Flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up here in the Hudson Valley - it’s time to get back outside and play! For a very limited time I am running portrait specials to entice those of you who have been holding off on getting your photos taken and give me a great excuse to get outside, take some photos and meet new people! Specials are being offered for a very limited time and my availability will fill up fast so don’t hesitate! These special promotions are for portrait sessions - modeling, Facebook and/or business headshots, maternity, newborn, children, families, couples, boudoir and high school juniors & seniors! See below for specials on each. All specials apply to sessions taking place within an hour of New Windsor, NY unless otherwise noted (which includes areas such as Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, Newburgh, Wallkill, Middletown NY, New Paltz, Brewster, Danbury CT, Ridgefield CT, Nanuet, Kingston, Westbrook, Central Valley, Goshen, Mahwah NJ, Rhinebeck, Bedford, Spring Valley, etc.). If you would like to take advantage of one of these deals but live further away, let me know and we can either come up with a location in the middle or I will give you a quote for further travel.

Headshots

Get a mini session (approximately 30-45 minutes), online proofing and ordering and 2 edited high resolution images for your personal and promotional use for just $100 through April 3rd! Whether you need new photos to represent your business identity, starting or adding to a modeling portfolio, a facebook profile photo or you just want to treat yourself, headshot sessions are relaxed and can take place almost anywhere. Limit one person per headshot session.

Maternity and Newborn

I don’t think there is anything that I love more than photographing maternity and newborn sessions - now through May 1st, book a maternity or newborn session and get 50% off your session fee! If you book BOTH a maternity and a newborn session, not only do you get 50% off each session (that’s like getting one free!), but you will also receive a complimentary 20 page brag book filled with your favorite photos! Since these are my absolute favorite sessions and they almost exclusively take place in my clients’ homes, I am extending this offer a little further than the rest - this offer is for anyone within 90 minutes of New Windsor, NY (zip code 12553 if you’re searching the radius!) - this extends into parts of NJ, PA and even the southwest corner of MA, all the way down to Fairfield, CT where I first started my business.

Children, families and couples

When you book a session at regular session rates and place your order within 1 week of your online gallery activation, half of your session fee will transfer over to a print credit! That’s a savings of $50, $125 or even $187.50, depending on the session! Sessions must be completed by May 1st and must take place within 1 hour of New Windsor, NY.

High School Juniors and Seniors

FREE sessions! That’s right, I said it - FREE! Pre-pay for a minimum $200 purchase and receive a 1 hour session absolutely free! Want to spend even less? Like NOTHING?! Apply to be a Senior Rep and if you’re accepted, you could get a free session AND earn free products just for referring your friends! You want more? You also get Rep cards with your photo on one side and a special offer for your friends when they book too! Senior Rep program is only open to Class of 2011. Send me a message via e-mail (info@autumn-photography.com), facebook or twitter if you’re interested in becoming a Rep! This offer is through June 1st - Rep program is available until further notice.

Boudoir

Sexy and tasteful boudoir photographed in your home (or a hotel at your expense if you wish) - book a 3 hour session at $350 and receive a 5×5 20 page photo book free! Sessions include full retouching and a password protected online gallery. Do you have 3-5 friends that would like a session as well? Let me know and I can provide you with a special rate when they are all photographed at the same location on the same day! Offer ends June 1st.

Sorry, no photos to share here - due to the sensitive nature of boudoir photography, I value my clients’ privacy and never share them with anyone.

