Connecticut Wedding Photography - Karen Leaf » Weddings

Sara and Tim’s Wedding Album

Karen Leaf — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:17:17 +0000

Eolia Mansion Wedding : Sara and Tim: Part 2

Karen Leaf — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:29:03 +0000

Continued from yesterday, and picking up with Sara who is a most elegant and beautiful bride:

I know it’s a good toast when I am wiping away tears….

And Pete wants to hire Tim’s brother as entertainment for his next family function.

TAB LE WARS!

I NEED COMMENTS— WHOSE TABLE WAS THE MOST FUN ????

WHOSE EVER TABLE GETS THE MOST VOTE WILL ‘GIFT’ AN 8X10 TO TIM AND SARA–THE HAPPY COUPLE’S CHOICE!

I gotta say how much I love the Hora! Wish it lasted about 1/2 hour, although I’m betting Tim and Sara were glad to be on solid ground again.

Mad Dog 2020… Guys, it makes my stomach ache from the good times in ‘76…. that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

And what a way to end the night-at least in Waterford.

Thank you both for your warmth and hospitality. Pete and I were treated like family and it was pure joy to document your love and celebrations.

Eolia Mansion Wedding : Sara and Tim, Harkness Park, Waterford CT

Karen Leaf — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:18:06 +0000

Sara and Tim

I’m not gonna say much here (except when I can’t help myself) and let the pictures tell a story of an amazing day.

Part One of Two:

I wish I could say this little guy was practicing Superman moves, but NO! Took a header on the slopped path at the Amphitheater. I felt my wrist break all over again. Thank goodness some loving and kisses brought him back to rights.

Maddie won my heart-not only her sweet nature thru the day, but as I was leaving she pulled on my hand, very shy, and handed me a calla lilly.

I very nearly cried.

MAZEL TOV!!!

This cake was one of the most beautiful I have seen. Having dappled in cake decorating in my younger days, I was blown away by the detail work.

Simply gorgeous.

Part 2 tomorrow, or when the storms end.

Date: May 1st

Ceremony Location: Eolia Mansion, Harkness Park, Waterford CT

Reception Location: Eolia Mansion, Waterford CT

Caterer: A Thyme to Cook

Cake: Yummy Cakes by Lynn

Flowers: Hoelck’s Florist

Washington DC, Engagement Session, Cherry Blossom Festival

Karen Leaf — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:35:05 +0000

Such a GREAT visit to DC over Easter weekend with the Cherry Blossoms at their peak!

Even tho it started shaky with the train being canceled the night before because of the record flooding in Rhode Island, which made me get on a plane (!) it turned out to be a fabulous weekend in my favorite city. Except maybe Boston.

Had a great visit with Morgan and Jerry with delicious restaurant fare and my first ever Melting Pot experience, but what I really came down for was to see the Cherry Blossoms at their peak and for Emily and Patrick’s engagement session.

Here are a few of DC and Morgan and Jerry; Em and Patrick will be up soon.

Union Station at about 4.45. In the morning. No flash and hand held. Helps when I haven’t had coffee yet. I love trains and their stations.

Morgan and Jerry and it’s a wonder the other half million people didn’t get into their shots. YIKES! Lotsa people.

So rare that I take the time to smell the flowers so these were a real treat for me. So colorful, especially compared to the early Connecticut spring that seems more like hurricane weather with all the rains.

My beautiful daughter Morgan. I’m so proud of her.

Happy Birthday, Lou.

More candids from the Bridal show at Foster Country Club

Karen Leaf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:49:32 +0000

Just some quick grabs from the show–didn’t get to all the vendors–Sorry! (Ed, I did stop at your booth, but just as I shot, some one decided to enter your drawing and bent down to write-not the best angle.)

I’ve got to give a special shout out to my construction guy, my sniper second shooter, my taxi guy (for the past few weeks) and all around indispensable right hand guy, Pete. He never yells at me for doing or suggesting something stoopid, and is always in good cheer. He can make even the most shy person become the star of the PHOTOBOOTH! (Not that the guys from Big Daddy needed any encouragement, lol!

THANK YOU! xoxox

Julie demonstrating some of the dance moves that she teaches.

Mark’s Favorite Prop ( Desired Weddings)

Christine’s Cottage Florist

Big Daddy Entertainment

These guys are great. Anyone who stamps their feet without thinking during Sugar Shack is ok in my book.

Connie’s Salon

Chocolate Rose

The Perfect Look

Foster Country Club

Wellington Curtains and Gift Shoppe

The Arc of Quinebaug Valley

And of course, Sandy of Desired Weddings and Events

Julie’s Mom is a hoot! We are gonna get along just FINE at Julie and Dan’s wedding on New Year’s Eve!

Foster Country Club Bridal Show

Karen Leaf — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:23:27 +0000

was so much fun today–lots of brides to be and a variety of vendors to meet and re-connect with.

Thanks Sandy, from Desired Weddings and Special Events in Putnam (who happens to be directly below me at the new shop ) for organzing another wonderful opprtunity for brides and suppliers.

Will get more of the show up tomorrow, but here is a little teaser from the photobooth. SO MUCH FUN! Some people are a little shy before hitting the booth, but they don’t stay that way for long. LOTS of smiles and giggles. I love it! For a limited time the photobooth is available for free in the special 8 hour wedding package. I’ve told Pete, who is a great PB orchestrator, that we will have to switch with me 1/2 way thru. No way can I miss out on so much fun

Publick House Weddings: Liz and Mike, Sturbridge MA

Karen Leaf — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:39:21 +0000

Liz and Mike were married Friday with a wonderful winter wedding at the Publick House in Sturbridge MA–light snow, relatively warm temps, clear roads, and fun that wouldn’t quit.

