Jennifer + Peter | An Adventure Wedding

Jennifer and Peter's wedding was not only a unique occasion, it was definitely one for the April K Photography history books!  Let me break it down for you via text and then let your eyes be dazzled by the beautiful art we created. Jennifer and Peter started off their day with a first look, {always a great idea in my book}. This was followed by a small but very beautiful ceremony with their immediate families at Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, NY. The ceremony was very emotional and very heartfelt. Jennifer and Peter are rare couple in the world of weddings, which is refreshing for me to see. They didn't care about inviting everyone they know or following the wedding rule book… To them this wedding was solely about committing their lives to one another  the best way they know how, with a little adventure! {I love me some crazy adventures}

When I asked Jennifer what provoked her to "trash her dress" she had some very thought provoking and inspiring words….

“What?!?!  Why on earth would you want to trash your dress?”—yup, that’s a pretty good way to sum up most people’s response as they gasped in shock when they found out we were incorporating a “trash the dress” session into our big day.  I even think our own parents thought we were a little crazy as first.  However, nothing about our relationship was ordinary or without adventure—we first met on a bike ride that Peter organized through a local outdoors meet-up group on-line.  Our first date wasn’t a movie and dinner at some romantic restaurant, but an afternoon at the Buffalo zoo.  It was so us!  Our first trip together wasn’t to the beach and we didn’t stay in a fancy hotel—we pitched a tent at a campground in the Thousand Islands and went white-water rafting.  It was perfect and exhilarating, and even the river of rain that nearly washed our tent off the ground couldn’t dampen our mood.  The best gift I ever got from Peter wasn’t some expensive piece of jewelry, but two tickets for the both of us to go sky-diving.  Talk about the biggest rush of your life—it was the best birthday present ever.

Though I had always dreamed of finding that one guy I couldn’t live without and falling deep in love, I was never that girl that dreamed all my life of a fairy tale wedding.  So, after falling in love and realizing that we wanted to spend forever together, Peter popped the question on a chilly fall day as we hiked by the base of Akron Falls (sense a theme yet!?).  Of course, I said yes and after we were engaged it took us a while to envision our perfect day.  Pretty early on, we decided we were throwing tradition out the window in many respects and just going to follow our hearts and do what felt right.  Part of this was including a “trash the dress” session at Grimes Glen in Naples, NY into our wedding plans.  In many ways I don’t really like the label “trash the dress”.  We didn’t choose to hike the creek in our wedding attire and take pictures by the gorgeous waterfalls because we wanted to trash the dress, we did it because it was us—it was the perfect way to begin our married life together and trashing the dress was just a potential consequence.  To me, the dress wasn’t something I was attached to; I was simply inspired to create unforgettable memories with my only true love on one of the most important days of our life and continue the adventure we had already started.  It was truly an amazing once in a lifetime experience and it was during this portion of the day that we felt most relaxed, true to our self, and closest to one another.  There was just something about being surrounded by nature in all of its beauty and hearing the sound of waterfalls surrounding us that allowed us to clear our minds, reflect on the love we share, and just be present in the moment together.  It was really indescribable.

One last thing for anyone who might be wondering, my dress really didn’t get too dirty and I’d hardly consider it “trashed”.  Though I haven’t decided if I will have it done, I’m almost positive it would clean up and preserve perfectly without anyone knowing what it went through.  But to me, my wedding day was never about my dress and I don’t feel like I need to save it beautifully pressed in a box in my closet for years to come.

All I wanted from my wedding day was to make an everlasting commitment to the love of my life, while surrounded by family, and celebrate with something that would always remind us of the mutual sense of adventure that brought us together and helped spark the love that we now share.  That is exactly what we did!

 

Refreshing, pure and true to what you believe is what it's all about. Lucky for me they couldn't have picked a better more willing person to photograph their day :) I was in heaven right along with them.

Jennifer + Peter I wish you loads of laughter and love on your crazy journey!

Peace, Love & Adventurous Marriages,

April K

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Stephanie + Brian | Wedding at The Dennis Inn, Cape Cod

A Cape Cod wedding was exactly what Stephanie and Brian had envisioned to be the perfect place to exchange vows. Why? Because of their roots... Stephanie has close family ties with her Dad and Aunt living on the Cape and so naturally Stephanie and Brian have begun building their own memories there. They chose the Dennis Inn because of it's charm, and I can attest it has it's own unique character for sure. As if the stars had aligned, the all around vibe of this beachy Cape Cod wedding was calm. The weather, the staff at the Dennis Inn, Stephanie, her bridesmaids, the groom and all his men… everyone was so calm and collected. As a wedding photographer this was quite a treat!

