August 26th, 2010
Today is my birthday! I had planned on taking the day off, but my birthday happened to coincide with CreativeLIVE’s Wedding Photography course with on of my photography idols, Jasmine Star, so I spent the day watching and taking copious amounts of notes. Not exactly the birthday I had in mind, BUT I’m learning a ton, and to be able to have her guidance for free in this way is a pretty great birthday present. And then John came home, presented me with a new camera lens (!!!) and took me to dinner at the fantastic Brassierie Cognac!
This birthday is kind of exciting because of what lies in store for me this year. The main event is, of course, my upcoming wedding and marriage. SIX WEEKS to go. I cannot even explain how unbelievably excited I am to marry the most amazing man I’ve ever known. It still doesn’t feel totally real yet. After the wedding, we’re off to Italy for two weeks, which will be wonderful. I also have some incredible photography opportunities coming up: one is next month (more on that later!), and one in December that will take me out of the country. In the spring I will (hopefully) be running my first half-marathon, which scares me to death!! But all in all it should be an incredible year, and I’ve really looked forward to this birthday, knowing what lies ahead.
In honor of my birthday, I’m starting a new project. I’ve decided to document everyday of my life this year in photographs. It seemed an appropriate thing to start on one’s birthday, and it’s something I’ve been wanting to knock off of my Life List. (For those of you unfamiliar with a Life List, I was actually inspired by the fantastic Maggie Mason of Mighty Girl. I created my Life List earlier this year, and I have been trying to clear things off bit by bit.)
So here is a capture (with my new lens) from the amazing restaurant we went to tonight. Day 1/365:
Tags: 1/365, 2010, birthday, new york city, photography
Posted in Life List, Personal, Photo a Day | No Comments »
August 25th, 2010
Last Thursday I headed out to Brooklyn to photograph the wonderful Fitzpatrick family on the Pratt Campus in Clinton Hill. Alethea Fitzpatrick is also a very talented photographer, and we’ve traded several sessions in the last year; I always love photographing her lovely family! We first did a little “mommy and me” session, and then once her husband was off work he joined us, so we could get some photographs of everyone altogether. I had a fantastic time with all three of them, and LOVED shooting on the beautiful Pratt Campus.
Tags: brooklyn, children, clinton hill, family, new york city, pratt
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August 24th, 2010
There are a lot of benefits to running my business out of my home. I love not having to get up and squeeze onto the subway with everyone else. I don’t have to wait in line at the coffee cart. My co-workers are my two sweet cats; they hardly ever cause any office drama or gossip. And when I do work out of my house… it’s outside in the sunshine with my beyond fabulous clients. It’s a pretty great deal.
My only regret is that I hardly ever find time to read anymore. Today it’s chilly and rainy in New York City – you can smell autumn in the air. (I actually wrapped a scarf around my neck when I went out this morning! Love it!) This time of year puts me in the mind of reading and books. Maybe it’s the whole “back to school” mentality. Before I left my 9 to 5 for the wonderful world of self-employment, I used to spend my commute reading. And I desperately miss that.
I still read of course… a chapter or two before bed, or when I take a trip. But I definitely don’t read the amount I did before. I used to not only read during my commute, but on my lunch break as well. Now I eat while I’m working, and unless I’m meeting a friend for lunch, I don’t really take a “lunch break.”
I miss having my nose in a book on the subway. Or being so engrossed in a novel that I count the minutes until I can go to lunch and get back into my book. I think that is something I have to make time for again. I have to close the computer and take the time to enjoy my lunch and a good book too.
I don’t think I even realized I’d lost that precious reading time until recently. I’ve been so caught up in work, work, work that I let something I love so much slip away, which is sort of sad. My birthday is Thursday – yes, I’m taking the day off! – and while I’m out, I might just treat myself to a trip to the bookstore to stock up on some great reads, so I can get my literary habits back in line. Any suggestions? Anything you’ve read lately that you just couldn’t put down? (To give you an idea of what I like, some of my favorite authors are: Harper Lee, David Sedaris, Jonathan Safran Foer, Jeffrey Eugenides, Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon…) So recommend away! I need some new books ASAP!
Tags: books, reading
Posted in Personal | 4 Comments »
August 22nd, 2010
The first two things I found out about Lisette and Luis were that they love each other – they’ve been together eight years! – and that they love baseball. Specifically, Yankees baseball. So I knew immediately that we’d all get along! Lisette and Luis drove up from Virginia to watch the Yankees play the Red Sox and to elope in their beloved New York City. Sounds like a pretty fantastic weekend, if you ask me.
I met them at City Hall two Mondays ago, bright and early. As we walked into the building, they were both glowing… baseball is great and all, but now it was time for the main event. The ceremony was short and sweet, but so full of love. I shot quickly – I only had about two minutes to capture the most important moment of their lives. They kissed, and I had to swallow a few tears… I really love weddings. They turned around and held up their marriage license, both of them beaming. I wished I had confetti to throw on them!
After the wedding, we walked to the Brooklyn Bridge to capture their first moments as husband and wife in the gorgeous morning light. After that, it was time for a tasty treat. No matter what size your wedding may be… you have to have some cake afterward! We headed to the amazing Takahachi Bakery on Murray Street to continue the celebration. We ended the morning at South Street Seaport – the site of my own upcoming wedding! – for a few more photographs before we parted ways.
Lisette and Luis… it was such an honor to photograph your beautiful elopement. I know you two have an amazing life ahead of you, and I wish you a lifetime of joy and love!
Tags: brooklyn bridge, city hall, city hall elopement, couple, couples, love, manhattan, marriage, new york city, nyc, south street seaport, takahachi bakery
Posted in Elopements | No Comments »
August 20th, 2010
Yesterday I ventured into Brooklyn for a family session on the Pratt Institute Campus in Clinton Hill. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you might just recognize this lovely family. Alethea Fitzpatrick is a fellow photographer – she took our wonderful engagement photos, as well as my head shot. And this was my third time photographing her family. I was originally supposed to have a different session yesterday, but that ended up being rescheduled; so when Alethea asked if I’d like to spend the afternoon with them in Brooklyn, I of course jumped at the chance. Here is a little sneak peek from our afternoon at Pratt:
Tags: brooklyn, clinton hill, new york city, Portraiture, pratt, sneak peek
Posted in Families | No Comments »
