Intimate Wedding in Colorado Springs, CO
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Igor & Michelle
I know Heather is tough, but even I didn’t think she would be climbing through barbed-wire fencing at 30 weeks pregnant to get a shot. After reading that sentence--some may question how I allowed it to happen--but that just means you don’t know Heather and I well enough. Anyone that knows us knows that I would never tell my wife what she can and can’t do, especially when it comes to her body. That doesn’t mean I didn’t raise an eyebrow and say, “you sure?” before she bent down and climbed through the fence like a professional wrestler climbing through the ropes into the ring. I will always love her and Igor and Michelle for being up for an adventure.
We actually met Igor and Michelle in New York City where Heather did their engagement photos in Tribeca. Igor was the Executive Chef at The Standard Hotel at the time before Covid turned Manhattan into a shell of its culinary self. I’m happy that Igor’s confident that the bustling scene will come back in a few years. Michelle is his perfect powerful complement, and their son, Harrison, has a better palate than I do at five-years-old. They are actually in the process of uprooting to Arkansas for an amazing career opportunity and we can’t wait to visit them in an outdoorsy paradise that is increasing in popularity.
Michelle and Igor were supposed to get married in Los Angeles at one of Igor’s former spots, but pivoted to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Michelle grew up because of the pandemic. We started their day with a short photo session of the two of them at one of Michelle’s family friend’s ranches. It was so windy that I was legitimately worried that a branch was going to come down on our heads. Then Heather decided to climb through the fence. We never know what mother nature is going to give us on wedding days but we are always thankful when our couples like Igor and Michelle bring their A-game no matter what.
After that Igor and Michelle planned for some down time before the ceremony and reception. We love when our couples take the time to honor the pace of the day that is all too often scripted down to the minute. Igor said he took the time to play spades with one of his soon-to-be relatives. Michelle and the girls took the opportunity for some self-care with a luxurious, airy spa day at Blush - Dry Spa Bar. I always say that mental health is the most important thing and it has never been more true than in the year 2020.
Next year the plan is to go “back, back to Cali, Cali” (thanks Biggie) and finish the celebration in full swing. The intimate ceremony and reception this year at Prime25 set the stage for one hell of a party. Between Igor getting emotional waiting for Michelle at the first look, and the many toasts, some translated from Igor’s native Russian tongue, there is so much to look forward to. Sometimes we just have to throw caution to the wind, climb through some barbed wire, and have a day for ourselves--that’s what life’s all about!
Enjoy these photos from Michelle & Igor’s Micro-wedding:
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:
Aspen Meadows Resort Wedding Photography
Apollo Fields | Aspen Wedding Photographer | Fall Wedding Photos in Aspen | Colorado Mountain Wedding | Aspen Meadows Weddings | Aspen Meadows Wedding Photography
Jessica & Roger
I don’t know why it had never occurred to me that people go to Aspen in the fall...to see Aspen trees. I think there was some separation in my mind of the city of Aspen and its air of luxury and skiing from the naturally occurring tree that leaf-watchers swoon over while careening about the bends of I-70. Thanks to Roger and Jessica, now I know how beautiful Aspen is in the peak of fall foliage, when the yellow coin-shaped leaves flap in the mountain breeze against a vibrant blue bird sky.
Jessica and Roger got married at Aspen Meadows Resort with Maroon Bells as the backdrop of their ceremony. The altar was out in a lush green field with flowers, hills, and water all around. When I close my eyes I can still feel the serenity of the scene. “I could stay here forever,” I told Jessica shortly after their intimate ceremony, with my arms spread out in the wind. What an absolutely perfect place to get married.
Jessica and Roger have known each other since childhood but only started dating after college. They’re both from Florida but can’t get enough of the Rockies of Colorado. Roger’s family has been vacationing to Aspen for years, preferring the perfect fall hiking weather to the overcrowded slopes of winter. It’s funny how a power couple based in Orlando still can’t resist the call of the mountains.
One thing I’m particularly grateful for is that Jessica and Roger invited us to have dinner with their guests rather than stuffing us into a closet or hallway. Vendor meals can get pretty scary in the wedding industry, especially for pescatarians like Heather. Let’s just say we’ve gotten very accustomed to beige food in cramped spaces. So to be invited to the table alongside Roger and Jessica’s closest friends and family, to enjoy the decadent menu and hand-picked wine was just such a special treat for us. It is already a privilege to photograph weddings as a career, but to be appreciated and invited into our couple’s closest circles--that really means the world to us.
I wound up sitting next to Jessica and Roger’s pastor from Orlando, John, who officiated their wedding ceremony. Heather and I got into one of those amazing conversations with him and his wife that felt like pre-COVID times. It was the kind of conversation that started small and polite and rolled into sharing personal stories. It’s certainly not the kind of conversation for everyone but it speaks volumes to the people that Roger and Jessica choose to surround themselves with. It felt like a fancy, fun dinner party!
I’ll look back onto Jessica and Roger’s intimate wedding in Aspen like the dream that it was: from the wind in the meadow, the sun on our shoulders and the mountains in the background, to the immaculately decorated reception, mouth watering filet mignon and lobster tail dinner, and heart-warming conversation. Leave it to a couple of Floridians to remind us that you don’t need to go to Aspen in the winter--you can go at the height of fall and watch as the golden coins flap in the breeze--it is a place that’s beautiful all year round.
Enjoy these photos from Jessica & Roger’s Aspen Meadow’s Wedding:
As seen in Couture Colorado
Sapphire Point Engagement Photos in Dillon CO
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“Hey, hi,” I said to the illuminated frozen-over Starbucks drive thru sign at 6:30 a.m., “I’ll have a double-shot Cortado with almond milk and a bacon, egg and cheese, please.”
“Ok, great, uh, I, is a Cortado the one with the chocolate in it?” A voice on the other end responded.
“Um, no, it’s a shot of espresso with some steamed milk--more than a macchiato but less than a latte,” I replied.
“Ok great, no problem! First window, please.”
