Laurie Rhodes

GRETA & MICHAEL GET MARRIED [ Part 2 ]: Love, joy and...

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:19:00 -0400

GRETA & MICHAEL GET MARRIED [ Part 2 ]:

Love, joy and celebration!

CHURCH: Resurrection Ascension Church in Rego Park
FLOWERS: Seasons
CAKE: Sylvia Weinstock Cakes
RECEPTION VENUE: 91
CATERING: The Upper Crust
PLANNER: Dan Fehlig of The Upper Crust
DJ: David Medina

GRETA & MICHAEL GET MARRIED [ Part 1 ]: While photographing...

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:03:00 -0400

GRETA & MICHAEL GET MARRIED [ Part 1 ]: While photographing Greta and Michael’s wedding, they introduced me to their two incredibly charming “attendants”, Passion and Coco…who, as you can see took the opportunity to show off their incredible sartorial flair. As I was editing these photos, I was reminded of Gertrude Stein’s famous quote, “I am I because my little dog knows me.”

Photographing Greta and Michael with Passion and Coco was great fun and a wonderful way to start a day filled with much love and many poignant moments. More to follow next week.

CHURCH: Resurrection Ascension Church in Rego Park
FLOWERS: Seasons
CAKE: Sylvia Weinstock Cakes
RECEPTION VENUE: 91
CATERING: The Upper Crust
PLANNER: Dan Fehlig of The Upper Crust
DJ: David Medina

A COMPILATION OF SKYLINES: Shot from cobblestones to penthouses...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:18:00 -0400

A COMPILATION OF SKYLINES: Shot from cobblestones to penthouses and urban to seaside. Enjoy some of my favorites!

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LGBT!: I recently came across an image I...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:07:00 -0400

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LGBT!: I recently came across an image I produced awhile back for a discussion on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule in the military. In the wake of the Supreme Court hearings last week on Prop 8 and DOMA, I thought I’d share it this week, here on my blog.

ALISON & NICK GET MARRIED: The Liberty Warehouse, located...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:06:00 -0400

ALISON & NICK GET MARRIED: The Liberty Warehouse, located on Pier 41 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, provided the perfect setting for this joyous occasion, with its roaring fireplaces, fabulous piping-hot food and oversized windows on both levels, offering wonderful views of the Verrazano Bridge and Lady Liberty. The late winter snowfall on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day added to this evening’s magic, where Alison and Nick were celebrated by friends and family, in poignant speeches, with fabulous dancing and music, all making for the most memorable of evenings.

VENUE: The Liberty Warehouse
CATERING: The Liberty Warehouse
FLOWERS: Peartree Flowers
BAND: Smokey Hormel
DJ: Agent Trevor

Have you seen the documentary Chasing Ice featuring scientist...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:20:00 -0400

Have you seen the documentary Chasing Ice featuring scientist turned photographer/activist James Balog gathering evidence of climate change using time-lapse cameras and video? Maybe you’re one of the over four million people who have viewed the excerpt from this documentary of the largest glacier calving incident caught on video? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC3VTgIPoGU)

I am always shocked when I hear or read that global warming doesn’t exist. I do believe it is happening. My conviction is so strong that I’ve made it the underlying theme of my holiday cards for the past seven years. I’ve opted to take a particular approach at communicating this dire subject matter, as these greetings are, at first glance, bright, colorful and witty…consistent with holiday cheer. It is my hope that the images I have created (see images posted to the left) communicate my concern for the environment.

Are we messing up our planet? When I saw Chasing Ice last weekend, I saw the proof in a film that is visually stunning, mesmerizing, engaging and also mind-numbingly terrifying. One moment in the film especially resonated with me. Balog is talking about his daughters and pondering a question they might ask in the future, (and I’m paraphrasing): “You knew back then about global warming…why didn’t you do anything to change it, to stop it?”

