Carolina & Angelo's Greek Wedding & our 200th Blog Post!!

We just photographed Carolina & Angelo's Wedding on Saturday and WOW what a day. They got ready at their homes in West Haven right before the ceremony which took place at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange. The reception was over at Grassy Hill Country Club also in Orange.

This post is also our 200th blog post. It is hard to believe that we have had that many posts in only a little over a year since we started this blog. Thank you to all who keep up with it!! Ok enough talking from me, here are some of Carolina & Angelo's photos from their day!!

Carolina's dress was very beautiful and hanging it by this tree made for such a fun backdrop. I was actually laying on my back to capture this shot, I love how the sun came through the trees.



Carolina having her veil put on right before she put her dress on.


The flower girl.




This may be one of my favorite bridal portraits that I have captured. It feels so timeless to me and Carolina looks absolutely radiant.



Another one of my favorite bridals of Carolina


There was this great hammock in the back yard and the first thing I thought was that I had to get Carolina to lay on it in her wedding dress. She was up for anything so she didn't even question it. It made for some different and fun shots.


The bride's maids were simply awesome!!



Can anyone say ridiculously beautiful? This church was really stunning, this shot was of the ceiling and yep you guessed right, I was also laying on my back for this shot.



This shot was taken by Kathleen. She captured me photographing Carolina & her father walking down the aisle. I really love the expression on Carolina's stepfather's face and the bride's maid in the background wiping the tears from her face.


This shot was also taken by Kathleen, I love so many things about it. This is right when Carolina walked down the aisle with her father, I love her Aunt right in the center wiping away a tear. I also love the composition and overall feel of the photo, it has a grainy film texture to it. Kathleen really is amazing me with the photos that she has been taking!!


This photo was my first attempt using the 90mm tilt-shift lens and I think it came out really great. I love how I was able to control the blur/bokeh. How do you all like it?



What can I really say about this church, I will let the photos show all of the incredible detail.



Also one of Kathleen's, I love their expressions.




This part of the Greek Ceremony is really emotional, I think it is such a nice moment.



I love this photo, it is obviously of Carolina & Angelo kissing for the first time as husband and wife, but what I really like about it is that their grandmother was so excited to congratulate them that she had to be held back by the priest until they were done. So great!!


The first photo of Carolina & Angelo as husband and wife as they walked out of the church.



Seriously one of my favorite shots, again I was on my back for this one.




Another tilt-shift portrait, I love the feel!





Carolina & Angelo were so happy the whole day, I don't think they ever stopped smiling.


Thank you so much Carolina & Angelo were letting us be part of such an amazing day. Have an incredible time on your honeymoon!!

Monique & Christopher's Wedding Slideshow

Here is Monique & Chrisopher's Slideshow from their wedding on June 7th. Enjoy!!

Also check back in a day or so for photos from Carolina & Angelo's Wedding this weekend.

Today is Carolina & Angelo's Wedding Day!!

Today the whole crew of us is off to capture Carolina & Angelo's Wedding Day. Obviously I will be there, Kathleen will be assisting (and shooting) and Sue will be our second shooter. My video team will also be there. Be sure to check back in a day or so for some photos from their day.

Michelle & David's Engagement Slideshow

Ok everyone, here is Michelle & David's Engagement Slideshow. I originally had it much larger but found that some users were not able to see the slideshow and the photos that big. Everything is back to the previous size. Either way, I hope everyone enjoys and everyone is having a great weekend!!

The Art of Selecting A Wedding Photographer (Article) by Robert Evans

Here is a great article that we found on WeddingChannel.com. If you would like to read it directly from the Wedding Channel you can click here.

The Art of Selecting A Wedding Photographer
By Robert Evans

There are three important elements when hiring a wedding photographer. Two are character traits unique only to that person and cannot be copied. The third element fluctuates due to many different variables. Let’s talk about each in the order of importance.

