Emma and Kevin - Chautauqua Institution Wedding Photography — Aaron Bobeck Photography

October 8, 2022 • Chautauqua, NY

Congratulations Emma and Kevin on your Chautauqua Institution wedding! As a Buffalo wedding photographer, I was honored to drive a bit south to ;photograph their special day at the Chautauqua Institution.

They chose Lake Chautauqua for their wedding, which was perfect for a fall wedding and a little change of scenery from my normal photo spots here in Buffalo. We started getting ready at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel before heading over to Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church for the ceremony. After the ceremony, the guests sent off Emma and Kevin with some lavender petals as they cheered.

The first stop was the Athenaeum Hotel. I got a few candid shots as Kevin was walking Emma up, then stopped them to turn towards each other for a few. The wedding party joined us on the steps, which were super convenient for the size of their wedding party. Next stop was the Miller Bell Tower, a short drive down the road from the hotel. This also allowed us to get some photos along the water looking back towards the hotel.

One of the challenging parts of being a wedding photographer is working against time constraints. We captured all the wedding party and couple alone photos in both spots in less than an hour. Between driving, scoping out locations, lighting, and getting everyone to cooperate, things are definitely time-crunched. I've learned how to work fast–sometimes we only get as little as 20 minutes!

The reception was held back at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in the Pier Ballroom, where many of the guests stayed for the night. After dinner, the party really got started, but I was able to pull Emma and Kevin outside for a beautiful shot with the moon. Thank you Emma and Kevin for choosing me as your Chautauqua Institution wedding photographer!