I have a few engagement sessions this year where I am in total control (well as much as I can be in life!) over my clients engagement sessions. What dat mean? You ask? I choose the time of year, the location and theme, if any, to what we do. Mostly this is to challenge myself- try new locations or pick something that I am struggling with and then whoop it into submission! Much like Mike Romano.

Now. Bit of a disclaimer here! These two lovelies are actual trained trapeeze artists! Well, as Libby tells it she ‘dabbles in it’ What does that even mean? LOL

Before even meeting with Libby and Michael for their wedding I knew they did this, and I just had to make them love me! They couldn’t be more my dream clients if they tried! Trapeeze’s and horse training and juggling and sequins! Honest to Christmas I was in heaven, just thinking about this all! Never realizing- but hoping!!- that I could, and would get the chance to actually see them do this all! I mean, think about it- as photographers we don’t really get to see our clients do their jobs, right? We see them possibly for an engagement session and then for their wedding… we don’t really go into surgery with them or the courtroom with them…! Right?

So ladies choice, me being the lady here- tells Libby and Michael that I would LOVE to do some type of circus themed trapeezy shoot! And lo and behold after finding out we had about maybe 2 weeks to plan our shoot- we did it! HUGE thank you to the neighbors who brought over their trampoline and to Michael and Libby for putting the trapeez back UP!!

Little background here on my comfort zone and where those fleece sheets were thrown! So in my mind here I wanted to try and shoot as much of their session in the air. Easy, right! Well. I also wanted to light this whole shoot in a way that I don’t normally do as I am the Queen of Light Au Natural! Self proclaimed, mind you! Just to keep things fresh,like eggs! There were some lighting connectors missing, and the way things worked out I lit this whole shoot au natural anyway, so there you have that! bloop on myself!

The lesson? I can roll with the punches and even though I was having Wizard of Oz type colorful dreams of what I THOUGHT I wanted and was going to get, things just didn’t work out the way I planned! Well Hoo to the Ha on that I say, because what I walked away with was even more vivid and colorful, than I could have imagined I could have gotten! Huge thank you to Jazzy for assisting and screaming with me every time a balloon popped! Apologies for my turrets outbursts guys, I never claimed to not be jumpy like crazy, or to not have a sailor mouth when faced with rogue popping balloons!

So. Meet my awesome clients: Libby and Michael!

What a sky huh!!

Jazzy’s awesome shot!!

Hair and makeup by the one and only Miss Dana Bartone!!! Her ponytail was so trampoline appropriate!

Michael was so uncomfortable in front of the camera, can’t you tell?

Here is where the ‘dabbling’ comes in. Now most people dabble in something like cooking or light jogging. Just saying.

This, I believe is called a ‘bird’s nest!’

I totally have a picture of me and my husband Dave doing the same thing. uh huh.

Can you see how high up they are? No NET of safety! I guess that would be called a safety net! It’s not there so it doesn’t matter what you call it!

Seriously Libby!! Dabble schmabble!

Super Mario meets Spiderman?

Sleeping Beauty and some strong ass feet!! That is right I swore!

They were jumping on the trampoline for this shot too.Yes they were.

Maybe the quietest anyone has ever seen me during a shoot, I swear! Well, except when the balloons popped! I was just so overwhelmed with how awesome they were at this I was speechless!

Have a seamless move to the south and get my beach chair ready!!! Thank you both SO much for such an awesome afternoon, I can’t wait for your wedding!!

XOXOXO

I digress! What else is new… I have to throw some shouts of love and thanks to those that make what I do possible, because I am by no means a one man show! I travel in a pack- for the warmth, the support and love that I get from those that I choose to surround myself with! Try it, it’s fun!

First and foremost to Dominique, my best friend and studio manager for the whole crew. She is the Gayle King to my Oprah. She is my scarecrow to my dorothy, she is the dumb to my dumber. She may look crazy with her adult braces on and dutch boy haircut, but that is my girl! How we can not only work together- we sit RIGHT next to each other- all the live long day- AND still be friends is by the grace of god! No one else can stand me for that long! And since first grade to boot!! I know, it’s not that long since we are only 19, but still. Well she’s 42 but I’m 19. She stayed back.

