Provincetown, MA Engagement Photos in Cape Cod
Corey + Kelsey
Provincetown Engagement Photos
Every summer my family vacationed in Eastham, Massachusetts, playing endless rounds of mini-golf, and spending days on the beach until the sunset chased us inside. I relish those memories like dreams; pure experiences of childhood bliss. It’s funny, though, that in all of those years we never drove another 30 minutes up to the tip of the northeastern archipelago to the famously raucous town of Provincetown. So when Corey and Kelsey gave us an excuse to visit the place for the first timeit was more than a welcome adventure.
Cape Cod Wedding Photographer
We started the engagement session in the main causeway of the eclectic town, right in front of a restaurant called the Lobster Pot, a local joint that Anthony Bourdain famously got his start. We poked down a couple alleyways to escape the crowds and enjoy the nooks and crannies of the historic town. The charm and energy was just as I imagined—fun, unpredictable, and boundless. From there, we drove out to the outermost tip of Cape Cod where ocean waters meet the Cape Cod Bay and it did not dissapoint.
Cape Cod Beach Wedding
When we arrived to the beach there was a live reggae band and people drinking and dancing everywhere. It reminded me of being at Jones Beach Theater on the south shore of Long Island where there is an unwritten rule of “good vibes only.” We resisted the urge to join the party and traversed the dunes down to the shore. The end of their engagement photo session in Cape Cod felt like one of those surreal moments where despite the coastal wind the air seemed to stand still. Just like one of those childhood memories that I had in Eastham; the only thing missing was mini-golf. That may have to be arranged.
Shuttle Meadow Country Club Wedding Photos
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Kelly + Evan
One of the first things couples realize when planning a wedding is that their opinions on the event are not the only ones that matter. Whether it’s their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or extended family, someone has a monkey wrench to throw into the best laid plans! It can lead to difficult conversations and even harder decisions, but Kelly and Evan’s intimate wedding ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park followed by their reception at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, Connecticut, clearly echoed not only their own values, but also the ones they learned from their refreshingly supportive families.
Family Values
Marriage, like anything else, is an institution that is evolving over time. Heather and I have noticed how marriage preserves some generational values, while it distances itself from others. For example, just a generation ago, getting married in a church by a pastor or priest was the norm, but now couples are opting to get married in beautiful backyards (raises hand) and scenic parks by one of their closest friends or family members. Antiquated reasons for a father walking their daughter down the aisle have given way to a deeper emotional connection that is one of my favorite things to witness. Perhaps the most modern and honorable aspect of the evolution of marriage is when parents who have parted ways come together at the wedding to pay respect to one another as partners and parents while also acknowledging the newer partners and parents in their children’s lives. Emotional intelligence may not always seem like it’s on the rise, but believe me if you were at Kelly and Evan’s wedding in Connecticut you wouldn’t have had dry eyes either.
Family Tradition
Kelly’s grandparents belonged to the Shuttle Meadow Country Club before her parents did and it meant a lot to her family for her and Evan to host their reception there. I don’t typically think about deep family ties and emotions when speaking about country clubs but it was apparent in the way Kelly and her family interacted with the property and staff. Family traditions take many forms and whenever possible you should try to embrace them when planning for your wedding!
Apollo Fields Family Values & Traditions
After Heather and I had Capa it changed the way I looked at my childhood and the choices my parents made. My five siblings and I were pretty much free range chickens in our cluttered house, finding our way home for dinner after playing with neighborhood kids until dusk. The only problem was that I didn’t know that I had autonomy and power over my own decisions until I left for college, whereupon I learned of my lack of discipline and returned home shortly thereafter. I consider it one of the best things that ever happened to me because it made me really analyze what decisions I was making and why.
So when I saw Evan and Kelly’s families and the connection and respect that they all have for one another; it made me think of providing Capa the guiding hand that I did not have, while at the same time giving him the power of his own decisions as early as possible. For our families are the ones who show us our values, but it is up to us as individuals to choose the ones that we wish to celebrate.
Vendors
Apollo Fields | Photography
Venue | Shuttle Meadow Country Club | Kensington, CT
Floral | Kellie Rose Florals
Band | The Parachute Brigade
Dress | Lee-Ann Belter
Dress 2 | BHLDN
Suit | Bonobos
Rings | Traynham’s Jewelers
Hair and Makeup | Opal
Invitations | Minted
Misquamicut Club Wedding Photos
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Liza + Jake
It’s not often that the MVP of a wedding is someone not attending the wedding, but we have to give credit to one of the members of Misquamicut Club who gave up his golf cart mid-round (!!) so Heather, Liza, and Jake could take it to the Rhode Island coastline for golden hour photos! About 15 minutes prior, we were told by the manager that all of the golf carts were locked up for the evening and were totally bummed when we realized we’d be missing out on beach golden hour photos. So kudos to the kind stranger for helping make Liza and Jake’s wedding day that much more special.
Rhode Island Wedding Photos
Up until last year, Rhode Island was merely a drive through state for my family’s summer trips up to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It always felt like we were only in Rhode Island for a few minutes as we cruised over Providence on the highway. But after staying in Newport, Little Compton, and Watch Hill, in the last couple years, it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite New England states. It’s the combination of historic architecture and culture combined with the beautiful coastline and beaches that does it for me.
North Carolina Engagement Photos
Liza and Jake currently reside in North Carolina, a state on the east coast that boasts the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell. They both love camping and backpacking, although Liza’s sister said jokingly during her maid-of-honor speech that they never did that growing up. That they were more horseback than backpack, but it’s wonderful that Jake and Liza can grow into a hobby together. So when they found out that we were planning a trip to visit Heather’s family in Greenville, South Carolina, it opened the door to an awesome adventure engagement photo session in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I wasn’t there, but after seeing the pictures it reminded me of Heather and I’s exploration of the Colorado Rockies when we lived in a small suburb of Denver.
