<p style="text-align: center;">After shooting over 125 weddings, I have decided to create a video series with my preferred vendors. It is called the Buffalo Wedding Vendor Video podcast and is supposed to make your planning process easier. Whether you are still looking for a venue, or maybe a dress designer, florist or hair and makeup artist, every video covers in depth what these venues and vendors have to offer.</p>

https://www.youtube.com/embed/fsdPX3cjqug

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ln6BJAlwwI0

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLkkUGqKDdc

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MsyZRLtQpJw

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBYyJHlMYWU

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IKBdI3H1Lk0

My favorite venues and vendors

<p>Hello, lovebirds! As you prepare for your journey toward marital bliss, there's an essential stop along the way that often gets overlooked: an engagement photo session. This isn't merely an opportunity to add more stunning pictures to your collection, but it's a key step in ensuring your wedding day goes as smoothly as possible. Here's why an engagement session is a must before your big day.<br><br>Firstly, let's talk about comfort. Being in front of a camera, with all eyes on you, can be daunting. An engagement session gives you and your partner an opportunity to become accustomed to the lens before your wedding day. The more comfortable you are in front of the camera, the more natural and authentic your images will turn out. Consider this session as your "dress rehearsal." You'll have the chance to practice posing and work out any awkwardness. This way, on your wedding day, you'll be camera-ready pros!<br><br>A noteworthy benefit of an engagement session is the bond it helps build with your photographer. This is the person who will be capturing some of the most intimate and monumental moments of your life, so it's important to establish a connection with them. During this session, you'll learn how your photographer works, and they'll get a sense of your personality and style. This mutual understanding will undoubtedly lead to more personalized and meaningful wedding photos.<br><br>Now, let's talk aesthetics. Engagement sessions are perfect for creating beautiful and unique images for save-the-dates or wedding websites. You can experiment with different locations, themes, and outfits that might not work on your wedding day. These photos will not only serve a practical purpose but also add a personal touch to your wedding announcements.<br><br>Moreover, an engagement session gives you a sneak peek at your photographer's style and approach. You'll gain insight into how they use lighting, how they direct you, and how they capture your love story. This will help you confirm that you've made the right choice or decide if you want to make any adjustments before your wedding.<br><br>To make the most of your engagement session, here are a few tips. Firstly, communicate with your photographer. Share your ideas, expectations, and any concerns you might have. Secondly, choose locations and outfits that represent you as a couple. This session is about celebrating your unique love story, so let it shine through every detail. Finally, relax and enjoy the process. This is a fun, stress-free opportunity to create beautiful memories with your partner.<br><br>In conclusion, an engagement session isn't just a photoshoot; it's an invaluable part of your wedding journey. It allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera, build a relationship with your photographer, and create beautiful, personalized images. So, don't skip this step &ndash; embrace it, enjoy it, and look forward to the stunning results.</p>