I cannot look at Laurie and Sean’s photos without tearing up… even months later. They are so incredibly in love, so very good to each other (and good FOR each other) and the outpouring of love between their families and friends amazed me. Laurie’s Dad, who is just the absolute sweetest man, was diagnosed in July with a brain tumor and an incurable cancer called glioblastoma (GBM). Needless to say, it was an extremely emotional day. After Laurie danced with her Dad, her younger sister danced with him as well and let me tell you, between these two dances, there was not a dry eye in that entire room. I ended up sobbing like a baby and having to go outside to compose myself, where I found many guests doing the same. What amazed me the most was that through all of this, everyone managed to find the strength to have a fantastic time and the day was still filled with a lot of laughter and silliness. I cannot express how much I have enjoyed getting to know Laurie and Sean and their families, how blessed I feel to have been a part of their special day and most of all, I am so thankful that they have become my friends. <3

Thank you to Aurora and Morgen for all of your help! =)

Another long overdue post… Dayna & Jim! Dayna & Jim were married October 3, 2009 and were referred to me by Renee & Rob - they were getting married just weeks apart! Dayna & Jim had some issues with their original reception site and ended up having to change venues along the way… I couldn’t imagine a better place for their wedding though! Everything happens for a reason! They had such an elegant, fun wedding and they were surrounded by an amazing group of family and friends who really love to dance, apparently! The ceremony was at the gorgeous Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, CT, followed by their reception at the Apawamis Country Club in Rye, NY. The architecture and decor at the Apawamis was gorgeous! The detail in the ceilings and chandeliers was incredible and really set the mood for an elegant reception. We had a rainy day but thankfully we did manage to sneak outside a little bit (avoiding the mud and puddles so Dayna stayed looking fresh, of course!). ETA band did a fantastic job, as always, and kept everyone on the dance floor all night!

Here are just a couple of my favorites from the day - be sure to check out the slideshow!

And this gorgeous shot of their first dance, courtesy of Aurora:

Congratulations again, Dayna & Jim and a huge thanks to Tara and Aurora for teaming up with me once again!

Ah, at long last, Rob & Renee’s wedding which was back on September 18, 2009! Rob & Renee are SO much fun. No, I really don’t think you understand. They are an incredibly awesome couple who you just feel instantly connected with and they will make tears stream down your face with laughter. When you hang out with them your face hurts from smiling and laughing. THAT kind of fun.

I first “met” Renee over the phone… we chatted about her wedding, her relationship with Rob, photography, and well, just about everything! We got along fabulously over the phone - so much so that I think we talked for about 2 hours! I was so excited to photograph her wedding - and I hadn’t even met her or so much as spoken to Rob yet! This summer came time for their engagement session and I finally got to meet them both. Rob’s silliness quickly won me over and Renee is just overall amazing. What’s even more awesome? They referred their friends to me as well who were getting married just weeks after them and they’re awesome too! =)

Renee & Rob were married at The Candlewood Inn in Brookfield, CT and they had a gorgeous outdoor ceremony by the lake. Immediately after the ceremony, just as we’re setting up to take some photos outside, the sky turned black and it got super windy and a bit chilly but we didn’t let that stop us! I loved the ominous looking background and we worked through it, of course! Unfortunately the amazing sunset that followed happened DURING the introductions, first dance and toasts so we couldn’t get them back outside for that, but we managed to get a little bit of it peeking in through the Candlewood’s beautiful arched windows anyway! The reception was great and WOW can Renee ever dance! I don’t recall seeing her off the dance floor all night! Congratulations again, you two! I can’t wait to hang out again!

Just a couple of my favorites - don’t forget to check out the slideshow too!

Thanks to my girl Aurora for second shooting for me once again!

A preview of Beth and Mike’s guest book I’m working on with photos from their recent engagement session at Tod’s Point in Greenwich, CT. Custom Guest Books are a great keepsake and much more fun for your guests to sign than a boring old guest book or even a signature mat with one photo. Guests love to look through the book and choose the page they want to sign on - very much like picking the prime spot to sign in a high school year book! Of course, we want to encourage that guests do more than just sign their names, so we leave plenty of space so they can each write little messages of congratulations as well!

Wow - it may seem that I’ve been on hiatus but that is SO not the case! It’s been a whirlwind around here of weddings, engagements, portraits, being a bridesmaid in Michigan and getting ready for the start of my daughter’s first grade school year (and trying desperately to be superwoman before she started)! Now that school has started it’s time to catch up on the poor neglected blog!

