourself as an individual. The sheer population density of the five boroughs is a marvel to contemplate, a frustration to endure; it is your license to be loud and a soundboard for your creativity. Some perish in the gutters while others shine on Broadway, but it all comes down to your will and the company you find yourself in.
Rob & Lizzie find themselves in good company. They act and play and laugh. They smile. They bring happiness to others at Touch Performance Art. They're just another couple faces in the NYC crowd but they stand out because they use their freedom to perform the dialogue in their hearts. You can’t fake that kind of happiness.
Heather and I met not too far from where Rob & Liz’s engagement pictures were taken, but for months we shared the same sidewalks as strangers. Close proximity doesn’t promise connection, you have to seek it out for yourself. I remember the first night I got Heather’s number she almost walked away from me in shy embarrassment, but I didn’t let her get away. I yelled “your phone number would be great for something like that” after she turned her back when I told her that I’d love to see her again. Happiness like Rob & Liz and Heather & I have is a reward for our respective self-expressions.
When I think of love I think of two people who can’t help being themselves, embracing the most positive sides of their identities and celebrating them. When we shoot a wedding it is clear as day which couples have this brand of relationship because their vibes reverberate through all of those in attendance. It all stems from an honesty to themselves and each other, asserting their identities as individuals and as a couple.
New York City can make you or break you but it’s obvious that Rob & Lizzie will make it. They are the walking paradoxes meandering through the collage of people crowding the sidewalks of Manhattan. They are the ones smiling and laughing, working hard and loving harder.
These guys didn't miss a beat. We popped a few beers and brown-bagged them in the park. They brought water guns, bubbles, and a lasso. Rob successfully lassoed Lizzie on his first try... did I mention they are performers? It's SO MUCH FUN to photograph people in the entertainment industry. They weren't shy or bashful, rather they were animated and theatrical and treated their engagement session like the biggest performance on Broadway.
We wrapped the session under the NYC lights in Harlem, dancing into the headlights of the traffic, with people buzzing by and taxis nearly running us over for their epic dip under the bridge. We even ran into a mutual friend on the street! It was in every way the best that New York has to offer, and reminded me of why this city will always be my city.
NYC Engagement Photography: Apollo Fields
Cherry Blossom Engagement Session at City Park in Denver
Eve & Bobby's Cherry Blossom Engagement Session | City Park, Denver | Spring Engagement Photos | Colorado Wedding Photographer | Apollo Photojournalism
Eve and Bobby and are fun loving couple who are able to roll with the punches. They wanted their engagement session to be outdoors and since they live close to City Park in Denver, shooting there seemed to perfectly reflect their lifestyles. They are laid back and go-with-the-flow, which was great when the weather was freezing cold, overcast, and rainy on the day of their engagement session.
Rescheduling wasn't an option, so we crossed our fingers for a break in the weather and met up in the park. I'm so glad we did, because the shots are so beautiful! It never warmed up and the sun never poked through, but you can't even tell in the pictures. And we had the cherry blossoms all to ourselves, an almost unheard of luxury this time of year because their season is so short.
This was my first cherry blossom session that I have done and I was surprised by how much I love the color palate. I am usually more drawn to earthier tones than pastels, but I found that Eve and Bobby's outfits worked so well with the setting that I really enjoyed the pinks, whites, yellows, and light greens of the grove that we shot in.
We moved quickly through the session because the skies kept threatening a harder rain, and with frozen fingers and no golden light to play with, I wanted to get these lovebirds back in their warm car as quick as possible! They made my job easy because they have such a great balance of playfulness and tenderness. They were just as happy to be dancing under the trees as they were to cuddle up with each other and have a quiet moment together.
Peaking at my viewfinder on my camera and I knew that despite the weather (and the cranky geese) we had some gems to work with! I was so excited to get home to warm up and offload all these beautiful pictures from their engagement session. I'm so excited to shoot their wedding this season!
Denver Engagement Photographer: Erny Photo CO | Apollo Fields
Wedding Coordinator: Jennifer Wetterlin | Denver Event Pros
Location: Denver, Colorado | City Park
In Home Engagement Session Ideas for Lifestyle Photography
Kerry & Patrick's Lifestyle Engagement Photography | Sloans Lake, Denver Colorado | In Home Session | Apollo Photo
In home engagement sessions are definitely some of my favorite to shoot! As much as I love the dramatic landscapes and nature sessions, there is something so intimate about being invited into a couple's home that they have created together and really seeing the inner workings of their daily lives and love.
