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Vendors We Love: NYC Wedding/Elopement Photographer Jon Lemon

November 27, 2018 by Sharon Becker

Chocolate/peanut butter is a perfect combination, just like makeup artist/photographer! I want you to meet my friend and colleague, Jon Lemon of JC Lemon Photography. What inspires this rock-climbing, NYC-dwelling Texan dad of two? Read on!

How did you discover your talent?

Photography has always been a fun personal thing I’ve enjoyed — the mix of technology and art is just so fascinating! My mom has always been an artistic person (spinning, weaving, lithography, and all sorts of other stuff), and she first got me hooked with just grabbing a camera and exploring. Back when I was in middle school she started doing black & white fine art photography and I actually took a semester off before starting college to take a darkroom class with her. That’s where it went from a hobby to a passion. It was so amazing to see a photo literally come to life on paper in front of you, and that still sticks with me in a digital world.

I put that in my back pocket as I went off to college and pursued other things (Computer Science and then a tech job on Wall St), but I still kept photography as something I did while traveling and living life. It wasn’t until I found wedding photography that everything clicked!

How did your business blossom?

Elopements! They’re ignored by a lot of vendors because they’re not “traditional” wedding days, and that was especially true when I started my business in 2011. Thankfully, the photographer I second shot for before launching my own business was one of the few serving these types of weddings in NYC, and it became a significant portion of my business model.

These intimate weddings are usually on weekdays, so while other wedding photographers fill out their calendar with headshots or commercial work, I’m photographing more weddings! I’ve photographed over 300 weddings in 7 years, and each one is an exciting and unique experience.

Do you work alone, or do you lead a team?

My business is flexible to provide service to weddings of all sizes, and I am always at the core as the primary photographer. For elopements (which I define as fewer than 100 guests) I’m usually on my own, and for larger weddings (more than 100 guests) I’ll have a second photographer and assistant helping out, plus additional staff for other cool things I offer like portrait stations, photo booths, etc.

What is your process with wedding clients before the wedding?

If my couple is local, we meet in person to get to know each other and connect. I also work with a lot of international couples, so sometimes a fun video chat is all we can do before they arrive for the wedding. Either way, there’s a lot of info I compile about the wedding beforehand, such as who the VIP guests are, timeline for the day, portrait locations, and all those other logistics. Having a good game plan in place sets us up for the best results come wedding day!

My signature wedding collection also includes an engagement session, which is a fantastic way to bond before the wedding day.

How do you continue to grow as an artist?

I take a lot of personal photos of my family (my wife May and sons Lincoln & Logan) on film and still try to get into a darkroom whenever I can. Mainly I just try to do what I’ve always done — grab a camera and go exploring!

JC Lemon Photography
Handcrafting modern love stories.
http://jclemon.com
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True Love: Joyful and Sparkly NYC Wedding

November 2, 2018 by Sharon Becker

bride and groom dancing at wedding — Sigh. Sparkly Saturday night, Rainbow Room.

Jackie is so full of joy – we loved working with her. She came to us through her photographer, Brian Friedman, my buddy (who left us for the more spacious and warm Las Vegas). She and her husband, David, just celebrated their 1-year anniversary at the end of last month, and I want to recount the luscious details of this sparkly Saturday night wedding that brought out the romantic side of NYC.

She and her bridesmaids were cracking jokes all morning long, and Jackie didn’t stop smiling throughout the whole day. This gal is smart, quick, very warm, and so in love with her husband.

Jackie is so full of joy – we loved working with her. She came to us through her photographer, Brian Friedman, my buddy (who left us for the more spacious and warm Las Vegas). She and her husband, David, are celebrating their 1-year anniversary at the end of this month, and I want to recount the luscious details of this sparkly Saturday night wedding that brought out the romantic side of NYC.

She and her bridesmaids were cracking jokes all morning long, and Jackie didn’t stop smiling throughout the whole day. This gal is smart, quick, very warm, and so in love with her husband.

The bride’s family is very close, and emotions ran high when the father of the groom saw Jackie for the first time. Then, Jackie saw her groom, David, and we had more tears! Good thing they asked me to stay on for touchups – we did a lot of dabbing.

feet shot - makeup artist in nursing shoes, client in flip flops — Good eye, Brian Friedman! Everyone loves my nursing shoes.

For makeup and hair, we went for a classic-enhanced look to complement her classic dress, though we punched it up with some contour. My girl also loves a glow! Case in point: tiara.

Bride in wedding gown before ceremony — All wedding gowns should be a perfect fit!

After they enjoyed every single moment of their wedding day and danced all night, the couple jetted off to Napa to sip wine and live the good life for a few days. Funny and personal: I traveled solo to Vietnam a few months after this wedding. Randomly, Jackie messaged me the minute after I arrived at the hotel, right after I landed. I was really tired, confused, homesick, and feeling lost. She spent an hour messaging back and forth with me about life, just to calm me down. I really appreciated her time and humor – it was just what I needed at that moment.

Please enjoy these pics of Jackie and David’s joyful and classically glam NYC wedding!

When your bride is a work of art.

bride and father walking down aisle smiling — Walking down the aisle at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue

Planner: Kelley Moore

Photographer: Brian Friedman

Hotel: Lotte NY Palace

Church: St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Reception: Rainbow Room

Decor: Marc Wilson

Gown: Anne Barge

Makeup: SB Beauty, Sharon

Hair: SB Beauty, Jenna

Wedding Vendors We Love: DJ Cool Hand!