Melissa and Mark are super sweet and totally perfect together! Mark is mostly quiet and reserved but can cut loose and knows how to have a good time. He hates the camera. Melissa is so bubbly and outgoing that I don’t think she knows how NOT to have a good time doing anything! If she doesn’t love the camera she certainly fakes it well! They compliment each other very well and you can see how much they adore one another. Aurora and I started out our day photographing Melissa with her bridesmaids, flower girl and parents as Melissa opted to be ready by the time we arrived. Family is extremely important to her and Mark so we spent more time on family photos than usual and skipped the getting ready!

Enough babbling… you’re probably not reading this anyway! But just in case you are, these are just some favorites of mine - please check out the slideshow for a recap of the whole day!

August 8, 2009

Venue: The Links at Union Vale - LaGrangeville, NY (LOVE them - they ROCK!)

DJ and reception lighting: Enriquez Entertainment (they are a lot of fun, keep the dance floor packed and I love their lights!)

Like Mother, like Daughter! An emotional moment before the ceremony…

I just love Melissa’s REAL giddy little smile!

Isn’t she STUNNING?!

Melissa is queen of the “facebook profile pic” pose so I had to get her to give me one! LOVING those little puffy clouds - wish they would have stuck around all day!

All smiles and excitement!

Don’t forget to check out the slideshow with highlights from the day!

Melissa and Mark

Thanks so much again to Aurora for helping out and of course, Melissa and Mark for being so wonderful, the guys from Enriquez for keeping the dance floor packed and The Links for putting on a fantastic reception with food that’s to die for! Seriously - there are few venues that excel at everything - this is one of them!

A HUGE congratulations to Melissa & Mark - I wish you two the very best and cannot wait to meet your upcoming addition!

Michelle & Steve were the first clients to meet with me in our new house - I could tell from my first e-mail exchange with them that they were awesome. They came to my house while everything was still a move-in mess and I was right - they were awesome! We found some fun coincidences (She’s a teacher in Fairfield - where we just moved from, he’s a cinematographer and also does photography - if I weren’t a photographer I would have gone into video, she’s originally from the hudson valley and someone in her family lives in my town) and we hit it off immediately. I have been looking forward to their wedding all year! =) Besides the fact that they are just all around amazing people, they got married at The Fox Hill Inn which is where my husband and I were married almost 7 years ago! =) Wow… was it really that long ago?! Time flies when you’re having fun!

Michelle & Steve were married July 24th and the weather actually cooperated for them! The forecast didn’t look great but it held out until we were already into the reception and they were able to have their outdoor ceremony! Michelle and Steve surprised me with some fantastic details - they had ordered the disc of images from their engagement session and they had printed tons of photos to display at the reception! How awesome! Aurora and I had a feast for our eyes with all of the details - the alternating orange, pink and green everywhere (including the trim on the bridesmaids’ dresses!), the sexy little robe Michelle bought just to get ready in, the matching bride and mother of the bride shoes, the maid of honor’s totally hot orange heels, the gorgeous flowers everywhere… Nothing was as great as the friendly and fun attitudes of everyone in attendance though. We had a fantastic night and I could not picture a couple that mesh together better than these two. They definitely bring out the best in each other and any fool can see how much they simply adore one another. Fate brought them together and I really think that these two are soul mates. =) And what do you do when you find your soul mate clear across the country? Why, move to be with her, of course! And that’s what Steve did…

Ah, yes, the boys and their Zoolander impressions… =)

I just think this is TOO cute!

Enriquez Entertainment doin’ their thing! (and as evidenced by these photos, obviously they kept the party going!)

Check out the slideshow HERE!

Michelle & Steve - thank you so much for allowing me to capture your wedding day! I hope you’re having a fabulous time in Costa Rica! You guys are awesome - best wishes for lifelong happy marriage!!

A big thanks to Aurora for shooting with me and to The Fox Hill Inn for an amazing job as always!

