Lilacs and Love in Historic Essex New York

Adirondacks, Champlain Valley, Engagement, Life, Locations, New York, Portraits


I love sharing pictures and even more so the stories of couples! The fun comes with highlighting the amazing people that I have the privileged of photographing in the Adirondacks and beyond. It is amazing to be that this this will be my 60th blog post! I feel like 60 is a pretty cool number to get to : )  I bet 160 blog posts will be even more exciting!


This post is even more special because it features two people that I have gotten to know over the past few years. We first met when Cole and I moved back to upstate New York. I grew to know them while indoor rock climbing facility, The Crux, in Willsboro, NY. We would work out climbing routes together and encourage one another to reach just a little more for that hold that seemed impossible.


I love that they were excited to have their photography session in Essex, NY. I am lucky to call this historic town home. Essex is a small town that sits on the shores of Lake Champlain. Historic homes line the streets with beautiful gardens, and little shops to explore. To say the town is beautiful in the spring is an understatement. The lilacs and flowering trees were in full bloom for this evening session! Town smelled and looks stunning!


Chauntel and Pierre were married last year, so we treated their session like a sweet anniversary session. It was so cute, Chauntel said they were very nervous about having their pictures taken, which I reassured them was completely normal! But these two rocked their session! I am so glad they followed the Style Guide! The Style Guide is given to all of my couples. Pierre and Chauntel looked like they stepped right out of a magazine!


This might just be a hunch of mine… but I really think people stand differently and hold their heads a little higher dressed up! The goal is for my couples to not only look dressed up and sharp… but FEEL beautiful and special. Especially when they are having their photographs taken : )  So ladies don’t be afraid of wearing that amazing dress, or necklace! Guys I promise that jacket will make you look sharp!


Chauntel and Pierre I hope you love your photographs as much as I do!

Let’s Connect!

Are you planning your wedding or engagement session!? Please don’t hesitate to reach out : ) Feel free to email me at JuliaRebeccaPhotos@gmail.com or through my contact page! LINK HERE

Welcome to the BLOG

Julia Starkey of Julia Rebecca Photography Adirondack New York Wedding Photographer

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Wedding photography for couples in love who want to love their wedding photographs

Luxury Summer Lake Wedding in the ADK

Luxury Summer Lake Wedding in the ADK

An Upstate New York Wedding at Family Camp on Long Lake

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Is there anything more special than having your wedding at your family’s Adirondack camp? Danae and Russ had the most amazing summer lake wedding on the shores of Long Lake in the Adirondacks. Danae and Russ had to pivot their wedding with COVID, and they did it with grace. I loved that they chose Danae’s family’s lake house in the heart of the Adirondacks.

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Their day was so incredibly special. Danae and Russ were able to get ready at the neighboring private great camp. Each floor of the camp had charming and warm interiors that matched the feel of the morning so beautifully. One of my favorite photos is of Danae getting into her wedding dress with her mom. The bride’s gorgeous Jimmy Choos are proof that you can have a mix of elegant luxury and Adirondack charm on your wedding day.

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Danae and Russ had their first look on the front lawn of the great camp. We then walked down to the water for portraits on the dock before the ceremony. The fresh smell of pine and the crisp breeze off the water was the perfect touch to the lake ceremony. I loved the intimate feel of their wedding with only their closest family and friends in attendance. A summer lake wedding is such a classic Adirondack vibe that it will always feel effortless.

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What makes a summer lake wedding in the Adirondack even more special? How about a sunset boat cruise to top off the night? I loved this little surprise for Danae at the end of an amazing wedding day. Bare feet and wedding dresses will always be perfect at a lake wedding!

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Wedding Professionals

Photography: Julia Rebecca Photography
Venue: Private Family Camp on Long Lake, NY

Officiant: Esther Lok
Catering: Dinosaur BBQ
DJ: MX Productions

Florist: Trillium Florist
Hair and Makeup: River Rock Salon
Rental Company: Party Plus Events

Ring Designer: Brilliant Earth
Bridal Boutique: Kleinfelds
Dress Designer:
Lazaro
Shoes: Jimmy Choo


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Adirondack Wedding Photography for Modern yet Timeless Couples

Are you planning an amazing wedding are looking for authentic yet beautiful wedding photography to remember this amazing time in your lives? Let’s start the conversation about booking your wedding photography! CONTACT ME HERE.