I’m still not sure why Starbucks decided to invent their own interpretations of coffee and espresso drinks, but the truth is all I want is the caffeine before a sunrise photo session--who cares what the drinks are called. I was actually pleasantly surprised how engaging and friendly this particular barista was in the dark early hours of that fall day in Silverthorne, CO; taking the time to teach me how to properly order from their overly complicated menu. It was honestly a great start to the day as we made our way up to Sapphire Point for Paige and John’s engagement session.
I knew it was going to be cold but I did not expect the mountainside to be covered in snow. Neither did Paige and John. We all went into this shoot expecting it to be golden Aspens and fall and cute and it wound up being a frigid winter wonderland. The other day, someone asked me about our couples keep warm during these chilly sunrise sessions, “do they wear huge coats or how do they not look cold?!”
“Nope, no coats,” I replied, “I’m not quite sure how not to look cold, honestly.”
But Paige and John, whatever they did to keep themselves warm that morning, were troopers. They even had an outfit change where Paige’s arms were bare! I was totally impressed while drinking my macchiato, Cortado or whatever the hell it was. They were riding high coming down from a visit in Telluride, one of our favorite Colorado mountain towns. We had been trying to get them on our crazy 2020 calendar and meeting at Sapphire Point worked out perfectly.
Paige and John are getting married at Wedgewood-Boulder Creek in September 2021 and we are confident that fall weather will still be around that time next year, haha. The beautiful thing is that even if it isn’t, now we know Paige and John will roll with the punches and still be happy and beautiful. Heather and I love to do these engagement sessions because they are opportunities for us to get some face time and get to know each other. We totally understand that most people are not comfortable in front of the camera, nor can they easily overcome quick weather changes, but we do our best to keep it light and fun.
In the case of Paige and John--they did it for us--and we just got to laugh, enjoy the beauty of the view, and drink a hot frappuccino while doing it.
Enjoy these photos from Paige & John’s Sapphire Point Engagement:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Fire Island Lighthouse Engagement Photography
Fire Island Engagement Lighthouse Photography in Long Island NY | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers | Robert Moses Beach Photos | Engagement Session Outfit Ideas
Stephanie & John
After a few days of debating “should we reschedule?” versus “should we hold out?” for this engagement session when an ominous rainy forecast loomed over the day, I had a gut feeling to hold out and I am SO glad that we did! For some reason, I just had an inkling that the weather and light would break, and luckily it did in the best way. I don’t always get this inclination (for example, today was supposed to be a shoot day for me and I ended up rescheduling because I didn’t get the feeling that the weather and light would break— and as I type this, I’m so glad because it’s just one of those East Coast *bleh* days that’s kind of crappy and gray).
I knew right away with Stephanie & John that we were about to have some fun— they brought a few fun outfits, lots of energy, and a little champagne. The perfect trio in my opinion! We got to explore the Fire Island Lighthouse together and follow the sunset back towards the ocean. It is always a bit windier down by the beach, and this day was no exception, but we all just laughed through the gusts of wind and these guys braved the elements like champs!
I loved the fun, flirty, and playful vibes that Stephanie and John had and it just made me so happy to watch them embrace the evening together. The lighthouse is one of my favorite places to shoot because it gives such a variation of architecture and scenery— you can get awesome boardwalk shots with fun vantage points, beach shots, and the beautiful lighthouse all in one easy spot.
My absolute favorite part of the night was towards the end when Stephanie and John were running around by the water together. The light was closing in on us fast and the waves were pretty wild from the storm the night before. Of course, the photographer and artist in me was dying to get them in the waves but there was no way I could have asked them to do that in their clothes, but just then they got that twinkle in their eyes and suggested in first. Yes, yes, YES!!! They grabbed each other’s hands and just ran into the waves and made my creative dreams come true!
We wrapped the night and began to drive away when someone called attention to the Harvest Moon that had begun to rise. I’m so glad they did because we hopped back out, with Stephanie and John both cold and soaked and wrapped up in a blanket, and got a few quick moon shots with the epic autumn Harvest Moon! I’m so excited to share this sweet engagement session and feel so lucky to have been apart of their story!
Enjoy these pics from Stephanie & John’s beach engagement session:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Top of the Rock NYC Engagement Session
Top of the Rock Engagement photos | nyc wedding photographer | New York City Photographers | Central Park Wedding Photography | bethesda fountain engagement | dog engagement photos New York | Apollo Fields
A good barometer for how New York is doing is to take a walk in Central Park by Bethesda Fountain. It’s usually swarmed with performers, musicians, photographers and tourists. At a wedding we did this summer we almost had the entire space to ourselves. But when we met up with Kryzia and Celestino in September for their engagement photos in NYC: the bubbles were out, musical notes floated in the air, and the shutters were clicking. It was then that we knew that New York wasn't going anywhere.
Kryzia and Celestino are a couple of born-and-bred New Yorkers. They actually live just a few blocks from where Heather used to live in Harlem. As soon as we met up with them on that beautiful fall day we could tell how kind and genuine both Kryzia and Celestino were. With the help of their adorably well-behaved Siberian Husky, Blizzard, and Celestino’s brother and his girlfriend, we broke the early jitters of doing engagement photos in such a highly trafficked place.
From there we walked south through the park, stopping to take photos in some locations you would never believe were taken in New York City. I loved Kryzia’s choice to don a leather jacket, perfectly complimenting her gentle appearance with an edge you could tell was there. Celestino’s modern outfit exuded the calm confidence that he carried himself with--self-assured and humble. Together they glowed in the brightness of the fall day, sharing stories of how they met and how their relationship has evolved over the years.
We concluded our shoot at another iconic New York landmark: the Top of the Rock AKA the observation deck at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Even though it’s commonplace to hate on tourist attractions, I actually will go out on a limb and defend this one. The view of Central Park to the north, the Empire State Building, Freedom Tower, and the rest of downtown Manhattan to the south--combined with the eerie silence of the breeze 70 floors up--provides the perfect amount of space to reflect on the beautiful beast that New York City is. Celestino and Kryzia danced amidst the skyscrapers and had a great time doing it! I was also blown away by the photos we took inside in the all white marble setting and the absolutely stunning juxtaposition with their bold outfit choices.