National Park Photos
After the wedding, Liza and Jake planned on heading up to Acadia National Park in Maine to do some hiking and relaxing. Heather and I caught the National Park bug when we journeyed out to Telluride, Colorado, stopping at The Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Funny enough, we found our favorite bagels in Colorado in a nearby small mountain called Montrose. Never have I ever backlinked a bagel shop in one of these posts but I hate to admit that Heather and I took down a dozen of their bagels without (!!) butter, cream cheese, or any condiment or topping. When traveling to far away destinations it’s best to load up on good food while you can.
Heather and I meant to hit Acadia when we were up in Maine for weddings but it never came to fruition. We take any and all excuses to explore the national park system, so feel free to reach out if you are thinking of hosting your wedding in one of our country’s beautiful national parks.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | Misquamicut Club | Westerly, Rhode Island
Oliver Lin Stephens Huie
“We give birth the way that we live.”
-Our midwife, Michele, East End Midwifery Services
For us—that means having a plan. That means a checklist, a Gcal invite, probably a meeting, and a few back-and-forths. That means gathering a support team, establishing contingencies, idea visualization and manifestation. Focus on intention. What do you want? Then it’s onto logistics and their eventual execution. When it all goes well it feels like the stars are aligning—but when they don’t—we never get swallowed in the darkness.
The Last Total Lunar Eclipse of 2022
For months, the full-moon total lunar eclipse on November 8th, 2022, has been on our calendar. It was a hopeful hypothesis that Oliver would be born in the early morning before the sun followed the blood moon. This is when the tides would be at their strongest and Heather’s due date was only four days later. Well, on November 7th, I woke up to the low hum of Heather moaning, eyes closed, with her head and neck arched back on a pillow. She didn’t even have to say it out loud—I knew she was already in labor.
Doula to the Rescue
A few days before Heather went into labor, our dear friend and local doula, Nancy, informed us that she took a spill down a flight of stairs and sustained a series of injuries including a concussion. A two-hour commute to our house was probably not advisable. Coincidentally, the very next day, our friend Lindsey who lives in Colorado reached out and said that she was interested in flying out and offering her birth photography and doula services if we needed it.
Lindsey’s flight arrived at La Guardia at noon on November 7th.
“A Certain Nocturnal Visitor”
Before Heather went into labor with Capa she said that she was not going to have him during the day. Maybe it’s because sunlight reminds her of work and she can’t work when she’s having a baby, or maybe she’s a vampire. Either way, he was born at night. So after I picked up Lindsey for Oliver’s birth and we told Michele that Heather was in labor, we knew that there wasn’t much urgency given the duration of her contractions and how far apart they were. No matter what we’d be waiting for nightfall.
Active Labor with a midwife
Around 5:30 pm, with Lindsey, Michele, and her assistant, Noelle, in place I could really sink into my support role. I patiently waited all day for Heather to invite me into her space. It started with a hand; to hold, clench, and steer towards pressure points. It evolved to a rebozo and gentle massaging. Then for the next few hours Heather and I would remain close, our bodies and arms wrapped around each other as we hummed and moaned. She eventually told me to stop moaning along. I listened.
Transition
Heather climbed into the tub around 10:30-11pm. I remember thinking that Oliver might arrive before the day is over. Heather requested that we put on Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar and I was amazed that she was still fully tuned in and communicative, swaying her body to the beats in the warm water. At this point during Capa’s birth she had already gone inward to manage the pain. After the first song or two, she invited me closer, pulling my head next to hers, and we closed our eyes and moved together. I remember smiling.
Capa
We put Capa down hours earlier around his normal bedtime. We all cuddled in our king-sized bed as he drifted away to the sounds of his favorite movie, Sing 2. He woke up periodically throughout the night and I would take leave to get him back down. The last time he woke up was around 2 am, when Michele came to the stairs to call me back down. “Heather wants you here, you can bring Capa.” And so for the next 20 minutes Capa and I looked at Heather as she beared down.
Nothing makes you feel smaller than watching a woman give birth. All sense of machismo, bravado, and hubris melts away into admiration—into witnessing what true strength looks like.
A Round of Applause and Fist Bumps
Immediately after Heather gave birth to Oliver, Capa began to clap. Like literally. He then went up to give Oliver a fist bump, followed by the whole support team, one at a time. What a guy.
The Plan
From the outside in, we got lucky with our 2nd successful home birth. We somehow avoided all of the many pitfalls of labor and delivery. But that’s not the way we see it. We see the plan: the meetings, the support team, the contingencies. We see how we put ourselves in a position to succeed by making decisions by following our collective minds and hearts.
We saw how all the stars began to align so we put our jackets on and took a good look at that giant, copper-colored full-moon.
So at 2:33 am on November 8th, 2022, when Oliver Lin Stephens Huie came into this world, it was not because we were lucky.
It was because we aligned our own stars and created our own constellation.
We gave birth the way we live.
Photography & Doula | Lindsey | Lindsey Eden Photography | Arvada, CO
Midwifery | East End Midwifery | Southampton, NY
Doula | Nancy | Nancy Weidner Doula
Crystal Point Yacht Club Winter Wedding at the Jersey Shore
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Jane + James
Heather and I piled into Heidi (the name we gave to our car) for our second to last wedding of 2021 with equal parts exhaustion and excitement. We have spent so much time on the road that we are scared to know the exact amount, but we ballpark a figure by how many podcasts and audiobooks we’ve rifled through. Surprisingly, we still have an amazing time in the car together. The old litmus test of taking a road trip with a significant other rings truer with every mile we traverse. A year ago to the day we were traveling to the first part of Jane and James’ wedding in Bayonne, New Jersey, and Heather would wind up giving birth to Capa just 12 days later. I still can’t believe how many weddings we did in 2020 and it made our 2021 wedding feel easier by comparison.