Why an Engagement Session is a Must Before Your Wedding Day

Wedding Photography at The Timberlodge at Arrowhead Golf Club in Akron, NY

Wedding Photography at Shea's Seneca in Buffalo, NY

<p id="">  Living so close to one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, I get a lot of inquiries to do couple shoots there. It is also the number one location in the WNY area to propose. </p><p id="">To get the most common question out of the way: What is the best side, the Canadian or American side? The answer is simply both! The Canadian side has the advantage of having the best views of both falls together. The disadvantage is that you basically only walk in one straight line along very similar views, parallel to the falls themselves. All kinds of different views are the strong suit of the American falls. The beautiful state park has just been completely renewed and offers a lot of different angels of both falls. From the Canadian side it is basically all the same view since you can’t change the angle too much. </p><p id="">To name some locations if you want to go in more detail: Goat Island is right between the two straight sections of the American falls. The horseshoe bend shaped waterfall is the Canadian part of the falls. </p><p id="">On a side note, the Niagara River itself acts as the border. Ideally if you have the time to do so, just take the beautiful walk across the Rainbow Bridge (a rainbow shows up in the mist as long as the sun is shining). That is how cars cross the border/river and there is a pedestrian walkway that offers unique views of both falls from a side angle. The height of the bridge you are on makes it even more spectacular, just make sure you are not afraid of heights before you choose that option. </p><p id="">Okay, let’s dive right into it. Here are a couple different views of the falls with multiple options of where to propose at Niagara Falls. </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce54e9bfff84ab1bdf7_proposal%2Bat%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2Bon%2Bthe%2BAmerican%2Bside.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This is on the American side. The American falls are on the very left and the Canadian one is right behind it (mostly covered by the mist on this day). The city you see on the right is Niagara Falls, Ontario.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce54e9bfff84ab1bde3_proposal%2Bin%2BNiagara%2BFalls%252C%2BNY.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Same spot from a slightly different angle. The mist is not always that strong, it changes quite a bit depending on weather conditions such as temperature and wind. Definitely one of the best spots for a proposal!                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce54e9bfff84ab1bdf4_Vanessa%2Band%2BRobbie%2BProposal%2BPhotography%2Bat%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2Bby%2BStefan%2BLudwig%2BPhotography-50.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      As you can see here, on a different day a similar spot has a much better view of the Canadian Falls in the background because there is less mist.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce54e9bfff84ab1bdf1_Vanessa%2Band%2BRobbie%2BProposal%2BPhotography%2Bat%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2Bby%2BStefan%2BLudwig%2BPhotography-28.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Okay, this spot is super special! They are literally standing in two different countries. You might notice the sign right behind them that marks the border between the US and Canada. He chose this spot because at the time they were actually living in different countries. You might have guessed, he was living in the States while she lived in Canada. This spot is on the rainbow bridge (passport required) and you have a fantastic view of both falls.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce54e9bfff84ab1bdee_Danielle%2Band%2BConnor%2BProposal%2BPhotography%2Bat%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2Bby%2BStefan%2BLudwig-57.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Also on the rainbow bridge but a lot closer to the Canadian side. I like the raw feel of the concrete a lot in contrast to the nature in the background.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be06_Stefani%2Band%2BRyan%2BWedding%2BPhotography%2Bat%2BDouble%2BTree%2Bin%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2BNY%2Bby%2BStefan%2BLudwig%2BPhotography-77.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This the best angle of the American falls from the American side. It is shot from the observation deck that also acts as the elevator to go to a boat called Maid of the Mist. You might remember that boat from the wedding episode of the TV show The Office.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce54e9bfff84ab1bde0_image-asset.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Also shot from that half bridge. While I put the emphasis on them for this one and they are blocking some of the view this is THE best spot to propose on the American side if you prefer to have both falls in the background. Please note that you may have to pay a dollar to get on the bridge (just tell them at the ticket counter that you just want to go on the bridge). If you are lucky however, entrance is free, for example if the boats are not running or in the off season.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be4a_image-asset.png" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Let’s switch gears a little bit. Another way of making this special (and having fewer people around) is to use the colors at night. It is different every night, but you <a href="https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions-and-tours/illuminations" id="">can check the schedule </a>beforehand if you are curious.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">  </p><p id="">                                                        </p><p id="">              </p><p id="">                                <a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5254226be4b0d49865bf2503/1589494717087-CYHB6L97MWRRWGNF9UMS/Wedding-Day-1-by-Stefan-Ludwig-Photography-Buffalo-NY-170-x.jpg" id="">                                      View fullsize                                    </a></p><figure class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be0d_Wedding-Day-1-by-Stefan-Ludwig-Photography-Buffalo-NY-170-x.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id=""><a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5254226be4b0d49865bf2503/1589494717087-CYHB6L97MWRRWGNF9UMS/Wedding-Day-1-by-Stefan-Ludwig-Photography-Buffalo-NY-170-x.jpg" id="">                </a>                              </p><p id="">            </p><p id="">                                                                                </p><p id="">              </p><p id="">                                <a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5254226be4b0d49865bf2503/1589494717803-63A2H3U9DG9GAZCM4YLD/Wedding-Day-1-by-Stefan-Ludwig-Photography-Buffalo-NY-166-x.jpg" id="">                                      View fullsize                                    </a></p><figure class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1bdfd_Wedding-Day-1-by-Stefan-Ludwig-Photography-Buffalo-NY-166-x.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id=""><a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5254226be4b0d49865bf2503/1589494717803-63A2H3U9DG9GAZCM4YLD/Wedding-Day-1-by-Stefan-Ludwig-Photography-Buffalo-NY-166-x.jpg" id="">                </a>                              </p><p id="">            </p><p id="">                                        </p><p id="">  </p><p id="">  If you decide to go for a shoot at night, you should take advantage of the fireworks as well. They happen quite frequently, <a href="https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/niagara-falls-state-park/illumination-fireworks/" id="">check the schedule here before you go</a>. </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be15_Americorps%2B25%2Byear%2Banniversary%2BBuffalo%2BNY%2Band%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2BState%2BPark%2Bby%2BStefan%2BLudwig%2BPhotography-354.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Okay, this was a totally different shoot about cleaning the park but you get the idea. This is the main section of the American Falls from the other side. You can see the half bridge (the one with the tower) and the rainbow bridge right behind that. We are standing on Luna Island which will always be my personal favorite to explore the Falls! Sidenote— you can actually get married on Luna Island, I photographed a ceremony there once! This spot might be an amazing option if you go earlier in the day because of the light. Just check with your photographer what they recommend depending on the time of year and where the sun will be!                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be00_Fuji%2BKameratests%2Bbeide-1.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This is a better overview of Luna Island (the rectangle in the middle ground on the right). It also has the small section of the American Falls in the foreground that is called Bridal Veil Falls.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be47_Fuji%2BKameratests%2Bbeide-4.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The new terrace layout of the renovated Niagara Falls state park. If you want the Canadian Falls as your backdrop, basically pick a spot anywhere on the railing.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p><p id="">                    </p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image " data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align=""><div id=""><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65df84afa26cd35ff55dd9b7/670efce64e9bfff84ab1be03_Americorps%2B25%2Byear%2Banniversary%2BBuffalo%2BNY%2Band%2BNiagara%2BFalls%2BState%2BPark%2Bby%2BStefan%2BLudwig%2BPhotography-392.jpeg" alt="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div><figcaption id="">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Whew, last one! I guess if you made it this far you are really interested in doing your proposal at Niagara Falls, am I right? These are the Canadian Falls in 75% of their glory, shot from a slightly higher angle. Where the two guys in blue are walking could be a fantastic spot to propose if you prefer keeping the photographer hidden. The hill makes it easy to get you in the foreground and the falls in the background because they can be a little higher up.                                </figcaption></figure><p id="">          </p>

