Amid the peak autumn hues of the Shawangunk Ridge outside New Paltz, Ben Weinstein and his fiancee Kymberly Kline ascended a towering rock face, their focus resolute. But this wasn’t just another day of climbing for the two New Paltz locals. Decked out in a black suit and repurposed prom dress, the pair were staging their wedding photos—mid-climb. For Weinstein and Kline, whose relationship blossomed on these cliffs, the shoot was a personal way to commemorate their union.
“We were both into rock climbing and had been hoping to find a climbing boyfriend or girlfriend,” Weinstein says. “We met on a Facebook page called Climb Now, Date Later, and after a few climbing dates, we had our first kiss on a cliff at the Gunks.” Choosing this location for their wedding photos felt like a natural tribute to their story before their backyard ceremony in July of last year.
Capturing Shared Passions
The couple contacted renowned climbing photographer Chris Vultaggio and recruited friends Greg van Inwegen and Chris Karcz to rig the ropes. Timing was critical, as the shoot needed to capture peak fall foliage and avoid the crowds drawn to the iconic Cascading Crystal Kaleidoscope climbing route. “The pressure was on,” Weinstein says. “There was one Thursday morning everyone was available, but we had a ton to figure out in just a few days.”
That included finding a dress. Kline’s cousin offered an old prom dress that fit the bill with a few alterations from a friend in Accord the day before the shoot. Kline also visited Goodfella’s Barbershop in New Paltz, where her stylist crafted an updo bulletproof against high winds. “A can of hairspray later, Kymberly slept miserably in curlers, though ironically, the next day we had dead winds,” Weinstein says.
The couple trekked to the top of the cliff, outfits in hand, and prepared for the shoot while their riggers secured the ropes. “As planned, we hid our harnesses under our outfits,” Weinstein says. “We carefully cut a hole in the prom dress so the rope could thread through it and the dress wouldn’t bunch up.” Then, they were slowly lowered and Vultaggio snapped away.
A Reflection of Who They Are
The resulting photos were breathtaking—and quintessentially them. “We didn’t really think about getting any kind of traditional photos because neither of us likes being the center of attention,” Weinstein says. “Taking a photo doing the activity that brought us together felt natural. We wanted an awesome wedding photo that we would have fun doing.”
Their story is part of a growing trend in wedding photography: couples opting for creative, deeply personal shoots that break away from tradition. From browsing small antique shops to spontaneous snapshots in a produce aisle, riding vintage carousels, and posing with llamas, couples are finding new ways to capture their everyday personalities in their wedding photos.
“People are no longer content with traditional, cookie-cutter wedding photos,” says Jeff Tisman, a Hudson Valley-based photographer. “Couples today are drawn to real, unscripted moments that reflect their personalities and relationships. There’s a strong desire to stand out and be authentic.” Tisman recalls one of his most memorable shoots, where he asked a bridal party of 16 to pile into a bathtub. “It was a wild idea, but the resulting shot won several awards, and the wedding party loved it.” The venue now suggests the photo idea to every couple.
Memories that Last a Lifetime
Saugerties-based photographer Jason Bover emphasizes the importance of shared experiences in creating lasting memories. “Sharing special moments that only the couple experiences together leaves them with memories,” he says. “Of course, saying your vows in front of a hundred of your closest friends and family is a memory you won’t forget, but riding in go-carts or skydiving in your wedding dress creates a memory that’s burned into your core forever.”
For Weinstein and Kline, their unforgettable memories include a humorous moment when their photo shoot unexpectedly intersected with a group of climbers. “We had been shooting for about 15 minutes when suddenly there was a voice—in a thick German accent—’Excuse me, how much longer?'” Weinstein recalls. The climbers, eager to tackle the route, realized the scene was a photo shoot rather than an actual wedding, and decided to climb a different route and return later. Toward the end of the shoot, another climber on the nearby Moonlight route shouted up to the couple, revealing he was an ordained minister and offering to marry them on the spot. However, exhausted from their adventure, they chose to save the ceremony for a future celebration with friends and family.
A New Era of Wedding Photography
For Tisman, capturing a couple’s essence is key. “I strive to capture who they are, what matters most to them, and the love they share,” he says. Tisman believes couples will look back at these photos and be reminded of the emotions, connections, and personalities that made the day special. “These images stand the test of time because they tell a story that’s true to them,” he says.
Weinstein’s advice for couples considering their own offbeat photo shoots? “Don’t wait till the last minute to throw it together, and never agree to sleep in curlers in fear of high winds.”
This article appears in February 2025.
