Archive for the ‘Equinox’ Category

From the Taj via Thailand… and a word about the “vibe”

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

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There’s something to be said for the rapport that builds when things really click (sorry) at a wedding. More often than not, our clients “meet” us first through the website, contact us via email, and we take it from there.  It’s pretty rare these days that we’re able to physically meet in advance of a shoot.

One client recently told me that she had decided on working with Jessica Smith at the Equinox by punching in “mountains, foliage, pond, lake, and weddings” into Google.  She quickly narrowed the search to a place in Colorado, and the Equinox, in nearby Manchester, VT.  No offense to our friends in Colorado, but VT has the foliage thing down pat, and so family and friends came from Texas, Minnesota, and California to VT for the destination wedding of their dreams.  Seriously, there’s a  lot of trust involved here, and it’s a trust we certainly  don’t take lightly.

And so this “vibe” thing is really a marker of a match, or not.  If you’re scoping out potential photogs – or cake makers, or wedding planners, or…. -  and you’re not feeling dialed in, as in “I think this could work well,” you might want to try someone else.  Which is why, I think, come wedding day, we click so well with our clients.  This in spite of the fact that, for the most part, we haven’t met until wedding day.

Such was, and is, the case with Jo and Free, whose wedding we shot back in July at the magnificent Shelburne Farms on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain.  They’re on a honeymoon to end all honeymoons, aka an extended around-the-world trip, and have been kind enough to stay in touch.  We’re currently working on a custom wedding book for them, which will be printed by Kevin Kubota’s Asuka Book, and they are somewhere in Thailand.  Quite a nice feeling to find the above post card in the mailbox yesterday.  Good to know that yet another couple trusted their sense of the “vibe” and it worked out for everyone.  BTW, be sure to check out Jo and Free’s blog.

And so the scan at the top is the post card I got yesterday from Jo and Free, sort of a Taj via Thailand.  All’s well!

Happiest of holidays to all!  MTK…. Herve & Crew

Jennifer & Wolfgang

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Long Trail grad Jennifer and her honey Wolfgang started their new lives as a married couple with a beautiful ceremony at the 1811 House at the Equinox in Manchester, VT.  Family and friends from around the country, Austria and Germany converged on Manchester for the ceremony, and a fun reception at the Ponds Pavilion.

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Sarah & Todd

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

One of those neat West comes East stories.  Sarah and Todd – along with their families and wedding entourage – headed east from L.A. to Manchester, VT on a drizzly weekend.  For many, it was their first trip to VT.  Fall foliage was just about perfect, and the damp weather, instead of putting a crimp in the fun, had the opposite effect.  Wonderful folks, and of course, fantastic setting, food, and service from our friends at the Equinox.

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Katie & Scott at the Equinox

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

Katie and Scott joined a group of 40 or so family and friends at the Pond Pavilion at the Equinox Resort in the shadow of Mt. Equinox in Manchester, VT.  First class; what we’ve come to expect from our friends at the Equinox, where the location is really spectacular, the service without fault, and the food always off the charts good.  And no, they’re not paying me to say this!

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More to come… as always!  Thanks for stopping in.  -HP

Courtney & Will at the Equinox

Saturday, July 4th, 2009
Courtney and Will as husband and wife.

Courtney and Will as husband and wife.

Small miracle, given the weather we’ve been having of late, but the wedding of Courtney and Will, both teachers at the Fay School.  Another storybook day at the Equinox in Manchester, VT.  I suspect some readers will think I’m paid for endorsing the place, but they really do have a first-rate operation, so it’s an endorsement given freely and with enthusiasm.  Equinox wedding planner Jessica pulled off yet another seamless day.  These people are so professional that even if there were a glitch I don’t think you’d ever know.

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As always on wedding days, everyone looked great, good moods abound, and a genuine feeling of optimism is pervasive.  What’s not to like?

Courtney and her girls pre-ceremony.

Courtney and her girls, pre-ceremony.

Of course, we’re always on the lookout for the cute kids.  Haven’t met one yet who wasn’t genuinely flattered to have been asked to be part of the ceremonies, and these two are on exception.  OK, so maybe the little one was briefly a tad reluctant to join in the formal shots, but she sure enjoyed the opportunity to toss a few flowers once the ceremony was over.  Best of luck to Court and Will!  MTK… HP

Cutie pie flower crew.

Cutie pie flower crew.

OK, one more…

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Lake Champlain Idyll

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
Joanna, pre-ceremony, at the Inn at Shelburne Farms, VT

Joanna, pre-ceremony, at the Inn at Shelburne Farms, VT

The lovely Joanna, pictured above, married her sweetheart Freeman at the sumptuous Inn at Shelburne Farms this past Saturday, and our team was honored to have been asked to photograph the celebration.  Can’t say enough about the magnificent location on the shores of Lake Champlain, expert coordination by Andrea, fabulous menu, wonderful guests from around the country and Kenya. One of those “pinch me” deals where everything is falling in place without a trace of undue stress.  Still editing the take. We shot more than lots, and have a large percentage of keepers, just the way we like it.   Love digital, but since we shoot more liberally than we ever did with film, it means more editing. It’s all good, and it’s been a boon in many ways.  Loved the above shot so much that I wanted to post it right away. Will add a few more soon.  Back at the Equinox on the 4th.  More to follow…. HP

In the Coach Barn at the Inn at Shelburne Farms.

In the Coach Barn at the Inn at Shelburne Farms.

With the girls.

With the girls.

Put Ryan in the belfry for a bird's eye view.

Put Ryan in the belfry for a bird's eye view.

One final shot... and the end of a wonderful day.

One final shot... and the end of a wonderful day.

Bat Mitzvah, Equinox-style

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

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Ryan and I spent a grand evening on the 13th shooting Rachel’s bat mitzvah at the beautiful Equinox in Manchester, VT.  About 200 total guests, about 60% teens, made for an energetic celebration, more party than tradition, as is in vogue with most kiddos these days.  Lots of fun, off-the-charts DJ crew from NYC had the right balance of music for youngster and grandparent alike.  Food: great, as always.  Another joyous evening.

Next up: wedding at Shelburne Farms, on the shores of gorgeous Lake Champlain.  Ryan, Cody, and I plan to pull out the stops.  Really looking forward to it.  Did I mention we’re shooting mountain bike racing on Sunday?  Busy is very, very good!  More TK… HP

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Joe & Annie

Saturday, May 9th, 2009
Much appreciated kind words from Joe & Annie Stein.

First drive up route 7 as a married couple!

Had a wonderful afternoon shooting at the Equinox in Manchester, VT, then scooting down to Bennington for the service at Congregation Beth-El.  Great couple, fun family with really cute kids.  Rain even held off until after the shots were all done, so all was good.

Have to mention that Joe had just purchased the white 911 that appears above.  Pure happenstance, but when we were all heading out I glanced out the window to see Joe and Annie alongside.  Popped off a few final frames just as it opened up.  Great end to a fun afternoon.  We’re always on the lookout for “happy accidents.”  More later…. HP

A most appropriate conclusion to a touching ceremony.

A most appropriate conclusion to a touching ceremony.