Brooklyn Wedding Photographer » Engagements

Have fun. Be happy.

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:07:31 +0000

I hung out with Allie + Itai one afternoon a few weeks ago. When the light ran out and the photo taking ended we just sat and talked over coffee. No idea how long it was but it didn’t really matter. It was fun, and in the end I think that’s the point.

Have fun. Be happy. Go.

The New York Public Library

Culture Espresso Bar

http://katieosgood.com

Brooklyn Portraits ~ Abby + Ross

admin — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:31:02 +0000

I love mornings. I hate getting up for them, but once I’m up and I’ve had about a gallon of coffee I love them. They’re like second chances except you get one every day. The images below are from one such morning, The sun was perfect and the weather was just warm enough so Abby + Ross didn’t have to sport giant parkas, (which, let’s be honest, no one should ever wear for their portrait session). Anyway, I’m sharing these images because looking at them they gives me that warm fuzzy feeling, like I should be drinking apple cider or something. I think it’s Abby’s scarf that does it, or maybe the wintery bare trees in Prospect Park. Either way, that fuzzy feeling is there and it’s a gental reminder that the holidays are around the corner and that I need a red scarf just like Abby’s.

http://katieosgood.com

On Never Being Bored + A Brooklyn Engagement

admin — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:25:36 +0000

I’ve been overflowing with things to say lately, thoughts on work, on life, and of course on weddings. I’m sure all of the clients I’ve had coffee with in the past two weeks can attest to my ramblings. Thankfully they must have found it endearing or just didn’t mind since I’ll be shooting all of their weddings (which I couldn’t be happier about). Needless to say, it’s been a very busy summer. It’s going to be a very busy winter. I keep telling friends + family, “I’ll see more of you guys in December or maybe January— no no, I’ll see you in February”. I feel like I have so much work that must be done TODAY and after that work is done, there are about a hundred other boxes I need + want to check off. I have to remind myself to stop and breathe and I do— usually at the dog-park with a cup of coffee around 9am. The idea of boredom makes little sense to me. In all honestly it baffles me. There is so damn much to learn, so much to experience, and so many people to meet to share that with. How can life be boring? For me, the more I discover the more I know there is still to be discovered. Everyday is an adventure and an opportunity. I can choose to stay home and sleep or I can choose to live. I choose the latter. Most of the time anyway.

In keeping with my mission to embrace adventure, about a week ago I attended a workshop taught by one of my favorite photographers, Jonas Peterson. If you don’t know who he is, Jonas‘ work has had a huge influence on wedding photography in the last few years. Just look at his website— you’ll notice right away what I’m talking about. In his words— “I just shoot what makes sense to me.” Probably the best + simplest motto ever. I went less to find out some secret wedding photographer formula but really to meet the man behind the images + the words. Beyond just meeting Jonas (and a whole crew of other talented photographers), there were of course, a few things I wanted to know about. One being that I knew he edited his images considerably faster than most photographers I’ve met so I wanted to know what on earth he was doing. It’s just me over here, aside from people I hire: an accountant, a designer, and an occasional dog-walker, my time is my life and I want as much of it as possible. As it turns out he shoots more deliberately than anyone I’ve ever met and he’s not OCD when it comes to editing (cough cough, like me). He’s not going to sit there toying over the color balance of one image for 20 minutes. He’s a guy who trusts his gut and wants to tell the story that happened— the most real + most beautiful story possible. He doesn’t make groomsmen play games if it’s not what they really would be doing were he not there to photograph them (neither will I). His photography is honest. Forgive me for going on about it, but it was revealing but also affirming. There are things I can improve on but ultimately I’m just as good in my own right. We all have things we can be better at, (Jonas probably has less since he’s a crazy autodidact man), and everyone has a unique perspective. The images you see here are from mine and I promise each and every client that I will give their day everything I’ve got. I’m going to do what I do and as long as I trust that, and my clients trust that, we’re going to make some great images together.