Jane and James’ first celebration was a beautiful trip down memory lane, as they got married in the church across the street from the school they attended as children. They held their reception at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, and it was attended by their closest friends and family as there were still relatively strict gathering restrictions. This year, on their anniversary, they got to host the wedding that they always wanted and it was nice to see some familiar faces! The camaraderie of James and his groomsmen reminded me of my relationships to my childhood friends and the kinship between Jane and her bridesmaids was genuine and sentimental.
The first time I ever visited the Jersey Shore was for Jane and James’ engagement photos so it was only fitting that the second time would be for their wedding at the Crystal Point Yacht Club. The newly renovated cocktail room boasted one of the prettiest white granite top bars I’ve ever seen. They also had a huge variety of beers and even had three taps where guests pour their beers themselves! (If Heather and I ever renew our vows I may book it here on that principle alone.) Off the back of the venue is a marina where we took Jane and James for a few quick romantic photos on the dock before the early winter sunset.
Typically the shortest days of the year frustrate Heather and I. I like to call it a helio-dependence. But since having Capa amidst the crazy snowstorms of winter 2020 these short days have taken on a different type of light. They remind me of the kind of coziness of coming inside on snow days and putting your wet gloves and socks on the radiator. How we’d throw some milk in a pot and tear open a pack of swiss miss with the dehydrated marshmallows and put a christmas movie on TV. Every one of us is lucky to have memories that are that vivid and peaceful, and lucky for Jane and James, now they have two.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | Crystal Point Yacht Club | Point Pleasant, NJ
Floral | Wild & Free Floral Design
Dress | Maggie Sottero
Band | Mike Dalton Band
Suit | The Tux Shop
Cake/Bakery | Tinton Falls Pastry Chef
Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding
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Kelly + Evan
Coasting down that final stretch of road into Estes Park, the sun poured through the clouds onto the mountaintops like spotlights on a stage. Mountain weather tends to have a flair for the dramatic: passing storms, ominous thunder and lightning in the distance, plummeting temperature once the sun falls below the earth’s natural curtain. Such are the concerns for couples who choose to stage the ceremony of their love in the heart of nature’s beauty.
Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding
Kelly and Evan are east coasters like us, hailing from Connecticut and most recently Maryland. But having just moved to the Mile High City a month ago, they decided to host their ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the (many) natural Crown Jewels of the beautiful state of Colorado. Inviting some of their closest friends and family, we gathered at a trail head, a party of around 20, to listen to their vows with green meadows, chirping birds, and jaw-dropping views all around.
One Couple, Two Locations
A growing trend for our couples is to host an engagement shoot or ceremony in one adventurous destination, and a more accessible reception in another. This allows them to travel to a place they’ve always wanted to visit, or commemorate a certain chapter of their relationship, while also providing a celebration for the larger group of loved ones in their lives. WE ARE ALL ABOUT IT. Truth be told, Heather and I wanted to elope on a mountaintop when we lived in Colorado, but opted to have our wedding on her aunt and uncle’s beautiful farm in northern New Jersey.
Destination Wedding Photographers Based in New York
I’m sure many could see multiple locations for a wedding celebration as too much hassle for Heather, Capa, and I (even if we weren’t expecting!), but that’s not how we see it. We see it as an opportunity to travel to amazing places, document authentic parts of our couple’s relationships, and have fun while doing it. Admittedly, I may get a bit neurotic when packing for the airport and boarding the plane, but once we hop in a rental car, we crank the tunes and we’re on our way!
Connecticut Wedding Photographers
Part two of Kelly and Evan’s wedding celebration will be at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, Connecticut. The venue is only 30 minutes from where Heather and Kelly went to high school together at the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT. It’s funny how consistent the overlap of values that Heather has with her former classmates over the years. It seems that everyone we meet or every couple’s wedding we photograph, we unearth a little bit of that bond that they all forged together. Not to mention all of the amazing partners they’ve chosen to marry; Evan being no exception.
National Park Wedding Photographer
So when I closed my eyes and heard Kelly and Evan speak their vows to each other in one of the most serene places I’ve ever been to, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of something akin to imposter syndrome. Something about all of these beautiful couples in all of these stunning locations makes me question why I deserve it. I’m so lucky to be part of this business, with a partner who could make both a board room and modeling runway bend to her will without saying a word. When speaking to Mercie and Danika—a magical couple whose wedding we photographed last year and coincidentally were in Estes Park and made themselves available to us to take care of Capa while we worked—I said that my heart is so full that I almost need to invent something to reach for. It’s not complacency; it’s marrying ambition with fulfillment and remembering that I deserve it—just like every other human being on this planet.
Sunken Meadow Pavilion Wedding Photos
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Caity + Mike
Every time I go to Sunken Meadow Beach—a New York State Park just 15 minutes from our house—I wonder why I don’t go there more often. It’s a beach on the north shore of Long Island, which means it has more shells, rocks, and pebbles, than its south shore counterparts, but it also has a nice wooden boardwalk, clean sand, and a gorgeous view of the Long Island Sound. Caity and Mike’s wedding at the Pavilion was the first time I photographed a wedding at Sunken Meadow State Park and it won’t be the last.
Golden Hour Sunset Pictures
It’s funny how good (and bad) wedding weather tends to come in bunches. For the beginning of the season I remember a stretch of rainy, cold, cloudy days. Then came the unbearable heat wave that lasted pretty much all summer. Finally, the last few weeks gave way to slightly cooler temperatures with impressionist-esque cloud formations. The fluffy skies created some absolutely surreal, dreamy golden hours like the one Mike and Caity got. Those moments are some of my favorite to share with our couples; where we all get to step back from the party for a moment and revel at the beauty of the day and our lives. Gratitude always feels good.
