It’s been a little while since I’ve shared any Brooklyn Family Photography here, but with a quieter wedding season this past year, I’ve had a chance to rediscover my love for these sessions.

Family sessions are about so much more than a holiday card or a birth announcement.   They are about capturing your little family in a moment in time.  I know days can seem long (especially these days in Covid quarantine), but trust me, the years fly by.  There is nothing more worthy of documenting than your family – your little legacy.

I met Matt and Sara at a wedding a few years ago, so when they reached out about photographing their new baby Cora, I was thrilled.  I went over on a chilly winter morning to photograph these three (well, four counting their snuggly and somewhat jealous pup Leia) in their home in Greenpoint.   I loved seeing how these two new parents navigated their morning with Cora and Leia, full of laughter and tenderness.   

To inquire about your own Brooklyn Family Photography Session (or anywhere else – I travel!) – check out my family page here.

The post At Home in Greenpoint – Brooklyn Family Photography appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

Of all the stylish hotels in Brooklyn for a wedding, The Wythe Hotel may just be my favorite.  Ashley and Miles planned their intimate Wythe Hotel Wedding for just twenty-five guests in the fall of 2020.

The day began in one of the hotel’s trendy suites, adorned with funky wallpaper and epic skyline views.  Ashley, her mom, friends, and adorable golden doodle puppy got ready in the gorgeous room.  I love photographing in this space, which has massive industrial style windows, letting in endless natural sunlight.  I always advise the couples I work with to choose a getting ready location with style, and the Wythe Hotel Wedding suites are one of the best.

Ashley and Miles had their first look right on Wythe Avenue in the heart of Williamsburg.  This trendy neighborhood offers endless photo opportunities against the graffiti walls and water towers that define Brooklyn.  They also included their sweet puppy in their portrait session!

We then headed up to Lemon’s Rooftop Bar at the Wythe Hotel for their ceremony.   As with all 2020 weddings, the couple could only include their closest family and local friends, which created an environment of intimacy so unique to these small weddings.  After saying their vows, they celebrated into the evening with toasts and a candle-lit dinner. 

It goes without saying that 2020 wasn’t what any of us expected, but for me, this return to small weddings with just the most important family and friends was the silver lining. 

The post Wythe Hotel Wedding – Ashley & Miles appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

After cancelling their big wedding celebration in Princeton, due to Covid, Lily and Cooper planned to move ahead with a downsized celebration.  They wanted to refocus on their family and closest friends, so decided to host a Charlottesville Virginia tented farm wedding on the bride’s aunt’s estate.  They headed south to historic Charlottesville, with only about 50 guests (and a few horses!). 

This Charlottesville Virginia tented farm wedding had special significance for me as I grew up just a few miles down the road from Lily’s aunt.  It was a complete coincidence that the couple moved their wedding to my hometown, but it was clearly meant to be!  After a long year of not seeing family due to all the safety restrictions, I got to finally see my parents and sister.  I truly felt the same joy and relief as all the wedding guests, who were reunited with each other after so long!  

And what a wedding it was!  With the help of Amore Events Co and Blue Ridge Florist, Lily and Cooper transformed their small, tented reception into a lush garden party with light blue table clothes, taper candles and vertical foliage.  The best part of the day was during the couple’s vows, when an orange butterfly landed on Lily’s veil and remained there for the rest of the ceremony, much to the delight of the couple’s guests!  These two had been through a lot to get to that moment, so it seemed like some sort of sign that all was now as it should be.  Though the evening was a bit tamer than usual in respect of Covid precautions, the night ended with an epic surprise firework show – a gift to the couple from her aunt.      

Planner – Amore Events Co

Hair & Makeup – Anna Breeding

Wedding Gown – Monique Lhuillier

Florist – Blue Ridge Florals

Sting Trio – The Bloom Trio

DJ – King Studios LLC

Catering – The Catering Outfit

The post Charlottesville Virginia Tented Farm Wedding – Lily & Cooper appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

2020 has been a year full of unexpected challenges for us all and for couples who planned to get married this year, it’s been full of a lot of hard decisions.  I’ve been so impressed with how I’ve witnessed couples forged ahead, either postponing their celebration to next year, or opting to move ahead with an intimate wedding.  For Margot and Scott, after cancelling their original big wedding in Detroit and dealing with all of the surrounding stress, planning a Greenwich Village micro-wedding with just their immediate family was the clear choice.

New Yorkers Margot and Scott live in in the Greenwich Village on one of the neighborhood’s trendy streets, full of cafes and shops.  Little do most passersby know, but just on the other side of their block of townhomes is one of New York’s famed private courtyards.  The couple’s adorable walk-up backs onto this tree filled oasis. With adjacent homes owned over the years by the likes of Bob Dylan, Anna Wintour and Baz Luhram, this courtyard has even been written about in the New York Times! 

