Athena Bludé Photography

Photographer Headshots: Sara

Athena Bludé — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:43:12 +0000

Last year I had the honor of photographing the super sweet + super talented, Sara of Growing Tree Photography. Wanting to update our headshots, we got dressed up, beautified by DD Nickel + our hair did by our girl, Amy of Dana Bartone & Co. Then we actually took turns photographing each other. Making each other laugh + feeling at ease with one another made the experience so much easier being on the other end of the camera, as most photogs are known for not being the best subjects. I’m sure I even uttered, “What do I do with my hands?”

I’m so thankful to not just have worked with Sara, but to call her a good friend. As one-woman businesses we understood each other. Having similar perspectives + a passion for our craft we were able to commiserate and celebrate with one another. Honestly, because of her I know that I would not have grown + be where I am today without her.

After kicking ass here in CT, Sara + her adorable little family relocated to Pennsylvania last fall. Keep her on your radar, Penn State! She’s a gift to anyone who gets the opportunity to get to know her. She’s thoughtful, fun + genuine. She’s naturally gifted, yet works hard. Can’t wait to see her flourish over there!

Love ya, girl! Big things are in your future. xo

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” - Henry David Thoreau.

Hurricane Irene Wedding at Saybrook Point Inn | Married: Nikki + Aaron

Athena Bludé — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:53:21 +0000

Last August in Connecticut we were all up in arms waiting to see if Hurricane Irene was going to be as catastrophic as predicted. So what do you do if your wedding was planned months in advance on the day she was supposed to roll in? You roll with it + show it who’s boss, just like Nikki + Aaron did!

When I arrived at the Saybrook Point Inn chaos tried to rear its ugly head. Guests were calling canceling, the hotel’s event coordinator was making adjustments on the fly to move the outside ceremony inside, the timeline kept shifting, we were only given the option to shoot everything indoors, and if my memory serves me right, I believe there were 2-3 other weddings there that weekend that got postponed. Yet Nikki + Aaron didn’t let it effect their day one bit. I believe their day was an honest reflection of them. Super endearing, charming + joyful.

Major thanks to Eileen for shooting shooting this one with me, being so helpful + making the trek in the unexpected elements.

Their wedding made it on news!

Shooting for Myself

Athena Bludé — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:55:45 +0000

For some time, actually too long, I have talked about how I want to dedicate a day a week or so to go out, explore and shoot for myself. No paid assignments. No real agenda. No deadlines or outside expectations other than my own. Finally, I let my actions speak louder than my words.

“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” –Anais Nin

–

An Instagram frame of mine from my iPhone from the day I shot. That friendly + curious guy there actually tried to bite my foot! If you were around, I’m sure you would have died laughing when I shrieked.

New York City Engagement Session | Engaged: Judy + Tommy

Athena Bludé — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:00:18 +0000

Judy + Tommy live in the City, so we met there for their engagement session, hitting up spots that are sentimental to them. I had such a good time hobnobbing around (who uses the word hobnob these days?) and getting more acquainted before their June wedding. They were a little nervous to be in front of the camera, but as you will see below the camera loved them.

Love.

I told Judy I wanted to make a wig out of her hair. I’m still letting her think about it.

The image below is out of focus + I’ll admit it, it was unintentional. Of course I have an almost identical frame that’s in focus, but there’s something about the blur that I just love. Thoughts?

New Haven, CT Engagement Session: Justine + Mike

Athena Bludé — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:33:15 +0000

Justine + Mike’s engagement session kicked off in New Haven at the restaurant where they had their first date. From there we palled around in the brisk weather keeping it moving so they’d stay warm. Gotta say, I love engagement sessions. It’s where couples + I get to know each other better and it eases them into shooting before their wedding day. It’s also where they get to witness my somewhat awesome awkwardness behind the camera. And did I deliver some memorable lines that day….

Shout out to my my good friend + photographer, Anthony Decarlo who came along for the fun of it + scored some action shots, which I loved because you’ll see I’m not all up in your face the whole time. In addition to those shots he also got some other bangin’ frames + it was fun having some company!

Justine is delish.

Ab workout…

And my shot.

This art in New Haven blows my mind.

Love this frame of Anthony’s!

Hmm… Anthony’s view.

And my view.

This might be my favorite from the day.

Destination Wedding in Mexico | Married: Amanda + Dan

Athena Bludé — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:56:13 +0000

Last November my best friends, Amanda + Dan got married in Mexico. And you know what they say, always the photographer, never the guest… well not this time. :) Not just was I a guest, but I was a bridesmaid, yo! However, I couldn’t just leave my best friends in the hands of an all-inclusive resort photographer. C’mon now! Not that they were bad photographers, but I’m territorial and since I wouldn’t be in their bridals I knew I could play double duty. It was perfect actually. Once the ceremony was over they had over two hours before the reception started for pictures. Once their photographer was done, they were all mine. So barefoot and in my most favorite bridesmaid dress I’ve ever worn I put my camera around my neck + did work, son!