One of my favorite and most memorable moments was as Stephanie sat on the bed to read the card that Brian had written for her. Knowing exactly what she was going through and how she was feeling, I captured her tender and emotional moment quietly. Brian then wrote a card out for all of Stephanie's girls thanking them for taking such good care of Stephanie as well we being so welcoming to him. What a great idea!

Stephanie and Brian are such a great couple with a bond that is truly one of a kind. I wish them all the best in their life together as I'm sure it will be adventurous and filled with love.

Peace, Love & Starfish,

April K

Venue: Dennis Inn Hair/Make up: Jason B. William Salon Flowers: Flowers by Fancy Cupcakes: Montilio's Baking Company

 

 

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Family Fun

She wakes up at 5:30 am Monday-Friday, gets ready for work, wakes up the kids, get's them ready for school/day care, drops them off at school/daycare, goes to work managing the Speech Pathology department at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center,  picks the kids up from school/daycare, takes them to gymnastics, soccer and swimming, cooks them dinner, helps with homework, plays with them, gives them a tubby, puts them to bed, makes lunches for tomorrow, finishes up work she didn't get done in the office...and finally unwinds with her man. Those are just  a few jobs of any given mom, and in this case, my sister Kristy the super-mom. Watching her in action usually leaves me puzzled, how did you get all that done and how do you still have energy?! {Don't ask me}

Anyway, she wanted to do a family photo shoot here are a few of the photos we created while they were in Boston to visit.

Peace, Love & #beingamomispuremaddness,

April K


My Life | Summer Time Swim

Summer time... and the livin' is... well, it's been really super busy for me. I was happy that I could find time to have my sister Kristy and her family here to visit for a few days. She comes with Luke and the kids at least once a summer to enjoy the New England sites. It's always fun to have my gal pal and niece Kyleigh by my side and to see how quickly Cohen and Quinn are growing. The boys are both complete hams and all three of them will do anything to make you laugh. The boys also love to see their BFF Justin {and Justin loves having a good reason to watch cartoons and act like a kid again}. Life moves so quickly and I find it's very important to make time to spend on these short but epic moments. I guess it all circles back to balance, which is hard to do mid-wedding season!

Here is a little snippet of my heaven...

Peace, Love & Wet & Wild Fun,

April K

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Lisa + Matty | Wedding at Union Bluff Meeting House, York ME

A little backstory: Lisa, Matty and I met when I first moved to Boston. Lisa and Justin went to college together and they thankfully kept in touch.  I don't know if many of you out there have been plucked from all of your friends and family and then dropped into a new city, but it's not easy! It especially wasn't easy to meet girl friends (I'm such a girls girl... I love my girl time). Lisa was one of the first girls I met that accepted me with wide open arms, hugs and kisses and Matty is equally as warm with a side of hilarious. Ok, fast forward to the wedding day...

Could you have asked for a better day? After all the rain we've had this season, this was a baller day in the sun! Lisa & Matty had a very nautical/Nantucket themed wedding, complete with Nantucket Red pants, boat shoes and seersucker ties. They exchanged personal handwritten vows (yes, I teared up among many others) in the First Parish Church and then had their reception on the beautiful ocean front Union Bluff Meeting House in York, ME.

I had such a hard time choosing the best images for this post because there were so many amazing moments throughout this day. Lisa & Matty are truly a unique couple who's love is vibrant and clear to see in the way they look at each other.

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Stephanie + Braemar | Engagement in Brookline, MA

I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with Stephanie and Braemar during their Brookline engagement shoot. Engagement shoots are such a great way for the bride and groom to get comfortable in front of my camera and with me in general. As usual, it took us no time at all to warm up to one another. I love learning about how my couples meet and how they fell in love. Stephanie and Brae met in a class they shared in College, shortly after they went on a date {Sushi, yum!} and they couldn't keep their hands off each other ever since. It really amazes me that two people can have such a strong bond so instantaneously and be so connected even though they haven't known each other {at that point} for very long.

