another world

This is one from the archives. A photo that is easily two years old, taken at the Arboretum. I'm starting to get back into the swing of things, and will be posting more often. But the above is just more evidence as to what kind of photos you can take if you stop looking through the viewfinder and do something different. I set my camera practically on the ground and snapped these growths. They're like alien pods. Or sprouts, signaling new life. You say potato...

Remembrance

On this Veteran's Day - I'm thinking about all the Veterans I know. Some are friends, some are family, some are here and some are not. One thing they all have in common is that they've represented our country (and other countries) in times of war, when others couldn't (or wouldn't) do so.

A few months ago I took a trip to the Long Island National Cemetery where both of my grandfathers are buried, and took some photos.

Falling into fall

I realize that my last post was in June or July or some ungodly amount of months ago. But I literally couldn't help it. There were lots of weddings this summer, and lots of work at my office and lots of business about. But I'm happy now to be settling into Fall. Fall is my favorite of all seasons, and not just because my birthday happens to occur during it. I love the crisp smelling air, the ability to wear sweatshirts, and the overall feeling. The freshness of starting a new school year (even though I haven't done that in a few years now) and the idea of getting ready for the long winter ahead.

So, today's return shot was taken while I was out doing one of my favorite fall activities, Pumpkin Picking! As it turns out, my good friend Maria (one of the many married folks from the summer) had never been pumpkin picking before! It was amazing to watch her take in the whole experience - from picking a wagon, to holding her first pumpkin, to feeding some of the animals at the petting zoo. It was a great day. And we topped it all off with baking a pie, watching a movie and just enjoying each other's company.

While walking through the farm on the way to the pumpkin patch, I caught some of the leaves changing on the trees. Not too many have fallen yet, but I know soon my car will be blanketed with the yellow and orange leaves soon enough.

I'm not LAZY

I'm not lazy.

I know that my last posting date leads you to believe quite the contrary. But really, I'm not. It's just that everyone I know is getting married. And so, I have been participating in the various parties that go along with such traditions.

See, I've been quite busy...

FIRST I went to Lisa's Bridal Shower where we were all gentile and ladylike:



Then I went to Lisa's Bachelorette Party, where we lost all that grace and drank a lot:



Then I went to Maria's Bridal Shower, where she opened my gift of "An Italian Night"



Then I went to Maria's Bachelorette Party, where we hung out in Atlantic City, ate at Bobby Flay's restaurant, donned "GRILLZ" like rap stars and were generally debaucherous:



Then I went to Maria's Wedding, where she and John looked amazing and danced the night (day) away:



Then I went to Lisa's wedding, where she looked like a princess but retained her ability to make funny faces in photos:




Then I went to Tracy's Wedding, where she looked AMAZING and had a nice time with my coworkers:



Then I attended Carolanne's Bachelorette Party, where I drank a Martini Tree (not the whole thing):




In between all that I managed to go on Vacation as well. Bear with me folks, more "real" photos are coming!

The Marriage Tango

Every once and a while, a friend of mine will ask me to take some photos for them. I'm happy to oblige, as long as our schedules work out and they buy me food or a beer (or two or three). It's fun to be a part of people's lives. And I like trying new things. A few weeks ago I took some pictures for my good friend Carolanne and her fiance Michael. They're getting married this summer and they wanted a photo to go with their invitation.

I've done headshots and taken production photos and photos of kids and families, but I've never taken Engagement/Wedding pictures. I'm way too intimidated to take on a whole wedding myself, but I think I might actually be good at it.

I scoured Flickr for some inspiration, and to see what kind of new things photographers are doing for engagement photos. After many many viewings of photos just like this one, I decided I wanted to try it out. We had a great day for shooting (overcast) which helps cast even light. I would have preferred sun (even just for the heat factor), but it appeared every once and a while. I had to do a tad bit of retouching too to get the final look.

Carolanne and Michael were really great sports about trying any and everything I wanted to do. They provided a lot of their own input too, and they finally chose the photo they'll use (I guess you'll have to be invited to the wedding to see which one!).

It was a pleasure taking their photos. I only hope their wedding photographer is as nice as I am...

SCHMAP!!

A while ago, I brought you some pictures from my trip to Italy. Just a few weeks ago, I was contacted by a representative from Schmap.com, and asked if they could use one of my photos and credit me on the site. Woohoo! I'm famous! But not really. I just think it's cool that a group or individual can find me and ask me directly if I want to be involved in their project.

A bit more on Schmap -

Schmap is a leading publisher of digital travel guides for 200 destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The innovative technology behind Schmap Guides also lets end users publish their own ‘schmaps’ (to share trip itineraries, local reviews and more), and powers a popular range of Schmap Widgets, displaying maps with content and event schedules for travel, sports, concert tours and more on a fast-growing network of websites and blogs. Founded in 2004, Schmap is privately owned and based in Carrboro, North Carolina.

You can see the page via this link: http://www.schmap.com/italy/churches/p=50667/i=50667_6.jpg

And below is the photo that they used:

Camera-Phoning it in

I love phones. I think about getting a new phone all the time. Whatever is hot and new, I want it. But alas, Verizon only does "new every 2" not "new every time Monica feels like getting a new phone."

But I love phones, and I use my camera phone quite often. Usually to take a picture of my friends so that when they call I don't see a bland number, but rather their smiling face. But I also use it to capture inside jokes in action. For example, Bolo Ties are hilarious to me, especially when worn in places other than Texas - hence the one photo I have of a man with a bolo tie, eating in a diner on Long Island. I also have pictures of random people on bicycles wearing yellow spandex (because I yell LANCE! whenever I see them), common "FAIL-isms" (ie a door that leads nowhere). But mostly, I take pictures of things I want to have as my phone's wallpaper.

And, with a pretty decent camera phone (2.0 megapixels!) I can get some good shots. The larger versions are kind of pixelated, but they look great on a phone. If you have my number, feel free to text me and I'll send you one of them for your own phone.

Below are some of my favorites:

Jamaica Station - I had to "change at Jamaica" a few weeks ago, when I left work early. Standing on the platform, I loved the light through the clouds.



Orient Point - While spending the weekend with friends we took a walk to a small boat loading dock and I snapped this picture in the morning light.



Turtles - Our office currently houses two turtles. Want one? They're dangerously close in that cage. Please, don't call the ASPCA on us.



Brooklyn Bridge - As seen from South Street Seaport. A few friends and I went to see a free concert down there last summer. And while enjoying some pre-show cocktails, I shot this.



Cake Pops - I love to chronicle my baking exploits. I have more camera phone pictures of various cupcakes than anything else I think. These were particularly ambitious of me. Recipe is found here



Cube Toys - Anyone who has visited my office will notice that it's decorated. A LOT. My friend Kelli sent me these toys, which are found inside KinderEggs. I have about 18 now.



Empire State Building - I've never seen it purple and yellow before.



Golden Gate Bridge - this shot is actually from my old Razr phone, text messaged to my mom's Razr and then text messaged almost two years later from her phone to my new phone. Technology at work. Taken while on the Blue and Gold Fleet Cruise.