
















The details.























The details.






How cute are these two?!







HAWTNESS at UCONN!!!!!





































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Ah. The Louboutins. In my world you cannot dislike a designer with the self professed goal “make a woman look sexy, beautiful, and to make her legs look as long as I can.”
I am always in awe of those freakishly talented artists – their clear vision and ability to create something that is seen by the world as legendary, iconic.
Amanda’s pop of pink was definitely not overlooked beneath her wedding gown. She definitely gets a gold star from me for choosing these perfect Louboutins, adorned with a deliciously oversized satin bow to wear for her wedding day. drool.

Please indulge in a few of our favorite photos from Amanda and Vincent’s wedding day, and don’t be shy, leave comments for the newlyweds in the message box to the right. xo!


Fierce.
Love this bridal party shot taken on Hillhouse Avenue, Yale University Campus in New Haven, CT. Amanda and Vincent’s closest people definitely brought their A-game to the pictures.


Amanda and Vincent’s day began with getting ready at The Omni Hotel in New Haven, CT.
Clearly, Amanda is beautiful, and was a very elegant bride. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to photograph these storytelling, candid, getting ready moments.
It is so exciting to be a part of that building anticipation for the day, and the pictures describe it better than words ever could.







Amanda and Vincent are serious animal lovers…and we know that because we took a bridal party detour during picture time to stop at their house and grab a quick shot of each dog with our “just married” couple. I know these are probably going to be some of their favorite shots and each is definitely frame worthy – so I am so happy that we all took the few minutes to make it happen.




A great benefit to having an early ceremony with a decent gap before cocktail hour is TIME, and we had a great timeline on Amanda and Vincent’s wedding day. It was stress free, allowed Eric to be spontaneous and creative for some really great shots on Hillhouse Avenue, walking around the historic Yale Campus ,and even grabbing some of the great historic buildings at Yale for a bunch of diverse backdrops.





Lot’s of pretty when we arrive at The New Haven Lawn Club.




These girls were having so much fun and were excited for the pictures we were taking (obviously = bridesmaid brownie points)…so, when I was shooting the decorative details at The New Haven Lawn Club, they grabbed me for a shot to “surprise” Amanda.
On the spot my memory did an instant recall of the Bridesmaids Movie poster…and then we did a rendition.

This was the visual I had filed away somewhere in my brain, stored under “B for Bridesmaids” I guess?
The ballroom of the New Haven Lawn Club is always dynamic and I really love it’s unique character; the crystal starburst chandeliers and decorative mirror panels above the fireplace add elegance, without competing with the potential for the space to be transformed into exactly what each couple has envisioned.


I loved the palette, lighting design, style and glamour that Amanda and Vincent incorporated throughout their receptions details. You gotta just check it ALL out.
And how amazing is that hint of SPARKLE everywhere?




And who is responsible for all of this? Well these are some amazing vendors to work with…
Bride getting ready at: The Omni Hotel | Hair & Makeup: Laura Jacewicz of Somers Day Spa | Ceremony: Most Holy Trinity Church | Reception: New Haven Lawn Club | Floral Design: Rebecca Daleb of Flower Boutique | Gown Boutique: Bridal Trousseau | Bride’s Ceremony Gown: Maggie Soterro | Reception Gown: Custom made | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Videography: Vividography | DJ: Robert Corr of CorrPros






Congrats guys, thanks for being patient for this post. We loved working with you, and hope these beautiful pictures were worth the wait. As always, please “share”, “like”, “pin” and “tag” away with photo credit to www.rawphotodesign.com, xo!












Amy totally working it!

Greg is totally killing it too!