To the rest of my in studio crew: Rebecca Hales as head designer , Jazzy and Greg Lewis as studio editors and Erik Maziarz and Katie Slater my crazy talented photography crew… you all made this year so much fun! Yes, my heart is probably weaker from all of the scaring that goes on in here!! But it’s worth it for the laughs that follow! Because that is what it is all about for me…it’s laughing and honestly loving what I do that is important to me. Wait. And I love giving people opportunities to learn and grow and shine as photographers. You know who you are.

Big thanks to all who came as the third wheel to the Carla and Mike love fest that is our work day at a wedding! We just love making people uncomfortable- particularly the skinny people- with how aggressive we are about making fun of each others weight! Seriously. It’s super fun! We know the day can get crazy and stressful but in the end it’s about getting the job done for our clients! Thank you for realizing that and putting up with us and our non stop jokes!

And lastly. Big. Huge. Ginormous thanks to my boy Mike. Who is, in my opinion, one of the most talented photographers in the state. He is only my second because I am first and I am the queen bee, but really. He is first.

I remember the first year this guy signed on to be my second shooter and I sweated the WHOLE year about if he was going to come back or not. Many, many people doubted it. Lots of people thought that he would take all that he learned from me and run for the hills of the countryside that he now lives in and do his own thing. I am sorry for doubting for even one second that you would not stick by me. You are a true, real and loyal friend who all jokes aside would and has had my back during some of the hardest times. People still ask if Mike is still with me. All I have to say to that is a loud HELL YES!!!!! Even though he refuses to fan my photography page on facebook!!

Carla Ten Eyck Photography | Best of 2010 from Jim Altieri on Vimeo.

This past October I had the honor to photograph my good friend Nichole and Tim’s wedding in the quaint little seaside village of Old Buttonwoods Rhode Island. When I met Nichole it was like client love at first meeting, I swear! We professed our mutual love within minutes and it was game ON from that point forward! Tim is ok too. ha!

Tim and Nichole balance each other in the best ways, are both so artistic and fashion forward they are like cool versions of Barbies that I wish I could play with all the time ! And they run marathons. Whatever, Exercise Barbie!

Their wedding has so many details and craziness I may have even stunned my chatty patty self into silence !

Check out the amazing vendor list to boot!

event planning by Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events

floral + succulent craziness by Tony Palmieri of Datura A Modern Garden

accessories by Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore

cinema by Jim Altieri of Vintage Cinema check out the STUNNING video JIMMMMAAAAYY did HERE

all paper. tons of it.gorgeous, amazing! By Nichole Michel of Coral Pheasant (that’s NICHOLE, the bride!!)

My Main Man Mike Romano on the flute + Rebecca Hales on the stand up bass

We love seeing what our couples give each other for gifts… Nichole gave Tim a piece of art that she created that Mike grabbed while I got Nichole opening her sweet Louis Vitton clutch and super special necklace and perfume from Tim! Home boy can SHOP!

Loved this little munchkin!

Ok. So Old Buttonwoods is a cute little community that is nestled in the seaside town of Warwick Rhode Island … it is like you are transported back in time! In the community center where their reception was held there was a two lane duck pin bowling alley! Yup.

Another ‘best part’ of the whole shebang was that all three of the places where I needed to be and shoot were all like one house away from the other! I could bop back and forth from the Hall to Nichole’s getting ready spot to the church like a little bunny! With one hop!

I don’t even know what to say!

Nichole and Tim wanted to do a first look, where they see each other before their ceremony and do their portraits and everything so when they walk down the aisle it’s party time!

This series of shots is a fave of mine!

During our first meeting, Nichole showed me a picture of these wooden seats and I have been drooling since! In fact, I still am!

Nichole and I sadly have the mom’s not there thing in common She had some touching and beautiful tributes to her Mom

Me and Mike tag teamin’ it up

Mike got that great portrait of Tim on the right

As if the bowling lanes weren’t enough… there was her Dad’s vintage car….

And DOUBLE swings … wait for it…. on a BUTTONWOOD TREE!!!!

Tony is crazy!!

