Erin Covey Creative Blog

We woke up before dawn, yet their attitude was as bright and warm as the morning sunshine around us.  Laid back and personable, KimMi and Andy photograph easily, with wide smiles and a kind demeanor.  We pulled together a last minute mini-session to grab a few photos before their big day next month in Virgina! I’m so excited to be shooting this couple, this wedding, this family.  They have been absolutely amazing to me from day one.

And may I just note…as we convened in downtown Ridgewood, I thought…who in the world looks this good at sunrise? They do.  Easily.

Thank you KimMi and Andy for being amazing, see you soon!

xoxo

Cool as can be and extremely photogenic, this dude is legit! Ron is a clothing visionary, so I’ll be able to say, “I knew him when…” one day.  Check out what he’s all about here. Unico Re is more than clothing, it’s a lifestyle…we held a brief mini shoot recently at the Genesee Grande Hotel in Syracuse and it couldn’t be more fitting for Ron’s style and attitude! He just needed a few for a press kit, but the man doesn’t take a bad photo, so I had a few favorites…

Thanks Ron! Good luck in all you do!

I went into the shoot somewhat blind, not knowing the family and never visiting the spot they picked out.  But within minutes, I was blown away.  A beautiful and gracious family, surrounded by wonderful blooming colors.  It was such an awesome time! Some of my favorites…

Some relaxed family portraits…

Both of these amazing students are athletes, so I was super pumped when they brought their gear!

Man, look at these two… total naturals!!

A huge thank you to Crystal, had a blast hanging with your fam!

xoxo

She wanted a beautiful sunset.  I really wanted her to have one.  With the Brooklyn Bridge as our playground, it would have been stunning.  The thing is, waiting for New York weather to calm down can be a daunting task, even if you are armed with a lot of patience! Luckily, Crystal and Unyque have a better weapon: Grace.  As gray skies and fog swallowed up our surroundings, Crystal timidly smiled.  Unyque wrapped his arms around her and they stood in the chilled misty morning, together.  They didn’t complain once.  They smiled through the entire session, without prompting from me.  When I mentioned I thought Crystal’s fabulous pink dress actually looked terrific against the gray, Unyque smiled wide and admired his gorgeous girl.  I did too.  These two fit together like nothing I’ve ever seen.  They steal glances and communicate in an entirely different language.  It’s amazing just to be in their presence.  Some of my favorites…

When I saw the dog, my heart did a jumping jack.  This little guy is the cutest!!

To be truthful, there could be a hurricane outside and these two would look great, so it was pretty easy to photograph them…

I’ll end with my favorites, cuz y’all know I love bringing the flash drama!

Crystal & Unyque, you two are fierce, and I can’t wait to photograph your upcoming wedding!!

xoxo

She’s fierce…  she’s fun… and, after you hear the background story you’ll appreciate that Nora has the patience of a saint (and the body of a Goddess!) I’m pleased to share some photos from a recent fitness shoot but first let me give some major thank you’s to the extremely talented makeup artist who always takes great passion and care into anything I might want to do.  Linda is absolutely amazing! Some of my favorites…

Nora clearly rocked it, she is such a natural and looks so awesomely bad ass!

I normally don’t share much behind the scenes info about a shoot, but I feel I must, because it really proves that if you have a great team, anything can work! The day before we shot, Nora knew the weather would be horrible and started contacting gyms for us to shoot in.  Initially, we were going to shoot at sunrise on a cluster of large rocks.  You know, think Runners World meets Self magazine meets sunrise workout in yoga pants.  Well….New England weather wouldn’t have any of it, and neither would any of the gyms we tried to contact in the area! So, on the morning of the shoot, as rain poured down outside, the amazing Linda did her thing.  In the meantime, I drove to WalMart and grabbed some painter’s tape, a fan, and a large black sheet.  With twenty dollars worth of supplies, we shot in the morning cold of Nora’s garage.  It wasn’t glamorous, but the enthusiasm of Nora and Linda certainly was.  We also had an unexpected makeup and outfit change, but these ladies were cool as could be!

