When I used to live in Rochester, NY Bob was my photo assistant, and I was so happy when he emailed and asked if he could hire me to fly out and shoot his wedding!

Enjoy their story in photos, and if you want to see more you can view all my favorites on their facebook album!

Thank you for having me come out to shoot your wedding, love you both!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Bob was so confident and calm

I love how he is looking at her in this shot!

I know this looks set up, but their wedding party really did gather around and cheer like this, it was awesome!

sweet little bridesmaids bouquet

I loved the lively colors!

The man who owned this property was so nice to let us use it, such a cool old abandoned bridge!

Joanna, under the bridge.

The straight face!

what a beautiful couple!

But they can't hold that straight face for long, who can!

Not only did I love the colors they chose, but the decor was really fun. The vases at the tables were pink antique ball canning jars!

The sun was really pounding that day, which mean, of course, AWESOME SHADOWS!!!

The cake was shaded in a cute little gazebo!

And there was colorful candy all over the place. pretty much like heaven, I think . . .

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rochester-new-york-wedding-photographer-2/feed/ 0 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/steamboat-landing-wedding-reception/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/steamboat-landing-wedding-reception/#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:41:46 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=4440 After a touching ceremony, a quick stop for coffee, and some gorgeous lake side portraits,

Anna & Rich headed to Steamboat Landing for their April 30, 2011 wedding reception!

cakes by Gourmet Goodies

Music by Whirlin’ Disk DJs

Coffee themed cake by Gourmet Goodies! YUM!!!

carrot cake

Deb from Gourmet Goodies is such an artist, and wonderful lady!

variety of cakes on display!

view of the lake and steamboat

Anna's father wrote and sang the music for their first dance

the getaway vehicle!

Prepare for Take Off!

Dress from Peggy’s Bridal

Hair by Megan Brusseau of Adore Hair Studio

The whole crew! Not a bad looking bunch!

The weather was so beautiful!

And the boys were so nutty :)

I did finally get them to straighten up!

This image was made possible by my beautiful green Alien Bee. Thank you, greenbee!

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/canandaigua-lake-wedding-portraits/feed/ 0 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/starbucks-themed-wedding/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/starbucks-themed-wedding/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 19:38:55 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=4421 Who doesn’t enjoy an occasional cup of joe?

I am certainly no exception to the caffeine craze that affects most Americans.

In fact, I protect my gourmet java with a band of ninjas who permanently reside on my favorite coffee mug!

Anna & Rich met at Starbucks and have since shared a love for coffee AND each other! Their wedding was coffee-themed, even their favors were chocolate covered espresso beans from Starbucks (yes, I snagged some of those bad boys).

On the way to our portrait location, they simply needed a refresher on the caffeine levels in their system, so we stopped at a local Starbucks to recharge!

A few chess maneuvers while waiting for their precious brew.

Not sure who won this game, but both players seem pretty happy :)

Just the refresher they needed!

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/starbucks-themed-wedding/feed/ 1 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rochester-portrait-high-falls/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rochester-portrait-high-falls/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 19:00:32 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=4300 Todd & Elisabeth might have one of the coolest proposal stories you have ever seen.

You have to check out the video of how Todd popped the question!

I shot their engagement session at The Center at High Falls, Rochester, NY

See all my favorites on facebook, and their proof set on Pictage!

So happy for both of you, can’t wait to see you again soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rochester-portrait-high-falls/feed/ 1 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/sensei-rich-anna-ceremony/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/sensei-rich-anna-ceremony/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 19:44:20 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=4341 Rich and Anna were married April 30, 2011 at Christ Community Church in Brockport, NY.

I was so thrilled when Rich & Anna asked me to shoot their wedding. When I lived in New York, Rich had been one of my karate instructors so I knew it would be a fun event that I would not want to miss! I have to admit that Sensei Rich made a very good choice, Anna is the pick of a lifetime! <3

Hair by Adore Hair Studio

favorites on facebook

The proof set will soon be available on my shopping cart, sign up for notification when it is released!

<3

Liesl Diesel Photo

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/sensei-rich-anna-ceremony/feed/ 1 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/jericho-road-ministries/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/jericho-road-ministries/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 16:37:33 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=4231 Anna recently hired me to shoot a day in the life of her refugee drop in center in Buffalo, NY.

I spent the day watching hard working people solve problems for refugees who were overwhelmed by issues of paperwork, transportation systems, immunization records, green cards, etc . . . that they simply could not deal with without the help of a translator. In fact, some of their issues would have been hard to solve for an American-born English-speaking citizen!

Anna’s own words on why she founded Hope:

“I co-founded Hope Refugee Services in 2008. After several years working in refugee resettlement, I realized that a huge gap in services existed and this frustrated me. For refugees arriving in Buffalo, the majority of services ended after six months, and for many this was simply not enough time to adapt to life. Literacy is required for life in America more than most people realize. The ability to fill a simple form is needed to get medical care, maintain food stamps, apply for a job, or even rent an apartment. Many refugees can’t speak English let alone read it within that time period. For others, they want to go to college, complete a GED, or buy a house. It bothered me that people were falling through the cracks. It was unacceptable to me that people came here to start a new life and got caught up in the cycle of poverty, especially when it could be addressed or avoided.

