Monthly Archives: January 2010

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Sara and EJ: The Engagement Session, Part 1

Sara and EJ are getting married on October 2, 2010. Sara had some really great ideas for her engagement session. The plan was to meet at her parents home in Stockton, NY. We would use the fantastic amount of snow in that area as a backdrop and engage in some good natured fun and frolicking (I like that word) in the snow. As the date approached we began to become concerned about the increasing temperatures and the threat of rain. As I drove to Pennsylvania Saturday I also became concerned as the amount of snow decreased dramatically. So, the problem was the rain and the lack of snow. So, the fun and there’s that word again, frolicking would have to be canceled or at the very least postponed.

Sunday I awoke to a cloud covered sky. The Eastern sky showed glimpses of sun and the sky was pink and orange. For me those are the colors of hope. As I drove toward Stockton, NY the sky over Lake Erie became very dark and threatened with rain much earlier than the weather service had originally indicated it would. As I pulled into the family’s driveway, the sky had taken on a very different look. It looked just like grey cotton and had all the tell-tale signs of imminent rain. I grabbed my camera gear from the car and entered the house with EJ. Minutes later we were treated to the sound of rain drops hitting the roof of the house. We utilized the family’s barn complete with over 100-bales of hay and four horses. We decided to travel a few miles down the road and use the front porch of the Stockton Hotel. The hotel was not open but we had the wrap around porch and many doors and windows to use as backdrops.

Unfortunately the rain never let up so we discussed plans to watch the weather in the near future and pick up where we had left off. So stay tuned for part two.

Thanks again for reading.

Christopher

Monday Musings

This past week has been busy. No busier than other weeks really but for some reason it felt busier. There are people in my life who wonder how I do it. How I accomplish what I do and how I keep everything straight in my head.  There are times when I’m not sure. A lot is due to my drive and determination and my desire to provide a high quality product. These were gifts which I received from my parents. A words like “quit” is not in my vocabulary. Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Additionally I meditate every day. I write every day. I read every day and I listen to music every day. These things nourish my soul and without them I would not be able to achieve what I have achieved. It is important for me to take these daily steps. In many ways it is no different from the training done by a world class athlete.


January 9th I photographed Megan and Rob’s wedding. I edited those photos, burned DVD’s, put together an album, designed a website and uploaded photos to my blog, my main website, the couple’s website and my fulfillment site. I also delivered prints and an album for another couple. This is all in addition to my full-time work. .

Saturday, my son Stephen, his friend Kyle and myself drove to Washington, PA to visit Washington-Jefferson College. After a whirlwind trip there and back (8-hours) and meetings with coaches and staff we arrived home. Once I arrived home I cleaned camera gear and charged batteries and then passed out. Sunday morning I was off to Stockton, NY to complete an engagement shoot for Sara and her fiance, EJ. We were a little concerned about the weather being forecast for Sunday. After months of cold temperatures and snow, the forecast was for rain. Normally in Buffalo, NY in January the concern is about the snow, Sunday was about the threat of rain.

We met at the home of Sarah’s parents and the shoot went off without a hitch until we were about 5-minutes into the shoot when the rain started. We did the best we could do under the circumstances yet everyone walked away disappointed. I know Sara was disappointed but no one was more so than me. I make promises to couples to provide the highest degree of customer service and when I can’t complete a shoot I feel as though I’ve not fulfilled my end of the agreement. The weather was something out of my or anyone else’s realm of control but this has done little to relieve the concern I feel for my responsibilities. We will schedule another engagement shoot to make up for the one cut short by the weather.

As busy as the weekend was I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s the fact I have my camera in my hand that makes it all tolerable. Again, I’d like to give a shout out to all of my clients and say “Thank you.” Without you and your trust in myself and my abilities I wouldn’t be able to work toward making my photo business full-time.

Thanks for reading.

Christopher

Announcing Wedding Wire’s Bride’s Choice Awards 2010 Winner – It’s Me!

Thanks to my wonderful clients for taking the time to review your photo experience with me on Wedding Wire!

“Congratulations! We are excited to announce that you have been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2010. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.”

Megan and Rob: The Wedding

Megan and Rob were married Saturday January 9, 2010. The couple completed their engagement session this past October and we wished, hoped and prayed the weather would be equally beautiful. Now it is January in Buffalo, NY so “beautiful” is a relative term. Our definition of beautiful was simple and included sunshine and white snow. We had both. The weather which was hoped and prayed for was received.

I awoke Saturday morning, brewed a cup of coffee and stepped outside. The sun was rising ever so slightly in the East and showed a small sliver of orange. That was all I needed to see. The cold, brisk January had what I refer to as an “untouched” smell to it. It’s the smell in the air when the exhaust fumes of the previous day have settled and the air smells crisp and fresh. There was not a sound in the air. As I stood on the porch I heard a bird take flight and when I looked toward the bird feeder I noticed a pair of blue jays. Another omen of a day that was to be special. The new year had just turned and with the cold January breeze we are also greeted with hope. Hope for good weather. Hope for the love of a young couple to be buoyed and carried on this breeze as they start their lives anew. I love weddings. I’m a sucker for the love of a young couple, for what can be. It is my pleasure to document the couple’s wedding as they embark on a new life together. The smiles on the flower girls and ring bearer say it all.

The girls got ready at the home of Megan’s parents. Busy is about all I can say. When I shoot these photos I enjoy taking a number of shots then sitting back and watching as the nervous energy begins to turn toward talk of hope and love. The love of each other and hope for the future and for what can be.

The wedding ceremony took place at Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel. The reception was held at the Ramada Inn in Getzville, NY.

I had the opportunity to work with two great videographers, Peters Bisuito and Mark Flanders of the The Wedding Producer located in East Aurora, NY. These guys are pretty incredible and great to work with. Go to their website and check out their videos but not until you’ve read the rest of this post.

Once again, thank you reading. Keep coming back.

Christopher

Megan and Rob: A Preview

Megan and Rob were married January 9, 2010. I first met the couple when we did their engagement shoot in October 2009. What I remember most about that day was Megan’s smile and the brilliantly blue skies with which we were blessed. I love doing engagement shoots because it really gives me a great opportunity to get to know the couple and for them to get to know me. We had so much fun that day and I knew I really couldn’t wait for their wedding.

My only concern about the couple’s January wedding was having the grey skies that come with winter in Buffalo, NY. Megan and Rob’s prayers were answered again and we were blessed with beautiful weather. What I remember most about their wedding day was Megan’s smile and the beautiful blue skies we had. Light streamed through the stained glass windows during the ceremony and Megan’s beautiful smile filled in the shadows.

I absolutely loved photographing this couple. The smiles came easy and the fun never stopped. Congratulations Megan and Rob!

After we arrived at the Ramada Inn for the reception I was amazed at how beautifully the reception area was decorated. The step-father of the groom explained to me Megan had done the majority of the work and as a result of her efforts had been offered a job by the hotel. Once we completed photos at the Ramada Inn I spoke with the event coordinator for the hotel. Alison explained to me she walked three couples through the hall Megan had decorated and booked two of those three weddings as a result of Megan’s efforts. That’s awesome.

More photos to come in a lengthier post. I hope you’ve enjoyed these. Please leave a comment below. Again, congratulations to both of you!

Christopher