Check out the crazy wedding dress chandelier!

Nichole’s paper prettiness!!

oops these two were big mike’s shots! my bad!

This ‘who’s who’ is a color pantone chart that Nichole made up ‘splaining the relationships each guest had to her and Tim!

I say this so many times in my meetings when we talk about first looks…. they see each other before, but man oh man these men still get so emotional when they see their future wives coming down that aisle to them!

Nichole’s brother was overseas and couldn’t be at their wedding, so they Skype’d him in…

During their ceremony there was not a dry eye in the house, mine included!

Since they had already taken all of their pictures before hand we just headed down to the beach to take advantage of the amazing sunset for a minute and then head back to the cocktail party!

I love this shot of Mike’s!!

This tree was so freaking cool….!!

Honestly there was not ONE thing not thought about… everything was so amazing!

They cut an apple pie and had cheese slices to go on top!!

Nichole and Tim, thank you both SO much for all of your creativity, love and friendship this past year!!

XOXO

OK, ok, back to Earth! Or should I say back to Heaven….! I mean really, isn’t that what this is here? A little slice of heaven made into reality- all of our reality- as we were there to bear witness to the beginning of our friends marriage. In a woody little glady type of pure awesome. With late afternoon sun filtering through the trees, and kids running and playing, and the perfect music lilting in the background… ok ok I won’t start singing cumbayah or anything, but it was pretty freaking dope!

This post is a mish MASH of details, portraits and the closing scene to a big, big day. There were so many cool guest book + leaf fingerprint tree thing + scrolly doo dad thing + more!

My little guy Jack was having a BLAST just running around with all of the kids

Prepare for Datura. That’s all I’m sayin.’ This is just a teaser

Again. A little Paul McNerney 101. Nothing is ever half assed. Sorry, I had to cuss! Look at the door entrance that he built!

You get what I am puttin’ out here? Signage to spare!! I was waiting to see one that said ‘Carla’s Car is this way!’ or something bc there were so many!

There is just something about a bath tub full o’ hooch that really gets me…. right…. there!

One of my favorite details, the buttons with twine that you could put on your wine glass to mark your glass!!! loved this x one million bajillion! That was my glass. I doubled up on the buttons!

You know him, you love him. Yep, It’s Tony from Datura!

Because Paul and Krystal again, don’t do anything half way, and love being in front of the camera!! They had both me and Jackie do their engagement shoots! Here is a beautiful window display made as a surprise by a friend of theirs! This pane is Jackie’s shoot when they were at the beach!

During their toast, I bet you can guess there was some emotion!

Then still sorta during dinner the light was crazy amazing, so…. what do you think happened! At a photographers wedding. In the woodsy heaven that I have been telling you all about. With amazing light. What do you think happened next!! Did I mention the light was cool

Love both of these!!!

Datura to the TENTH power!!

And Krystal.

Then there was this tandem yellow bike, right? A gift from the Graziers!!!!

It was like I had a disorder, I just could not STOP.

Then a little Grazier Boy was cracking me UP the way he was eye balling the tower of yum here

But if you held up a mirror that was my face looking at the dessert table bathed in this light. Which was I drooling over more the light or the pies

Here I will issue my first public apology to their guest as I had them all WAIT like only 4 minutes as I shot this beautiful table with no people diving all over the desserts! Sorry but wasn’t it worth it!! How beautiful was this display by the amazing and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Emily’s Catering!!!!

Or! Was I drooling over the two word combo that I have never stopped thinking about since I first heard Paul say it to me:

pie. safe.

Sorry! Back to heaven. Even with dishes all over the table it is STILL so amazing….

Then I stole them away again! I know but it was fun and they said yes and I couldn’t help myself!

Back to Paul McNerney crazy-land! He built this too. Yes he did!!!

Who doesn’t love a bonfire!

My girl Georgie and that crazy headband, honestly only she can rock that! Or maybe many more people can, just not me!

I loved this little moment and while it was happening, and I was shooting it I wished that it was me, and that someone was getting me and Dave snuggling in the middle of this blissful little space… I believe this is their friend Roger, who is also a photographer… and they were just swaying to the music together and hugging

Another fave one-two here

And….. scene!

