Happy Thanksgiving

We want to stop a moment and wish you all a very Happy Turkey Day!

We are thankful for our families and to our extended “Tackeff Photography” family that have allowed us to share in so many special smiles on so many special days…

We are thankful for all the well wishes and ecstatic that many of you voted us to be one of

The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 Picks.

Thank you ~

Brooke & Steven

www.steventackeff.com

Mary Ellen & Michael’s Engagement Session
Fort Tryon Park, New York, New York

Setting the stage for those who didn’t read the last post…  After a rain out in which we tried to schedule two sessions in the same park, we ended up in Fort Tryon Park twice in the same week. Mary Ellen and Michael’s session was the later of the two and although we visited many of the same spots in the park (most recognizably the exterior of The Cloisters and the big Archway thingy), their session had a completely different feel.  The light was very different, so many of the things we did in our previous photo shoot would not have “worked” like they did two days earlier.  However, from new light, you find new opportunity!  For instance, you’ll notice a big difference in the way we photographed the arches.

We are giving Michael the good attitude award for coming out and rockin’ it, considering he was getting over being sick.  And we’re giving Mary Ellen props for swank.  She knows how to work a camera.  ;)  These two are a ton of fun and we know that their wedding at The Crystal Plaza is going to be even more of a blast!

www.steventackeff.com

Joyce & Clifton’s Engagement Session
Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY

We shot two engagement sessions in a row at Fort Tryon Park.  Originally, both sessions were supposed to be on the same day, but rain clouds rearranged our schedule and we ended up going to the park Friday and Sunday of the same week.  What’s consistently interesting about engagement sessions (just like with weddings) is that it doesn’t matter how many times you go to the same place, sessions tend to be amazingly different because different couples bring their own chemistry and flare with them.  Plus, if you look hard enough you can always find something new - a new location, a different way of looking at the same structure, a new angle - even the light varies dependent upon time of day or even the time of year…

Clifton and Joyce definitely brought their own uniqueness to their engagement session.  They brought a willingness to get in and try stuff.  Their session was filled with adventure!  They walked, jumped, leaned, piggy backed, kissed and even sat on the edge of a cliff in the name of photography!  We had a great time with these two and are very much looking forward to all the new adventures we’ll share next April when they get married at the Crystal Plaza.

Larissa & Joe’s Wedding
Seasons Catering, Washington Township, New Jersey

We started off with Larissa and her bridesmaids.  This girl has some serious taste.  Her dress was beautiful and oh those Jimmy Choos!  ;)   Then off to St. Catherine’s of Sienna in Cedar Grove for the ceremony.  On the way to the church, one of the limos got lost and Larissa and her father had to sit outside the church and wait for some relatives to arrive.  Two things worth mentioning - one is that Larissa was amazingly calm and patient.  The other is that in that extra time we’re normally not afforded, we were able to take a bunch of extra limo photos.  Looking into the limo through the windows…  Larissa and her father from inside the limo…  coming out of the limo…  so from a less than ideal situation we turned it into something productive and fun.

After the ceremony we headed to Verona Park with the bridal party for some fun, casual park photos.

Larissa and Joe had a gorgeous wedding… an amazing beach bash, despite it being the fall and not being anywhere near the ocean!  They decked Seasons out with all sorts of whimsical seaside accents.  Instead of traditional place cards they used starfish placed in little sandboxes.  Instead of traditional favors they had a photo booth like you’d find on the boardwalk.   The bars and tables were decorated with seashells and candles (everywhere).  We loved the ice sculpture sand castle and the endless amounts of seafood during the cocktail hour.  We loved how all the reception tables were named after beaches.  And we very much loved their wedding cake covered in sugary seashells.  This wedding was visually delicious!

We just added a new Spotlight Gallery to our website!  Take a moment to check out some highlights from Astaire and Ray’s beautiful wedding at the Westin Governor Morris, by clicking here!

We hope to add a few more spotlights in the coming weeks.

www.steventackeff.com

THE SWANK SESSIONS
A marriage of Image, Style & Class!

We are ecstatic to announce THE SWANK SESSIONS - a luxury boudoir experience!  We are also excited to have partnered up with Michelle Lo Conte of Pink Comb Salon/I Do Hair and Make-Up who will make you “photo glamorous” for the sessions.

We are currently running a fun promo for those who sign up by November 11th, so give us a call/email and schedule your session.  Early sign-up perks include: $50 in Print Credit to apply toward your favorite photos, a $25 Pink Comb Salon Credit valid anytime between December 1-31st and 50% off some serious pre-session pampering at Michelle’s Salon.  Details below!

Rachel & Danny’s Wedding
Cafe Panache, Ramsey, New Jersey

Rachel and Danny based their entire wedding day around love and corn ravioli.  While big weddings with all their trimmings are undoubtedly fun, sometimes it takes an intimate wedding to remind us what a wedding day is really all about - sharing simple joy with good friends and good family.  Rachel and Danny decided to add good food and wine to that list, by enlisting Cafe Panache to host their reception.  The couple shared an intimate dinner with their guests that Included a course of corn ravioli (the bride’s favorite) and for dessert, a magnificent cake from Pink Cake Box that was just as delicious on the eyes as on the palette.

While Steven and I are a “team,” occasionally we do fly solo.  I photographed Rachel and Danny’s wedding alone, due to the intimate nature of their event (small guest count, no dance floor, etc).  Considering, Rachel and Danny will still have plenty of great memories to flip through as I was kept busy clicking away.  This wedding had a ton of great backdrops from Mom & Dad’s beautiful home where everybody was getting prepped, to the Fieldstone Art Gallery & Sculpture Garden where we took some fun snaps, to the outdoor ceremony spot and then all the way across the street to the candlelit Restaurant, Cafe Panache.  Enjoy a small glimpse at Rachel and Danny’s Day!

www.steventackeff.com