Weddings and Summer - a perfect marriage.

Hello friends,

It has been literally six months since I have posted an update. Those that know me personally may know why.  Unfortunately, it has been a very rough year that began with losing loved ones in succession , and it is only now that I am able to try to return to some level of normalcy in my work and schedule while my family and I begin to heal...

That being said, the summer season with its lightness and longevity of days helps infuse some much needed positivism and joy. Summer season also signifies the beginning of wedding season and outdoor portrait shoots. As a natural-light photographer, it is one of my all-time favorite seasons in which to document such significant memories of love and life.

Weddings in general make me happy. Here are a few captures of some of my favorite client weddings:

Love is a beautiful thing. I am excited to be documenting more couples in-love, weddings and portrait sessions this Summer.

I am also currently booking family portrait sessions for those interested. Here are the available dates:

June 26, July 1, July 15 and 16th. Please email me to cestlavie.events@gmail.com for more information on pricing or click on my Services and Pricing page here for more details on what is included with each session. 

Will be back soon with more upcoming photo shoots and DIY decor projects. Please stay tuned...

xoxo,

Lyra

A Farm, Fall Family Shoot

If I had to choose a favorite season to shoot in, Autumn would most definitely be my front runner. The gorgeous multi-colored saturated jewel tones, the quiet sophistication and gentle breeze in the air, the way sunlight permeates through the changing leaves and paints the skies a palette of ombre oranges, reds, purples and yellows... truly magnificent and without comparison.

Add to this equation two very different but equally beautiful families - one a family of seven with two stunning parents and their five gorgeous offspring each with subsequent ages and heights, the other a single parent family of mom and her adorable daughter - and you have a picture perfect portrait!

It is with absolute pleasure and delight that I started planning this portrait session way back in August when I was asked to set apart a day in my calendar for their Autumn family shoot.  I wanted to choose a location that would be not only beautiful setting for the pictures, but a place where both children and adults could truly enjoy and could  make a whole day of fun out of it!  That is what we set out to do and accomplish when I found a local farm near Princeton, New Jersey that served as the ideal backdrop with activities for the  kiddies, (like pumpkin patches, farm animals, hay rides and much more) as well as activities for the grown-up kiddies (like local winery and wine tasting, apple cider doughnuts and apple wine, oh wait I already mentioned the vino!;)

Terhune Orchards in Princeton New Jersey, was most definitely a  wonderful choice and I will be returning there not only for future portrait sessions, but because those apple cider doughnuts are to die for delicious, not to mention those yummy harvest wines!

I digress, back to the shoot. When planning a session, I think of all the aspects for the feel I want to create, from the setting to the wardrobe. Most clients will ask me what they should wear, and I always try to think of what looks best against the distinct backgrounds I will be shooting in, but most importantly what looks best on the client. As a photographer, there is nothing more lovely than seeing a family coordinate colors in a photo shoot, it makes for an even better and more put together final result! I couldn't be more pleased with how these pictures turned out, I feel they capture the essence of each and every personality, from the adults to the little humans. I hope you enjoy!

Definitely a memorable day...

Interested in an unforgettable portrait session of your own? Please visit my Services and Pricing tab, email me to cestlavieevents@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Business Page, become a liker and leave me a message.

Please stay tuned for upcoming posts on the projects I'm currently working on for upcoming party events and lots of home decor and design updates!

xoxo,

Ly

A Romantic "Old San Juan" Engagement Photo Shoot

As I sit here editing away on my most recent photo shoot - a passionately romantic engagement session - shot on location in Old San Juan, I am swayed by the rhythmic melodies and cadence of the tambourines in Salsa Music. How fitting to be serenaded by Latin music greats such as Gilberto Santa Rosa and Marc Anthony while working on an epic shoot for a couple who is head-over-heels- in-love and meant for each other in every way possible.

My beloved friend Olga and her fiance Daniel asked me to commemorate their love with a photo shoot in the country of their origin -Puerto Rico- and I enthusiastically accepted!  Shooting an engagement session with a background like the gorgeous and historical Old San Juan area of Puerto Rico is a dream come true for a Photographer like me; so many incredible architectural marvels, bright colors and charming character to be inspired with..

I began thinking of a Stylized concept for this shoot, something a little different, reflective of these two unique love-birds. I thought it would be fitting to have them dress in traditionally-inspired clothing, (i.e. Guayaberas) something classic and timeless, indicative of the landscape surroundings and their rich heritage.  I pitched this idea to Olga and Dan and they were completely on board!

And so, after hopping a flight from frigid New York to Sunny San Juan, on a perfectly crisp and picturesque Saturday afternoon, we shot the "love story" of Olga and Dan, a session profound in character, culture and passionate love...

Be on the lookout for more of this couple, as I also have the honor to collaborate with another great wedding planner (her brother-in-law), in making their wedding day one they will never forget. Details and plenty of pictures to come...

Interested in setting up your own Portrait Session? Email me to cestlavie.events@gmail.com, or visit my Facebook Page for more information. I will be hosting a special Spring Portrait Sale beginning the first week of Spring  (March 21, 2013), stay tuned for details...