Holiday D.I.Y. Tutorial

 I recently teamed up with Thea from Hushed Commotion, Stacy from Styles on B, and Nicole Sievers Makeup Artistry to bring you this lovely tutorial.  These ladies are true experts in their field, and each of them had some great beauty tips that you can do at home, so be sure to check on the full post on Thea's blog, where you can also find her gorgeous accessories.

Happy holidays!!

xo
amber

Hair: Styles on B
Makeup: Nicole Sievers
Accessories: Hushed Commotion
Location: Patina Vintage

Kim+Hunter // Engagement

 So here is a fun little story!  Have you ever thought to yourself as you're getting ready to jump on a long flight, hmmmm??? Maybe I'll sit down next to a cute guy or girl, and we'll hit it off, and maybe they'll be my soul mate??  Well guess what!?  This is Kim and Hunter, and they met on an airplane sitting next to each other, and then it turned out, they lived only a few blocks from each other, and so began a romance that soon became an engagement!  They'll be getting married next year at the  Wythe Hotel!  There is is so much to say about this shoot!  First, this has been one of the best fall season's we have had in a long time!!  I wish that this weather and color palette could last forever, because as you can see, it has treated me well this!  Second, this was one of those drizzly overcast days, which I love, but it's not always how people picture their engagement photos, so I had to check in with them to make sure they were cool with that, as you can see, they were down!  Overcast days, just make the colors pop so much, and it's so easy on the skin!! I just love how much the colors come through, as well as how easy they were to work with!!  As I've said man times before, so much of photography is about trust, and you really have to surrender to get good shots!! If you are busy worrying about anything, it will come through in the photos, so you want to make sure you trust your photographer, and that you get to have a good time!  New York City is gritty, and you have to embrace it!   That's very much a part of my credo when it comes to shooting here, you have to work with it, and accept it, which did not come naturally to me at first, but now I love it!  I'm from California, where everything is beautiful, and here it's a concrete jungle and you have to learn to embrace it. Now, when I shoot here, it's like this fun little challenge every time to make it fresh, make it fun, and make it feel as alive as it is.  I love these photos so much because I really feel like it looks like Brooklyn, it looks like their neighborhood, it's their train line that sometimes gets shut down, and you just have to make the best of this life, and embrace it all!  The best part of this story his how they met!!

Congrats Kim and Hunter!

xo
amber

Elana+Frank // Prospect Park Picnic House

I have to say, I have the great pleasure of working with some of the most interesting and lovely people out there!

When I first met Elana and Frank, I was genuinely fascinated!  I felt like I had never met anyone quite like them, and couldn't help but be smitten with this lovely duo, that clearly are head over heels for each other!!  They are two people who are genuinely who they are, and are clearly not trying to be anyone that they are not.  That was evident from the jump, when Elana walked in with her 1960's print on print vintage regalia, orange hair, and cat eye glasses.  Meanwhile Frank was donning his more subdued hesher gear, as he is a devout lover of heavy metal, which starkly contrasts his sweet quiet demeanor.  I hope I am painting an accurate portrait, because as we continued to talk, I was more and more intrigued by Elana's evidently vivacious personality, which is what probably makes her so good at what she does!  Elana is an amazing political activist and has managed to make quite an impact on worker's rights here in NY, I wanted to include that, as you never know who might be able to benefit from this knowledge.  I'm an connecter at heart, and love making sure people know about each other.  I digress, but I needed to include that!  Back to the wedding, as you can see, unflinching commitment to personal style is carried out through the wedding day, as Elana did not choose to wear white, or a formal gown for the matter.  She chose 1960's vintage cocktail dress, while Frank matched with his amazing attire and well groomed chops!  They couldn't have asked for a more amazing fall day, and I'm so beyond thrilled to have captured their day!  Thank you both, and your lovely families for having me!

xo
amber

Venue: Prospect Park Picnic House
Bride: Elana Levin
Groom: Frank Smith