It was a wrap here… here Jim Altieri and I were watching Paul cover the bonfire with the bulldozer hoo ha scooper thing and I was hand holding this long exposure because all of a sudden I noticed how crazy bright the stars were! Yeah. Take me out of Hartford for a minute ! But it’s pretty!

and it was the end…..

Thank you Paul and Krystal, and all of your friends and family for letting me see you all as you are- surrounded by love, beauty and joy… and for not minding that I was there, capturing it all.

It was one of the most amazing days of my life, as a friend and a photographer, and I am so honored and touched to have been asked to do this for you both!

I love you guys!

XOXO

Vendors that I know about for this are:

photography: c 10 (aka me talking about myself in the third person in nickname form) + Grazier Photography + Jag Studios

cinematography: Jim Altieri of Vintage Cinema + Jeremy White

floral art: Datura A Modern Garden

day of coordinating: Sixpence for Your Shoe

catering aka food art: Emily’s Catering

music: The Parkington Sisters

]]> http://carlateneyck.com/weddings/paul-krystals-ct-backyard-wedding-final-chapter.html/feed 13 http://carlateneyck.com/weddings/jen-steins-wedding-lord-thompson-manor.html http://carlateneyck.com/weddings/jen-steins-wedding-lord-thompson-manor.html#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:14:58 +0000 carla http://www.carlateneyck.com/?p=21371 Jen and Stein’s September wedding at Lord Thompson Manor had me feeling more than a little crazy afterwards, and all for good reason!! First of all they were just two of the easiest to get along with people- if that is even a sentence…and their families and friends were so warm and inviting… add to THAT the venue? Yeah, Lord Thompson Manor is my new favorite place to shoot! Not only for the way it looks and photographs, which is amazing- but for their amazing, accommodating and wonderful staff. Man, they sure know how to throw a party- and make everyone feel like they are at home in the best possible way. What a treat!

As if that all wasn’t enough when Rebecca and I got to the Cottage where Jennifer and her ladies were all getting ready, we were both blown away by how pretty and clean and well, white! everything was. What a nice contrast to the manor, with its rich, deep colors!

Jennifer’s dress was absolutely breathtaking- and she got it from my favorite dress shop in the world- The White Dress by the Shore!

Can you say Jimmy Choo? I was more than a little obsessed with her shoes, as you can imagine

Jennifer was one of my most favorite people to photograph to date- she just wore her heart on her sleeve all day long- and it made my jobs incredibly easy…. just watch!

Sparkle bo BARKLE!

When the song ‘Going to the Chapel’ came on well… there was a celebration of sorts!

and for the record, how adorable is she checking herself out!!!

When it finally hit her what was happening…

Her maids were not too shabby either, look at how great they all looked!

Jen’s flowers were done by Jackie, the owner of the Manor- and she did a wonderful job!!

I feel like I could be in Montauk or some

And here comes Stein..!

This crowd was a big soccer crowd- and not just the guys, Miss Jennifer was a major player herself!

There were so many beautiful details…

We did a First Look in the garden area before their ceremony. Here is Jen as she makes her way to Stein

I love photographing Ketubah signings

come ON!!

After their walk down the aisle the toasts happen pretty soon after, and I have to tell you it makes for some really amazing photos

Afterwards we popped back out for some more pictures!

This place is just as amazing at night!!

I decided to shoot their cake cutting from the other side while Mike got the front- I really love this perspective!

And then we went out for some MORE pictures!! And there was CHEST BUMPING INVOLVED!!

How do you not love them!!

And a spontaneous double heel click!! WHAAAAaaaaaaAAttttTT??

Jennifer, Stein and your friends and family and everyone at Lord Thompson Manor- thank you ALL for such a wonderful time

Can’t wait to get back there and shoot again!!

XOXO

Here Margy, Mike’s mom (on the left) and her mom check out her amazing wedding dress, a Priscilla of Boston gown she got from Carine’s Bridal Atelier in Washington DC

There were hugs to go around all. day. long

Margy’s flowers were done by the talented Candi’s Floral Creations out of North Branford CT

Mike’s Mom wore her heart on her sleeve and she made my day every time we ran into her!!

