Just a little fun thing to pass on – there’s a website called www.dailycandy.com that has a new little tidbit on something fun everyday – travel, shoes, restaurants, gifts, etc. … it’s almost like a product filter for all things girlie! 

They have different regions including New York and Boston (for us Connecticut ladies) and in April they do a wedding feature.  You can search the archives to see old wedding ideas.  And, if you really love it, you can sign up to be emailed "the daily candy" everyday, but warning…I signed up for too many and got totally overwhelmed…I had to scale back! 

Just something fun…

I don’t even know what to say about this WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) win except I am so excited especially given the judges came from VII and especially with the portrait of Leslie and Warren – it was one of my favorites this year. 

Here are the images:

1st Place Food and Drink from Agnes and Jason’s Wedding of Jason’s brother and sister in the limo:

5th Place Creative Portrait of Leslie and Warren (with help from 2nd shooter Danielle holding the light that’s highlighting Leslie’s waist):

Thanks guys for being so fun and up for creating pictures!

Just wanted to say congratulations to Tom and Marisa!  I was so pleased to get the following picture via email from Tom and Marisa welcoming little Isabella!

Congratulations guys!  I still have great memories from shooting your wedding!

Please check out talented Tom’s latest work (music) too on youtube. 

I LOVE living this close to New York City.  It’s amazing to be a two-hour drive from the city (I know the native New Yorkers are laughing at me).  I go in with my family several times a year and for work 2-3 times a year.  Anyway, last week I went in to do a portrait session, meet with a potential bridal client, attend a two-day commercial photography workshop and cocktail party, and see two of my dearest friends.

First, can I just rave about my friend and my University of Florida college roommate, Lisa Lindgren.    She’s a great friend and a great artist  I bought a painting of hers about two years ago and it’s  more than tripled in price!  That’s how great she is!  She just spent 6 weeks in Iceland at an all-expenses paid artists’ retreat where she had to be selected from a zillion applicants.  Check out her website:  www.lisalindgren.com.   See "drawings" for her new stuff (from Iceland).  Her work is currently in a show at the SevenGaits Gallery in Southbridge, MA.

I then had a lovely evening with my great friend Hilary (from Boston College) who is 1000% involved in the New York corporate life and lifestyle and has just kicked booty since B-school.  We had a great meal and then I got to experience my first Hanukkah candle lighting which as it was happening, I wished I had my camera in my hand.  It was very cool to share someone else’s traditions (guess that’s why I like weddings!)!

Below are a few shots of the beautiful Hilary:

I also only need to attend one of these New York workshops every once and a while to be reminded what a small world photography is – to have access to the amount of talent there was just amazing.  There was a portfolio review/cocktail party with photographers and art buyers Monday night.  It was great seeing what everyone else was showing.  I got totally motivated to redo my commercial logo and update my commercial site.  Here’s the new logo…

I’ve been working on a jewelry shoot recently for Sally Lerman Jewelry’s new website – all hand-made precious and semi-precious gems.  We decided to do the first part of the project as jewelry on skin as Sally’s designs are all designed with their properties (love, calming, etc.) in mind and are meant to touch the body.  I’m finishing up standard product shots now and will respost information about it when the website is live.  I think it would make great bridal jewelry when you are looking for something special and handmade for the bridal party.  Please feel free to email me if you would like the contact information.

What fun shooting Jen and Dan’s family with a Christmas theme.  Here are some favorites:

Thanks Guys!

While I have not been there, I just heard about a place in West Hartford from a former bride (and now soon to be bridesmaid) that  focuses on non-bride (think bridesmaid/mother-of-the bride/etc.) dresses ONLY.  Evidently they have a great selection of modern, fresh, cute, stylish dresses!  Great idea!  My friend loves her new bridesmaid dress and thinks it might actually be worn again!  The shop is called "Of the Bride" and is in West Hartford center and is on the second floor of one of the buildings and is by appointment only.  Interesting!

We’re very excited to launch our new website www.plainjaneprints.com for high-quality contemporary photo cards (holiday, announcement, save the date, thank you, and more).

I really enjoyed designing  custom cards for clients over the past year and wanted to develop that further by incorporating patterns/designs from graphic designers.  And, I wanted a site to easily showcase options to both photography and non-photography clients.  Here are a few examples:

Holiday:

Announcements:

Party Invitation:

Thank yous:

Notes for clients/potential clients:

Most designs can be customized for the wording and photos you want to use.

For current wedding photography clients, you can still have the option to purchase the Pictage cards this year or you are welcome to try one of these designs.   Order directly from the site or through me.

For non-photography clients, you are open to submit any photo (it doesn’t have to be photographed by us), as long as you have permission to print it from the owner of the copyright (it may be you, it may be someone else).  We will take your photo and make it look the best we can.  Submission guidelines are detailed on the site.  Please order directly from the site and allow for a two-week turnaround.

Thanks for taking a look!

Congratulations Lindsay and Stephen on the birth of little baby Landon!  I was totally transported back to that newborn stage with my guys when I saw Landon and got to photograph him for an hour!  He is such a little beauty and totally sweet!  See for yourself…

I had a great time shooting Amanda and Michael’s family at Elizabeth Park.  We shot at "the magic hour" (which is an hour before sunset) and I thought the color of the light blended perfectly with the park that seemed to have had a second round of roses all in bloom! 

I do get a lot of questions about what to wear for portraits and I would say Amanda’s family is dressed perfectly if you want to get hints:

• Same level of dress (they chose a nice casual, but you could do all upscale, all downscale, etc. – just as long as you are all on the same level).
• No tiny prints – paisleys, small dots, etc. freak out the camera.  (LOVE large polka dots and large patterns though…)
• They match in color but they are not wearing identical outfits (which is a certain look that can be okay in a really large group (although I still prefer this way), but not okay as a couple or a family of 4 or 6–matching identically can look too much like a uniform in small groups).
• They’ve chosen a color theme (blue, khaki, grey) and they’ve really mixed the textures, patterns, etc.
• They haven’t overdone the patterns – everyone can’t wear an argyle top, but it looks great on just their daughter.

Anyway, these are some of my favorites:

Thanks guys!