Frank DiMeo Photography

I think this one really captures the energy Marcus has on stage

This is so fun that I had to include the four images. First she looks at him...

Then he is like, yea, I see you peaking over here

ok then

and finally Dad gives in...that look is priceless!

This could be my favorite kiss shot ever

Nikki, Marcus and I had a great time shooting their engagement session and I knew that their wedding was definitely going to be special.  They are both very creative people who put their trust in me to go along with whatever bizarre schemes I came up with. I scouted for cool interior spaces when I first arrived because it was way too cold to be outside for any length of time.  I was super excited when I found “The Yesterday Market & Boutique”, it was closed but I called the owner Fran (his phone number was in the window) and asked if it would be possible to shoot in the store tomorrow.  He said sure and he and his wife stayed up until very late cleaning and rearranging the store for the shoot.  They get a lot of the fashion students from Cazenovia College who come in for cool props, and they were just as excited to do the shoot as I was. Nikki and Marcus seemed to have a real lot of fun too.  They said afterwards that they loved doing this kind of shoot and would be happy to do it again anytime.  I may just have to take them up on that because they are so much fun to work with. 

The ceremony and reception were held in a quaint part of Cazenovia at The Lincklaen House.  This place is a cozy retreat tucked away in a wonderful village.  A quote from their website says it best, “For more than 170 years, the Lincklaen House has provided a comfortable atmosphere and gracious hospitality to all its visitors.”  I couldn’t agree more and would like to extend a big thank you the staff, especially the Event Coordinator Carrie Taylor.  They are like mind readers, anticipating what the guest needs before the guest even realizes they need it. Everyone was extremely accommodating and I heard a lot of people commenting on the excellent service.  The food was delicious too!  It is worth visiting for the homemade rolls alone.  I joined the families for the rehearsal dinner, did an extended shot (because I was already in town) on the day of the wedding, and finished with a slideshow for the brunch on Sunday.  So it was a lot of work, but very rewarding.

It was also a pleasure to see and work with Maria A. DeSantis and her dad Mario from The Mario DeSantis Orchestra.  Of course they were in top form, and produced an unforgettable night of music and fun times.  Marcus even got on guitar and jammed with them for a few songs.  I have to say that he was really phenomenal, and left me wanting much more!  I need to see him perform again sometime for sure!  I hope he sends me some of his recordings.  I heard one of the band members tell him, “That was great, it isn’t always, but that was!”  Nikki told me that when she first saw him perform she turned to her sister and said, “I’m going to marry that guy”.

For those who follow my work, you know that I like to get as close as possible when shooting the ceremony.  I am extremely careful not to attract attention to myself but shots like the one here of Nikki during the ceremony would not be possible if I didn’t.  The way she is looking into her husband’s eyes is priceless.

A funny thing happened on the way to the wedding.  I stopped for lunch at Chili’s Restaurant and ran into a potential bride who actually contacted me a month or so earlier.  I ate at the bar and was talking with her the whole time I was eating and then when I handed her my credit card she said, “ OMG are you Frank?  I thought I recognized you from the portrait on your blog.  I talked with you about shooting my wedding, and I really wanted to use you, but I couldn’t convince my family to spend the money.” I have run into brides after shooting their wedding, but never before.  It was kind of strange and fun at the same time.  I told her to call me and we could work something out, but I haven’t heard from her and I hope she was able to get a good photographer.  You have to be really careful these days because there are a lot of people claiming to be “good” photographers.  Their websites will fool you and they charge a fraction of what I charge, and sometimes even deliver the images really fast.  The question is, are they images that you and your families will treasure for life times to come?  Unfortunately not, and a lot of people are going to be very disappointed.  Please make sure you see an extended amount of work when checking out a photographer.  Anyone can shoot a couple thousand images and walk away with twenty winners.  Well, just about anyone.  You should try to get someone who will give you at least 700, or sometimes even 3500 (extended Indian weddings) winners.  Nikki and Marcus I hope that all of the images are big winners for you and your families.  Thank you for being so much fun!  It was a pleasure working with you and I hope that we do work together again in the future.