Brides always ask me “Do you know a great caterer, florist, DJ, hair&make up person?” etc. and I’ve loved connecting them with professionals that I’ve formed relationships with over the years. I like making the referrals to my couples because I KNOW that the people I recommend are not only fantastic at what they do but they’re fun people to be around on the big day. I think everyone can agree that getting a referral from someone you trust is much better than blindly searching for a vendor on the web. Having the ability to refer great vendors is a win win for couples and for our businesses. There are so many talented people in the wedding industry in NYC-the problem is getting all of us in one room so we can network and form relationships with each other that will benefit our couples.

That’s why I’m starting up a wedding industry networking group called WeDo, as in We Do photography, planning, cakes, flowers etc. It will bring together the best wedding vendors in NYC on a regular basis via monthly networking events where we will be showcasing our member talent. I’ve teamed up with Ara Farnam of Rock Paper Scissors Events to make this group a reality. Membership to WeDo will be selective but not snobby and we’re in the process of signing up our Charter Members now. Through out the summer and fall we will be hosting Charter Member cocktail parties to tell everyone what WeDo is all about like this one we hosted at The Green Building. Everyone is really energized by the idea and our list of new members grows everyday. Our website www.WeDoNYC.net is under construction now. Until then follow us on Twitter @WeDoNYC or like us on Facebook http://on.fb.me/o8aoPk to keep up with WeDo news.

If you’d like more information about becoming a WeDo member, email info@WeDoNYC.net.

This is a wedding grad blog entry from one of my brides on A Practical Wedding.

“It certainly talks about the hugeness of marriage and how on your wedding day, the tidal wave of enormous competes with the minutiae of moments in time, and it sometimes overwhelms us. It will help you remember what your wedding day felt like, how it changed you, and why.”

Kate is a gifted writer who keeps it real. It’s a great read, and the photos she chose really compliment the telling of her story.

Enjoy! Click here to see the entire post.

It’s hard to put into words what it was like to witness so many couples finally able to legally declare their love for one another. I guess that’s why I’m a photographer and not a writer. I was in with the crowd of well wishers across the exit from City Hall in Manhattan. Every time a couple would emerge from the doors the crowd would erupt with cheers, chant “kiss! kiss! kiss!” and beg the couple to cross the street and walk through what I considered to be the aisle so everyone could shower them with confetti and well wishes. I photographed couples who had been together for 37 years, 20  years, had children….it was an overwhelming outpouring of love and support that effected those who gave it, those who received it and those who documented it. We were all witnessing history, witnessing gay relationships finally being viewed as equal. It was powerful and moving.  I’ve already shared these images with some of the couples photographed and they were so thankful and appreciative….it was my wedding present. I look forward to documenting many many many more gay weddings in the weeks, months and years to come. Congratulations to all who married on this historic day!

Kelly Guenther Studio has partnered up with some of our favorite vendors to offer a mini-wedding package to those couples getting married in NYC at City Hall. See below for details. Contact info@kellyguentherstudio.com to book.

First can I just say how much I loved Joanne’s bold use of color in her dress! The aqua ribbon train was so fabulous and fun, it really reflected Joanne’s personality. We were all a little worried about the rain that day, but as usual on all my weddings the skies parted just before it was time for photos. I’ve got connections;) The ceremony started off with a great ice breaker; Joanne’s dad knocked the bouquet out of her hand while hugging her, yet she some how managed this graceful back bend to pick it up. Had everyone in stitches! Well done lady, grace under pressure for sure. Because of the sketchy weather we had Prospect Park all to ourselves for portraits, so romantic. During the reception the kids stole the show. I had a hard time believing that the little Michael-Jackson-in-training ring bearer who had a dance circle around him for 70% of the reception was apparently very shy…until that night! When the music hits ya you gotta go with the flow-man that kid had some moves! To top it all off Joanne served pudding Snack Packs for dessert….you heard me, Snack Packs! It was awesome. That’s her favorite thing to eat and that’s what she wanted to serve at her wedding. I love it. It’s the little personal touches that really make a wedding memorable for all involved and really, who doesn’t love puddin’?