October 15, 2018 by Sharon Becker

Welcome to our newest blog feature: vendors we love! Please meet Luke Joachim, AKA DJ CoolHand. This sharp-dressed, hard working cat always impresses us with his fresh beats and professionalism. Let’s learn more…

How did you discover your talent?

I started DJing back in high school as a way to throw parties. My first paid gig was a wedding and I was hooked ever since.

How did your business blossom?

I went to college in New Orleans for music. During my time there I started DJing for major acts and touring the country. It added clout to my wedding and corporate events so my business grew rapidly. Not to mention, it taught me how to deescalate the most stressful situations which has been helpful for all my events, especially weddings.

Do you work alone, or do you lead a team?

On the wedding day, I’m the DJ and MC. I may bring an assistant to help me setup and takedown my equipment, if I think it’s necessary. Our agency, Remixologists, is a team of the best DJs in New York and beyond.

What is your process with wedding clients before the wedding?
Couples that want a “non-cliche” wedding DJ contact me either via my website or Remixologists. We schedule a phone call and possibly a time to meet in Manhattan. If I’m the perfect fit, clients usually book within 6-18 months before their wedding. We make planning and music requests easy by using an online portal and including a sample timeline template that’s easy to fill in. Clients can send me music requests, however is most convenient for them via a playlist from their favorite music service or writing it directly into the template. There are specific songs for special parts of the night like the first dance, must-plays for dancing, a general playlist, and a do-not-playlist,which usually includes group dances like the YMCA. I have a full spectrum of clients from people that want to choose every single song and couples that leave it up to me to read the room. Both are creative challenges that keep my job interesting. My favorite part of my job is mixing the music live and making the party rock.

How do you continue to grow as an artist?

I love DJing unique weddings that want the best DJ service in NYC. Clients often expand my music knowledge via their request for non-traditional and non-American tunes. I also run a podcast called DJ for Hire that promotes professionalism in the DJ industry by sharing my tips and interviewing other pro DJs.

Luke Joachim

DJ CoolHand

djcoolhand.com

@djcoolhand

Scottish and Irish Elopement, Autumn in New York City

September 30, 2018 by Sharon Becker

Nuala + Murray elopement, photo Jon Lemon

Nuala on wedding day, photo by Jon Lemon

Now that it’s officially autumn, it’s time for me to try my best to retire summer until next year (a struggle). On the eve of September turning into October, the weather here is GREAT and my hair no longer looks like a fright wig because of the humidity.

Autumn in NYC is a gift, a truly beautiful time when locals and visitors alike bask in the cooler temperatures, turning leaves (we have lots of trees in the city), cultural offerings, and everything that makes NYC great. Hence, we do lots of international elopements and intimate weddings every autumn.

Introducing Nuala (Irish) and her hubby Murray (Scottish). They had been dating for about a decade when they planned a week in the city capped by a City Hall ceremony. Jon Lemon and his cameras showed them the town, and the pictures are pretty incredible.

So, Nuala is a beauty, as well as pretty chill, with a good sense of humor and proportion. A dentist, she and Murray have lived and worked in several different countries during the course of their romance. They were both super relaxed as we got ready and told me stories of their adventures. I met them at their conveniently located (for me!) East Village apartment rental and we got to work.

Nuala’s style is so chic – she requested a big crown braid and soft, glowy, golden makeup, all of which complimented her gorgeous and perfectly-fitted lace dress. Murray sported a kilt and the accompanying finery, and they were ready for their moment!

Nuala + Murray, elopement in East Village, photo by Jon Lemon

Scottish Irish elopement in East Village, NYC, photo Jon Lemon

Foodie Springtime Wedding at Green Building, Brooklyn

August 27, 2018 by Sharon Becker

Sometimes a quiet little wedding just grabs hold of my heart and squeezes. This is the case with beautiful Joanne and her kilted groom, Duncan.

Bride and groom shot

The bride came to me just a few weeks before the wedding – her first trial had not been in her style and she knew it was down to the wire. We met for a trial, after everyone had a long day at work. She and her groom work in the food industry, and she had been elbow deep in baked goods all day (sounds like a dream, but work is work). The best course of action was for all of us to have a drink. Whiskey all around!

Closeup shot wedding makeup

Bridal makeup WIP

Then the trial really picked up! Joanne wanted a very natural look with some enhancement, so I finished her look with a sheer coat of grape stain on her lips – it picked up the green flecks in her eyes.

Bridal party prep

She and Duncan have a ton of clever and generous friends, who were volunteering to do everything from florals and décor to baking the wedding cake. They were doing it their way, and they didn’t seem stressed – just busy.

Bridal prep portrait

On the wedding day, her friends (adults and little ones) joined us in their Brooklyn apartment for beauty, and the rainy Spring day was warmed by the love and support for this couple. This bride is a real beauty, inside and out, and she married a redhead in a kilt! Now, that’s SB Beautiful.

Bridal portrait

Wedding party prep

Venue: The Green Building

Photographer: Logan Roquemore Photography

Makeup: Sharon for SB Beauty

Hair: Rachel for SB Beauty

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