Adria & Matt E-session 9-30-07

Today I am shooting an E-Session with Adria and Matt in Stone Harbor. I've never been to Stone Harbor before so I was excited to visit another beach town. The first thing that I noticed once arriving was this really tranquil vibe. Unlike a lot of beachy resort areas there was just this sense I had that I could definitely relax here in this community and just enjoy if nothing else the wonderful breeze and delightful smell of the sea air.
Adria and Matt were very cool to shoot. We ran along the water, sat in the sand and pretty much just had a great shoot. I'll say it again because I do say this often but I am fortunate enough to have very down to earth and wonderful clients that just want beautiful images. So we are all on the same page because that's what I want too. Here's to another inspiring day!

Anna, Dewey and Gabriel - O.C New Jersey 9-28

Off to the beach today to spend some time with Anna, Dewey and Gabriel. Family, it's so important. Whether it's newly formed with the one you love or large and extended, it's all the same. There's that bond that you can feel and sometimes see. I definitely saw and felt the bond today. I saw it in Anna's and Dewey's eyes every time they looked, smiled, hugged and played with Gabriel. What a wonderful feeling that is! I'm a firm believer that you should document and preserve as many memories through images. Although Gabriel will never be this little again, I'm sure he will always have that adorable and infectious smile!

9-22-07 The Wedding of Anne and Delvin

The weather is unseasonably warm for late September but how can anyone complain. The skies are blue, the sun is shining and not a drop of rain in sight. Today Anne and Delvin are getting married at the breathtaking Villanova Chapel with a reception to follow at The Montrose Mansion. Anne looked so beautiful and she was so calm from the moment I arrived to the end of the night. Delvin is such a friendly and good natured guy. He is so soft spoken and seemed to me most comfortable with Anne by his side. He cracked me up with his rendition of the dance "The dip." It was a special request from his guys and he was up to the challenge! He was dancing the rest of the night. Anne's Dad was the P-I-M-P of the night though! He told me that he had a special cape, tux and top hat for this occasion. When he approached Anne about wearing this ensemble she being the laid back person that she is said sure go right ahead! It's no surprise that Anne can keep her composure no matter what levels of stress she may be under. She's a nurse in the E.R and I commend her for the job that she does on a daily basis. These guys were fun and loving and tender and a pleasure to spend the day with! Please enjoy my selection from their day!

Perspective...

Sometimes I think that we as Americans can become overly consumed in our quest for the "good life." We work harder and longer and race to meet deadlines so that we can have the means to enjoy the things that we seem never to have the time to enjoy. Ironically enough isn't it. I think that our minds can sometimes become clouded and in the big scheme of things it just doesn't matter. Two things occurred today that put this realization into perspective for me.

The first was an article in Philadelphia magazine that I read as I took my lunch break (yes, even though I don't technically answer to anyone while at work I force myself to take a break to eat lunch - it helps me to focus.) The article was about how we have lost so many aspects in American culture. Read the headlines, listen to the radio and Tv news stories and you hear so much about the loss of civility in public behavior, fair play in business, honest competition amongst our sporting competitions etc. etc. etc. Character gets lost in the midst of people trying to get ahead at any cost. I believe that this winning at any cost mentality as well as the pressures imposed on our children to do so is a sickness that can not in any way build the kind of future that is anything more than hollow in nature and shallow in character. So, I'm reading and reading and thinking, yes! How true! What's wrong with us! Meanwhile I myself work too many hours, don't spend enough time enjoying my family or friends and have not gone to the beach once this year for myself but 10 times for engagement and portrait sessions. So, of course I vow to work smarter not harder and take care of a few overdue and much needed bursts of relaxation and reflection plus research moving to Amsterdam since someone once told me that they have free health care plus I love the way the dutch grow their flowers. I'm at this point so very self absorbed in the most minute of details vacillating between the state of society, where's my UPS delivery, creating albums and doing edits, making lists, returning calls - the list goes on - we all know how that goes then....The phone rings....

I answer the phone and it's Molly. Molly was calling to thank us for doing an amazing job at her wedding. She spoke at length about this. As I listened to her I couldn't help but get a little choked up. Not because I was so happy that she was happy but because she had so many more things that she should be focused on like her health yet she was calling me. On her wedding day there was a medical emergency and she is recuperating from that as we speak. She's young and full of life and I know that she will pull through. Apparently reading this blog and viewing the images is something that can bring some joy to some clients. So Molly, I dedicate this blog to you and to your strength and I look forward to the day that you put your dress back on and you and I and Lori and Katie shoot the most amazing of post bridals with you and Lee! You said something that stuck in my head when we were talking, you questioned why did this happen to you but immediately after uttering those words you said never mind because the important thing is that I am still alive.....Perspective..... Thank you for the brevity of your words. Enjoy these teasers and we will dance and party again real soon!

The Wedding of Michelle and Chuck 9-8-07

I had the pleasure of spending today with two amazing and sweet people. Just a complete joy to be around. Michelle looking lovely with her gorgeous red hair complementing her creamy complexion and Chuck looking rather dapper as well! After the ceremony we headed off in the limo bus to a waterfront location in the northeast. Another beautiful September day! On the way to the location out of the corner of my eye I spotted this really cool red and black wall and I have to say, it made for such nice contrast and I ended up with a series of what would become my favorites from the day. Because of their willingness to just let me find the light we were able to get some really great shots from morning to night. Even pulling away for a few late evening moonlit images. I often find that the best moments and the best locations can't always be planned. Sometimes you just happen upon them and it's up to us to be ready and not let them pass by. So here's to the force that keeps em coming!