A Perfect Moment

Last week I had the pleasure of spending a day with world renowned wedding photographer Joe Buissink. Working from his Beverly Hills studio, Joe has photographed the nuptials of many of Hollywood’s most famous couples. One thing he said was most poignant – “there are no perfect pictures, only perfect moments.”

How true! As I review my work from 2006 I find a lot of perfect moments, all of which can be improved upon with a little Photoshop magic.

Below is one such moment. Kevin couldn’t contain his excitement but his outward expression happened in the blink of an eye. I managed to nail it with one frame. A perfect moment captured.

However, alone this picture was far from perfect. Thanks to Photoshop (and the skill gleaned from 15 + years with the program) I was able to adjust and enhance the image for greater impact. It may not be a perfect photograph, but it is a perfect moment, and perfect moments are what we remember years later.

Congratulations Mike!!

Just got the great news, my good friend Mike Colon is a new dad! Logan Colon was born at 8:33 am pst Thursday. He's a big boy at 9lbs 7oz (just like dad already!!). Here's a photo from the hospital Mike sent to another friend Ray Santana.

Congratulations Mike! Lots of love!!

FIRST WEDDING OF THE YEAR -- JANUARY 6, 2007

Now that’s the way to start a new year!

Yesterday I shot my first wedding of the year and it was awesome! Katy and Mike make such a terrific couple. In spite of the clouds, how can you beat temperatures in the 50’s in January?

The wedding was at Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Oakland. The church is absolutely stunning, built in the round with gorgeous stained glass everywhere. You can’t help but be moved in a place so inspirational.

The reception was at The Great Hall in Perrysville. William P. Hutchins designed the Great Hall in the tradition of Gothic architecture for the former St. Teresa of Avila Church. And a grand job he did!

Here is a small glimpse of their beautiful day.

Happy New Year!

Hip Hip Hooray, it’s 2007! I hope you are as jazzed as I am about all the new opportunities that lie ahead in the New Year. I gave up making “resolutions” long ago because they were too easy to break (most didn’t last more than a couple of weeks). I do however believe very strongly in setting and achieving goals, and while I’m not quite ready to share them with the world, I will say I have a lot to accomplish this year!

We are excited about the coming wedding season! So far we have booked a lot of great weddings and would love to book another 15-20 awesome events. So if you got engaged over the holidays, or you know someone who did, give us a call ASAP!! Much to our surprise we still have 07.07.07 open!

On the personal side, I’m getting back into working out every day. I know my personal trainer, Weston Lyon, will be happy to hear that! While ‘round’ is a shape, it’s not a good shape to be in.

Many other changes are in the works, but for those you’ll just have to stay tuned!

Friday night I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the final gown fitting for Katy, my January 6th bride. Expert seamstress Barbara Mannarino, owner of Thorncliffe Designs (412.278.1112) in Robinson Township, was responsible for the perfect fit.

The question is sometimes asked, ‘why would you want to photograph the final fitting?’ Precious moments. Quite often this is the first time dad gets to see his daughter in her wedding gown. That “first look” is priceless. And let’s not forget how mom feels, this is after all, her little girl.

Below are a couple of my favorites from the evening. But, just in case Mike, the groom, happens to hit my blog before the wedding no photos of the gown appear, I’m not going to be the one to spoil his surprise!

Lots of changes going on around the blog right now (and other places soon, but shhhhh, don't tell anyone yet).

Another thing I'm working on for the coming year is to update more often. I know, everyone with a blog says that, but I mean it! Really I do. Stay tuned and see!

Goodnight Mr. President

President Gerald Ford has passed away at the age of 93.

Gerald Ford was the first President I had the opportunity to photograph. In 1975, as a very green news photographer in Michigan, I was assigned to cover a speech he made at the University of Michigan.

Back in those days (before computers ruled the world) the Secret Service would physically do a background check of people requesting press credentials. We were known as the “day passers,” meaning we were covering the president just that one day and not traveling with his entourage. I remember my mother all excited because a Secret Service agent just called and asked a bunch of questions about me. She wanted to know what in Heaven’s name I did! When I told her I was going to photograph Gerald Ford she was relieved. She really thought I might be in trouble!

When I arrived at U of M the press photographers were herded into a back room for the obligatory bag check. Every camera bag was stripped and thoroughly checked to make sure nothing was being smuggled into the arena. Afterward we all stood around and waited for the signal we could enter and rush into place for the President’s speech.

