Joe & Risa’s Central Park Engagement photos were taken on The Lake at Central Park. The Lake is located right next to Bethesda Fountain and the Loeb Boathouse—in the warmer months, you can rent a boat for around $20 an hour and paddle anywhere you want on the lake!
Capturing Joe and Risa’s session was so much different than my usual sessions, which made it a blast! I started in their boat taking a few close up images. Afterward, I rented a second boat to follow them around on the lake. It’s not easy paddling and taking photographs at the same time!
The Lake at Central Park is one of my favorite locations to take romantic photos in New York City. This incredible session was straight out of a fairytale!
The view of the lake from the shore.
We got lucky with amazing light as the sun was setting. Look at that glow!
After taking a second boat out for a few pictures, I jumped to shore and followed them around the path surrounding the lake.
One of my favorite pictures from the session.
This was a tricky image to capture, but it was so worth it.
See more Central Park engagement photos in these galleries:
Merrily & Eugene at Bethesda Fountain
Mabel & Troy’s Central Park Wedding Session
Ankita & Dhruv in Central Park
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest!
I loved styling these beautiful beach-themed details.
These wedding favors were so perfect! Handmade shell ornaments.
The color of the ocean was absolutely stunning! Such a perfect location for the ceremony.
Not a bad spot for your cocktail hour!
Barefoot sandals instead of shoes.
Anna & Frank’s Turks and Caicos destination wedding was held at the Alexandra Resort on the beach of Grace Bay.
It was so nice getting to know everybody while we were there. Because destination weddings generally have a smaller guest count, (Anna & Frank had 35), it’s so much easier to create a unique, intimate experience for everyone.
The intimacy of a destination wedding is something that is often missing from a traditional wedding. Being in one location with your closest family and friends and making a multi day experience out of it is unique—it’s basically a vacation for everybody! Throw in a tropical setting and you can bet your wedding will be one to remember. Not to mention a Turks and Caicos destination wedding is the perfect escape from the December cold!
Check out this article if you’re interested in learning how to plan an incredible wedding adventure like this one!
Are you looking for some more adventure wedding inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest!
Nicole and Joe’s wedding at The Village Club at Lake Success (with photos taken at The Hempstead House in Sands Point) took place on a beautiful spring day. Nicole and Joe had such great chemistry together. Look how in love they look in every photograph!
Here’s a funny story for you. Their wedding planner, Pejy, was actually a friend of mine from a past job! We didn’t even know that we would be working together again (this time in a different setting) until a few months before the event. Needless to say, Pejy did an incredible job with the decor.
Congratulations Nicole and Joe and thank you for letting me play such an important part on your wedding day.
A double exposure of Nicole and her flowers as she was getting ready.
Nicole’s dad see’s his daughter for the first time. So much love in this photo!
I love the way Joe is looking at Nicole here.
The Village Club at Lake Success Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Tom Schelling Photography
Video: Project 8
Planner:Pejy Kash Events
Venue: The Village Club at Lake Success
Florals: United Floral Co.
Catering: Luxe Staffing and Events
Bride’s Dress: Anna B
Groom’s Tuxedo:Forresto Tuxedo
DJ: Bravura Entertainment
Limo Services: Camelot Transportation
Invitations: Fairy Tale Affairs
Interested in more NY Wedding Inspiration? You might like these:
Battery Garden’s Wedding | Dane & Carolyn
Did you know that on your wedding day, you may end up spending more time with your photographer than your family (or even your fiancé 😳)?
Wedding photography is unique in that it’s an active part of your wedding day. Unlike other vendors who do most of their work behind the scenes, your photographer will be frequently interacting with the people closest to you.
His or her personality and style will have a big impact on the overall energy and mood of your day.
Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience!
Here, the 3 most important traits to look for in your wedding photographer.
1. They understand your wedding vision
The best photographer for you totally gets your style and expectations.
It helps to find someone who has a similar vibe to what you’re looking for—who understands that you might not want overly posed or traditional photographs, for example, but rather a more candid and natural feel.
It’s also important to find someone who really takes the time to learn your values to personalize your experience.
They should be a resource for you as you plan, helping you craft the perfect photography timeline and giving you tips on how to look amazing in your photographs.
One of the ways I do this for the couples I work with is by providing them with a questionnaire. In it, I ask specific questions that both relate to the details surrounding their wedding as well as the atmosphere they are trying to create.
With that knowledge, I’m able to approach their wedding with an open mind and in a way that aligns with their vision (such an important part of feeling relaxed in front of the camera is that trust!).
2. They’re supportive and encouraging
It’s almost like they’re part of your bride (or groom) tribe
You’ll see pretty quickly that having a photographer who’s part of your support system before, during and after your wedding day makes a world of difference.
I often joke with the couples I work with that my goal is to be like an extra bridesmaid or groomsmen by the end of their wedding (but don’t worry, there’s no need to invite me to your bachelor/bachelorette party 😂).
