Blackburn Portrait Design

Category: Wedding Photojournalism

It is All About the Details//Vintage Wedding Trends//Saratoga Wedding Photography

The brooch on this wedding bouquet really was different and almost Victorian.

Wedding Photography often gives me the opportunity to see up close what the current trends are, in Weddings and just fashion in general. The last couple of years, there has been a trend toward vintage, which I really, really love. I have always loved older items, and it is really nice to see them incorporated in a wedding–so fun to photograph them too! Vintage trends can be incorporated in almost any wedding in a variety of ways.

Love the vintage brooch pinned to the back of this wedding gown.

From the invitations, to the dress, the flowers, even the cakes–it is fun to throw in these details. It is also “green” and eco-friendly if you are recycling older items. Finally, they can have a lot of personal meaning if they were used by other family members or friends in the past. Stationary can be a fun way to incorporate a little individuality.

It had actually snowed a little the day before this wedding.

Sometimes you can use an older item from a friend or relative to make your attire look a little more vintage and/or personal. One of my favorite items the past year were fur stoles from the 1950s–they really look very elegant and convey a feeling of glamour. It is also nice to wear an item from a friend or relative for sentimental reasons.

The fur stole Taryn is wearing here belonged to her grandmother–and was very warm on a really chilly day.

I loved this wedding veil because it was the veil the bride’s mother wore to her own wedding.

Vintage cars are a really awesome prop for a wedding!

Another vintage car–love the Ray Bans!

Certain places can lend themselves very well to vintage themes. Victorian mansions or rustic barns are just a few places that can accommodate a vintage wedding theme nicely.

The Mansion Inn is a Victorian style Bed and Breakfast in Saratoga that fits nicely with a vintage themed wedding.

Footwear and jewelry will also help you stylize a vintage theme for a wedding. Many of my couples have actually purchased vintage rings from an antique store and had them sized to fit correctly.

The man’s Movado watch is a vintage item.

Here the bride used her grandmother’s ivory beaded little purse along with a vintage styled bracelet.

Although these shoes were purchased new, the buckles on the front make them look vintage.

A big vintage trend right now is the Old Hollywood look. It is inspired by the Hollywood stars of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Think Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sophia Loren. All of them had a very distinct, elegant look that brides want to replicate right now.

Here is a look styled by Make Me Fabulous for a photo shoot we did depicting the Old Hollywood look. The hair and makeup is very stylized, but really elegant.

Here Kristen has a Veronica Lake styled hairdo, reminiscent of the 40s.

Certain flowers can also be used to carry forward a vintage theme.

Here Ambiance Florals used a crescent shaped bouquet with gardenias for a bouquet that looked like something from the 1950s. The little string of pearls was fabulous.

Let’s not forget the food–especially the cake.

This particular cake seemed very reminiscent to me of the 1950s with its buttercream frosting, and the silver dragee accents and fresh roses decorating the cake.

This chocolate cake was decadent.

Regardless of whether you want just a few accents or to do the entire wedding this way, a vintage theme can be really fun to coordinate. And the best part is you do not need to spend a lot of money to incorporate some of these fun details. Resources: Stationary: The Pink Orange Hair and Makeup: Make Me Fabulous Antique Car: Tom at The State Room Floral Design: Ambiance Florals Venues: The Inn at Erowest, Lake George The Hilton Garden Inn, Troy The Mansion Inn, Rock City Falls The Hall of Springs, Saratoga Springs Dresses: Lily Saratoga Danielle’s Bridal

Susan Blackburn is a Wedding Photographer living and working in Saratoga Springs NY. Susan serves clients in Saratoga Springs, Lake George, the Adirondack Region and beyond.

July 1, 2013
Lake George Wedding Photographer | Jackie and Nate’s the Inn at Erlowest Wedding Photos

Rainy Day Inn at Erlowest Wedding Photos

As promised, here is a blog about Jackie and Nate’s wedding on Lake George at the Inn at Erlowest on Memorial Day weekend. I had photographed Jackie’s sister Stephanie’s wedding a few years ago, so I was really excited to work with their family again–they are a lot of fun and know how to have a good time. I loved how close knit everyone was at this wedding. The weather was cold and rainy, but everyone had a great time and we got some stunning pictures.

Both Jackie and Nate are Glens Falls natives and met in Middle School. They began dating in high school and continued to date through College and Law School.

How did Nate propose to you?

Nate proposed to me at our home just last year. It was only the two of us and our dog, Wilkie. Right after he proposed he took me out to what I thought was a dinner for my birthday. It turned out to be a surprise big party for me. The best part was then surprising all of our family and friends at the party with our engagement.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

We wanted our Wedding to be a love-filled, romantic celebration that was warm and inviting for everyone.

What is your favorite memory of the day?

We would both say it was during the ceremony at the altar.

What made you choose the venues you used?

