Liz Unterman Photography: Blog

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary Wedding

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 17:40:10 GMT

Sara + Chelsea

High Falls, New York

photography: Liz Unterman Photography
second photographer: Jennifer Morse
venue: The Gray Barn at the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
coordinator: Wild Blooms Bridal
flowers: Maple Field Florals
catering: Bridge Creek Catering
cake + desserts: Sweet Maresa's

Oh this sweet wedding pulled at all of my heart strings. Sara and Chelsea are a force of nature! Their love for each other, life, art, knowledge is infectious.

Sci-fi/goth inspired vegan wedding at a farm animal sanctuary - need I say more? Anyone who knows me, knows I was in heaven. Oh, and RED dress! Chelsea wore a red dress! Wait, TWO red dresses! These two know how to bring it (and get a photographer squeaking with excitement).

It all started at the Gray Barn, the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary's stunning new guest facility. It was the perfect location to get ready and have some chill moments before the wedding. It was large enough that Sara and Chelsea did not see one another while they were dressing.

We did the 'first look' in a large, wide open goat pasture. It was pretty epic. I loved seeing these two look at one another with so much love and respect. The goats all curious about our presence, came to greet us and made an appearance in many of the pictures.

While we took off to Mohonk Preserve to have a photo session at the "Million Dollar View" lookout, Sara and Chelsea's guests enjoyed a tour of the farm sanctuary and got to meet some of the animals. Jess, the Programs Manager, talked about the history of the organization as well as some of the life stories of individual rescued animals.

The ceremony took place in a beautiful cove hidden from the rest of the sanctuary. The soft afternoon light embraced us while Sara and Chelsea's friends and family shared their talents in honor of the couple. There were poems, songs, and reflections - all of which brought us right into the deepness of the love that these two share.

The reception was decorated beautifully with pops of red and glowing digitized table numbers. Chelsea changed into another amazing red party dress and the festivities began. A full vegan menu and a huge selection of vegan desserts was served followed by lots and lots of celebrating.

Enjoy this glimpse into the day.

Flower Obsession

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 18:04:12 GMT

Loving these flowers by Flowers by Helen at Rustic Ridge View Farms. They were so fun to photograph in the gorgeous September light.

And then came the butterflies...

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:53:07 GMT

Felicity + Dan

Returning to the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts for this wedding was a special gift. Felicity, the bride, is like a sister to me. And Dan, her partner, is a wonderful light that I was beyond excited to meet. These two were glowing and I was honored to be a part of the day. Then there was the location - the Montague Retreat Center in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. Hard to describe how amazing this part of the world is, but lets just say that true magic resides there.

It is not easy task to photograph a wedding of someone you know and love because the emotions are hard to hide. I always get emotional at weddings because they are such perfect expressions of love - but I can often hold back the tears. For a wedding like this, there was no holding back. My mascara ran. My auto focus went ON because I could not see from all the cries. My face got puffy. It happened and I did not care. It was worth it because it was that special.

Just when I thought my eye liner was safe from smudge...the monarchs came. They flew out of a book that Felicity held and they danced around her like fairies. She released them in honor of her beautiful mother Patty, who had passed several years ago. These butterflies pulled the tears out of us all. We all watched while Patty showed us that her soul was present and she gracefully wished the couple well. I knew she would not have missed this day for anything.

Hudson Valley Venue - Barn on the Pond

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:42:51 GMT

Brian + Madison

venue: Barn on the Pond in Saugerties, NY
flowers: Elizabeth Porter

Every detail of the Barn on the Pond and its surrounding property has been created so thoughtfully and creatively - and its beauty acts as the perfect metaphor for Brian and Madison's relationship.

This intimate wedding was such a big celebration of love, commitment, and happiness. The groom's father performed the ceremony on the barn's porch and shared valuable and realistic advice to the couple that touched everyone witnessing.