Kryzia and Celestino will be getting married in Miami in 2021 but showed us how true New Yorkers are living in 2020. People may be fleeing from the concrete jungle, but the resilience and kindness of the people that remain show the city’s true colors. New York has always been a mosaic of humanity, celebrating communities of all kinds in all shapes and sizes--it’ll take more than a pandemic to change that. I’m grateful that Kryzia and Celestino reminded us of that while also disproving the misconception that New Yorkers are rough around the edges (we’re only mean if you’re blocking the subway or standing on the left of the escalator). So whether you’re from New York, Florida, or anywhere in the world—if you didn’t know, now you know—New York isn’t going anywhere.
Northport NY Wedding Photographers
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Kristen & Mike
I remember meeting up with Kristen and Mike a couple months ago when they just re-locked in their wedding date for 2020. “I bet we’re like the only ones still getting married this year,” Kristen said, half-joking, half-relieved. I’m not usually one for hashtags, but it’s hard not to think of the tag #loveisnotcancelled when it comes to Kristen and Mike and so many others that have decided to host their weddings this year. As our crazy wedding season continues to take shape, gratitude is at the forefront of my mind; if not just for the opportunity to get back to work, then for the privilege to be safely surrounded by people who refused to let a pandemic cancel a celebration of love.
Mike and Kristen were still able to hold their ceremony at their original church, St. Anthony of Padua in East Northport on Long Island. Just a stones throw away from our house, Heather and I welcome any opportunity to reduce travel when we’re not off on one of our many trips to Colorado or any of the states lining the eastern seaboard. Because the church had such a large capacity, Kristen and Mike were still able to invite a significant amount of their guest list, even with the reduced capacity requirement due to Covid. They held a full mass and made a grand exit to the front steps of the church where they were received by an enthusiastic crowd in a sea of bubbles.
It’s fun to think back when we first got to know Kristen and Mike when we did their engagement photos in Blydenburgh Park. Mike grew up fishing with his father on the small lake, and I couldn’t believe I had never even been there before. We gave a small posing direction to Kristen to give a small bend to her leg and kick a foot out behind her and Mike, thinking it was for him, immediately popped his classic Timberland boot out and said, “like this?” We were all doubled over in laughter. If only every one of our grooms to be were so eager to take direction!
After the church, we met Kristen and Mike at Heckscher Park in Huntington, the gorgeous location they chose to do their formals. At one point, the adorable ring bearer and flower girl got into a territorial dispute with the local Canadian geese—thankfully it ended peacefully. The bridal party could barely contain themselves with how well everything turned out as Kristen planned, and how beautiful she looked in her custom dress. There’s nothing quite like seeing a stunning bride in an immaculate dress on her wedding day and offering her and her partner congratulations, stirring memories of hope and love’s beginnings.
In a world where too many things are politicized, let us protect weddings from judgment; let us rejoice in the moments that lift us up, especially in uncertain times like these, for this is when we need them most. Cheers to Kristen and Mike, and all of the other couples who refused to cancel their love.
Say Hey!
It’s team Apollo! Having the best time with Kristen & Mike. We can’t wait to celebrate with them again next year!!
the vendor squad:
Apollo Fields | Photography
Karako | Suits
Madi Lane Bridal | Dress
Green Alaska | Hair Vine
Betsey Johnson | Shoes
Tim’s Florist | Massapequa, NY | Floral
Chris Lobello Productions | Videography
Heirlooms and Squires | Rings
Dinglewood Design | Invites/Save the Dates
Mark of Elegance | Limo
St. Anthony of Padua | Church Ceremony Venue
Second Anniversary Reflections
Yellowstone / Two Year Anniversary
It’s almost 10PM on October 5, 2020 and we are on our second leg of our journey out to Yellowstone. Like an 80 year old woman, I’m sitting in my plane seat with an Icy Hot patch on my back, elastic waste pants, and compression socks pulled up to my shins. Except instead of eighty years old, I’m seven months pregnant, and I’ve officially begun traveling for comfort instead of style.
“This might be your best outfit yet”, my husband had snarked on our too-close-for-comfort layover. I begged him not to take a photo, and he complied––for now at least––but probably only because he knew we were already rushing to our gate and this was not the time to get me fired up. He was carrying 20+ pounds of equipment, and I was carrying 20+ pounds of baby weight while we managed to hustle onto the plane right before they closed the doors.
Exactly two years ago at this time we were wearing aprons covered in semolina flour, surrounded by pounds and pounds of fresh pasta in a very messy kitchen. We were prepping over a hundred servings of food for our wedding the next day despite everyone telling us we were crazy for wanting to cook our own food for our guests. But we were drunk and we were happy, and we were getting married the next day.
Our wedding was perfectly unconventional and perfectly us. Throwing tradition to the wayside, we helped one another get ready, we personally greeted our guests, we had cocktail hour first, and we entered our ceremony together––arm in arm–– to complete the circle of friends and family who surrounded us.
Timelines be damned, we let the weather and our energy dictate the speed of the day, and when bellies started to grumble, we fired up the trays of fresh pasta from the night before. Our aprons went back on, and we served everyone else dinner before filling our own plates, partly with the intention of being gracious hosts, and partly in case we ran out of food then at least everyone else would have gotten some beforehand and we could eat some leftover pizza (#iwillgodownwiththisship).
We danced the night away and rejoiced in the feeling of invincibiltiy that swept over us. For two people who didn’t spend their childhoods dreaming about the perfect wedding, it is sort of lovely that both of us still look back on that day as one of the happiest in our lives.
When I look back at the pictures from that day, I feel like we look like babies. In many ways we were, even though two years is such a short amount of time.