So we popped over around New Haven and took some shots of the ladies before the ceremony- we had so much time to go all around town and the Yale University Campus, another one of my favorite places to photograph.

I swear every corner we turned there was a doorway here, a gate there that was so amazing and full of texture and I just had to take advantage of it!!

The orchids in their hair was such a nice touch!

Margy was so amazing to photograph

The wind was such an added bonus with Margy’s long veil!

I love this image of Margy and her sister after they thought I was done shooting… I love being sneaky!

These ladies were so much fun to work with, it always makes the day so much more fun

Candi did such a great job on the flowers!

yeah. talk about second shooters!!!! We stumbled upon a group of tourists, armed with cameras….!

So we were on a ROLL here with using our environment and all and Margy sure did just jump in a pick up soccer game on the Yale campus!!

Seriously!!

And here is Mike! My Mike started off with Margy’s Mike so it was The Mike’s for a spell

Then I had to break up the Mike fest and have some fun myself!! Which is why everyone is laughing here. Because I was so much fun.

Regardless of what campus you are on, nothing says college to me like these boards! Am I right or what

The Battell Chapel at Yale is so beautiful, any chance I get to photograph there would be celebrated!!!

Honestly, when I saw her sitting here, in this light, I was so pumped! Isn’t she beautiful!!!

I love the way these two are smiling at each other…

Then there is sneaky Mike, always lurking in the back, getting shots like these

My favorite ‘groom waiting at the altar’ shot. EVER. ever… ever… (that was an echo)

Another Mike + 10 ike special! Mike got the shot on the left

Every inch of this place was waiting to be photographed! every. square. inch.

Miss Rebecca Hales from her sneaky perch in the sky

I totally love these spontaneous displays of affection!!

One of my favorite things on a wedding day is all of the random well wishing from people in cars honking and hootin’ and hollerin’

This was in an alley. AN ALLEY

This is a Rebecca + Mike extravaganza here- Mike’s is on the right

mad mad points for this bridesmaid for the piggy back, am I right

Mad nerdy time here: perfect display of camera to subject ratio- check out how different the background gets when we move away a bit and shoot at a really wide aperture

I know, I told you all NERD city

This guy. Maaaaybe we didn’t communicate on how he would throw the bouquet and how he was supposed to catch it… but it still made for a great shot

Mike. MIKE!! I love his take on the above scenario

And yet. Amongst the old old architecture of the sprawling Yale campus there is this building, and I love it! And the light was.. Well it was ok I guess

I had to hit up my secret little nook again but with both of them this time!

Mad props to Tom Morlock of Vantage Point Films, as always a barrel of laughs and the best videographer to work side by side with- Tom set this shot up which I loved!

When Mike and I were walking back from our earlier shoot and I asked him very nicely to please please remember this gate!! I had to come back here…. and this is why

Mike Connelly of Mike Connelly Sound Productions did an amazing job DJ-ing and lighting the space

This space is just opulent, amazing, I love the chandeliers, the stage in the back, the mantel… just everything about it!

I have really been digging shooting the toasts this year for some reason. Maybe it’s because they are a bit challenging, to get in the right spot to get the couple, the people toasting, and anyone else reacting?

But it’s always a great time to really get some amazing emotion, however quiet, or in your face it is…

see how emotional this glass of champagne is

Check out the colors here, I gotta tell you professional lighting can make all of the difference!!

Their cake was by The Royal Bakery

Big sparkler exits are always a great way to end!!

Margy, Mike, everyone!! Thank you all so so much for being so great to work with!!

XOXO

Check out her eyes!!

I’m a huge sucker for the way a Mom looks at her daughter on the day of her wedding….

Seriously. Blue. Velvet!!

Mike Romano is my regularly scheduled side kick but today my man Erik Maziarz aka Easy E tagged in for some Alicia and Jack love with me, and he blew it UP!!

I love when the groom writes a note to the bride that she reads on the day of… but then when he illustrates the cover with a stegasaurus because that’s what his fiance loves??

Way better. Way.

One of my favorite things is how differently we can both see the same situation… check out Easy E’s interpretation!

