I love the color orange, and I think I like it best in nature. The changing leaves, warm sunset, or brilliant wing of a butterfly is simply stunning. I saw this monarch on my porch yesterday and it was still there this morning. It doesn’t seem to be doing well and if my quick research is correct it should be on it’s way down to Mexico for the winter instead of hanging around New York. Since it decided to stay and live it’s last days on my porch, I brought out my camera and macro lens to photograph it’s intricate beauty.

While I could easily get sentimental and philosophical thinking about this butterfly, I will leave that for another blog post when I have hours to write and rewrite my thoughts. Until then enjoy these few images, and let me know if you would like a limited edition print of your own by commenting below on this post, commenting on facebook, or replying @marydaph on twitter. I will choose a recipient from each to have their choice of print from these four tomorrow at noon.

Just a sunny tablescape from Luke + Margaret’s wedding to brighten your day if it’s not sunny already. I’m currently back in Virginia to shoot two fabulous weddings and with all of the traveling down south I haven’t had as much time to post full sets of images – but there is a lot to come next week. Thanks for being patient and have a great weekend!

Hey ya’ll. I’m back from my North Carolina/South Carolina trip and enjoying (?) the rainy New York weather. I traveled down to photograph Luke and Margaret’s wedding and it was possibly the most unique event I’ve been to yet. If anyone wants to upstage them feel free (as long as I get to photograph it!) but you have your work cut out for you. Let’s start with their wedding invitations. I could hardly narrow down the adjectives to describe these invitations in the title and that is because they are so jam packed full of details.

Margaret took on the task of designing, printing, paper-making, and assembling them with some help from amazing friends along the way. Having designed my own wedding invitations as well I know how daunting the task can be… and I don’t think I even pushed myself to the level Margaret did.

As an artist working in letterpress it was obviously where she would start. The unique imprint of letterpress added to the tactile and natural qualities that were present throughout the wedding day. One of the best decisions she made (in my opinion) was to use birch veneer for the “paper” of the main invitation. As you will notice, they were also married in a state park so what better than a wood invitation to allude to what’s to come. Text was hand lettered by Margaret’s good friend and the floral pattern was taken from a vintage plate design. Both were scanned in and made into plates that Margaret printed with using the Vandercook #4.

When you opened the envelope, you immediately noticed the envelope liner which was of course made by Margaret from a roll of vintage wallpaper and a handy Martha Stewart punch.

a small insert printed on handmade paper (yep, by Margaret) introduced you to L+M’s day with an excerpt from Sheldon Vanauken’s A Severe Mercy.

After turning over the invitation you found the reply card tucked in to handmade photo corners.

I loved the custom stamps they had made from one of their fav engagement images!

The reply card was in mad-lib form and gave guests the freedom to share their joy with L+M and were cataloged in an album and on display at the wedding. With these invitations it was all about the custom details. I always love to see something different and not only was this invitation different but it fit the wedding perfectly. Now I know you’re all dying to see the pictures, so maybe if you check back later today you’ll see a preview :) 

She plans to go to med school. She pole vaults for her high school track team. As an editor of her high school yearbook, she’s seen all the tricks in the book and knows what kind of senior pictures she wants. She’s has two brothers and one sister, and has frequent gatherings with her extended family that live throughout the Rochester New York area… and it’s because I know all of these things about Kristen that I was able to take such amazing senior photos for her.

It’s true that there are good sessions and then there are great portrait sessions. Some of that has to do with me, some of it has to do with the subject, but it almost always relies most on our interaction. Making people feel comfortable in front of the camera is an art just as much as capturing gorgeous photos is. Each photographer is different and what they tell or don’t tell you to do, their reactions and encouragement guides most of the session. What I try to do is first make people feel comfortable, since relaxed and natural photos are my top priority. From there I encourage them to be more confident in front of the camera, to give me some different emotion, and to have fun.

I loved shooting Kristen’s senior portraits and think she not only did a great job but that she’s gorgeous. Don’t you love her red hair? Here are a few of my favorites:

fierce. I love a good camera stare down.

Below is Kristen’s model shot where she started to open up to the camera and play around. I think it’s so fun, and Kristen you did a great job – enjoy looking through the images and I look forward to seeing what your favorites are!

There’s nothing like a wedding around a holiday. They combine for a great weekend and getaway for family and friends and this weekend was no exception. Yesterday Chris and Beth were married back in my hometown in Michigan and had beautiful church wedding followed by a fun at home reception. It was an event celebrated by many and I think they had the largest wedding I’ve ever photographed… was it 350 guests? It was also the first wedding in which I was able to photograph my sister playing the piano, and since Beth and her family have been friends for some years my parents were also in attendance and helped with the set up and grilling having pulled off my sister’s at home reception a few years ago. Everything came together beautifully and I’m so happy for Chris and Beth and look forward to sharing more of their wedding day soon. It’s time to go enjoy the 4th of July with my family here in Michigan – I see ladderball and lawn games in my future!