We chose St. Mary’s because it is my family’s Church. It didn’t hurt that it is beautiful as well. We chose Erlowest for our reception because we love Lake George and spend nearly every weekend of the summer out on the Lake. Erlowest is gorgeous and you cannot beat the terrace overlooking Lake George.

Did you enjoy your reception? What was the best part?

5. We had an amazing time at the reception. It was incredible to have all of our family and friends in one place for such a joyful occasion.

What is next for you as a couple?

Right now we are enjoying being married and looking forward to a long life together.

Congratulations to Jackie and Nate! It was a great wedding and I was so happy to be a part of it!

Vendors for Jackie and Nate’s wedding:

Caterer and Venue:  The Inn at Erlowest

Dresses:  Lily of Saratoga

Men’s Formal Wear:  Joseph A. Banks

Entertainment:  Jeffrey Scott Entertainment

Florist: Central Market

Hair and Make-up: Ann-Marie Flores

Interested in becoming a client? Fill out a contact form or call 518.584.4237 to schedule a consultation.

Susan Blackburn of Blackburn Portrait Design is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer offering Photography services in Saratoga Springs, Lake George, the Adirondack Region and destinations worldwide.

June 7, 2013
First Look or Not? | Wedding Photography Trends

Should You Do a First Look?

One of the biggest wedding photography trends now is for the bride and groom to have a “First Look.” That is a question many of my Wedding Photography Clients struggle with. As we all know it is traditional for the bride and groom to not see each other prior to the bride walking down the aisle for the ceremony. However, there is a trend today where the bride and groom have some private time alone together to see each other prior to the ceremony. This is called a “First Look.”

Alyssa and Craig chose to do their First Look on the balcony of the Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga where they got ready. The excitement was palpable!

As a Wedding Photographer, it is not my job to dictate which is the correct solution for my couples. Every wedding is unique and each couple will have their own ideas. The following are the Pros and Cons of the First Look.

First Look–I just think it is so special that Danielle’s sisters took her to meet Chris.

The first time Patrick saw Emily was when she walked toward him at the ceremony at the State Room in Albany.

First Look Pros and Cons of a First Look at Your Wedding:

Pros of a First Look:

When couples do a First Look, they generally choose to see each other alone. This can lend a feeling of intimacy and emotion that is just not there in front of 100 or more spectators. They also tend to be a little more relaxed at the ceremony and can enjoy being in that moment a little more.

This was made in Miami Beach during the First Look.

When all the pictures are taken ahead of time, everyone looks fresh and camera ready. That is when everyone is looking their very best.

When you do all the pictures before hand, you do not generally need to worry about missing any of the cocktail hour.

Cons:

The first time a groom sees the bride is always special, whether it is before the ceremony or not.

It might simply be impractical time wise to do a First Look, especially if the wedding ceremony is early on in the day. Everyone might have to get ready too early to be available for this.

The available light might be very harsh if you choose to do pictures mid day. Of course this can be modified with flash, but the effect is not the same as using soft light at the end of the day.

A First Look can be great. Many of our couples tell us it was one of the best decisions they made regarding their planning. But whatever you decide, you need to be comfortable and happy with the decision you make.

Interested in finding out more about our wedding photography services in the Saratoga Springs and Adirondack Regions? Click use our Contact Form or call 518.584.4237. Visit our Wedding Portfolio to see more wedding photographs. We would love to help you tell your story.

Susan Blackburn of Blackburn Portrait Design is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer offering Photography services in Saratoga Springs, Lake George, the Adirondack Region and destinations worldwide.

May 8, 2013
Saratoga Springs Wedding Photographer//First Dance Magic

First Dance Moments

As a Wedding Photographer, I get invited to share some really intimate moments with my clients.

One of those moments is during their First Dance as Husband and Wife. I usually take one or two traditional/looking at the camera type pictures of this event, then step back and let them enjoy the moment. They–OK, the Bride–has been planning this moment for quite a long time, carefully selecting the music, deciding when or if others will join in, etc. so really, I find it best to step back and let things unfold naturally. After the first few seconds, most couples tend to totally forget they are the center of attention–and that is when you can get some magical pictures. These are sometimes my favorite moments of the day.

Here Amanda and Brendan are making their entrance from the balcony at Longfellows in Saratoga.

I love this image of Jess and Josh during their First Dance at the Glen Sanders Mansion.

I like to use Black and White as well as color during the First Dance. I love the way Black and White tends to minimize the background and makes you focus on the Couple.

When I design an album, I like to sometimes use a Black and White image for a background and pair it with some color images. This is Kim and John during their special dance at the Mohawk River Country Club.

In this page from Michelle and Seth’s wedding at the Mansion Inn, I wanted to include the introduction as well as the dancing. I like to combine long views with close ups for variety.

This was so fun! Sometimes it is a free for all–and that is totally fine.