Downtown Northport Wedding Photos
Yet another first for me was photographing a wedding and family formals in my hometown of Northport, NY. Northport is a cute harbor town that has old trolley lines down the center of Main street, where restaurants, retail and ice cream shops, and delis line the sidewalk. At the base of the hill is a parkside marina with a dock, playground, pavilion, and lots of green grass for picnics and pups to play. I had my pre-prom photos down in this area and I couldn’t help but be transported back in time when we were photographing Mike and Caity. Fun fact is that Caity and I went to the same high school and it rained on her prom day so she has always wanted to do photos downtown Northport–her wedding at St. Phillip Neri was the perfect opportunity!
From Photographers to Friends
Probably the most underrated part of our job as wedding photographers is getting to know our couples and their families. We are constantly welcomed into tight knit circles and given the license to document relationships as they evolve in real time. Mike is actually the brother of one of our previous brides, Kristen, and seeing her and her partner (also Mike) at the wedding was such a fun shared experience. The way I see it, most people in 9-5 jobs don’t get to constantly meet new people at work, let alone make lasting relationships. Photographing weddings as an extrovert is a cheat code to ignite creativity, connection, and appreciation for both the finer and simpler things in life.
vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | Sunken Meadow Pavilion | Kings Park, NY
Dress | All Who Wander | Arlo
Boots | North Fork Bridal Shoppe | Miranda Lambert Idyllwind
Florist | Black Dahlia
DJ | Absolute Entertainment
Suit | Black Tux
Rings | Squires Jewelers
Hair | Ink & Ivy | Nikki Lee
Makeup | Laura Brooke
Cake | Dortoni
Wrapping up the night
With Caity and Mike! We had a great time with these guys!! Reach out for your own wedding photography below:
The Flagler Museum Wedding Photography in Palm Beach, FL
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Chase & Heather
I’ve never liked Florida. Ever. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a New Yorker or because of all the Florida man memes, but it’s never been my thing. But the idea of leaving New York for the beach while it’s starting to get cold-- that was an idea I could get behind. I’d never been to West Palm Beach and I try to keep an open mind. Heather, Capa, and I arrived around midnight and woke up to torrential rain the next morning. It was the kind of rain that makes you eat at the hotel rather than try out some local digs. Lucky for us I found a french bakery around the corner that I could sprint to and bring in some of the best baguettes we’ve ever had. We were off to a very good start.
Heather met Heather (the bride) when they were really young. They grew up riding horses together and Heather’s fiance, Chase, actually used to ride with them too. Capa and I are still learning to be comfortable around horses but it’s always a joy to see Heather talk about something she loves very deeply. Heather and Heather used to come down to West Palm for competitions so Heather knew that I was going to like West Palm. I still wasn’t so sure.
Heather and Chase hosted a welcome dinner at a local staple, E.R Bradleys, and after the party ended, the staff began clearing the tables and setting up a mechanical bull. We all had the same idea--I hope Heather and Chase ride the bull--but we also knew that maybe it wasn’t the best idea the night before their wedding. Well there’s a first time for everything, and sure enough, Heather and Chase were the first to hop on. They each showed off their strong legs and held on with muscles that probably don’t exist on my body. They went from riding bulls one day to getting married the next and their wedding weekend was officially in full swing.
Heather and Chase hosted their wedding at The Flagler Museum on Palm Beach Island and despite gusting winds the rain held off for most of the day. The grounds were absolutely stunning and the museum was immaculate. It felt like I was back at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Between the rowdiness of the night before and the class of the Flagler, Florida and Palm Beach were really starting to grow on me. The greenhouse where Heather and Chase held their reception was something out of The Great Gatsby or a movie. String lights in an open space with windows all around and the lights of the city in the distance. I can’t believe I’m saying take me back when speaking about Florida but I have to give credit where credit’s due.
Our final day in Palm Beach we spent most of it floating in a rooftop pool. I waded with Capa in the water, pretending like he was riding a dolphin in the Caribbean and he loved it. The Florida sun finally came out and it made it really hard to want to go back to 40-degree New York weather. I thought back to all of the times that I heard people complain about how cold it was when it was still 50 degrees outside but the first time I understood. Maybe Florida isn’t so bad after all.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | The Flagler Museum | Palm Beach Island
Welcome Party Venue | E.R. Bradleys
Grayfields Farm Wedding in New Jersey
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Gray + Laura
I’ve always told people who don’t believe in ghosts that I’d pay for them to stay in a legit haunted house or hotel room. It’s not that I think that it’s actually dangerous but more that it will scare them in the same way I used to be scared of the monsters under my bed (that is, unless I leapt from the bed, in which case, they couldn’t reach me). Now I haven’t had a paranormal experience in a long time—but the photo that Heather took of Laura and Gray at their farm wedding in New Jersey this past weekend—that was the good kind of paranormal. The kind of feeling you get when someone you lost is there with you, watching over you.
Lens Flare? Don’t Care
During Laura and Gray’s golden hour session, they decided to stop by the pine tree that they planted for Gray’s late father, Chris. As they settled into a few poses, Heather kept noticing a flare following Gray around wherever he went. At first she thought it was a lens flare but the way it moved and the way it appeared she ruled that out. Then, as they went to the next spot, Laura and Gray’s favorite tree on their property on the other side of the house, the same flare appeared. Whether or not you believe in ghosts or the many other explanations for how that light appeared, I don’t really care. What I saw and what I felt gave me the sense of presence of life after death and that our energy lives on. This is the positive reality that I choose to believe in.
DIY Weddings
Weddings don’t have to be one-size fits all. You can prioritize or de-prioritize wedding details according to your needs. Laura and Gray didn’t want to have a lot of moving parts so they decided to host it on their gorgeous family farm in Allamuchy, NJ. They did, however, want the food to be amazing so they splurged on a high-quality caterer. They brought in a band, tent, tables, and a trailer restroom and had themselves a wedding to remember. Don’t get overwhelmed with details, instead, choose things that represent your priorities.
