WPJA awards are out! March 8, 2008

WPJA is an association by and for wedding photojournalists. It’s one of the very few photography associations out there that actually is merit and style based for inclusion so I’m thrilled to be a part of the group. They hold annual competitions and it’s an amazing field of international photographers; just placing is an incredible honor! Lucky 13 seemed to be my number this time around and interestingly enough, both images were color images. Here are the two images and links to the actual award pages (click on the images)!

I’m back! March 4, 2008

Back from one of the most amazing experiences!  I’ll post more about the workshop later but for now, I’m plowing through some of the things that came in while I was gone - including this fabulous artisan style album!  You can view the complete design here.

I thought the name embossing was especially slick - oh and the funny colors are just from the camera moire with that fabric cover; its NOT on the actual book!

Texas Bound! February 24, 2008

Yeehaw!  (or something like that!)  I’m one of the teachers at the Foundation Workshop 6 this year; this is a super intensive photojournalism workshop 12-16 hours a day which will not allow me much internet time.  Please be patient if you email or call me.  I will try to respond about once a day but since most of my duties will involve being on location mentoring students shooting assignments, I may not be able to get back to folks as quickly as usual!  When I get back in the office March 3, I’ll post some more details!

Kennedy Center Honors 2007 February 22, 2008

I had to turn this job around super fast so I didn’t really get a chance to look through the images for blog picks during the holiday rush. It was a complete honor to be invited to be one of two official Kennedy Center photographers for this event; shout out to Joseph Allen for referring me! One of the very fun parts of this particular job was all the famous celebrities and politicians. I started off photographing folks with a full on portrait set up as they first came in. Later, I was photographing a number of people as in a “camera aware” style during the dinner at the specific request of the Kennedy Center; by the end of the evening, I was able to add in some of my personal favorite style images, capturing the moments as they happened! I’ve done my best to identify those in the pictures so let me know if I’ve goofed anywhere!

I’m going to start off with some of the amazing decor, lighting and florals:

And now on to the shameless name dropping! (I must admit, I was quite star struck!!)

Newt Gingrich and friends

Vanessa Williams

Caroline Kennedy and her husband Edwin Schlossberg

Christine Baranski and her daughter

Kristin Chenoweth and Nancy Pulosi

Honoree Diana Ross, Honoree Martin Scorsese, Diana’s son, Evan Olav Ross, and her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross

Honoree Martin Scorsese and opera singer Maria (?Last name)

Honoree Brian Wilson surrounded by lovely Kennedy Center supporters

Martin Short and his wife, Nancy Dolman

Honoree Steve Martin

I just want to add a quick note. I have always been a fan of Steve Martin’s acting and comedic prowess. While at the Honors, I was absolutely charmed by his gentlemanly behavior and kindness. Kudos to a man who wears his fame so well.

Ted Kennedy

General Colin Powell

Aretha Franklin

Another note to add. This lady had PRESENCE with a capital! It was amazing to watch her walk through a crowd and see the ripples of reaction that followed her wake! WOW!

Steve Carell

and some more grab shots from the rest of the evening - no names…

I loved this lady’s look! You know she was a firecracker in her day!!

The dancing had just started when I had to pack it up.

The amazing Kennedy Center Staff

Engaged! February 19, 2008

Another happy couple! Angela and Chris are getting married this June at a lovely vineyard - we won’t be short gorgeous locations that’s for sure! But locations are what you make of them - can anyone guess where this first image was taken?

and this one just for fun!

Thanks for letting me have some fun today (and I hope you didn’t get too cold!)

Blast from the Past! February 19, 2008

I’m working on several things at once (as usual!) and on of the things on my juggling list is the final image selection for my website. It’s been fun going back and taking a fresh look at my work from the past ten years (basically what I have scanned). Here’s an oldie but a goodie - probably one of the most naturally beautiful brides I have ever photographed…

More albums! February 15, 2008

This design is from Bridget and Tim’s September wedding. I thought the elegant event worked very well with the Artisan Style book they selected!  The cover is brown leather and the pages feature white mats with brown trim. Here are some favorite spreads:

The wedding ceremony was at the pretty Holy Comforter church and the reception was at the always beautiful Farmington Country Club! As always, the images have been selected by the couple. View the complete design here.

Pictures! February 10, 2008

I have some more catch up to do (two weddings from last year that didn’t get blogged plus the Kennedy Center Honors) but this morning I had #3 of a four part baby plan.  This mom and daughter have just been so fantastic - mom comes up with the most amazing ideas and challenges me to execute my version of them!  I love it!  More than my standard portrait preview but to be perfectly frank, we did go over our time just a wee bit too!

Wintry Engagement February 10, 2008

Even if I’m not shooting a lot of weddings this time of year, I do get a chance to photograph some engagement sessions!  Here are Mary and Gavin who are getting married this October.

Winter Days February 8, 2008

You might wonder what a wedding photographer does when its cold and grey outside… We get to relive the prior year by working on albums for clients! While some of my clients do not get an album, most do and its great fun for me to see the images that couples pick as their “must haves” for their book. Many times they are quite different from my favs. Sometimes they do pick my favs. Its just an interesting bit of psychology! Since I dont have any weddings to show you right now, I’m going to share some of the album designs I’m working on.

Today’s album is from a wedding that I photographed down in Wise, Virginia. It was an especially sweet and soulful event;here are a couple of my favorite spreads - you can view the complete design at this link: album.