I’m back :)

I have been away from my blog for awhile. I have kept myself busy with a few projects, such as studio space, a new logo, business cards, a new website, and a few other goodies. I am going to be honest with you, it’s actually an excuse when I say I was busy and couldn’t write anything on my blog. Writing is a skill that I don’t possess, which allows me to appreciate those who can elaborate on any thought that comes to their mind. If I had this talent I would have been able to write more posts here, and that’s the truth =]

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I had the honor to witness a proposal. It was for my friend, Vanessa. Her fiancee, Rob, contacted me before the proposal and asked me if I could snap a few images of the memorable moment. I’ve never had such an experience before so I just went for it. Well I don’t need to say much. Just check out this video

Vanessa and Rob, congratulations again for the engagement and I’m looking forward to your wedding. I’m shooting this wedding with Kenny Kim and Thomas Flint. They are two great talents, this wedding is going to RoCk!!! (Oh I didn’t mentioned this, Vanessa is a wedding photographer and Rob is a wedding videographer. I thinks that is so awesome!!)

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As I mentioned before, I’ve been working on my studio space. I don’t mean the studio with lights and backdrops, it’s more of a presentation room, a lounge, a hang out place. I want my brides,grooms, photographers and friends to come and hang….The Starbucks model of photography. I’m still working on it but here you could see some images. Rich, thanks so much dude for all of your help.

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Before I end this post, I’d like to add some images from my last wedding of Aimee and Marty. Many thanks to my second photographer, Rich Schaub, for his talent and help.

California Dreaming

I can truly say that the first week of February was one of the best weeks in my life. After shooting Yasemin & Yusuf’s wedding, I flew to Santa Barbara, CA. I was attending David Jay’s workshop that took place in his home. It was a 3 day long sleep-over workshop. How awesome is that? Absolutely, it was the best experience I’ve ever had. I don’t need to say much about how much DJ one of the best photographers in the world, because I have said many times before how he inspires me in my business. Seriously, hanging out at his home felt like I was hanging out with Justin Timberlake. I was with 8 other very talented photographers as well. I felt both lucky and honored to be there with them. Later on, Jasmine Star and her hubby JD showed up too. Now Jasmine is a great example of what determination can do and she has been one of my inspirations. It was so awesome to listen to her speak about how she achieved her dreams after graduating from one of the best law schools in the nation to becoming a very successful international wedding photographer.

I’m so thankful to Troy Grover for his time to put up together a VIDEO  of such a great memory of good times

I arrived a few days early to Santa Barabara, so that I could hang out with my two good friends, Banu from LA and Ugur from SF. They picked me up from the airport and we had some great times in Santa Barbara. It was such a beautiful town. I’m truly in love with it.

 

These are my two goooood friends Banu and Ugur

Banu took the picture below, she is into photography and I was teaching her about exposures. Looks like she nailed it lol

 

 

 

a big bowl of coffee latte

the best pizza ever, everyday for lunch we were hitting this place.

 

and these pictures are from the workshop, first one is the living room and the awesome view of Santa Barbara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

after some banging mexican food, we all went for a night shoot. The picture below is my favorite, it is straight from my camera

Not A Model, Real Couple :)

After shooting Yasemin & Yusuf’s wedding, I posted some of their pictures on facebook while on my way to CA. I had a few people ask me if they were models, so I wanted to make an announcement ) No they aren’t models, they are just a really cool Turkish couple. It was a nice experience to shoot a Turkish wedding for a first time. Not only that, I met so many people at the wedding that it ended up being a great networking wedding for me, haha. Anyway, here are some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John & Jillian

The bride and groom that actually became good friends of mine. You could view their wedding slideshow by clicking here. This is exactly how I would like run my business: giving my personal attention to every couple, having that relationship turn into to a friendship, and eventually keeping in touch even after the wedding.

 

I love you both, also Rich Schaub was shooting with me at this wedding and it was absolute fun to work together with him. Many many thanks to you.

 

some of my favorites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playday

Two weeks ago, I was hanging out with Rich Schaub at his new studio at 14th street in Manhattan. We planned a shooting session just for heck of it. This turned out to be lots of fun. Rich is a very talented fashion photographer. For me it was an opportunity to spice up my style and learn something new from him. I really enjoyed this. Next time I’ll bring a couple of brides and grooms for Playday, Take II.  If anyone is interested in volunteering, let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Note

I’m writing this a little later than I wanted to, but I’ve made a promise that this year I’d update more about what is going on A few days ago, while I was editing my first wedding of ’09, I recieved an envelope in the mail from Keri and Ross. They are one of my couples I am shooting this year. It was a thank-you card for attending their engagement party. I felt honored that I was invited and that I received a thank-you card with kind words. That was very sweet of them. I just wanted to share this with you.

