Connecticut CT Wedding Photographers | Scanlan Photography

CT Wedding Photography: The Mansion at Bald Hill: Kelly & Michael

Rick & Ann — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:01:21 +0000

The July wedding of Kelly and Michael at The Mansion at Bald Hill in Woodstock, CT was truly STUNNING. The stylish modern vintage look to Kelly and Michael’s wedding was simply delightful and their personalties just plain sparkled! The Mansion is one of Connecticut’s best wedding and event venues, with gorgeous grounds, sunken gardens and awesome food… truly a perfect setting and day for this lovely couple! A big thanks to events coordinator Janet Waterman for always keeping the day flowing smoothly!

It was important to Kelly and Michael to also have their cats documented, and being a cat person, Rick totally loved that! Don’t miss Michael’s cufflinks in one of the getting ready photos.

Details:

Dress & Hair Piece: David’s Bridal
Hair: Jennie Brockett of Waterhouse Salon
Flowers: Garden Gate Florist
Cake: Jon Salvas
Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse
Ceremony & Reception site: The Mansion at Bald Hill
Events Coordinator: Janet Waterman

Congratulations again, Kelly & Michael!!

CT Engagement Session: Laura & Jason: Elizabeth Park, Hartford

Rick & Ann — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:47:25 +0000

What could be better than photographing a beautiful couple in Elizabeth Park during the height of the rose season? Rick and I were there just a couple weeks ago with Laura and Jason and it was such a perfect day! Their wedding is coming up in September at Harkness State Park, another one of our favorite places for wedding photography in Connecticut. We are so looking forward to it… both Laura and Jason are from BIG families and we know there is going to be an amazing celebration for this incredibly sweet couple!

It was so gorgeous there, and you wouldn’t know it from these photos but packed with people! We did a lot of strategic strolling to avoid having a lot of other rose enthusiasts in the photos…lol!

This is why Elizabeth Park is a favorite place to go in mid June (peak bloom time)! What gorgeous backdrops for an engagement session!

Still at the park but this area is just a little more private!

Laura and Jason, you both are so great! We are so looking forward to your wedding day at Harkness!

Engagement Session: Paul & Michelle, Essex, CT

Rick & Ann — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:16:26 +0000

Rick and I had the pleasure of photographing Paul and Michelle in the beautiful river town of Essex, Connecticut last week. It was already pretty sunny so we stuck to the main street which provided ample shade coverage and lots of cool back drops. You know that feeling when you feel an instant connection to a couple? Paul and Michelle are like that! He’s a musician, she’s a poet, and right away we felt like spending the rest of the day with them! We loved the way they laughed and interacted, and can’t wait to shoot their August wedding!

Michelle and Paul are great snugglers! : )

One of the super charming side streets.

And low and behold there was a TAG SALE!

Congratulations were quickly forthcoming! Everyone loves LOVE!

Paul and Michelle, we’re so THRILLED for you two and can’t wait for your upcoming wedding day!

Family Photography: Harkness State Park, Waterford, CT!

Rick & Ann — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:42:49 +0000

What do you do when you have a family to photograph that’s really photogenic and the almost one year old is an utter delight? You do what we did and just keep shooting! We met with Alison, John and the one and only Dodger last week at Harkness State Park in Waterford for a family photo session. Dodger, being just one month shy of his first birthday, was so on the verge of walking! Check out these photos… how adorable are they?!

Check out the little leaf in Dodger’s hand that he’s so excited over!

This next series of photos is just awesome!

This little guy had so many expressions!

One of Rick’s killer family photos!

Rick walked off with Alison and John to get a few photos of just the two of them! These two are hot!

While Rick was with them, I was being totally amused by Dodger!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this family portrait!

The session ended with a family hug. All we can say is… Alison and John, we had so much fun with your family… can’t believe how fast it went. Dodger was such a delight! Thanks for having us capture your beautiful family and we wish you all the best in your big move!

“Green” & Eco-Friendly: Haldan & Gina’s Hadlyme, Connecticut Barn Wedding!

Rick & Ann — Sun, 22 May 2011 22:47:32 +0000

This was one of our favorite weddings from 2010. It took place on a beautiful day in September. I have to admit though that we love ALL the weddings that we shoot because each one is special and unique in its own way. Haldan and Gina worked really hard to make their day be reflective of their personalities, values, and love for each other. It was very important to them to be as environmentally conscious as possible. They also planned, designed, and made so many of the details themselves including their wedding invitation! Family, friends and local talent lent their skills too, to make this a most unique wedding day experience. Don’t miss reading the “details of the wedding” that Gina shared with us at the end of this post!

The day started when we met Gina and her bridesmaids at Jennie Fresa’s Beauty Library in Clinton. Jenny’s makeup studio is in a charming antique house on Rt. 1 in Clinton (actually just about a mile down the road from us!), and the talented Emily Denny was on hand to create the fabulous looks for Gina and her bridesmaids.

