As a Syracuse wedding photographer, I spend my days looking for secret gem locations, planning beautiful shoots with incredible couples and clients, and soaking in all the beauty Syracuse can offer couples wishing to have a Syracuse wedding. For Ilyana and Joe’s Syracuse engagement session, we explored two different settings – Syracuse University and Everson Museum of Art. These locations were ideal for their engagement session, and I can’t believe more people don’t utilize these beauties!
Ilyana and Joe will get married in June of this year at one of my favorite Syracuse wedding venues, Hotel Syracuse! And I cannot wait. Spending this quality time with them before their wedding day was fantastic. We celebrated their love and captured the essence of their engagement period. As a Syracuse wedding photographer, it was so much fun to visit some iconic spots in Syracuse.
Ilyana and Joe
Ilyana and Joe are the cutest, most romantic couple! They were ready for a fantastic session and came prepared with the most iconic fashion and wardrobe. For the Syracuse University engagement session, they were dressed like chic New Yorkers in dark denim and classic coats. Ilyana and Joe were so giddy during their session; the excitement was building as we were dreaming of the warm June sun they would see on their wedding day (it was a chilly day, so, of course, we were dreaming of the warmth, haha!)
What I adored about Ilyana and Joe is that they were ready to try any location that would result in the best photos. As a Syracuse wedding photographer, I love when my clients trust me to take them to certain areas of their selected locations. From the center-stage photo in front of the grand stairs at Syracuse University to some cozy snaps in front of the incredible local artwork featured at the Everson Museum of Art, Ilyana and Joe were down for all my ideas!
You could feel the love radiate off of them as they walked around their Syracuse engagement locations, and I just was happy to be there to capture this time for them! The giggles started after warming up to the camera. Ilyana and Joe were laughing with one another, and these pure moments resulted in the sweetest photos. I just adored the time we spent together at Syracuse University. Still, we were thrilled to step inside the Everson Museum of Art to warm up and continue their Syracuse engagement session.
From Syracuse University to Everson Museum of Art
When selecting a location for my client’s Syracuse engagement session, I like to provide a few different ideas. Often, essential locations play a role in my clients’ lives and stories, and I LOVE when we get to explore those spots. For Ilyana and Joe, we started at Syracuse University because that’s where Joe works! We walked around the quad and visited a view of the historical buildings that feature some of the most stunning architecture in Syracuse. After a beautiful session at Syracuse University, I suggested we head to the Everson Museum of Art. We had called ahead of time for permission to shoot here (more on this in a bit!), but it is one of my favorite places to shoot and a true hidden gem in Syracuse. After Ilyana and Joe changed into their next set of outfits, we popped some champagne to warm us up and got ready to keep shooting!
I like to think of the Everson Museum of Art as a true hidden gem in Syracuse. Regarding a Syracuse wedding, most people think about locations like the Hotel Syracuse or Sky Armory. And while I adore these locations (Ilyana and Joe chose Hotel Syracuse for their big day!!) I love having spots like Everson in my back pocket. The museum hosts small weddings, and the ambiance creates the perfect low-lit and cozy ceremony for a beautiful and intimate wedding experience. What I adore about this space as a Syracuse wedding venue is that it is so close to Downtown Syracuse and just a block away from the Oncenter.
With Ilyana and Joe, we visited different locations in the museum for their photos, but my favorite spot is the giant set of spiral stairs in the middle of the museum! Not only are these stairs an actual work of art, but they also make for epic photos! Whether you want to capture your Syracuse engagement photos here or are hosting a Syracuse wedding and are looking for breathtaking bridal portraits, these stairs are iconic!
How To Shoot Engagements at Hidden Gems in Syracuse
There are SO many hidden gems in Syracuse, and as a wedding photographer in Syracuse, I aim to provide my clients with the inside scoop on what to do, where to go, and how to prepare! Whether hosting a wedding or just photo sessions, many of these hidden gems may require you to obtain permission in advance.
We wanted to capture part of Ilyana and Joe’s engagement session at the Everson Museum of Art, so we called the museum ahead of time to request permission to use the space. They were willing to allow us the time to do so, which we were thankful for! The only additional thing we had to do to capture their session in the museum is pay the admission fee (around $10 each), which was quite a treat! Not only was the museum affordable, but we also got to look around and admire the beautiful local artwork they featured.
You may want to research beforehand if you’re planning an engagement session in a public setting, like a museum. We managed to go during a relatively slow period for the museum when they didn’t have many visitors, which made the experience even more private and elevated. It was perfect. It felt as if the museum was closed and belonged to us briefly. It made us all feel incredibly comfortable and willing to explore different poses and locations to continue their Syracuse engagement session!
I adored this day with Ilyana and Joe, and I know their June wedding day will be filled with sunshine, smiles, and so much love! If you’re looking for a Syracuse wedding photographer, I would love to discuss your photo goals and visions! Drop a message into my inbox using the contact page on my website!
Vendors:
Film Scans: Photovisions
Venues: Syracuse University & Everson Museum of Art