Her Betsy Johnson dress was all fluffy gorgousness

Here is her love, Jack right before their first look. We all just love us some Jack in the studio!! OK, sorry Jack it’s really your Dad that we can’t get enough of!!!

Holy adorableness

Alicia had her heart set on having some pictures taken in and around the Gershon Fox Room area, and I was all over it!

G LOVE! I just can’t get enough of that Gershon Fox Room I gotta tell you!!!

Alicia and Jack were totally diggin on the escalators and I loved finding a way to use them!

Then off to shoot near one of Hartford’s landmarks- the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch

So when we were there we got one of the most secret and amazing little treats, ever ever ever! We got to go to the top!!!

This shot on the left is taken INSIDE the arch!!

There was a step, and so I stood on it and shot some birdcage veil snuggle time!

NINETY SIX STEPS UP!!!

The bridesmaids were the BEST!!!

Then on to one of the best kept secrets in Hartford- the Carousel!!! I have been going here since I was a kid so I am very attached to it for sentimental reasons but as a photographer it rocks my world!! I put Alicia on my favorite horse too!

These have to be two of my favorite shots I have ever taken!!!!

OK, shoot I love this one too!!!

Erik making his move to get his shot, which I am crushin on HARDCORE!!!

Can I get an AMEN for E??? LOVE THIS!!

Love her star tattoos as well!

Rebecca Hales with a great shot pre ceremony

The evening’s entertainment was ….. let’s just say it was original!!!

A cousin did yo yo tricks!!!! He was awesome! Check out his yo yo heart

Love the details- this is a Ten Eyck + Maziarz Mash-up

The lights in the Gershon Fox Room are my favorite of any venue, hands down

Their first dance…

Alicia’s Dad sang her Mom’s favorite song… it was so beautiful!!

Honestly, the day your husband doesn’t look at you like that? Is a sad one indeed!!!!

Erik and I tag teamed to hora, a C 10 ike favorite!!!!!

Who doesn’t love ending on a bride and groom high five!!!!!!

Alicia and Jack, well, what can I really even say???

You guys are beyond being ideal clients and have morphed into friends!! Thank you so so much for letting us do our thing, and get some of my favorite images of all time from your wedding!!!

XOXOXO

This past year has been such a fun year for me photographically- I have created some fun photo challenges for myself and partnered up with some truly amazing creative professionals. They have not only become the creative salve for my soul, then have become true, close, real friends to me. To think that only a few short years ago I felt so incredibly alone in my industry that I had to fly my friend in from Wichita to second shoot with me at a wedding in Mexico because I didn’t know anyone here! True Story!!!

Well, have things changed!

OK, back to this shoot. It came about because in all honesty I haven’t really ever seen an abundance of people of color on the blogs- especially in the editorial sections. So as a nod to my heritage I got Alicia and Carlos (who are both Puerto Rican btw) to literally pose as Mexicans for my Cinco de Mayo shoot!!

The lineup:

Tony of Datura: A Modern Garden did the amazing florals and table and altar styling

Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore provided this amazing Melissa Sweet dress & jewelry

Catie Bane of Dana Bartone & Co. was on point for Beauty

my designer and client Nichole Tremblay of Coral Pheasant did the colorful paper

Diana Chouinard for Jubilee Events was on styling and the bomb.com duty

Myra Callan of Twigs and Honey custom made this beautiful headpiece for our shoot

and my amazing team of Rebecca Hales and Sara Code-Kroll were on site to shoot and assist, you guys are the best!!

mini donuts and cakes were by Tastease in Hartford’s Parkville section of town

the props? courtesy of my crazy Father, Carlos Hernandez-Chavez and me! or should I say yo

oh and I lit the candles all by myself!

Alicia came prepared with shoes. Shoes and more shoes. the color was great!

yes. When we got there it rained! So we ducked under here after we thought it stopped but then it started again a little… just gave them a reason to cuddle!

My Mom was represented! I brought her orange chair (that is currently a fixture in my studio) that she used to sit in at her sewing machine and make all kinds of creative things- quilts, dolls, you name it. Hey Madre!

