“To live will be an awfully big adventure.” ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Despite being a tad bit unseasonably cool this Saratoga Lake Family Session could not have been more perfect! The love and laughter had me grinning from ear to ear through the whole session. Don’t these images just make you want to grab your people and head to a beach and out on a boat?! Winter is coming. *gasp* These memories of Saratoga Lake and it’s gorgeousness should get us through, right? Thank you Perkins family for showing us your light and trusting us to capture this moment in time!
When Ashley contacted me wondering if we could take their engagement pictures at the Adirondack Balloon Festival, I knew we had to make it happen! The hot air balloons are so gorgeous and so much fun! It was also a great way to get Ashley and Drea’s son involved. Perfect combo! With the unseasonably warm weather we decided to shoot for a morning take off at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport. Luckily it was cool enough that the already planned outfits would still work. This amazing family got up, found out they had no hot water, and still made it for a sunrise engagement session as the hot air balloons took off! Aaaamazing! We walked a lot to find the right spot but luckily between that and the hot chocolate everyone was able to warm up. No one’s lips were purple for any pictures and the smiles we captured are priceless! We cannot wait for their wedding next year! To find out more about the hot air balloon festival right in our own backyard check out the Adirondack Balloon Festival website here!
Tim had everything planned out well in advance. He took a day off from work without her knowing and drove all the way upstate to get the lay of the Highlands Castle. He wasn’t even going to let the rain stop him from proposing to his amazing girl outside overlooking the lake. We wanted to be there early so my assistant and I stood in the rain while Molly got ready for “brunch” and then went on a super romantic scavenger hunt around the Castle. We waited and as we waited we watched the storm and the rain, and the fog lighten and lift. It was truly a miracle. We got the most amazing view and couldn’t have asked for better clouds! Molly was so happy she couldn’t say “Yes!” fast enough. After the incredible surprise proposal we walked around the Castle grounds and photographed the two of them. They didn’t stop smiling and laughing! That’s a perfect way to go into marriage! Congratulations Tim and Molly and thank you to Jon at the the Highlands Castle for being such an amazing host!
To top it all off we got to come back that very evening and surprise Molly AGAIN! We brought the dessert of their choice and presented this beautiful couple with memories they can treasure forever! Scroll all the way down for the full custom slideshow we created just for them!
Can I just say how amazing it was to be near the beach and to get to photograph this incredible prom couple during sunset on James Island in South Carolina? It was incredible! This sunset beach prom photo session was a little more rushed then we usually like but hey, sometimes you just have to roll with it. When the couple are both advanced student athletes with packed schedules you just make things work. I had to bust out my make-up skills (which are thanks to Crystal Gardner) in the car on the way to the beach. I think I did pretty good! Granted I had an incredible canvas to paint!!
The gnats were insane and we spent a huge portion of our time batting them away. We were rushed and feeling a little drained I think. But then the sunset happened and it was all worth it! These two look amazing together and the best part is they are just as amazing inside and out. I asked Carol what she liked about Chase and she told me how much fun he was and how he always made her laugh. Sounds like the perfect prom date to me!
I got a message from these two while they were out at school. They were engaged! Woohoo! Travis has been in front of my camera many times before but I had only met Kristen a couple brief times. They had even had engagement pictures taken in Arizona. But she wasn’t in love with them. They didn’t feel real. Well we got to have the most amazing “REAL” session!! It was freezing and these two are so acclimated to the warmer areas of the country now that we had to be creative to keep Kristen from shaking right out of her boots. Thanks to Minky Mink and Spot Coffee! And yes we even made it to Target! Thank you Travis for playing along! Kristen, you are truly a beautiful woman and I can’t wait to see you shine at your wedding and in whatever you choose in the future!
Samantha and I started texting back and forth in January. We chatted and met and planned her family’s session. She knew the perfect location and her sense of style is incredible. Of course the difficult thing with dreaming and planning out so far is you never know how kids will change. Will they still be napping, or will they at least nap that day? This family is AAAAmazing! Mom and Dad kept their cool during their family session at Wiawaka house in Lake George, NY no matter what the kids threw at them.
Their little girl is gorgeous but looking at her Mamma, I wasn’t surprised! Her big brother gave us all a run for our money and boy did we run! My favorite part were his dance moves!! We danced, and played with sticks. We tickled and poked, and became monkeys. We learned history and rolled down a grass hill!! What more could a little boy or photographer want?!!
Porcell family I hope you love your little sneak peak!!
***Update – The Mother’s Day 2016 – Day Out For Two Giveaway has ended! Thank you to all the amazing businesses and all those that entered! Winner will be announced Saturday May 6, 2016. Stay Tuned.
Win a day out for two with this Mother’s Day Giveaway!
The winning mother and 1 guest will have an epic day out in the Lake George, NY area!
They will begin the day with Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons from Patty’s Water Sports.
Next they will head to Couture Spa-tique for some serious pampering. Both Mom and her guest will be treated to a 30 minute massage and a 30 minute facial. They will both receive spray tans along with hair and make-up styling!
After they’ve been pampered and prepped they will meet with Brayton Photography for their custom portrait session with Lake George as the backdrop!
Then they will complete their day with an Adirondack Pub and Brewery sampler!
The winning mom and her guest will also be gifted 2 gorgeous wine glasses etched with the shape of Lake George from For The Lake House, 1 incredible Razimus Jewelry bracelet from their newest line, and 2 bottles of 60 ml Olive Oil from Lake George Olive Oil Company!
Jenn contacted me because there had been a contract date issue with her original photographer and they were no longer available. With her wedding date looming she was frantically searching. When she came up from the city one weekend we met for smoothies and just hit it off. Even last minute it’s still so important to choose the photographer that is RIGHT for you. I fell in LOVE! We could just talk and really understood each other. Sometimes things just work the way they’re supposed to and boy am I glad they did!!
The night of their engagement session couldn’t have been more gorgeous! Jenn and Logan took us out to the island they love to camp on and showed us all their favorite spots. We walked around the island and just laughed and talked. The sky was amazing, the water quiet, and the moon was shining! So excited for their big day this fall!