Relaxed Wedding Vibes
I always say that the vibe of a wedding comes from the top-down. If the bride and groom are relaxed, everyone else will fall in line, logistics included. Laura and Gray decided to have a more casual attire, jackets optional, because they wanted their guests to be comfortable in the August heat. Many think that the c-word (casual) is an invitation for friends and family to wear cargo shorts and a tuxedo t-shirt, but what happens more often than not is a dressed down, comfortable chic look. I for one, am heavily in favor of moving away from full suits or tuxedos during summer weddings, preferring a more customizable, fashionable style that Gray and his brothers absolutely crushed. Ladies, as for what you decide to wear, the floor is yours!
Laura and Gray’s wedding is one that will stick to me for a long time; if not for the spirituality, or the relaxed vibes, then it is because Capa got to come along. With a bunch of other little ones in attendance, the Grayfields wedding was the perfect blend of family and fun, class and comfort. Cheers guys!
It’s us!
The whole fam with Gray and Laura at polo the day after their amazing wedding. Reach out for your own photo needs below!
Sunrise Session at Eldorado Canyon in Boulder, CO
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Mercie + Dan
Will I ever get bored of photographing these two love birds? Definitely not. I have been privileged to get to capture Dan and Mercie’s engagement, boudoir, wedding, and now anniversary sessions and have no plans to stop being a part of their lives, both photographically but also as friends.
I usually don’t like the phrase “old souls”, but that’s truly how I feel about these two. They have a certain wisdom and awareness that always leaves Terrence and I feeling both inspired and hopeful. Their love for each other has always been so tender, and makes my job way too easy. They hold space for one another to be their own people, but support one another the way that an ideal partnership functions in my opinion.
We were lucky to get to hook up with Mercie and Dan in Estes Park a few days before this session because they were actually babysitting Capa while we shot a wedding in RMNP! Besides the fact that they were conveniently already in the area, they were the obvious choice to hang with our mini because of their love of children. They both have extensive experience as nannies, but more importantly, embrace kiddos with joy and respect.
Capa got to spend the afternoon getting showered with love by them and their little squad, and we couldn’t have been happier knowing that he was having a blast while we worked! And then on our last day in Colorado, they were down to rally for a sunrise session at Eldorado Canyon in Boulder! Sunrise can be a hard sell sometimes, but it is ALWAYS worth it! There’s something so amazing about venturing out into the mountains when it is still dark, with a little of that alpine chill in the air, seeing the first light start to inch it’s way towards the horizon line.
We explored the canyon, walked through nature, played in the water. It was so joyful and good for the soul that it felt like the photos were just sugar on top!
Maple Shade 1785 Farm Wedding in Delhi, NY
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Tamara + Ronan
Before Heather and I started Apollo Fields together, my professional mindset was totally different. I had gotten used to being told what to do; whether it was making a drink in a particular way as a bartender, or editing copy according to industry standards as a freelance copywriter, or organizing meetings as a political activist. But as our company has grown over the last four years I am no longer looking for the next task to complete, instead, I’m looking towards what the future holds for Apollo Fields and how Heather and I are going to bring it into fruition. Well visiting Abby and Jay’s idyllic Maple Shade Farm for Tamara and Ronan’s wedding in Delhi, NY, gave me inspiration for one vision of what our future might hold.
Maple Shade Farm Wedding Photos
Working with Abby and Jay on their beautiful upstate New York wedding venue/homestead felt reminiscent of what makes working with Heather so enjoyable. We all were willing to do whatever we needed to do to create the best possible wedding for Tamara and Ronan. There were no ifs-ands-or-buts—only sound decision-making and pleasant attitudes. Heather and I have known for a longtime that a venue of our own might be in our future, and working with Abby and Jay showed us just how possible it is.
NYC Engagement Photos / Upstate New York Barn Wedding
Heather originally met up with Tamara and Ronan in Long Island City in Queens for their engagement photos, but they knew they’d be getting married in a place with more natural surroundings. It’s one of our favorite things about our couples: a shared love of both city life and the natural world. In New York we are able to ride up the Hudson to the Adirondack or Catskill Mountains and we take any and every opportunity to do so. It reminds me of the beginning of Heather and I’s relationship when we were living in NYC but taking adventures all over the northeast.
Maple Shade Farm Wedding
Abby and Jay’s historic barn lies on the foothills of their property that reaches all the way up to the peak of a mountain. It is immaculately groomed, including a man made pond (with canoe upon request!) that serves as a perfect backdrop for an altar and ceremony. Just a quick ride up a hill on a golf cart and you have a beautiful view of the valley that they call home, and we were lucky enough to come at a time when a whole field of daisies were in full bloom. Photo opportunities abound at Maple Shade Farm, both inside and outside the beautifully renovated and repurposed historic barn.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | Maple Shade Farm | Delhi, NY
DJ/Pianist | Westphal Music
Dress | BHLDN
Shoes | Loeffler Randall
Veil | Twigs & Honey
Earrings | Jennifer Behr
Rings | Kent Jewelers | NYC
Suits | Robbie and Co. | NYC
Cake | Holiday Farm Biscuit Co.
Catering | Chef Deanna
Invitations | Minted
Owl's Hoot Barn Wedding in Coxsackie, NY
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Jess + Kyle
Some of our couples find us through Instagram, some were guests at a wedding we worked, and others, like Jess, are best friends with the woman who delivered our baby, Capa. We actually met Jess for the first time at Stony Brook hospital a week after Capa was born when Heather had a postpartum appointment. I’d never visited a friend who works in medicine at their hospital before but boy were we grateful for Jess’s enthusiasm and warmth.