The family danced in the barn's livingroom and ate a glorious dinner on the porch. Rain forced the party indoors, but it turned out to be perfect and exactly what this wedding needed.

Hudson Valley Wedding Venue - Full Moon Resort

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 15:01:27 GMT

Tiffany + Evan

The Full Moon Resort is the type of Catskills wedding venue that dreams are made of. Tiffany and Evan knew their friends and family would love spending time here - and they were right. Every single person who came together to celebrate this wedding had a smile on their face the entire time. It was the perfect weekend experience for everyone.

Film is not dead

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 17:42:01 GMT

Digital gear rules wedding photography, but it is also fun to shoot with film on occasion. Some of my clients want to have at least a few special film images for their wedding day or engagement. Each analog image is a work of art.

These are a couple of shots taken with a square medium format Rollei cord camera.

Hudson Valley Wedding Venue - The Phoenicia Diner

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:14:11 GMT

P + D

P + D have been creating memories in the Hudson Valley for many years. With a home in the Woodstock area, they have spent quite a few weekends eating at The Phoenicia Diner. Like P + D, anyone who eats at this diner will return again. It is that good. That is why they thought it would make for an exciting and unique venue for their reception. I mean, who does not like diners!?

A diner is not a traditional type of wedding venue, but it was perfect for P, D and their family and friends to celebrate their union.

Rock & Roll Woodstock Wedding

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 18:49:28 GMT

Melissa + Joe
Woodstock, New York

If you share such a deep love for music, why not make it part of your wedding? That was what Melissa and Joe thought when they decided to marry on the Village Green right in the center of Woodstock, New York. This town is saturated with some of the greatest moments in American rock and roll history.

Melissa and Joe were able to celebrate their love for each other while also honoring one of their shared loves - music.

Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York

What better spot for a rock & roll photo opportunity than The White Dove Rockotel. Located right in Woodstock, this is THE place to stay if you want an amazing Woodstock experience with super sweet modern amenities (you know, disco balls, lights, projection of live music on your hotel room wall). Each room is a different theme using rock and roll as its inspiration. It is truly an experience (there actually is an Experience suite that is beyond cool), and Melissa and Joe loved posing in each space.

Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York

The husband and wife owners of the White Dove have meticulously designed every little detail of this hotel. The colors, vintage furniture, wallpaper, and art are a photographers dream backdrop.

Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York

Everything about Melissa and Joe fit in perfectly with vibe of the hotel and this special town.

Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York

After they said "I do" on the Green (smack in the middle of Woodstock), people came from all over to wish them well. Leah, the owner of the Garden Cafe (best vegan food ever), watched the ceremony from her restaurant window and then brought out a bottle of champagne for the couple to toast. Where else does that happen? I just love this town.

Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York Melissa and JoeWoodstock, New York

In the middle of it all, there is a calm and a peace - and just two lovely people looking to connect in the most special of ways.

peace, love and togetherness.

Wedding Traditions: Origami

ejunterman@yahoo.com (Liz Unterman Photography) — Tue, 31 May 2016 17:07:35 GMT

As a wedding photographer, I have the honor of witnessing a variety of wedding traditions. They can be very common - like the exchanging of rings - or they can be unique experiences passed down from generations of family members. Some are newly created by the couple as a way to combine different traditions and cultures. Either way, they are personally my favorite part of the wedding. In this photo blog series, Wedding Traditions, I will highlight some of these moments.

Here is a glimpse into Kenichi and Jiyeon's wedding which incorporated the tradition of the 1000 Cranes.

Kenichi + Jiyeon
venue: private home in Woodstock, NY

The couple covered this beautiful hudson valley property with one thousand origami cranes.

The time and energy put into the thousand hand-folded origami cranes symbolizes the patience and trust necessary to sustain a happy marriage.

The cranes not only symbolized an important family tradition, but it added so much beauty to the landscape. It also made a perfect spot for people to take pictures to have as memories of this lovely day.