First and most importantly are the character and personality of the individual who you will hire and invite as a guest to your wedding. These characteristics may not be the first thing you think about when hiring a photographer, however it will definitely be the most important factor in the decision-making process. The first thing you need to determine is whether or not you like the images that this particular photographer has to show you. Be it on a website where you have looked at page after page trying to eliminate those photographers you don’t want to see, to figuring out the ones you do.

It is definitely important to be intrigued or excited by the images a photographer has to offer. If you have made an appointment or decided to visit the photographer, chances are, you are already interested in their work but this is not always the most important factor. What is? Personality. Now that you are in this person's studio or space, the question you have to ask your inner self is, do I like this person? Do I feel comfortable with this person? Will my friends and family feel like him? Would I invite him or her to my wedding?

Personality and character may not be the first thing you judge when interviewing a potential photographer, but it is usually the one common thread that influences the final decision. You have to really like and trust the person who will be capturing your wedding images. You could find the Ansel Adams of wedding photographers, but if her or she bugged you in any way and you are not totally honest with yourself, the only person who is going to suffer is you. The bottom line is, if you don’t like your photographer for any reason, your wedding images and your memories or going to reflect such.

The second element and almost as equally important as personality, is the photographers eye. The way he or she sees and captures the wedding day. This unique trait separates one photographer from the next. “The Photographer’s Fingerprint.”

A photographer can copy another photographer’s style, but the fact is no two photographers see the same way. When looking at different photographers work, take notice of how and what they see. Do the images move you? Are they emotional? Do they tell a complete story? Are they artistic and creative? Are they real, do the people look comfortable? Finally, out of all the photographers you met with, whose images did you gravitate towards the most? Usually, the answer to these questions and the definitive question is, who is the right photographer for me? Just listen and trust your inner instinct.

Finally, the last deciding factor is usually the cost. You spend hours, if not days of your time interviewing photographer after photographer and now you have found the perfect photographer for you. His images are amazing and he/she is the greatest person however, your inner voice picked someone who is a little out of your budget. What do you do?

Ask yourself a few important questions. After the wedding is over, what am I going to have left? Answer: Your pictures and your memories. Everything else is going to be forgotten, only remembered through your photographs. According to a survey, the number one regret couples had is that they wished they would have spent more money on their wedding photography.

Shopping for a wedding photographer is like buying a house; you get what you pay for. In both cases the purchase and decision to buy is based on emotion. Buying a little more than you can afford is always a wise investment that you won’t regret as long as you have put in the time to find the perfect one for you.

With that said, it doesn’t mean there are not ways to get the most for your dollar. One way is to buy all albums and portraits, anything you might want up front as part of a package instead of buying a la cart afterwards. Another way is make sure you understand what it will cost before and after the wedding. Sometimes a photographer’s packages appear to be less expensive at first glance, then after the wedding you get hit with add-ons you did not expect. Then you end up spending more money than you would have with a photographer who appeared to have been more expensive.

Don’t make the mistake of weeding out photographers because you called or emailed and asked for prices and then crossed them off your list because they exceed a certain dollar amount that you determined photography should cost.

Finding a great photographer is much like discovering a great restaurant. Let’s say you were to call around to ten different eateries and ask, “How much are your meals?” Without taking the opportunity to meet the owner, taste the food, or experience the ambiance and charm of the restaurant you cannot make an educated decision. All of these things make dining a great experience and a phone call wouldn't be suffice.

Wouldn’t you feel better spending more afterwards because you loved your photographer and your images were so great you want to buy them all, than to get less than you imagined and end up spending more than you dreamed.

In summary, what separates the good from the bad is in the eye of the beholder; art is subjective. Make sure you feel great about the person you hire and see a distinction in the work. In the end, can you afford to be disappointed when the curtains close on your wedding day and the narrator says “And They Lived Happily Ever After..."

Collages.Net Website of the Week!!

