06.29 | Tonight! WAM + 464 Gallery

For those of you that don't know, in addition to being a photographer & owning City Lights Studio, I'm also involved with the Buffalo arts scene. Two years ago, I created NOMAD Art & Lit Magazine (a portable gallery that shows off the amazing talent we have right here in our city) & started WAM (a monthly Writers/Artists/Musicians event to get creative people in Buffalo together).

TONIGHT : We're having a huge party to celebrate our 2 year anniversary! 6-10PM, at 464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St! Like all of our events, it is free and open to the public.

There will be a showcase of acoustic performances from past WAM acts, a special spoken word performance, as well as gallery of work from NOMAD artists, a community painting project, photo booth, food & drinks, and the release of NOMAD Art & Lit Magazine Issue 5!

Hope you can make it!

More details here : https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223680860983031

06.04 | Ali & Jared Wedding

We kicked off June with Alli & Jared's gorgeous country wedding! We started in Williamsville, with high hopes to shoot at Glen Falls, but were swept away in a thunderstorm as soon as we got out of the car. We decided to head up to their ceremony site at Spring Lake Winery & try to escape the rain. Luckily, it worked! We then headed over to Becker Farms in Gasport for photos and I learned a few things about shooting in the country. Number one? Never try to get a rooster out of the way for a picture haha (see below). We headed in for fabulous reception where they didn't forget any details including fresh berries on the table, cork place card holders, lovely display of family photos and an assortment of pie for dessert. We had a great time, thank you Ali & Jared!

Vendors
Florist : Maureen's
Planner : Forget Me Knot Details 

Ceremony : Spring Lake Winery
Reception : Becker Farms
DJ : Energy Entertainment

06.05 | New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village

Earlier this month, I took an epic vacation with 2 of my best friends from Boston. We met in New Orleans, and traveled to Austin, Vegas & LA! Needless to say, it was A-MAZING :) While I was in New Orleans, I was invited to photograph some musicians in the 9th Ward. Even though it was very quick (I had about 20 minutes with each musician), I loved the experience. I was honored hear their music and their stories and to be invited into their homes, built as part of the Habitat for Humanities Musicians’ Village post-Katrina rebuilding effort.

The story behind the village is powerful, it was "... designed to both construct a community and preserve a culture. Conceived by New Orleans natives Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis, Musicians’ Village will provide a home for both the artists who have defined the city’s culture and the sounds that have shaped the musical vernacular of the world. The core idea behind Musicians’ Village is the establishment of a community for the city’s several generations of musicians and other families, many of whom had lived in inadequate housing prior to the catastrophe and remain displaced in its aftermath. A central part of this vision is the establishment of a focal point for teaching, sharing and preserving the rich musical tradition of a city that has done so much to shape the art of the past century. The concept was quickly embraced by NOAHH, the organization that has developed a model for building single-family homes that low-income families may purchase with zero-interest financing. In keeping with its commitment to build not just homes but communities, NOAHH has given its support to an effort that redefines neighborhood revitalization."

Here's a few images from our sessions, check them out below & read more about the Musicians' Village here : www.nolamusiciansvillage.org

 Kathleen and James Westfall, Opera Singer & Piano Player

 Michael Harris, Guitarist

Bob French, Jazz Drummer

 

Stephen Walker, Trombone

05.28 | Theresa & Adam

This was a perfect Memorial Day Weekend wedding! Theresa & Adam (but I'm guessing it was mostly Theresa ;) thought of every detail, from amazing green shoes & bright green cuff links (and you know how much I looooove green) to fun photo locations to vintage family photos and choreographed dances at the reception and much more. We got to shoot at one of Buffalo's gems, St Louis Cathedral where after the ceremony, Adam surprised Theresa with a horse and carriage ride (too cute!) A true Parkside couple, we headed to Parkside Candies & Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin house for photos before hitting up the Japanese Gardens at The Historical Society. Check out the photo of the girls leaning on the pillars, HOLY bridesmaids! I told Theresa she's too popular haha. We finished just in time to get over to the Connecticut St Armory (which is a must-see if you've never been inside) for their gorgeous reception. What a creative, fun spot for a wedding! We indulged in some fantastic Italian food as were serenaded before the dancing began. Almost all of the dances were choreographed which was so much fun to watch; everyone did an amazing job! Cigars on the stoop were a perfect ending to the night. Thank you Theresa & Adam for being SO much fun to work with! Have a blast on your honeymoon! 

Vendors
Limo : Grand Tours
Florist : Arjuna Florist
Ceremony : St Louis Church
Reception : The Connecticut St Armory
Catering : Joseph's Catering
Bakery : Dessert Deli & Dolce Amore
DJ : Toy Bros