Amanda and Josh Eggleston Wedding - September 21, 2021 - Rochester, NY
Amanda and Josh’s wedding felt like stepping into a slow, golden afternoon that never quite ended. From the moment I walked in, there was this quiet steadiness about the day. Josh, grounded and calm, buttoning his jacket with a calm strength like something out of an old story. Amanda was glowing, and it’s not just because she was stunning (she was), but because she was so fully herself. Tattoos on display. Soft curls pinned back. A dress that moved like light. No hiding. No pretending. Just her.
That’s what I loved most about this wedding. It was rustic without being forced. Romantic without being overly polished. A little wild. A little vintage. Deeply intentional. They said their vows outside with the sun pouring in, and their people circled around them. When they kissed, the whole crowd paused like they were holding their breath. And when they walked back down the aisle through a shower of confetti, it felt like joy you could actually touch.
Their wedding party stood amongst deep greens of foliage and the rustic wooden aesthetic of the old tool shed, while making sure to include the dogs as part of the celebration. There was an old, vintage black truck waiting to whisk them away to the reception. And later, under warm string lights and the wooden beams of the barn reception, they swayed together like no one else was in the room while the actual reception was full of laughs, joy, and happiness over their union that was palpable from both the couple and their reception guests.
This is the kind of wedding I live for: where love looks steady and a little untamed, where the details matter but the moments matter more. Where you can feel the history in the wood of the barn and the future in the way two people hold each other. If you’re planning a wedding that feels like you, earthy, honest, a little bit nostalgic, and wildly in love, I would be so honored to tell your story next.
Sam Gordan and Ricky Pignato Wedding - August 8th, 2021 - Rochester, NY
Sunlight trembled through the leaves as Sam and Ricky said their vows beneath the blooming canopy of the George Eastman House gardens. It was one of those ceremonies that felt both cinematic and perfectly honest with petals drifting like confetti. This easy breeze seemed to carry every laugh and whispered promise, and the warm hush of family and friends gathered close. The gardens provided a timeless backdrop: grand architecture peeking through trees, manicured lawns, and that kind of dramatic setting photographers dream about. Sam and Ricky’s love fit right into that scene: classic, joyous, and a little bit mischievous.
After the ceremony, the celebration migrated to a place with even more personality: Sam’s parents’ backyard. Intimate, relaxed, and wildly fun, the reception was the kind of party that reminded everyone why weddings are about people and memories more than anything else. String lights crisscrossed the tents like constellations, casting a warm glow over the guests and bathing every candid moment in gorgeous light. Punk bands played sets that kept mosh pits slamming and people engaged.
Tables were dressed with a bold, unexpected touch: animal skulls as centerpieces. Far from macabre, they gave the décor personality and a wink of edge: Sam and Ricky’s playful spirit translated into details that felt entirely them. The skulls paired effortlessly with flickering candles, and florals that balanced softness with a dash of drama. Each table became a little conversation starter, a reminder that weddings can be elegant and delightfully uncanny at the same time.
Lighting was the secret sauce. The way fairy lights threaded through the tents and over dining areas transformed the backyard into a storybook setting. That glow made every kiss, every raised glass, and every dance move look cinematic. Photos from the night captured not just faces but textures.
Highlights that had everyone smiling:
The garden ceremony’s quiet moments: the adoring look Sam caught, Ricky’s easy grin, and the moment they turned to each other and the world felt suddenly small and full.
A joyfully intimate first dance under strings of lights, with family members clearing the floor to allow the couple to have their special moment to create a lasting memory.
Guests getting beers from the bars, laughing over shots and trading stories under the warm canopy of light.
The playful contrast of skull centerpieces with soft florals: edgy yet elegant, much like the couple themselves.
From a photographer’s perspective, this wedding was a dream: natural light and architecture at the ceremony, intimate wedding party shots that were both full of greenery and Gothic vibes, and glowing, happy photos during the reception that leaned into the glow of the backyard lighting. We chased smiles, captured whispered confidences, and framed the night to capture memories forever
Weddings don’t have to fit one mold. Sam and Ricky’s day proved that you can be timeless and a little cheeky; you can have tradition and then follow it with backyard dancing under the stars. If you’re planning your day and wondering how to blend elegance with personality, take a page out of Sam and Ricky’s book: pick a beautiful, classic setting for your vows, then let the party reflect who you truly are: full of music, surprises, and lighting that makes everything glow.