I am incredibly stoked to share with everyone that one of the recent weddings that we photographed won wedding website of the week by Collages.net. Collages.net is our online event hosting company and has thousands of photographers nationwide. "Every week Collages.net features two exceptional websites to showcase the incredible work of Collages.net photographers. Collages.net carefully reviews all posted websites and with the photographer’s permission, chooses one wedding and one portrait session for weekly presentation."

This is a huge honor for us but even more so for Meredith & Reid who is our awesome bride & groom that allowed us to share their beautiful day with them. Thank you to Sue for being a great second shooter and to my wife Kathleen for being an incredible assistant. This is our second time receiving this honor.

Towanda & Ronnie's Wedding

On Saturday my second shooter Sue & I photographed Towanda & Ronnie's Wedding at the Crystal Room in Naugatuck. We had so much fun, here are some of the photos from their day.

A quick detail shot of the flowers, with the help of our video light.


It was such a beautiful night for an outdoor wedding.


The groomsmen right before the ceremony started. I loved the white suits!



The maid of honor walking down the aisle right before the bride was walked down.




Ronnie was filled with so much excitement as he got the first glimpse of his wife to be, I loved this moment.



Towanda being handed over to her husband-to-be.





A quick kiss after the ceremony



I really love hands, they tell so much.


The flower girls were so adorable and always willing to pose for a picture.


Her smile is priceless!!




The first dance


Thank you Towanda & Ronnie for letting us share your special day with you. We had such a great time. Congratulations once again, have a great time on your honeymoon!!

Even BIGGER Images!!

UPDATE (6/28/08): Ok so bigger isn't always better. I loved the new big sizes of our images and slideshows but found that some users were not able to view them on their computers. So we are back to the way it used to be. We are having a custom blog designed by the incredibly awesome guys over at Infinet and it should be up and going in September. We will have bigger images and despite your computer, you should be able to see them. Thank you all for your patience!!

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So I have been inspired by a lot of my photography peers to make my photos on my blog even larger. So here they are MUCH MUCH larger. It has taken a lot of code changing among other things but I think it is much nicer. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

Here is an additional photo from Allison & Bryan's Engagement to kick off the new size. Also check back in a day or so, I will have some images from Towanda & Ronnie's Wedding from yesterday. I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Today is Towanda & Ronnie's Wedding Day!!

We are off to Towanda & Ronnie's Wedding up in Naugatuck today. Check back in a few to see some images from their day. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Katie & Bryan's Engagement Slideshow

Katie & Bryan's Engagement Slideshow from their engagement session in Milford is now here!! Enjoy :).

Random Photo of the Week

I shot this in our backyard today, I love trees and sun flare. I am going to try to post a random photo every week for your viewing pleasure :).

Photo details: ISO 200, 85, F/16, 1/250

A Detail Shot by Kathleen!!

As I had mentioned a little while ago, my wife Kathleen has started shooting. I have had the honor of teaching her (what I know) about photograph and growing into a better photographer right alongside of her. She is really amazing and I can't wait to see all the great photography that she is going to produce. I am very lucky to have Kathleen working for with me and she is going to be starting to take more and more photos at weddings and engagement sessions, I will be sure to post some as she does.

A couple weeks ago she had a camera and decided to take a creative picture of our wedding rings. This is one of our favorites that I wanted to share.

Allison & Bryan's Engagement Slideshow

Here is Allison & Bryan's Engagement Session Slideshow from their Engagement Session in downtown Fairfield and Sherwood Island State Park. Enjoy!!

Kate & Christopher's Engagement Session

Here is Kate & Christopher's Engagement Session Slideshow. I hope you enjoy!!

Michelle & David's Engagement

On Sunday, we spent the day with Michelle & David for their engagement session in Westport. We started off at Compo Beach and then walked around the Main Street area of downtown Westport. We were slightly worried about the weather, but it ended up being a perfect day for their session. Here are some of the photos from the day!


The sky was a little overcast at this point but really made for some great even lighting. Michelle & David were filled with so much happiness, they never had to be told to smile.