From there we moved on to the residence of Haldan’s parents where the wedding and reception took place. The property is pretty awesome with old trees, beautiful gardens (lovingly tended by Haldan’s mother Sherry), and an amazing barn built by Haldan’s brother Erik of Erik Block Design-Build.

There were so many great things about Gina and Haldan’s day, but perhaps best of all, they were both so happy and relaxed… you could just tell that they were able to enjoy every minute of it!

NICE shot Rick!!

This very cool 3-dimensional “pop-up” invitation was designed by Gina! She works at Structural Graphics in Essex… a company that “thinks green” and uses soy-based inks and recycled paper stock in their advertising materials.

Details… all made by Gina and Haldan including the altar!

Gina & Haldan decided to take a few moments together before the ceremony for the “first look”… Rick and I loved capturing the first moments they saw each other!

Haldan, by the way, is seriously tall! They are just awesomely cute together!

This is a vintage 1960 MG A and Haldan’s dad is the man behind the wheel!

The camping sign was no joke… friends camped out at the back of the property!

The axe seemed to provide just the right touch!

The band Moving Target out of Ivoryton played Swing and Dixieland Jazz and probably a few other styles of music as well!

The carrot cake (made by Haldan’s mother) tasted as fabulous as it looked!

Haldan and Gina, you had such an amazing wedding day… thanks so much for having us be a part of it. We look forward to getting to know you both even better!

Details of the wedding shared by Gina:

Barn decoration: Took many weekends… probably about 6 in total. Then it was a mad dash to tie up loose ends in the final days beforehand. Sherry had started planning her garden in the spring in preparation for the nuptials. All signs, guest book pages (cut out), and pop-up barn invitations made by Gina; plates/bowels and cups: Bare by Solo; Cutlery by Mint. All were compostable, we really wanted to be as green as possible. The only thing that wasn’t truly green were the napkins from Ikea.

Alter: designed by Gina, built by Haldan

Food by friends of the groom and bride: Lauren Beckles (Haldan’s former Cornell classmate), her son Lanell Beckles (who attends Le Cordon Bleu in Boston) and his fiancee Rebeca Hey-Colon. These two were amazingly generous to do this for us considering their wedding was just 2 weekends after ours!

Eggs: 90% from Halden’s parents, the other 10% from Haldan and myself… being young, our chickens had just barely started laying eggs before the wedding. I wrote out every name on them the day before the ceremony!

Cake: carrot with cream cheese frosing, made 100% from scratch by Sherry

Alcohol: Shore Discount Liquors by Deep River

Dress: JCrew but acquired as a sample gown on eBay

Groomsmen: shirts from Eddie Bauer

Flowers: Ashleigh’s Garden (Allison Sloane) of Essex

Hair: by Eliza at Egidio’s in New Haven

Makup: by Emily at Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

Hair piece: custom made by Velvet Owl

Shoes: Jaceline by RSVP, from Zappos

Band: Moving Target of Ivoryton

Car: A 1960 MG A that used to belong to Haldan’s father’s sister in high school. The windshield still has the “Lyme/Old Lyme High School” sticker on it. Haldan restored this car with his Dad when he got to high school.

Family Fun

Rick & Ann — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:16:06 +0000

These awesome kids are actually the youngest of all our nieces and nephews, so… you might say we’re a little prejudiced, but really, how ADORABLE are they? We met up with them and their mom and dad (Rick’s brother) on a rather brisk fall day. The kids were so EXCITED that we were going to be photographing them. Rebecca and Joe are such loving, wonderful parents and these two play so well together and we just love hanging out with them.
As it happens, we’re going to be seeing them this weekend, so hopefully we’ll have great weather for an Easter egg hunt. Can’t wait to see how much they’ve changed since the last time we were all together! AND OF COURSE, we’re bringing our cameras!!!!

Rick and I love photographing kids and families… love capturing parents interacting with their little ones. If you’d like to book a session with us, contact us and we’ll schedule you in…Spring’s here and the weather is just getting better and better for photography outdoors!!!

He already has that cool kid look down!
Rebecca and Joe, you have one AMAZING family. Thanks for rushing home from work, getting the kids all psyched up for photography, and for being the lovely wonderful souls that you are!

The Day After: Mary Lou & Anthony

Rick & Ann — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:49:50 +0000

Rick and I were fortunate to have a little time with ML and Anthony the day after their wedding. Check out Part I and Part II in our March blogposts of their awesome wedding. These two have known each other since high school, so one could think that this would be just another day to them… not so. It was just so incredibly confirming to see them together the next day, loving being together, being themselves, and excited about their formalized commitment in this new chapter of their lives together. Also, not too conscious of us. It does seem that the best shots are the ones taken right after (or before) you think we’re shooting… the ones that really show the emotion of your love for one another.

Mary Lou and Anthony, meeting with you before you left for St. Lucia was special for us too. Rick and I know we’ll be photographing you for many many more special occasions in your life together. And we’re really looking forward to it!
This girl has a megawatt smile!

