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Vanessa Trettel Photography

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Shelton, CT
Vanessa Trettel Photography

I’m Vanessa Trettel, a wedding photographer based in Connecticut, also serving New York and Massachusetts.

I would love the opportunity to capture your wedding day with a natural, timeless, and heartfelt approach.

05/08/2026

A perfect spring afternoon, a stunning location, and a couple completely in love, Kate & Hunter’s engagement session at Hartford City Hall in Connecticut was everything I love about being a wedding photographer in CT.

As a Connecticut wedding photographer, I focus on capturing genuine connection with a touch of elegance. This session felt so easy and natural, allowing me to document moments that truly reflect their story.

Hartford City Hall gave us the most beautiful backdrop, but it was their connection that made every photo come to life. Sessions like this are a reminder of why I love what I do, telling love stories in a way that feels real and timeless.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Connecticut who captures both emotion and beauty, I’d love to be part of your journey.

Kate & Hunter, thank you for such a special day, see you soon at your wedding! 🤍

05/01/2026

There’s something so timeless about an engagement session at Hartford City Hall, especially on a warm spring afternoon in CT. Kate & Hunter brought such a natural, effortless love to their session, and as a wedding photographer in Connecticut, those are the moments I live for.

I always aim to blend candid emotion with a refined, editorial feel, and this session had both. From quiet in-between moments to laughter-filled shots, every image reflects who they are together.

Being a CT wedding photographer means getting to work in incredible locations like this, but it’s the people that truly make each session unforgettable.

If you’re planning your engagement session and looking for a wedding photographer in CT who will guide you while keeping things natural and fun, I’d love to connect.

Kate & Hunter, thank you for trusting me, I’m so excited to celebrate with you soon! 🤍

04/30/2026

There’s something truly magical about nighttime wedding photos.

When the sun goes down, everything changes, the light, the mood, the atmosphere. What was once a busy, bright celebration becomes something more intimate, more cinematic. The darkness allows the smallest sources of light to shine — string lights, candles, a soft glow from the venue, and suddenly, every photo feels deeper and more emotional.

Night photos create a completely different story. They’re quieter, more romantic, sometimes even a little dramatic. It’s the perfect moment to step away for a few minutes, breathe, and just be together while the celebration continues in the background.

And from a photography perspective, this is where creativity really comes alive. Using light in intentional ways, backlighting, silhouettes, flashes, transforms a simple moment into something unforgettable.

Some of the most powerful images of the entire day happen after dark…
because that’s when everything slows down, and the emotion takes center stage.

✨ A different light, a different mood, the same love, just a little more cinematic.

04/29/2026

Winter weddings have a charm that’s truly unmatched, but staying warm and elegant is the secret to enjoying every moment.
One of my favorite tips? Add a beautiful scarf or wrap around your shoulders. It’s simple, timeless, and instantly elevates your look while keeping you cozy. Whether it’s a soft knit, faux fur, or a delicate cashmere piece, it creates movement, texture, and that romantic winter feel in photos.
The key is choosing something that complements your dress without overpowering it. Neutral tones, soft whites, or even a subtle shimmer work beautifully, and bonus: it gives you something natural to hold, wrap into, and play with during photos.
And the best part? You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. You can have both.
✨ Stay warm, feel confident, and let the winter magic do the rest.

04/28/2026

If you’re dreaming of a wedding surrounded by nature, light, and that effortless romantic vibe… Priam Vineyards is one of those places that truly delivers.

Set on a beautiful hilltop in Connecticut, this vineyard feels like a quiet escape from everything. Rows of vines, open skies, and panoramic views create a backdrop that changes with the seasons, from fresh greens in the spring to warm, golden tones in the fall. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need to “build” beauty… it’s already there.

What makes Priam so special for weddings is the balance between natural elegance and rustic charm. You can exchange vows outdoors overlooking the vineyard, surrounded by 35 miles of scenic countryside, and then celebrate under a tent filled with soft light and a relaxed, romantic atmosphere.

From a photography perspective, it’s a dream. The light is soft, the textures are organic, and every direction you turn gives you a different story, vineyards, open fields, tree lines, and sky.

And that’s what I love most about Priam…
It feels intimate, peaceful, and real, like the entire day slows down just enough for you to actually feel every moment.

✨ Wine, nature, and love, all in one place.

04/27/2026

Some of the most unforgettable wedding photos don’t happen during portraits or ceremonies, they happen on the dance floor.