The texture on these old stairs was really nice, it made a nice backdrop for this moment.




I loved the lighting in this alley way. I probably could have spend the whole day in there.







Thank you Michelle & David for such a great day, we can't wait until your wedding!!

Jessica & Baret's New Jersey Beach Wedding

This weekend Kathleen and I went down to New Jersey to see our family and friends since we didn't have any weddings scheduled for this Friday or Saturday. We decided to go down to the shore to get a bite to eat with Kathleen's parents for Father's Day. We ended up going to this restaurant called McLoone's Pier Hose right on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch. The food is so good there! Anyways, once we had finished eating our late lunch we had noticed that they were setting up for a beach wedding right by the water. I got really excited because I love weddings, I really enjoy seeing people so happy and I love seeing people in love.

I also really love shooting weddings. Something about capturing such an intimate moment in time is very special to me. So as you can probably imagine what I am going to say next, I grabbed my cameras and photographed Jessica & Baret's Ceremony. It was held on a public beach and the boardwalk really gave me an incredible vantage point.

We are going to try to get in contact with Jessica & Baret and make sure that they get a copy of these images. Their wedding was such a nice time! Here are some of the photos that I captured from their ceremony.


Everything setup right before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.


There was a harpist which really added to the feel of the wedding.



Jessica being walked in by her father to her soon-to-be husband.




I tried a new texture on this photo, I really like how it looked over the sand. To me it made it feel like a painting.



The bride, Jessica, could not stop smiling during the ceremony





Jessica & Baret's first kiss as husband and wife. I also used a slight texture over this photo.

Hallett Family

On Thursday, we got to spend part of the morning with the Hallett Family for a family photo session. It was such a good time taking pictures of the them at their house. Here are a few photos from their day.










Thank you so much to the Hallett Family for such a fun session!!

Jacinda & Juan's Engagement Slideshow

Here is Jacinda & Juan's Slideshow from their engagement session in Hoboken. Enjoy!!

Vegas Engagement Album Spreads

Kathleen has put together some really awesome spreads for the engagement session that we photographed out in Vegas. Here are just a few of our favorites. I can't wait to see this book come fully together. It is going to be an 11x14 book which means opened up the spreads are a sweet 11x28. So much fun!!

Babysitting Amelia & Hartley

A couple of weeks ago Kathleen and I babysat for our friends Tony & Michelle. They have two very sweet little girls, Amelia & Hartley. I just had to get a couple shots of them when we were over their house. Here are just a few, how cute are they?!

Michael & Maren's Engagement Slideshow

Here is Michael & Maren's Slideshow from their engagement session back in May down in New Jersey. Enjoy!!

Sweet Note!!

I hope everyone is having a great week. I just wanted to share this really sweet note that I got from Meredith & Reid (one of our awesome couples that got married on the 24th of May). Photography, specifically wedding photography is an incredibly challenging and emotional field and it is things like this that really keep me going.

Hi Rob!

The pictures on the website I was able to access and they are ABSOLUTELY perfect and everything that I dreamed of. Reid and I feel so lucky! I even showed a few coworkers and they have said how amazing you are. Thank you again for everything...you are so good at your craft and we are so happy to have had the chance to work with you. Reid, who doesn't really like being photographed, enjoyed it so much that he has already talked to me about sometime down the road having you photograph us in Boston, as we love being there! Anyway, thank you again for everything and please let us know what we need to do in terms of picking out pictures for our album. Please know that we love everything!!!

Meredith

Thank you again Meredith & Reid for letting us be such a special part of your day.

I hope everyone is having a great week!!

Latoya

I wanted to share a story, or should I say continue a story that I first read on Paul & Krystal's blog. I should first warn you that this is a sad one, which is a little out of the ordinary, but I think it is important.

