I had been looking forward to shooting Agnes and Jason’s wedding ever since I went into Boston and shot their engagement session last spring!  We had a great time and I really enjoyed meeting their families and friends for what was a wonderful and very fun wedding!

We started at the salon, Tracy and Company:

Agnes got ready at her parents’ home with her family and friends where we took some bridal portraits:

I loved this portrait of Agnes’ Mom and Dad:

The guys got ready at the Hartford Marriott:

Second-shooter, Mike took this totally unposed shot of the guys – I love how the ring bearer is looking at the camera!

The church was just amazing and we enjoyed working with Steve and Caren from Video Experts for the first time:

Sometimes someone else’s flash goes off at the same time and you can get a really cool effect – it looks almost spotlit here and there’s so much light that the picture is extra crisp – it’s one of my favorite aisle pics:

You may think that Cheech was one of the groomsmen in the limo (as did all the people we passed)…it was actually dry ice!

I think it took a year off all our lives but it was worth it – it made for great atmospheric pics!

We had a great time shooting the bridal party at Elizabeth Park – that’s the best man, Jason’s brother, doing the (jazz?) leap:

I haven’t had a chance yet to ask Jason what his mom did right but it really was wonderful seeing Jason and his mom together:

I loved Jason and Agnes’ portraits here – the shadows look like tattoos to me:

and then it was onto the streets of Hartford!

The reception followed at the Hartford Marriott ballroom.  Bamboo and floating orchids were a big part of the decor:

We made a Queensberry album out of the engagement shoot for guests to sign:

The cocktail party included strolling musicians:

Agnes’ dad with his three grandchildren who were all in the wedding party:

Jason and friends:

Every table had a candle inscribed with something personal to Agnes and Jason:

First dance – all I can say is WOW – unexpected and fresh – CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE!

I love Agnes’ smile when she’s with Jason:

The whole ambiance was really cool when they turned the lights down:

The Macarena lives:

Mmm:

Agnes and Jason – it was so great getting to know you guys over the last year and to photograph your wedding!  Your relationship transfers to pictures so effortlessly and you are so up for anything!  Thanks so much and I look forward to catching up with you post-Italy!

I had been looking forward to shooting Agnes and Jason’s wedding ever since I went into Boston and shot their engagement session last spring!  We had a great time and I really enjoyed meeting their families and friends for what was a wonderful and very fun wedding! 

We started at the salon, Tracy and Company:

Agnes got ready at her parents’ home with her family and friends where we took some bridal portraits:

I loved this portrait of Agnes’ Mom and Dad:

The guys got ready at the Hartford Marriott:

Second-shooter, Mike took this totally unposed shot of the guys – I love how the ring bearer is looking at the camera!

The church was just amazing and we enjoyed working with Steve and Caren from Video Experts  for the first time:

Sometimes someone else’s flash goes off at the same time and you can get a really cool effect – it looks almost spotlit here and there’s so much light that the picture is extra crisp – it’s one of my favorite aisle pics:

You may think that Cheech was one of the groomsmen in the limo (as did all the people we passed)…it was actually dry ice!

I think it took a year off all our lives but it was worth it – it made for great atmospheric pics!

We had a great time shooting the bridal party at Elizabeth Park – that’s the best man, Jason’s brother, doing the (jazz?) leap:

I haven’t had a chance yet to ask Jason what his mom did right but it really was wonderful seeing Jason and his mom together:

I loved Jason and Agnes’ portraits here – the shadows look like tattoos to me:

and then it was onto the streets of Hartford!

The reception followed at the Hartford Marriott ballroom.  Bamboo and floating orchids were a big part of the decor:

We made a Queensberry album out of the engagement shoot for guests to sign:

The cocktail party included strolling musicians:

Agnes’ dad with his three grandchildren who were all in the wedding party:

Jason and friends:

Every table had a candle inscribed with something personal to Agnes and Jason:

First dance – all I can say is WOW – unexpected and fresh – CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE!