We had no idea at the time, but our worlds were about to be turned upside down when we would arrive back from our honeymoon pregnant, but in for a world or hurt. It would take weeks before I would finally get a concrete diagnosis, but we found out that the pregnancy was ectopic and after two failed rounds of methotrexate, I would go on to rupture on Christmas Eve out in the mountains of Colorado. We would spend that Christmas morning in emergency surgery and quickly realized the depth of both the human experience and our new marriage.
2018 still continues to be the year of our “highest highs and lowest lows” despite 2020 giving it a fair fight. But when I think about where we are now, both literally and figuratively, I can’t help but feel so much gratitude and hope. Yes, I am cramped up in our little plane seat surrounded by masks and attendants with gloves on. It’s a strange world we live in now, but I am able to float my thoughts inward as our baby hiccups away in my belly. “Why are those hiccups so damn cute” I think to myself, knowing how much I hate having the hiccups.
In some sympathetic way, I rub my stomach as if it will make those hiccups go away, even though I selfishly don’t want them to stop. Something about the third trimester makes me want to savor these moments, and I begin to get nostalgic about our two years of marriage all over again (it must be the hormones).
In many ways, this baby feels like a miracle even though I really don’t like that word. Getting pregnant again was never guaranteed and I really do believe that everything we went through in 2018 has sweetened this experience even more.
We will spend our anniversary in Yellowstone tomorrow shooting an adventure elopement and I honestly wouldn’t want it any other way. Yes, we are technically working, but when your work is this epic it is easy to think of it as a celebration, because it is. We will be celebrating the opportunity to work and document the most important moments of other couples lives while celebrating our own formative years together.
Long Island Elopement Photography
Erin & Cody’s Backyard Intimate Wedding | Long Island Elopement Photography | Apollo Fields Wedding Photographers
Photography: Apollo Fields
Ninety Acres Farm-To-Table Wedding Photography in Peapack, NJ
Sydney & Aniello’s Wedding | Ninety Acres Farm-To-Table Wedding Photography in Peapack, NJ | Backyard Wedding Ceremony | Apollo Fields
From the beginning, Sydney and Aniello had planned an intimate wedding in New Jersey and a bigger reception in Italy. Then, of course, COVID hit and their plans to wed in April were completely derailed. I remember talking to Sydney on the phone right at that time when Italy was getting hit really hard and the US had only begun to worry about the power of the virus. I could hear the shakiness in her voice, as all of Aniello’s family lives in Italy, and their wedding was supposed to be right on the horizon.
Luckily, this couple is both resilient and logical and they were truly able to make the best out of an unfortunate situation. In fact, the one word they used to describe their own relationship was “unwavering”, and I couldn’t agree more! They postponed both celebrations and waited for the dust to settle, but were still eager to get married.
Sydney and Aniello decided to continue with their intimate wedding in New Jersey on September 19th and the day was absolutely perfect. We had a gorgeous fall afternoon together while they got ready for their backyard ceremony at Sydney’s family home. The energy was quaint, but buzzing with positivity and love. One important element that was executed beautifully was digitizing the ceremony so Aniello’s Italian family could still watch and be as present as possible for their wedding. The couple even exchanged their vows in both English and Italian in order to include everyone.
I loved getting to know this couple more and learn more about the origins of their sweet relationship. I loved how Sydney described their first date in Italy: “I think when I first saw Aniello, I felt love at first sight because I got this weird nervous, inexplicably ecstatic feeling that I had never felt before! We had so much fun talking to each other that my mom and Sal felt quite excluded from the conversation, but were smiling at each other the whole time realizing they were witnessing something special.
“We never officially called it a date, but we dined al fresco and spent the rest of the evening meandering around town just talking. The food was actually quite terrible, but we were so engrossed in our conversation that we really didn't care. I remember when we left the restaurant and we started walking, he placed his hands on my shoulders and gently moved me inside so that he could walk on the side closest to the street. My thoughts were "Wow he is very chivalrous in an old-fashioned and charming way, which is something very rare!"
Aniello had a similarly adoring memory from that date, “My thought beforehand was that I was very lucky to be spending a beautiful night with a beautiful girl. During the date, I thought Sydney was gorgeous, as well as really witty and patient (I talk a lot and she listened intently!). I also thought that she was great company because she was had very good manners and was very entertaining to talk to which I don't find often with people; she also was very thoughtful as she gave me a little tour of the town and brought me to ice cream after dinner. After, I thought I wanted to spend more time with her and hoped to see her again soon”.
Sydney and Aniello love to travel and immerse themselves in culture and language, and look forward to being able to celebrate Part II of their wedding in Italy when the time comes! I was so lucky to have been able to be a part of their sentimental celebration in NJ and wish them all the best in their lives together!
Enjoy these sneak peeks from Sydney & Aniello’s wedding:
Vendors:
Photography: Apollo Fields
Florist: Jardiniere Fine Flowers
Cake: Cocoluxe Fine Pastries
Venue: Ninety Acres Farm-To-Table Restaurant
Wedding Dress: Galvan
Favors: Confetti Milano
Brooklyn Bridge Park Promenade Couples Session Photography
Tanya & Elise’s Brooklyn Bridge Park Promenade Couples Session Photography | Apollo Fields Engagement and Couple Photographer | NYC Weddings
September and October are always our busiest work months, and this year proves to be no exception, despite a global pandemic! We feel lucky to be working amidst such a crazy year— given it was only a few months ago back in April/May when we legitimately thought out loud, will we even shoot this year?
There have been so many curve balls, but an equal number of silver linings and for that, we are super grateful. Tanya and Elise’s couples session was EXACTLY the creative fuel I needed in the middle of all the work, and honestly did not feel like work for even a second. Sometimes the stars align, and my inner artist gets treated to the perfect storm of an absolutely beautiful couple with such fiery energy, a gorgeous location with perfect weather, and dreamy golden light to boot.