Where to do a proposal at Niagara Falls

Should I do a destination wedding?

STEFAN IS SIMPLY AMAZING. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! He is extremely professional, punctual, TALENTED, funny, kind, and responds very quickly! Oh, and he's a cat lover which automatically makes him a great person. I thoroughly did my research to make sure I chose the perfect photographer for our personalities. Stefan is the absolute MASTER of candid photos. He is also very willing to take all the group photos you want!! He managed to make me feel SUPER comfortable in front of the camera when I am normally a super awkward person!! He had our photos ready less than a week after our wedding day, amazing! Our photos and video are spectacular and I bawled like a baby going through them with my husband, it felt like it was our wedding day all over again!!

Ann and Kyle

From the very beginning Stefan was reliable and professional. We planned our wedding from half way across the country and Stefan made communicating easy whether it was FaceTime, e-mail, phone calls, or texts. This was so helpful to keep us both on the same page beforehand. On our big day Stefan and his second photographer (Libby) were talented, fun, and punctual! We are so thankful that grabbed us at just the right time for our sunset shoot. Within 3 weeks we had all our photos and within 1 month we had both videos (short and feature) and are beyond thrilled with the quality. Your wedding day goes by in a flash and all you have left is your photos and video -- choose wisely! Thanks, Stefan! :)

Emily and Zack

Stefan did such a fantastic job at our wedding! He was soft spoken and had a ton of patience with our wild families (Lol). He was incredibly nice and even went into bushes filled with mosquitoes just to make our pictures that much more perfect. But what really made him the best was his generosity... A week after our wedding, my grandpa passed away and Stefan captured my very last moments with him. When I reached out to Stefan requesting those photos sooner than the rest, he immediately sent them to me so I could share them with my family at his funeral. That is above and beyond exceptional service. Thank you for making our wedding a day filled with endless smiles and happy tears!

