Turnquist Photography

As promised, I wanted to add some of the highlights from a wedding reception we photographed in Catskill, NY a couple of weeks ago. I think what had me most excited about posting this event, was all the little details that were involved in really bringing out this couples personal touch & what was important to them. The word that comes to mind would have to be, Nature, for sure. I mean, just look @ this cake! It’s truly a piece of art, but it incorporates their love of nature perfectly. Love all the details! They really put a lot of thought into executing this “forest” design cake. Side point, it was designed by my favorite patisserie, Calico’s in Rhinebeck, NY.

This had to be one of my favorite ideas of the night! Instead of the usual guest sign in book, they had everyone put a thumb print on this tree, drawn by the bride’s very talented sister, & then autograph it. Again, incorporating w/ the nature theme. Love it!

The cocktail hour was filled w/ color. From the most amazing tomato, mozzarella, basil bites on a stick, the berry salad, & the assortment of ice teas & lemonades…it was a rainbow of summer colors!

Another cute idea, the seating chart was made up of stick pencils w/ a mushroom on the label. They were placed in an old barrel that was in the garage & filled w/stones & thyme.

Another theme throughout, was the bride’s love for daisy’s as you can see in the next three images. I have to say, this is by far one of my favorite ring shots to date. I just love it!

Hard to see in this shot, but all throughout the night, Julie kept refreshing her hair w/ a variety of daisy’s. So cute!

Another crafty idea, were making large, fabric initials for the bride & groom. Had to get a photo of them each under their own.

We were absolutely thrilled to get to utilize the two barns on the property! One of my favorite things to photograph!

Isn’t Julie lovely!

Just loved that their backyard was a large, open field. Another one of my favorites! Are you getting the idea we are nature people too? Most definitely!

Jesse doing one of his signature photos. Capturing the venue @ night. Just gorgeous w/ the willow tree silhouette. Love, love, love!

Just wanted to thank Julie & Alan for believing in us. Even though we’re separated by thousands of miles, it’s always reassuring to know people like you have appreciation for our photographic style & that we are able to capture their most special day in just the right way. We had an awesome day w/ you & your family. Happy travels!

Dress: David’s Bridal

Florist: Mountain Melody Gardens by Donna Karch

Hair: Hair We Are in Hudson

Cake: Calico’s in Rhinebeck

Band: The Bell Blake Duo &

Keep’er Lit

Caterer: New World Home Cooking in Saugerties

A little over a week ago, we had the opportunity of shooting a beautiful backyard wedding in Catskill. When it came time for this couple to plan their wedding, they decided on the bride’s family residence which was a perfect place for a backyard wedding. Might seem an easy affair to put together, but not when you live in Anchorage, Alaska which is where this duo currently resides. Julie told me that w/ the long, dark, cold months…she had lots of time on her hands to get crafty. And that’s just what she did. So many of the details where hand crafted by either herself or her artistic sister. She wanted it to stay “eco-friendly”, & that’s just what they accomplished! Just loved the bouquets, accented w/ mint. The green just pops right out of them!

Julie is such a natural girl & I could relate to her in so many ways. Loved her choice of dress…a perfect balance of simplicity & elegance, perfect for a garden wedding!

Again w/ the shoes…just love it when brides incorporate their color scheme in w/ their shoes. Julies’ choice was purple & green, thus the green shoes. Loved them!

Thought this was a nice touch when it came to her something old. This was the bonnet she wore for her christening as well as her grandmothers pearls!

Our beautiful bride to be all ready to go to get things started! Looking absolutely radiant!

Another creative idea to add that extra personal touch! You don’t need to spend a lot of money  & it’s always those things that stand out to your guests.

Again, these were provided for their guests for the ceremony. Personal fans were made to cool themselves down w/ on a warm, summer night.

The bride’s nephew who was the ring bearer. I just wanted to eat him up. What a cutie!

Next to the wedding site was this pond that happened to be full of geese. Nice touch I thought!

Just look @ how happy our groom was when he caught sight of Julie for the first time. Moments like these always brings tears to my eyes! It’s what makes our job so amazing!

Think Julie was just as excited to see Alan. She can hardly contain herself from utter bliss!

The Newly Weds!

Alan’s is from England, so his family couldn’t resist a big tradition in his homeland, throwing of confetti. I thought it was such a sweet jester.

Got a quick shot of all the guests before everyone wondered off. Love these shots! Always a sure way to get a record of all of your guests!

I’ve got a few more highlights from the reception that I want to share too. It’s almost midnight now, so it will have to wait. Check back soon  for more pics from this wedding!

Our last wedding was in such a beautiful setting & the day couldn’t have been more perfect! I’m super excited to post about this wedding, especially because there were so many eco-friendly ideas used in this event. This couple’s love for the outdoors, was evident throughout the wedding day. Love this! Stay tuned for more highlights to come…

This past Friday we had an e-session @ the same location as this couple’s wedding site is to be. Not only is it in the woods, but it’s a mile and half hike to get to. We were so psyched & one of the biggest draws to shooting their wedding! What an awesome experience. So here are a couple of pics to wet your appetite…

Time is getting away from me. Been a super busy week w/ photo shoots! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but I just get frustrated when I can’t get my favorite pics up on my blog fast enough to show my clients. So, wanted to finish up w/ Tues. e-session w/ our sweet & adorable couple who we met @ Poets Walk in Red Hook. The day was gorgeous, & the weather couldn’t have been more perfect! There were so many neat spots to use as backdrops & incorporate lots of different aspects of nature, which was right up this couple’s alley.