For me, it’s so important that I’m available to answer questions, give wedding-planning advice and be there when you need me!
Planning a wedding is not easy (we know firsthand: Heather and I are in the process of planning one ourselves!), and I’ll use my experience to help you with planning any way I can.
They help you create a timeline
Another sign that a photographer wants you to have the best experience is when they work through your timeline with you to figure out the general flow of the day.
This saves you from unnecessary stress—that way you can focus on enjoying the moment (because, hey, isn’t that what your wedding is all about anyway?).
In that same questionnaire I send to the couples I work with, I ask for the locations and times for the major events surrounding their wedding.
With that knowledge, we can work together to craft a timeline that allows you to take amazing photographs and also be present during the day.
They’re sensitive to family dynamics
A great photographer will have a system in play to capture all of the must-have family combinations while making sure to avoid accidentally creating any awkward family dynamics.
Although I generally don’t work off of a physical shot list on the day of the wedding (I have a mental shot list of what I need to capture), I’ll use one when photographing the families.
This ensures we don’t miss any combinations and we’re able to set the proper amount of time beforehand for family pictures.
Once you and your photographer have created a rock-solid timeline, next it’s about actually taking great pictures.
3. Your wedding photographer puts you at ease
Even if you’re not super comfortable in front of the camera (there’s few of us that are!), it’s your photographer’s job to make you feel comfortable so you appear relaxed—and you look like you.
Many of the couples I work with tell me they have two main concerns:
- They want their pictures to have a candid, behind-the-scenes feel and not look stiff or overly posed.
- They want to make sure their photographer isn’t rude to their family and friends and is easy to get along with on their wedding day.
That’s why helping you to feel comfortable is my top priority.
They value making an authentic connection with you
I’ve found that simply learning about you and your fiancé as people, not just as clients, is the best way to tackle those two concerns at once.
That is why I prefer to do a video chat or meet in person instead of a regular phone call when discussing your wedding details, and why I always recommend doing an engagement session before your wedding if possible.
Having that time to chat and really connect is the best way to ensure you feel comfortable in front of the camera. This naturally leads to authentic, candid-looking images.
It should be fun working with them!
A great photographer will feel more like a wedding guest than just another vendor.
(Remember, they’ll be frequently interacting with the people closest to you.)
You want them to be a calm and uplifting anchor, not a cause for unnecessary stress.
As the famous photographer Alfred Eisenstadt said, “It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.”
This mantra is a core value of what I do and a necessity to capture images that don’t feel stiff or forced.
More than anything, you’ll remember how they made you feel
Often we connect images with how we felt when they were being taken.
Think for a second about a photograph that has a lot of meaning to you.
It is the most professional of photographs?
Most likely not.
That’s because truly great photographs take us back to a moment in the past and allow us to ever so briefly relive it.
If your photographer is pushy, aggressive, stressed out or just plain old unkind, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the images are.
Years after your wedding, when you look back at those photographs, you’re going to remember how you felt when those photographs were being taken.
Though a beautiful photograph can make that memory that much more special, the most important thing is that you find a photographer whose goal is to make beautiful images *and* ensure that you feel amazing as they’re being taken.
These three skills—aligning with your vision, being an uplifting source and putting you at ease—are at the core of why I became a wedding photographer in the first place.
Do these values resonate with you? If so, I’d love to hear more about your wedding. Let’s chat and see if we’d be a good fit!
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Want more wedding inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest.
Your wedding ceremony—the moment everyone’s been waiting for!
Imagine this: the music is playing and the guests have been seated.
The coordinator is lining up the bridesmaids (or bridesmen) while giving the musicians a five-minute warning.
You’re about to walk down the aisle and see the love of your life at the alter. You’ve probably dreamed about this moment for a long time.
Vows will be shared and promises will be made—this is what it’s all about!
Getting the most out of your ceremony
As a wedding photographer, my goal is to make each couple’s wedding look incredible in their pictures.
Throughout the day, I often give them tips and guidance to ensure variables like lighting, colors and posing look great.
The one part of the wedding day your photographer will have little creative control over, however, is your ceremony.
Since your wedding ceremony is more of a photojournalistic event (as in, your photographer will be documenting it as it’s happening, rather than giving you direction), to get the best photographs possible (and to just have a beautiful ceremony in general) proper preparation is a must.
Here are a few tips for creating a beautiful ceremony—and getting the best wedding photographs possible.
1. Find the right officiant
Finding the right officiant is so important to ensure you have a true-to-you wedding ceremony.
I recommend hiring an officiant you connect with who also has a sense of humor. A few jokes here and there can help you relax and really be present.
An added benefit of this are pictures where you and your guests look happy!
Although everyone may feel over the moon, without a few smiles and laughs here and there it can be hard to convey those emotions in your wedding pictures.
2. Great lighting is important
The way your ceremony is lit is one of the most important factors, especially if it’s going to be outdoors.
As a general rule, the lower the sun is in the sky, the more romantic the lighting.