Part of the reason I think I enjoy photographing weddings so much is that even though the elements are similar, each couple is very different. And I think that can especially be seen during the First Dance–each couple has a different way of relating to each other, and that is really evident in the way they dance together and in the music they choose. Some people are more playful, some are more serious. Some people have highly choreographed dances, some people just hang out and sway. That is what is magical.

Interested in finding out more about my wedding or portrait photography services? Please use our Contact Form or call 518.584.4237 to schedule a consultation.

April 13, 2013
Saratoga Wedding Photographer//Why Have Your Photographer Capture Getting Ready Pictures?

Why Have Your Photographer Capture Getting Ready Photos?

When meeting with prospective wedding clients, I sometimes get asked, “Do we really need photos of the Getting Ready portion of the day?”

The answer to that really is varied and individual. My personal take on it as a photographer is that it tells a more complete story of the day. I think some of the most emotional shots are from the beginning of the day. Starting with small detail shots and progressing through the bride putting on her dress, you can really get the full feeling of the excitement and chaos leading up to the ceremony. To me, a transformation seems to occur when a bride actually puts on her dress. It is almost like that is when she realizes that she is actually getting married–and it is kind of awesome to see. When I am documenting an event, I always want people to remember exactly how they feel at a particular moment in time.

In the images below, I love the details of the shoes and the jewelry. I also love the intensity on Emily’s face as she is looking at her reflection.

And here it is like she just took a deep breath and relaxed.

Here is a picture of John reading a card that his soon to be wife sent him. If we had not been at his location at the Inn at Erlowest prior to the ceremony, this image would never have been captured–and it really does add to their story. And I kind of really like the guy asleep on the couch in the background. I heard it was a great party the night before:)

I love this getting ready image of Jen from a wedding shot at Jimbo’s Point O’Pines on Brant Lake. It reminds me of the parachute game we used to play in gym class.

I love this introspective shot of Kim before the ceremony was about to begin. The Mohawk River Country Club has this great dressing room for their brides that has wonderful natural light. I don’t think Kim even knew I was there, but the light and the pose were so great, I knew I had to take this image. I love how quiet she seems.

Here is another introspective shot. This was immediately after Cassandra’s sister handed her the bouquet and before we were going to have the First Look. You can tell how nervous and excited she is–and again, that is a great part of the story to tell.

As I said earlier, it really is an individual decision on whether to have a photographer capture your getting ready moments. Just know that by doing so, you can add an additional dimension to your wedding day coverage.

If you are interested in meeting with me to discuss your Wedding Photography needs or wish to become a client, call 518.584.4237 or use our Contact Form.

March 22, 2013
Saratoga Springs Wedding Photographer//Destination Wedding on Brant Lake, NY

Destination Wedding On Brant Lake NY

I was really, really lucky to photograph Sheila and TJ’s destination wedding on Brant Lake at Jimbo’s Point ‘o Pines. They were an amazing couple and so much fun to spend the day with. The officiant was the ever fabulous Joy Burke:)

So happy and in love!

Sheila and TJ had met in their first year in college in the band. In this image, they are doing their recessional to the school fight song:) The entire wedding weekend was like that–little touches that were so personal and so right. The Friday night before, they had a scavenger hunt at the camp with a bonfire and smores after. By the end of the weekend all of the guests knew each other very well and felt like family. To me, that is what a wedding should be–the creation of a new family. If you are interested in becoming a client, please call (518) 584-4237.

February 6, 2013
Lake George Wedding Photographer//Carey Ann and Tim’s Wedding at the Inn at Erlowest

Congratulations to Carey Ann and Tim!

Carey Ann and Tim were married on May 26 in Lake George at Blessed Sacrament Church on a gorgeous spring day! The details were amazing–you could see all the time and attention this couple devoted to making sure their day reflected their love for each other and their love for their families. Instead of a traditional bridal party, Carey Ann’s brothers were her “Bride’s Men” and Tim’s sisters were his “Groom’s Women.” The veil the bride wore was originally her Mom’s–such a nice touch. All the little details– custom made bow ties, the hair jewelry, the beautiful flowers, menu cards– were so well done. The Inn at Erlowest was a great choice for the venue–cocktails on the veranda, and later a fire in the outside fireplace made the evening especially nice. Loved the votive centerpiece by the fireplace.

Thank you to all the vendors who helped make my job as photographer easier–The Inn at Erlowest (Erin Dewey), Lipstick N Lashes (Joanna Romanzo and Co.), Jamie and Dan Ross of Best Bytes Media, Ferri Formals for the unbelievably beautiful dress, and Grand Central Station for the Entertainment.

Interested in seeing more wedding photos? Check out our Wedding Portfolio.

Want to schedule an appointment to discuss your event? Call 518.584.4237 to make your appointment, or fill out our contact form.

June 8, 2012