A pull back shot of what went down that day…

Nora and Linda, my words can’t explain how much respect I have for you both.  You’re my new heroes for not complaining once and having complete fun with it! THANK YOU for being so gracious and awesome! Nora, good luck in all of your competitions!

xoxo

I struggled writing this blog post.  It’s silly, because normally when I write about engagement sessions and love stories, the words gush out of me.  As I sat and stared at the computer, it occurred to me: my words won’t do them justice.  I struggle to write the words that perfectly describe how in love these two are.  How apparent it is when they gaze at each other.  How you can’t help but smile watching them interact.

All I could come up with, was that Jessie and Derek met on the first day of college.  Even though they didn’t have classes together, they never left each other’s side.  They were and are an amazing package.  Inseparable… in love, and in life, forever.  Some of my favorites…

They suggested Washington Park in Albany and it was a perfect day.  The park is abloom with the loveliest colors, so these beauties fit right in!

J & D – thank you so much for an awesome shoot.  It is such an honor to be photographing your big day! Best of luck planning!

xoxo

Mix and Adam are the type of people who, if you met at a party, you would never leave their side.  Hilarious, laid back, and kind, I had an absolute blast shooting their engagement session! These two are so easy to photograph, we just wandered around, their carefree and warm nature unfolding in front of me.  They picked a fantastic spot at Playland Park in Rye for the backdrop, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day! The woods, beach and fields made the variety endless.  I am so grateful to have spent time with people who laugh easy and make you feel as if you’ve known them forever.  Some of my favorites during our time together…

We were walking around and stumbled upon these HUGE wild turkeys everywhere.  This photo doesn’t do them justice!

Thank you so much Mix and Adam, can’t wait for your big day!!!

xoxo

Their story starts on the hill.  Jessica and Kevin’s love for each other grew amid the humid summers, storms and record snowfalls at Syracuse University.  Out of school and already doing amazing things separately, together they are their own special force.  Not surprisingly, upon their return to the hill for engagement photos, the crazy weather was waiting.  Yet even amid the approaching rain and eventual downpour, they remained calm, kind and relaxed…together again on the hill.

I’ll start with my favorite photo of our session, because so their love is so striking.  Strong.  Bound together, as if no one else exists…

The thing that most strikes me about these two, is how carefree they are.  I didn’t guide them at all, they simply had fun with each other and I came along for the ride.  It is such an honor to be in their presence, they are so good at being in love in a visual way.

Naturally, we incorporated some SU themed shots! This is also the part when I realized Jessica is the most adorable woman alive.

You two are nothing short of spectacular.  Amid life’s own storms, there is no doubt you two will conquer.

Thank you for allowing me to photograph this beautiful moment in your lives!

xoxo

There are people who make life around them… better.  People who spread joy… without even knowing it.  People who make you feel their love… without saying a word.

Undeniably, that is Pete and Beth.

Two of the nicest people I know have eased into parenthood with grace and style.  It’s not surprising they have a gorgeous son who brightens up a room upon arrival.   It’s shocking to me that it was a year ago I shot Howie’s newborn pictures, life moves in warp speed.  Now, he is a happy and beautiful soon to be 1 year old! He had lots of smiles and laughs to give us during our time together…

Some relaxed family portraits…

Naturally, we had to celebrate the one year mark with some fun props…

And, apparently, some not so fun props… (although Howie didn’t like being wrapped up in a box, it MADE MY DAY)

Ending the session with a cake smash, this little cutie was apprehensive at first but then got into it! It is indescribable how much I enjoy stepping back to watch what happens.  Love the reaction!

Thank you guys for making my month! Adore you and can’t wait to see you soon!

xoxo

Had the pleasure of shooting a fun and beautiful family at one of my favorite places recently! I was worried about the incoming thunderstorms but as it turned out, there was barely a cloud in the sky! (Probably a signal to stop stressing about things out of my control…noted) This family is incredibly photogenic, (felt like I finally got the chance to shoot a magazine ad for J Crew…seriously, LOOK at them!) here are some of my favorite moments during our time together…

Had to incorporate the bridge into our session, what a breathtaking backdrop!

This little cutie is a princess! Valentina is a natural in front of the camera…

OMG I love this little face!

I love, LOVE relaxed and candid family portraits…

Just when the day couldn’t get any better…a carousel ride!

Valentina and fam, Thank You for the wonderful memories!