ARCHITECTURAL PORTRAITS

Rick & Ann — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:14:56 +0000

We just put up some of Rick’s architectural photos as a featured gallery (Buildings: Inside & Out) under our “GALLERIES” menu heading. Rick has photographed commercial buildings and residences over the years working with architects, interior designers and decorators. Some of the images were taken with a 4 x 5 camera but within the last few years he’s totally made the switch to digital photography. Every once in a while, I’ve assisted on some of the interior shoots. It’s soooo very different from wedding photography which is probably about 60-70% of our work right now. It can easily take up to an hour and sometimes longer to style a room to be photographed. This particular photo (also in the slideshow) taken at Kiehl’s in Washington, DC is one of my faves and the motorcycle’s an interesting touch! It’s a beautiful store and Kiehl’s product philosophy is pretty awesome too. Their skin and hair care formulas are made with only natural ingredients. When we lived in NYC, we used to visit their flagship store on 3rd Avenue in the East Village. They were always very generous with their samples! My favorite product is the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF15. But, I’m digressing… please enjoy the slideshow!

Orlando, FL: Mary Lou & Anthony: Part II

Rick & Ann — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:26:32 +0000

Here’s Part II of Mary Lou and Anthony’s lovely wedding in Orlando, Florida! We have to post a few photos of the surroundings…guess we’re not in Connecticut anymore! Just around the corner from St. Luke.
Rick was busy photographing details!
I love this shot! Right before the ceremony began, Rick was positioned up front behind a column. Once the service started, we both had to be at the back of the church. It still allowed enough time for a couple of really wonderful photographs!

Congratulations!!!

I grabbed this of Mary Lou as the bridal party was walking by.
The wedding party made their way over to the reception site at the Orange County Regional History Center.

They look like they just stepped out of a magazine!

Never to miss an opportunity for a cool shot, Rick caught this image of Anthony in the reflection of a passing bus!
What a FUN wedding party…loved this wonderful group of friends!!

A few minutes of alone time for Mary Lou and Anthony. These actually weren’t “posed” shots. It was a little cold outside and everyone was ready to move inside the center to get warmed up. Anthony and Mary Lou took a moment to themselves…
Sally, Mary Lou’s sister, had everyone crying and then laughing!
Eric, the best man was hilarious using his iphone for his toast.
Larry was such a PROUD father and you can tell he will love being a father-in-law!

The Rollins Girls!!
LOVE a sparkler send off!!
Mary Lou and Anthony, there really are no words to express how wonderful your day was and how meaningful it was to photograph your wedding! Rick and I are so very very happy for you both!!!

Destination Wedding: Orlando, FL: Mary Lou & Anthony: Part I

Rick & Ann — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:27:33 +0000

A destination wedding in Florida in February would always be pretty wonderful. Having the privilege of documenting our niece’s wedding in Florida – FABULOUS! Let me just say right now, I met Mary Lou when she was three years old…back when I first met Rick. Did we know then that she was a very beautiful and very determined little girl…absolutely! Did we ever guess that one day we’d be able to share in her special day by not only witnessing it but being able to capture it for her…? We are so happy for these two and so honored to be their photographers!

First, a little more about them…
Anthony first noticed Mary Lou on the basketball court. Mary Lou was captain of the team, and in her senior year she and her sister Sally (MOH) played for the state championship for their high school…and WON. Anthony was a ballplayer too. What really surprised him was when he heard that ML hadn’t received a valentine’s card…and so he made one for her. That sweet gesture got her attention…how could it not?

Fast forward to 2010…we finally had a chance to meet Anthony when he and ML flew up last September and we photographed their Boston engagement session (on our first blog). We were so excited to finally meet Anthony…he was obviously such a sweet guy and we enjoyed every minute with them. After that, we were just counting the days to their wedding! Rick is very close to his family and to be able to photograph our niece on her wedding day…well, it doesn’t get much better than that! This is the first of two posts of images from their day. We also met up with them the next day for a quick day after session!

The details:

The Dress: Marisa from Solutions Bridal
The Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jim Hjelm
Groom’s Tuxedo: Mens Warehouse
The Rings: Zales
The Earrings: Ippollita earrings for the bridesmaids & David Yurman for the bride
The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Michelle Acevedo
The Ceremony: The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke
The Reception Venue: Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando
Floral Design: Lee Forrest Design
Caterer: Levan’s Catering
Cake: Publix
DJ: Marc Burgess of Marc Burgess Productions

Love this…just a quiet moment before the hair and makeup stylists arrived.

I always really love photographing the “getting ready shots.” While I’m with Mary Lou and the girls, Rick is photographing Anthony and the guys. These are just a few images he captured while with them.
Is this guy handsome or what?
Rick met us back at the hotel so Mary Lou could have an early look!
These beautiful Ippolita earrings were the bridesmaids’ gift!

I had to check back to see if we added some sort of glow to this photo! This is almost straight out of the camera. Mary Lou, you are GORGEOUS!
Rick’s fabulous sister! Ellen, you are beautiful too!Mary Lou and Sally right before the “first look.”
Check back for Part II of Mary Lou and Anthony’s beautiful day!!