We arrived in this little nook of Brooklyn which boasts the perfect neighborhood-y vibe and epic NYC skyline views right before the sun started setting. Terrence and I had stumbled upon The Promenade when we were randomly exploring the city years ago, and I was struggling to remember how to get back to this charming spot. I remember finding this little neighborhood back then and remarking about how “if we had real money, we would totally live here!” Now, six years later, I stand by that statement. We’re not gearing up to live back in NYC full time in the near future, but if someone handed me one of these brownstones along the water in Brooklyn Heights, I’m pretty sure I’d be packing my bags in about two seconds.
Tanya and Elise are both singer-songwriters and currently live up in our old hood in Harlem, NYC. I was lucky to meet them through the recommendation of one of our friends in the city, Lana, and I couldn’t be more grateful. They have the best energy together and I immediately felt like we had been friends for years. It was so fun getting to show them this little gem in Brooklyn since neither of them had been there before! I’m so excited to share their photos from the couple’s session and can’t wait to hang with these beauties again.
Enjoy these pics from Tanya & Elise’s couples session at Brooklyn Bridge Park:
Montauk Bachelorette Party Picnic at The Lighthouse
Brianna’s Montauk Bachelorette Picnic at The MTK Lighthouse | Dinner Party Bachelorette Party Ideas | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
I was so lucky to spend my Saturday out in Montauk with one of our brides, Brianna, and some of her closest girlfriends (who happen to be some of my girlfriends, too) to celebrate part of her bachelorette weekend in style! Brianna and I met way back in high school where we both attended The Ethel Walker School and rode on the equestrian team together.
We have been able to stay in touch over the years through our love of horses and at times, our overlap in where we have lived. Bri’s family is from Montauk, out on the very end of Long Island past The Hamptons, and as a lot of you know, I spent a few years living out in East Hampton, and now we live in Northport LI which is less than two hours from MTK. Terrence and I both have a love for this part of Long Island, especially during the “off season” when you can truly appreciate the scenery and the beaches without all of the craziness.
Because of my work schedule, weekends are usually pretty off-limits this time of year but we were able to swing tagging on for part of Bri’s celebrations and I am so glad it worked out! I tacked on with the girls at Duck Walk Vineyard which was super busy, and then we headed over to the Sagaponack Farm Distillery after, which was a little more cozy. It is crazy how even after all the years that have passed since our high school graduation (twelve!?), we can all fall back into our fun and chatty selves that we used to be.
The night ended with a perfect catered picnic out on the Montauk Point at The Lighthouse. We were lucky to get a private tour of the lighthouse and go all the way up to the light at the very top which is normally closed to the public! We went up just in time for golden hour and the views were truly unbeatable. It was hard for me to not want to keep snapping a thousand photos because it was unbelievably scenic, but our food was waiting for us down by the water.
We had a gorgeous picnic waiting for us as the sun set, we were able to toast to the bride-to-be with some champagne, and spend the rest of the night sharing a delicious meal together, wrapped up in some blankets watching the harvest moon rise over the ocean. By the time we left, we just kept thinking to ourselves is-this-real-life because it was such a treat to spend a day in the best company with such amazing views!
Photography: Apollo Fields
Venue: The Montauk Lighthouse
Liriodendron Mansion Wedding Photography in Bel Air, MD
Lauren & Ethan’s Liriodendron Mansion Wedding | Bel Air Maryland Photographer | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
“Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before,” read Lauren’s sister, Lindsay, from a speech that their other sister, Leah, wrote. The quote is from C.S. Lewis and I think I am going to take my own advice and begin with a quote more often; between the choice and the succinct nature of them they tend to drive home the vibe of the couple more than my first words ever could.
Lauren and Ethan are an Air Force couple that have a surreal connection. The way they looked at and interacted with one another on their wedding day was like watching a story unfold in real time. The first word that came to mind during their first look was envious--as Heather and I photographed the natural way they fell into each other’s arms. Lauren’s body language immediately shifted from tensed up shoulders to relaxed and smooth, and she began to laugh and smile as the logistics of the day began to work themselves out.
Lauren and Ethan held their wedding at The Liriodendron Mansion in Bel Air, Maryland, a picturesque regal historic property that doubles as an art and cultural center. The 19th century structure boasts two large, gorgeous porches on both sides, an elegant wrap-around staircase straight from a storybook, and an arching trellis that covers the back patio like a green, natural tunnel. They held the ceremony on the back lawn, standing on the steps before the patio, using the rear face of the mansion as an epic backdrop. Lauren and Ethan did it right.
In a time in the United States where everything feels so heavy it’s important to take any moments that make us feel light. When Lauren saw Ethan for the first time it was like a physical and emotional embodiment of that point. I know it’s hard to look around on your wedding day and see all the things that could have been--but at some point, when you let go--you’ll see everything that is. You’ll see your partner looking the best they’ve ever looked, the people who’ve shown up for you, and you’ll remember how light you felt in those moments. You deserve it.
I admit that I’ve fallen victim to the weight of the world of 2020, forgetting to put effort into things that make me feel light. Some of that is due to quarantine or the political climate but I can’t scapegoat all of my frustration. A friend of ours recently gave me a book on the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park and I read it on our recent flight to Colorado. It is surprisingly well-written and my brain immediately began to churn in a way it hasn’t in awhile. I was inspired by the dynamics of wolf packs, the positive impact that even apex predators can have on an ecosystem, and the cost-benefit analysis of the introduction project. More than anything else I felt light again; remembering that I, Lauren, Ethan, or even a lone wolf in Yellowstone is the main character in a “...Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
Enjoy these sneak peek photos from Lauren & Ethan’s wedding:
vendors:
Apollo Fields | Photography
The Liriodendron Mansion | Venue
Dean and Brown Catering | Catering
Something Borrowed Blooms | Floral
Pronovias Oreste | Dress
K&Co Salon | Hair and Makeup
Vistaprint | Save the Dates
Hey! It’s Team Apollo…
…just loving our jobs!