It’s also a nice chance for couples to get in front of my camera. It definitely helps to ease some of the camera-shyness that most people feel before your wedding day. Plus, I love the chance to spend a little more time with my clients before their big day, too! As much as I love outdoor sessions, Colorado mountains, hiking and adventure sessions, I am equally as excited for lifestyle sessions. I get to hang out and snap away while they go about their normal routine, whether it’s cooking, cuddling up on the couch, going on a dog walk, or clinking their glasses to a great day.
Lifestyle engagement sessions also make for great save the date cards. To me, the most important part is the feeling of candid and natural moments, even if we have intercepted a little with our posing expertise.
Kerry is sweet and accommodating, and Patrick is composed and easygoing. Their rescue pup adores them, and the whole time we were there never took an eye off of them. Playing fetch in the backyard, going for a leisurely stroll near Sloan Lake, and hanging out in the spring sun were so easily woven into their engagement session.
I’m so excited to shoot their wedding in May at Skylight in Denver alongside Lindsey Bartell. This new venue boasts a modern urban architectural design with tall whitewashed brick walls, exposed ceilings, floods of natural light, and geometric pops with classic flair. Working in such a new space is exciting because it really is a blank canvas, which is one of the big draws that the venue boasts. They let their couples bring in their own vendors, and they get a full 24 hours to party as late as they want and not worry about cleanup that same night.
Since moving from New York City, I rarely get to photograph in urban settings anymore! I do prefer rural country weddings, but it will be a fun chance to get back into a city environment for their wedding. I do love the neighborhood that Skylight is nestled into: Denver's Sante Fe Art District, with loud pops of colorful graffiti, funky coffee shops, and busy streets.
Kerry & Patrick's Lifestyle Engagement Session | Colorado Wedding Photographer | In-Home Engagement Photography
I love shooting in home engagement sessions because they are intimate, personal, and always tell such a great story about the couple. When couples such as Kerry and Patrick welcome us into their home, we get to see the space that they have created as their own.
As much as I love outdoor sessions, Colorado mountains, hiking and adventure sessions, I am equally as excited for lifestyle sessions. I get to hang out and snap away while they go about their normal routine, whether it’s cooking, cuddling up on the couch, going on a dog walk, or clinking their glasses to a great day. It’s also a nice chance for couples to get in front of my camera. It definitely helps to ease some of the camera-shyness that most people feel before your wedding day. Plus, I love the chance to spend a little more time with my clients before their big day, too!
Most couples are engaged for around a year, and these photos are a sweet momento from that time in their lives which seems to go so quickly in the midst of all of the wedding planning, booking vendors, guest lists, timelines, and all of the other fun – but sometimes stressful – parts about planning the ceremony and party exactly the way you want it.
Kerry is sweet and accommodating, and Patrick is composed and easygoing. Their rescue pup adores them, and the whole time we were there never took an eye off of them. Playing fetch in the backyard, going for a leisurely stroll near Sloan Lake, and hanging out in the spring sun were so easily woven into their engagement session.
Lifestyle engagement sessions also make for great save the date cards. To me, the most important part is the feeling of candid and natural moments, even if we have intercepted a little with our posing expertise.
I’m so excited to shoot their wedding in May at Skylight in Denver alongside Lindsey Bartell. This new venue boasts a modern urban architectural design with tall whitewashed brick walls, exposed ceilings, floods of natural light, and geometric pops with classic flair. Stay tuned for pictures of their wedding in just a few weeks!
Engagement Photography: Apollo Photo
Lifestyle Photography: Eden Photography
Farm Engagement Session in Arvada, CO
Allison & Michael's Engagement Session | Farm Engagement Photography | Clear Creek in Arvada, Colorado | Nature + Wildflowers + River | Apollo Photojournalism
Allison and Michael are a fun and energetic couple from who came up from Colorado Springs for their engagement session at Clear Creek in Arvada. I love this location because it has open space as well as woodsy and intimate natural settings. The golden light pours through the trees and if you go during the right times in the season, you get these wonderful pops of wildflowers.
Best of all, it's not oversaturated with too many people, photographers, or foot traffic. My couples get an intimate and unique backdrop to really ease into one another to get those truly connected moments where they can just settle into each others arms without any awkwardness. Alli wore a fun white dress that complimented the country setting so well, while Mike was clean, classic, and preppy. We chatted about their wedding plans and details, which I am very excited for because I have had a great experience in the past working alongside a few of their vendors (dream team status)!
