glens falls Archives - Brayton Photography

Hallowedding – Glens Falls, NY

December 5, 2017 | Leave a Comment

I didn’t know the term Hallowedding existed but now I can’t stop using it. This Halloween wedding was perfect! The bride and groom, the bride especially, love Halloween! Although this holiday fell on a Tuesday this year they decided to just go for it and I’m so glad they did! For a couple that thoroughly enjoys the Halloween season, an anniversary on Halloween couldn’t be more right! In brainstorming the feel that Jon & Alicia wanted, we talked anywhere from cute and fall to blood and guts. They decided they wanted scary but dark woods scary. Thinking of The Nightmare Before Christmas movie and characters, the decided to skip the actual characters but to shoot for the same feel as the movie, that moody, dark feel.

Jon & Alicia live in Glens Falls and their life and friends are in Glens Falls, NY. Although the capital region has incredible wedding venue’s they knew we needed something unique and right in Glens Falls if possible. Easier said then done as there aren’t many venues in the town itself. What was found had just the right feel, size, fun, and location! The wedding took place on Halloween at the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls, NY.

Alicia and her bridesmaids sisters got ready right at the Wood Theater in the Green room. Short of a red carpet, they each had their own personal backstage vanity to prep and prepare for the big day. Hair and makeup for the girls was done by MUA Tina Felton and could not have been more gorgeous.

This stunning dress came from BHLDN and was made by designer Needle and Thread.

In order to capture the gorgeous light on this fall day, Jon & Alicia started their day with a first look at Bay Street Cemetery. Yes, you read that right, a cemetery! There were so many gorgeous spots that didn’t look like a graveyard and then we were also able to create some images to fit with our Hallowedding theme. I have known Jon and Alicia for several years. While Jon is a kind, happy guy, he’s not a smiley one. What a treat to see his genuine smile and excitement at seeing his bride for the first time!

This incredible chalk drawing was done by a talented member of the Wood staff who volunteered to draw it on the theater’s over-sized chalkboard wall. Amazing, isn’t it!?!!

The couple sealed the deal right up on stage! With the help of incredible designer Kim Sheffield and the Wood’s very own Lighting and Theater expert, Eric Potter, a haunted wood scene was created. As there was nothing traditional about this wedding, the couple opted out of the traditional walk down the isle. Instead they entered towards each other from the wings of the stage to dramatic music played by Mr. DJ , Brian Pincheon. All this was accompanied by a 5 foot skeleton at the piano. 😉

After a short and simple ceremony exchanging their vows the party began! The delicious Halloween themed party food was catered by Samatha’s Cafe and Catering. With their expertise guests were treated to delights ranging from cheese brains and monster eggs to Thai noodles without anyone being any the wiser to the large number of tasty vegan options!

There games were designed to represent an abandoned carnival. Along with the many games guests had, a photo booth, and dancing to keep the party going! Alicia and Jon were so much fun and so easy to work with. Alicia chose some really cool things like the Pick Your Poison sign for the bar as well as the coffin ring box. Alicia also knew she had to have a candy bar! I think the candy bar, one of the bride’s biggest request as it was Halloween, stole the show! It was a huge success!! From the little details to the big ideas it was so amazing to watch the dreams and vision of this bride and groom come together.

This wedding was extra special. I took on a roll above and beyond what I normally do. I have a better appreciation for now for wedding planners! Although, it’s not what I do or plan to do in the future what a treat it was to see the wedding world from a different perspective. Such a fun creative experience. We are so grateful for the other vendors and all their support and advice during this! Thank you as always to the amazing Erin Brisbin of Erin Marie Photography for all her help as our second shooter and valuable team member. We couldn’t do what we do without you!!

Enjoy more images by watching their custom slideshow designed especially for their Wedding Premiere Night!

Beautiful Fall Family Session

November 2, 2017 | Leave a Comment

This beautiful fall family session in Greenwhich, NY was magical! One of the best parts of capturing family memories is watching families grow and change year to year. This is one of our favorite families and we had so much fun! The kids are getting so big and I love my time with them. We take pictures and play and play. This year we had several jumping and “epic fail” images! I even got to just sit and talk photography with one of the older boys! Enjoy this sneak peek!!

Hot Air Balloons Engagement Session

October 11, 2017 | Leave a Comment

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!

Crandall Park Engagement Photography

September 21, 2017 | Leave a Comment

From the first phone call I knew I wanted to photograph Stephanie’s wedding. She is so kind and loving and we just talked like old friends! We decided on Crandall Park for this couple’s engagement photography because it’s close to home and a place they love to be. Not to mention the light in Crandall Park is always so dreamy! It was a little warmer then we had planned on for an early fall evening but we made it work! Scott and Stephanie are such a great compliment to each other. We didn’t meet Scott until the day of the session. As they warmed up to us and the camera it was so fun to see them tease and laugh together. Stephanie has one of those amazing, infectious laughs! Together with their families, Scott and Stephanie are planning the perfect wedding for next summer in Saratoga Springs, NY. We can’t wait!!

