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November 23, 2010

a very saratoga engagement session with melissa & andrew

Engagement Sessions

Thats right people. You don’t get more Saratoga than this one! What I love about this one is it’s an engagement session with a purpose. Melissa and Andrew actually got engaged at Saratoga Race Course. So instead of just shooting somewhere just to shoot there this one had a purpose. When planning an engagement session I always ask my couples where they want to shoot? Most of the time they have a location in mind. Sometimes I have to choose one which is fine too because I know a lot of different spots. With out hesitation Melissa and Andrew were like where else but “the track”? Just so you know, I’ve been shooting sessions at the track since 2003. I will only shoot there if there is some connection with the couple and the track since this is a special place. Anyway, for those who aren’t local or familiar with Saratoga Race Course it opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States (thanks wikipedia). It’s also locally referred to as “the track”. So we shot at the track for most of the shoot and ended with a few casual shots in downtown Saratoga Springs. I just love these images! Melissa and Andrew are totally easy to photograph, I had a blast with them. They are also getting married next September at my favorite place in all of Saratoga. Can you guess where? Anyway, I’ll stop talking now and share some sweet images with you all. Happy Turkey Day people!

Peace,
JP

Meet Melissa & Andrew…

We set things off at one of the entrances since it’s only appropriate.

The track is only open for like 6 weeks in the summer.. The rest of the year it pretty much looks like this. We had the whole place to ourselves..

I love the classic red and white. It’s everywhere. BTW.. how about this couple? I’m like 10 minutes into the shoot and they’re totally at ease with me.. 

I love this one..

At the starting gates.. This the point of the blog where I say “and they’re off!”

So many people have stood in this spot watching so many famous horses either make them happy or mad.

The infamous seats..

The nine? Duh, it’s their date! Loving this shot btw..

I really like shooting with these chairs. So I worked this area for a bit..

I love this one too! Too many to love in this session..

Oh hey now she’s pulling him in.

I love the attitude.

A good old forehead kiss.

Ok once more in these chairs..

On the main track.. this was fun!

love. this. shot…. we were shooting right on the finish line.

A nice little configuration in b&w with sweet backlight.

another fav of mine. did I mention it was freezing out? Melissa was a trooper.

A photo finish.. right on the finish line. They’re winners..

One all the way on the top where the races are called.. Oh yeah this is also where Andrew popped the question.

In Congress Park..

As you can see the light is dropping..

The color is beautiful.

Another one of my favorite spots in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Last but not least.. my bling shot.. Melissa and Andrew, you’ve been blogged!

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  4. WOW, your posts are great, love them. Also is it just me or are your pics getting “SHARPER” did you get some new gear, maybe new glass? Anyway, great post

  5. My favorites are the one of them on the finish line (great job with that light!!) and in the starting gates. Props to Andrew for matching his socks to his pants, you have no idea how many white socks with black pants I see…

  6. one more . . those “those Red Shoes” , share the sacred ground , likes of “Secretariat , Man of War”etc. ect.

  8. JP those images are absoulty breath taking!!!! You really have an eye for capturing just the right pictures!!! And this couple is so cute!
    P.S. I loved the brides shoes!!!

  9. I have falshbacks of some of our shoot done there a few years ago with Well Wed. What a lucky couple to be out at the track and go to some of the spots you don’t usually get to be at. It is such a cool feeling to have the place to yourself. But, I just love the outfits with the sweaters and scarfs and the leaves. So cozy!

  11. I’m in Hawaii but I’m still blogstalking as much as I can!! 🙂 LOVE this one! Melissa is all smiles in everyone of these pictures! The facebook teaser is awesome, but the elario configuration shot is my absolute favorite shot of them! Can’t wait to see their wedding pictures!!

  12. Perfect location, happy couple, & beautiful photos! The starting gate picture is my favorite, but the one taken in the clubhouse with Melissa “watching the race” gave me the chills…a very close second!

  13. Ok I love how Marie said she was giving as long a comment as I would. HA! 🙂 Back to the comment… These are cool!!! JP I would NOT have known how cold it was out until you told me – Melissa looks awesome and not a bit chilly (Seriously, cute skirt, top AND shoes). You guys look like you’re ready to watch the races in style. 🙂 LOVE the finish line on the rail. That… is… beautiful. And of course the one on the track itself on the finish line. Very clever with “And they’re off”.

    I also love when a couple can revisit a place that is significant – whether it be where they met, where they will marry, or where the proposal happened. And I LOVE Saratoga. The change of outfits is sweet and definitely screams fall!! you guys are a great looking couple together!!! Less than a year now!!! Enjoy (I’m guessing it will be the canfield huh?) Ha ha, I’m good. Well anyways, these are just beautiful. Although I don’t know either of you, you guys look like you are having a lot of fun with the camera, and the smiles and laughs all look very genuine. Love the bling shot at the end too, and the “attitude” look where Andrew has got a little elvis swag going in the smile. Really these are awesome, quintessential fall and Saratoga. Nice 🙂

    Can’t wait to see September! (Oh and based on the awesome seat shots, are we talking September 9th? Yea I’m guessing) 🙂 yay!!!

  15. that was one of the best “Elario Configuration” shots yet, what a cute couple and I loooove the shots on the track itself.

  17. Wow! Melissa & Andrew – you look so relaxed & like you had a great time. They’re very “you”! These are wonderful! Nice job, JP!

  19. Retraction: The 18th image down… a wonderful Elario Config in black and White… Got too excited in my scrolling… must have missed it 🙂

  22. Wow! Amazing photos! I love the ones out on the track. Can you save “Save the Date” worthy?! Congratulations to the happy couple.

  23. WOWie!! So much more fun when I know the bride!! Jp the shots are amazing. Love love love the facebook teaser and the one of Melissa sitting on the side of the track. You would never have known it was so cold out – nice job guys!! What a great variety…switching from the track to the nice fall shots… Love the sitting shot. Gotta admit missing the Elario config a little!! Oh jeez my post is getting as long as Mona’s 🙂 – Congrats again guys… next year is gonna be a wedding palozza!

  24. I can’t stop smiling looking at these! I have so many favorites, but I love love love the ones on the track – especially on the rail. Amazing job with these, I couldn’t be happier! Can’t wait for September!!

  25. . . Starting Gate , without doubt , “love it “. trivia / S.I. choose Saratoga Race Track ( locals” the track”) as one of the top five of all US sporting venues.

  28. loving their expressions in all of these!! the picture in the starting gate is the BEST. nice 🙂

  32. OM freakin’ goodness!!!! this is amazing!!!!! love the track shots, especially at the starting gate, the finish line, and the colors and the outfits in Congress Park are great!!!!! LOVE THIS BLOG!!! Congrats You Guys! 🙂

  34. i LOVE the one of her sitting on the gate at the finish line!!! they were all so amazing and i just WISH we have leaves in tucson!!! just amazingly beautiful!!!!