We tapped into my love of the Dia de los Muertos altars and incorporated it into our shoot. Tony you are a genius, thank you for making this so beautiful for me!!

I feel like I want to just eat this headpiece!!! Myra, holy smokes sister you are one talented gal! Ladies honestly, go check out her site, (twigsandhoney.com!)she will make you drool and then get all warm and fuzzy!

My Dad snuck in a picture of my grandparents- we gots to represent!

A big, big big thank you to everyone who helped me bring this vision to reality!!

XOXOXOXO

]]> http://carlateneyck.com/wedding-vendors/cinco-de-mayo-editorial-shoot.html/feed 15 http://carlateneyck.com/weddings/costa-rica-editorial-shoot-day.html http://carlateneyck.com/weddings/costa-rica-editorial-shoot-day.html#comments Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:22:09 +0000 carla http://www.carlateneyck.com/?p=17722 On our second day in Herradura our hosts from stayincostarica.com coordinated a sunset cocktail hour at one of the most beautiful places to see a sunset in Costa Rica- Villa Caletas- and it was just right down the road! At one point I saw a pair of Scarlet Macaws fly by which I have to say was way better than the bizarre interpretive yoga dancing we got treated to during the sunset. It was a little distracting and I have to add very very hard to keep a straight face during, because I am one silly gal! Here Mark was giggling because we looked at each other during it: note to self- do not do that!

*please note all of these images were shot by myself, Erik Maziarz, Greg Lewis, Rebecca Hales and Sara Code-Kroll!

Greg Lewis was cold rockin his Ray Bans- and then Candice jumped in to add her two cents!

Easy E trying not to laugh. Which is difficult to do around our crew- we like to have a good time and belly laughing is top on the list!!

Tony of Datura, Diana of Jubilee Events and Erik of Click Modeling agency

Beth of the White Dress by the Shore and her main squeeze, always looking out for everyone- Mark. You know your real name tho, I’m just being nice right now

So the third day was really day one of our shoot. Since our couple for the shoot were avid surfers we hit up one of the most beautiful and exclusive beaches in Costa Rica- Playa Escondido! It was such a treat for us! We literally hit the ground running once we got there- timing is such a big thing with surfing so there is no time to dilly dally!

Once Michelle and Alejandro got out, waxed their boards they took off for the surf with a gaggle of photographers running behind! Yes. Very funny to see. While we were running down to the water we saw a few other photographers and a video guy there so in true CT form we all made friends and found they were shooting some of the world’s top surfers for Nike! They saw us coming and were like what in the Holy Hell is going ON!!! Just C10ike and crew from CT way!!!

Michelle is a very talented designer of a bikini line so I was much obliged to do a mini fashion shoot for her!

I got a little dirty…..talk about a photographers nightmare- salt water and sand! And c 10ike LOL

Miss Sara was working it on the beach

Greg Lewis caught me chimping like a monkey

Miss Rebecca putting her best face forward

Greg was catching the action here! Or making sure I didn’t fall in

Our groom Alejandro runs ahead, Mami just could not keep UP!

Mike Cyr of Buzz Media getting more scene setters while enjoying the shade!

Easily one of my favorite shots of all time! These two were killing me with what great friends they are and how easily we all got along every single day

This looks way more dangerous to his 5D than it was…

Greg Lewis sweatin to the oldies! Did I mention how hot it was!

I love this picture of Sara, she always looks so regal when she shoots!

the crew minus Rebecca and me

almost all of the crew on location- thanks Sara for taking this!

post surfing we headed back to our house for the getting ready stuff! Enter…. the amazing talents of Miss DD Nickel!! Thanks Rebecca for grabbing these

Rebecca got Sara making each shooting situation work for her! Way to work it girls

Then we headed back to Playa Hermosa for the shoot- to say it was pure heaven is an understatement… Here Beth and DD do some finishing touches to Michelle

Mike shoots the Calypso band

And now? It’s go time! Now it is my time to play!! I love stopping every once in a while to see everyone there, watching. I don’t do it nearly enough because I get so focused

Erik and I rigged up these tables with covers to keep our gear out of the sandy wind!