While waiting, one of the older press photographers noticed my day pass and asked me if this was my first time. Proudly (and loudly) I said yes, this was indeed my ‘first time shooting the President!’ Oops!! As soon as the words left my mouth a very heavy finger tapped me on the shoulder. I slowly turned around to see a very dark suit staring down at me. It was a Secret Service Agent. In a soft, but stern voice, told me “son, we don’t use that slang when talking about the President of the United States.” Maybe it was my age, my naiveté or the fact my face was white as a ghost but the very large gentleman with the automatic weapon under his jacket just smiled and walked away.

When the time came to rush into the arena I got my first taste of the national press and how sharp the human elbow is when used as a weapon. Junkyard dogs would have been a nicer lot than those beasts! But as soon as Mr. Ford came onto the stage all pushing ceased and the clicking began.

The images I made that day were nothing all that special. At best they were typical news photos of a Presidential speech. But, they were MY pictures of President Gerald Ford, my first Presidential assignment, the President from my home State of Michigan and a boyhood friend of my uncle. It was an experience I will always remember.

Color or Black and White?

Ok, so I've had a long standing love affair with black and white, but I equally enjoy eye bleeding color photos. These, at least to me, seem to work in both mediums, but I may be jaded since I was the one who snapped the shutter! You decide, black and white or color, or doesn't it matter? Thanks, and enjoy!

Just a little peeling barn paint...




Anyone need a screen door???

More barn and farm photos. I just fell in love with the light and clouds!

One of my secret passions (if anyone couldn't guess) is landscape photography. Growing up in Michigan two of my favorite subjects are barns and abandoned farms. During my early years I shot hundreds of the familiar rural structures. While barns are most often painted a bright red, I chose most often to render them in vivid shades of gray. Even to this day I "see" most of my personal work with a monochrome eye. My days of film are gone but the techniques learned are not forgotten and much of it is easily translated into the digital medium.

The farm below was photographed late Friday afternoon in Michigan. Recently abandoned, the farm fell victim to a new state roadway.

This is the price of progress.

Sunday afternoon I had the joy of photographing a beautiful new family. I have to admit it, I LOVE babies! The feeling I get from photographing a person so innocent, so precious and so full of love is indescribable. Little Autumn was an absolute delight. Right now it's late and I have to travel tomorrow so I'll just let this picture speak for itself. More will follow when I return. Hope everyone has a beautiful week!

Like millions of other Americans I took to the road this Thanksgiving weekend. My family lives in Michigan and I don't get to see them as often as I would like, but the holidays are a good excuse to invade the parental units domicile.

On my return trip I stopped to stretch my legs at a Michigan rest area only to look up and see these incredible contrails -- signs of the most heavily traveled weekend of the year. It made me very glad to be on the ground and not in the friendly skies this weekend.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

The fall colors are fading fast. Seems like only a few days ago it was totally green, then, almost overnight, the trees exploded in brilliant shades of red, orange and golden yellow. This morning I noticed a lot of brown tones are beginning to overtake the color.

As a photographer with roots in landscape and nature photography I love this time of the year. Unfortunately, other priorities this season have negated the time I usually spend making pictures in the woods. To capture something of the season I've capitalized on every opportunity. This picture was photographed behind Costco in Robinson Township. I was there buying gas when I saw the sun peak out from behind the steel gray clouds. I jumped on the opportunity. I hope you like it.

Wow, what great light there was Monday afternoon... for about 20 minutes! And what troopers Sarah and Paul were to wait for the snow to stop and the sun to peek out for those few minutes. They wanted engagement photos with fall colors but between the leaves turning fast and their work schedules time was critical. Everything worked out in the end and we had a great time making some awesome pictures! Thanks guys, can't wait for your wedding next year! Click the link below if you would like to see their slide show.

Sarah and Paul's slideshow

Saturday I photographed my last wedding of the season, and what a way to end an incredible year! Craig and Bridget’s Celtic Wedding was, in a word, awesome.

I’ve known Craig for about a year. We met at BNI (Business Network International), a great business networking organization. Craig is a printer rep for Alpha Graphics (so if you need printing, see Craig… when he comes back from his honeymoon). When he asked me to photograph his wedding I was totally jazzed. Being of Scottish descent I have a great love for all things Celtic. Someday I even hope to learn the bagpipes (sorry neighbors).

Craig made sure every detail was covered from the Celtic Knot wedding rings on down to the drum and bagpipe processional and recessional by Katherine Craig and Alasdair Gillies, respectively.