Call it luck or call it fate, do you ever wonder "what if" I hadn't taken that class? Or what if I hadn't chosen that particular seat... would we still be together, would our love have found another route to take? {or am I the only one who has these thoughts?!}

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Sarin + Al | A Boston Wedding

If I were to vote my couples into categories, high school style, Sarin and Al would definitely be voted "Most Love-able". Their fun/outgoing personalities mixed with their soft hearts topped with their love for one another, definitely made shooting their wedding so amazing. It's always a fun yet unique experience for me, as a photographer, to get to spend all day with my bride on her wedding day. Meeting the family is one of my favorite things. I feel like you can learn so much from a person by simply meeting the whole fam. Sarin and Al had family flown in from around the globe which made the energy and vibrance of this occasion that much more dynamic.

I also got to meet some really cool Boston vendors along the way. I met Sarin's make up artist, Jaime Perez who did a phenomenal job on making her look classy, chic and fabulous. I also got to work with her videographer, F. Mike Henriques from Artistic Wedding Films who does some really creative cinematography.

I wish Sarin and Al so much love and happiness and as always, good health.

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Traci + Steve | Engagement on the beach

Within the first minutes of meeting Traci and Steve in person, we were already laughing.  They're both so fun loving and laid back which makes being with them so effortless, and in turn we got some really amazing frames. We headed down to Nantasket Beach in Hull for this engagement shoot and thankfully it was a warm, sunny evening and got to play in some really great light. Since Steve is in the army we had some fun with the American flag and his badass army jacket. I always have so much respect for those who serve in the military, it's something to be very proud of.

I'm so excited for this June 16th wedding!

Peace, Love & Red, White + Blue,

April K

 

This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it and a testament to how much fun Traci & Steve are. It was one of the first pictures we snapped and also Steve's big modeling debut.

One of my favorite images of all time right here

money ring shot

This picture is very "quiet" to me

I love everything about this frame, from the colors to the look on her face, to the fact that she's still showing off her bling while she's being whipped around by Steve. hahaha

Traci totally reminds me of a Maybelline model in this frame

sometimes it's the little things

This series is so fresh and vibrant, gotta love that creamy good light

 

Just you, me and the deep blue sea

Stephanie + Brian | Engagement in Salem, MA

Stephanie and Brian are such sweethearts, truly. As you probably know by now, I love the story of how each marriage is created; how did he catch your eye, how did she change your swagger.  Maybe you'd call that a "love invention"?! {haha}.  So their love invention started in Salem, since that is where Brian lived at the time. They would spend a lot of time getting to know each other by going to different restaurants, bars and just hanging at his place. If you've ever been to Salem, MA you know what a cute town it is, right on the water, the perfect backdrop for making some art. We had so much fun, I received an email from Stephanie the next day saying "can we do that again?!"

The love between Stephanie and Brian is so evident and I'm so thrilled they hired me to be with them on their big day. Not only is it going to be so much fun, but when the love between two people is that powerful it makes the day so heavenly.

Peace, Love & Inventions of Love,

April K

 

We started our tour of the town at Rockefellas, where Stephanie + Brian would frequent {for good reason, this place rocks}

I love the way she looks at him...

…that is the best "thank god I found you" picture, ugh, love.

Hazel eyes, can't get enough

So Brian, being the history buff that he is, took us on a little tour and dropped some serious knowledge. This gate and lighting + the historical facts… it was just awesome.

While we were walking around town, we came across this shed… that we couldn't resist

And a little secret corridor we found walking back

 

Marisa + James | Engagement at The Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA

When Marisa first called me about being the photographer on her wedding day I asked her a ton of questions like I do with all of my brides, "tell me everything"… As she went on to tell me some of the details I was quickly struck by her laid back, yet spunky attitude rather than the wedding itself {hey, I'm just being honest}. I love when this happens. I remember specifically writing in her file "book this girl, seems fun". haha, yes, I did that. Since Marisa wanted a beach engagement shoot we decided on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. We had such a great time and as always, James {her man} was a great sport about it. See, usually guys aren't down with engagement pictures, but I always seem to find a way to get the men to have fun! Love is Art and Art is Fun {it's true}!  We started at the beach and then drove around the estate. We were driving awfully fast from location to location in order to beat the rain.  As soon as we wrapped up the session, the skies opened up and it poured for the rest of the evening. I think that's a good omen for their wedding day!

Peace, Love & Art,

April K

Beach engagement shoots typically are windy… I love the wind blow hair look {I really do!}

I love the emotion...

