EXCITEMENT IN BABEVILLE!

Wow! I know what you’re thinking, “A guy with a sword at a wedding”. How crazy is that?  Well, it did happen, among some other amazing things.

This reception was one for the books. It took place at Asbury Hall in Buffalo, also known as “Babeville”. The Bride and Groom had the guests sitting on the edge of their seats. The couple are very into the arts. The Bride is a belly dancer that travels all over performing. The Groom is a videographer that films many of these performances and helps bring them to life.

It all started before we even got out of the car at Babeville. In the parking lot, there were fire twirlers, also called POI. It was amazing to see in the middle of a downtown Buffalo parking lot. We could only imagine what the rest of the night would be like. During the announcement of the bridal party, there were belly dancers leading the way. Then during dinner, the lights dimmed and out came performers using neon light hoola hoops and swinging around neon light ropes. The reception hall was glowing. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, a guy with a sword comes out. He was swinging them around and doing all sorts of crazy acrobatic moves. People were in awe. You can see the Bride and Groom in the background watching in amazement. I was a bit scared and stayed further back. Neal was all over the dance floor trying not to get sliced by the swords to get some great images. He was head on with the swordsman when he took this shot. What an awesome image! All that was going through my mind was, “Oh my God, don’t slice Neal in half”.

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Cermony location & Photo Session - Delaware Park

Buffalo Wedding Reception - Asbury Hall

Buffalo DJ - Premier Sound

Buffalo Videography - Candlelight Productions

LOOK OUT BELOW!

This is an angle you don’t see often for a wedding ceremony! But it’s pretty cool! Thank you to one of our awesome assistants, Leah, for capturing this image.

This wedding took place at the Barton Hill in Lewiston NY. The ceremony was on the balcony. There were three of us shooting this wedding, so we all needed to try to get different angles. The space was not very big either, so it was time to brain storm and figure out a way for all of our images to look different.

After a few minutes, Neal noticed there was another balcony above the ceremony spot. Neal thought it would be great to put one of us up there during the procession. He asked Leah if she was up for it. All she needed was to figure out how to get up there. The Barton is also a hotel, so Leah went upstairs and noticed there wasn't public access. Little did we know, the balcony above were private to the guests who booked those rooms. Leah traveled downstairs to the lobby to see if she could have room access but all rooms were booked. Leah came back up the the second floor to give us a status update. Not giving up, Leah went back up to the thrid floor anyway and knocked on one of the doors. She explained to the guest that she was photographing a wedding and would love to grab a quick shot from above. The guests were so nice and let her in. They even stayed out there to watch the ceremony! Leah got quite the work out going up and down the stairs but the shot was well worth it!

As you can see in the image, Neal is at the front of the aisle capturing the procession. I am getting a shot from behind the Bride in the doorway and Leah is above. You can even see the mother of the Bride and a guest behind the judge who wanted in on the action too with their iPhones/iPads! But the person who got the best shot was Leah. Great shot Leah!

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography byNeal Urban Studio

Buffalo wedding Ceremony & Reception - Barton Hill Hotel & Spa, Lewiston NY

Buffalo Wedding DJ - Shy Guy Shawn of Kiss 98.5

HAPPY EASTER!

Everyone is feeling Spring in the air. (Well trying to). This is a time where people get bright, new, fun outfits and want to show them off!

We had the pleasure of photographing these two cuties in their colorful matching dresses in Neal Urban Studio. After we got some basic portraits, we decided to have some fun with these sisters. We have a bed for photo shoots in studio and the little girls kept eyeing it. After we cleared it with the parents, we asked the girls if they wanted to jump on the bed. They were ecstatic! Neal was set up with his camera facing the bed. I stood to the side of the bed incase the girls got too crazy jumping. We told the girls to have fun and jump. Neal kept clicking away to see what would happen. We got more fun images than we thought. We loved this image the best! They are having so much fun. Just look at those faces. The one sister definately got some air!

When all was said and done, the girls looked exhausted. It looked like it was nap time! Mom and Dad said they were going to bring them by every morning to tire them out!

-Danielle

Buffalo Family Photography by Neal Urban Studio 

SUN GODDESS

Let's face it, the weather in Buffalo needs to change.  It's time for the snow to melt and feel the sun on our skin!  

We were in the bridal suite at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore Maryland.  It was about 20 minutes before the ceremony and the Bride was ready to get married.  We were just documenting behind the scenes and there was a giant window with beautiful light coming through.  I asked the bride to stand in the window and hold open the curtains.  With a slight glance down to her right shoulder, and snap snap!  That was the shot!  The rays of light hit the Bride and she was glowing.  We turned it to black and white because it brings out more emotion on the Bride's face.  But you still get the feeling of the Bride getting kissed by the sun!

-Danielle

Neal Urban Studio

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY...UNLESS YOU ARE NEAL URBAN!

