Wordless Wednesday - Long Island, NY - Wedding and Portrait Photography

Photo by Aloysius

Random Friday - Diary of a Photographer - New York City - Wedding Photography

Just a post to spew my rambling thoughts.  Random?  Yes.  But bear with me.

My brain is spirialing with so many things that must be done and we're nearing the end of another month!  My list of "TO DO's" is getting longer by the day. Everytime I check something off, I have to write two more down.

On a good note:  I got my taxes done last weekend! *raise the roof* -- The business tax thing was a huge worry for me, and its now one less thing looming over my head. So, I feel really good about that. Amen.

On an UBER good note: I've been working hard at getting an excellent team of Makeup Artist and Hairstylist together to work with me on a few Bridal shoots this Spring AND of course to make YOU (my future brides) look super fabulous on your bridal, engagment or GLAM session! What is a GLAM session you ask? More on that LATER.  We can't wait to work our magic together on YOU!

On an exciting note: I'll be attending the "Spread the Love" workshop next week with Justin and Mary Marantz!! I know the information they'll share with us will be PRICELESS and I can't wait to hear them speak again!!

On an UBER exciting note: Going into April - I'll be shooting my first wedding of the year - Yay! This is what I live for!

Oh, yeah and there's this one other little thing I'm trying to organize this year - My Wedding! It's so awful to say that, yes, sometimes I forget there is wedding stuff to be done. The big day is about 6 months away. 

Have I chosen a wedding color yet? Nope.

Have I gone shopping for the Dress yet? Nope.

Have I purchased the invitations yet ... you guessed it - Nope. And this list goes on.

What am I waiting for, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine! I never thought there would be so much detail to worry about -- a ba-zillion little things you never think about until its your turn to plan a wedding! *phew*

There are about a dozen other things I've procrastinated on as well - How about that visit to the eye doctor I've been putting off. I've pretty much been in a state of denial for quite some time, but I must face the reality - I need glasses. Squinting is not cool. Or my resolution to get in shape for the biggest day of my life. Still workin' on it!

I know, I know -- Its time to shake a leg!

Before the smoke starts to flow from my ears, let me share this dress I've been drooling over for the last few weeks. Its the most Perfect (with a capital P) wedding dress I've ever laid eyes on from Aria Dress - I mention them in a post I wrote especially for the Brides.

Stunning, Simple and Elegant ... I Die. This weekend WILL be productive - I know it.

Becoming One with My Camera - New York City - Lifestyle Photography

Blogging has been a bit slow for me these past few days, but I'm working hard at playing catch-up! 

This week I decided I should try something different in terms of my relationship with my camera. I really feel that I need to bond more closely with my beloved Nikon. In order to do that I've decided to REMOVE the camera strap from the camera body!! *GASP*

I've done this for two reasons ...

1. As much as I love the Nikon Brand - I totally hate the huge, bright yellow logo plastered across the strap. Fashion Faux Pas! Yuck!

and

 

2. I believe that in order for me to be the best photographer I can possibly be, the camera must become an extension of my arm -- I must be one with my equipment!

When I think about my favorite wedding photographer, and the several amazing commercial lifestyle & fashion photographers I've worked with in the past, the one thing that is absolutely consistent across the board is they used their cameras without a strap around their neck. As they worked, the camera stayed up to their eye 90% of the time. Even when giving direction, they did so from behind the camera. They didn't dare drop the lens from the eye, which I assume, is so a  fleeting expression or emotion is not missed. I hate to admit it, but I've totally missed a "look" from someone because I chose to let the camera hang from my neck while I asked her to move her hip this way, or turn her chin that way. Quite frankly, this camera body attached to my favorite 105 2.8 lens easily weighs about 5LBs, and because I don't enjoy stiff-achy-neck-syndrome, I have absolutely no business letting it hang there.