For example, if you’re thinking about getting married outside at noon, the light will create harsh lines on your faces, and you’ll also be squinting!
Because of this, I’d try to plan the ceremony later in the day, if possible.
If that doesn’t work with your schedule, talk to your wedding planner (or day-of coordinator) to ensure the area is set up so the sun is behind you during the ceremony.
This is the best way to reduce the harsh lines and prevent you from squinting.
The best light
The ideal time to schedule your ceremony is about two hours before sunset (if you plan on seeing each other beforehand).
This gives you plenty of time for a beautiful ceremony—and to still enjoy the soft, romantic sunlight afterward (and possibly grab a few photographs with that gorgeous sunset light!).
If you don’t plan on doing a first look, I would recommend having your ceremony three hours before sunset (although, if you’re on the fence about a first look, I definitely recommend doing one—find out why here.)
If the first time you see each other is during the ceremony, you’ll be taking most of your photographs after the ceremony, so you want to make sure you have plenty of time afterward (with a little bit of padded time in case the ceremony goes longer than expected).
Indoors
If you’re having an indoor ceremony, my number one tip is to avoid vibrant-colored uplighting—it’ll make your skin look unnatural.
Another thing to think about: If there are only two spotlights (on you and your fiancé) you two will be very bright and everyone else will be dark.
Even though the focus of the day is on you, it’ll look so much better in your wedding pictures if the lighting is soft and evenly spread out.
3. Consider an unplugged ceremony
An unplugged wedding is when you kindly ask your guests to put away their phones, iPads, cameras and other devices for the duration of the ceremony.
I always recommend unplugged ceremonies, for a few reasons:
For one, your guests will be more present during the ceremony, rather than focused on taking pictures.
Guests holding their iPhones and sometimes even iPads (it happens more often than you’d think!) can be very distracting.
For example, imagine it’s your wedding day, and you’re beginning your walk down the aisle. What would you rather see—your guests beaming with happiness as they watch, or a bunch of phones and iPads blocking their faces?
Your photos will look better
Distractions aside, your ceremony photographs will look more professional without the clutter of electronic devices in the audience.
Though they mean well, eager guests might not realize the position of your photographer during the ceremony and might accidentally block them from getting the photo during key moments.
How to make it work
If an unplugged ceremony sounds like it’s for you, here’s how to make it work:
- Tell your guests in advance
Let your guests know ahead of time that you’ll be having an unplugged ceremony with a sign at the entrance or a message on your wedding website. - Have your officiant make an announcement
Before your ceremony begins, have your officiant make a friendly announcement asking your guests to refrain from taking photos. - Plan a moment in your ceremony for guests to take photos
Here’s one tip I’ve seen that’s a great compromise for your guests: Ask your officiant to take a moment during the ceremony to pause and have you both turn to face your guests. This can be any time during your ceremony, but I’ve found right after the bride walks down the aisle works best. During this time, guests can take pictures before putting their phones away for the rest of the ceremony.
4. Face the audience!
One of the easiest changes that has the biggest impact is facing your guests during your ceremony.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s a ceremony mistake I see way too often.
Talk to your officiant and ask them to make sure you face the audience instead of the alter.
If you’re nervous about facing your guests for your entire ceremony (I understand, I would be too), your officiant can switch between having you face each other and face your guests (but never toward the officiant! You want to make sure your guests can see your lovely faces, and not just the back of your heads).
This also makes for better ceremony pictures, so it’s a win-win.
5. Consider hiring a wedding planner or day-of coordinator
If you want to enjoy planning your wedding as much as possible, yet you don’t want to get too caught up in the details or overwhelmed with decisions, a wedding planner makes total sense.
Having an expert there to take some of the pressure off of you and be a guide throughout your planning can totally change the vibe of the whole process.
They’ll help you stay organized and work with you to bring your unique wedding vision to life.
Taking pressure off of you
Without at least a day-of coordinator, there’s a really good chance the responsibility of solving any dilemmas will automatically fall on your maid of honor, your mom, the photographer or you!
When a photographer is in charge of all of the coordination, it tends to pull us away from our main focus of capturing your day.
Many of the most stressful wedding situations I’ve seen could have been avoided if there was a wedding planner or day-of coordinator present.
It’s your day and you deserve the space to be able to focus on your special love and commitment to each other, rather than worrying about details of the day!
Final thoughts
Proper planning before your wedding ceremony will ensure everything looks incredible and your guests are having a great time.
Here’s one final thought: In a world full of wedding blogs, Pinterest and bridal magazines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and consumed by the “prettiness” of the event.
While details do matter and planning is necessary, it’s important to never lose sight of the real purpose of this amazing day—the connection and love you share with your partner!
P.S. I hope you enjoyed this article. Here are more free tips and resources on all things wedding planning, from whether to have a first look to how to create the perfect wedding timeline for you & more!
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Want more wedding inspiration? Check out these boards on Pinterest.
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@TOMSCHELLINGPHOTO
Destination Wedding Photographer based in NYC & Southern California