One of the only parts of a wedding that cannot be controlled is the weather, especially in Buffalo. It could be 60 degrees one day and snowing the next. Just like the past few days.

It was gloomy and rainy on and off the entire day for this wedding at the Yodelers Lodge, in Ellicottville. The Bride and Groom knew there was nothing they could do about it and went with the flow. We assured them we would get something really cool and not to worry. The reception was coming to an end and the couple was having a great time with everyone on the dancefloor. So, Neal decided to take a walk outside and see if there were any awesome shot ideas. He grabs me and says he needs me to test out a shot before we get the couple. It starts pouring out and makes the idea even better. Neal wants the couple outside with an umbrella in the rain. It's sounds cliche, until the finished product!

We talk to the couple and tell them our idea. They are ready to tough it out and trust Neal's judgement. Neal and I get set up first. Neal has his camera and is ready to shoot, while holding an umbrella over himself covering the gear. I am ready with lighting and umbrella over myself. The newlyweds get into position and we get to work. Neal says it all looks great but, "Danielle we can see your umbrella. You need to lose it". Great... I knew the image was going to be awesome, so I couldn't argue. I threw it aside and got drenched. Let's just say the hour and a half ride home was not too comfortable. But the end result was amazing!

-Danielle

Ellicottville, NY Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Photo Session & Reception - Holiday Valley

Buffalo Wedding DJ - CJ Sound

BELLES OF THE BALL

This beautiful staircase is located at the Avanti Mansion in Buffalo,NY. It is a great venue for a wedding. In this image, it is being used for the bridal party to process into the ceremony.

Everytime I see this image, I think of a grand ball taking place in a giant mansion. In this case the Avanti Mansion! It seems as though the little girls are being announced into the party like princesses. It could be the biggest moment of their childhood. They were actually the flower girls in the wedding party.They were to walk down each side of the staircase and meet at the bottom. Without falling!!! I was facing the stairway head on in between all the guests. I had the shot in mind before the ceremony started. I was just hoping that none of the guests got in the way. Very nicely before the ceremony, I introduced myself to the few guests in the aisle and told them my vision. They all thought the idea was beautiful and respected that I had a job to do. I got set up and the flower girls did the rest! And an awesome job I'll say!

If there is a really awesome shot we want to get, we have no problem talking to people to make it happen. We want to keep a good relationship with everyone and not step on any toes. We are there to get amazing images for the couple! And it worked out great here! 

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Buffalo Wedding Ceremony & Reception - Avanti Mansion

Buffalo Wedding DJ - Toy Bros.

You make me wanna shout!

It’s Friday and the weekend is here! Why not start it off with this image taken during a wedding reception at Statler City in Buffalo. Some of the best images of the night take place on the dance floor, so don’t leave early or you’ll miss out on these fun photo opportunities. 

If you have seen the movie “Animal House” then you know these iconic moves. You know it will be a great party when the Bride and Groom get in on the action to this song.  And that is exactly what happened here.  What makes this image even more special is the parents and siblings of the Bride and Groom are taking part and surrounding the happy couple. The dance floor was so pack, Neal had to crawl over the crowd to get this shot. The newly joined families had such a close relationship to one another that it was well worth the crowd surfing to capture them on the dance floor together.  

We got the pleasure of capturing hundreds more of exciting images just like this throughout the whole night. The party never stopped!

Don’t be afraid to let loose and show off your dance moves at the reception. The Bride and Groom will appreciate it and we’ll be there to document!

-Danielle

Neal Urban Studio

OMG, it's snowing!

Snow in spring!  That’s what happens living in Buffalo NY and why today’s image is a great choice.  We are all dreaming of being somewhere on a beach like this right now!

Rick and Leanne had their destination wedding at the Sandals WhiteHouse in Jamaica. I highly recommend going there!  What a beautiful location for a wedding!  Getting there was another story.  Flying out of Buffalo in March is always tricky.  There was a snow storm when everyone was to fly out, so all flights were cancelled.  All friends and family drove to either Baltimore or Pittsburg to catch a flight.  Neal and I rented a car and took the icy drive to Pittsburg to catch ours. It was all worth it in the end when everyone arrived safely in paradise to celebrate this wonderful couple’s wedding and new life together.

Rick and Leanne’s wedding took place around sunset right on the beach.  We couldn’t have asked for a better location. Right after the ceremony concluded, it started to rain.  Panic attack!  But a quick 5 minute downpour lead to this beautiful sunset.  It was impossible to take a bad shot.  This image was taken by Danielle Urban with all natural light.  The scenery was amazing!  All we needed was for Rick and Leanne to take their first walk down the beach as a married couple and capture the moment.

Rick and Leanne just celebrated their first anniversary a few weeks ago, so Happy Anniversary to them, and here’s hoping for some warmer sunny weather in the weeks to come!

-Danielle

Destination Sandals White House Jamaica photography by Neal Urban Studio

Ceremony, Photo Session, Reception, Videography & Hotel accomodations - Sandals White House, Jamaica