I was talking to my brother Dan just a couple of minutes ago. He was telling me that he was having a rough and emotional week. I asked him what was the matter and he told me that one of his co-workers and friends was driving home the other night and started to have an asthma attack. She pulled over and by the time the paramedics arrived she had gone into cardiac arrest. She later passed away. Her name was Latoya and she was only 25. She worked as a trainer for Chili's Restaruant, the same as my brother. She and my brother has opened a couple stores together. As my brother was telling me this incredibly tragic story, I was feeling like I heard it before.

I remembered that last night I was reading Paul & Krystal's blog when I saw the following post:

For Latoya
First a disclamier that this is a sad and unfortunate story.

Krystal and I were headed for her sisters 18th birthday party when we spotted a woman next to her car on the side of the road. I have the urge to stop whenever i see a person in distress or need, however this time something told me to stop and see if there was something we could do. The woman was having a asthma attack so I called 911 and then we held her until the ambulance arrived witch seemed like an eternity but in actuality was only a few minutes. I asked the police officer to keep me informed about her and he agreed. At 9pm the police officer called me to let me know she passed away. First, I want to let the family know that we held her and loved her for the short time we knew her and I hope your family can heal with time. Second we have been awoken to how much we take life for granted, its short go hug someone and tell them you love them.

Paul and Krystal

I wanted to first (along with my brother and Paul and Krystal) send my heartfelt condolences to Latoya's family. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult this is. Next on behalf of both my brother and myself, I wanted to thank Paul and Krystal for being such amazing people. To know that there are people as good as you both in this world is really something wonderful. Lastly, I have to repeat Paul & Krystal's advice, don't take life for granted, go hug someone and tell them that you love them.

Here is a photo that Latoya is in, she is the girl in the middle.

Katie & Bryan's Engagement Session

Yesterday after we photographed Allison & Bryan's Engagement Session, we went over to the Milford Green to meet Katie & Bryan for their engagement session. They are both from Milford so the green seemed very fitting to shoot their photos. We had so much fun walking around and talking with the both of them. Here are some of the photos from the day.




A fun little silhouette of Katie & Bryan across the street from the Milford Green.





I used a subtle texture over this picture that I think really brought out the color of the brick and the emotion between Katie & Bryan.




The trees were so beautiful yesterday and made for a great background.



Trying to get some nice sun flare.


Wow, what a ring!!



If you have never been down to the Milford Green, it is really beautiful. There is a waterfall, ducks, lots of shade and is just a really relaxing place.




I love this picture so much especially since I get to give full credit to Kathleen for taking it. She has been shooting for only a little while and getting some really amazing shots.


There was this great stone railing that I just had to shoot through, I like the passion between Katie & Bryan in this photo.



I took this shot with my 85 1.2 wide open and other than the slight edge burn, this is right out of camera. This lens rocks!!


After taking some photos at the Milford Green we went over to this bridge where Katie & Bryan went to often after first getting together.


It is a good thing that we brought the umbrellas with us because right at the end of the session the sky seemed to open up, which was fine with us because umbrellas really help make for some great photos.

Thank you Katie & Bryan for such a fun time!!

Allison & Bryan's Engagement Session

Yesterday Kathleen & I continued our fun weekend of shooting by spending time with Allison & Bryan for their engagement session. We photographed their session in downtown Fairfield and then went over to Sherwood Island State Park in Westport for some beach shots. It was so much fun photographing Allison & Bryan, here are some of the shots from the day. Also be sure to check back soon for some photos from the second engagement session we did yesterday. Happy Monday!!


Here is one of my favorite shots, the Amtrak Train was coming through while we were standing on the platform. I put a texture on this photo to give it a little something extra, I love how it feels.





I really love shooting against brick of any kind. I took this shot in the parking lot of the Fairfield Theater Company (FTC) right by the train station. A couple of months ago we had planned on shooting here for an engagement session, I am glad we finally did!


Another shot in front of one of the brick walls at the FTC, the colors are so much fun.




