Merri-Makers at Waters Edge

March 14, 2012 by Louis Schroder | Comments Off

Merri Makers at Waters Edge in Sea Bright New Jersey

Today I’m posting photographs from another venue I have worked at quite a few times over the last 10 years. It’s a popular spot in New Jersey for Weddings, especially in the Summer, the Merri Makers at Waters Edge in Sea Bright New Jersey.

Ceremonies tend to be on the beach, but if needed can be indoors. I have also seen receptions both in tents right on the beach or in one of their indoor rooms.

One particularly memorable wedding I photographed there was in 2006 during the passage of Hurricane Ernesto through the East Coast. Even though we were unable to go outside for photos the party went on as planned with no problems.

The photos below of the cake cutting are from that wedding and even though the bright windows make it look like it was a nice day outside the waves and wind were quite strong (as you can see in another photo where the waves appear in the distance). As a photographer I enjoy working there since there are quite a few options for photos and I particularly like their upstairs ballroom as it’s cozy (but not small) and is set up in a way that is photographer-friendly. My overall experience there has always been pretty positive. The photos below are from a few different weddings spanning a few years.

Cake Cutting at the Merri Makers by Schroder Photography

The Remnants of Hurricane Ernesto did not affect the fun at this wedding, oddly enough the Groom's Dads name was also Ernesto!

Huricane Ernesto at The Merri Makers in Sea Bright New Jersey

In 2006 powerful waves can be seen through the windows at Merri Makers

Outdoor Ceremony at the Merri Makers

A late afternoon ceremony on the beach (left) & Couple is introduced at reception (right)

Table place cards and Ceremony on the beach

A very big Tent on the beach at the Merri-Makers in Sea Bright NJ

Indoor ceremony at the Merri-Makers

Indoor Ceremony and a stroll on the Beach

The Merri-Makers at Waters Edge

All Photographs by Louis Schroder NJ Wedding Photographer – Louis Schroder has been a Full Time Wedding Photographer since 2000

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Beach Wedding, Cake Cutting, Hurricane, Merri Maker's, Tent, Wedding Photos at the Merri-Makers at Waters Edge |

Every Pup has his day!

February 17, 2012 by Louis Schroder | Comments Off

I recently photographed a wedding in Hamilton NJ that had as an active participant in the ceremony a very cute Pitbull named Petey. His job was to be the ring bearer and he performed his duties perfectly and on cue!

That got me thinking about all the other 4 legged friends I’ve encountered at weddings over the years.

While some like Petey have an important “paws-on” job to do at the wedding, others dress up for the occasion, give their support to the Bride or Groom and then stay home to protect their territory from any pesky squirrels!

Oh and let’s not forget the Cats also. They usually just stay home and mind their own business thank you very much! Even still, I usually manage to grab a few shots of them also.

So as a tribute to our pets, here is a small collection of photographs from my archives of the furry friends that I have encountered over the last few years.

Petey the Pitbull is the first in the series wearing the bow tie and appears again later laying by a door looking outside.

This last photo isn’t from a wedding, it’s my two dogs. Suki (4 year old) and Freckles (1 year old) playing in our yard. They would be upset if I didn’t include them in the selections!

Louis Schroder has been a full time Professional Wedding Photographer since 2000 covering all of New Jersey and NYC
All photographs by Louis Schroder

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Dogs at weddings, NJ Wedding Photographers, Wedding Cake Topper |

A Walk in the Park

February 8, 2012 by Louis Schroder | 1 Comment

Last weekend I met up with Marie & Brian to do their engagement photos in Central Park.

Originally we were going to do the session in the Sandy Hook area but weather was a factor. Then we thought about in and around Red Bank, New Jersey. But once I sent Marie some samples from a previous shoot I did in Central Park they decided that’s where they would like to have them taken.

You really can’t go wrong with a photo shoot in Central Park. There are just so many options and you get to spend a nice couple of hours walking around with your fiancee taking in the sights and sounds.

We met up as a starting point at the Central Park Zoo. They told me they were not used to having their pictures taken in public like this and I told them that there was no need to worry. All they have to do is stay close together, walk around looking at the sights and have a good time. I would do the rest by photographing them doing exactly that. In fact that’s really about what 95% of an engagement shoot should be: A nice relaxing time together, so that both can feel comfortable and natural for the photographs.

Every so often as we walked around the park we would stop so they could enjoy the view a bit and take it all in as I continued to photograph them. I guess the best way to describe it is that I look at an engagement session less as a photo session and more as a Date between the couple. I just happen to be there to capture it. I look forward to just “happening to be there” at their August wedding!

Once Marie saw the photos a few days ago this is what she wrote me:

Louis, these are amazing! Thank you so much! We had a great time taking them, but didn’t think they’d turn out THIS good, because we’ve never taken good photos before. All our years together we have maybe 5 good photos of the two of us. Out of these 200+, more than half of them are awesome! We are shocked – you are incredible. Thank you!

Here are a few more shots from our walk in the park.

Posted in Engagement Photos Tagged Central Park, Engagement photos |