Kathryn Cooper Weddings

03/31/2026

No big deal--just a 13 mile hike, permit required, for a top-secret international proposal during peak fall foliage in New York's Adirondack mountains.

This particular hike is known far and wide, though only a small number of people are allowed to hike it each day in order to preserve the land. We were so lucky to work out the timing of Jack's proposal, and it was an absolute surprise!

Can you imagine a more beautiful location for an engagement or elopement?!

Photographer: Instagram.com/KathrynCooperWeddings
Location: Adirondacks, New York
October 2025

02/05/2026

Underwater portraits are not only unique and stunning, they're incredibly challenging. These clients were up for the challenge, and I was lucky enough to photograph quite a few folks in several different locations around the U.S. in the past year.

While I am an experienced, certified SCUBA diver, underwater portraits actually take place in just a few feet of water--so you needn't be certified. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind photo experience, send me a message at [email protected], and I'll explain how your half-day photo session will go. It's incredibly fun--and I will capture incredibly unique, non-AI, beautiful photos.

I've trained in underwater portrait photography for many years now, and recently was able to expand my experiences with new techniques in new states. This year, I can't wait to offer more customized experiences in pools, cenotes, and freshwater springs all around the world!

Looking forward to more underwater photoshoots in 2026~

01/03/2026

I photograph proposals all the time, but this one was a bit different.

Ope is a colleague of mine (a wedding officiant!), and I also know her boyfriend, Craig. So when Craig reached out to me about capturing this amazing moment, how could I possibly say no?!

I disguised myself just so she wouldn't recognize me, and the violinist and I hid away at the park where they went on their first date. Enjoy some of my favorite captures, and I think Ope's reactions speak for themselves!

Plus, aren't they the most stylish couple-getting-engaged you've seen?

Location: Circleville Park, Middletown, NY
Photographer: www.KathrynCooperWeddings.com
Officiant and now bride-to-be: Opeyemi Ifafore of https://www.meetmeatthe-altar.com/
Violinist: The Music Boutique

09/01/2025

When you move to NYC from Louisiana, of course you have to bring the Mardi Gras spirit to your wedding! I was there to capture all the bead-flinging, crazy dance moves, and shenanigans.

Part military and part second line, Rachael & Steven's wedding celebration—in the heart of Manhattan overlooking St. Patrick's Cathedral—was full of fun traditions and more.

Congratulations!

Vendors:
Planner: M.D.
Photographer: Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Venue: 3 West Club
DJ: DJ Dan Moran
Florist: The Flower Bar
Bakery:
Suits: Tomasso Black
Seamstress:
Bridesmaids' Dresses: AZAZIE
Officiant: Commander Christopher West
Hair and Makeup: Amy Klewitz Beauty
Bride's Hair: Bethany
Accessories:

07/13/2025

Thank you all so very much for your excitement and support with my last contest win.

And incredibly, more exciting news! I've now won my 3rd international Fearless Award, for a crazy rainy elopement I photographed last year in Acadia National Park! This prestigious award is an honor, and though hiking and photographing in the pouring rain is never easy, capturing just how darn happy these two were was all that more memorable.

Thank you, Fearless Photographers!

To see all the winning images, see https://www.fearlessphotographers.com/gallery/377/collection-91

Couple: Ali & Hank
Location: Acadia National Park
Photographer: www.KathrynCooperWeddings.com
Hair:
Makeup:

07/01/2025

Exciting news: I just won Best Wedding Photographer in the Hudson Valley!

Kathryn Cooper Weddings won 1st place--the top prize--in the 6th Annual Readers' Choice Awards, hosted by Chronogram.

After months of voting, all the votes were tallied...and we won! Thank you so, so much to all of you who voted, shared, and helped.

Here's to many more years of capturing colorful, fun, and uniquely awesome weddings and elopements!

See the results here: https://www.chronogram.com/awards/2025-weddings-winners-23763000

Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Chronogram

06/02/2025

Carly & Susana brought their dog to their wedding, and needless to say...he was a big hit. Congratulations to you both for your beautiful wedding and incredibly heartfelt vows!

Photographer: Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Venue: Great River Weddings
Dress: Needle and Thread
DJ: Sound Selection DJ & Entertainment

04/21/2025

Would you help me win the Chronogram Top Wedding Photographer 2025 award?

All you have to do is vote for me at this link!

https://www.chronogram.com/hudsonvalley/awards/Page #/gallery/?group=503324

I'm in the Top 5 now, and could really use your daily vote. You just have to register an email address 1 time to vote, and then vote each day with one click.

It's the Readers' Choice Awards 2025 --> Weddings --> Wedding Photographers --> Kathryn Cooper Weddings

Thank you so very much! You can vote daily for me through May 15, 2025.

Chronogram Readers' Choice Awards

02/06/2025

Locust Grove Estate is a beautiful historical garden venue off what's a typical road full of restaurants, hospitals, and strip malls. Yet inside the gate is a lush property full of history, gardens, hiking trails, autumn colors, and Hudson River views.

Casey & Steven brought all the color and laughter to their wedding day, with Locust Grove as the perfect backdrop.

Their enthusiasm, limbo games, Mets flags, honey cake, and laughter made the day such a blast. Congratulations to these two!

Photographer: Kathryn Cooper Weddings: www.KathrynCooperWeddings.com
Venue: Locust Grove Estate
Getting Ready: Greystone House
DJ: Dave of A Perfect Blend Entertainment
Dress: Maggie Sottero Designs
Shoes: Nina Shoes Bridal & Special Occasion
Mobile Bar: Travlin' Tavern
Catering + Planning: Events by Grazie - Christina Grey

11/04/2024

A small summer wedding at this gorgeous Upstate New York state park was exactly what Jose & Liz wanted.

With just a few handfuls of friends and family (and their dogs), they had a Spanish ceremony--officiated by Jose's father--and even had their dogs' pawprints on their wedding licenses! A dress imported from Australia, custom-made Kobe basketball accessories (she's a fan), and dried flowers so as to not wreck the fragile environment made up some of the details. We got to spend the rest of the day photographing around the park, with the deep green hues and dark blue lake shining perfectly on their day.

Photographer: Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Dress: The Ivory Room
Flowers: https://www.instagram.com/_missfleurs
Nails: Instagram.com/styledbymiimi
Makeup: Instagram.com/fvh_art

09/04/2024

Did you ever hear about the time we got the Coney Island amusement park to ourselves for a funky pre-wedding engagement shoot? Brooklyn-born resident Jenn got exclusive approval for us to explore and photograph all around Dino's Wonder Wheel and the rest of the park--0 people around.

When she asked me, "The rides will still be closed--should we still do the shoot?" you can guess that I screamed, "OF COURSE!" So off to Brooklyn's Coney Island we went, fooling around with the rides and attractions, eventually heading out to the streets to show that it wasn't a zombie apocalypse shoot.

They hammed it up for sure, and my color-loving eye was finally satisfied. Though I rarely play favorites, this was definitely one of the all-time best, and one that will forever stick out in my mind. Their vintage thrift-store-found wedding wear made it that much better.

Couple: Jenn & David
Photographer: www.KathrynCooperWeddings.com
Location: Dino's Wonder Wheel and Coney Island, New York, USA
Outfits: Vintage thrift store and Betsey Johnson