I photographed an awesome event for the Food Bank last week, where 1000 NYC teachers participated in a nutrition education boot camp. A few of my photos are up on their blog, so be sure to check it out. I will be posting more photos from the event here as well – stay tuned for that!
I got to photograph several arrangements for Mother’s Day for Barbara’s Flowers, a fantastic flower shop up in Harlem. Tara is an incredibly talented florist who prepares arrangements primarily for weddings and events. This arrangement happened to be my favorite of all the ones I shot – isn’t it gorgeous?
I kicked off the month of May at the Marla Cielo trunk show. I got a sneak peek of some of the products when I photographed them last month, but to see the whole collection on display in person was pretty awesome. Andrea Tobin is the mastermind behind the brand, creating handbags out of canvas that she paints with acrylic. I don’t know the first thing about fashion or design, but I do know that she’s got something really unique here. And that I’d very much like to adorn my apartment with her paintings (and, ok, perhaps my shoulder with her bags).
The event itself was nothing short of downright impressive. I, along with the others employed for the evening, got to dress in a Marla Cielo t-shirt. Whisk & Ladle worked the bar, Studio Feast served up some Korean tacos, and all the handbags, coin purses, and other accessories were beautifully displayed around the apartment while everyone mingled and browsed the collection. And best of all, I got to spend this glorious spring day hanging out on a patio in Manhattan, taking pictures. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Here’s Andrea with one of her bags:
I had the pleasure of attending a wedding open house at Bubby’s this week. For those who aren’t savvy, Bubby’s is a restaurant and event space in the most fantastic NYC location, nestled between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges on the Brooklyn side in Dumbo (though they have a Manhattan location too). I can’t imagine a better view at a wedding reception, nor a better area for outdoor wedding shoots. Seriously, look at this view of the Brooklyn Bridge:
Bubby’s also knows how to put on a great event! They set up tables around both floors and selected some of Brooklyn’s most talented wedding vendors to come and display their work. It was so inspiring to talk to them all and see their fantastic products. Check them out!:
Artesanal Sweets | Natascha had the most beautiful cupcake display I’ve ever seen! I must have taken at least 100 photos of her table. Her PB&J cupcakes are to die for! And her cookies are decorated with edible glitter!
Bona Angela Design | table runners, hanging lanterns, vases, and votives
Root Stock & Quade | plants, flowers, gardens
This is the view of the Manhattan Bridge from Bubby’s:
Fine & Raw | their mission is to “save the world through silliness and chocolate” – raw chocolate, that is!
NY Ceremony Music | a cello and guitar duo
Four Strokes of Brooklyn | Michelle makes gorgeous invitations, save the date cards, place cards, seating charts, and other paper designs for events.
Our Ketubah | Elyse creates “custom-designed, hand-painted artwork and limited-edition prints for marriage contracts, wedding vows, and other special day commemoratives”.
EmersonMade | They believe in “celebrating the uniqueness of the individual, the joy of being alive and all the smallness that makes up the Big Beautiful” and make hand dyed/stitched accessories such as flowers to wear at weddings.
Lion in the Sun | specializes in invitations
Brooklyn Rehab | Alyssa had the cutest display of crafts based on a four-season theme. She’s all about taking old, vintage, abandoned and found objects and giving new life and meaning to them. It definitely makes for some super creative wedding decorations!
2010 marks the official start of my photography business, and as such, one of my top priorities is to develop a network of wedding vendors. I am methodically deciding which vendors to approach, based on two main criteria: 1). Their clients are the type of people I would like to work with with regards to wedding photography; and 2). They are insanely and uniquely talented, so much so that I would hire them for my own wedding.
One of my first vendor friends is Tawny Ong, who is just about the sweetest person I’ve met in NYC. Her mother is equally sweet (and undoubtedly her biggest fan), and the two of us were photographing her latest trunk show appearance like crazy! After many years in finance, Tawny switched careers and became a baker, which I can totally relate to as a previous investment bank employee-turned-photographer. She has her own take on southern comfort desserts, specializing in light yet sweet creations in the form of cupcakes, cakes, and other treats. What I really like is that she tries to minimize sugar and use organic ingredients whenever possible, which makes you feel like you’re eating healthfully rather than cheating on your diet. Even without exorbitant amounts of sugar, her desserts are so delicious and flavorful!
I got to sample several of her mini cupcakes, including red velvet, pumpkin, carrot, and devil’s food cake. They are even more delicious than they look (and seriously, how cute are they?). Check out her menu and drool! She’s done both cupcakes and cakes for weddings, but the cool thing about the mini cupcakes is that they make for great table settings or wedding favors for guests.
I’m excited to work with Tawny, and I strongly urge everyone to place an order with her. You will not be disappointed!