It wasn’t too long ago that I headed up to Canada for Paul and Maretta’s wedding. It was the end of the summer and the days were gorgeous – their wedding day was no exception. Thinking back, however, what made the day so memorable really was the people. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some of Maretta’s family especially because I’m good friends with her cousin Mary Claire. I have to thank everyone for letting me into their lives and having a great time up in Kingston. Everyone that I met at the wedding was wonderful and it’s clear Paul and Maretta have a great system of family and friends to support them. So, what did their day look like – the day that they began their lives together? A little something like this…

Everything started out at Maretta’s house. We went to the salon, came back for makeup, and everyone got ready in the comfort of the home she grew up in. The pace of the day was nice and relaxed, even though the wedding was an afternoon affair that ended before evening. The bridesmaids slipped into their dresses in navy before helping Maretta into her silk taffeta dress.

It was really exciting once Maretta was completely ready. She was beaming along with all of her bridesmaids. It was time to go meet Paul who was waiting down stairs and take some photos with the whole bridal party before the ceremony.

It was time to head to the church, and we were off. Final preparations were made at everyone started to arrive. Instead of a guest book, Maretta and Paul had something more personal – a paddle. Their love for the outdoors includes canoeing so they decided to have everyone sign a paddle. love it!

After taking their vows and committing to one another they were pronounced husband and wife and it was time for the reception. It was early afternoon and everyone gathered for a late lunch, leaving lots of time for celebration. Every table had a disposable camera on for people to capture memories which I think is a great way to get even more fun photos of your guests at a wedding. Just in case the photo below didn’t turn out, I documented it as well.

Speeches were given and it was hilarious when Paul’s mom talked about the first loves in Paul’s life. She had saved a few notes from elementary school that a few girls (maybe even girlfriends?) had written, proclaiming their love for him and even acknowledging the feelings other girls had for him as well. Grade school romances aside, all of the speeches revealed history of Maretta and Paul and their impact in the lives of their friends and family… and the story of their love for each other.

I really was loving b&w’s from the reception. They just looked so much simpler and more beautiful than in color – what do you think? Soon it was time to go and Maretta and Paul said their goodbyes to leave for their honeymoon.

They actually had one more stop before they packed up, drove to Toronto, and left on their surprise honeymoon. We went back to Maretta’s house and finished taking some pictures. It was completely worth it, without the rush of typical photos when they’re in between something, and had the natural, relaxed, and joyful feel that comes when you’ve just been married!

One of my favorites – and it’s so perfectly them. Aren’t wedding days beautiful? To see the full set of photos visit my proofing link at the top menu bar. As always, last name passwords will get you in and let me know if you have any questions.

I hope everyone enjoyed these and please know how much fun it was for me to be at this wedding! I loved it and enjoy looking back on the day through the pictures. congrats again Paul and Maretta!

I knew from the beginning that Brendan and Stephanie were going to have a fabulous wedding. When they first got in touch with me, I was living in New York right outside of Letchworth State Park, they were in North Carolina. A lot has changed since that time – they are in California and I’m in Virginia, but I’m so glad our paths crossed in the middle. Letchworth is a gorgeous spot for a wedding, and since Stephanie grew up in the area it was a great place for family and friends to come. It wasn’t just the location that made the wedding, but more importantly it was the people. If I can quote Kaylan, who was my second shooter for the event, she said at the reception “I want to be related to these people!” I totally agree, the wedding was that good.

(photo for MDP by Kaylan Buteyn)

While the guys got ready at the cabins up the road – playing games always qualifies as getting ready for guys – I stayed with the girls at the Glen Iris. There is so much preparation involved with a wedding I think it’s important to document the process. It’s another thing that makes the day special and it’s always fun to look back on since it happens so fast.

The inside of the Glen Iris truly is a unique and vintage location, which was the perfect setting for Stephanie and the girls. Everything tied together perfectly and the detail shots below are two of my all time favorite getting ready photos. Doesn’t she look like a perfect bride?

After a quick talk with her sister Stephanie peeked down below to the ceremony location. People were starting to gather and it was almost time!

When the ceremony began, I stayed down below while Kaylan shot the image above of Stephanie and her father walking down the aisle. It was definitely a situation where two photographers were needed and I’m glad she could be there to shoot with me. If you’re really interested in two photographers you just have to ask to have that added in to your photography package.

After a beautiful ceremony, complete with a surprise song Brendan sang to Stephanie, they were pronounced husband and wife and the celebration began. The guests made their way from the Glen Iris to the outdoor tent for appetizers while I went off with Brendan and Stephanie for some photos.

A delicious dinner and toasts took place inside and the rest of the reception was under the tent. As we moved from locations I captured these pictures both utilizing windows and I like the effect.

For the second surprise of the wedding, Stephanie’s friends brought out the batons. If you thought twirling, you were right. It runs in the family to twirl for Cornell, and everyone at the wedding who had twirled took a turn on the floor…  even Brendan showed his stuff.

If you can’t tell, I had a hard time narrowing down the photos for this post. Brendan and Stephanie are amazing people and I am just so glad I got to know them and capture something so important. Of course you can see the full set of photos by visiting my proofing site – just click the link on the menu bar above. I’ll leave you with this group shot we took in between the reception & congratulations again to Brendan and Stephanie who have been married for just over three months now!