Sarah Postma Photography Blog

Chicago - New York - New Jersey - Wedding Photographer

I have a simple philosophy: Make photographs that are interesting, meaningful and real.

My life-long love for photography has followed me everywhere. My creativity blossomed shooting with my 35mm Pentax in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru. My portraiture evolved at a boutique studio in the Pacific Northwest. My favorite photographs have emerged while shooting life and culture in New York City. My images share authentic elements of interest, unscripted emotion, humor, and love. They are blissfully real moments in my life. I would be so honored to capture the real moments in yours.

I enjoy movies with happy endings, freshly-brewed black coffee, and live jazz. I love to travel, but have yet to backpack through Europe. I love city lights and I love mountains. I married a mathematician - one of the most creative people I know.

After living most my life in Michigan and Washington, I now reside in Northern New Jersey and spend much of my time in New York City. I'm currently accepting wedding commissions throughout the United States and other destinations.

I would love to meet you, hear all about the details of your wedding, and have the opportunity to capture the important moments in your life.

Take a peek at some of my latest wedding photography, check out my daily iPhone photo project, or e-mail me anytime at sarah@sarahpostma.com

I post here at least once a week, so subscribe via rss and come back often!

All my best,
Sarah

Tag Archives: new jersey wedding photographer

September 1, 2010

Lauren + Jonathan | A Spring Lake, New Jersey Shore Wedding

I LOVE beach weddings. There is something incredibly special about standing at the edge of the ocean, the salty sea air blowing through your hair, and the sound of a guitar strumming as the ceremony begins. Lauren and Jonathan’s beautiful, breezy, beach wedding was held right in the middle of the public beach in Spring Lake, New Jersey, on a very busy Saturday at the Jersey Shore! It was so cool when their guests descended upon the sand to stake out a gorgeous spot near the water where the couple would exchange their vows, right next to sunbathers and swimmers!

As Lauren got ready for the day, I was intrigued by the pearls on her shoes. :)

Special thanks to Pete for helping me out with shots of Jonathan getting ready!

The porch at The Breakers on the Ocean was the perfect place for their first look!

Don’t you just love their smiles?!

We had a few moments before the ceremony for wedding pictures on the beach. Love that these women walking by stopped to applaud and congratulate Lauren!

Here is the moment where all the guests began lining up to find a perfect spot on the beach for the ceremony!

I absolutely adore this photo of Lauren’s dad’s kiss of approval for Jonathan!

Everyone gathered in close for their vows.

The seaside theme continued with their escort cards and cake.

And the smiles never left their faces at the reception.

Later in the evening, Lauren changed into a gorgeous red dress, and her mother gathered gold and jade jewelry handed down through the generations for her to wear. Some of her other relatives also gave her new pieces to wear, and it was such a beautiful tradition!

I love this moment with everyone dancing around the bride and groom.

And one final shot on the beach in the gorgeous evening light.

Lauren and Jonathan, thank you so much for being such an amazing couple and for being so relaxed in front of the camera. I had an absolutely joy-filled time at your wedding, and I feel so lucky to have been your photographer!

-S

Photographer: Sarah Postma Photography

Venue: The Breakers on the Ocean

Florist: The Potting Shed

Cake: Del Ponte’s Bakery

DJ: Elite Entertainment

Dress: Demetrios – Macy’s Bridal Salon

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August 27, 2010

Jenn + Phil | An Asbury Park Engagement Session

I don’t know why I’d never been to Asbury Park before this shoot. There are SO. MANY. AMAZING. COLORS. I loved it. I would even shoot there in the rain – which I did with Jenn and Phil! Even though it was misting for the first part of our session, they were troopers and stuck with me to prove that it’s possible to make incredible photographs on a rainy day. Check out my favorites from their engagement session and don’t forget to leave them some love in the comments. :)

Jenn and Phil – I just can’t wait for your wedding next year! You both are so much fun to be around!

-S

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August 21, 2010

I’m in Chicago for a few days!

Hi friends! Just wanted to post a quick note to let you know that I’m in the Windy City August 21-24. I’ll still be easy to reach via e-mail and phone, so please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call. If you’re looking to book a 2011 Chicago, New York, or New Jersey wedding (or 2010 – I have a few dates left!) let me know. I’d love to meet with you while I’m here in Chicago, or in NJ when I return on the 25th!