Come learn the nuts and bolts of manual off camera flash, we will simplify, demystify and ensure that you leave our workshop with the basic tools you need to understand how to execute off camera lighting on any of your shoots.
Space is very limited based on the small groups we accept for each date, so RESERVE YOUR SEAT HERE.
Our Lighting Workshop will….
-Cover in depth why off-camera lighting matters, how it has transformed our business, defined our style, and unintentionally given us an edge in our market
-Include an intense day packed with information, including a deep dive review of all the lighting gear that’s out there, what each tool is intended for, what we use, what we don’t use, when we use it, and why
-Encourage you to use the tools you already have in your bag…NOT to go out and buy new gear. We will show you how we get stunning results using $70 flashes
-Include tips to be more efficient and confident with off camera lighting, implementing the techniques WITHOUT losing the connection to your subject
-Involve more SHOOTING than you can handle! We’ll be shooting a model on-location to give you the opportunity to practice the techniques covered. Actually, let us rephrase that. YOU will be shooting on-location….your set-ups, your settings…
-Give you our FULL attention for the entire day
-Include some slammin’ lunch on us!
Our Lighting Workshop will NOT….
-Bore you to death with an 8 hour presentation of all our photos & tell you how awesome we are
-Tell you that you need to sell yourself or sell your brand or tell you how to market yourself in a changing economy
-Talk about key lights, main lights, or hair lights….if you can tell us what those even are you get bonus points!
-Show you lighting diagrams with little stick figures
-Talk you into investing millions of dollars into new gear
-Above all, we ARE NOT GOING HOME UNTIL ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED!
In the next 2 natural light exposed images you can clearly see the ambient light we were shooting in….
And how sweet that sky is with a whole bunch of flash…
Nothing makes me happier than a bride, a normal girl, pulling off a pose that is strong, confident, sexy and sophisticated as this. Kelley knocked this shot out of the park.
Here’s some getting ready action.
And…when you are gonna bug your couple “just one more time”, you test the light and make sure it’s worth it. Guess what….IT WAS.
We couldn't resist playing around with the light during the “Blue Hour”, always a fave.
Details:
Thank you to our two amazing assistant shooters, Brenden & Rob.
Now, check out some of the great getting ready details that Eric and I shot at Christina’s mom’s home, before we headed to the venue.
You will see below that Eric and I had a little friendly competition on the best shoe shot, mine’s on the yellow quilt and his is hanging from the teal frame.
As much as I hate admitting this, I actually like his more than mine. It isn't fair, he is always SO good...it can be frustrating when you are as competitive as I am. Regardless, Christina has two different shots that both do her Manolos justice. Whose shot do you prefer?

How stunning is Jessica? I am thinking Hollywood Glam. Charlize Theron. You tell me, I say, just gorgeous.



Are you drooling yet? Well, let’s start with the getting ready of Jessica & Jason.























And THE CORNHOLE.






















The details.
Floral Design: A personal Raw Photo Fave, Sophie Kirk of Hansen’s Flower Shop | Gown Boutique: April Rose | Gown Designer: Watters | Ceremony: First Congregational Church in Fairfield, CT | Reception: Burr Homestead in Fairfield, CT | Caterer: The Taco Truck















































Hair & Makeup: Michelle Lynn & Lauren Sawyer of Salon Odette | Groom getting ready at: The Courtyard Marriott in Danbury | Floral Design: Whisconier Florist | Gown Boutique: Delianne Bridal & Formal Wear | Gown Designer: Maggie Sottero | Shoes: Badgley Mishka | Videography: Thomas Morlock of Vantage Point Films | Ceremony: St. Joseph’s Church in Brookfield | Reception: Capellaro’s Grove | DJ: Spin Doctor DJ | Portraits at: Digrazia Vineyards | Special thanks to Rob O’Brien and Brenden Farinha for assisting! |








































We kicked off their engagement photo session at The Apollo Theater which billed itself as a place “where stars are born and legends are made…” The Apollo is infamous for launching the careers of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Lauryn Hill just to name a few.


And how could we pass up a few shots in front of the The Lenox Lounge. The famous jazz bar was founded in 1939 and served as venue for many famous performers. Harlem Renaissnce writer Langston Hughes was a regular, as was the one and only Malcolm X. The Zebra room at the Lenox Lounge was also part of the Mad Men pilot, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Huge thanks to the staff for allowing us to take a few photos in front of the iconic signage.


