Loved seeing Megan & Cody along with there brand new addition Calvin and their doggo! We had such a fun time hanging out again and catching up with each other. It’s so great to see couple’s having babies and adding to their family. It makes my heart so full. And oh my gosh isn’t Calvin seriously the cutest little chubby cheeked redhead!?? Thanks for coming out friends!
Sam and Matt’s wedding at Freedom Run Winery in Lockport, NY, was the perfect celebration of love, friendship, and Buffalo pride. On a crisp fall day, their closest friends and family gathered to celebrate this special couple in one of Western NY's most beautiful settings, surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves and stunning vineyards.
💍 Surprise Proposals, do's and don'ts!
Do's:
Do consider your partner's personality: Make sure the proposal aligns with their comfort level. If they’re more private, opt for an intimate setting rather than a public spectacle.
I met Louie a couple of years ago when I was selling some old photo gear. We became friends on Facebook and have stayed in contact over the years. He’s also a photographer and his wife Aleiah is his favorite subject! I had the pleasure of FINALLY meeting her as well and I’m smitten. I see what the big deal is too! These two are high school sweethearts celebrating 11 years together and what a cute freaking couple. Thank you so much for thinking of me for your anniversary friends, loved working with you!
I had such a great time with Kevin & Amy for their engagement session! They are planning to get married in Thailand which is so cool! We had a ton of fun walking around Knox Farms State Park the other day, laughing and asking what to do with hands.. haha (see my YouTube for the behind the scenes on that one)! I love working with new couples who are fun, hope you guys enjoy your full gallery!
I'm so excited you've decided to commit to styling your upcoming portrait session! By committing to curating the perfect outfits you're putting one piece of the puzzle together to create the most magical pictures. Take a look at my inspiration in this guide and get ready to be inspired.
I had such a great time with Taylor & Gary! The weather forcast only had a little bit of rain tea then it decied to reain the entire day which was just crazy! I haven’t shot a rained out wedding in a while but my couple didn’t dissapoint! They totally embraced the rain, had fun in it and just went with the flow. That’s the way to do it too. We still got amazing photos and I just know they are going to love these!
Loved working with Ella for her senior session! She’s a track and field girl as well as a swimmer at Niagara Wheatfield High School. She’s a little shy and quiet but once you get her going it’s like you’re old friends. We had a blast going up to Fort Niagara and to her high school for her senior portraits. The day started off a little gloomy and the sun really didn’t peak out but we had such a great time together!
Have you ever been to the Brickhall in the Hollow? No, you’re missing out, this place is magical and was the perfect setting for Julie & Brendan to get married! Earlier last year the pair got some devastating news that their original venue was cancelling all the weddings they had booked so they had to find another spot and I’d say this one was just perfect!
Love seeing the Heath family every year for photos! Natalie is such a beautiful little lady and has come more and more out of her shell each year we have done photos! She’s too dang cute and I really enjoy working with them. We had a lot of fun roaming around the park together and adventuring.
I had such a lovely time with Jill and her family! They now live in Florida but do family photos every year which is near and dear to my heart as a photographer. They were traveling up to Niagara Falls and asked if I could do a session for them. We met up at Goat Island to take photos of her family and it was soooo much fun!
Loved working with Jon & Ashley for their engagement session! We traveled to downtown buffalo atop a local parking garage to start. I wanted something different and these two were just the couple to pull it off and have fun while doing it. Our conversations were easy, like we’d known eachtother for years. While talking we realized Jon and I graduated the same year and had kids the same age! Crazy! We also went to rival school and Jon ended the night yelling “West is Best” haha. After the rooftop downtown we went and took some pictures by the Outer Harbor and Riverworks to end off the night. What a fun and energetic couple! Hope you enjoy the sneak peeks.
I had such a great day with Katie & Jeff for their wedding! It honestly was a beautiful day full of thunder, lighting, mixed rain and even some hail! But between all the crazy Buffalo weather we had a wonderful day together.
A well-planned timeline is crucial for capturing all your special moments. Work with your photographer to ensure there's enough time for everything. To help you stay organized, here are some essential to-dos:
I'm so excited you've decided to commit to styling your upcoming senior portraits! By committing to curating the perfect outfits you're putting one piece of the puzzle together to create the most magical pictures! Take a look at my inspiration in this guide and get ready to be inspired!
