Buffalo Wedding Photography – by Ayres Photography »

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No matter what the occasion, we specialize in capturing emotion with our cameras; and, (most of the time) we can do it without anyone even realizing we're there! The results are natural, relaxed looking photos that reflect the true essence of who you are.

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Feb 04 2010

sarah + mike

Ok, winter, you are no longer a novelty, and you’re not even remotely charming…I am so over you.

Sarah and Mike’s engagement session may have been our coldest assignment EVER. It had to have been in the single digits; it was no joke. Luckily, we both have cold weather Under Armour, and the amazing ability to block out whatever is going on around us to get the shots we want to get. We met up with our fabulous couple at the Orchard Park Train Station for a “no nonsense, get amazing shots before we all turn into icicles” photo session. We were so worried about making them stand out in the freezing cold, but when they pulled up, and Mike stepped out of the car with NO coat on (and my partially frozen jaw dropped in disbelief/awe), I knew that we were about to have an awesome shoot; and, of course, that’s exactly what happened!

We started out in front of the train station, and grabbed a few shots with this great OP sign…
buffalo wedding photography
Then, we strolled around the grounds of the main building, stopping here and there to use the amazing backdrops it had to offer…I was loving the brick/snow combination!

These doors were great, too. :)
STUNNING!!! Seriously, these two were troopers…they make it look so easy!
buffalo wedding photography The beauty of old train stations … GIANT RUSTY TRAIN PARTS!

There were two old train cars hanging around that were absolutely perfect for our purposes. Bright colors on a cold winter’s day are a welcome sight!

This one makes me happy every time I see it :)

Sarah and Mike, thanks so much for braving the elements to spend some time with us! In spite of the cold weather, we truly enjoyed ourselves. Looking forward to the wedding! :)

Posted in Engagements

by Ayres Photography

3 comments

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Ayres Photography - Thanks so much, you guys! It is truly our pleasure to do what we do, and we’re so very happy that you like them! :)

Jacklyn Braniff - I have been one of Sarahs best friends for several years now and I couldn’t believe how beautiful she looks and how much emotion eminates from each photograph. You two truly are talented people. Thanks for making my friend so happy.
Jacklyn.
PS I can’t wait for the wedding either :D :)

Sarah Williams - I love the pictures! They are great! I can’t stop looking at the last one, I almost cried! We look so in love, the photos show our true love! Just what I wanted our photos to show! Emotion’s of Love :) You guys are great! Can’t wait for the wedding!!!

Jan 19 2010

ruth ann + michael

Sunday was the perfect day for an engagement session in January (in Buffalo). It was nearly 40 degrees, which was like a heat wave to us Buffalonians! Seriously, for our last two winter engagement sessions, I had to wear those self-heating foot warmers in my boots, so this weather was a welcome change. :)

Winter engagement photo sessions can be tricky, because everything is so gray; but, when you have a couple like Ruth Ann and Mike, who are so absolutely perfect together, you hardly notice anything else (except, of course, Ruth Ann’s fabulous green coat…an excellent choice for “photo shoot attire,” as far as I’m concerned).

Ruth Ann and Mike wanted to utilize some of the awesome architecture that Buffalo has to offer, so we decided to start their session at the Buffalo Historical Society. Instead of using the main building on the premises, we opted for this smaller building off to the side. Totally adorable…

I love this shot of Ben’s! This is a prime example of how important it is to have two photographers at your wedding. I was shooting this from the front, and had no idea that he even took this shot; but, I love, love, love it! Having two different perspectives really does make a difference.
We found this super-cool stone wall with ivy growing all over it, so, of course, it had to be used…Ruth Ann is STUNNING!
I think this one might be my favorite of the day…but it’s hard to say; I think I have, like, 20 favorites of the day…

Awesome wrought iron gate on the way down to the Japanese Gardens….

And, yet another example of how having two photographers ROCKS! I got behind the fence to sneak this shot, while Ben was busy capturing…
THIS!!! A contrast-y masterpiece…LOVE it!

