Sunny Sherwood Inn Wedding in Skaneateles
A nostalgic Skaneateles weekend spend exploring the lake, a wedding at the Sherwood Inn, and dancing so hard you forget the cake cutting.
Favorite things about M and C’s wedding weekend:
The weather: Perfect day!! Not too hot or cold, it was sunny, and bright for August. Anytime I can spend a wedding day outside, play with sunshine and shadows and it’s my favorite thing in the world.
The ceremony: Everyone was so present during the ceremony. There was an energy in the air that made everyone watch, participate and sing, and cheer when the were announced. There was also honking in the background from car, but they were getting married on Main Street in Skaneateles.
The guests: everyone couldn’t wait to get M and C married!! The wedding party was pumped, the fam was overjoyed. Also, the dance floor? Poppin. The couple had said in their inquiry that they were big party people and by golly, they were not joking.
Take me back! Oh wait, I can because this is a lil look at the gallery.
Here’s what M and C’s first inquiry to me —
“We’re big social people so there'll be 150 guests and 8 bridesmaids and groomsmen. The whole goal of the day is a fun and colorful dance party with all our favorite people in the world…We love a more documentary and candid type style, it feels like you capture the day in motion and the day doesn't stop to get the posed photos (though we do want some of those :)”
M and C’s review after the wedding:
“Working with Juliette was nothing short of a DREAM! She helped with everything from creating the timeline to aesthetic ideas and really helped the day run smoothly. Truly don’t know how we would’ve done it without her. Such a kind and encouraging presence on the wedding day and throughout planning! Whether it was bringing us dessert because we hadn’t gotten a chance to sneak over to the table yet or reminding us of the pic we wanted to make sure we got- truly truly fantastic!!! Not to mention just how beautiful the photos are! We could not be more in love! Such a quick turnaround so we could reminisce on the honeymoon. Juliette is a GEM!!!”
I love what I do, and the people I meet :)
Should We Do An Engagement Session?
This blog post answers the question so many newly engaged couples have — an engagement session is included in my package…should we do it?
If you’re reading this, you’re either:
A) Engaged (yay!), and may have seen how engagement sessions are included in photographers’ packages.
2) You’re not engaged, but you’re interested to find out this inner circle wedding thing called an engagement session.
Welcome, regardless, to my Ted Talk about Engagement Sessions.
What is an engagement photo session?
An engagement session is a photoshoot before you get married (thanks, captain obvious). Usually, the photos you take during this session are used for your wedding save the dates, wedding invitations, and your wedding website, but are not limited to putting as your phone background or posting constantly on social media.
This session can be as long as you’d like, but they normally last 1-2 hours at a location of your choosing.
What’s the point of an engagement session?
I suggest my couples do engagement session for three reasons:
Reason #1: Get to know each other
It can be overwhelming to meet your photographer on the day of the wedding, so engagement sessions are a perfect way to get to get to know your photographer and for them to get to know you!
Being able to see how a couple interacts with each other, what jokes make them laugh, what posing prompts they really enjoy, or if they like PDA, etc. The goal is to get comfortable in front of the camera!
Reason #2: The chance to get comfy with the camera
Being comfortable in front of a camera is easier said than done. Some people are naturals and some are camera shy. Doing an engagement session allow couples to experience the photo prompts they may have on their wedding day but with much less going on - so it’s a perfect time to practice and get comfortable!
Plus, you don’t get engaged everyday, and it’s fun little excuse to plan a date night.
Reason #3: The chance to be camera ready
Once the wedding day arrives, we have met in person, we all know each other, and we can also create some of those cute engagement photos! You and your family/friends have seen a full gallery of photos, and you already can’t wait to see what’s next. Most importantly, you feel confident and comfortable in front of a camera while you get to marry a really cool human.
We’re SO awkward. What if it’s a trainwreck?
Nah, I don’t believe it one bit.
What if I told you all the couples in the above photos said the same thing? Because they did. And I’ll be honest - photos can be very awkward but these don’t seem awkward at all, right?