Erik caught Greg getting high up for an overall table shot

This table was so beautiful, simple and amazing. Love love love when Jubilee Events and Datura play together!!

Now I normally try not to show image sin camera, because to me, they are not complete. But Michelle was DYING and so I had to oblige! She was thrilled!

Sara had the great idea of having them get on the surf board- and it got a little steamy! After that we had them just cuddle here, you know it, you love it- the c 10 ike modified prom baby!!!!!

This black sand beach was just stunning and photographed so well

Candice always has my back during a shoot! That’s my girl!!!

After kneeling in the black sand Erik and I had yuck leg! Very attractive!

And of course, in true Ten Eyck fashion, we ended our shoot with a healthy does of pouring rain!!!!! I worked it, don’t you worry about THAT! And I let it double as my daily shower

Sara or Erik grabbed this shot of the mad scramble of packing!!

and she is down for the count! Miss DD was working so hard all day!!

Greg got Rebecca snuggling with her D700 after a hard days work for the girls!

I wish I could show everyone the images that we shot for the actual shoot SO BAD!!!! They make me so happy to see the absolute beauty that we were all able to get collectively…. soon enough I will be able to…. !!!

XOXOXOX

I like to travel, I am not gonna lie. But I will be honest with you, I do not want to be a destination wedding photographer, and I am not ashamed to admit it! I love my third smallest state in the union here- CONNECTICUT!!!! like no other. With its crappy weather (right now anyway) and super small town appeal, I am in heaven every time I come home.

However.

These next two months are going to be some of the craziest months- actually I am smack in the middle of crazy right now- but I ask you not for sympathy I did this all to myself!

….and I am loving every minute of it!!

So tomorrow- I am driving to Rochester / Syracuse NY to speak to the Central NY PUG; I’ll be around for the next two weeks firming stuff up for my Collaborate and Create 2010 4 day workshop at the Ocean House in Watch Hill Rhode Island; I’ll be photographing my alma mater Hartford Public High School on Friday (you can’t rock the pub, you can’t rock the pub SAY WHAT!); I’ll be back in Rhode Island for my awesome clients Katy and Kyle’s e shoot Monday; on Tuesday the 23rd Laurie from Innovative Financial Services will be at my studio in Hartford for a free talk on tax info for photographers- email info@carlateneyck.com if you are interested in coming!

Then Wednesday March 24 is my first Wedding Wednesday- I’m super pumped for that!!

Thursday the 25th Erin & Joe- I have been waiting for this e shoot for like EVER!!! Joe is a good buddy of mine and also a photographer and I can’t tell you how excited I am for this!

Saturday March 27 is the first official wedding of 2010 in New Jersey with Nick and Ging who are also some of the funniest clients I have, my stomach always hurts after hanging out with them!

Then Mexico baby with my family for a week’s vacation!!! I can stop, breathe, tan, eat, drink, cuddle, make sand castles, swim with dolphins, read a book!! …aaahhhh… can’t wait for that!

Back the 5th, shoot on the 6th for Style Me Pretty’s Inspiration to Reality

and then I am GONE from the 7-12…. where you say?

COSTA RICA BABY!!

Check out this inspiration board that Candice from Jubilee Events created for our shoot down there!

I feel like I am going to be out of control down there! We have such a cast of colorful characters joining us again a la New Orleans- what a testament to how much we enjoy working together, right?

Candice from Jubilee Events will be the event coordinator / designer and my partner in crime as per usual

Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the Shore will be providing the dresses and accessories and social decorum

Tony from Datura a Modern Garden will be running wild through the rain forests most likely freaking out

Yours truly will be there with my amazing staff of talented photographers: Erik Maziarz, Rebecca Hales, Greg Lewis, and Sara Code-Kroll

and there are more we are waiting on confirmation from!!

Yeah, you can say we roll DEEP in CT!!

and then I’m back, I have my Lighting Workshop on the 13th, then off again on the 14th this time to New Mexico for another editorial shoot !!

And then it’s my birthday and I will gain like 5 years instead of just the one…!

and then it’s the wedding season, in full SCHWING!!

again, no sympathy, I am doing this all to myself

and I LOVE IT!

XO