Lindsey & Brad’s Engagement Session

Lindsey contacted me not long ago hoping to book an engagement portrait session with her fiance, Brad, before their wedding in June upstate. I mostly shoot engagement sessions with couples I book weddings with, but if you are getting married far away but want to capture yourselves here in the city please know I do them “a la carte” as well as part of wedding collections. So don’t hesitate to get in touch. Lindsey & Brad live just off Canal Street over a cute little footbridge that separates the west side where they live from the more heavily trafficked area near the subways. We shot around their neighborhood and ended up by the river just in time for sundown. Check out my favorites!

Stephen & Jessica’s Engagement Portraits: West side & High Line Park

Stephen & Jess are getting married this August at the ever-beautiful Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I can hardly wait to see Jess all bride’d up, she’s such a gorgeous gal, Stephen is one lucky duck I must say. She’s a published author too, check out her book! For their engagement session we wanted to capture a bit of manhattan and of course the High Line Park is a favorite destination for many couples- that place is just so pretty and romantic to walk, if you haven’t been there find a time you can stroll the length of it with a significant other (or a friend!)– it’s not to be missed. Of course it is windy, and narrow… and sometimes crowded, so as a photography location it’s got it’s pros and cons of course. But with a little patience and careful background selection I like to think it’s totally doable! You be the judge– aren’t these two just sweet as can be? Here are my favorites…

Alison & Peter’s NYC Wedding: St. Luke in the Fields & Bridgewater’s at South Street Seaport…

Alison & Peter had gorgeous weather for their whirlwind of a wedding day– we took photos everywhere from their amazing rooftop with cityscape views to a fun local bar around the corner to the garden at the church they got married in, the lovely St. Luke in The Fields, and finally a few shots down in the South Street Seaport before heading to the evening reception.  I started in their apartment where Alison was getting ready (hair by Jackson, makeup by Lara DiPietro) while my 2nd shooter, Zack, hung out with the fellas, who were having a drink and later playing some pool while they waited for us.  Meanwhile I enjoyed making use of their unique decor in staging my still life images of the rings (see the alligator head below?  yeah!)  After putting on her gown by Lea Ann Belter, we headed out to meet Peter for their first look in the garden next to the church.  After a round of couple portraits I took care of the family group portraits and then took the wedding party back across the street to Barrow’s Pub for a fun shot around the pool table!  It was dark in there and I was thrilled that we got a few shots where everyone was looking and smiling and not blinking in the minutes we had to spare.  Alison & Peter hired an adorable Trolley to take the wedding party across town to the South Street Seaport for their reception at Bridgewaters.  If you are looking for a wedding band, look no further than Dexter Lake Club Band!  I don’t even know how to explain their skills.  This was not your typical wedding band, friends, this is a special group of musicians that has clearly found their calling inspiring guests of all ages to dance their asses off at weddings.  And dance they did!  A larger-scale wedding, these folks were no slouches– just about everyone was out on the floor at some point I think.  The reception was beautifully decorated with flowers and hanging candles by Maria of Pristine Events.   Their red velvet wedding cake (by Bridgewaters) was festooned with a winding trail of beautiful purple orchids also from the florist.  To cap off the night as they exited Bridgewaters guests were offered hot dogs and a copy of the Sunday New York Times on their way out.  What do we find in the wedding announcements section of said Times?  Why a sweet photo of Alison and Peter (by yours truly of course!).


Watch it nice and big on Vimeo!

Betty - May 16, 2012 - 7:41 pm

Beautiful pics! Loved them. Betty

sarahtew - May 19, 2012 - 4:41 am

Thanks, Betty!

Kate Buckley - May 23, 2012 - 2:55 am

What a happy way to relive a perfect day! Outstanding photography!

sarahtew - May 27, 2012 - 12:12 pm

Thanks, Kate!

Peter & Priscila’s Intimate Ceremony

Priscila (“Pri”) and Peter wrote me to inquire about a date in June– I was booked already, but since they were planning an elopement-style ceremony in Central Park with just the two of them, an officiant, and a pair of friends to witness for them, I suggested a few other dates that would work if they were open to moving it a bit… All of us being busy New Yorkers we were hard-pressed to find a time between now and June that was mutually available, but finally we settled on… NEXT WEDNESDAY EVENING! So all of a sudden Pri & Pete are writing their vows, picking up a dress, and training their adorable dog Lilah to carry their wedding rings in a pouch from her collar (oh yes!). Of course the threat of rain most of the day pushed us inside the officiant’s church, the beautiful and unique Trinity Babtist on 61st street between 2nd and 3rd– what a lovely spot! The ceremony was thoughtfully put together by James Leonard, and we 4 in attendance were very moved by Pri & Pete’s exchange of vows. Since it turned out not to rain and the sky had cleared of clouds we headed straight to central park for a delightful portrait walk right after they said their I do’s. Of course Lilah couldn’t have been happier then she was there in the park– she almost caught a duck, too!

Peter & Priscila’s private wedding ceremony from Sarah Tew Photography on Vimeo.

Josh & Karen’s intimate SoHo wedding

Josh & Karen planned a beautiful and intimate wedding in the later stages of Karen’s pregnancy with their baby.  These two are so beautiful and sweet together, I can only imagine what a cool kid they are going to raise!  Josh is a successful actor (he played the adult “Simba” in The Lion King on Broadway for a spell!) and Karen is just the most sweet and upbeat people I’ve met in sometime, so I knew their creativity and warmth would be evident in the wedding day, and boy was I right!  The couple got ready at The Mondrian Hotel in SoHo, and were particularly excited for me to shoot their first look and couple portraits around the lobby and patios there…  What an awesome location for photography!  I was like a kid in a candy store– so many colorful backdrops and areas to shoot, I could have shot them there for another hour easily!   Of course we had a ceremony to get to– a few blocks away at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Now this is a big church, and dark– so I brought some extra lighting to use on the processional shots, and I think that helped a lot, though the tricky part is always getting one’s focus sharp on people (especially walking towards you) in a dark situation.  Success!  After some family portraits in the church an adorable red pedicab drove the couple off to their reception we walked around the block with my equipment to our final destination: Socarrat Paella Bar!  To say that I wished I was not vegetarian would be an understatement.  The look and smells of the food there were extremely tempting– there were 3 Paella’s: Carne (pork, duck, chicken, chorizo, mushrooms), Pescado & Mariscos (bass, shrimp, cuttlefish, mussels, cockles, squid, scallops), Arroz Negro (shrimp, calamari, scallops, fish & squid ink).  Of course I resisted, but I’m just saying, everyone had lots of good food to eat– it was a delicious luncheon-style reception for a delightful couple!  Congratulations, Karen & Josh– I wish all the best for you and your family!

Other Credits:

Dress & Sash: J.Crew Bridal

Pedicab from Ceremony to Reception:  www.mrrickshaw.com

Flowers: Nature’s Petal

Hair Stylist: Paul of Face Time Beauty Concierge

Makeup Artist: Holly of Face Time Beauty Concierge

Ring Bearer Bowl Set: Say Your Piece

Invitations: Blackberry Graphics

Cake: Lemon Cake from Del Frisco’s

Cake Topper:  Ready Go

Wedding Fingerprint Tree: Inviting Moments

Favors: whoopie pies

Labels for Favors: Shop: Stickerchic

Karen - April 26, 2012 - 11:32 pm

ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Sarah you are simply amazing!!!