My Big Fat Italian Wedding Album!

The new sample 16"x 16" luxurious handmade Italian leather album has arrived in my studio.  These albums are also available in several other sizes and colors, have sewn binding, and come with an equally impressive wooden display box. Just call me to stop by and take a look at all the beautiful wedding albums I offer.

 

Photography Talk at Nazareth Area High School's Career Day

When I was asked to give a talk at Nazareth Area High School's Career Day about being a photographer, I hesitated. After all, when I was in high school, I was convinced that public speaking was one of Dante's circles of hell to which introverts like me were condemned if they misbehaved.  After the teacher assured me that no grade was involved, I agreed.

I can genuinely say that yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed talking about something I love...photography! Click on the photo below to get the entire panoramic view of the class.

If you, too, are considering a new career or looking for a change, here are a few links you may find helpful in your quest:

Test Drive Your Dream Job By Brian Kurth
Vocation Vacations
Quiet: The power of Introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain

For links specific to photography:

Creative Live Online Learning
Looking at Photographs by John Szarkowski

Save-the-Date Cards

I always find it interesting to see how couples use my images when they create their save-the-date cards.  You may remember Jenna and Anthony's indoor engagement session. Below is their creative Save-the-date card and a few possible links to help you design your own:
Free Wedding Chicks template
Martha Stewart Weddings Save the Date Ideas
Zazzle Save the Date and Invitation Ideas
Save the Date Magnets

My Latest "Baby" Photo Session

You can grow older, but you can't outgrow your mother's love or the feeling that you'll always be her baby. When Rosalind called to arrange a portrait session for her son, I suggested that she think about what other photographic needs we could cover during his session. Head shots are often required for job applications, graduate school applications, serving on boards/committees, and social media in general (think LinkedIn and Facebook, Google+) as well as for family and friends.  Here are a few of the photographs of Darryl alone and one, of course, with his mother.

A Portrait Session with Yousuf Karsh

In 1983 while I was in graduate school at The Pratt Institute, my sister and I suggested that my parents contact the renowned Canadian-Armenian photographer, Yousuf Karsh, to arrange an anniversary portrait session. After they had scheduled an appointment, I asked if I could sit in on their session and they agreed.  

After arriving at his 62nd Street studio in Manhattan I nervously inquired if I could stay and take just a few photos of him while he was working.  He graciously agreed and began the process of chatting with my parents and then arranging them.  At one point during the session the flash was not operating properly. . . luckily for me.  Karsh was busy problem-solving and I had the opportunity to photograph him while he made adjustments and checked his 8x10 camera. After a bit, I summoned the courage to suggest that it might just be a loose connection and in fact it was! As we were leaving, he remarked that my instincts were good and that he'd never really considered hiring a woman before and that I should call his studio.  I naturally assumed he was just being polite and said so.  His beautiful and soft-spoken wife Estrellita, responded, "Oh no, he wouldn't have said that if he didn't mean it!"  I remember them both being extremely gracious and kind.  As a young photographer, I was pretty awestruck by the whole experience and will never forget it. For those interested in the details, I chose to bring my unobtrusive Canonet for its quiet shutter and I used tri-x film at ASA 400 and used only available light.

The portrait of my parents taken by Yousuf Karsh in 1983

The next week a small group of us from Pratt were in the process of hanging a show of our work at Lincoln Center and I had the naïve audacity to send Mr. Karsh a postcard invitation.  The following images are the postcard and his letter in response:

Bank Street Annex Wedding Reception In Easton

Ashley and Tony's February wedding in Easton was filled with sweetness, sassiness and surprises.  Ashley surprised Tony (a State Trooper) with a hidden toy pistol but not before he placed handcuffs on his new bride as they walked down the aisle together at the end of the ceremony. Here are a few images from their day.

Ashley's daughter was the adorable flower girl who proclaimed "Mommy you look like a princess!"

After a brief stop at The State Theater we walked down the block to The Bank Street Annex.

Tony was the artful dodger and escaped with only a minor frosting.

“Well, that’s what life is — this collection of extraordinarily ordinary moments. We just need to pay attention to them all. Wake up and pay attention to how beautiful it all is... Somewhat dramatic things happen, and you don't always even notice them — that's what life is." -- Alexander Payne, Director of the movie The Descendants.  As NPR's Susan Stanberg noted in her interview of Payne, "Those moments, unless you write them down or photograph them, drift off and away. They just go by." 

This is why I love photography.

Ceremony: Christ United Methodist Church

Officiant:  Rev. Joseph Grasser

Reception: The Bank Street Annex Thanks Kerry!!!

Lodging: The Hampton Inn

Hair: Sculpt Studio of Hair- Thanks Nikki and Susan!!!