If you made it this far, thank you, you’re a trooper. Below is a shoot I did a several weeks ago in Brooklyn Heights. Joanna and Kent live there and they wanted to shoot in a place that held importance for them. I met them near their apartment, where the address is coincidentally their wedding date— 1/27. The three of us just walked. We ended up on the Promenade near sunset. The light was insane. A week ago I would have cooled the color down a bit but thanks to Jonas‘ pep talk I didn’t. This is pretty much what it looked like so I left it and I’m kinda lovin’ it. :)

http://katieosgood.com

A Charming New Jersey Engagement

admin — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:06:56 +0000

It’s a rare occasion that I hit the streets of New Jersey. Being that I have to go over one bridge and at least one tunnel to get there, not to mention a boat load of traffic in Manhattan, it takes a some sort of photographic adventure to get me on the other side of the Hudson. But on this particular evening in June, I was absolutely delighted with what I found when I got there.

I met Rory and Steve at their Hoboken apartement to start. From there we headed downtown and just walked. If you haven’t noticed, that’s my absolute favorite approach to an engagmemt session. “Let’s just pick a place to start and take a walk” I say to most of my clients. That’s exactly what we did and I must to say— Hoboken is simply charming. It’s like Brooklyn but with fewer stoplights and affordable housing :-p

http://katieosgood.com

Muddy Boots and French Braids ~ A Farm Engagement

admin — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:36:01 +0000

When Jen and Topher told me they wanted to do their engagement session at their family farm I couldn’t have been more excited. Don’t get me wrong, I love the big city, but I’m a small town girl at heart and it doesn’t take much more than a simple suggestion and I’m ready to hit the road and hang out with some animals.

When I arrived at Cricket Creek Farm the evening before the shoot Jen gave me the grand tour, (this was actually the first time we had met). I saw the grass fed cattle, the free range chickens (seriously, they are just walking around), and learned a little more about what humane farming can be. Jen and Topher shared the history of the farm with me over dinner and then I hit the sack.

From the beinning the three of us had decided we should do the shoot at the crack of dawn. Since Topher gets up early to milk the cows that’s where we wanted their engagement story to begin…

The rest of the images are from around Cricket Creek Farm, a more sustainable, humane and refreshing alternative to big agra farms. If it weren’t for guys like Topher, his family, and the small group of people who help them out, this amazing place and others like it wouldn’t exist.

http://katieosgood.com

The Low Down on the “Engagement Session”

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:58:24 +0000

Whenever an engagement shoot is approaching for one of my clients I inevitably get an email asking what makes the best location, what they should wear, if they should bring props, etc. I generally try to keep my guidance simple but the ‘engagement session’ is something I’ve grown incredibly familiar with and I want to give my clients and anyone who’s about to have an engagement session, some helpful tips on how to approach your shoot. My photography is a mix between caught moments and directed poses. I don’t simply follow you around and hope to get a photo of you both looking happily into the camera. I have to tell you to do that, but in-between telling you how to sit or where to stand, I want to capture the real you. You’re together for a reason I want that to shine through. Here’s some ideas that might make your shoot less about trying to look perfect and more about documenting the real you.

WHAT’S THE POINT? To document you— as a couple. Who you are, what your style is, your youth, and of course, the interaction between you and your partner. Sounds cheesy right? Well, it can be, but the reality is it doesn’t have to be. Every couple is different, some couples are mushy and have pet names, others high-five each other and call each other ‘dude’. Others are silly and/or like to party, and some are ubber romantic and tenderly affectionate. The point is, whoever you guys are and the life you live right now, is the life worth documenting. On your wedding day, you’ll be dressed up and although you’ll look AMAZING you probably won’t look too much like your everyday self, especially if you’re not the type of girl to wear much make-up or the kind of guy who lives in t-shirts and jeans! So how about capturing a little bit of the REAL you— together?

HOW DO WE CHOOSE OUR LOCATION? When clients ask me where I think they should do their shoot, the first thing I tell them is to pick a place that has some sentimental value to them. It could be the spot he proposed, the place you met, your favorite bar or coffee shop, your local farmer’s market or Coney Island, or even the tiny studio apartment you share and but you know you’ll have to give up when you start building a family. With that in mind, we pick a starting place and we go from there. We’ll take a walk, maybe stop for a latte or a shot at your favorite bar. If we’re in the city we can hail a cab across town, or jump on the subway a few stops. Just think of your shoot as a little hang out session with photos snaps in-between.

