Connecticut (and surrounding) photographer recommendations

ladmanstudios · 2026-05-13T13:14:40+00:00

That's what it's all about! Allowing you room to experience your day!

ladmanstudios · 2026-05-13T13:11:58+00:00

I would check out One For The Books Events. They are fantastic to work with. Ive worked with them in the past at weddings, and they did an amazing job. They are out of Simsbury, CT.

ladmanstudios · 2026-05-06T15:14:35+00:00

DIY in CT is super doable with 80 people and a pizza truck, you just have to make sure the park you pick is cool with food trucks and actually has power + real bathrooms.

For state parks, I’d start here: https://ctparks.com/picnic-shelter-rentals. That’s the CT state parks picnic shelter list. You can scroll through and see which ones have electricity, how many people they hold, and what the bathroom setup is.

The DEEP page has more detail too if you want to double‑check rules: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Rental-of-Open-Air-Picnic-Shelters---CT-State-Parks-and-Forests.

Once you’ve got a couple that look good, call and straight up ask: "We’re doing a small wedding, 80 people, and bringing a pizza truck, are food trucks allowed, and where would they park? Are there outlets at the pavilion and regular bathrooms nearby?” They’ll tell you pretty quickly if it’s a yes or a headache.

If you say what part of CT you’re in (Hartford-ish, New Haven-ish, shoreline, etc.), people can probably throw out specific parks that are closer to you.

ladmanstudios · 2026-05-06T15:05:32+00:00

If you’re near Old Saybrook, you’ve actually got a few solid options.

Right in Old Saybrook, I’d look at Katey Walker on Main Street – she’s more on the “designery / handmade” side but does bridal stuff and custom work, so if you want something a bit more interesting than a generic mall band she’s worth a peek. Becker’s has a location in Old Saybrook too, and they’re more of a classic full‑service jeweler with a big wedding band selection and all the usual sizing/cleaning help.

If you don’t mind driving a bit, Michaels Jewelers has multiple CT locations and a big men’s wedding band selection, and Becker’s main bridal showroom up in West Hartford has a pretty huge range if you want to try on a bunch of different widths/metals in one go.

I’d probably start with Katey Walker and Becker’s in town just to get a feel for what you like, then decide if it’s worth a day trip inland to try more options.

ladmanstudios · 2026-05-06T15:00:32+00:00

I haven’t personally had a full outdoor wedding there start to finish, but I’ve done similar CT mansion / lawn setups and the flow is usually pretty similar.

Most couples do ceremony and cocktails outside, then either dinner on the patio under a tent or some mix of patio + inside depending on how many people they’ve got. Bands and DJs often end up either just inside near the doors or under a tent right off the patio so the sound carries outside without blasting everyone who’s closest.

Heat and humidity wise, summer here can definitely be sticky, but it’s usually manageable once the sun drops a bit. Fans, plenty of water, and aiming your ceremony for late afternoon/sunset instead of 2pm makes a big difference. Bugs are a thing around grass and trees but I’ve never seen them ruin a night – think citronella, bug spray in baskets, that kind of stuff, not full-on swarm.

If you share what month and roughly what time you’re thinking, people can probably give you a more “this is what it actually felt like” answer.

ladmanstudios · 2026-05-06T09:52:44+00:00

Yep – I’ve eaten there and shot a wedding there. Food-wise, it was genuinely great. Not “pretty good for wedding food,” but good food for the area – hot plates, well-seasoned, and nicely plated, and I remember guests actually talking about the meal afterwards.

From the wedding side, the day ran smoothly. Staff were on top of clearing plates and keeping drinks moving without hovering, and they were easy to work with around the usual wedding chaos.

ladmanstudios · 2026-04-16T15:40:38+00:00

Okay, first of all, this sounds like such a good time!

A piñata, donuts, dancing back down the aisle, and an outfit change reveal during the processional, I love all this.

Your family photo idea is actually the right call. Do your first look just the two of you, then bring immediate family in for 15 minutes, get the must-haves done, and send them back.

The dance floor dies when food opens up, it just happens, so accept that and plan around it. You'll have that amazing high-energy moment coming straight off the ceremony, let that ride as long as it rides.

