Jenn & Chris Engagement Session

Today was a double-header at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown - thank you so very much Deborah and Amy for allowing us to come and take over! And thank you for decorating for the holidays, it looks beautiful inside!!

Jenn and Chris are having a winter wedding (yes, this winter!) so the setting at the mansion was perfect for their engagement shoot!

Jenn & Chris were such great sports - I think the magic of the mansion can do that to everyone! LOL! We had a lot of fun, despite the bad weather outside!

The one below is one of my favorite shots!

Danielle & Tim Holiday Cards

We had a chance to meet up with Danielle & Tim this afternoon at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown for their holiday session. They brought their "kids" Chloe & Frenchie - the two cutest pups I've seen in awhile!

wow..inspired...

OK, so I do stalk other photographers' blogs (but who doesn't, right?)...it usually elicits an "oh, that's pretty" or "that's cool, how did they do that?" or "nope, not my style". I came across a photographer from Australia that made me sit up and say WOW! Jerry Ghionis is so incredibly inspiring -his work is so simple but yet packed with so much emotion. I have not looked at another photographer's work and felt the emotion and inspiration as I did when I looked at Jerry's work.

OK, so I'm quite partial because he's Greek - but hey, aren't all the creative ones? ;) I can hear my husband now arguing that... LOL!

Seriously, kudos to an amazing photographer! He has started a society called "i.c.e." to inspire, challenge and educate. It looks like a cool society, I love his little pointers.

I hope others can be as inspired as I was when I saw this!

Leah & Jon's Engagement Session

Leah & Jon braved the COLD air today down at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. Despite the shivers (I am now feeling my nose!), we got some great shots! Leah and Jon were really good sports with my "just one more shot" and "Let's try this"! I told Leah - what bride can say that her groom will reach for the stars for her? She can!

This is one of my favortie shots - Leah & Jon really learned what I go through to "get the shot" - they first saw me on the ground, then I won't even tell you how I got the sun shot...this one was in the (thankfully frozen) swamp!

This is my other favorite shot - I love using the sun to my advantage!

More backgrounds

How can I say no when my two favorite models offer to pose for me! I think they have more fun chosing the backgrounds! Here are some of our favorites!

Love these new Backgrounds!

I have been playing around with these new backgrounds - they are so much fun!

Here is an original pic:

And here are some of the new backgrounds:

Holiday Backdrops are in!

I have been telling some of my clients about the new Holiday backdrops I just ordered - they came in this weekend and I had my mini brides test them out! Here are some quick ones from today! If you are interested in Holiday portraits, contact me for details!

"What equipment do you use?"

When I meet new photographers, the first question they ask is "what equipment do you use" or "what camera should I buy to get great shots". My answer is you already own two of the most prized photography equipment - your eyes and your instinct. You see a shot, you shoot.

This photo I actually took with my BlackBerry and my 4 year old daughter, Alexandra (in the foreground) set it up in our minivan. You can see a trend where Alexandra's career is heading...and if you have met her during a wedding meeting you KNOW where her career is going!

The resolution is intentionally set low on my BlackBerry (I text more pics to my parents than anything!), but the composition is my intention to show. You can take great pictures with just about any camera. Once you learn the basics, then you can look into different cameras and lenses, but be sure to remember that the camera doesn't take the photo, the photographer does!

Our state insect

The state insect of CT is the preying mantis (I know this because my kids love to read a booklet we have that is all about the history of Connecticut!) - and apparently this guy likes hanging out in my in laws' marigolds! Dave caught this great picture while I was working a bridal show!

How could I forget Halloween?

With a very crazy fall, I seemed to have forgotten to post pics of my kids' Halloween costumes - which were chosen completely by themselves!

Evanthea chose to be Wonder Woman - she saved the world (and her preschool) of all evil doings - I think my hallway became her invisable jet as she flew up and down it often!

Alexandra chose something more "fabulous" - Sharpay's golf outfit from High School Musical 2 (she refused a picture with the sunglasses, but managed to wear them all day at preschool) -- no, we didn't pay extra for Sharpay's attitude! LOL!

Then, we were invited to a costume party on Halloween night. Alexandra (I think) was dismayed that not everyone knew who Sharpay was, so she resorted to last year's costume of Raggedy Ann! This was me trying to keep them amused while we waited for the time to leave the house! I opted for a more subdued costume (unfortunately, I didn't have a chance for a self-portrait) - I was Holly Golightly!

A greener studio!

Keeping along with my being a green photographer, I just picked up a new HP printer, the D2545 which is made of 83% recycled plastic and is energy effecient. Very exciting! I also like HP printers for my desktop work (printing documents, contracts etc) because they recycle their ink cartridges (and Staples offers $3 rebates too!).

Now I'm looking to recycle our old beat up printers - I found a place in Manchester but I haven't received a reply from them as to protocol. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please email me if you know of a drop off place where I can recycle printers near Coventry (I know HP will do it, but I have to ship the printers to Meriden...seems counter-intuitive if you ask me!)!

Vinnie & Cheryl's Wedding Day

Wow...what can I say about Vinnie & Cheryl's wedding day that hasn't already been said at the wedding? It was an amazing day! The ceremony and reception were both held at A Villa Louisa in Bolton (thank you Claudia and your staff for the amazing food and wonderful service!).

The whole night was orchestrated by After Hours DJ Entertainment - I mean literally! The groom is an MC, the best man owns the company, the officiant is an MC as well, do I need to mention who the DJ was? :) We also had the oportunity to work with Kevin Lee of Kevin Lee Studios once again - I can't wait to see the footage of the first dance/Thriller! Brides ask me about Trash the Dress sessions and whether it's a good idea or not...here's a Trash the Dress without the trashing!
We had so much fun and we wish Vinnie & Cheryl all the best and I am sure to see them soon