That’s where everything loosens up. The timeline fades, the formalities disappear, and what’s left is pure emotion: laughter, movement, hugs that last a little longer than expected, and people fully present in the moment.

As a photographer, I’m always drawn to this part of the night because it’s completely unscripted. You can’t pose joy like this, it just happens. The way a bride jumps into the crowd, the groom singing along with friends, grandparents dancing like nobody is watching… these are the images that feel alive years later.

And a big part of that energy comes from the DJ.

A great DJ doesn’t just play music, they read the room, build momentum, and create the atmosphere that turns a reception into a real celebration. At this wedding, that energy was led by DJ Rudy , who kept the dance floor absolutely alive from start to finish. When the music is right, people forget the camera is even there, and that’s when the best moments happen.

✨ Real joy. Real movement. Real memories.

That’s the magic of the party.

04/26/2026

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels straight out of a fairytale, Saint Clements Castle & Marina is one of those places that instantly transports you.

Set on over 90 acres overlooking the Connecticut River, this venue blends historic elegance with natural beauty in a way that’s hard to replicate. The estate dates back to the early 1900s and was inspired by French château architecture, think stone walls, stained glass windows, grand towers, and manicured gardens that feel almost European.

What makes it truly special for weddings is the variety of spaces. You’re not limited to just one look, you can have a garden ceremony surrounded by lush greenery, portraits in the sunken gardens or courtyards, and then transition into a grand ballroom filled with chandeliers and timeless details.

There are three main areas:

The Prince Edward Ballroom for a classic, elegant celebration
The Waterford Room with bright interiors and river views
The River’s Edge Marina, a more modern waterfront space with sunset vibes

Each one offers a completely different atmosphere, which is amazing from a photography perspective, it gives so much variety in one single location.

And honestly, that’s what I love most about Saint Clements…
You don’t have to “search” for beauty, it’s everywhere. From the castle architecture to the gardens, to the river views… every corner feels intentional, romantic, and cinematic.

✨ It’s not just a venue, it’s an experience that feels timeless from the moment you arrive.

04/25/2026

Not every wedding venue comes with a picture-perfect backdrop, and that’s more common than you might think.

But here’s the truth: beautiful photos aren’t about the location… they’re about how we use the space.

When a venue doesn’t offer many scenic options, I love stepping just outside of it, sometimes literally into the street. It might sound unexpected, but some of the most stunning images happen right there. Quiet streets lined with trees, soft natural light filtering through the leaves, a little movement, a little spontaneity… it all comes together in a way that feels effortless and real.

There’s something cinematic about it, the contrast of a wedding dress against an everyday setting, turning an ordinary street into something meaningful and unforgettable.

Some of my favorite wedding photos weren’t taken at the venue at all… they were captured a few steps away, where no one thought to look.

✨ Sometimes the best backdrop isn’t planned, it’s discovered.

04/24/2026

There’s a certain magic in choosing to see each other before everything begins.

At Eolia Mansion at Harkness State Park, surrounded by coastal views and timeless gardens, their First Look felt like something out of a dream. The soft breeze, the quiet anticipation, the way time seemed to slow down just enough for them to truly be present.

First Looks weren’t always part of wedding traditions, in fact, couples used to avoid seeing each other before the ceremony. But today, this moment has become one of the most intimate parts of the day. It’s a pause. A deep breath. A chance to connect without an audience.

As he turned around and saw her for the first time, everything else faded away. No distractions, no pressure, just two people, fully present, taking in the reality of what the day means.

And that’s why I love capturing First Looks.
Because in that quiet, emotional space… you get something real, something honest, something unforgettable.

✨ Just the two of them, right before forever begins.

04/23/2026

There’s something quietly powerful about the moment rings are exchanged.

Long before wedding timelines and carefully planned ceremonies, the tradition of exchanging rings began in ancient Egypt. Couples would place circular bands on each other’s fingers as a symbol of eternity, a shape with no beginning and no end, just like the love they were promising. The ring was worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, believed to hold the vena amoris, the “vein of love,” said to be directly connected to the heart.

Today, that moment still carries the same meaning.

As I stood behind my camera, I watched their hands gently meet, a mix of excitement, emotion, and quiet certainty. No grand gestures, just a simple, powerful promise: I choose you, always.

It’s never just about the rings.
It’s about everything they represent, the past that brought them here, and the forever they’re stepping into together.

✨ A circle. A promise. A beginning without an end.

Address

27 Greenfield Drive
Shelton, CT
06484

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6am
Wednesday	9am - 6am
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

https://www.vanessatrettelphotography.com/

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