[Engagement] Maria & Alan – New York, NY

One of my favorite times in NYC is the week after the New Year: I get to enjoy some of the lingering holiday cheer in the city without the hustle and bustle of tourists, shoppers and revelers. While most of the city is still recovering from all that celebrating, Maria & Alan decided it would be a perfect time for their Midtown Manhattan engagement session. I couldn’t agree more :).

Midtown Manhattan engagement session captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.

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Northern NJ, NYC documentary Wedding Photographer, Educator & All-Around Nice Guy

#benlauphoto #momentsovermountains #loveislove

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Find a partner (and friends, for that matter) who’ll brave 20° weather to celebrate one of the most incredible days in your lives. Congrats again @g.blancoo___, @tbones_24 and wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!

Venue @maritimeparc
Video @jamesliufilms
Content Creator @styleeisinyou @unapologetically.social
Entertainment @__mlevents__

Going out with a bang. Last wedding of the year with @lilhavs and @bkutcha at the @thelakehouseitc ! Wishing you both a billion years of happiness :).

Planning: @peggycalabresespecialevents
Florals: @oliviahoward_designs
Production: @esp_entertainment
Entertainment: @hanklanemusic

Just about 16 years ago, I dove headfirst into the world of professional photography, with a fistful of dreams and my trusty, yet humble Nikon D80 (a wedding gift from my wife).

The internet was of course a different place back then. But nevertheless, I would constantly scour the forums for inspiration and ideas - and for whatever reason, this one guy and his gorgeous images would keep popping up: @danielaguilarp

Since then, I’d admire his work from afar - and over the next 16 years, we’d be in each other’s hometowns for shoots, vacations, and workshops, but we’d miss each other like passing ships in the night.

Then FINALLY, I was able to corner him in Vegas (during a presentation, of all places lol). I was a little starstruck, to say the least - but fast forward just shy of a year, Karis and I finally had our opportunity to get on the other side of his cameras.

They say to never meet your heroes, but Daniel was kind, authentic, and the consummate professional. It was truly our honor to be on this side of your camera. Thank you for your time, vision, and friendship - we’ll cherish these images for many years to come :).

With our 2024 season winding down to a close, I reflect on all the cool new venues that I got to visit for the first time this year, and the amazing couples I get to celebrate these moments with - this wedding is quite possibly near the top of that list.

With great light, amazing views, and a couple who will pretty much follow my every lead? This is where the magic happens, friends!

#westchesterweddings #whiteplains #kanopi #kanopievents #nycwedding #nycweddingphotographer #nycweddingplanner #benlauphoto

Staten Island - home of Wu-Tang, my new fave photo spot on the island, and of course - these two lovely ladies.

Congrats @g.blancoo___ and Taylor - I can’t want to kick off the new year with you two!

#nycengagement #statenisland #nycweddingphotographer #njweddingphotographer #benlauphoto

Did I ever mention I’m deathly fearful of heights?

And unbeknownst to me, so are Paige & Brian, which made the cliffs of Lake Minnewaska the only natural choice for their #engagementsession! lol

With fresh(ish) snow on the ground, we trudged up the icy trail a few weeks ago to our usual spots along the cliffside. What we didn’t expect were the gale force winds that were waiting for us when we got there.

But thankfully, the light was amazing and everyone’s spirits were high (like our altitude). Many congrats to Paige and Brian - I can wait to see you again on your big day!

A Texan and a New Jerseyan (that’s what we’re called, right?) meet in college, and a decade later, these two Ranger Bears tie the knot with one of the most beautiful celebrations you’ve ever seen at @libertyhousejc.

Thank you for sharing your day with me. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness.

#njweddingvenue #njweddings #njwedding #njweddingphotographer #njweddingplanner #benlauphoto #landmarkwedding #libertyhouse

Julia & Jon take over Meatpacking, with one of the windiest sessions I’ve ever photographed!

#benlauphoto #nycweddingphotographer #njweddingphotographer #nycengagement

Funny story.

Through their own independent research, a family member managed to sift me out of a sea of talented NJ family photographers, and subsequently gifted my services to this ridiculously photogenic family…

…not knowing these lovely folks have already had me on speed dial for years! 😅

But anyways, always a pleasure getting you wonderful folks in front of my cameras, and honored to document this milestone in your lives :). Here’s to 100 more!

A copious volume of alcohol and/or Korean BBQ may (or may not) have been consumed as a result of this super fun Coney Island engagement session.

Or perhaps it’s the other way around?

#coneyisland #brooklynengagement #nycweddingphotographer #brooklynwedding #bridesofli #benlauphoto

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