Read a few posts back and you’ll read about my first meeting with Gus and Alicia. As if I didn’t just love these guys enough when we first met! Well, needless to say their wedding day was just that much better! These two make a habit out of jumping through rings of fire together. Only in this case the rings are placed in their path by others around them. I think at this point they are either immune(which I know isn’t true – they are way too “sensy”) or they have learned how to leap quickly and keep on running.
Alicia and Gus got married on what I am now referring to “a summer day…. in March”. They clearly had some karma cash to spend and they used it wisely on their wedding day. We had one of the most epic days of the spring. It was 75, big puffy clouds, and a warm land breeze. I felt like I was in the middle of an August wedding without all the greenery and leaves. The whole day was amazing from the very first moment I showed up in the salon, right through to the dance floor mayhem. I want to throw a huge shout out to the Eastland Park Hotel. I work there often; Kim and her staff are outrageous and really go the extra mile for their guests and clients. I also got to enjoy the rhythms of Kahootz. Kahootz is a band out of Boston that occasionally plays up here in Maine and when they do, they really bring the house down. I’ve worked with them a handful of times now and each time their performance is fresh, energetic and hugely dynamic. Chris and the Kahootz crew put on an excellent show and they kept the dance floor packed the entire evening.
Usually I attach a couple of images to my blog postings, but in this case I’m trying something a little different. Many of you have probably heard of photo-fusion; A blend of both photography and video. It’s really not all that new, but it’s taking on a new meaning in the photography world and is becoming a trend certainly worth paying attention to. Way way back I was really into video, so this is naturally intriguing to me. Long story short I shot a little video footage during their reception and have added a few clips to their slideshow. Enjoy and let me know what you think. It’s kind of a large file so give it some time to load. Play Video.
Alicia and Gus, you guys are amazing. You’re story continues to bring a smile to my face and the adversity you have dealt with in your lives together will absolutely make your marriage stronger both now and in the long run. My heart goes out to you and I hope your road gets smooth very soon.
This March I had the opportunity to spend 4 days in Antigua capturing Audrey and Bob’s wedding celebration. When Audrey called me a year ago to ask me to accompany she and Bob and all their guests to Antigua I was very honored. You see, Audrey is an event and wedding planner in Southern Maine. She has the most impeccable taste and is known for putting together the very elegant weddings. I had worked with her a number of times in the past and have always enjoyed the experience of working alongside someone that is so good with both details and people. Anytime another professional in the industry asks you to be one of their vendors for a personal event, it is the ultimate compliment. So, clearly I was blushing when Audrey asked me. Fast forward a year and I found myself in an airport with a fantastic group of people that were warm, inviting, and ecstatic for 4 days of sun and partying. Before we even touched down in our tropical paradise I had made new friends and was even more excited for the next few days that would be turn out to be a whirlwind of adventure, great parties, fun group events, wonderful food and a sun-soaked paradise. I can’t put into words how much fun I had; I was instantly just one of the guests(that just happened to always have a camera at the ready) and was made to feel very welcome by all. Thanks Audrey and Bob!!! Enjoy just a couple images from the trip – many more to come.
A couple weeks ago I got to photograph the new baby of a wedding client that I have for this upcoming summer. It was kind of a reversal from the usual way things go, but it was so refreshing working with Christa, Mike and Baby Dylan. You would hardly know they are new parents. They were so relaxed and at ease with their parenting that it made me realize that these two are bound for success and a happy life together and as new parents. Here are just a couple of images from our short session with Dylan. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding this summer!
I have the coolest clients, REALLY!! I’ve always thought that I was blessed to have generally very cool people as customers; I was proved right this past week on a huge level. The last week has been insane. It’s the off-season and I am busier than ever bouncing from place to place, meeting to meeting, shoot to shoot, etc. etc. I’m not complaining, but this is supposed to be the mellow season. Last Friday I had a commercial shoot, went home and packed for a huge photography convention, and spent the last hours of the day with my 2 boys. With a scheduled departure of around 2 the next day, I wanted to get in a morning shoot that had been canceled twice already due to weather and crazy schedules. It couldn’t have gone more perfect. I arrived to meet Gus and Alicia around 10 am down by the water in South Portland; it was the perfect spring morning. In 10 minutes we were talking like old friends and sharing stories that only friends can appreciate. I’m so impressed by these two. If for one second anyone out there reading this thinks that they have had a tough road leading up to their wedding – ya got nothin! Gus and Alicia take high honors for what they are dealing with and even more so for the way in which they are dealing: heads held high, arms tightly wrapped around each other, pushing forward and mowing down everything in their path that even resembles a hurdle. My hat is off to you both!
I hope you had fun and thanks for taking the time to chill and share a bloody mary together! I’m really looking forwad to next weekend!
Well we’ve managed to do it again and are so thankful to all of our past customers!! 2 years in a row, and you can bet your booty we’ll be bustin our butts to get it again next year.
An amazing day with an amazing family. Words can’t explain how much fun it was to reconnect with this family as I had a chance to photograph a second wedding for them. Something tells me I might be seeing them again in 12 months for a third wedding. wink wink!
Last friday I had a shoot with Heather and Tom(a client for 2010). To be honest I showed up at the shoot with low energy and my creative juices were struggling. This doesn’t happen to me but once or twice a year, but when it does I can always dig deep. This past friday was the end of a long week that culminated with a memorial service for a long time family friend. I simply wanted to sit back on my couch with a glass of wine and watch a movie or do something mindless. I showed up at one of my favorite places to shoot and they were there waiting for me. Cliche as it sounds it was like that little yellow beetle they drove up in was full of sunshine and goodness. Heather and Tom were ready to go and were in such good spirits that I couldn’t help be affected positively. We spent the next hour cruising around the park and creating photos of the two of them. They were up for just about anything I could come up with, and even better, had a bunch of really great ideas of their own. At the end of our time together this couple had unknowingly found my “reset” button. My “chi” was dramatically improved and I had formed a great bond with an upcoming client. Oh yeah – we made some cool photos together too.
Thanks you guys!!!!! – my whole weekend started on a positive note because of the two of you!!!
I just got back from an amazing wedding at Migis Lodge on Sebago. A week ago the weather man called for rain on this day; well….. He was wrong. Melissa and Tony could not have asked for a more beautiful day. Just amazing!
Photos: Melissa and Tony loved the unique look of their engagement photographs, so we did some parallel recreation on their wedding day. Backed by a strong sunset, a few of these siloutte photos are just breathtaking. Not conventional, but they are beautiful and creative. Thanks for hosting a great party, the first of many I am sure.
Migis Lodge Review: You could not ask for a nicer place for a wedding. Situated on Sebago lake this venue overlooks a few small islands just off shore. The ceremony site is located perfectly to watch the sunset and the reception site is a classic Maine gem. Simple elegance with a touch of Maine might be the best way to describe this venue. The 25 foot buffet was perhaps the best wedding food I have ever had. Really…. the food is to die for!
I am headed out the door to shoot a wedding today at Maine’s Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake. Despite being a super fun place to shoot, this couple has the “it factor.” I am excited to see what we can come up with today… Lord knows their TTD shoot was a blast!
My blog articles have gotten away from me in the last few months and its time to kick it back into high gear. Moving forward I have decided to write less and show more photos! I think that is what “my people” want anyway!!!!
So… Here are a few images from a recent wedding at the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport Maine. It was an amazing day and one hell of a party.
by Riley Photographic
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