Just a few blocks away from the craziness of 125th st are rows and rows of beautiful residential brownstones. So of course we had to grab some shots on one of these blocks as well.


We ended our photo shoot at one of Justin and Lisa’s favorite hang-outs – Camarada’s el barrio.


So, I have a confession. I got in trouble again at The Waterview.
I cannot figure out why I have such bad luck at this particular venue, but Jim and Emily’s wedding was no exception. I always follow all the rules and try to be on my best behavior while I am at work shooting a wedding, for some reason I am all over their radar.
I get caught out breaking rules and I don’t even mean to – ugh.
So, the first time I was shooting with Eric at the Waterview, I had a glass of wine at dinner. I didn’t think it was a big deal, it was that time!
The problem is, the Waterview doesn’t allow vendors to have a glass of wine {or drink at all}, and the coordinator {who did not know I was Eric’s wife}, went up to him and told on me!
He was like, “Ugh, we had no idea. I’m really sorry, that’s my wife”.
Strike 2 was at Emily & Jim’s wedding, during their couple bridal portraits at The Waterview. If you don’t already know this, the Waterview has very strict rules about which side you stay on {they have 2 weddings simultaneously}. Which, is fine, no big deal. I totally get it and am on board.
That said….
I see that the couple from the “other side” was wrapping up pictures with their photographer – we just had to get one or 2 more shots of Emily & Jim. The “other side” ALSO happened to have the only flowering tree on the entire property.
So…
I approach the couple and the photographer on my own, I very politely ask them if the minded us grabbing a few shots in front of the pink flowering tree once they were completely finished shooting.
And they said “Of course, no problem! We are finished now, go for it, all yours!”
We grab a few shots, everyone is happy. Eric is excited about the pink flowers, Emily & Jim are happy, and it took all of 2 minutes –
Perfect, AWESOME! Right?
It was.
Until…I turn around and see “not so smiley” venue management team headed straight for me. Not again?! Yup, I did it. Turns out even though “other side couple” said no problem, they went inside and told on me!!! They said I made them uncomfortable?! Me?!
I apologized and really have to make sure my next trip to the Waterview is a flawless one.
Yes, we took this next shot. Yes, it was the best we could do. And does it perfectly capture these little guys who had held it together all day long? I think so. Then it was off to grab some well deserved naps.

Details.

As inspired by…

So, I bet you are wondering who is responsible for all this delicious madness?
Hugs and Kisses to Brenden Farinha, Janet Taub, and Renee Descoutures for assisting and shooting with me & E.




























The details.
Thanks to Bart Natoniewski for some seriously epic second shooting


























Who doesn’t want to wear their wedding dress a second time?
Who doesn’t want to be a bride again…just once more.
I do. I’d skip the tiara and the updo this time.
Actually…let’s be honest…it would have to be a whole different dress and look {8 years later} but I always want to re-live being a bride for the day {as long as I can keep the same hub}.
Crystal & Tim did exactly what I would do today, a shoot after the wedding, in a different location, with different styling and no interruptions.
The only goal…to take some fantastic photos. These are simply stellar and these are Eric’s favorite type of shoot.



And Crystal is more brave than me…in the water…in the waterfall…in THAT DRESS! More on this at the bottom of the post…

And now for their amazing Wadsworth Mansion wedding, I love every shot. Crystal & Tim are an insanely photogenic couple and she is a truly beautiful bride.













Details.

















Congratulations guys, thank you for being such a pleasure to work with! And some more…from Kent Falls.














Just wait. Be patient. Here is getting ready.







Listen, I am at a lot of weddings. A lot of events. I don’t know what Tony does…but these flowers look like they are from another planet. Always so fresh, so vibrant, so unique. He is a floral mad-scientist and it is truly an honor to photograph his artistic genius.

A first look and yummy snuggle.



























Love you all, hope you enjoy!
i am in love with raw photo design i did not know you did pictures of lindsey and savannah and all those other people!
sincerely,
your daughter avery