Did you know that you can choose an alternative “green” energy source in New York City? http://www.newyorkpowertochoose.com/ http://www.ehow.com/how_7656090_cheapest-electric-prices-nyc.html

YOO JIN & SAM GET MARRIED: This couple was married last year...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:53:00 -0500

YOO JIN & SAM GET MARRIED: This couple was married last year in South Korea. Most of these photos were taken at a reception they held last weekend for friends and family members here in the U.S. The photos at top of the post with Yoo Jin and Sam in street clothes were shot earlier in that day — they wanted casual, engagement-style portraits, as well.

VENUE: Ramscale
CATERING AND DESIGN: The Upper Crust (Dan Fehlig)
FLOWERS: Pennington Flowers

I was very moved when I heard about a situation involving a...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:59:00 -0500

I was very moved when I heard about a situation involving a fellow wedding photographer in Atlanta. The editors of a respected wedding magazine refused to run an ad the photographer submitted featuring two women. The discussion that followed prompted the editors to change their minds. An eloquent, powerful and more complete account of this story is published on the photographer’s blog. It’s long but very much worth the read:
http://annealmasy.com/an-open-letter-to-weddings-unveiled-magazine/

One of the more poignant passages in this “open letter” to the editors: “This couple didn’t get ‘gay married.’ They didn’t have a ‘gay wedding.’ They got married. They had a wedding. They share their lives, their joys and sorrows, and all the mundane daily things that we all share with our partners. They are just people. In love. Committed to one another.”

The two couples to the left embody the spirit of this story. If you’d like to see additional images for each couple, follow these links:

JOSIE & PANKTI GET MARRIED
ADAM & DAVON GET MARRIED

VIVIAN & DAN GET MARRIED: Originally from Toronto, this...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:36:00 -0500

VIVIAN & DAN GET MARRIED: Originally from Toronto, this couple now works and lives in NYC. Vivian and Dan spontaneously decided to get married in the City Clerk’s office and their very playful friends cheered them on! Their spirit of whimsy is captured in these photos.

CLAIRE & HEATHER GET MARRIED: I had the pleasure of...

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:09:00 -0500

CLAIRE & HEATHER GET MARRIED: I had the pleasure of photographing Claire and Heather’s wedding celebration which began on a sunlit Sunday afternoon in Long Island City (This couple was officially married at City Hall on July 24th, 2011 – the first day same sex couples could legally marry in New York). Upon arrival, the guests were treated to passed brunch goodies before everyone settled down for the “Un-ceremony” which featured hilarious, yet heartfelt, speeches and toasts from the couple’s many friends. In what was pure serendipity, the Empire State Building (a backdrop in some of these photos) was lit in pink!

DESIGNER & PLANNER: Dominique Bell, Big Juicy Events
VENUE: Attic Studios
FLOWERS: Big Juicy Events
CATERING: Great Performances
DJ: Brian Pennington; brian.pennington@gmail.com

SWEET THINGS 3: The last six months of weddings and events have...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:55:00 -0500

SWEET THINGS 3: The last six months of weddings and events have given me a great opportunity to photograph these delicious treats, created by some of New York State’s most talented and inspiring bakers, bakeries and cake studios, including Cleaver Company, The Upper Crust New York and Dano’s on Seneca in the Finger Lakes Region. Also represented here are creations from Nine Cakes, Kumquat Cupcakery and Momofuku Milk Bar.

I’m thrilled with being awarded a “Bride’s...

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:09:00 -0500

I’m thrilled with being awarded a “Bride’s Choice” on Wedding Wire for 2013. It’s truly an honor! I invite you to follow the links below to read the reviews from my previous clients.

CHRISTA & MARK GET MARRIED (PART 2): As I continue to edit...

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:28:00 -0500

CHRISTA & MARK GET MARRIED (PART 2): As I continue to edit this wedding (click here to view PART 1), the photos of comedian Lewis Black really stand out for me. They recall one of the true highlights of the evening.

