Asbury Park Wedding In Springtime
Elena and Jarred had the perfect wedding weekend in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Five minutes away from the ocean, the couple celebrated their love in style and with friends from all over the country.
Elena and Jarred reached out to me about a year before their wedding day, and after the first call I pretty much knew they were going to be the coolest couple to work with, and I was totally right.
Here’s a list of reasons why this wedding was awesome:
It was my first out-of-state wedding ever!
I was going to be focusing on photography, while my husband focused on videography.
I was so excited to have full creative control and the fact that Elena and Jarred trusted me so much was really humbling.
We stayed about 5 minutes from the ocean at Asbury Park boardwalk, and we were able to get a lot of really lovely footage and photos for their gallery.
Everyone at the wedding was so kind and excited. I immediately felt how loved the couple was with every event.
Elena decided to chop her hair during the reception (wait to see the photos omg)
The dance parties were INSANE. Talk about a pumped up dance floor.
Now look at their photos already!
VENDORS:
Welcome Dinner Venue: The Laylow
Getting Ready Space: The Asbury Hotel
Catering/Venue: The English Manor
Photography/Videography: Juliette Zyg Picture Studio
Video Assistant/Audio Tech: Teddy Brill
Florals: Rose of Sharon Florist
Hair: Colored By Cole - Nicole Pesce
Makeup: Bridal Makeup By Kat
Bride's Dress: Serendipity Bridal Collections
The Night Before
Elena and Jarred wanted to have a chill evening with friends and family the day before the wedding - they chose to have it at a speakeasy in Asbury Park. When Teddy and I walked in, we had to ask for the password to get in, and the vibes were immaculate.
Elena and Jarred were able to sneak away for about 10 minutes to get some pre-wedding day photos, in addition to some group photos they weren’t sure they would have time for the next day.
The Wedding Day
About five minutes from the ocean, Elena and Jarred prepped for their wedding day! In the morning, Teddy and I decided to head to the Asbury Park boardwalk and get some footage and photos of the ocean to put into their final video and gallery.
After, we met Elena in her room and the day started full speed ahead.
When Teddy and I arrived at the The English Manor, everything was coming together perfectly. Having a tour of the manor the day before, we had a good idea on where we can do the first looks Elena and Jarred without guests seeing them, as well as where we can do portraits.
stunning omg
Elena and Jarred wanted to do their first look and vows in the garden.
I (not surprisingly) sobbed the entire time.
this is my favorite compilation from the day
Elena decided to surprise Jarred but cutting her hair halfway through the reception, right before the cake cutting.
Needless to say Jarred loved her new look (as we all did)
Now watch their photos come to life in their wedding film!
Photo by Elena’s wonderful bridesmaid :)
Based in Upstate New York, I specialize in weddings, lifestyle and brand photo + video far and wide.
My interest in documenting love stories began when I was a teenager, but photography has been in my life since I was about 8-years-old (my pet chickens were lovely models back then).
My favorite part of being at a wedding is documenting real emotions and approaching a day as a professional fly-on-the-wall. My goal is to always make sure you are comfortable, excited and living in the present.
When I’m not editing or at a wedding, I’m probably watching Parks and Rec, making pizza or hanging out with my husband.
JZPS PHOTO
GALLERY
JZPS VIDEO COLLECTION
Summertime Ithaca Farmers Market Wedding
Jolan and Ben had their summer wedding at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market in Ithaca, NY surrounded by close family and friends, and made it their way.
I don’t think there’s anything better than a perfect summer wedding on the lake. Ben and Jolan had an intentional wedding day that focused on being with family and friends, and sharing quiet moments together.
VENDORS:
Venue: Ithaca Farmers Market
Catering: Beacon Events and Catering
Photographer: Juliette Zyg Picture Studios
Florals: Plenty of Posies
Desserts: Ithaca Bread Works
Hair: Mavin Hair & Beautty
Bride's Dress: Lulu’s
Band: Silver Arrow Band
ABOUT JULIETTE…
Based in Upstate New York, I specialize in weddings, lifestyle and brand photo + video far and wide.
My interest in documenting love stories began when I was a teenager, but photography has been in my life since I was about 8-years-old (my pet chickens were lovely models back then).
My favorite part of being at a wedding is documenting real emotions and approaching a day as a professional fly-on-the-wall. My goal is to always make sure you are comfortable, excited and living in the present.
When I’m not editing or at a wedding, I’m probably watching Parks and Rec, making pizza or hanging out with my husband.
Have a question? Want to schedule a call or learn more about the process?
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 :)
“We love a mix of documentary and editorial styles—absolutely adore the candid, in-the-moment memories, and also appreciate some direction with posing”
“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)”
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. :)