Long Island and Upstate New York Wedding Photographer
Even though most in attendance to Jess and Kyle’s wedding were from Long Island, they still opted to get married at Owl’s Hoot Barn in West Coxsackie, NY. It’s a beautiful venue with a cute bridge, little creek, a few ceremony sites to choose from, and a great combination of rustic and modern amenities. Jess and Kyle each had their own house on site to get ready in, maintain privacy, and have plenty of space. The light pouring in through the barn doors was perfect for the reception, and the cocktail hour under the covered back patio allowed for their guests to comfortably enjoy the day.
Have Your Friend Officiate Your Wedding
I may be a bit partial to Michelle, Jess’ best friend, officiant, and our midwife, but having someone close to you officiate your wedding is absolutely the way to go. They know your quirks, relationship, and will speak from the heart. Watching the ceremony allowed me into enter another world of Michelle’s life and of course it was consistent with her thoughtful, caring, and genuine self. You just won’t get the same type of emotional investment in those moments with an officiant-for-hire. We welcome all the feelings and all the tears!
That Time Your Wedding PHotographer Rapped with the Bride
So I don’t know exactly how it happened, but it did. That familiar guitar riff from “Lose Yourself” by Eminem came on and Jess got into the middle of the dance floor and started going for it! As a huge Eminem fan, I joined in on the rapping from the sidelines, but once her friends started peeling off as the song got into its lesser known verses, I found myself gravitating towards the center. I wasn’t going to let her rap by herself! Then all of a sudden, there I was, camera on my hip, rapping with Jess as we exchanged lines. If you prefer your wedding photographer to wear black and be a wallflower, please don’t play Eminem or classic hip-hop. You’ve been warned.
End your Wedding with a Bonfire
The music fades, the cake or ice cream has come and gone, and your friends aren’t done hanging out yet. Book yourself a venue like Owl’s Hoot and grab a bench or a stump to roast a marshmallow and assemble a s’more. The perfect wind down to an epic celebration, just don’t tell Heather, she gets waaay too competitive about her s’more technique.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | Owl’s Hoot Barn | West Coxsackie, NY
Floral | River Garden Flower Farm
DJ | DJ Johnny B
Videography | Genuine Collective Films
Makeup | True Beauty Company
Suit | Advance Formal Wear | Rockville Centre, NY
Dress | Enzoani | Bridal Reflections
Invitations | Minted
Cupcakes | Dolce and Biscotti | Clifton Park, NY
Transportation | First Student Transportation
Boston Engagement Photography in the North End
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Tyler & Rachel
Despite being a die-hard New Yorker, I love Boston. Well, everything except driving there and their baseball team, but Boston really does pack a lot of charm and a guaranteed good time.
I got to meet up with Rachel and Tyler in the North End for their engagement photos. The timing worked out perfectly because we were already up in the Cape for the annual Huie vacation so I was able to scoot over to Boston pretty easily. We immediately hit it off and started exploring the neighborhood together.
I asked them what spots they had in mind and after informing me that the vibe they were going for with wedding planning was “elegant”, they suggested a “great alley and parking garage” as potential spots to shoot in. Now these two don’t normally go hand-in-hand, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d probably be sketched out. But away we went, and I must say, I’ve NEVER seen a parking garage look better than the one we hit. The alley was pretty dope, too.
The views up there boasted the skyline with a perfect golden hour to boot! A total hidden gem, and a bit of a nice reprieve from the more touristy things that people usually do in the city. We had such a great time together adventuring around and chatting about their favorite things to do there. One of the other great things that the North End has to offer is amazing Italian food, which was one of my other favorite quotes that these two cuties left me with— when I asked what they loved the most about living in that neighborhood, they replied “that it always smells like garlic when we open our windows!” I mean, girl after my own heart, right!?
The Piermont Wedding Photography in Babylon, NY
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Justyna + Steve
As much as we love to travel, photographing local weddings continues to make me appreciate the place I grew up. Maybe not the Long Island Expressway or the incessant traffic, but discovering the little pocket towns that line the coast like buoys out in the water. It’s like walking into a familiar community that is just a notch different from where you are from. Last year, we shot a wedding at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville that felt like a combination of the Caribbean and Long Island vibe; then we went out to Three Village Inn in Stony Brook that gave us a sense of the 19th century history of the island that enamored figures like Walt Whitman and Teddy Roosevelt. This year we’ve gotten a closer look at Centerport Harbor just down the road from our house at the newly renovated Water’s Edge; and Babylon Cove at The Piermont for Justyna and Steve’s wedding.
Rainbow Wedding Photos
Okay I’m not sure what Justyna and Steve did to please the wedding gods but never have we ever seen a full rainbow at a wedding reception. I’m talking, arcing-across-the whole-blue-sky-there’s-gotta-be-a-pot-of-gold-at-the-end type of rainbow. There’s no planning this sort of thing at your wedding but we were in as much awe as the rest of Justyna and Steve’s wedding guests.
Best Wedding Photos
Most of our couples have a few things in common when it comes to wedding photos: they love candids, don’t know how to pose, and get nervous in front of the camera. Family formals are necessary for posterity but beyond that–you fill in the blanks when it comes to the rest. Justyna and Steve decided to do some of their formals outside of the church that they got married at, and wanted to stop at the bar where they had their first date for a few photos before we made our way to a local park for bridal party photos. We stole them for a few more golden hour shots at the venue and had them back with plenty of time to party. It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to wedding photography, so make sure you prioritize what is most important to you within your timeline and we will handle the rest!