Senior Photography with Horses at Equestrian Barn
Lili’s Senior Photos at The Barn | Senior Photography in New Jersey | Apollo Fields Photographers
My Colorado Sunrise Maternity Photos
My Colorado Sunrise Maternity Photos with Lindsey and Lauren | Denver mountain photography
It was early Sunday morning when Lindsey, Lauren, and I pulled up to the location that we were going to take some photos. We had planned a sunrise session in the mountains and it would be the first time that I would have professional photos done of my pregnancy that didn’t involve a tripod and a timer. My second trimester “bump” had suddenly turned into the third trimester “belly” and with that, the feeling that time was moving faster than it had the last six months.
My first trimester was a bit of a fog— falling right on top of the panic of COVID and intense quarantining, we were also navigating the anxiety of a high-risk pregnancy. I had just enough morning sickness and extreme fatigue to actually want to be in lock down at home, and luckily right around ten weeks, the world became a little less scary at the same time that the doctors became a little less scared about us.
Second trimester, on the other hand, was both sweet and savory. I was no longer considered high risk and I was able to start shooting again. Our little bean started wiggling around, every prenatal test was coming back great, business was picking up, and we slowly reintegrated into traveling and visiting family again. All seemed to be right in the world and none of it went unappreciated.
Here we are now, embarking on the third trimester and simultaneously pushing through a surprisingly busy “busy season”. Our work is giving me life while I am growing a life and somehow nothing feels more natural. But I know that this time is fleeting, and in just a few weeks, we will officially hunker down to get into full on baby mode. Despite the buzzy/swarmy feeling that I have, I am also realizing my own desire to document this chapter.
Luckily, my friends are just as crazy and artistic as I am because what started as just having lunch together and catching up with Lindsey quickly turned into “let’s do a sunrise maternity session by a river”. I knew that I’d be running on fumes by then considering that the day before we would be driving out to Aspen, shooting a wedding, and then driving all the way back from Aspen. I also know that running on fumes isn’t always a bad thing and can serve us mentally and physically at times. So I enthusiastically jumped on board with this plan, and began manifesting my own vision for what I wanted to come from the shoot.
I can’t quite explain why, but I wanted something that felt intense, I wanted something cold, and I wanted water. Suffice it to say, I got exactly what I wanted.
When I first opened the door at the location, I was greeted with a sharp windblown chill and the reminder that Colorado weather guarantees nothing. The morning sun had started hugging itself across the horizon line, falling into its own unpredictable alpenglow as it worked against the wildfire smoke that could have easily be mistaken for rain clouds if you didn’t know better. The campfire smell was easy to ignore against the freshness of the autumn-kissed Aspens, and we all made our way down to the river knowing that the morning was about to be magical but unforgiving.
Nothing makes you realize the cold quite like standing practically naked in it, which was exactly how I would spend the next hour or so. We cycled through some beautiful outfits that Lauren had brought, which were more akin to garnishes on a plate than actually articles of clothing in terms of warmth. The light would come and go, but when it came, it would blanket my skin in a warmth much more soul satisfying than any jacket or blanket could have served me. It was then that I started to lean into the extreme sensations rather than work against them.
What a metaphor for birth itself, I began to think to myself as I chattered standing shin-high in the icy river. The snow-melted water would drag across my skin with a glasslike quality while slowly I worked through it so not to get swept down over the slippery rocks. We were all cold and we were all wet, but I would be the one physically trembling in front of their cameras.
The affect of Lindsey’s voice changed from photographer-to-doula (both of her specialties) as she calmly told me to take a deep breath. Just like that, my body would indeed stop trembling and I could control the previously uncontrollable chatter. That was the “aha moment” for me, realizing that in just a few months, that very exercise and experience could serve me in labor.
I realized that what I was feeling was physically intense, and at times downright uncomfortable. I laid in a pricker-laden shrub, against hard rocks, and eventually submerged my lower half into the river itself. But I also realized that I was safe, that the discomfort I was feeling would be temporary, and I was surrounded by two people who supported me. Again, a metaphor for birth.
I say this as someone who has never actually given birth before, but squirreling up all of the knowledge and resources possible to prepare for the experience. We are planning an unmedicated home birth and feel very confident that this is the best route for us. I am also practical enough to know that this is merely a plan, and all plans can become derailed. My Type-A side wants to meticulously craft the experience so that we don’t end up on the other side of our intended vision, but my intuitive side knows that the best way to do this also involves tapping into our instincts and nurturing our emotional strength.
Much like this photoshoot, I anticipate birth to be intense with moments of downright discomfort. I imagine that Terrence and I will be taken to extremes, but I also imagine moments of warmth and light. I am comforted by the fact that I will be safe and I will be surrounded by people who support me. I know that my breath work can make my body cease trembling, even if it is temporary and I have to be reminded to do it over and over.
I write this now on a plane back to New York a day after our chilly sunrise shoot: I am now warm and comfortable, sitting across from my husband who will occasionally smile through his mask at me and reach out a hand for a quick touch. What I am left with are these stunning photos from Lindsey and Lauren to remind me not only of my maternity experience, but as a way to empower us through the next few months. I am also left with a strong sense that not all discomfort is pain, and not all pain is without purpose. We should not fear intense experiences, rather welcome them into our lives as a way to learn more about ourselves and others. Here’s to the next few months of busyness and stillness, discomfort and euphoria, anticipation and patience, and all the other dichotomies that I believe can – and should – coexist in our lives.
– Heather
Photography: Lindsey Eden & Lauren Wright
Asharoken Beach Wedding in Northport, NY
Apollo Fields | Long Island Wedding Photographer | Beach Weddings on Long Island | Backyard Wedding Photographer | Northport Wedding Photographers | Northport, NY
Jackie & Eric
“The best-laid plans o’ mice and men often go awry” was the line that Kevin, Eric’s best man, decided to begin and finish his speech with. It made me remember the public speaking course I took in college and how effective using a quote is in anchoring the message of your speech on both ends. If I had any advice for the best men and maids-of-honor out there--this is it. Speak from the heart, keep it short and sweet, and begin and end on the same quote.