Their wedding was unbelievable! Hello, it was in Mexico! But it wasn’t just the white sand, crystal blue water, and constant flow of frothy drinks that made it special. It was the intimacy and crazy fun of being with the friends + family that made the trip (like going on vacation with a big group of friends). It was the ceremony, with the ocean and sky as the backdrop and no one leaving with a dry eye. And it was also the reception that was kicked off with mariachis and ended with dancing into a starry night. Seriously, one of THE best weddings I’ve ever been to!

And now to Amanda + Dan, whom I could go on and on about… As I already said, their two of my best friends, so instead of being garrulous I’ll just say that I love them, I couldn’t be happier for them, and I am so thankful they’re in my life!

Now onto some pictures, starting off with a few from my Canon S95 point-and-shoot camera.

Actually, triple duty… Bridesmaid, photographer AND amateur makeup artist.

Proof I was in the wedding. :) (This image is missing her sister + matron of honor, Lauren but it’s the only group shot I had.)

Is it bragging if I say I’ve got some mad makeup skills?

Oh Meh-hee-co. My homeland. My love.

I love this so much! The frame on the left is soooooo Amanda.

Before the party I snagged a couple detail shots then officially put my camera down + went back to being a guest.

This trip I only used my professional camera on Amanda + Dan. I was on vacation after all… You feel me?! The images below are a snippet of Mexico from Instagram through my iPhone.

A Fall West Point Wedding | Married: Laura + Casey

Athena Bludé — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:18:30 +0000

Laura + Casey got married on the beautiful West Point Campus last Fall. Rich in tradition, history and beautiful scenery I was beyond pumped to shoot there. Casey, an alumnus walked us all around the campus, taking us to spots that I’d like to think–in my head anyway–were exclusive. It might have been the first time that I had the groom be so eager and excited for portraits.

Actually, it was so portrait heavy that I decided to switch things up a little for this blog post and primarily share just those favorites of the lovely bride + groom that day.

And thank you to the Mr. Robert Norman, whom I was lucky gal to have shoot with me that day.

Classic tux… Best dressed nominee for me for the season, (as if I’m Joan Rivers from “Fashion Police”).

Helicopter pad… Mmmmmmmm!

Delicious antique family jewelry.

Fall Foliage Wedding at the Webb Barn: Chris + Krista

Athena Bludé — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:55:26 +0000

Normally when I meet with couples before their wedding it’s usually at least with the bride, but this time I met just with Chris. So aside from some glimpses I got through Instagram, Krista sort of remained a mystery until their wedding day.

We did however exchange a few emails leading up to their wedding + I learned she had planned their wedding with the help of blogs, Etsy + Pinterest (a bride after my own heart) and Chris used his mad skills as a graphic designer to create all the paper goods. Needless to say, I was pumped for their wedding and knew it was going to have some delightful + cohesive details.

Both the ceremony + reception were at Webb Barn. It was such a beautiful day with the insane foliage aside from it being super chilly + crisp, but they had their love to keep them warm! :)

Always grateful to have my homegirl, Nicole Taylor who shot with me, made me laugh + and contributed lovely images.

Now onto some images… xo

The cutest DIY photobooth ever.

“I love technology, but not as much as you, you see. But I still love technology. Always and forever…”

High fives to those that can name the movie that line is from.

New Haven, CT Wedding: Sandy + Jay

Athena Bludé — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:06:46 +0000

Ever since I met Sandy + Jay I was pumped for their wedding day. I probably said something about their awesomeness when I posted their engagement session, but it’s legit, yo! They’re enjoyable, funny + easy to photograph. And the rest of their wedding was gravy, with their ceremony taking place in New Haven and portraits done around Yale. Then I was in my Latin-lovin’ element with their reception at the Cascade in Hamden where some Latin music played + hips swayed. (I rhymed. So nerdy, I know! :) )

Mad ups to Robin Dini for second shooting with me, chillin’ with the boys + contributing many a lovely images.

Now onto my favorite frames from their day! xo

We have a run away ring bearer on our hands…

Sandy + her girls killing it!

Oh yes… Your eyes are not deceiving you. That most certainly is the B+G crowd surfing!

Cameoooo! I always try to remember to take a pic with my couples, (even though I don’t feel that this really looks like me). :)

VENDOR GOODS

Church: Center Church on the Green

Reception: Cascades

Florist: Fleurescent Flowers

Hair: Dana Bartone & Company

Makeup: Larissa Lake Makeup Artist

DJ: That’s Entertainment New York

CT Wedding Photographer | Married: Diane + Dave

Athena Bludé — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:56:05 +0000

It’s my first post of 2012 and I’m going to kick it off with Diane + Dave! Side note: Putting blog posts together might be one of my favorite things to do, aside from shooting. :)

So back to Diane + Dave… They got married back in September with their ceremony and reception all taking place in Farmington. Actually, their wedding I believe was the first wedding for then new venue, Farmington Gardens. Spirits were high, love was in air and it was a grand day of celebrating! :)

Shout out to Sidney Chang for shooting with me and suffering many a mosquito bites. And, as always, super thankful to Diane + Dave for having me photograph their day. All my best! xo

Now let’s get onto some pictures…