Waiting for Baby #2

We got some fantastic family news a couple of months ago: My brother, Eric, and his wife, Chrissy, are expecting their second child! We can't tell you how exciting this was to hear. Their first son, Malakai (nicknamed Kai), is full of energy, and he loves people just the same as his parents. At three years old, he's got some serious personality. Eric and Chrissy wouldn't want it any other way.

When we visited them at their Massachusetts home, Chrissy asked if we could spend some time on the beach to get some shots of their family, as well as a maternity shoot. We absolutely could NOT resist this opportunity. And what a spectacular day it was! We met them at the beautiful Good Harbor Beach in MA after having first spent some time with two INCREDIBLE couples for their engagement sessions (see our entries for Lauren and Justin, and for Meghan and Lou). So you can probably appreciate how pumped we were for this sunset session. With an intensely blue sky and calm ocean waters, we couldn't have asked for better conditions. Quite simply, all we needed was one word to describe Chrissy when we saw her there on the beach: Radiant! And she was in love with her family.


We changed things up during our time there, taking pictures of little Kai by himself when he wasn't watching, photographing the entire family when the scene seemed right, and we also spent some time with the couple by themselves for an occasional romantic interlude while Kai was busy digging holes in the sand. It was a real treat for each of us. There's nothing quite like the beauty and closeness of a family waiting for their child to arrive. We captured some beautiful images.

If you'd like to see more pictures from our session, make sure to click this link to see a slideshow (PC only). Enjoy!

Lauren and Justin's Engagement

Though this was our first time meeting them in person, it felt as if we'd known Lauren and Justin for a much longer time. After spending a little while talking and getting to know one another better, we set out for the beach for some incredible picture-taking opportunities. It didn't take long at all for these two to cuddle up to one another and just be themselves even though they had two cameras pointing at them.

We walked out to the beach, where the intensely blue sky was reflected in the calm and gentle waves of the ocean for a very romantic backdrop. Both Lauren and Justin have been interested in physical fitness. So to our delight, they entertained us with Justin helping Lauren do a back-flip! It was awesome!

It was great seeing the passion and trust they had in one another, but also their excitement about photography and the trust they placed in us to capture beautiful images. We had a fantastic time with them and are eager to photograph their wedding next summer at Giorgio's on the North Shore of Long Island.

Their complete online gallery will go up on 9/27/05. Click this link to enjoy their preview slideshow to get a sneak peak at their upcoming engagement pictures. Enjoy!

Meghan and Lou's Engagement

While in Massachusetts visiting some family over this early autumn weekend, we had a chance to take what must have been one of the most pleasant days of the year and spend it with some wonderful couples. Meghan and Lou were one of those couples.

These two extremely pleasant medical students had just finished some exams only the day before. Happily, their only required extra credit was to serve as our models for the day. Whether it was the ocean or the beach grass or the sand or a simple ice-cold Snapple machine serving as their backdrop (hey, we had to try it!), the session was all about the two of them first, and the scenery second. Meghan and Lou had an easy-going familiarity that made them a real pleasure to photograph. Meghan has this natural beauty both inside and out. And Lou is a gentle rock. Together, they are a wonderful couple.

As we just got back from our trip to Massachusetts, I'm providing this early slideshow preview while you wait for their complete engagement gallery to go online (most likely sometime on 9/27/05). Enjoy!

Amy and Doug's Wedding

What can we say about Amy and Doug's wedding? From the time we first met them, it was obvious that Amy and Doug were the best of friends. Their wedding was an extension of their feelings for one another. From start to finish, it was an absolute privilege to be there with them and their families. Amy spent the better part of her morning preparing with her seven bridesmaids, while Doug lounged by the pool with his 13 groomsmen (that's right — 13 of them!!). The forecast was for rain, but to everyone's surprise, the cloudy day opened up for a lovely outdoor ceremony. They were probably each surprised at the outpouring of emotion they both experienced during their beautiful ceremony.

Their wedding and reception were held at the elaborate but very tasteful Belvedere Mansion. This 18th century venue perfectly suited their warm, friendly, fun and dignified personalities. Our high compliments must also go out to the Belvedere staff. They were very helpful in making the day successful for photography. When we explained Amy and Doug's desire for us to take our meals a little earlier than they were accustomed to serving for vendors (so that we wouldn't miss a beat in photographing important events), they immediately accommodated us. A very sincere thanks to Amy and Doug, as well as to the staff there at the Belvedere. It was a real joy to work there, to walk their fields near the pond, and to take in both the indoor and outdoor beauty of this gorgeous estate.