Kristin and Steve

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<p>I’m excited to be part of your big day and capture all the love, joy, and little moments that make it unforgettable! With my Wedding Photo Only Package, you’ll get up to 10 hours of coverage, ensuring I’m there for all the important moments, from getting ready to the final send-off. </p><p><br></p><p>After the day, I’ll deliver 500-700 individually edited images in an easy-to-share online gallery. Whether it’s the candid smiles, emotional first looks, or epic dance moves, I’ll make sure you have timeless photos that tell the full story of your wedding day.</p>

Wedding Photo Only Package

<p>This is our most popular package for a reason! With 10 hours of coverage, you’ll get the best of both worlds: stunning photos and a highlight film to relive all the best moments of your day. </p><p><br></p><p>My second photographer and I will capture everything—from the big, emotional moments to the small, candid ones—resulting in 500-700 individually edited images delivered in an online gallery. Along with that, you’ll receive a 4-6 minute highlight film that beautifully summarizes the heart of your wedding day. It’s the perfect way to remember the laughter, the tears, and all the moments in between!</p>

Wedding Photos + Highlight Film (2 Photographers)

<p>With this Wedding Photos + Feature Film + Short Film package, we’ll be there to capture every special moment from start to finish. You’ll have up to 10 hours of coverage with both me and a second photographer, ensuring that no detail is missed. After your big day, you’ll receive 500-700 individually edited images in a beautiful online gallery. </p><p><br></p><p>Plus, I’ll create a 4-6 minute short film that highlights the best parts of your day, along with a 15-30 minute feature film that includes the full speeches and all the emotional moments you’ll want to relive. It’s the perfect way to keep those memories alive forever!</p>

Wedding Photos + Feature Film + Short Film (2 Photographers)

The Focal Essentials All You Need Plan lets you create a beautiful business website with the power of AI. Create Packages, Pricing pages and Blogs. Make booking easy for your client with Focal's Booking System. 5TB of Gallery Storage.

All You Need (Website + Booking System) Plan

Linen C,B

<h2 id="yui_3_17_2_1_1727995853499_4881" style="text-align: center;">What is candid photography?</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">Think moments, instead of poses. Think photojournalistic instead of staged scenes. Traditional wedding photography used to be all about posing couples in specific ways, taking lots of group photos and table shots. While we still take plenty of time for family photos, we spend most of the day hunting for real moments. We watch situations unfold and try to predict what might happen next to capture all the things you might have missed. Here are just a few examples of this approach:</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Wedding Videography</h2>
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<p id="yui_3_17_2_1_1727995853499_5197" style="text-align: center;">Please note, there are different kind of films we offer. If you want Stefan to capture photo and a highlight film together with a second photographer, you receive a film about your wedding day with background music. If you prefer a dedicated videographer alongside a dedicated photographer, you will receive two videos. A feature film including the best footage from the entire day, typically an interview with the two of you as well as full speeches. A short film, which is the shortened version of your feature film to share on social media.</p>
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Our Style

Capturing Life's Moments, One Click at a Time

You will find the about page from my existing website between the “” below. You can use this section primarily for tone of voice and style as opposed to content. Make sure that all references to the self are in the first person singular, as I am the only photographer on my team. Please also ensure that there are no references to “our team” or “our photographer”. Instead, all writing should be coming directly from me. I would also like it to be quite down to earth and without lots of fluff and flowery language.

"I recently moved to Buffalo, NY. Why Buffalo? Because my wife grew up here. I was born and raised in Münster, Germany and lived most recently in Vienna, Austria. I worked as a journalist for financial newspapers, websites and magazines. I wrote mainly about tech companies such as Apple, Facebook, Google among other things. As part of my job I was exposed to photography and filmmaking and discovered a passion. It didnʼt take long for family and friends to ask me to photograph their weddings. I realized how much fun it was to be part of such an emotional day which you remember for a lifetime. Since then, I was a wedding photographer and videographer at more than 100 weddings in the USA, Germany, Mexico and Brazil. My work has been featured in Artvoice, the Buffalo Wedding Magazine as well as in the Rochester Wedding Magazine."