The church, Bellefield Presbyterian, is one impressive place. Gorgeous stained glass windows allowing terrific light to flow into the sanctuary top the rotunda.



It was so awesome seeing how much love they share.





Bridget, a graduate of Chatham College, wanted a special picture on her Alma Matter’s soccer field. Of course I was more than happy to comply! The soccer ball was borrowed from a couple of kids also on the field. Everyone had so much fun!



Thanks guys for allowing me the honor of photographing your day. See you when you get back!

“Sometimes I photograph just to see what things look like on film” – Garry Winogrand (1928-1984)

I’ve liked that line since the day I first heard it in college. In many ways it describes my philosophy on photography, too. When I’m working on a personal project I often photograph to see what the subject will look like in two dimensions, with a particular lens or at some obscure angle.

Of course there’s a big line between intentional experimentation and just snapping a ton of images hoping something will come out cool. I usually have an image in my minds eye before I snap the first picture.

Digital makes it so simple to just keep making picture after picture until you get what you’re seeing in your head. ‘Back in the day’ we only had 36 exposures on each roll of film. HA! Today when we reach 36 we’re reaching for the next flashcard. Yesterday I got a 2 Gig SD card for my new snap shot carry around camera, a Canon ELF. Besides the fact the camera is awesome, my 2 Gig card allows me to make more than 700 photos before changing “film.” Seven hundred! That’s about what we use to get out of 20 rolls of 35mm film. We live in amazing times!

The following photo is one from a day of making images just because. I had this image in my minds eye all day and was very happy when it all came together. A little Photoshop work this morning and it’s done. Hope you like it, too.

There's a good reason why Pittsburgh's downtown is called "The Golden Triangle." I've been photographing my adopted city since the day I arrived 16 years ago and am constantly amazed at how many beautiful views it offers. I just had to share this one from last night. At some point in the near future I'll have a gallery of images (available for purchase) dedicated to this amazing city.

Wow, I'm so jazzed today! Saturday I had the honor of photographing Mia and Joel's awesome wedding at Shakespeare's Restaurant & Pub at Olde Stonewall Golf Club. It's a very unique castle outside of Ellwood City, PA and quite a dramatic venue -- complete with suites armor on display about the halls. Really cool.



After their ceremony on the balcony we went off for a few minutes of "alone time" around the grounds. God was looking after us and held off the rain until we finished the photos. In fact, the sun peaked out a few times just to add a bit of drama to the lovely late afternoon light.




After dinner the party really cranked up thanks to a fabulous playlist. Everyone had a great time dancing to the really hot tunes. But guys, what's the story behind the Central Michigan reference? Growing up in central Michigan it really took me by surprise! How random was that!?




Last night, sore feet and tired beyond words, I still couldn't wait to see the pictures. Thanks guys for a terrific time!

Who knew? Today I had to say no to yet another wedding for July 14th, 2007. This one in Hanover, NH. This makes the fourth inquire for this date so far. The strange part is this -- I would have bet money on 07.07.07 being my most requested day next year and so far not one inquire! On that once in a lifetime date I'm still available. I'm sure I'll book up but it does strike me as odd. Who knew?

Saturday I was honored to photograph Brigette and Steve's beautiful wedding at the magnificent Hyeholde in Moon Township. Even though I'm only a few minutes from this incredible place it was my first time there for a wedding ceremony. The manager, Jeffrey Cooper, and his staff did an amazing job!

Brigette wasn't a nervous bride at all, she was just happy, smiling and enjoying her day! They are both so cool! Steve is an artist and designed their rings.

And how about that motorcycle, guys? Wow, what a touching gift. Bet you wish you could fit it on the plane for your honeymoon! See you when you get back!

Here are a few of my quick picks from the day..

Just got back from an incredible wedding this weekend in California with my good friend Mike Colon and new friend, and terrific photographer, Ray Santana. It was the most lavish and expensive wedding I've shot to date. When Mike asked a few weeks ago if I would come out to help him I was totally stoked. Unfortunately because of a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement I cannot talk about it or show any images, but if you Google around you'll see lots of press, the paparazzi were staked out on the hillsides and more. Hopefully someday I can show some shots, but I'm not holding my breath. Thanks again, Mike, for putting your faith and trust with me. I'm so glad we were able to, as you said, "nail the shots!"

Here's a picture I "borrowed" from Mike's site of us doing a pose to show off our uber stylish Panerai. The shot was made late into what turned out to be around a 19 hour day.