The Adirondacks Destination Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Julia Rebecca Photography serves the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Vermont, Saratoga, Hudson Valley and New England region with timeless yet modern photography. You photos should be a reflection of you, no gimmicks or filters just real love and authentic photos.

Stunning Mirror Lake Inn Valentines Day Getaway

Stunning Mirror Lake Inn Valentines Day Getaway

The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid was the perfect venue for a sweet valentines getaway for my couple from New York City. As busy creatives, the winter mountains were the perfect escape for spending time together with all the distractions. The Mirror Lake Inn sits right on the shores of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid. The Inn is one of the most romantic getaway venues. With a suite right on the shores of the frozen lake and understated Adirondack elegance, I could not think of a better Valentine’s Day getaway. It also matched perfectly with Kyle and Nigel’s impeccable style.

Location: Mirror Lake Inn – Lake Placid, NY

Photographer: Julia Rebecca Photography

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A Mirror Lake Inn Photo Session

We started their photos in their beautiful hotel room, with great music playing and a bottle of wine to make it a party. I loved their first choice of outfits, which brought out their amazing style. Is it just me, or does Kyle have an uncanny resemblance to a young Barack Obama?

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Besides amazing style Kyle and Nigel were beyond fun and a joy to photograph. Their session had everything from tenderness to big laughs and playfulness. What you might not be able to pick up on was how incredibly cold and windy it was this day! Lake Placid in February is no joke, especially on the lake! But these two were troopers, and we had a blast.

If you are looking for an amazing getaway, the Mirror Lake Inn in the Adirondacks should be on your list!

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Are you planning a romantic getaway and what to capture this amazing time in your lives? Let’s start the conversation about booking your photographs! CONTACT ME HERE.


Adirondacks Destination Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Julia Rebecca Photography serves the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Vermont, Saratoga, Hudson Valley and New England region with timeless yet modern photography. You photos should be a reflection of you, no gimmicks or filters just real love and authentic photos.

A Whiteface Mountain Wedding in the Spring

A Whiteface Mountain Wedding in the Spring

An inspirational spring Whiteface Mountain wedding for couples planning a small wedding or elopement in the mountains of Upstate NY. Luxury destination weddings are 90% of the weddings I photograph yearly. Couples choose to host their wedding in the Adirondacks for so many reasons and I love that they choose this special place for their celebration.

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The Adirondacks truly have everything from beautiful mountain tops like Whiteface Mountain to vows at sunset in a wildflower field. There are a number of venues that cater to small weddings, and I have listed some of my favorites below for you. If you are looking to plan your wedding in the Adirondacks, I would love to talk more about what you envision. The options are endless, but all are equally amazing.

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Adirondack Wedding Venues for Small Weddings and Elopements

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Tips for Planning your Whiteface Mountain Elopement

If you are planning an elopement or engagement session on Whiteface, you should know a few key things! After photographing sessions in the spring, summer, and fall on Whiteface Mountain, I have learned a few things on the way that you should take into consideration.

1: The road to the top of the mountain is not open in the wintertime. Typically late May – October, the toll road opens for driving.

2. Don’t count on the elevator being open. Think of it as a bonus if it is!

3. Good walking/hiking shoes are necessary. Put your nice shoes in a backpack with water, coats, and bug spray. Most of the walk up is on slippery rocks, not stairs.

4. It is always colder than you will think because of the elevation and wind. Be prepared with a coat/jacket, hat, and gloves.

5. Black flies (biting flies) love the top of the Mountain in May/June. So if you don’t like bitting flies, this may not be the best photo location option. A windy day can be your best friend In the spring to keep them at bay.

6. Expect other people to be around and enjoying the summit with you. This is not a private venue, so think of onlookers as spontaneous guests at your ceremony : )

Bonus Tip: It costs $20 per person, not per car! So have your cash handy : )

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Whiteface Mountain Wedding Professionals:

Photography: Julia Rebecca Photography

Design: Katharine Phillips Design

Flowers: Fern Croft @fern_croft

Host: Mary Dougherty

Linens: Latavola Linens

Makeup: @amandahopcraftmua

Dress: @silk_bridal

Styling: @jade.magnolia

Invitations: @stonefruitstudio

Model: @tessschilkephotography

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JULIA REBECCA

PHOTOGRAPHY

New England Photographer Based in Essex and Lake Clear, New York

Serving Lake Placid, Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, Vermont and the New England Region

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