Long Island Wedding Photography
The more people I meet and tell them about Heather, Capa, and Apollo Fields, the happier I become. Somewhere between contentedness, fulfilled, tired, and grateful, I look at all of the places we get to visit and love we get to document and all of a sudden I’m going through a mental rolodex of rolling memories. I think about Andy’s (Ed Helms) line from The Office pretty often when he said, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you left them.” That’s why I always make a conscious effort to take in a view, or kiss Heather on the head when a really tender first dance is happening or the sun is setting. No matter where we are, no matter whose wedding we’re working, at some point during the day Heather and I make eye contact and have an inside joke or shared glance that says “I love you.” It’s Long Island for now, but who knows what’s next.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | The Piermont | Babylon, NY
Band | Trade Winds
Floral | Flowers by Burton
Prospect Park Engagement Photos
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Dan + Rachel
Engagement photos are like first looks—they are less about being overly romantic and more about having fun with your partner in front of the camera. A lot of the times, Capa and I will come along for the engagement shoot to lighten the mood while we all get to know each other. For Dan and Rachel, however, Capa and I explored a little bit of Park Slope, Brooklyn, while they brought Heather around Prospect Park to some of their favorite spots. That’s because I’ve known Dan since grade school and they didn’t necessarily need a heckler and a toddler to tag along.
Prospect Park Engagement Photographer
We began the shoot at Dan and Rachel’s apartment where we had a couple of cocktails on their cozy back patio. They wanted to get a couple of shots with their aptly named pup, Toast, and didn’t want to bring him for the full session. After we wrapped and took our last sips, Capa and I took to the pavement and they all hopped in a cab. There are few things I enjoy more than walking around a New York City neighborhood with no destination. I may or may’ve not intentionally stumbled upon a brewery a couple blocks away.
Grabbing Dinner (or drinks) With Your Photographers
Since my job as an assistant to the engagement shoot was not needed, my other job was to get Capa to sleep so that we could all enjoy a nice dinner together. We love to connect with our couples over a meal or round of drinks because we get to talk details of the wedding, setting expectations, and finding out what they are most looking forward to. This familiarity and connection really does wonders for removing some of the stress of the unknowns on your wedding day! Cheers to Capa for going down just in time for us to relax into a charming outdoor dinner with Dan and Rachel.
WINDHAM MANOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
We were stoked to hear that Dan and Rachel decided to get married at Windham Manor in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. We haven’t worked there before, but the tagline on their website “classic charm meets modern luxury” gives me assurance that our photography style will be a perfect fit. Heather and I love nature, lush greens and rolling hills, big spacious barns with high ceilings and authentic craftsmanship. The trick is finding a venue that has all of these while also maintaining access to lodging and modern luxuries. My guess is you’ll probably find Dan and I on a golf course nearby in the days leading up to their wedding!
City/Nature Lovers Like Us
If you live in a city and can’t decide where to do your engagement photos, why not get the best of both worlds and do them in a park in the city like Dan and Rachel? You pay homage to part of you that loves the city and you get to save the more outdoorsy photos for your wedding!
Garden Wedding in The Hamptons at Madoo Conservatory
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Fernando + Michael
I’ll take an intimate garden wedding with a fancy dinner party ANY DAY over a big, ultra-traditional catering hall wedding. Really— if I can go a whole day without hearing the words “ballroom” or “banquet”, I’m a happy camper.
I get so inspired by couples who think outside the box and curate a day that truly represents them, their values, and their relationship. It’s honestly what keeps the art fresh for me, and keeps me feeling optimistic about not just my work, but society in general.
Fernando and Michael filled their wedding day with things that would really bring them joy: a lush garden setting filled with flowers and art and nature, their closest friends and family, and beautiful shared meal with drinks and rich conversation. They chose Madoo Conservatory in Sagaponack, NY as their venue which is close to their home in East Hampton, and as they walked the property with their guests, you could feel their innate connection to the people and environment around them.
The day began with a walk around the grounds to pick the flowers that they would use to decorate their own wedding cake. Now, a lot of the time when couples tell me that they are DIY-ing something like that, I get skeptical. A lot of things are better left to the pros, but let me tell you, I was blown away by this one! Fernando and Rita had a vision, one inspiration picture, and just the right amount of artistry to pull off a cake that was more like a piece of artwork than a dessert!
Their ceremony soon began, and with a live musical performance, Michael and Fernando arrived in the garden where their guests were already arranged among the fabulous yellow chairs. They were officiated by the mayor of Southampton, Jesse Warren, and exchanged their vows with their friends and family surrounding them. A beautiful cocktail hour followed, which was full of celebration and good drinks, and then sun began to fade into the horizon just in time for a beautiful golden hour.
As night approached, guests sat for a wonderful meal hosted by Janet and her talented team at Janet O’Brien Caterers. Toasts and speeches were given, cake was cut, and the wine flowed the whole evening. A spectacular way to spend the day in my opinion!
Vendors:
Reception Venue: Madoo
Party Planner / Day-Of Coordinator: Janet O'Brien
Officiant : Mayor of South Hampton: Jesse Warren
Florist: Flowers by Beth
DJ / Band : Peter Watrous (jazz band trio)
Decor / Party Rentals : Bermuda Rentals
Rings : Tiffany & Co
Invitations and Save The Dates: Calligrapher Margaret Neiman Harber
Montauk Engagement Session at Camp Hero State Park
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Ijeoma + Richard
Long Island City Rooftop Wedding at The Bordone
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Jeremiah + Mabelle
Let me just start by saying I LOVE WEEKDAY WEDDINGS!! And this one did not disappoint.
Weekday gigs have become increasingly normalized over the span of my career and the pandemic put them into full throttle. It used to be that Saturdays were the only real day to have a wedding, then Fridays and Sundays started entering the scene, but with the backlog of postponed events and craziness of trying to shuffle everything, a lot of couples have been flexible and had to be open to alternate days of the week. But I don’t see it as a compromise, in many ways.
A weekday wedding can oftentimes mean that you get the pick of the litter in terms of venue and vendors. I am MUCH more likely to be open on a Monday-Thursday than I am on a weekend. Particularly during peak seasons (think, May-June; September-October) when we tend to book out two years in advance. For Jeremiah and Mabelle, they threw their wedding on a rooftop at The Bordone in LIC on a Monday. They couldn’t have picked a better day, too!