They were even brave enough to take a walk in the high grass, one of my favorite places to photograph my couples. Reminds me of summer love, & that’s what this session was all about!

Another one of my fav places to photograph is the woods. Trees offer so much character to a picture, w/ their amazing texture & vibrant green glow!

One of my favorite’s of the day. We were headed to an amazing gazebo made from tree trunks & branches.

Thanks so much to Steve & Yvette for taking time out of your busy schedules to spend sometime w/ us. We had an amazing time & can’t wait for the wedding next week!

My beautiful niece turned 6 months a couple of days ago, so I decided to surprise her mommy w/ some new photographs to show how big she’s gotten. Her big smile just brightens up a room! Still has her gorgeous red locks like her mommy & we are all hoping she keeps them. Red heads are a dying breed you know, not sure how or why…but so I’ve been told. I had so much fun w/ her on our little mini session today. A little one on one time w/ auntie & getting to play dress up w/ Quinn is always a blast for me! Got to love those girl accessories.                                          Hope you like them mommy!

Yesterday was such an awesome day! Not only did it finally stop raining & the sun came out, but we got to hang out w/ a really awesome couple. We will be shooting their wedding next week, so they finally found a little bit of time to squeeze in a last minute engagement session w/ us. They live near Rhinebeck, NY so we decided to meet @ Poets Walk in Red Hook, which happens to be a very special place for us as well. Jesse surprised me w/ a picnic & re-proposed to me (won’t get into details w/ that one). Anyway, we were super psyched to be meeting them here. So here is a little sneak peak of our shoot. Stay tuned for more to come…

Today I was excited to once again be headed for a newborn session. A couple weeks back I got to photograph mommy, so it’s always exciting to see who was hiding in my baby bump sessions. Rosalina was 10 days old & was just as cute & cuddly as could be. Belly full & clean diaper, we got right into action & this little angel was a dream to work with. Even with all her outfit changes & moving her around she was a trooper. I get so excited too when I get to do a baby girl shoot because I get my fix of what it’d be like to have a little girl around to dress up. Even though I’m not much of a girlie girl myself, there’s just something about all the cute clothes & accessories for little girls these days. I just love shopping in the girl section for my little niece & it’s probably a good thing I don’t have a little girl or my husband my take all my credit cards away!

Love it when the smiles peak through all the funny faces newborns make! Always makes me wonder what they are dreaming about.

Had to utilize this little gift bow I found in the babies room. Newborns are a precious gift indeed!

Big sister Isabella was just so adorable & we wanted to make her feel special too, so mom got the girls in sweet matching dresses. She was so proud, & it definitely shows!

Thank you to Nadine & Seth for letting me into your home to capture some really special moments of your new baby girl. You made my day today for sure!

So being in the wedding business, I know that w/ the recession still @ hand, it’s been hard on many couples to really get the wedding of their dreams while being on such a tight budget. One of my favorite wedding blogs is Once Wed. They are a really unique site where I’ve found much inspiration w/ my photography point of view. I’ve highlighted them before, but this time wanted to share their page on used wedding dresses. They don’t have a huge selection, but if your wedding is far enough away & if you check back often enough…you might just find what you are looking for. The gowns are beautiful, warn once, & very reasonably priced. It’s worth taking a look anyway or passing it along to someone else. Well, that’s my tip of the week.

Yesterday I finally got to meet the winner of our free portrait session, from our giveaway during the Albany Baby Expo last month. I met mom when she was about 6 weeks from her due date. So she decided to use the portrait session for the newest arrival. I got to meet this new little man who was just 7 days old, but you wouldn’t think so looking @ him. This boy weighed in @ almost 9 lbs. Having one son already, while baby William was still awake mom wanted some shots of her two boys together. Big brother Jamie was very cooperative once he made up his mind.

Once our little man drifted off to dreamland, the fun really began for me. Like I’ve mentioned before, I just love newborn portrait sessions! My baby is 5 1/2, so it just the right baby fix for me.

In between shots, I just couldn’t resist this shot of him nestled in mommy’s arm. Look @ those cheeks! Scrumptious little baby boy w/ all those wrinkles!!

Though I’m working on building up my own collection of props for newborn/child portrait sessions, I try to in cooperate what I can find from each family & work it into the photos. Like the rug above I found in one of the kids rooms & this velvet toy bucket in the living room.  These turned out to be some of my favorites from the shoot I think!

Congratulations again Tammy for another beautiful boy! As a mom w/ two little boys herself, all I can say is…hold on for the ride! I had a nice time meeting all the extended family as well who stopped by. It was very apparent what a wonderful family you have to offer their love & support! Hope we get the opportunity to work together again.