Photographers Photographing Photographers

Recently I got together with an old friend, Stacie (a very talented real-estate photographer), because we both needed new headshots for our websites, and both wanted something fun to break up the winter doldrums.

She had a great location we could use, though to e honest we probably spent more time chatting than working.

It’s always fun getting together with other photographers to exchange ideas, try new things, and just generally mess around without as much pressure to have a perfect end result.

(Clearly we both really liked this window…)

That said, I’m pretty happy with how my portraits of Stacie came out, and really love the photos she got of me! It’s not often I’m in front of a camera, but I find as I get older and a bit less self conscious that it can be a fun place to be.

We’ve already got plans in the works to meet up again if it ever snows for some chilly outdoor portraits. Should be fun!

You, Me, and the Animals

Chris contacted me about doing a photo session as gift for his wife Jaci. As you’d expect from a bride who’s only request for wedding photos was “sheep!”, animals had to be involved!

We started at their home, with their trio of dogs, and a visit to the chicken coop.

Then we were off to the farm where Jaci works and where they held their wedding - an absolutely beautiful backdrop.

But lets be honest - we were there for the sheep!

Such a fun day!

Ailish at 2

When I joined my friends Shannon and Andy for their daughter Ailish’s first birthday, she somewhat defied their plans by having little interest in smashing her cake.

When I met up with Shannon for Ailish’s second birthday on a beautiful summer’s day, she defied them again by… really having no interest in summer, fields, nature, or the guy with the camera.

But she did give us a few good smiles here and there, and then got to go have fun with her grandma, which I’m sure she was much more excited about. Plus, she gave me maybe my favorite photo I’ve ever taken, which should definitely be the album art for her first hit single some day:

Sometimes you just gotta roar.

Love in the Time of Corona

Greg and Klaudia’s wedding was my first during the Corona quarantine. Like many couples, they had to make some drastic cutbacks to their plans, but that didn’t stop them from having a beautiful wedding.

The day began with some quick posed photos at Klaudia’s parents’ house.

Then it was time for the ceremony at Holy Cross Church in New Britain, a beautiful old building. The pastor was very helpful, pointing out some ideal spots for photos, and the ceremony was beautiful. Though the crowd was necessarily small, a wider audience got to watch from home on a zoom call.

The weather wasn’t totally cooperating, but that didn’t stop the couple, wedding party, and I from heading to nearby Walnut Hill Park for some fun posed photos. Everyone got a little wet but no one seemed to mind very much.

Then it was back to Klaudia’s parents’ house for a backyard reception. I didn’t stay long - just through a first dance and the start of dinner.

My favorite thing was the steady stream of friends and family making video calls to say congratulations. Even though many couldn’t be at the reception, there were a hundred little parties happening all over the country and even as far as Poland.

Congratulations, Greg and Klaudia!

Three's Company

One of the vets at my wife’s work wanted some family photos, but in her case that meant her, her boyfriend, and their three pooches.

We met at a local trail on an early November morning to take advantage of the fall foliage. All the pups got individual photos, too. In order of appearance: Scooter, Stella, and Luna.

We took some photos of the humans, too, for some reason.

Hubbard in the Fall

I met Kaitlyn and Mario at Hubbard Park on a chilly afternoon in October. They were troopers, though, and powered through the brisk weather.

Hubbard Park is a great spot, and looked even better with the fall foliage.

Can’t wait for Kaitlyn and Mario’s wedding next year!

A Pumpkin On The Way

Brittany and Vinny contacted me to do some fun maternity announcement photos. Since it was October, they got permission from Krell Farm in Farmington to do a quick photo shoot for the announcement.

It was a short session (in part because that morning was hovering around 45 degrees…) but a lot of fun and really cute.

I’m looking forward to seeing them again in the spring - I just know Brittany is going to be a beautiful mom-to-be!

Too Warm For Christmas

I met friend and fellow UConn alum Sarah and her daughter Marie at a park (which will remain nameless, as I’m not actually sure we were allowed to be there…) to do some photos for their Christmas card.

Of course, the weather in Connecticut being what it is, despite picking a day in October, the weather felt more like July: warm and muggy. So it took a little imagination to get into the Christmas spirit.

None-the-less, the park was a beautiful backdrop for portraits, and Marie seemed to have a lot of fun wading into the lake.

Probably only one photo will make it to the Christmas card, but I sent the best 50 - you can never have too many pictures of a cute kid.

All this reminds me, Heather and I have to figure out what we’re doing for our card this year…