Arbor Midtown & George Eastman Museum | Amanda & Kyle’s Wedding Day
Some weddings feel especially meaningful to photograph, and Amanda and Kyle’s wedding day at Arbor Midtown was exactly that. As a Rochester, NY wedding photographer, it’s always an honor to document a couple’s story—but this one was extra special because I’ve known Amanda and Kyle since high school! Being trusted to capture their proposal, engagement session, and wedding day made their celebration even more meaningful.
Their wedding day centered around two of the most beautiful and iconic locations in Rochester, NY: Arbor Midtown and the George Eastman Museum. From getting ready at Arbor Midtown, to exploring the gardens at the George Eastman Museum, their day blended timeless elegance with personal moments that made their celebration uniquely theirs.
Getting Ready at Arbor Midtown
Amanda and Kyle chose to get ready at Arbor Midtown, one of the most stunning wedding venues in Rochester, NY. The space offers modern architecture paired with beautiful natural light, making it a perfect setting for the start of a wedding day.
Because both Amanda and Kyle were getting ready at Arbor Midtown, the morning felt relaxed and intentional. Without the pressure of traveling between locations early in the day, they were able to focus on soaking in every moment before the ceremony.
One of my favorite parts of photographing weddings at Arbor Midtown is the clean design and natural light that flows through the venue. As a true-to-life wedding photographer, I love capturing both posed portraits and candid moments in spaces that allow the light and emotion of the day to shine naturally.
Their First Look at Arbor Midtown
Amanda and Kyle shared their first look at the top of the grand staircase inside Arbor Midtown, and it was one of the most emotional moments of the day.
The anticipation built as Kyle waited at the top of the stairs, and when Amanda walked out to meet him, the joy on their faces said everything. These two have such a genuine connection, and capturing that moment was so special.
Because they chose to do a first look, we had the flexibility to explore some incredible portrait locations off-site before the ceremony.
Portraits at George Eastman Museum
After their first look at Arbor Midtown, these two hopped in an Uber and headed to one of the most iconic portrait locations in Rochester, NY—the George Eastman Museum.
Amanda and Kyle intentionally built extra time into their timeline so we could spend an entire hour photographing them in the gardens at the George Eastman Museum. This is something I always recommend to couples if portraits are important to them—having dedicated time for photos allows you to fully enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
The gardens at the George Eastman Museum are absolutely breathtaking for wedding portraits. From the manicured hedges to the historic architecture, every corner offers a stunning backdrop.
The sunlight during our portrait time was strong and direct, but I love working with lighting like that. I used a mix of direct sun and flash photography to create dynamic, editorial images that still feel natural and true to life. This approach allowed us to embrace the midday sun rather than fight against it.
Another highlight was incorporating drone photography while we were at the George Eastman Museum. Drone images add such a unique perspective to a wedding gallery and really showcase the beauty of locations like the gardens. Seeing Amanda and Kyle surrounded by the landscape of the George Eastman Museum created some of my favorite images from their entire wedding day.
Private Vows in the Gardens
One of the most meaningful parts of Amanda and Kyle’s day happened quietly in the gardens of the George Eastman Museum.
They chose to exchange private vows before returning to Arbor Midtown for their ceremony. With the peaceful gardens around them, it created an intimate moment where they could focus entirely on each other.
These quiet moments are some of my favorite to photograph because they capture the real emotion of a wedding day—the laughter, the tears, and the promises that make the day so special.
Ceremony Back at Arbor Midtown
After portraits at the George Eastman Museum, we returned to Arbor Midtown for the ceremony.
Amanda and Kyle made a decision to not to have a wedding party. This meant the day stayed focused entirely on the two of them, and it also gave us extra time for portraits and candid moments throughout the day.
Their ceremony at Arbor Midtown was heartfelt and joyful, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them. One of my favorite moments was watching them walk back down the aisle together after saying “I do.” The happiness on their faces was contagious, and you could feel the excitement from every guest in the room.
A Wedding Day Filled with Intention
Amanda and Kyle’s wedding day was such a beautiful reminder that weddings don’t have to follow every tradition to be meaningful.
By choosing Arbor Midtown as their venue and incorporating portraits at the George Eastman Museum, they created a wedding day that reflected what mattered most to them. Their decision to skip a wedding party, exchange private vows, and dedicate time for portraits made the entire day feel relaxed and intentional.
As a Rochester, NY wedding photographer, days like this are why I love what I do. My goal is always to capture both the posed portraits couples will frame for their walls and the candid moments they didn’t even realize were happening.
Amanda and Kyle trusted me to document their story from the proposal all the way through their wedding day, and it was truly an honor to be part of such an important chapter in their lives.
What Amanda & Kyle Said About Their Experience Working with Me
Choosing Shauna as our wedding photographer was one of the best decisions we made for our big day! We’ve had the pleasure of working with her before—as she captured us initially getting engaged, during a holiday mini, and for our engagement shoot—and each time, she amazed us with her talent, professionalism, and kindness.
On the wedding day, Shauna was an absolute dream—calm, organized, and somehow everywhere at once without ever feeling intrusive. She has the perfect calming presence you need on a day full of emotions, and the only problem with hiring her is that you’ll feel so close to her you’ll wish she could have attended your wedding as a guest.
When we received our initial photos, we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Every image was beautifully composed, full of emotion, and so authentically “us.” Shauna didn’t just capture how everything looked—she captured how it felt.
We will be finding every excuse to hire her in the future—not only because her work is incredible, but because we genuinely love her presence. Her talent, attention to detail, and genuine passion for her craft are unmatched. She gave us the priceless gift of being able to relive our wedding day every time we look at our photos, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.
Planning a Wedding at Arbor Midtown or George Eastman Museum?
If you’re planning a wedding at Arbor Midtown or dreaming of portraits at the George Eastman Museum, both locations offer incredible opportunities for timeless wedding photos in Rochester, NY.
As a true-to-life wedding photographer, I focus on documenting wedding days in a way that feels natural, joyful, and authentic—capturing both the big moments and the quiet ones in between.
If you’re getting married in Rochester, NY and looking for a photographer to capture your day at Arbor Midtown, the George Eastman Museum, or anywhere in the area, I would love to connect and hear about your plans. Contact me using my contact form!