I love Agnes’ smile when she’s with Jason:

The whole ambiance was really cool when they turned the lights down:

The Macarena lives:

Mmm:

Agnes and Jason – it was so great getting to know you guys over the last year and to photograph your wedding!  Your relationship transfers to pictures so effortlessly and you are so up for anything!  Thanks so much and I look forward to catching up with you post-Italy!

After a wonderful night, Neil and Kelly’s guests met at the Newport Yachting Center to enjoy a brunch by the water and a Newport sail!

Kelly and Neil’s great ideas continued with crossword puzzles, MORE candy, personal omelettes and waffles,  implemented by Fine Catering.

A tent in daylight can serve as a big softbox for great lighting.  I thought Kelly and her mom looked totally beautiful in this pic:

A few kisses for the man (men) in pink, Neil’s dad:

A few kisses for Kelly:

I was glad to see by day 3 of being photographed, they still had some "Wooo" in them!

This pic is just to say that I guess we know who gave her the sugar! 

I loved this pic of a bridesmaid as the light caught her eyes perfect:

The guests then got to take a sailing trip around Newport Harbor on the Aurora.

…with champagne and mimosas…

And a few final favorites – Kelly thanks for letting your hair blow crazy on the bow!

And it was off to the Amalfi Coast for the honeymoon!

Thank you Neil and Kelly for sharing your great wedding with us!  You and your families really made us feel welcome and it was a great time making the pictures with you!

There were so many great personal touches throughout the weekend and today was no exception, but this wedding had so much spirit … everyone was laughing, then crying, then dancing…LOVED it!

Day two of Neil and Kelly’s celebration was held entirely at the Astors’
Beechwood mansion on Bellevue Avenue.  It backs up to the ocean and the
interior and exterior are just beautiful!

Kelly got ready in the bridal suite at Astors:

We then took some portraits of Kelly around the house:

The ceremony was on the back lawn and the sun gave a lot of opportunity for interesting light:

Neil waiting for Kelly to come down the aisle:

Kelly’s dad escorted her:

The ceremony:

I love this shot…it’s a totally unposed moment caught right after the ceremony as they finish coming down the aisle!

All the guests …jumping.  Kelly’s mom – how did you jump so high (light dress off to the right)!

I love the moments in-between the formal shots:

We then went on to do some portraits during the magic hour:

I don’t know why but I love second-shooter Mike’s shot of the sashimi appetizers at the cocktail party:

Then it was on to the reception.  There were a lot of great details here that truly made it unique to Neil and Kelly. 

The cake had Persian writing on it:

A little school spirit (groom’s cake with Fondant icing):

I had heard before I shot here that the Astors’ has one of the most beautiful ballrooms in Newport:

Wine corks held the place cards:

I’d love to say it was skill, but I was very lucky to be in the perfect spot to capture the dip at the end of the first dance:

Dinner:

Looking in from the outside:

Kelly chasing her sister to get the cake knife in a Persian tradition:

A wild bouquet toss :

The dancing continues:

One of my favorite parts was a Cognac bar set-up in a tent off the back balcony outside.  The lighting was so cool, we used it for our late-night portrait session:

As guests left there was a take-home candy table.  Did you know you can get Jones soda bottles personalized:

Guests signed bottles of Neil and Kelly’s favorite wine that they can save and open on their anniversaries:

Neil and Kelly left in a vintage Rolls Royce. 

Parting shot:

Great night!  Stay tuned for day 3 coming up soon…

We just shot Neil and Kelly in Newport for three days and I knew while shooting this that it would be three separate blog entries — there was so many wonderful things to cover, I couldn’t possibly edit it down to one entry.  So here goes but first, thank you Neil and Kelly, to you and your families for making us feel so welcome!

The Persian ceremony and rehearsal dinner was held Friday night in a tent at Kelly’s Dad’s house in Rhode Island.