Down by the Japanese Gardens…
See what I mean about these two? GORGEOUS photos in the dead of winter…

I couldn’t resist :)
After the gardens, we headed on over to City Hall. These are our faves…

Niagara Square’s beautiful light display…

We walked around downtown for a while, stopping at random places along the way. This is one of my favorite “randoms” – LOVE
Our last stop of the day was this building, which is arguably one of the most impressive in the city of Buffalo (as far as architecture is concerned). *The inside is even more amazing, but unfortunately, we were chased out by an over-eager security guard…

If I could post 20 more shots from this session, I totally would…there were SO many that we loved, and it was very difficult to narrow them down.

Ruth Ann and Mike – you guys are unbelievably photogenic, and we cannot WAIT to see you two in your wedding day attire! Thanks so much for hanging out with us on a gray Sunday in Buffalo; we had a great time! Looking forward to seeing you soon! :)

Posted in Engagements

by Ayres Photography

6 comments

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Ayres Photography - It is kind of symbolic, isn’t it? :) Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jamie!

Jamie - The shot where they were on the brick path looks as though they are embarking upon thier life journey together.

Ayres Photography - Thanks so much, Marissa! :)

Marissa Rodriguez - Her green coat is making me want one of my own! :) Beautiful set and I’m loving the framing you did with some of the photographs! Love it!

Ayres Photography - Thanks, Shannon! This is the most amazing comment that anyone has ever left us! :)

Shannon - I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your photographs! The elaborate detail you somehow manage to weave into each makes every photo an artistic mini masterpiece. I especially enjoy reading each “story” in relation to the photograph. It’s evident that you take the time to truly appreciate and identify with your clients before photographing their lives. Your photography is notably remarkable!

Jan 09 2010

katie + tony

New Year’s Eve, 2009 – our last wedding of the year, and our first time shooting at the adorable Chapel Vandervoort in North Tonawanda. For anyone who is planning a small, intimate ceremony, this is a place to consider having it. It’s tiny, yet warm and inviting; compact, yet architecturally stunning; simple, but charming. :)

Katie and Tony wanted to keep things low key, with coverage of just the ceremony, and a portrait session afterwards. It was very cold and rainy that night, making outdoor portraits out of the question; so, needless to say, we shot the heck out of the Vandervoort!

We could not come to a compromise regarding whose bouquet picture was better, so we had to post both. Although it is killing me, I have to remember that we are not competing against each other, so I will refrain from divulging which one is mine and which is Ben’s…they are both lovely, either way.

I have never been to a wedding that was this stress-free. Everything was so calm and fluid. While Katie was getting ready upstairs, we took some shots of the empty Chapel, and some wedding guests milling about…

Tony’s mom pinned on the corsages…

Some pre-ceremony portraits…LOVE this one of Tony waiting patiently for his bride to appear! The Chapel Vandervoort has all sorts of bits and pieces of decor that make for great photos. I happened to see Tony’s reflection in this candlestick and couldn’t resist!
A lovely pre-ceremony portrait of Katie…
I thought this was kind of a cool image – the bride makes her entrance, while her brother rehearses his reading for the ceremony (in the foreground)…

Married!
The newlyweds meeting and greeting their guests…

After the meet ‘n’ greet, we headed back to the altar for a quick portrait session. I really like this one of Tony and his brothers…dramatic lighting and a sweet chandelier give it a cool, gothic look.
A very nice portrait of Katie and her mom ?
And, finally, our stunning couple!

Katie and Tony – thanks so much for having us! We had a great time shooting your wedding! Hope you had an awesome time at your reception. :) You guys are a super-fun couple! Talk to you soon!

Posted in Weddings

by Ayres Photography

9 comments

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Ayres Photography - Thank-you, Joyce! We’re so glad you like them! :)

Joyce - You’re right, tough call on the bouquets as they are both very pretty. Great photographs! We could not make the wedding just the reception so you really brought it together for us, beautifully. Thank You!!

Ayres Photography - Thanks, Jennifer! :)

Jennifer - Beautiful pictures!!

Ayres Photography - You are awesome, Steve. I still won’t tell whose is whose, but you are awesome. :)

Steve - The first bouquet picture is better. But it is close.

Ayres Photography - Thanks so much, guys! We’re so happy that you love them!

Tony - Fantastic shoot. I am so honored to have had you guys shoot our wedding. These photos are amazing and beyond anything I could have ever imagined!

