The Camera’s Eye – An August Wedding in Owego, NY

Posted on September 11, 2015 by The Camera's Eye

Another wedding post from The Camera’s Eye! Capri and Ryan’s wedding took place at the bride’s family home in Owego, NY. Capri is SUCH a sweet girl – very funny, heartfelt and theatrical. And of course, a beautiful bride:

The day unfolded under various tents on the family property. Guests were ushered in and given fans and water, and took Polaroids as mementos for the bride and groom.

Popular local band Splash played during the ceremony and the cocktail hour.

My personal fave, Tioga Gardens, provided the flowers:

The day included a hot dog station (what fun!) and ice cream truck Here’s The Twist, owned by Dan Liddic.

After working extensively with a family to prep and complete a wedding shoot, I can always think back to what the day encompassed for me – what my takeaway as the photographer is. What stood out at Capri and Ryan’s wedding was the unBREAKABLE family bond. This is especially apparent between Capri and her uncle, grandma, and dad.

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Capri and Ryan – thank you so much for letting The Camera’s Eye capture your wedding day!

Wedding Floral Arrangements with Tioga Gardens

Posted on August 25, 2014 by The Camera's Eye

Anyone who has spent even a little bit of time on Pinterest knows that it is full of eager wedding planners! I think that second in popularity to photos of “The Dress” are photos of “The Bouquet” and “The Flowers.” These photos, however, wouldn’t be possible without a great florist like Tioga Gardens behind the scenes!

In the past, Tioga Gardens has created stunning arrangements for me to display at vendor shows. Check out these delicate and detailed finished products:

In addition to their own grounds, they’ve also put their talents to good use at weddings at local venues, like Terra Cotta…

…and Traditions at the Glen:

What a way to make that special day even more memborable! For more info about their floral offerings, call Tioga Gardens at 607-687-2940.

Locals We Love – Florist and Stylist Ridge Prince

Posted on July 10, 2014 by The Camera's Eye

Weddings and other events are nothing short of a team effort. At The Camera’s Eye, we love getting to know other vendors and service providers in the area. One of my fave guys, whom I know from Tioga Gardens, is Ridge Prince!

Ridge started working at Tioga Gardens during his senior year of high school, doing “odds and ends” work. In his own words, when he started he “didn’t know a thing about flowers or the business.” That’s certainly no longer the case: After three years, he has worked his way up to become the lead designer, under master designer and owner Chris Kuhlman. Even though he now specializes in designing floral arrangements, he can do pretty much anything asked of him at Tioga Gardens. As he puts it, “I love my job because everyday I get the chance to design and create something new and in the process I get to bring some happiness and cheer to another.”

As if that’s not enough, he also has a cosmetology license. At first, he only had time for working out of his home, but he has just started a new job in Wilkes Barre at Lonn Dean Salon. He has everything down when it comes to hair – bridal hair, intricate modern styles, and anything else you might need! “I love working there. Clients know we love what we do and will do our best to create the hairstyle you are looking for and love.”

And, artist that he is, he also draws:

Ridge and I have known each other for the past three years – even if I’m not working an event, I like stopping in to Tioga Gardens to say hi! You can contact him at 607-372-6626 or on Facebook.

Flowers and Photos at Tioga Gardens

Posted on July 3, 2014 by The Camera's Eye

While it’s true that photography is, in its simplest form, one person taking photos, The Camera’s Eye wouldn’t be much without other collaborators! One of my favorite Owego businesses to collaborate with is Tioga Gardens. They change things up at their site every year, which I love – trellises, water fountains, you name it!

Tioga Gardens in Owego, NY

There’s a lot to love about Tioga Gardens, including the fact that they’ve been in business for over 50 years. Currently, Chris and his brother Ed run the operation, along with their brother Steve. However, it was Chris’s dad who came home one day in 1966 and told his wife: “Guess what! You own a floral shop now!” She learned the floral business, and his dad ran the greenhouses across the street. Chris even grew up selling produce at the business. Today, they create incredible floral arrangements, and their grounds are ideal for weddings, like the one that I shot just last weekend!

The whole team – Chris, Scott, Halga, and others – is incredibly friendly and hard-working. Following a different wedding I photographed at Tioga Gardens a while back, I realized that I lost a very small and crucial piece of equipment somewhere on the grounds. Who comes to the rescue but Scott, who drives up in a 4-wheeler and says “Hop on, kid! We’re doing this the right way!” After an escorted trip around the premises, we found my equipment and I could breathe a huge sigh of relief. Looking at these photos, I’d like to imagine that the beautiful grounds were part of what helped me keep my cool 🙂