With the right photographer giving you prompts that help you forget that you’re being photographed, that awkwardness melts right away. I always recommend seeing these photos as an excuse to plan a perfect date, so you’re doing the things you love most, with the person you love most. Thinking of a photo session this way makes everything look more natural, and you won't feel like you're not just posing for the camera.
Clever secretly planned this session to propose to his high school sweetheart, Niamh at Wildflower Creek Farm during prime bloom time because Niamh loves flowers.
He had reached out to me a few weeks prior to a Pick and Pose event for couples, and wanted to know if he’d be able to do something similar but in the morning so they can spend the day celebrating, and for a little longer. Clever had said he wasn’t sure when he wanted to pop the question during the session, but when he felt like the time and place were right, he would give a signal (see the first image hehe).
After a very teary and happy engagement, the two frolicked around the field and spent the rest of the day celebrating :)
Van and Alex are both are filmmakers and artists, so they wanted an engagement session that matched that vibe. They chose Ithaca to do their session and started at Angry Mom Records to look at vinyls and the huge display of VHS tapes. After, we stopped at the local arthouse cinema, Cinemapolis, where they purchased some popcorn and we hung around the hallways in the coolest light (see above) for some fun vibey shots.
What do we do at this session?
Let me roll out the list of fun things to do on your engagement shoot:
- Grab a cup of coffee/tea at your favorite coffee shop
- Going to a museum of a shared interest
- Going to the farmers market or botanical gardens
- Having a little pizza picnic where you first met (or at your wedding venue)
- Bar hopping
- A friendly game of tennis or pickleball
- Picking flowers at a flower farm
- Bike riding or rollerblading at a local park
- Cooking at home or at a cozy Airbnb
- Thrifting
- Hiking your fave trail
- Making snowmen outside (hot chocolate optional)
So what now?
think about the season you’d want your photos to take place
think about the location you’d want to go
do you want a more nature-y scene or cityscape?
what’s your favorite things to do together?
From there, we’ll schedule your session depending on your favorite month/season, and plan an activity you both enjoy and look forward to doing.The goal is to make you look forward to this and to celebrate your whimsical, unique, weird little love :)
“I also like that most of your photos seem organic. They're still capturing people in the best light while seeming natural. That's what's really important to me because I want everything to be as genuine and natural as possible (but with some artistic editing to make it look better ha)”
“We love a mix of documentary and editorial styles—absolutely adore the candid, in-the-moment memories, and also appreciate some direction with posing”
this was completely unprompted!
“I feel like your photos really reflect what I want out of photography - they capture real moments and don't feel posed or stiff. I love the documentary style, romantic vibe.”
“I can FEEL the yearning in your pictures and I am here for it. I read way too many romance novels and I want my pictures to feel like I am in one.”
Have a question? Want to get in touch? Ready to plan your session??
— Meet Your Photographer —
I’m Juliette and I’m an Upstate New York photographer and videographer specializing in weddings, lifestyle and branding.
My interest in photography started by taking portraits of my pet chickens as a 6 year-old, and has since then expanded into documenting cinematic and nostalgic shenanigans and stories for humans nationwide.
I’ll tell you to sing silly songs to each other during your session, or proclaim 100 times about how good you both look and show you sneaks during each set of photos.
When I’m not editing, you can find me watching The Great British Bake Off, making food with my husband, Teddy, or playing the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. :)
engaged now, but planning the big day?
Check out my wedding photo gallery
is cinema more your vibe?
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Wedding Flatlay Guide
From vow books and ribbon, to Polaroids and fruit, this is the ultimate guide on how to pick and prep the items to give your photographer/videographer on the morning of your wedding day.
You have probably seen this style of photography in commercial catalogs like Crate & Barrel, Essie, Target, Ulta, or even in books - but in wedding photography/videography it’s used as a way to document items you are using to get ready for your wedding day, in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Grab a cup of tea, coffee or a martini and let’s chat.
WHAT IS A WEDDING FLATLAY?
A flatlay is all the small details that tell your love story that are laid out in an oh-so-artistic fashion to be photographed or filmed.
It could be as simple as your shoes, jewelry, invitations and vow books, or it can be more intricate and include polaroids, past letters, ticket stubs, postcards, or any tokens from throughout your relationship.
WHEN DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH FLATLAYS?