Photos by Kelly Guenther with Assist by Tanya Salazar

I’m overwhelmed with emotion that gay marriage finally passed in my state. It’s about time! It seemed so odd to me that gays could marry in Dubuque, Iowa but not New York City?! I’ve never understood why government would tell it’s citizens who they can and can not marry. I’ve documented over 250 weddings and gay or straight they are all about the same thing: two people committing to love each other for the rest of their lives. How is that ever wrong? I’m so happy that all New Yorkers now have the choice to marry in their home state. So, in honor of gay marriage being legalized in NY I wanted to share the wedding of Brad and Michael. They are New Yorkers who chose to be married in Provincetown, MA, not because they had to go to Massachusetts to be married, but because Ptown is an incredibly important place in their lives and relationship. Knowing that their wedding will be legally recognized in New York makes these images even more meaningful somehow. Congratulations to Brad and Michael and to gays all over NY!

Photos by Drew Anthony Smith for Kelly Guenther Studio

I don’t normally shoot 1st Bday parties, but Chrisann is a friend and hello? have you seen how cute her baby is!? That little Holdon is a heart breaker-I personally love the hair part. She also has a background in events (http://ducksinarowevents.blogspot.com) so I knew it would be a great party w/fun elements to shoot. If you haven’t been to the Bklyn Farmacy it’s worth the trip. It’s like stepping back in time…the old fashioned soda jerks, the ambiance, everything about it is nostalgic but w/that Bklyn hipster twist. I loved the “Message in a Bottle”- Chrisann had everyone write a little message to Holdon and stick it in a bottle that will be opened on his 18th birthday. Such a great idea. I also loved the wrapping job on the rocking horse. I mean really, what other options are there? When it came time for the big Happy Birthday moment Holden was all smiles. It was his first synthetic sugar moment and the little guy couldn’t get enough! So adorable. Happy Birthday Holdon-I can’t wait for #2!

Some of you may have seen our name in the credits for the Tonys (unless you blinked then you missed it;). The sets for the big musical numbers were a combination of actual set pieces and digital LED screens. We spent days shooting thousands of photos of all the nominated musical sets. These images were then pieced together and animated by our own web guru and motion graphic genius Brandon Bell of Design-O-Matic. I’ve attached two videos below, one from the Anything Goes number and one from Sister Act. For Anything Goes, the only thing not digitized is the lower deck and the railing. The boat, the sky, all the portals…basically everything else are all digital animations using our photos. It’s hard to tell the digital from the real thing. The big Mary in the Sister Act number? I took that shot from the balcony…more like I took 1000 shots of Mary from the balcony and they were all pieced together through the different lighting cues to make her come alive. Not literally of course, atleast I don’t think so, I didn’t actually see the show;) Anyway, we were thrilled to be a part of something so big as The Tonys. I apologize in advance if the Anything Goes song gets stuck in your head. And no, I can’t get you tickets to see Book of Mormon.

When you’re choosing someone to shoot your wedding you’re not hiring photographs, you’re hiring a photographer. It’s hard to get a sense of the person behind the camera by just looking at their photos. I always insist clients come into the studio to meet me and make sure that we’re a personality match. But the question still lingers, “What’s it like to work with her on my wedding day?” Well, that’s why I put together these client testimonial videos (soon to be featured on my updated website). You get to hear directly from my clients what their experience was like working with me and get lost in their love story in the process. They’re short and sweet and I even make a cameo or two. Thanks to Arianna&Richard, Nicole&Eric, and Mark&Sarah for participating.

In one year I’ve shot Rebecca and Jason’s engagement, bridal (just Rebecca, not Jason;), maternity and baby portraits. Yesterday Rebecca and sweet baby Haley stopped by the office to put together an “Our First Year” album. It’s been so much fun for me to document their growth from a newly engaged couple to a family. Here are a few of my favorites (and yes, that is the baby in Jason’s hockey helmet-his idea!):