Key Largo

Since Saturday, I've been down in Boca Raton, Florida, visiting my Mom. The purpose of my trip was to see my grandparents, which I will blog about soon. However, while I was down here, I spent some time on Sunday with my cousin Jared and his wife Colleen. They were married a year ago at the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort.

Sunday was their one year anniversary, so what better way to celebrate then to go back to the Keys and do a Trash the Dress shoot at the Marriott where it all began.
Ellen and Rich shot the actual wedding. I was so jealous. I couldn't go having my own wedding to shoot in the Finger Lakes. They did a great job. So good in fact that we were added to the Key Largo Marriott's preferred vendor list.

I was very excited for this shoot, not only to see the tropical venue first hand, but to add to the portfolio of images they could show to potential wedding couples.

Colleen and Jared were awesome, putting up with my crazy ideas, even swimming with some interesting sea creatures, like star fish and jelly fish.

We should probably call this a Drown the Gown session instead of a Trash the Dress. Yes, the dress did get wet and sandy, but it is no worse for the wear. In fact, Colleen is having it cleaned and is donating it to charity for some one less fortunate to have a beautiful gown.

Happy Anniversary Colleen and Jared. Same time and place next year? :)

With All Due Respect

When I posted about the Canandaigua Lady, I failed to mention that I'm not the only one who took an awesome photo of her. My sister Ellen beat me to it a year or two ago as the Lady made a night pass by her house overlooking the lake. Out of respect for her photographic talent, I want to share her photo with you as well.

Dancing with a Lady

I have a few memories from childhood that evoke a calming feeling, like a warm hug. The memories are from when I was 3 or 4 years old and have to do with glowing colors. The first one was when I was sitting around the kitchen table in my old house in East Meadow, Long Island. It was night time and the lights were off. We were playing my new board game of Casper the Friendly Ghost. I don't remember the game, but the game piece was a glow in the dark Casper that at some point in the game would light up when you pressed on it. I remember seeing my siblings faces glowing and laughing as we played. The memory is one of those surreal moments in life that seem like a slow motion movie.

I also remember a TV show from when I was little called Villa Alegre on PBS. I don't remember the TV show at all except for the ending image and theme song. The image was a sunset view of a carnival that evoked that same feeling of a calming glow.

A few weeks I did a photo shoot down by Steamboat Landing and then stayed there for dinner. After dinner, I came outside to an amazing sunset as people were boarding the Canandaigua Lady for an evening cruise. I had time for a few hand held photos before the light faded. The resulting image brought me back to that warm feeling of my child hood. The moment was so surreal and calm I just had to sit and enjoy it. It was also one of those life affirming moments where I just sit back and say, "I live here."

Nor' Easter

I wrapped up my stay in Massachusetts with a wedding in Spencer, MA during a Nor' Easter. Despite the adverse conditions, we got some nice fall photos. Julie and Jon took it all in stride and had a ton of fun. The wedding and reception were at Zukas Hilltop Barn, located in the hills of Central Massachusetts. The setting was spectacular, I just wish we had more of an opportunity to be outside. The bride was holding a huge umbrella for a few quick photos outside and at one point it took all the bridesmaids to hold on to it so the bride wouldn't get air born from the wind. I was picturing a scene from The Wizard of Oz only with the bride spinning inside the tornado with the Wicked Witch zooming by.

Lucky in Love

Whenever I hear the song "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait, I can't help but smile. The lyrics, "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend," tell the story of last Sunday's wedding couple, Tina and Lucas, in Hudson, Massachusetts. When you look at them, you can't help but smile.

Their emotional ceremony brought tears to everyone's eyes, followed by Lucas's fist pump at the end like he just won the lottery. His lucky numbers 10-10-10, were the winning numbers worth more than any money could buy.

Tina bought Lucas a flat panel TV for a wedding gift. I told him I would come watch the Super Bowl with him since the Jets will be in it. As a Patriots fan, he didn't share my enthusiasm.

Congrats Tina and Lucas, you guys are awesome.