My hope is this exercise will allow me to be able to think with my camera first. I wont drop the body to change the ISO, I won't feel nervous about changing my battery, lens or memory card "without security", and it won't hang from my neck or be deep in my hand bag with the lens cap on. I will be one with my Nikon. What it will be is in my hands and ready to go - Lens cap off and power ON! I won't have to think so hard about whether something is picture worthy .....  then dig out the camera .... then take off the lens ... Awww,  I missed it! Nope - from now on, I will be prepared to react!

So, I did it. I removed the camera strap ... Actually it was really difficult to take those suckers off, so Aloysius did it for me. I swear ...  most days, he really is my back bone. I love the way she looks already!

Photo taken with the Nikon D200

Wordless Wednesday - New York, NY Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Wordless Wednesday - Long Island, NY Wedding Photographer

Personal Goal #1 - New York, NY Lifestyle Wedding Photographer

Things are getting a little bit busy these days with the ongoing wedding planning, upcomming weddings I'll be shooting this year and the organization and implementation of my business plan for 2011, I'm burning the candle at both ends it seems. Although I'm tired and stressed most days, I don't forget to count my blessings. I'm making the time to persue my passion, grow my business and I'm getting married this year - (can't believe only 6 months to go!) - These are all great things in progress. Even with  all this important stuff going on, there are some personal things (little things) I'd like to work on and get done this year too! So, I'll take the time to post them here and share with you. I'm hoping that "putting it out there" will help me to be more accountable in achieving these little task.

So, here it is - Personal Goal #1

I'd like to be able to drive a stick shift by the end of 2011! Depending on the person this may be an odd personal goal, or maybe it isn't. You see, I used to have a car, a great one! I loved my fully automatic 1996 Mazda 626 . We logged lots of lovely mileage and got lots done together.  And then one day she over heated on me and burned out - right on Queens Blvd! Can you imagine a smoking car on Queens Blvd blocking 2 lanes of traffic for almost 2 hours? Thats how long it took the tow truck to arrive at the crime scene. I swear stuff like that happens only to me! =P

Anyway ...  I've been car-less since 2009. Being without a car quite frankly, stinks. Now, I do have a car - actually WE do,  but I don't know how to drive it. Aloysius drives a Honda stick.  Its such a dude thing. I love the car and all the places its taken me, but why couldn't he have gotten a standard automatic like everyone else? Sheesh! I've been meaning for sometime to get him to give me a few lessons, but of course we never get around to it. Aloysius is completley happy schelpping me around when public transportation just won't do, but I can't let that keep me from learning. There've been days I needed a car to get around and our's was sitting right out front, but no Aloysius in sight. I've been spolied and I need to be super pro-active this year. The weather is getting much nicer and with daylights savings in full effect, we have an extra hour of daylight to play with! One thing I am worried about is my foot-hand coordination - important when driving a manual. *Note to Aloysius* - I hope I don't to grind too many gears and  I'm sorry in advance if I do, Babe!  

Wish me luck folks ... I mean with THREE FOOT PEDALS I'm definitley going to need it.

Wordless Wednesday - Queens, NY Lifestyle Photographer

Music to My Ears - New York, NY - Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Hello All!

This week has been a bit heavy and intense, so I figured I'd give myself a mental break and post something on the lighter side.

Here' a cute little Indie song I really love. It's called "Little Bit" by Lykke Li. The first time I heard it was as the backround music to a slideshow on my favorite wedding photographer's website (Jasmine Star).  This song was fitting for that particular wedding.  The musical sounds are dreamy, the lyrics are romantic and her voice is oh so angelic. The way J* poses her bride and groom to tell the story of their wedding day along with the song makes their slideshow a bit steamy if you ask me. I wish I could find the link to the slide show to share it with you, but it was an older wedding from sometime last year and J* updates the work on her website frequently. The music video itself is quirky, off-beat, hypnotic and interesting to watch. The washed out color and soft lighting really add to the whole mood and feel of the song.  Overall GOOD STUFF!

I REALLLY want to shoot a wedding and create a slidshow I can loop to this soundtrack. *exhale*

Wordless Wednesday - New York, NY Lifestyle Photographer