Just a guy who loves his girl

I love this montage of beach-ness, so fresh!

I'm a sucker for romance and I love this picture, so much!

We drove over to the Crane Estate and when I saw this beautiful area of course I got all excited!

So we were looking at these finely manicured greens… Me: "how do you feel about taking your shoes off and running up that hill?" Marisa: "I'll do anything" hahaha, so much fun!

and though I love a good time, I also love these quiet moments

 

 

Lianne + Jeff | Wedding at Raffael's

What a wonderful day for a wedding, we thought it might rain and I had my white umbrella's on hand, we were prepared! Luckily, and I love when this happens because it's almost magical, the clouds parted and the sun was shining as soon as Lianne and Jeff walked out of the church as Husband + Wife. After spending the day with these two lovebirds, I know they'll be together forever. I wish Lianne and Jeff much happiness and good health. [blogshow id=8d24 player=0 autoplay=0 toolbar=1]

Peace, Love & Sunshine!

April K

Tammy + Tommy | Wedding at the Cracker Factory

Tammy + Tommy's nuptials were exchanged at the Cracker Factory in Geneva, NY. What a beautiful and heart felt ceremony. Not only could you tell that there was so much thought and care put into her big day, you could feel it radiating throughout the room. Seriously… I was shedding a few tears behind the lens as she was walking down the aisle and especially when Tammy & Tommy were exchanging their vows. I've been asked various times, what I think is the BEST way to personalize your wedding day? Hands down…writing your own vows. Taking the time, thought and energy to express the way you feel today and how you promise to take care of each other, no matter what, forever and ever,  is something only you can say. Vows are something that should be the #1 thing you think about when you're planning out your details.

As I was going through these teeny tiny moments in time, I have to say that I got choked up all over again. The ceremony is, without a doubt, the most important part of the day. Watching Tammy and Tommy exchanging vows, watching Tammy get choked up over and over and over again… it's why I love my job. Being able to give them something that no one else can. The gift of that single moment in time, when the vibrant love they share illuminated the room.

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Fun times in the photo booth!!!

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Peace, Love & Tears of Joy,

April K

Patience in Photography

Hey Comrads, I haven't written a personal post in a while because I've been over here shooting weddings + engagements like mad, meeting new friends via Social Boston Sports (very important for self employed peeps like myself), keeping my veggie garden alive, and booking the coolest couples for 2013 (mega awesome "how we met" stories).

In the midst of my editing, I decided to browse National Geographic (sidenote: it was always my dream to shoot for them… I could totally picture myself scaling a city wall or busting through the jungle in South America just to get the sick shot). See, I always try and keep something besides Facebook as my "go to" when I need a mind break. I'm usually looking for inspiration and nature seems to inspire me the most, so naturally I go to my favorite site, Nationalgeographic.com. Today I came across this post about patience. Something of which I've vastly improved upon over the years, but something that continually needs to be worked on.

Patience is something that I've really been improving upon this wedding season in particular. In my quest to figure out what the most important elements of wedding photography are, patience definitely is at the top of the list.  Over the years I've had to consciously tell myself to stop shooting blindly.

Now I've come to that turning point in my photography where I am not so worried about technically shooting the scene. Admittedly, I shoot on manual ALL OF THE TIME! When I first got into photography I was shooting black and white film and the teacher told me that we all need to be able to shoot on manual. Well I learned to do it and now I can't go back to auto settings. This could be good or bad… it depends on the situation. Now my camera and all of it's hundreds of settings is starting to become second nature in quickly trying to figure out what lighting ratio I need in order to nail the lighting in the room for the next 4 minutes.

I'm also learning to just hang out and observe the story, "chill n watch" if you will. Like thinking before you speak, you should CNW before you shoot.

"chill n watch" = If you just slow down, chill out and just watch the scene/people... you can compose a thoughtful piece of art much easier than just shooting and praying you've got a good shot in there somewhere.

Patience in photography is so important whether you're a professional with a fancy shmancy DSLR or you're just a guy with an iphone. Do me a favor, chill out and just watch the next time you compose an image, let me know if it works for you!

{watch video here} --> Patience by NatGeo

{This shot of a young and wild 26 year old April K... Camping with my (fancy for me at the time) Nikon D200… just CNW'ing}

Peace, Love & Patience,

April K