Most commonly, photographers and videographers photograph/film your flatlay items in the early hours of the wedding.
That way, we have easy access to the items you’ll be wearing (jewelry, shoes, ties, vows) or using (flasks, handkerchiefs, florals, etc).
On wedding days, I usually like to give myself 15-20 minutes to cook up a cute little flatlay moment with whatever items you’d like to include with a background that fits the vibe of your day (rustic vibes = wooden tones, sleek mod = black and white tiled floor, etc).
It also takes a little prodding to see how each item can interact with the space and other objects, and I try to get a few shots that include everything you’ve given me.
WHAT SHOULD BE PHOTOGRAPHED?
rings (heirlooms, wedding bands, engagement ring)
jewelry
vow books/letters/old love letters
flowers (you can ask your florist to put some aside for the flatlay)
invitations/RSVPs/stationary
your shoes for the day
tie/bowtie
cufflinks
perfume/cologne
handkerchiefs/pocket scarves
watch
ADDITIONAL CUTE THINGS TO ADD:
polaroids from throughout your relationship
ribbon
old love letters
both of your favorite books
ticket stubs from concerts or movies you’ve attended
postcards from places you’ve both visited
plant leaves
fruits and veggies (oranges, lemons, radishes, dried fruit)
vintage cups/saucers
tea bags or coffee beans
disco balls
ribbons
flask
DO I HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL THE ITEMS LISTED?
Absolutely not - you can pick and choose what you’d like to be photographed, and it even helps to look up examples of what you’d like featured.
If you find that you don’t really want to have anything photographed or filmed, that’s ok too!
If you’d rather have more documentation of the getting ready process, or just don’t find a need for these photos, tell your photographer and/or videographer.
ok, we kind of like the idea…
HOW TO PREP YOUR FLATLAY ITEMS
If you are planning to have your photographer/videographer do some flatlays, here are some tips to help you out.
Place all the items you want photographed/filmed into a shoe box or packing box. You can do this the morning of or the day before. That way, you aren’y doing a scavenger hunt while the hairstylist is running after you with a curling iron trying to finish your hair (not a true story). This will alleviate stress on the morning of your wedding!
Ask your florist to put aside a few flowers for your photographer to play with. Sometimes we like to take off petals, or remove flowers from the stems so we can see them easier on the image.
Don’t be afraid to include unique items; if you’re really into plants bring a few plant cuttings. If you’re both bookies, bring your favorite books. If you both love Star Wars, bring R2D2 (jk, but maybe a sticker).
Be intentional with the items you choose. Don’t think you have to do what your sister or friend did for their wedding - start with finding 2-5 items you would like photographed, or think sums up your relationship.
THE LATE NIGHT FLATLAY
Perhaps one of my favorite detail elements!
In the morning, we’re photographing the things you’re going to use (shoes! perfume! jewelry! etc!) but then the night hits…
This is to showcase the evening details - your dinner menu, custom napkins, fave desserts, and more little things! I usually plan to do these if I’m finished with dinner early, there’s a lull in the evening, or I want to give folks a break from photography during the dancing portion.
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOING A WEDDING FLATLAY —
Of course, it’s important to remember the bigger parts of a wedding day (like getting married or partying with all your favorite homeskillets), but it’s also nice to remember the smaller details that start off the day. You may have spent money on some of the details, or you may have heirlooms from family members, and I think it’s important to see those details.
Being handed a little box of goodies at the beginning of the day is so exciting - this time helps me center myself and gives me a chance to get the creative juices flowing.
Lastly, my advice: the more personal, unique and detailed the items you pick are, the more memorable the photos turn out.
ABOUT JULIETTE…
Based in Upstate New York, Juliette specializes in weddings, lifestyle and brand photo + film for humans far and wide.
Her interest in the documentation of the human experience has lead her into becoming something of a professional third wheel/hype woman/paparazzi/for her clients.
She’ll probably cry during your ceremony, or tell you how amazing you look at your session or wedding.
When she’s not at a wedding or editing, she’s probably watching Parks and Rec, watering her plants, or hanging out with her cats.
Photo by the marvelous Kate Elaine Photography!
