Ben Lau

09/07/2026

It’s no secret that I occasionally make animal noises during engagement sessions.

There is a method to the madness. If I can get you to spend even three seconds wondering why your photographer is making strange noises at you, that’s three seconds you’ve forgotten there’s a camera pointed at your face.

What I did NOT expect was for Mike to start making animal noises back at me.

Totally not what I was going for.

But also…these are clearly my people.

Hannah and Mike don’t take themselves too seriously, which made our little romp around my old stomping grounds of Prospect Park ridiculously easy. Somewhere between photos we also discovered a shared appreciation for retro video games, StarCraft, and a bunch of indie games whose names I have already forgotten because apparently my nerd credentials only go so far.

It was a short session. We made some cool pictures. We made some questionable noises in a public park.

Fellow nerds. My kind of weirdos. I’m here for it.

09/07/2026

TWA wasn’t even on Kimberly and David’s radar for their engagement session.

I suggested it. They trusted me. And then basically gave me permission to run around the airport chasing whatever light and ridiculous idea caught my attention.

At one point, we found a spot I wanted to use, but we weren’t entirely sure we were supposed to be there.

A much younger Ben Lau might have tempted fate. Maybe play dumb. Maybe pretend not to speak English if approached.

But those days are long behind me.

I am now too old to be running away from security guards and other authority figures.

So we bought drinks instead. (they’re tax deductible, right?)

David and I got Old Fashioneds. Kimberly got a gin and tonic. And just like that, we were now paying customers. 😂

It also didn’t hurt that these two laughed at EVERYTHING I said. I’m self-aware enough to know most of my material is maybe a 5/10 on a good day, but Kimberly and David had me walking around TWA like I was Dave Chappelle filming a Netflix special.

Good light. Good drinks. Questionable jokes. Zero altercations with airport security.

At my age, I call that a successful engagement session.

09/07/2026

Forecast called for rain. Rain came early and gave us a relatively mild morning for Rachel & Roey’s engagement session in Central Park.

Talk about perfect timing.

Bonus points for fun puddles to photograph as well. (No shoes were harmed in the making of these photographs)

09/07/2026

For years, Erinn watched other couples host events at Indian Trail Club while working just about every role imaginable there.

Now it’s finally her turn. ❤️

And when it came time to choose a photographer, apparently she already knew who was getting the call. No pressure 😂

These days, Erinn and Kyle call NYC home, so we kept their engagement session close to home and wandered around Central Park together.

Yes, these are some of my usual stops. I’ve photographed these paths, bridges and corners more times than I can count. But that’s what I loved about this session. For Erinn and Kyle, these aren’t just pretty Central Park locations.

They’re their spots too.

Can’t wait to watch this one come full circle at Indian Trail Club.

09/04/2026

Vibe: New York in the summertime.

Energy. Excitement. Depth.

A day that encapsulates an entire story, yet celebrates a lifetime to come.

Congratulations again to Jennifer and Joe.

Photography: Ben Lau • NYC & NJ Wedding Photographer⁠
Venue: Current by The Pier Sixty Collection | NYC Event Venues
Planning: Kymberle threesixteenevents
Beauty: NYC Makeup Artist | Judy Juju C.
Florals: Superior Florist Ltd.⁠
Entertainment: Dan Ross | NYC DJ
Couple: Joe McCraw Jennifer McCraw

09/04/2026

It’s my job to notice the emotions that you’re often too busy on the wedding day to see. And for Sam Russo Justin Grossman⁠, there was no shortage. They love deep, and so do their people. ⁠
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Once the reception started, it was a non-stop party. But for all the moments before? It was a happy tears kinda day. ⁠
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Venue: The Ryland Inn
Photo: Ben Lau • NYC & NJ Wedding Photographer⁠
Video: Williams Wedding Co⁠
Beauty: Makeup by Kandice
Florals: Wedding Florist NJ NY PA
Entertainment: SCE Event Group Christian LaGrotteria⁠
Couple: Sam Russo Justin Grossman
⁠

08/30/2026

Carly couldn’t believe Jake was real.

Jake, meanwhile, was pretty sure Carly was catfishing him. 😂

They met online during COVID, when meeting a stranger from the internet was probably even weirder than usual. Their first date was at a duck pond, where Jake also made sure Carly knew that he absolutely did NOT kiss on the first date.

Somehow, he still got a second one.

Fast forward a few years and these two were standing together at Indian Trail Club, sharing private vows before heading down the aisle to make it official in front of everyone they love.

And speaking of everyone they love, Roxy obviously had to be there. Their six-year-old rescue pup served as flower girl, complete with her own dress, and took her responsibilities very seriously.

Not a cloud in the sky. Their favorite people all in one place. Their dog walking down the aisle.

Pretty damn good ending for two people who started out wondering if the other one was even real.

Congratulations Carly & Jake ❤️

08/28/2026

Brittany & Joe ❤️

You could hear the rain absolutely hammering the roof of the church during their ceremony today. Like…it was RAINING raining.

And then, almost on cue, it was time for their grand exit and the sun came out.

I’m sure there was a rainbow hiding somewhere. And I’d like to think Brittany’s dad was up there smiling down on them.

Also, couple of career firsts for me today:

An airborne groom. As in, Joe’s groomsmen willingly LAUNCHED this man into the air for a photo. 😂

Also…three bottles of champagne sacrificed in pursuit of one perfect champagne-pop photo.

TBH, I think we nailed it!

Planning: LSC Event Planning
Venue: Park Avenue Club | Exclusive Dining | Weddings + Events
Photo: Ben Lau • NYC & NJ Wedding Photographer
Hair: Salon Brugatto || NJ Davines Salon
Makeup: Jaimie Latorre
Florals: A Touch Of Elegance
Music: Elegant Music Group
Mozzarella: Vinny Mozzarella
Hotel: Archer Hotels | Boutique Hotel Collection

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

Bella + Kyro came up from Houston for a morning in Princeton, and we got off to a very strong start when Kyro realized he’d left his shoes at home. 😂

Thankfully, the shoes eventually made it. (And very nice shoes, btw.)

At some point, we started talking about Kyro getting his first “nice” watch for the wedding. Unfortunately for him, they hired a photographer who’s most likely going to convince him that the appropriate wedding gift…to himself…is a Rolex.

Do grooms get Rolexes as wedding gifts to themselves?

I mean…I don’t see why not, lol.

Side note: Princeton also apparently has a bunch of new-to-me spots on campus: new architecture, new lines, new light - I was like a kid in a candy store.

Big shout out to these two for rocking their session. Can’t wait to have these two back on the East Coast for their wedding at Maritime Parc.