The focus of the tent is the Sofreh table and it was beautifully decorated with symbolic items.  Neil’s family, who weren’t local, brought items from all over to decorate for the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Neil and Kelly will sit in beautiful chairs passed down through Neil’s family for generations.  The chairs will then become a part of their home.

Neil pre-ceremony:

Fans kept guests cool pre-ceremony:

The dancing begins…

All the guests gather round Neil and Kelly and the table.  The officiant leads the ceremony but the families are very involved, making it a really warm experience.

Kelly sits at the table with her step-dad, Jon, looking on:

It is tradition that the bride receives gifts of jewelry and more as part of the ceremony…and the groom receives a few gifts too!  Here are Neil’s parents:

Neil gave Kelly a beautiful necklace:

Neil trying on Kelly’s earrings!

Neil and his brother and best man, Sean:

Neil’s grandmother:

Kelly’s dad signing the marriage certificate:

Kelly throwing the Ghand Cloth to the single ladies:

Kelly and her mom share a moment after the ceremony:

A traditional feast of kababs and more followed the ceremony and were cooked on a grill:

A few margaritas were included too!

I loved this dress on one of the guests:

It was a stunning night:

Stay tuned for Day 2 – The Christian Ceremony at Astors-Beechwood…

We just shot Neil and Kelly in Newport for three days and I knew while shooting this that it would be three separate blog entries — there was so many wonderful things to cover, I couldn’t possibly edit it down to one entry.  So here goes but first, thank you Neil and Kelly, to you and your families for making us feel so welcome!

The Persian ceremony and rehearsal dinner was held Friday night in a tent at Kelly’s Dad’s house in Rhode Island.

The focus of the tent is the Sofreh table and it was beautifully decorated with symbolic items.  Neil’s family, who weren’t local, brought items from all over to decorate for the ceremony. 

During the ceremony, Neil and Kelly will sit in beautiful chairs passed down through Neil’s family for generations.  The chairs will then become a part of their home.

Neil pre-ceremony:

Fans kept guests cool pre-ceremony:

The dancing begins…

All the guests gather round Neil and Kelly and the table.  The officiant leads the ceremony but the families are very involved, making it a really warm experience.

Kelly sits at the table with her step-dad, Jon, looking on:

It is tradition that the bride receives gifts of jewelry and more as part of the ceremony…and the groom receives a few gifts too!  Here are Neil’s parents:

Neil gave Kelly a beautiful necklace:

Neil trying on Kelly’s earrings!

Neil and his brother and best man, Sean:

Neil’s grandmother:

Kelly’s dad signing the marriage certificate:

Kelly throwing the Ghand Cloth to the single ladies:

Kelly and her mom share a moment after the ceremony:

A traditional feast of kababs and more followed the ceremony and were cooked on a grill:

A few margaritas were included too!

I loved this dress on one of the guests:

It was a stunning night:

Stay tuned for Day 2 – The Christian Ceremony at Astors-Beechwood…

We just spent a week in July out on Martha’s Vineyard … our favorite vacation place in the Northeast and thought I’d do a post with some of the photos.   

We rented a house in Aquinnah (formerly Gayhead) which is great with young kids. 

This will definitely be remembered as the summer of Jude eating sand…and here he is with a shell in his mouth!

Sebbie on the oldest carousel in the U.S., The Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs:

Soaking up the artsy streets of Edgartown:

Early morning beachcombing (since our children wake up at 5:30 on vacation!!!)…I loved this shot…Sebbie looks just like my Dad in it!

We stumbled onto the finals of the 17th Annual Monster Shark Fishing Tournament in Oak Bluffs.  (Side fact:  "Jaws" was filmed on the Vineyard.)  If you are not too squeamish, you can see the guy holding the shark’s tail in the boat, and the shark head near the motor.

Jude’s only been walking for about a month, so this is the first pic I have of them running together as brothers!