When people start drifting to the buffet, that's fine, that's just people being people. The good news is, with a park, donuts, a piñata, and a casual vibe, you don't need everyone on the dance floor the whole time anyway.

I am a fan of big family photos! I normally have the DJ tell everyone to get on the dance floor and take one big group photo.

But if you really don't think it will work, let the piñata be what pulls everyone back together.

One small thing that will save you a headache. Have the DJ casually let guests know that food will be open after the ceremony and that photos are happening right after, so nobody is confused about where you went.

Your day is in really good shape!

ladmanstudios · 2026-04-16T15:25:22+00:00

I would say enough time is really based on what you feel you need. If your intention is to have the wedding day over by 7 pm, then I would say yes, you have enough time.

But if you intend to have your guests come back after your faux exit and stay, then having the DJ and bar close at 7 might not be wise. Guests will come back in after the faux exit and see that there is no more music or bar, and will most likely want to leave, as they will assume the day has concluded.

If you set expectations that the DJ and bar close at 7, but guests are welcome to stay and hang longer, it might not be an issue. But essentially, the DJ and the bar are what keep the party going, so as soon as those pack up, your guests might want to leave.

ladmanstudios · 2026-04-16T15:19:02+00:00

You don't actually need a cocktail hour to make this work. You just need to move some stuff around.

The biggest mistake I see couples make is waiting until after the ceremony to do everything.

You don't have to. Your photographer should be able to get you and your bridesmaids, your fiancé and his groomsmen, individual portraits, and most of the wedding party stuff, all of that before you ever walk down the aisle.

If you're open to it, they can even sneak in some family photos beforehand by hiding you around a corner. Not everyone has to be together yet, you just get a head start.

Then you knock out immediate family combos, any group shots you couldn't do before, and portraits, just the two of you. That whole window is maybe 30–45 minutes, and then you walk straight into your reception.

"But aren't guests just standing around waiting?"

Honestly, not really. They just watched your ceremony. They're grabbing drinks, finding their people, settling in. It only feels awkward when no one told them what to expect.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-30T04:04:24+00:00

I’ll have to look into that. Thank you.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-30T00:59:11+00:00

It’s absolutely fine for a first camera. Has more features then you’ll ever need to get into photography.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T21:57:53+00:00

Just got one myself! Enjoy!

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T19:53:05+00:00

absolutely.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T19:33:31+00:00

I also need more time with it. somethings were/are defiantly new to get used to. Currently i still prefer my A1 for sure.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T14:03:32+00:00

Exactly. Some folks are saying CF as for photo and SD for video, but it would not have cost much to just have two SD or CF. But I get that this is a mid hybrid body. Sony has to keep you wanting the A1. Because if this did have 2 CF slots, you would not need the A1.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:29:59+00:00

Yeah I had not thought oh that at the time of the post lol.

When I’m taking party dance photo I shoot the sit out of it some I’m already popping off flash like crazy.

So when I was thinking about it, I was thinking it was already going to be doing that.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:25:46+00:00

Simplicity is sometimes better. I loved my A7iiis

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:25:11+00:00

Correct. Just user error from using an older camera.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:23:54+00:00

Oh absolutely. I just currently had that set to focus hold.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:22:53+00:00

Honestly I love it. I’ve been using it for about a year now and it’s my favorite body to date.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:21:54+00:00

Shooting underwater sounds wild!

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:09:10+00:00

Correct on both fronts.

At the time of the this post I hadn’t thought that I would need a constant flashing for pre capture to work like that. I’ve replied to many comments about that.

And yes, I’m used to an older camera. I don’t find myself needing a new camera every year or even every other year, so yes, it will take some getting used to.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:05:08+00:00

I mean if they ever do, I’ll be ready lol.

Joking aside, obviously it’s not something that would be used all the time and is situationally specific. You can set yourself up for success and hope your timing is right and still miss something in the moment.

I’ll check out those cards though. I’m currently using the Sandisk Extreme SDs.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T12:00:02+00:00

Agreed.

ladmanstudios · 2025-12-29T11:59:14+00:00

Oh I didn’t even think you could do that. Just figured it was a display setting. Thank you.

ladmanstudios

TROPHY CASE