Best in Show..Photographer of the Year!

Well...I am elated to say that one of my prints titled "Meet me at Midnight" was awarded "Best in Show" last week at CTPPA's last monthly print competition..which also awards me with Connecticut's "Photographer of the Year"! It was quite a year for me...not only in competition, but in personal & professional endeavors as well. And I truly feel blessed to be able to do what I love to do. I hope that I can continue to improve upon this great start in print competition...and that the opening of the new studio will help me to better serve my clients, as well as help me bring my photography to a new level.
I had never entered a print competition until 2007...but I have to say that it really has been a wonderful learning experience for me. It has opened my eyes and truly helped me appreciate all the knowledge and implementation that goes into the making of a successful image. For all of you photographers out there who have not entered competitions yet, I encourage you to start. Throw your work out there and see what happens..but most of all, try to learn from the critiques. It will really help you grow as a photographer.

More Wild Kingdom!

Here is the latest in the Wild Kingdom shots..a coyote taken this morning in our back yard. I would have gotten some better shots if I wasn't running around the house looking for my camera again!!!

Wild Kingdom!!

As some of you know, we moved to Preston, CT this summer, and what a change it has been moving out to the country. We now have an array of wildlife that visits frequently. So far we have had a flock of turkey, tons of deer, red foxes, coyotes, rabbits, and now...a Red tailed Hawks. My daughter Gabriella is loving the sights, but I think I enjoy them the most! I missed a shot of a red fox (it's the big one Elizabeth)in the snow the other day, by the time I ran upstair to get my camera..it trotted back into the brush. It was about 20 feet from the house. Anyways, the following shots were taken off our back deck today. Man, I need to get me a longer lens!! Hope you enjoy!

Studio interior photos

Here are some photos of how the inside is progressing. The walls still need to be capped on the top, the floors finished and a ton of other things..but it's getting there!!

Studio Update!

Well, it looks like it is really happening!! After months of delays..I will be finally getting the keys to the new studio at The Crocker House in New London on January 1st!! I was actually happy that it didn't happen sooner as my plate has been just too full this season to take on anything else. 45 weddings, new house that I had to get ready to move into, old house to get ready to sell, family, etc. etc. etc. The new venture is both extremely exciting for me..and insanely scary at the same time. But you won't get anywhere in life without taking risks!
Walls were painted this weekend and I will be stopping down to check them out tomorrow. I can't believe how hard it was picking out colors!!! I wanted a edgy contemporary feel, yet also wanted to keep it warm & inviting. I really hope I am on the right track.
The studio will have a lobby with reception desk,plasma screen, couch, & Eames lounge chair. Then, as you proceed down the brick hallway, my office, then the camera room. At the end of the hall is the bathroom/changing area, and screening room (projection area). Lastly, there is a production office where all the work will get done! There are 14 foot black ceilings and hardwood floors throughout. Location is awesome and I will try to post some recent pics tomorrow of it's progress. Until then, here are some images on the outside of the space.

WPD Photo of the Month!

Here is the image that was just selected as The Wedding Photography Directory's Image of the Month! Titled "Bright Future" , you can read the story behind creating the image at the WPD's site when it's posted in a few weeks.

Fun with zooming

Here's a image of my Xmas tree. I shot it handheld at 1/4 second and zoomed the lens during the exposure. Pretty coolio. Happy Holidays!!

PPANE Conference

Well, I just got back from the PPANE conference in Sturbridge, MA last night and to my pleasant surprise..won the Fuji Masterpiece Award for my print "Beautiful Day" ! I actually had 2 prints take Blue ribbons and 2 take Red! It is quite an accomplishment to win the Fuji Masterpiece Award and I feel very honored to have won.
I also got to see a ton of great speakers at this year's conference like David Jay, Mark Garber & Jennifer Gilman, Vicki & Jed Taufer and Jeff & Julia Woods whom I had the pleasure of sitting down to lunch with! Also, thanks to Dan Doke..it was great finally meet you. Thank you to all of the speakers..I picked up some very valuable tips from everyone.

The latest...

Yeah..I know..I promised to blog more regularly but my life has been so insane for the past few months..it was put on the back burner. We recently moved into our new home in Preston, CT and I still need to get our old home ready to sell! Then, ArtImage (new studio) is due to happen Oct 1st. I will have the keys but I doubt that the studio will be open for anothe month after that...just too much on my plate right now!!
Will keep you updated!

Eric & Jamie

OK gang..I am really going to try and be better at blogging regularly here and have alot of catching up to do, so I will be posting images from some of my recent weddings. Here are a few highlights from Jaimie & Eric's wedding taken at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, CT. Jamie & Eric are a really a fun couple and Jamie was definitely a bride that was determined to ENJOY her wedding to the fullest! You GO Girl!! Congratulations again J & E!!

Caitlyn & Greg

Here are some images from Caitlyn & Greg's wedding held at St. Clement's Castle which was also on Saturday June 9th. They went with a super cool celestial theme! I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with the both of them and their wonderful families. Thanks guys!! I went through and picked out my faves but there were about 300 of them! Here are a select few..

Wedding marathon weekend!

Last weekend was a marathon for me as I shot 2 full weddings on Saturday and another full one on Sunday! Here are a few images from Monica & Will's (wedding #1). The weather wasn't cooperating and it's not super creative...but they were troopers and trounced around in the rain with me. Note to future brides: no one wants rain on their wedding day, but it doesn't have to ruin your photos!!