Jackie and Eric held their ceremony Our Lady Queen of Martyr’s on a beautifully bright indian summer day in September. Centerport Harbor glistened with the sparkle that guests love and photographers have to work around. Their officiant, Deacon Doug, was as affable as he was devout--weaving in biblical references into Jackie and Eric’s stories almost as much as he mentioned the New York Mets. In a symbol of union, Jackie and Eric poured soil from each of their homes into a potted plant, a unique ceremony idea I’ve never seen before. I loved it. Do anything you can in your ceremony to represent who you are.
From there they took the party to a private residence on the beach on Asharoken Avenue in Northport, NY. The reception began underneath a tent in front of the house but gradually moved to the beach as the sun began to set. Eric and Jackie held their first dance in the sand and the levity of the moment is making it hard for me to remember a more memorable first dance. The late summer breeze, the sun setting in the distance, the weight of the world--for the first time in awhile--floated off my shoulders. I can still see the hazy orange sky when I try to picture it.
“Now that we’re here it doesn’t matter what the plan was--I want to face it head on, I want to face it with you,” Kevin continued in his speech. Such a poignant meeting point between a healthy relationship and the demands of planning a wedding during a pandemic. There is no blueprint on how to celebrate your love in a time where gatherings are restricted. There is no certainty to how the next few months will transpire. It is up to the Jackie and Eric’s of the world to decide what is right for them and Kevin hit it on the head.
Marriage is a partnership and the plan is to face it together. “What you’ve endured [during the pandemic] is nothing compared to marriage,” Lou, Jackie’s father joked during his speech. Heather and I like to treat our life like the way we take vacations: implementing a loose structure, hitting the key can’t-miss tourist destinations, but leaving plenty of room for flexibility and adapting to the whims of weather and mood. Jackie and Eric’s wedding definitely had a vacation vibe, the sand between our toes, fully knowing that “the best-laid plans o’ mice and men often go awry.”
Enjoy these images from Jackie & Eric’s beach wedding:
vendors:
Apollo Fields | Photography
Paul Vibes | Videography
Our Lady Queen of Martyr’s | Ceremony Venue
Floral Designs By Melina | Floral
Precision Sounds | DJ
Hometown Bakeshop | Cake
Anomalie | Dress custom designed by Jackie, the bride!
La Mode | Dress Alterations
Karako | Suit
Blue Nile | Engagement Ring (responsibly made!)
Wedding Bands | Family friend, Carlo Gilioli
Styles by Marcella | Hair
Makeup By Samantha | Makeup
Ann’s Bridal Bargains | Invitations and Save the Dates
Limos Long Island | Car Service
As seen in:
Brooklyn Bride Mag
Jersey Shore Engagement Photography at Avon-By-The-Sea
Apollo Fields | Beach Engagement Photos | New Jersey Wedding Photographer | Jersey Shore photographers | Jersey Shore weddings | Outdoor Engagement Photographer | Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ
As someone who grew up on Long Island, I never went to Jersey Shore. Ever. But after meeting up with Jane and James at Avon-by-the-Sea a couple weeks ago, I definitely see the allure of it. Avon-by-the-Sea didn’t have any of the carnival games or fist-pumping that the shore has become notorious for; instead it boasted beautiful new-england-meets-beach-house architecture with tons of wrap around porches, and old immigrant family vibes. Jane’s Polish uncle was actually having a small birthday gathering when we were finishing up the shoot.
Jane and James met while working at a bank a few years back, and have adapted well to the quarantine life of 2020. I think it’s the first time in my life when I (an extrovert) have been jealous of the introverted lifestyle that Jane and James prefer. I love puzzles and board games as much as the next guy, but after you work for years in crowded bars the constant ambient noise can make extended periods of silence feel jarring. Jane and James have been happy to stay in, work from home, and enjoy each other’s company.
We started the meetup at The Marina Grille to shake off some engagement session jitters with a beer and to get to know each other better. Heather and Jane actually did their undergraduate studies together at The College of New Jersey but they were both working so hard that they didn’t get to hang out much (My undergraduate experience was a very different story; or at least the beginning of it). We talked to Jane and James’s about their first date and how James had a firm policy about not dating other employees. He waited until she left the company to formally ask her out.
Jane and James have the kind of playful vibe you would imagine when you have a game night with friends who have a healthy competitive relationship. Heather and I on the other hand, push that envelope until we play a game so much we have to put it on the shelf for a few months. We all shared a laugh when James told a story of a relative finishing a puzzle without them that Jane and James had been working on for months. They just came home and the puzzle was done. I have no idea how I’d react if that happened, but I’m pretty sure that’s the kind of thing that gets you uninvited to dinner in the Huie household.
Jane and James will be getting married at a venue in Bayonne and Point Pleasant, NJ, in December 2020. We admire their steadfast dedication to getting married despite all that’s going on and will support our couples in any decision that they make. Next summer we’ll have to come visit them on the shore, bring some beers and board games, finish a puzzle or two, and enjoy an iconic Jersey Shore sunset.
Heckscher Park Engagement Photos in Huntington, NY
Vince & Meredith’s Engagement Session | Heckscher Park Engagement Photos in Huntington, NY | Long Island Photographers | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
We first met Merideth at her sister-in-law Sage’s wedding in September 2019 when we walked into Sage and John’s home on Long Island. Hair spray was in the air, bagels on the table, and mimosas in hand. Meredith and Sage made sure we had anything that we wanted and we really felt the warmth of their welcome. Their kind of hospitality never goes unnoticed on our end.
We met up with Merideth and Vince almost a year later in Huntington for their engagement photos at Heckscher Park. We walked and talked and laughed as the early autumn sun warmed us in the breeze. They spoke about how excited they are for us to become parents and how they’re in the process of moving. I’ve definitely noticed a pattern of families becoming closer both literally and figuratively during 2020, and it makes me grateful to come from a large family. We can bicker and fight each other all we want, but when it comes down to it, there is nothing more valuable in life than having people in your corner.