Hope Refugee Services opened its doors to provide services to refugees for whom services were otherwise unavailable. Our intention was to provide a continuum of service to our clients. We are the only post-resettlement agency in Buffalo. Our cornerstone program is the Hope Refugee Drop In Center, which is open to clients three days a week. It is not traditional case management. A client comes in, identifies their own problem and we help them find a solution to that problem. Every day is a surprise and we do anything from referrals, scheduling appointments, and filling out forms. We also started an afterschool program for middle schoolers, a home ownership program, an adult education program, a sewing project, and an urban gardening initiative. All of our programs were designed in dialogue with refugee communities, to make sure they addressed each need as effectively as possible

I chose the name Hope, because I wanted to see hope restored to our clients. I wanted to bring hope to our wider community. I wanted the refugee community to feel that they had a part in their own destiny’s, rather than riding along in a system that was inaccessible.

In 2009, we merged with Jericho Road Ministries, strengthening our programs and infrastructure. This also helped provide sustainability. JRM had several refugee projects as well, including a pregnancy mentoring program, a financial literacy program, and a program working with toddlers for school readiness.

Jericho Road Ministries was named for the parable of the Good Samaritan, running on the Biblical principle of helping others in their time of need. Located on the West side of Buffalo, we currently have three locations. If you are interested in volunteering, you can call 716-348-3000 and ask for Joelle. IF you would like to send a donation, the address is Jericho Road Ministries 184 Barton St Buffalo, NY 14213″

Burmese refugees get off the bus by Jericho Road Ministries

word has quickly spread about the services offered by Hope, and the drop in center stays busy all day

Hope Refugee drop in center

Anna meets with a potential donor.

Her "CAN DO" attitude has taken this service from concept to full fruition! What a lady!

Anna excels at solutions.

Because of their wonderful reputation, the waiting room is full as soon as the doors open!

A social worker and translator work together to help a mother understand how to enroll her child in school, get him there on time and in proper uniform, and have his medical records up to date!

Anna applies for grants in her back office.

The grants help cover expenses and hiring new workers as the center continues to grow and help more refugees!

Anna helps a family with paperwork, with the help of Tha Dah, a Burmese refugee who now works for the center as a translator.

This mother was at the center nearly all day with her three children.

Her children were so well behaved and patient.

Simple things like turning off electricity when someone moves. These small things make a huge difference in the lives of someone who cannot read or speak english.

They keep their files very organized, and their system of helping their clients is very efficient.

It was great to witness the good/effective side of social services. Creating independence, not dependence.

Anna doesn't rhyme with Awesome. but it should.

Anna's commitment to help doesn't end at work.

She rents rooms in her house to refugees who have relocated to Buffalo.

They all get along . . . for the most part =)

This image, I love. I think it describes the caring chaos that forms Anna's life. She is open, and always has room to care for one more person. I love her heart so much. Please consider volunteering or donating to her organization!

I look forward to another year of witnessing some of the BEST LOVE ON EARTH!!!

Click each photo to see tons love expressed in photos!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Erica & Joseph, April 24, 2010

Meg & Kevin, March 20, 2010

Samir & Dharna get engaged

Samir & Dharna, May 29, 2010

The Nance Family at Debordieu

Rachel & Tyler engaged

Rachel & Tyler, December 31, 2010

Kristine & Jonathan engaged

LeRon & Gro Anita Fall in Love

Josh & Mary Anne, March 30, 2010

Peter & Karena, June 5, 2010

Courtney & Chris, September 18, 2010

David & Rhiannon, January 22, 2011

Viral & Ripa's Baby Shower!

Justine & Michael engaged

Justine & Michael, July 17, 2010

Tommy & Caroline, November 6, 2010

Prem & Shahzeen engaged

Prem & Shahzeen Nikah, September 11, 2010

Shahzeen & Prem reception, October 9, 2010

Miss Caroline & The Silver Bean!

Amy & Matt, May 30, 2010

Ben & Becky, July 24, 2010

Vrai family photos!

Baisch Family photos!

Horn Family Photos!

Sarah & Ryan engaged!

Dan & Patsy, September 4, 2010

Ann & John, August 28, 2010

Corey & Ashley, May 2, 2010

Brian & Angela, April 30, 2010

Sunny & Cameron, June 12, 2010

Andrea & Tony, March 27, 2010

Nancy & Jeff, September 25, 2010

Thanks again for the opportunity to work for all of you! I love your faces!

I love taking creative portraits.  It doesn’t take a whole face to describe a person!

I also love clients who have no idea what I am shooting but trust anyway.

Thanks Sven!

<3 Liesl

When creating a composition in this way, it is important to envision how the shadows will become a part of the composition and plan accordingly.

Sven’s company, Happy Viper Integrated Designs, was featured in Vanity Fair, so we thought we would pull a little cover action into the shoot :)

Yes, he really does read The Batman Handbook.  And yes, it really does teach you how to fight crime.

I told him to act bored.  Because he wasn’t.  Really, he wasn’t.  Photo shoots with Liesl Diesel are never boring.

Play with the shadows!

I think these images would be dull without the Peter Pan Shadow Action™ (yeah, that’s my technical name for it).