Lewis Black is known for his acerbic wit, and he certainly didn’t disappoint when he toasted the newlyweds. Everyone roared with laughter, especially Christa and Mark. Also joining the couple in celebration of their union were their close friends Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.

Kudos to The Upper Crust team: designer (and owner) Dan Fehlig did an awesome job transforming the space while General Manager of TUC, Jim Weitzman, planned a truly lovely evening.

CHRISTA & MARK GET MARRIED: Both veterans of the...

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:02:00 -0500

CHRISTA & MARK GET MARRIED: Both veterans of the entertainment world, this couple is unmistakably elated to be married. Taking place on the final weekend of 2012, their wedding marked a joyous close to the year.

OFFICIANT: Reverend Jeddah
DESIGNER: Den Fehlig of The Upper Crust
VENUE: 91
CATERER: The Upper Crust
FLORAL: Seasons
DJ: DJ Russian Bear

FELICIA & PATRICK GET MARRIED: Felicia and Patrick’s friends...

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:20:00 -0500

FELICIA & PATRICK GET MARRIED: Felicia and Patrick’s friends and family were bubbling over with enthusiasm during their winter wedding celebration at the elegant Home Studios in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. Leading the way with much joy and delight were the flock of children in attendance — always so much fun to photograph!

OFFICIANT: Jay Wegman
VENUE: Home Studios
CATERER: Tarallucci & Vino
CAKE: Momofuku Milk Bar
FLORIST: Prudence Designs & Events

A FAMILY LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT: I had the pleasure of photographing...

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:31:00 -0500

A FAMILY LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT: I had the pleasure of photographing this family in early November. I always prefer to use natural light for my portraits. On this particular day, the early winter sun created a magical glow for both the indoor and outdoor images!

In addition to the many weddings I shoot professionally,...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:34:00 -0500

In addition to the many weddings I shoot professionally, I’m also commissioned to do lifestyle portrait sessions. These amount to spending anywhere from an hour to a day with a family, capturing various human moments in a park, at the beach or wherever they feel comfortably at home.

In this spirit, I present the photos I took of some family friends over the Thanksgiving holiday (to the left).

NESSA & JONATHAN GET MARRIED: Lovely, intimate wedding held...

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:28:38 -0500

NESSA & JONATHAN GET MARRIED: Lovely, intimate wedding held at the couple’s newly renovated townhouse in the East Village.

CATERER + CAKE: Cleaver Co.

The Cleaver Company is among my favorite caterers in New York...

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:48:00 -0500

The Cleaver Company is among my favorite caterers in New York City to work with! Their food is sourced from local family farms exercising humane and environmentally friendly practices.

The photos here are from an event at the Times Center as part of Cider Week that took place last month.

Resiliency, community and compassion are the words that come to...

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:18:00 -0500

Resiliency, community and compassion are the words that come to mind while witnessing the recovery efforts launched from every corner of New York City this past week. Politicians’ offices, grocery stores and green markets are a few of the countless outlets collecting food and personal supplies for those without homes and for the recovery workers that are trying to help them. But, what left me speechless and filled with despair last Tuesday, was when I heard that an entire community in Queens, Breezy Point, had burned to the ground during Hurricane Sandy.

I discovered that one of homes belonged to one of my potential client’s family, so I asked what we could do to help and she suggested The Breezy Point Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.

Here are a few of other links regarding disaster relief:

The Green Markets in New York City are organizing Donate-A-Bag to Hungry New Yorkers now through Thanksgiving
The Red Cross Relief Operation for Hurricane Sandy Continues to Grow
The Park Slope Food Coop is accepting groceries and personal hygiene products to be delivered to the Rockaways and Staten Island;

Volunteer opportunities:

Occupy Sandy Recovery is a coalition of Occupy Wall Street, 350.org, recovers.org, InterOccupy.net and many individual volunteers. You can specify what region you’d like to volunteer on this website.
New York Cares Disaster Response
UJA-Federation of New York, (United Jewish Appeal - Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc) has several ways in which you can volunteer or donate