Glens Fall Sunrise Engagement Session

June 1, 2017 | Leave a Comment

The weather this spring has made scheduling sessions difficult. We were however blessed with a gorgeous morning to walk around Crandall park and photograph these two and a few with their fur baby. I first photographed Jon & Alicia almost 1 and a half years ago while I was doing some photo sessions at the gym. Alicia always has a smile (a gorgeous smile might I add) and you can feel the kind spirit in her. She has a calmness in her very nature. Jon is quiet at first. He doesn’t like to hold still. He is an athlete, a gym owner, a teacher, and a trainer. All that adds up to constantly being on the move.

We wanted this session to give them time to just walk through the park and take a quiet moment together. I love to watch couples together. I love to watch them interact. We are comfortable with our loved ones, which can bring out the best and the worst in us. With Jon and Alicia you can see how well their differences compliment each other. They are both such hard workers and have a natural joy for life that is contagious. Their fur baby, Vera, is very lucky to have such amazing parents! We can’t wait for their wedding later this year!

Check out Primal Movements to see a small glimpse into the incredible gym Jon runs and the amazing trainer that he is!

Thank you as always to Erin from Erin Marie Photography for getting up early on a Saturday to help us!

Glens Fall Sunrise Engagement Session

Not quite High School Senior Photography Session – Charleston, SC

May 16, 2017 | Leave a Comment

We always encourage high school seniors to bring a friend to their custom photography session. It often helps them to relax and enjoy the experience a little more. In this case it was a sister best friend! One of the things that we do is help our clients to choose the outfits that will photograph well, make the feel the best, and of course, be the most flattering and fun. Bonus with Carol and Claire is there closet is interchangeable! After selecting several outfits for each girl we headed into Charleston to the beach. We of course had to get in some shots of both girls separately and together. In this “Not quite High School Senior Photography Session” we were able to capture a little of this girl and her HUGE personality. Claire is beautiful and kind. She is the youngest and full of spunk and never ending personality. We can’t wait until it’s her turn for her Custom Senior Photography Session!

High School Senior Photo Session – Charleston, SC

May 15, 2017 | Leave a Comment

There’s a lot more black and white in this High School Senior Photo Session then you usually see. There’s plenty of color too I promise! This sneak peek I just couldn’t resist these black and whites because B&W and freckles make me swoon. We combined this Berkeley High School Senior’s love of the beach and pretty dresses with her love for soccer. She is a fierce soccer player with a heart of gold. Even when I heard her telling stories of something that had gone wrong or something bad that had happened she always told it with a kind, positive perspective. This incredible woman is going to change the world just by being a part of it and we are so lucky she is! I can’t wait to see what the next few years hold for her!

Sister Photography Session – Charleston, SC

May 13, 2017 | Leave a Comment

This Sister Photography Session over spring break was so much fun! Not only did we get to go to the beach at sunset but we also got to walk around and shoot in downtown Charleston, SC at night. Claire and her sister are best friends. I was around them a lot during spring break. I had to ask their mom if they ever fought. The response was, “occasionally over clothes but not really.” Wow! They are so lucky to have each other! It was such a pleasure to capture this moment in their lives. Before long they will both be off at college and things will change. They will always be sisters and best friends but it will be different. Not bad or good but different. It is so important to capture the now so that we will never forget. Although in the moment it’s hard to imagine forgetting, time dulls those incredible moments unless they are captured in a photograph.

Sunset Beach Prom – Charleston, SC

May 12, 2017 | Leave a Comment

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!

Anniversary Photo Session – Saratoga Springs, NY

May 11, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Today these two celebrate their anniversary. I know I’ve mentioned it before but Anniversary Photo Sessions are fast becoming my absolute favorite type of session to photograph. As we go through life it changes us. Life is hard. But life is also good and joyful. In order to get through we need people that we can laugh with, grow with, cry with, and possible even yell with. When I photograph couples that have been married for several years or dozens I can see them seeing each other in such a different way. They see the years of ache, the years of laughter. They see the bad and the good, the messy, and the complicated in each other.

Marriage is work. My Mother-in-law always quotes Mignon McLaughlin when she says, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” My wish for all of us is that our lives and marriages will be filled with kindness and joy! I know this couple certainly made me laugh as we captured them during a sunset outside their home in the Charleston, South Carolina area. They were good sports as I made them answer questions and do silly things to bring out their true smiles!

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