Since I’ll not be blogging while I’m away from New Jersey, I thought I’d leave you with a few images from some recent weddings, portraits, and engagement sessions. Full blog posts from these shoots are coming up next week! You’re going to love them!

Here’s a peek at Lauren and Jonathan’s gorgeous Spring Lake, NJ, beach wedding:

A glimpse into Jennifer and Phil’s amazing Asbury Park engagement session:

And finally, a sampling of Jen and Anthony’s after-wedding portrait session at the Planting Fields of Oyster Bay, NY:

See you all later next week with lots more photos!

-S

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August 17, 2010

Heidi + Ryan | A Rutgers Gardens Wedding

I met Heidi and Ryan last year when they were in the early stages of wedding planning. Even then, talk of combining the Jewish traditions of Heidi’s family and the Trinidadian heritage of Ryan’s intrigued me. Later, when I photographed their engagement session – just days before the wedding – I had the opportunity to hear about how all the details were coming together in the final days of planning. I was so excited for them, and so impressed by their incredible love and respect for one another, their family traditions, and their vision for their marriage partnership. Even with all that talk of what the day would be like, I was completely blown away by the beauty of it all. I think you will be too!

Here is a detail of Heidi’s stunning red dress:

They chose to do a “First Look” at the hotel before heading over to Rutgers Gardens. If I haven’t said it before, friends, all of my brides and grooms agree that this is a highlight of the wedding day – and the only quiet moment they are really able to spend alone during the busy events of the day.

Doing a First Look also ensured that we had a few moments for beautiful portraits of the two of them and, later, they were able to enjoy their whole cocktail hour with their guests. Seriously, could the lobby of this hotel be any more perfect for Heidi’s red dress and Ryan’s amazing colorful attire?!

Over at the gardens, we had a bit more time for relaxed wedding pictures before the ceremony began. I loved our portrait time!

How cute are those red toenails? :)

The ceremony space was perfect, with just enough shade for the comfort of their guests.

Their chuppah was constructed of birch poles and draped in the Tallitot of Heidi’s family. So perfect and beautiful!

Love this moment when Heidi admires her new ring! I also loved meeting their celebrant, Jessie Blum, who helped them create a truly beautiful and unique ceremony.

Delicate floral centerpieces, paper lanterns, and white draperies made their reception space just glow.

One of the best Horas ever. (And on folding chairs! Impressive!)

Beautiful dancing all night long!

I’m so glad we grabbed the five minutes of remaining light at sunset to capture these photos!

Thank you, Heidi and Ryan! It was such an honor to photograph your wedding. Keep on dancing!

Venue: Rutgers Gardens

Celebrant: Jessie Blum, Eclectic Unions

Dress: Blue

Cake: Palermo’s Bakery

DJ: A Starry Night

Catering: Twin Oaks Caterers

Assisting Photographer: Peter Miller

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July 30, 2010

Sarah + Drew | A New Jersey Wedding

Sarah was all smiles! From the moment I met up with her at the Pink Comb Salon, to the moment I left the reception, she seriously lit up the room with her bright eyes and gorgeous smile! Of course, I should have expected this since I had the same experience with Sarah and Drew at their engagement session. :) Check out my favorite photos from their amazing wedding – I think they radiate the happiness felt on that day!

Her dress, from Kleinfeld, was incredible and so perfect for her! And I love, love, love her bouquet.

It’s one of the best moments of the day when the bride’s father sees her for the first time in her wedding gown!

Their first look was so sweet, so heartfelt:

They’re pretty gorgeous, no? :)

Again, all smiles at the ceremony!

I loved these tender moments after the ceremony:

They had such a great connection, and Drew is ALWAYS making Sarah laugh. I love that. :) And I love this gorgeous wide photo on the right, below, from my assisting photographer, Pete!

Drew knew how to get the crowd dancing!

Wow, Sarah and Drew, thank you for being such an outstanding bride and groom and for allowing me to be there to capture the AMAZING moments of your day. I can’t believe how perfect you both are for each other! Congratulations! I hope you’re having a fabulous time in Vegas! I’m jealous!

-S

Venue: The Tides Estate

Florist: Laurelwood Designs

Officiant: Carmela Vuoso-Murphy

DJ: Premier Entertainment

Videographer: Steve Krentz

Dress: Kleinfeld

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