As is our custom, we have some early preview images for you in the form of a slideshow (PC only). Amy and Doug's complete gallery should be available on 9/25/05.

Andrea and Mark's Wedding

We got to know Andrea and Mark not only through our phone conversations and engagement session with them, but also through her excellent wedding website (you're amazing, Andrea!) They had a relaxed week leading up to their wedding. Even though they'd traveled up to New York from North Carolina, it seemed that everything flowed incredibly smoothly for them. The minor problem of Andrea's needing to get a replacement veil on the morning of the wedding didn't seem to phase her in the least. After spending the afternoon taking some pictures — including some soft infrared photos — with just the two of them at her father's home in the quiet town of Tuxedo, NY, the rest of the party and family joined us on the deck in the back of the house, which Andrea's father had worked to decorate and get in order just for this special day. The girls in the party "vogued" for us (you did a fantastic job, ladies!); and the guys put on their coolest presentation for everyone's enjoyment.


Jenni and I could tell, as we drove from Tuxedo to the scenic location of the Chalet on the Hudson, that the light of the setting sun coming over the Hudson River into the suite for their wedding was going to be a warm and romantic sight for the eyes. We weren't disappointed. What a gorgeous spot at this time of year! The entire staff of the Chalet was also very accommodating (thanks so much for the fantastic meal, Andrea and Mark!).

The wedding party was a complete blast, too! I have to say, I have NEVER heard my name shouted so often and with such glee (that's right, I said "glee") at a wedding reception. Thanks for making us feel like a real part of the group, guys. :-)

Their online gallery will be available shortly. While we work hard to get those pictures ready, have an early look at their day via this slideshow preview of Andrea and Mark's wedding.

UPDATE 9-12-05: Andrea and Mark's gallery is available EARLY! Go to our main website, and then the "Client Proofing" area to see their gallery in the lineup. Enjoy!

Our website's NEW LOOK!!

We mentioned a few days ago that changes were coming. And we've only recently finished the major portions of those changes. It was a lot of work — much more than I'd at first thought would be needed. But we're so pleased with the results, and we hope that you are, too.


You'll note a number of new features that come along with the site:

• first and foremost, a better way to see some samples of our images in both the Wedding and the Engagement galleries
  
• some insight into our style of photography and why we love what we do
• easy access to this very blog that you're reading, one of the latest and best ways to get to know us and hear about the things that excite us about wedding photography
• read about what a few others are saying in our behalf
• access to the Client Proofing area, where you can see your own online gallery
• NEW!!! The "Tell Others" feature gives our clients the opportunity to send a picture to your friends and to tell them about how over-the-top happy you are about your photographers! You may even find one of your own pictures in there to make a nice personalized e-card to your family and friends
• check out some basic information about the albums we offer
• and of course, you have the means to contact us and get more information about our services

We're incredibly excited about these latest improvements to our site because it says more about who we are than our previous website. And we feel that's important to you, our brides & grooms, so we can get on the road to making beautiful pictures together. We want to hear from you. So check out the new look of our site, Ulysses Photography. And leave a comment to us in this blog, or email us. We'd love to know what you think about the latest changes.
— Ulysses & Jenni

Jennifer and Ed's Wedding

Jennifer and Ed selected the expansive and beautiful view of The Eagle's Nest in Bloomingburg, New York, as their choice of wedding venue. Beautiful blue skies were just one clue that the day would move along perfectly.

Their day started with Jennifer changing into her gorgeously fitted gown, while Ed showered and dressed after a morning of paintball with his friends. We all met on the slope overlooking the valley, where Jen and Ed saw one another for the first time all dressed and prepared for their marriage vows. We enjoyed walking the grounds with them, taking pictures the whole time, allowing them to enjoy quiet and romantic moments together. Jen was simply stunning, and Ed couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

After their outdoor ceremony on the deck, they danced the night away and truly enjoyed their time with family and friends. Ed's heartfelt speech about how he came to know and love Jen was priceless and brought tears to everyone's eyes. We can highly recommend the food at the Eagle's Nest - the Chilean sea bass and chicken were both outstanding. Many thanks, Jen and Ed, for allowing us to be a part of your day.

Their online wedding gallery will be available in about a week. For now, here is a slideshow with an early preview of some of their wedding pictures (viewable on PC).

UPDATE 9-13-05: Jen and Ed's online wedding gallery is now available. Enjoy!

Changes are coming!

Changes are coming to Ulysses Photography, and we think you're going to love them almost as much as we do. We've been working hard behind the scenes to make your experience with us on the site even more enjoyable. So keep your browser bookmarked to this blog and to our main site. :-)

Just wait for it. . . .