I know I’m a mess in this picture that Mike took, but I really love it – it just has some intimacy in it that I like:

Sebbie is totally naked in this shot as he decided to take off all his clothes on the crowded Oak Bluffs beach – they actually do have a nude beach on the island…but we weren’t there…

Carly Simon’s next door neighbor (who we met on the beach) took this photo of us.  We kept having Carly sightings as she drove her red convertible
Mercedes "up  island".  She is part-owner in a cool store called
Midnight Farm which is in Vineyard Haven- it’s part Anthopology, part a home furnishings store.

Besides wedding and portrait photography, I also have a passion for
editorial (magazine) and stock photography.  So I definitely wanted to
capture some stock shots for my stock agency, www.alamy.com and to submit some to some magazines/papers.   I
went out early one morning and expected to take pretty shots of the boats and flowers but here’s what
I was actually drawn to…do you think anyone will ever buy a set of
cards with my pictures on them? 

We had my birthday (the big 39 – ouch!) at the sunset in Menemsha.  It’s tradition that every night people gather on the beach to watch the sunset.  It was fantastic and such a great way to celebrate!

These are my favorite two stock shots and I took them that night- I can’t wait to print them on metallic photo paper (photo geek, I know).  I love all things Americana and this is a totally vintage Texaco station right in Menemsha and the light was just amazing right before sunset.  Carly Simon filmed a concert here for HBO in 1987:

I wanted to just say a few things about stock too, for amateur photographers that are interested.  Stock, if you don’t know, is when you shoot whatever you want, submit it to an agency that has agreed to rep your photos and then they sell them on your behalf to magazines, ad agencies, book publishers, etc.  Editors will use stock when they know there’s a picture out there already because it’s a lot less expensive to buy an existing picture than to pay a photographer to go out and shoot it.  For instance, there are a zillion pictures of an apple.  No one is going to pay a photographer to go out an shoot a generic picture of a n apple.

Anyway, if you are an amateur and want to try to sell your pictures, "microstock" agencies like istockphoto.com will rep your photos and sell them for you.  Microstock is known for selling pics cheap for $1-$10/piece and you get a portion, but you can sell more volume than with a regular agency and you don’t have to have a professional camera or gigantic files. 

Or, if you have the equipment, software and quality, you can apply to the big agencies like alamy.com, gettyimages.com, corbis.com,  jupiterimages.com, etc. and get your photos rep’d where they can sell from $50-$20,000/use…but I believe the average sale is about $300-400 for an image…so don’t quit your day job yet! 

Travel and concepts are big sellers.  Concepts are photos illustrating an idea like "working from home", "traveling with children", etc.  But you never know what will sell…I was just telling a bride that I’ll be shooting in a few weeks that of all the people shots I took on my last trip to Portugal, what has sold … a portrait of a goat!!!  It’s sold three times!!!  And last month I sold a picture of a tray of chocolate doughnuts with sprinkles!   

Tying this back to the Vineyard pictures… I think the following kind of regular picture will actually be the best seller of all the stock photos I took on this trip…it’s our dog, Rupert, wiped out at the end of our trip on the ferry home.  It will sell because it represents multiple concepts (travelling with pets, being road weary, etc.)…picture or no picture…Rup, it was great having you with us!  It felt like what a summer vacation should be!

Elizabeth and Craig – We hope you are having a wonderful time and big adventures on your Alaskan cruise!   We both really enjoyed being a part of your day with you!

Elizabeth got ready at her parents’ home with her parents, her Matron of Honor and her Jr. Bridesmaid:

Elizabeth’s Jr. Bridesmaid:

One of my favorites of Elizabeth:

Elizabeth and her parents:

The ceremony and reception were at The Mill on the River.

Elizabeth and her great laugh:

The bridal party – it was a family affair and very touching with Craig’s son as his best man:

Craig and Elizabeth:

I love the bridge at The Mill on the River for portraits:

Not sure of the story here, but evidently, Elvis WAS in the building!

Sneaking out for a late night portrait session:

Second-shooter Mike suggested this picture – I can already see this on the final page of their album!