LOTS of photos!

Are those working buttons ?!!?!?!?!?

Doesn’t Liz make the most beautiful bride?

Liz and Mike decided to do a first view before the ceremony

And all the formals! A real time saver, and everyone could get right into the cocktail hour!

I love sequential shots that tell the story a few moments–these were from the few quiet moments the bridal party had before the ceremony started.

I don’t wanna wear shoes! Mia, I’m with you on that!

A fabulous ceremony table! Friends and family, past and present to help and suppost Liz and Mike on their journey. VERY touching!

That’s enough–I am SO done with this!

I told you guys that nothing would escape our lenses!!

Holy smokes. I wouldn’t want this job–even with 2 hands!!!!!!

One of my favorites of the day–Johnny stole Liz for a few alone minutes.

The softball crews

Thank you all for your hospitality, your warmth and laughter.

A few special thanks since this was a bit unusual for me.

9 days before the wedding I broke my wrist in 4 places, when the dog walked me over black ice and I went flying.

Literally, before I got into the house, my first thought was ‘oh rats’ (insert your favorite expletive here and rats is not my favorite)’what am I gonna do on the 26th. Immediately after I got x-rayed the next day, my mind was at ease when Johnny agreed to come and help out. I didn’t think I would last through 3-4 hours and I couldn’t risk a collapse over the dinner plate I know Pete, who is my current second shooter, is a fabulous sniper with the long lens, and I figured I could work at least part of the day, but really needed to make sure Liz and Mike had what they were contracted for. Thank you Liz, for not missing a beat when I had to make the awful phone call telling you about my situation–for trusting that the day would go as planned. You’ll never know how much that conversation contributed to recovery.

As it was I think we got some of my all time favorite images — I had to work with a lighter lens than what I normally use-but it afforded some real creativity with the shallow focusing, Pete used other than his normal lenses, also with shallow focusing and Johnny made use of off camera lighting for the formals and reception that I would never have been able to do, one handed. Thank you all. We made a great team

I hate having my picture taken but this one during the formals light setups made me laugh. Man, I gotta get the sling right!

Date: February 26

Ceremony and Reception Location: Publick House, Sturbridge MA

Crocker House Weddings: Heather and Scot, N. Stonington and New London, CT

Karen Leaf — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:43:52 +0000

The Wedding of Heather and Scot-North Stonington and New London, CT

Warning: if at work turn off your speakers Heather and Scot incorporated my favorite wedding song into their ceremony so I had to incorporate it into their post.

Such a glorious winter day, and I’m not necessarily talking about the weather.

Thank you for sharing your families, and your love.

Happy travels to you both.

xoxoxoxo

Date: February 13

Ceremony Location: Grace Fellowship Church, North Stonington CT

Reception Location: Crocker House, New London CT

Coordinator: Joanne, Matthews Catering

Caterer: Matthews Catering

NEW PORTRAIT STUDIO!

Karen Leaf — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:12:19 +0000

Well, it’s being painted and primed and stuff won’t be moved in until Thursday–but it’s getting there! SO MUCH SPACE! Beautiful natural lighting if the weather co-operates, and PLENTY of space for the lights if it doesn’t. Gonna be a little ‘boudoir’ studio area, space for the sets and lots of space for larger groups. I really want to get a space for kids to feel comfy so that’s a big priority. New track lighting too, and getting rid of those lovely florescents (shiver!)

An enormous thank you to Pete–without him it wouldn’t even be photographable (and if there is one thing I HATE to do is strip wallpaper; Pete just told me to find something else to do and got it done in a day, and to Armand who helped patch and patch and sand and patch

The before pictures:

2 Main shooting areas ~18′ wide, total 33′ long

I want to make this a quiet nook

The other end of the 2 main shooting areas-check that nicely blown light

Hallway to downstairs (and outside entrance) and Desired Weddings!! One stop shop for brides!

Conference and a place to relax.

‘After’ pictures are gonna take a while–maybe a week or 10 days cause there’s a big wedding coming up a week from tomorrow–yay Heather and Scot,and a bridal show on the 14th (Indian Ranch, Webster MA–come on out!) some senior pictures over the weekend, a ball game on Sunday. Maybe some more in progress as the week goes on.

WHOOT! Who said January was good for down time?

Karen Leaf — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:34:05 +0000

Along with the normal on slaught of wedding inquiries and bookings (yay!! Thanks to you all!) just got the Photo booth in and can’t wait to start using it!! Open air design with on site printing available for weddings, corporate events, bar/ bat mitzvahs, kids parties–any place you want your guests to have a good old fashion crazy time! Call/email for details! We’ll have it operating at the Bridal Show at Indian Ranch on Valentines Day, so if you are getting married and want to check out the goods, shoot me an email. Registration at the show is free, but pre registration is suggested.

So excited! Just signed a lease for my first real studio–and it’s none too early. I’ve been tripping over photo stuff in my front rooms for about 3 years (I NEVER give up!) and those clients-usually boudoir girls–have suffered from me climbing over stuff, constantly adjusting the lights to accomodate the tight shooting space, no real dressing area, etc etc etc. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been great fun and nothing beats working in your PJs, but it’s time to MOVE UP!!

Office and studio will be located on the second floor of the old Labonte and Mercik building on Providence St in Putnam, right above Sandy Ouelette’s Desired Weddings Bridal and Prom Store.

Just some minor painting and electric work, and arranging and placing all the ’stuff’ and then we’ll be having a GRAND OPENING! Look for some in-process pics, starting tomorrow, maybe