What a crazy, whirlwind, fun day I had with Kate and AJ for their wedding! I headed out around towards Akron around noon to find out that Kate had forgotten her dress haha, so while we were a little behind schedule the rest of the day went off flawlessly. It was so good to see some of my friends who have since moved away and my gosh, KATE, you are a stunning bride! Loved working with you and your families and hope to do it again soon! Enjoy this sneak peek while I work on the rest of your big day! LIVE.LAUGH.PHOTO. Love, Ariel
Jackie & Andrew’s wedding day was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish we were laughing having fun and enjoying everyone’s company! These two have such a sweet little love story and I’m so glad I have been there to capture it for them.
From our freezing cold engagement session to a nice hot August Wedding at The Bank of East Aurora we have had such a blast hanging. The Bank provides a beautiful getting ready area as well as ceremony site and reception hall. It also came with a slick old car provided by the owner!
A professional branding photo shoot can elevate your business and attract more clients. It's all about presenting a polished, professional image that stands out. Let's take your brand to the next level with Ariel Hawkins Photography!
LOVED working with Kaylea, Tyler and their families for their big day at Akron Acres last weekend!
We truly had such a fun day together. The vibe was chill, the mood was great and we hit it off like old friends hanging out enjoying each other's company at a backyard party.
I love my job, my clients are like friends and this life is the best!
Heyyy friends!
You know your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life, filled with countless moments that you’ll want to cherish forever. That’s why hiring a professional wedding photographer is essential to capturing these memories, but have you considered the benefits of having a second photographer?
At Ariel Hawkins Photography, we believe that family photos should capture the essence of your family's unique spirit, not a contrived version of it. If you're looking for perfectly posed family photos where everyone is stiffly smiling at the camera, then we might not be the right fit for you. Here's why:
We had such a great time hanging out with the kids from Amherst High School for their senior prom at the Sterling at Arrowhead! Please feel free to tag your friends and share!
Grooms, it's time to shine! 🌟 On the big day, the spotlight often focuses on the bride, but let's not forget the groom’s moment to prep and get ready too.
Here are some tips to ensure you're cool as a cucumber and ready to take on your wedding day like a pro:
Start the Day Right! Begin with a good breakfast and stay hydrated. Avoid heavy or greasy foods that might weigh you down.
I loved EVERY part of Elizabeth and Chris’s wedding day!
The whole day in was absolutely beautiful. Elizabeth & Chris are a fun, charismatic couple who are easy going, laid back and just smile from ear to ear without any prompts. That makes my job sooo easy!
Hope you enjoy the sneak peeks!
LIVE.LAUGH.PHOTO. Love, Ariel
So you’re looking for the perfect family photographer when you’re on vacation?
Well here are some great tips when traveling from lovely Buffalo, NY!
As you prepare for your upcoming family vacation, I wanted to share some tips and advice on how to pick out outfits and find the perfect photographer for your family photo shoot. Capturing these special moments is a wonderful way to create lasting memories, and with a little planning, your photos can be truly spectacular.
LOVED working with Gracie and her doggo for her senior session in downtown Buffalo, NY last week! Grace has had some tough cards handed to her but is proud to be Cancer free for over a year! She’s a small girl who packs a punch and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. I had a great time running around with her and her family for her graduation photos! Enjoy the sneak peek. LIVE.LAUGH.PHOTO. Love, Ariel
When I woke up on Rachel & Ryan’s big day the weather was being silly. There were intermittent showers throughout most of the morning and into the afternoon but that didn’t stop us from making the most of the beautiful day that it turned into!
Loved working with Charmara for her grad photos from Buffalo State College! What a sweet young lady and her family was awesome too! Thanks for coming out and congratulations on your big achievement!
I had such a great time with Melissa and Isabella for their updated mommy and me photos! It’s crazy how fast she grew in just six months! I loved playing with her and seeing her precious smile, what a cutie! Thanks for coming out friends!
Loved working with Jenn and Brian for their in home family session with their adorable pup Alfred! We were able to get the last remnants of all the fall foliage before all of the leaves fell and we had such a great time! I enjoyed working in their home to capture some great photos of them in their own space. It was comfy and inviting and I was welcomed by all. Hope you guys enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them for you!