 

 

 

How sweet they are here some of their photos from the engagement session we had back in November.

 

 

 

 

 

So Long 08

December is one of my favorite months. There is so much happening with the holidays and my birthday. Most importantly, being that it is the last month of the year, I can get a general idea of what I’ve accomplished during the past 11 months. When I look back, I see how far I’ve come since last December. I’ve learned a lot this year! Mostly, I’ve learned that I need to continue learning to get to the next level and to reach my ultimate goal. I also set goals for the following year. Next year’s goals are a bit higher than they were last year. I have booked with so many great brides and grooms for ‘09 and I can just feel that its going to be one of the best years in my life. Making a living from what I love is a dream come true! Honestly, I couldn’t have done this well without my brides from this past year who kept passing the word around; Therefore, each of you deserve a big “thank you.” All this couldn’t have been achieved if I had never met Autumn and Craig Pitelli back in 2005, who ignited my desire to pick up my camera again. A big thanks goes out to both of you. I couldn’t have done this with out Rich Schaub, who taught me how to master the manual mode on my camera and many lighting conditions. This wouldn’t have been possible without Vanessa Joy, who introduced me to many great photographers, one of them being, David Jay. David Jay inspired me to believe in my dreams. I couldn’t have done this without Melissa Lerner, because every time I started to lose faith she kept putting me back on the right track and reminding me of how beautiful my pictures were. Last but not least, I’d like to thank George, Bill, and Nick Pahountis who were always very supportive. I would like to say a big thank-you to all of the other people who believed in me and are helping me on this path. Even if I haven’t mentioned you all by name, you know who you are.

Bridal Show II

A few weeks ago, I had my second bridal show at Radisson Hotel in Freehold, NJ. This show was much better than the first one. The organizer of the show gave me a prime spot!  I was very happy with it despite the fact that it was little too bright for my booth. I never considered myself to be a high end wedding photographer, so it felt great when the show planner introduced me to the hotel manager as one! I had so many brides at my booth at one point that I was disappointed I couldn’t give everyone the attention I feel they deserve. Also, I had some of my brides for 2009/2010 visit me. It was so awesome that they stopped by to say hi! I had the opportunity to meet many new vendors and brides. I am extremely grateful that Iva, a good friend of mine, was there to help me. Overall it was a great day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melissa & Guy

I was referred to Melissa and Guy by an extremely talented make-up artist, Michelle. I’ve worked with her at Krissy and Jason’s wedding in August. Michelle also left me a sweet endorsement at WeddingWire.com . On my way to meet Melissa and Guy, I was passing by an abandoned factory by the railroad tracks in Helmetta, NJ. I said to myself that if they book me, this is where I would want to do their engagement session. I loved the whole surroundings. I’m adding few pictures from the session. It was a quick session, but as usual it was fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I met them after the session, I loved that she told me she was getting a lot of phone calls from their relatives and friends telling her how much they love the pictures. Even better, a few people were asking for my information  

 

I love engagement sessions, because its my way to connect with my couples.

I’m back

 

I had thought that towards the end of the year I wouldn’t be so busy but, that is not the case.  This is the first time I have had the opportunity to write about what has been happening lately. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I went to the photo plus expo in Javit Center to see the legend wedding photographer Joe Buissink. This was my second time seeing him. I love listening to him, because his work is very emotional and it touches me. I also find some similarities between him and I in the way that we approach our clients. It was great to be at his seminar and continue learning from him. I might go to his workshop next May in Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

This was my first time at the Photo Plus Expo and I regret not having attended one sooner. I felt like a little kid in a candy store. Anything and everything having to do with photography and my industry was there. I also had the chance to see and hang out with some of my wedding photographer friends. It was such a great weekend and it reinforced my belief I that I’m on the right track.  All of this just makes me so happy.

 

about 10 of us had lunch together, big thanks to my friend Syed for the pictures

 

 

Before the Photo Plus Expo, Jason Groupp hosted an awesome party at his studio in Manhattan. This was my first time seeing so many wedding photographers hanging out and having fun in the same place. I love the field I’m in, because we are all individual artists and don’t view each other as competitors, but rather as colleagues. We all share information, inspire each other, and have fun together. How awesome is that? I had a blast and hope to do it again.

here are some pictures taken by my friend Syed again