Katie Bundy - Words cannot even express how much I love these photos. I think my two favorite so far are Tony in the candlestick and the Bundy brothers shot!

Jan 06 2010

mary + rob

Winter hiking/exploring is one of our favorite things to do. We stumble upon the coolest places that we never knew were there, and we’re always like, “oh, this would be such a great place for an engagement session!” I get all excited for a while, but no one ever seems to want to go freeze their ass off in 20 degree weather while we snap a million pictures of them in some remote wooded location. Go figure…

So, when Mary and Rob agreed to do their engagement session at Wendt Beach State Park, (one of our magical winter exploration locations), I was “off the charts” excited! I LOVE this place! Yes, it’s a beach; but in the winter, the landscape changes dramatically to reveal ice carved sculptures and amazing piles of driftwood.

We started on the beach, by the lake. There was almost no wind that day, which was AWESOME…

How amazing is this landscape?
…and a sweet tree-stump-island ice sculpture ?
When I saw these icicles that looked like fingers, I knew I had to use them. I love, love, LOVE this; and, Mary’s ring is gorgeous!

We were loving the little random log cabin. Jenn’s perspective…
…and Ben’s perspective!
STUNNING!!
We had to include this picture in the post to demonstrate the extent of Mary and Rob’s awesomeness…we can’t take any of the credit for this pose; it was totally their idea! Brilliant!

This one is super-fun-happy…LOVE it!

Mary and Rob, thanks for being so much fun to hang out with! The next time we get to hang out, you’ll be getting married! YAY!

Talk to you soon!

Posted in General

by Ayres Photography

8 comments

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Ayres Photography - Thanks, Mary! We had a great time with you guys, and we’re looking forward to seeing you again soon. :)

Mary - A BIG thanks to you both for making the experience enjoyable and actually fun! You did an awesome job capturing us in our ‘natural habitat’ :) The pictures turned out beautiful; couldn’t have asked for anything more!

Ayres Photography - Thanks so much, Ohana folks! We love your work! Stop by anytime! :)

ohana photographers - great set!!

Ayres Photography - Thanks, Val! :)

valarie - Very nice Jenn!

Ayres Photography - Thank-you so, so much! I love the icicle one, too :)

regina - Jen

You did a great job – so creative. I love the one with ring on the icicle

Jan 03 2010

shauna + jay

The week after Christmas was crazy busy for us. Many of our out-of-town couples were home for the holidays, so between engagement sessions, appointments, and even a wedding on New Year’s Eve, we had something going on everyday!

Shauna and Jay are getting married in Buffalo next summer! They live downstate, but were in town for the holidays; so, we got together on a cold, cold day last week to do their engagement session. We met up in the adorable town of East Aurora, and took a walk around to see what we could see…

Sometimes, when you’re walking around a city/town for a photo session, the best locations can be down the alleyways in between buildings – you just never know what you might find. As it turned out, the back alleys of East Aurora were an absolutely ideal location for engagement photography…who knew???

Of course, we had to stop in front of the always-adorable East Aurora theater…

Then, we found another awesome alleyway!! How cool is this mural?? Love it!

A super-sweet crumbly brick wall that was begging for some kind of vintage processing…I layered several textures to create this effect. Ben’s image + Jenn’s processing = one awesome vintage-y looking photo!!!

Oddly enough, the Masonic Lodge in E.A. had a charming look about it, so we used their front steps…I’m sure they won’t mind.

I have been stealing the fish-eye lens from Ben’s bag with increasing frequency, just to see what can be done with it. I have always been anti-distortion, but it’s such a fun lens to use!! I grabbed this shot when no one was looking…

We ended our session at Knox Farm State Park. It’s a beautiful place to begin with, but I think it’s beauty is even more pronounced in the winter. And, as an added bonus, the sun decided to come out!!

This building was so cool…I was loving the white on white. And, if you look very closely, you can see a goat in the window…NICE!!

We got so many great shots in front of these barns. It was very difficult to choose which ones to post!! This last one, though, is my personal favorite, so I thought it would be a good place to end. ?

Shauna and Jay, thanks so much for hanging out with us! We had a great time! Looking forward to your wedding (and much warmer weather)!!!