Traveling for a Wedding Shoot: Or, What to Do With 28 Minutes of Sunlight

Posted on May 16, 2014 by The Camera's Eye

At The Camera’s Eye, we LOVE traveling to shoot weddings, something that we started doing in 2009. I guess it’s not a destination wedding for the bride and groom if they live there, but it sure feels like an exciting destination for us! We are headed near Philly this weekend to shoot another wedding at the Brandywine Manor House, which got me thinking about the past weddings we’ve traveled to. The Camera’s Eye has done two weddings in the Allentown area at Lock Ridge Park, one in Scranton, as well as a wedding that sailed away on a boat from Station Square in Pittsburgh! Of course, as far as destinations go, there’s nothing quite like the beach, wedding or not:

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The Camera’s Eye was lucky enough to shoot a wedding in Destin, Florida about two years ago. One of the guests at a previous wedding that we shot closer to home loved our work so much that she flew us down to Florida for her own nuptials.

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The ceremony took place on the beach at sunset, and the reception at a huge multi-family beach house right across the street, named “5 o’Clock Somewhere.” Can’t beat that!

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Of course, we had a wonderful time working this wedding and spending time at the beach. The bride and groom were generous enough to invite us to come to the reception, the house, and to other events throughout the weekend. We usually had to decline because, as much fun as it was, we did still have to work, even far before the day of the wedding. What’s there to work on when you’re in a place that’s so inherently beautiful? Well, when you’re dealing with a wedding at sunset – everything.

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We stayed in Florida for four days total, counting two days before the wedding. This gave us two chances to time the sun. Yes, actually time the sun. The ceremony was at sunset, giving us exactly 28 minutes of sunlight to work with. And of those 28 minutes, we planned out every. Single. Second.

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Sunset or no, this is how I roll on a wedding shoot! I need to know every step I will be taking during the day, every pose I will be asking the bridal party, the groom, the parents, etc. to make. Does it sound a bit, well, controlling? Especially for something so artistic? Sure, but you don’t get a redo when it comes to wedding photography. Taking the time, doing the research, and prepping mentally always, always, always pay off. And when you’re done? Well, just maybe you’ll get a chance to relax on a beach!

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A big thanks to all who have let me shoot their weddings. We’re looking forward to this next big weekend in Philly!

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Watkins Glen NY, Harbor Hotel Wedding: Congrats Kristina & Troy!

Posted on July 21, 2013 by The Camera's Eye

Many warm wishes to Kristina & Troy who married July 20, 2013 at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen NY!

Congrats Jamie & Scott!

Posted on July 8, 2013 by The Camera's Eye

Congrats Brittany & Tom!

Posted on August 26, 2012 by The Camera's Eye

Congrats Brittany & Tom!!

Kate & Bill at Glenora Wine Cellars, Upstate NY

Posted on August 3, 2012 by The Camera's Eye

Katy’s dress from Bonjulie’s in Horseheads NY http://www.bonjulies.com/

Last week’s activities landed the crew at The Camera’s Eye Studio in the vineyards of Glenora Wine Cellars for the celebration of Kate & Bill’s wedding vows.

Vows under the sun: http://www.thecameraseye.biz

Initially greeted by Kathy Marchenese, Wedding Coordinator at Glenora (kathy@glenora.com); my assistant, Patrick Boyer and I received a complimentary glass of Pomegranate Pizzazz.

Wine and cupcake tower at the Reception at Glenora

So kind of Kathy and very indicative of her nature and business style. We learned the lay of the land and watched the bridal party rehearse under the arbor that overlooked the grape vines and beautful Seneca Lake.

Ring exchange on the lawn of Glenora Wine Cellars: http://www.thecameraseye.biz

The next day, under the heat of an unforgiving sun, the bridal party and guests engaged in a lovely ceremony as Bill and Katy exchanged vows and rings in the late afternoon.

Maid of Honor, Glenora Wine Cellars, NY

We photographed in the vineyards and off location at an amazing privately-owned waterfall while guests ate gingerly at a wine & cheese tasting on the lawn and then a cocktail hour on a red and turquoise adorned deck overlooking the water.

Privately-owned waterfall near Glenora Wine Cellars

Later, we joined the guests inside for a red and teal themed reception decorated by an Ithaca florist who grew all her own flowers. You have to see this bouquet!

Bridal Bouquet from Ithaca-based florist

Our DJ on the night was Ryan Bombard from Ryan Bombard Entertainment, who entertained quests with his photobooth pictures that were glued into an album for the bride and groom to use as a quest book. What an great idea! Of course… we jumped in with our cameras, mexican hats and enormous red sunglasses! Not exactly work-related, but hey, how could we tell you how fun it was if we didn’t try it?!!

Bridesmaid’s Bouquet from Ithaca-based florist

Congratulations Katy & Bill and hats off to all vendors involved! For additional information, don’t hesitate to e-mail: lisamcqueeney@gmail.com, Facebook: Lisa McQueeney or visit the Glenora website: http://www.glenora.com/Weddings/Weddings-at-Glenora