Up on the rooftop of The Bordone in Long Island City, it felt as though they had the whole place to themselves. The NYC was absolutely showing off that day and we had golden hour coming off the buildings right behind them during the entire ceremony! We were able to get family formals and romantics done right after to take advantage of that gorgeous light and backdrop, which was an absolute dream for me! And then they partied the whole rest of the night with their closest friends and fam. A Monday VERY well spent, in my opinion!!
VENDORS
Venue: The Bordone LIC
Photography: Apollo Fields
DJ / Band : Primovelli
Cake / Bakery : Diana Rolón
Decor / Party Rentals : Rentquest & Broadway Party Rentals
Dress : BHLDN
Suit: Handmade barong tagalog from Pineapple Industries, pants from Biasa
Rings : BVLGARI
New Haven Lawn Club Wedding at Yale, CT
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John + Christine
“Compatibility is an achievement of love, not its precondition.”
- John quoting Alain de Botton in his vows.
It’s not often that a line from one of our couple’s vows stops me in my tracks. And it’s not like our couples mail in their vows. It’s just that expressing how we feel about our significant other in front of an audience is a very tall task. Even me, who writes about love all the time, wound up coming up with my vows on the spot. But when John said the line above, I realized that it summarized why my relationship with Heather continues to grow—because our compatibility is something that we are constantly, intentionally working on—it isn’t just some divine, ethereal, fixed connection that we stumbled upon. Of course, luck played a part in our paths crossing; but it has nothing to do with bringing those paths together.
Yale Wedding Photos
I guess I should’ve known that two Yale grads would wind up sending me to the library to find books from a Swiss-born romantic philosopher (de Botton). But as we made our way around the campus, snapping photos of John and Christine in the beautiful mixture of historic and modern architecture, I couldn’t help but notice how nice everyone was. There was none of the nose-in-the-air snootiness that Ivy League institutions have become infamous for. Instead we took a literal walk down memory lane on a beautifully sunny Sunday afternoon with a gleeful couple so very much in love.
Open Mic at Weddings
It seems that John and Christine’s friends were cut from the same brilliant, creative, and kind cloth that they were. From both group and solo a cappella renditions of romantic classics, to classical piano and cello arrangements, musical talent was not in short supply. Even Christine’s dad brought a mountain of his endearing personality to both his heartfelt speech and dance with his daughter. Your wedding provides you a venue to not only express your love, but your friends and family if they so desire.
New Haven Lawn Club Wedding
One of the pieces of advice I constantly hear myself saying is that your wedding should reflect your values. Do you have a bunch of musically talented friends like John and Christine? Have a mic and instruments ready to go. Are you more casual and like games? Rent some carnival games and concessions. Somewhere along the way we forget as adults that we can celebrate things or live life the way we want to. Christine and John created an unforgettable experience for themselves and their guests with some great choices and help from an absolutely fantastic wedding coordinator.
Romanticism Comes in Many Forms
If I learned anything from Christine and John it’s that you don’t have to be saccharine to be romantic. You don’t have to resort to cliches and platitudes. All you have to do is do a little research, stay in your lane, and express your love in the language you know best. It doesn’t have to be poetic or original to resonate with someone else—it just has to be true.
Vendors
Photography | Apollo Fields
Venue | New Haven Lawn Club | New Haven, CT
Floral | The Floating Dahlia
Dress | Woo by Watters Vielle | BHLDN
Videography | Powerstation Events
DJ | Local Motion
Party Planner | Irene + Co
Suit | Men’s Wearhouse
Rings | Tiffany and Co.
Invitations | Zola
Hair/Makeup | MBD Beauty
It’s Us!
Having a blast with John and Christine! Reach out for your own wedding photography.
East Hampton Resort and Marina Wedding Photography
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Melissa + Carmine’s Wedding
It might sound basic, but I love The Hamptons.
Not the version of The Hamptons that most people think of… you know, Upper East Siders taking off to their fabulous mansion in their convertibles to go high profile parties and do high profile drugs. That’s not me. I don’t head east to hope to rub elbows with celebrities, or get my picture taken sipping rose on a super yacht, but because there is a certain beauty still left of that part of the island. There’s a charm that lingers, despite the city weekend warriors that flock in droves to clog up the roads and pay premium prices for everything.
I lived out there for a while and my favorite memories were heading to the empty beaches during snowstorms, walking the dunes with Riddle, and early morning rows in Sag Harbor. I enjoyed popping into the restaurants during the off season and seeing how that whole world transforms come Memorial Day Weekend. The entire energy shifts, as most seasonal places do, while the year rounders grow more callous and tight knit.
Melissa and Carmine held their wedding at the EHP Resort and Marina, which is a charming club out in Springs— the part of East Hampton that loops around towards Amangansett. The space is beautiful and overlooks the water, but has little groves and pretty buildings in the back that are perfect for photos. After we did getting-ready pics at the airbnb nearby, we rolled into a sweet first look near the chapel on the property.
I love first looks no matter what, but this one was especially fortuitous, because we were able to front-load all of our wedding party photos and family formals, which ended up really working out because it poured right after the ceremony and we wouldn’t have been able to do them outside otherwise. But we made the most of the weather and Carmine and Melissa had a wonderful celebration with their friends and family!
VENDORS:
Venue: EHP Resort & Marina
Party Planner / Day-Of Coordinator: Vanna Gwoerk
Officiant : Father Ellis Tommaseo
Florist: Country Village Florist and Gifts, Inc.
DJ / Band : Michael at East End Entertainment
Cake / Bakery : EHP's Pastry Chef
Dress : Purchased from the Wedding Salon of Manhasset
Rings : Good Old Gold in East Massapequa
Hair and Makeup: Elite Bridal Beauty
Invitations and Save The Dates: Minted