For me, part of the fun of doing engagement photos is seeing how a couple reacts to one another. Are they playful, does PDA come naturally, or is this whole experience an exercise in torture. Heather and I love to make the experience as light as possible because the vast majority of people have not been in front of a camera like this before. There are different strokes for different folks but we can guarantee by the end of it that we will capture the nature of your relationship because it will naturally pour out of you. There is no putting a lid on love.
Right from the get-go Merideth and Vince had their hands on each other, whispering things into each other's ears, and giggling. People think that engagement photos have to be something more than this but at Apollo Fields this is all we want--for you to be unabashedly yourselves. In a world where our social media lives are as curated as the art that hangs on museum walls, authenticity still reigns supreme. No photo will ever be as good as the one that you let yourself go and exist as naturally possible. That kind of peaceful confidence is the best outfit any of us could wear.
It’s the kind of confidence that we have when we’re around our families, catching up in the living room on a holiday or summer vacation. It’s so easy for us to slip into the roles that we’ve been carving our whole lives and our egos wind up taking the back seat to the speed of a witty family back-and-forth. There is no time to wonder what we look like or where our hands are when a relative walks by and either physically or verbally jabs us. We just exist naturally.
And that’s what I’ll remember from Merideth and Vince’s engagement photos. How they and we just walked in the park and took some pictures. It was as easy as a summer night and that’s all it had to be.
Ocean View Backyard Wedding Photography in Long Island
Apollo Fields Wedding Photography | Long Island Backyard Wedding | Bellmore Wedding Photographer | Bellmore, NY
Laura and Dimitri’s backyard wedding wasn’t your typical big fat greek wedding, but it had all the hallmarks of one. A kitchen island buzzing with relatives like bees around a picnic blanket, an air of laid-back leisure extravagance, and someone around every corner asking, “do you need anything--can I get you something to eat or drink?” When Heather and I showed up to the private residence on the Great South Bay of Long Island, Laura, Dimitri, and their small big fat greek family were just putting the finishing touches on their backyard wedding celebration.
In Greece, “you invite the whole island,” Dimitri told me. Everyone is family, from the nuclear to the rest of the community, “you put your arm around your third cousin like you would your brother.” I love that. I love the power of extending your family to the rest of the community. There’s such a pride, a comfort, and a peace that lives in the hectic interactions between family members; you don’t yell at people the way you do your family (or at least I don’t), and you certainly don’t love them that way either (well, maybe I do). I have a feeling a trip to Greece is in our future.
Laura casually slipped into her wedding dress in a bedroom at the top of a set of modern floating stairs, waiting for her mom and soon-to-be mother-in-law to help her put on some jewelry for some candid wedding photos. The early evening summer light poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and Laura’s eyes glinted almost like she knew she would remember this moment. As guests began to arrive, the buzz around the kitchen island picked up to a full swarm so Laura sought refuge in welcoming the rest of her friends and family in the backyard.
Laura and Dimitri held their backyard wedding ceremony in the corner of the yard, using the sunset over the Great South Bay as a backdrop. They had a friend officiate and her words were as simple as they were sweet, embodying an eloquence that reminds you why sunsets are so meaningful; how the sky is but a mix of colors and words of love an arrangement of letters. I understand that many people choose to have a member of their faith or church to officiate their wedding, but I just can’t get enough of the raw emotion and simplicity that a friend or a family member can provide.
Of course, Laura and Dimitri will be hosting a “proper” big fat greek wedding next year, pulling out all stops in East Meadow at The Carltun, but this was a great start. It was a day that represented who they were, where they’re from, and what their family and community looks like. They even had a gyro truck sending the sweet aromas of Greece into the salty Long Island air. Nothing can hold back a celebration of love, especially when you have a whole island in your corner.
Upstate NY Wedding Photography at "The Big House" in Newburgh
Billy and Rachel's Summer Wedding in Newburgh, NY | Upstate New York Weddings | Apollo Fields Wedding Photography
What do you do when you have to reschedule the best day of your life? You focus on people rather than things. Obviously it’s easier said than done, but our initial experiences of weddings during Covid have shown us what it looks like when couples are forced to strip away wedding details like invitees from an oversized guest list. Every item or service lost pangs of what could or should have been, but what remains is what really matters. When Rachel and Billy held their wedding in Cornwall, New York, this past weekend, you never would’ve known that this was a contingency plan.
The day began at “the big house,” a stunning Airbnb seated on a hill in Newburgh, NY, which boasts an obstructed view of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge as it stretches over the Hudson River. The eight-bedroom, six-bath, feels like a boutique hotel with its combination of modern and classic decor, and seemingly has natural light pouring in through every one of its unique windows. Heather was like our Jack Russel, Riddle, on a hunt in there--taking sharp turns through hallways and bedrooms while chasing the light (her most cherished natural resource). Meanwhile Rachel and her bridesmaids lounged in luxury as they got ready way ahead of schedule.
When Billy arrived, one of his groomsmen helped him tie his bow tie on the wrap-around porch in front of a rolling peanut gallery of family and friends. He then made his way down the stairs to the sloped green grass in front of the house, and drank in the view of the bridge before closing his eyes. If only we could live our whole lives in those tense moments of beautiful anticipation leading up to a first look. When Rachel tapped Billy on the shoulder and their eyes met you could see them get lost in a look of relief and wonderment, almost as if their souls took a breath of fresh air.
We proceeded to the venue which was a private residence 20 minutes south, in Cornwall, NY. The expansive property had rolling green hills, a pond tucked away in the corner, a putting green, and a house built around an old barn that was brought onto the land several years ago. Rachel planned this entire contingency celebration and the ceremony and reception hummed along as the hot summer day turned to a warm summer night. The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love echoed in the air as their recessional music after an intimate and heartfelt ceremony.
With the help of family and friends, Rachel and Billy never let the best day of their life slip away from them. They showed us that it is possible to safely plan a ceremony and reception during a pandemic while staying true to themselves and their relationship. Cheers to their perseverance, love, and all of their future plans, contingencies and otherwise.
Enjoy these sneak peeks from Rachel & Billy’s Newburgh wedding:
Team Apollo!
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