Do I travel?

From Manhattan to Milan and Manhasset to Metuchen, YES, I travel! This week in particular I have had that question asked. As much as I love shooting in NYC, it is fun to get out now and again. So if you are planning a destination wedding don't hesitate contacting me! You never know, I might make you an offer you cannot refuse. :)

Speaking of which, I am off to Ithaca, NY to help my good friend Luke Walker with a couple of weddings this weekend. Whenever we work together it is always a blast.

Check back tomorrow night for some shots from the wedding! Happy July 4th everyone!!

More on Heena and Prashant

We made it just in time before the rain started, but we still got some great shots! Hopefully the next show I post from them will be in Jacksonville. ;)

Check out their show! Heena and Prashant - 6/23/06

Crisscrossing the Tri-State.

My quiet weekend ended up being the complete opposite when I had a chance to work with two amazing photographers.

My friend Brian Dorsey called me to see if I could help him out with a huge wedding on Saturday he was shooting. After a traditional Greek Mass in Queens, the bride and groom celebrated their reception at Manhattan's legendary Waldorf=Astoria. Let me tell you - even with 450 guests, the Grand Ballroom still seemed roomy! Brian and his wife, Celeste, did an amazing job of creating slide shows that were projected during the wedding. They updated them throughout the night which was no small feat with a wedding of this size! I shot some great pics from the ballroom balcony as the party went into the wee hours of Sunday morning.


















My alarm clock rang just a few hours later on Sunday and I made my way out to Eastern PA. I was so excited to be able to hook up with Garrett and Joy Nudd while they were shooting a wedding at the Mountain Springs Lake Resort. Since I'm not in Orlando often (more on that later), I thought this was a great chance for us to finally meet in person. Unfortunately, the weather was not so cooperative and forced us to shoot inside all day. I enjoyed watching Garrett making great shots in places I never would have thought to look. Thanks for the inspiration!

Heena and Prashant

I was lucky enough to hook up with Heena and Prashant to do a couple of NYC engagement shots for them. They are getting married in Jacksonville in August. My friend Alisha Nelson is actually shooting their wedding and contacted me about hooking up with them while they were in town. I was happy to meet them since I was already there with Berit and Marc. Here's a shot of them sitting in Sheep Meadow.

Berit and Marc

Today I met Berit and Marc in Central Park for their engagement shoot (seems like I spend way too much time up there lately). It was a little muggy, OK - a lot muggy, but at least it wasn't raining! We took a little time finding some new places I have never used for engagement shoots. We got a little lost (my fault) and we ended up taking a little hike around the lake. :) Did you know that Central Park has 7 bodies of water? Anyway, check back later for more of these guys as they were sooo easy to shoot! :)

YPC Satellite School Concert.

Over the last few years I have had the opportunity to shoot some of the concerts for the Young People's Chourus, or YPC. Each concert is so unique, and so much fun - this really is an amazing group of kids and a VERY dedicated staff. Check them out!

Happy Father's day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Unfortunately, my dad passed away 3 years ago and we really miss him. My Dad, Barry, was only 60 years old and was taken from us too soon. As a tribute to him on Father's day, I wanted to share my favorite photo of him -- taken by Bob Gruen. At the time (circa 1974), my dad and Bob were on tour with the glam rock band The New York Dolls. My dad was working as their sound man. For those of you not familiar with Bob's work -- he is a legend in rock n' roll photography and is probably most famous for his portrait of John Lennon with the New York City T-shirt and sunglasses. If I remember the story correctly, Bob actually took off his shirt and gave it to John to put on! My pop really enjoyed hanging out with him and always had great stories about that trip to Hollywood.

One of the reasons I like this photo (besides the fact it is sooo funny) so much is because this was one of my dad's happiest times in his life. Shortly after this trip he stopped doing sound work and went back to his job as an electrician with Local #3 in NY. He realized that being "on the road" for 9 months out of the year was not going to work for him and his family, but I think my dad always wondered what would have happened if he kept going. So this picture also serves as inspiration for me to work hard and to appreciate how lucky I am to do what I love.

Anyway - when I was going through my pop's things 3 years ago I found this picture - unfortunately it had gotten wet and was totally ruined! I was so sad, but figured I would try to find Bob and see if by any chance he still had the negative. I emailed Bob and two days later he emailed me back saying not only did he find the negative, but he had made me some prints! I could not believe it! He was able to pull out a negative from a random shot of my Dad (a soundman) from 1974! 30 years later! Thank you so much Bob -- you have no idea how happy this made me.

Happy Father's day Pop.

How cute are these kids?!

Today I had my first ever group baby photo session. I have to admit I was a little hesitant when Ophira (check out her blog) approached me with the idea. 7 kids and Mommies at once? It was a blast! It actually worked out great, because we could all work together getting the kids to smile. So thanks again everyone - let me know what you think! Leave your comments below!

Cris and Rich

A beautiful wedding day for Cris and Rich was a long time coming! They have known each other since 1989, but have been in and out of each other's lives until about a year ago when they reconnected and realized they could no longer be apart. They made it official in a clearing in the woods near Auburn, NY and celebrated in Cris's best friend's converted barn.

Despite a colder than normal June day, the wedding was full of warm, personal touches from family and friends including Cris's gown made by her mom and songs sung by several friends.

There was a small glitch during the processional when one of the wedding rings was dropped in the grass. The bride kept her cool and continued down the aisle and luckily the groom's uncle brought his metal detector out of the trunk and saved the day (and the ring!).

...and these are for you Ilysia and Evan.

I know you have been excited to see all the dancing shots! So here are a few I think you will like Ilysia - since you are doubled over laughing I thought they were a good choice!

Hamotzi with passion

OK - maybe this is just for me, but the hamotzi (traditional jewish blessing over the bread) shots are not usually my favorite. However - this gentleman did it with passion. :)

Shana and Eli - Pleasantdale Chateau

Click here for Shana and Eli's slideshow. From the moment Roberto Falck and I got there we never stopped shooting. The grounds of the Pleasantdale are incredible, from the beautiful bridges over water, to the balconies in the reception hall it is a Photographers dream.

Of course Shana and Eli were a great couple too! They enjoyed every moment right up to their last dance which are some of my favorite photographs that day. For me (as a Photographer) it is about capturing those moments in time - the laughing, crying, and dancing.

Here are a few shots from their last dance. They were the only ones dancing, while everyone else was packing up and saying goodbye. It was just the two of them on the dance floor, and as I walked away I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. It was such a touching moment.

Back in action.

My apologies for the delay in posting here. Last Thursday night my house in NJ was hit by lightening! So needless to say I have been a little tied up with getting our lives back in order. Fortunately, we are OK, and with exception of some fried televisions it could have been much worse.