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.

April Fool's

This image is perfect for the biggest day for playing jokes throughout the year, April 1st.

 

Wedding ceremonies are pretty standard.  We usually always know what is going to happen next and are ready to take the shot.  In this instance, we were wrong.  It is the most important moment in the ceremony, the Vows.  The priest is perfroming the ritual of asking the bride if she will take the groom to be her husband, when something goes wrong. The priest gives the wrong name for the groom.  OH NO!  As you can see in the picture, the groom is stunned.  He has no idea how to react at first.  The bride thinks it's hysterical, along with all of the guests.  The entire church begins to laugh.  Neal was right in the center of the aisle to capture this funny moment.  The priest made a heartfelt apology and said "April Fool's". Apparently he gave the groom's name for the ceremony he was to perform next.  I guess priests get a little confused too sometimes!  

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Ceremony - Christ the King

Photo Session - Buffalo Silo City

Buffalo Wedding Reception Venue - Pearl at the Webb

CASE OF THE MONDAYS!

Time to wake up and get back to work!  That’s not the case here.  Benny the dog is all dressed up for the big day, but doesn’t want to move off the bed. 

For this bride, her dog is the love of her life.  Well, besides her fiance, Nick Salvatore, of course. All she wanted was a photo of her dog with her Valentinos. Women, I know what you are thinking.  How can we put Valentinos anywhere near a dog? Our first reaction was, “I think Benny looks mad, take out the shoes immediately”.  Then he starting dozing on and off and we realized this little guy was just sleepy. It couldn’t have worked out better.  All we needed to do was put the shoes next to him.

You always have to be ready to snap the photo while working with pets. You may only have their attention for a split second. In this image, Neal was ready to take the picture while I got the dogs attention. Treats work well too!  The room had great lighting, so there was no artificial light to distract the dog.  Even after Neal got the shot, Benny did not want to move.  I guess it was time for a nap!

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Ceremony - Church of the Assumption, Buffalo NY

Buffalo Wedding Reception - Salvatore's Italian Gardens

Buffalo Wedding Videography - Bella Star Productions

Buffalo Wedding DJ & Uplighting - CJ Sound

Wedding Shoes - Valentino

Our Lady of Victory.

Let’s be honest.  A lot of people are not able to attend a wedding ceremony or choose not to go.  It’s difficult for small children to sit still and be quiet for an hour. This image was taken by Neal at Our Lady of Victory in Buffalo.  More commonly know as just the “Basilica”.  This local icon is known to rival the great churches in Italy.  

 

If you attend the wedding ceremony, pay attention, but do not be afraid to people watch, especially the little kids. This little guy was curious and exploring during the ceremony.  We almost weren’t sure where he was going to end up next.  Then this statue caught his eye.  The angel holding the bowl with holy water.  Most young children do not know the significance of holy water.  In this case, the little boy took it upon himself to start playing in the water.  From the angle of the shot, you would never know he was up to no good.  However, he was pretty quiet and most people didn’t even notice what he was doing.  He kept himself occupied for the rest of the ceremony.

This is one of the reasons why we always have 2 people photographing a wedding.  A set of eyes are always on the bride and groom, and the other can have the freedom to observe everything and everyone else!

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Ceremony - Basillica Our Lady of Victory

TAKING CENTER STAGE!

If you did not already know, it's prime play season here in Buffalo at Shea's Performing Arts Center.  People from all over come to the theater to watch some amazing shows come to life on stage.  This image is from a point of view that the audience would not normally see.

This beautiful couple chose to have their wedding reception at Shea's.  The reception actually took place on the stage. The guests got to experience the thrill of being on stage, if only for one night! Here, the Bride and Groom are having their first dance. The curtain is up, the spot lights are on, and all eyes are on the happy couple! What a dream come true! With this shot in mind, Neal asked the couple to just dance right in the center and he would take care of the rest. This angle captures the beauty of Shea's. You get to see the entire theater, with it's amazing ceilings, beautiful chandeliers, different seating levels, and the couple right in the heart of it all. What more could a photographer ask for!

-Danielle

Buffalo Wedding Photography by Neal Urban Studio

Ceremony - Trinity Episcopal Church 

Photo Session - Frank Lloyd Wright on the Lake - Graycliff

Buffalo Wedding Rececption - Shea's Performing Arts Center

Buffalo Wedding Caterer - Frontier Catering Service

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