I love getting to do engagement sessions in the woods and farm spaces like this one because you can immerse yourself in the fresh air while listening to the creek running next to us while we play some music and go for a nature walk. It doesn't get too much better than that in my opinion!
Alli and Mike are getting married this upcoming May at the Highlands Ranch Mansion and I can't wait to shoot their wedding. They have been so wonderful to work with! They have an easygoing relationship where they can just stroll with one another and hold hands, but still play around and make one another laugh. They met at the Air Force Academy and have big plans for their future and I'm excited to be able to follow along their journey, camera in hand!
Colorado Engagement Photography: Erny Photo CO | Apollo Photo
Location: Clear Creek, Arvada Colorado
Lindsey & Jeff's Colorado Winter Engagement Photography at Lake Dillon
Lindsey & Jeff's Winter Engagement Session | Lake Dillon, Colorado | Mountain Engagement Photography | Adventure Couple | Dog Lovers | Apollo Photojournalism
Lindsey and Jeff are everything that I love about my Colorado couples: they are fun and easygoing, outdoor enthusiasts, dog lovers, and down to earth. Lindsey is bubbly and outgoing, and when I first met her she was planning a wedding while wrapping up her nursing degree. Jeff is composed and polite, and when they first met, it was only fitting that they hit a park together to take their dogs on a walk together.
They quickly connected over their love of dogs and nature, so we knew right away that we wanted the pups to be part of their engagement photos! They wanted those epic Colorado mountain landscapes and Lake Dillon was the perfect backdrop. It was a chilly Denver day, but the sun was out which made it surprisingly bearable. However, by the time we made it up the mountain and out to Lake Dillon, the wind had picked up and the elevation was doing us no favors. It was a balmy seven degrees Fahrenheit (are you picking up on the sarcasm yet)??? Oh my lord, it was FREEZING! With the wind chill coming off the lake, the "feels like" weather report was well into the negatives.
As soon as we stepped out of the car, I thought Lindsey and Jeff were going to want to reschedule. No way they were going to want to shoot in this weather, I thought to myself. But they just smiled and said, "Let's go!" I loved their can-do attitude, embracing the harsh Colorado sun that was bouncing off the pristine snow, and absolute chill that was running over the lake. We did take a few breaks to warm back up in the car and I kept having to warm my camera up in my jacket because it was struggling to keep up, but we got these awesome shots which made it SO WORTH IT!
Lindsey was so sweet because as we were headed back to Denver, she thought the pictures were going to be horrible. She said thought her face was all frozen and her eyes would be too squinty, but I sent her a sneak-peak that night and she was over the moon! This is one of my favorite parts about my job, when the conditions are less-than-ideal and we can turn around and make epic photos anyway. Any photographer can shoot beautiful pictures in optimal weather with diffused golden light, but I pride myself on being able to 'wow' my clients when it's freezing and we're only able to shoot in blaring direct sun, too!!
Colorado Engagement Photography: Erny Photo CO | Apollo Photo
Location: Lake Dillon, Colorado
Mitch & Bobby's Engagement Session at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden, CO
Mitch & Bobby | Colorado Engagement Photographer | Golden Gate Canyon State Park | Golden, Colorado | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a real gem for photos because you get such a wide range of landscapes to use as your backdrops. The mountains are lush on one side and arid on the other which gives a lot of variety for photos. There’s also some great areas with open space and good hiking trails to roam around and keep moving around.
This was great for us because Mitch and Bobby wanted to bring their rescue dogs to their shoot. They were recently engaged and so excited, and naturally, their fur-family would be included. We’re the same way! We couldn’t have imagined not having our dogs a part of our engagement session or our wedding. We’re total dog lovers (no surprise there) and love when couples want to bring their four legged friends along!
Mitch worked at a dog grooming and boarding facility and her and Bobby are enthusiastic about rescuing over buying dogs. It was obvious right away that their dogs have a great quality of life now because you could just tell right away how loyal they were. When I wanted to snag a few shots without the pups, Terrence held their leashes and they both couldn’t wait to get back to their owners! Being able to have the trails and paths to keep everyone walking was great for the pups, too.
One pro tip for this location is to meet at the visitor center because the cell reception in this state park is pretty much nonexistent. That is probably the one and only drawback of the spot, if you are meeting up with your photographer in the park instead of driving in together, it can make it hard to actually find each other. The visitor center is pretty easy to find (also, there is an entrance fee so do your due diligence) but it is really convenient for actually hooking up with one another so you’re not driving around the (beautiful) roads unable to find one another!