This post is long overdue - sorry! I have been so busy juggling a million things and taking care of the high priority items and I’ve neglected my poor blog! Bad Autumn! I promise I’ll do better…

Linnea and Drew were referred to me by one of my favorite couples - Vanessa & Matt - so I knew when Linnea first contacted me last year that I really wanted to photograph their wedding! Linnea & Drew are so much fun and so incredibly sweet… of course, after meeting their families you can see that those traits run deep. They were married at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hartford, CT - one of my favorite churches that I’ve ever photographed in. Another couple that Vanessa & Matt referred to me, Jesse & Kelly (also one of my absolute favorite couples!) were married there last year. Both Tara and Aurora came along for a fun-filled day and it was so nice to have a third pair of hands and eyes! A big thanks to you both!

After a beautiful and emotional ceremony with some heartfelt readings, singing and a ceremony to honor Linnea and Drew’s Aunts, we ventured over to a very crowded Elizabeth Park for some photos. As we were about to leave for the park I asked Drew about the gazebo - you see, he helped to build one of them and wanted photos there but I wasn’t sure which one it was. He let me know that it was “the ugliest one there” and that we didn’t have to use that one. I asked if we could meet at the one that looks like a pagoda because that was my favorite one - turns out, that’s the one he built! Awesome! But wait… ugly?!?! I love that one! =) We got some quick photos and went on to the reception at Ann Howard at The Bond, but not before someone left their Nissan Murano with the hazzards on and doors locked, blocking traffic in the park… not cool at all. This was my first time at The Bond and I must say, it is gorgeous, has a great location right in the middle of everything in Hartford and the staff was wonderful. We had such a fantastic time celebrating with Linnea & Drew and their families… they sure know how to have a GREAT time and they made us feel like family. After the reception we walked around the area a little bit for some more photos to get a different look and have some fun before they headed off to their after party. I think these are my favorite photos of the day… okay, enough rambling… on to the photos because that’s really why you’re here, right?!

The blindfolded bridal party dance contest was AWESOME!!!

Check out the slideshow here!

Thanks so much again to Linnea & Drew, their families and friends, Vanessa, Tara & Aurora for a fantastic day!

It’s FINALLY ready! I have worked on designing a new website for a couple of months now and it’s finally at the point where I am ready to show it off! It’s new, it’s colorful, it’s fun and it’s totally ME! Thanks to the awesome Showit Sites software, I built this baby from scratch! More tweaks to come when I have some time but check it out! =)

www.autumn-photography.com

(same web address)

Jessica and Barry were married at Castle on the Hudson, also known as “The Castle” in Tarrytown, NY on July 5th which turned out to be such a gorgeous day! Despite a few stressful mishaps early in the day and some unexpected entertainment (think America’s Got Talent!), everything was beautiful and everyone had a great time filled with Jewish traditions, lots of dancing and even singing. Besides, the most important thing went off without a hitch - Jessica & Barry got married! =) During the reception The Rythym Shop kept the party going strong until the very end and they also got everyone into the act! It was a lot of fun watching Jessica and Barry join in on the mic singing Journey and Bon Jovi, banging on bongos and watching Jessica and a few of her girls play back up singers to “Tina” during Proud Mary.

Some details:

Playing Tetris and relaxing before the ceremony

“He doesn’t have his pants?! This is a joke, right?!”

Jessica’s AMAZING Michelle Roth dress from Kleinfeld’s

I just love Barry’s expressions, but especially after he is told that he and Jessica are officially married!

I told you it was a gorgeous day!

Once Jessica took her veil off she felt so much better and while her bridesmaids bustled her up Barry went into the reception and grabbed their place card to show her - they were so incredibly excited to see Mr. and Mrs. Postrygacz in writing!

“Wait… how do you do that thing where you interlock arms while you drink champagne? Oh, that didn’t work!” =) They were so cute!

Jessica getting her turn at the mic

Does he not have the best expressions?! You can definitely see how in love these two are!

Don’t forget to check out the slideshow!

Congratulations again you two! I hope you’re having an awesome time in Hawaii!