WHAT DO WE WEAR? It depends, what do you like to wear normally? And if you wear scrubs everyday or a uniform of sorts, what would you wear everyday if you could. Although, now that I say that, I might actually opt for the scrubs, damn those things are comfy! Seriously though, there are no rules when it comes to your engagement session. They are your photos, and if you want to shoot in your gym clothes then so be it. But if you’re reading this then odds are you’re looking for some advice, so here are a couple things to consider when putting together your wardrobe. For one— color coordination!! I’m not saying to get all matchy-matchy, but think green with blue or blue and yellow. Beyond that, if one of you wears a solid, the other may want to consider a print like plaid or stripes. More than anything though, make sure you both are on the same page when it comes to how dressy or how casual you are. One of you shouldn’t be sporting a hoodie while the other is rockin’ a cocktail dress. So if you want to rock your gym clothes, cool, just make sure you’re both on board.

WHAT SHOULDN’T WE WEAR? There are only a few things I suggest couples avoid. When people view your photos you want them to be able to know a little something more about you and your partner. What you don’t want is someone noticing your wrinkled kakis, t-shirt artwork, or Abercrombie & Fitch logo before they even see your happy faces. The idea here, to look like your best self without loosing yourselves in the process. For example, if you hate wearing dresses don’t wear a dress just for the sake of looking ‘nice’. You won’t feel comfortable and that will come through in your photographs. If you’re partner doesn’t really wear bow-ties, don’t make him wear one. After all that’s not who he is, right? It’s about staying true to yourselves and avoiding simple things like wrinkled clothing, t-shirt artwork, logos, and athletic shoes— unless you’re BOTH going for the ‘athletic’ look for your shoot. Lastly, you may want to avoid all white or all black outfits since you’ll no doubt be sporting that on your wedding day.

SHOULD WE USE PROPS? Props are one of those things that can date your photos and cheesify them more than anything. That said, the right prop for the right reason can totally work, but 90% of the time, all we need to make a good shoot is you, your partner, and a willingness to take a walk around, show some love, and have some fun.

…and here’s some inspiration for you!

http://katieosgood.com

A guy, a girl, and a soaking wet pooch

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:53:12 +0000

It’s pretty simple, Tommy and Alisa are awesome. I dig them, their chocolate lab Tucker, the fact that they pulled me out of my typical shooting locations with a trip to Rockaway beach, and I dig that when Tommy proposed to Alisa he hid the ring in one of Tucker’s play toys. Such a clever idea! Of course, I had to ask if they actually played fetch with the diamond infused ball, Tommy said no. He just swapped one ball for another when the time was right and popped the question. Obviously, Alisa said yes. Congrats Alisa and Tommy and thank you guys for a lovely afternoon in the Rockaways!

http://katieosgood.com

Saturday Morning in Manhattan

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:56:11 +0000

When clients ask me if I have any suggestions for engagement shoot locations I give them two main ideas to work with. First, that they choose a place that has meaning to them. And second, that sometimes the best shoots are the ones that simply involve a walk around the city, (ideally a parts of the city that have some sort of personal importance). Basically— pick a location to start with and just see where the city takes us, which is exactly what these two native Canadians decided to do.

I first met up with Mike and Natalie around 9am at their apartment in Chelsea, from there we grabbed coffee at Cafe Grumpy, seriously best cappuccinos ever! From Cafe Grumpy, we walked around a bit more and wrapped it all up with a walk through Central Park. When it was all said and done around 10:30am we said our goodbyes and Mike and Natalie headed off to brunch. Not a bad way to start a Saturday right? Congrats to Mike and Natalie who will be tying the knot this year in Canada!

http://katieosgood.com

Reason #3 to love NYC: Fall Colors!!! ~ Andie + Pete are Engaged

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:36:19 +0000

Just finished editing this super cute shoot with Andie and Pete and I just had to share it. I’m under a mountain of work so I’m just going to say this: One of the many things to love about Andie and Pete— they met at Santa Con. Yes that’s right, where people dress up like Santa. Awesome, just awesome. I think I’m gonna need to go santa costume shopping soon… who in?

http://katieosgood.com