While walking around downtown we stopped at this GREAT coffee house called Las Vetas that Kathleen and I really like. It is one of those places that you don't see much anymore, so cozy and filled with furniture that doesn't match. It also has really great food and obviously coffee.


This coffee house is partly done in a Beatles' theme so when we saw the Imagine table we thought it would be a great place to photograph Allison & Bryan's hands and ring.



I really love the way Allison is looking at Bryan here, such a cute couple!


This is a shot that Kathleen took of me capturing Allison & Bryan in front of this really old movie theater.


Here is my shot.


It was low tide when we got to Sherwood Island which is so nice because there are so many colors and textures.



Long grass is awesome, and again the way that Allison & Bryan looked at each other was amazing.





Thank you Allison & Bryan for such a great time, we can't wait to spend your wedding day with you!!

Monique & Christopher's Wedding

Yesterday, it was a HOT day here in Connecticut but a perfect day for Monique & Christopher's Wedding!! They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville. Chris and Monique built this amazing wooden arbor for the ceremony. There were rose petals down the aisle and flower arrangements lining the white chairs. The bridemaids, the ring bearer and both Monique and Chris were wearing these really cool cowboy boots which made for some fun photos. We also took some couple shots of Monique and Chris in front of this lake where there were a couple of people jumping in off this huge rock. Also made for some really fun shots.

This wedding was also special for another reason, Kathleen (my wife and assistant) picked up a camera and grabbed a couple of shots. She captured a really great shot of the kiss from the side which I included below. Her shot is the second kiss shot, so be sure to check it out. I am so happy and proud to have Kathleen starting to shoot, she is really amazing!

We had such an awesome time, thank you to Monique & Chris for letting us be part of your day. Here are some of the photos!!


When we arrived at the house, I immediately saw Monique's vows written out, I just had to get a quick shot.


The dress shot only with available light hanging on the front door, the details on the dress were really beautiful.


Monique being walked down the aisle to her soon to be husband.




The rose petals down the aisle were really amazing.



I just had to capture a wide fisheye shot of the ceremony.


Such a great moment, Chris wiping the tears off of Monique's face during the vows.


My kiss shot.


Kathleen's kiss shot, so beautiful!!


Chris & Monique were nothing but smiles as they walked down the aisle after the ceremony.


Monique & Chris' cowboy boots!!


The junior groomsman showing off his fancy footwear among the rest of the wedding party.


A simple but great formal of the newlyweds, I love the green grass and the bright color of the wall, it works together so well.





Here is a fun formal of Chris and Monique, check out the people jumping off the rock into the lake.


Monique & Chris during the first dance.




During the first dance, the wedding party joined in and formed a circle around Monique & Chris right before they gave them a big group hug. Such a nice time!!

Today is Monique & Chris' Wedding Day!!

Today we are off to photograph Monique & Chris' Wedding day up at the Grand Oak Villa. It is going to be a hot one out there so make sure you stay cool. Check back in a couple days for photos from their day. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Album Spreads

Ok, so here are some of the album spreads from the recent wedding sample album that we put together. Danielle (among others) have been asking for us to put some spreads up, so here they are. Check back soon, we will be putting up some spreads from our Las Vegas Engagement Session.

Crazy Wedding Album!!

We just got in one crazy cool wedding album to add to our collection. We designed this as one of our wedding album samples. It is a Kambara 12x12 book with 26 spreads, it is huge which means a lot of full spread photos!! Here are a couple of photos of the album, check out the incredible detail of the leather, it is simply beautiful. If you would like to see more, come and flip through it at our studio!!

Meredith & Reid's Wedding Slideshow

Here is Meredith & Reid's Wedding Slideshow. I hope everyone is having a great week!!

More Photos from Meredith & Reid's Wedding

We didn't have a wedding this weekend which gave me a chance to catch up on some other work and spend some time with family. I decided that since Meredith & Reid are very excited to get their photos, I would share a few more from their wedding last weekend. I hope you all enjoy!!