Love at First Sight

I love these.

It’s the first time Laura saw her reception room at Hotel Bethlehem on Saturday. She snuck a peek before her guests arrived.

Credit where credit is due: The room, which looked amazing, was a result of the combined efforts of Dale Schaffer of Elysian Fields, coordinator extraordinaire Kori Muntean of Wedding Daze Boutique and Steve Mittman of Steve Mittman Entertainment.

Douglas

Scott + Sara's Engagement

Scott and Sara will be married next March in New York City & I am looking forward to being with them.

No matter what the weather will be in March, it was warm and sunny when we shot their engagement session in the Hamptons on Long Island last week.

It was lovely.

They were both really comfortable in front of the camera. I don't know if I have ever given so little direction in a session. It was really just a matter of getting them together and taking pictures of what happened. I would start to ask Scott to kiss her and realize he already was.

It led to a set of images I really love. It's natural and loving.

I'll see you both in March!

Douglas

Chris + Dana 08.08.09

And now for something completely different.

Welcome to Chris and Dana’s awesome adventure, nothing less than the reinvention of the wedding itself.

And it was quite a lot of fun.

There was a re-enactment of a scene from My Fair Lady. Their officiant read vows from a binder with a picture of Chuck Norris holding an Uzi. As they left the ceremony, Chris and Dana threw rice at their guests.

Later that night, at the reception, there was cake and tricycle racing.

Chris and Dana were married on a stage at Musikfest, a music festival held in Bethlehem every August.

I really appreciate their willingness to make their wedding their very own. It might not be for everyone, but it was certainly Chris & Dana.

Douglas

Kimberly + Cody 07.18.09

Kimberly & Cody married at Packer Chapel on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

I love it.

I have written about Packer here before but it bears repeating: there is no church more beautiful for a wedding than Packer. You sense its history & reverence the moment you walk in the door. It's a very dark chapel - its beautiful detail almost hiding - but it's all there and photographs well.

But this wedding was about Kimberly and Cody. They made me feel like family and gave me everything I need for great pictures: A loving couple having a great time at their wedding.

Thank you,
Douglas

Maya + Tarkan 07.12.09

Maya was a bridesmaid in the very first wedding I ever photographed.

It was the marriage of Abigail & Doug Woodward on September 25, 2004 and Maya, to say the least, made an impression on me.

Nothing could please me more than to photograph Maya’s own marriage to her amazing groom Tarkan beneath the Brooklyn Bridge a few weeks ago.

Tarkan is awesome. I dare anyone to spend five minutes with the man and not like him. Tarkan is as fun and spontaneous as his bride.

All this to say I felt very close to this couple. I was moved – tears literally coming to my eyes – while photographing Maya in her veil and dress just before she walked down the aisle. She was beautiful – absolutely gorgeous – but it had more to do with how strongly I felt about Maya and Tarkan and the bond they share and the commitment they were about to make.

I was thrilled for them.

And there’s more: This wedding for me was so much about life coming full circle. Doug and Abigail were there, of course, and they brought with them their beautiful young son Leo. Five years seemed like a blink of an eye since this couple was on the alter and then suddenly, here in front of me, was Leo. And I took a family photo of the three of them the day of Maya’s wedding.

I love it when it all goes ‘round.

Best,
Douglas

p.s. I was very happy to have my friend Joe Craig shooting with me on this one. He has been so busy with his own wedding work that it doesn't happen as often as I would like. Thanks, Joe.

06.27.09 Ed + Hannah

On her wedding day, Hannah was the embodiment of happiness.

She was bliss.

I have never seen a happier bride. The girl just smiled and laughed and giggled all day.

And for good reason: She was marrying Ed and beginning a new wonderful life with him and his two darling kids, Justine & Eddy.

Hannah and Ed were married at Muhlenberg Chapel in Allentown with a tented reception in the backyard of their home. There were kids everywhere. All the neighbors came. Ed & Hannah & Justine & Eddy were one big happy family.

It was all great fun. See for yourself.

Douglas

06.21.09 Clayton + John

This was a first for me.

And, it turns out, that was okay: It was a first for them, too.

I was thrilled Clayton and John chose me to photograph their wedding. I walked into that meeting without a single picture of a same-sex wedding. But they picked me anyway and I appreciate that.

I have never been to - or photographed - a more moving, beautiful or loving wedding than theirs. Their supportive families and tight-knit friends made for the perfect wedding.

Thanks, Clayton and John. It was an absolute joy.

Best,
Douglas

p.s. Oops! Forgot to thank Cesar Laure who second shot for me. Cesar, as usual, really came through for me.