After Covid forces them to postpone their original plan for a big wedding, this intimate, backyard spot for their Greenwich Village microwedding was the perfect solution.  Margot and Scott said their tearful vows in front of their parents and siblings, followed by champaign and caviar in the courtyard!  We then all drove the 45 minutes up to the groom’s family home in the Hudson Valley for canapés and a dinner under the stars. 

After a tough year full of postponed dreams for us all, it was so lovely to photograph this gorgeous Greenwich Village microwedding and all to surrounding joy.  I am really looking forward to a few more of these intimate celebrations this fall!

The post Greenwich Village Microwedding – Margot & Scott appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

I am not even sure how to express how much I adored Sam and Ryan’s Long Island boat engagement session. We began the day at Jones Beach playing in the surf with their sweet, goofy lab Rosie. You all know I’m a dog lover so when Sam texted me asking if she could bring her dog, I was thrilled!

As the sunset began, we crossed over to the bay and Sam’s dad picked us up in the family’s boat. The combination of the gorgeous sunset and Sam’s stunning white gown made me feel like I was being transported across the world and photographing in the Greek Islands. It was one of those evenings when I am reminded that I have the best job in the world.

I can’t wait for their wedding next fall at of of my favorite places, Peconic Bay Yacht Club with L. Marie Events!

The post Long Island Boat Engagement – Samantha & Ryan appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

The post Engagement Session Style Guide appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

From maternity to newborn to family (and all the snuggles in between) let’s document your most treasured moments.  Family sessions range from intimate, in home shoots to on location in some of NYC’s most iconic spots.

Get more info here!

The post Baby and Family Sessions appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

Morgan and Ansu have known each other since high school and after four years living together in Manhattan, Ansu proposed in Central Park.  They returned to this iconic NYC spot for their Manhattan evening engagement session, walking along the west side and into Bethesda Terrace.  The couple then hopped in a cab and headed down to their favorite neighborhood – The West Village where they strolled around admiring the restaurants and shops until night fell over the city.

Scheduling a Manhattan evening engagement session? Check out my Manhattan Engagement Session Location Guide!

The post Manhattan Evening Engagement – Morgan & Ansu appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

Talk about the perfect Manhattan evening! Becca, Brad and their adorable Frenchie Cosmo Took their Greenwich Village engagement photos on a beautiful spring evening. We began the session in the iconic Washington Square Park, then wandered deeper into the West Village, ending along the Hudson River waterfront. I can’t wait for these two’s wedding at The Roundhouse Beacon!

Wondering if a Greenwich Village engagement session is the perfect location for your shoot? Check out my NYC Engagement Session Location Guide!

The post Greenwich Village Engagement – Becca & Brad appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.

Beth and Keith’s Essex Yacht Club wedding was the culmination of a weekend filled with lots of fun and laughter.   When I first met these two for their Manhattan engagement session it was immediately clear that their relationship was one built upon a truly great friendship – one based in laughter and an absolute joy of being around each other.  It’s hard to capture a photo where these two aren’t naturally grinning from ear to ear – something I love to see as a photographer! 

The couple planned their Essex Yacht Club wedding in the groom’s Connecticut hometown.  The weekend began with a gorgeous waterfront rehearsal dinner at his family’s home, complete with al-fresco dining and fireworks!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – including rehearsal dinner photography coverage is my absolute favorite way to set the tone and tell the complete story of a wedding weekend.

The following morning the couple got ready at the historic Griswold Inn in downtown Essex.  The inn has been around since the time of the American Revolution and is a famous landmark in the quintisentially American town of Essex.  Beth wore a lace Reem Acra gown, while her bridesmaids light pink dresses perfectly captured the summery vibe of the wedding. 

Beth and Keith chose to do their first look a little differently.  Instead of the classic shoulder tap reveal, the couple instead greeted each other in the middle of town – with friends and family watching from the sidewalks and from their hotel windows!  It was the perfect, lighthearted way to begin their wedding day together.   They then took a classic car down to The Essex Yacht Club where they had their waterfront ceremony and danced the night away under a gorgeous white tent.  It was such a fun day and I am happy I got to know these two!

Venue – Essex Yacht Club

Hotel – The Griswold Inn

Event Planner – Blue Lane Events

Bride’s Gown – Reem Acra

Hair – Renee Russo

Makeup – Jennie Fresa

Florist – MAR Floral

Tent Design – Ryan Design

Band – Livewire Entertainment

Looking to see more yacht club weddings? Check out Elizabeth & Jono’s epic Riverside Yacht Club celebration!

The post Essex Yacht Club Wedding – Connecticut – Beth & Keith appeared first on Kelly Kollar Photography.