What can you say other than…beautiful!

Katie called me on Monday a full-week before her wedding and expressed concern about the weather we have been having so far this year. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those seasonal changes which traverse directly from Winter to Summer with the only division being the lack of snow.

Katie and I discussed the weather and my eternal optimism that the weather was going to be nice for her wedding. Katie was concerned about her post-ceremony photos while I was more concerned about the actual ceremony as it was an outdoor wedding.

We discussed alternate locations for post-ceremony photos. Katie chose the Barton Hill Inn and Spa. The hotel  was very generous allowing us the use of an unbooked room, small ballroom, accompanying terrace and foyer. Within the hotel we found many props to which Paul instantly gravitated like a child finding themselves locked in a room with an endless supply of candy.

We prayed to the rain gods and they responded by holding the foul weather at bay

On the way to the Grand Island Holiday Inn for the ceremony, Katie stopped at the Mt. Olivet cemetery where Katie’s dad was laid to rest. Katie and I walked to his headstone, she knelt and wiped the top of the stone clean and laid a wreath in his honor on top of the stone. Katie talked of her love for her father and her wishes he could have been present to see her and walk her down the aisle on one of the most important days of her life. We spoke and agreed he was watching her from above. At that moment I felt a drip of water on my face. It was a tear of happiness as well as sorrow.

The guitar was her father’s bass guitar. Her father was an accomplished musician who played in a band during the seventies called “Stillwater.” Katie’s mother talked of her husband’s musical prowess and broke into tears. She said, “Chris, you would have loved his music.” As Katie’s father grew older and the prospect of remaining an active member of a band faded like a dream which we can no longer recall after we wake, he began spending more and more time playing guitar in his church’s folk group. Katie’s mother stated, “That made him so happy.”

Katie looked beautiful.

Namaste.

Chris

As you must know by now I have a tremendous love for the outdoors, its beauty and especially the solitude which I can find within the reach of its outstretched arms. I get out into the woods as often as I can. Sunday I was blessed with the most beautiful sunshine this area had experienced in the past several weeks. i love sunshine and there is something extra special about sunshine in the dead of winter. Is it the warmth it brings, the long shadows which are thrown or the way sunlight dances across the unbroken surface after a new snowfall? Regardless, The day reminded me of my recent trip to the Adirondacks.

From John Burroughs “Snow Walkers.” “He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter. It is true the pomp and the pageantry are swept away, but the essential elements remain,—the day and the night, the mountain and the valley, the elemental play and succession and the perpetual presence of the infinite sky. In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity. Summer is more wooing and seductive, more versatile and human, appeals to the affections and the sentiments, and fosters inquiry and the art impulse. Winter is of a more heroic cast, and addresses the intellect. The severe studies and disciplines come easier in winter. One imposes larger tasks upon himself, and is less tolerant of his own weaknesses.”

The photo below is of meditation rock. During the summer months I’ll climb out onto this rock and spend 15-20 minutes meditating from this rock. This perch allows me an extra measure of solitude as I can sit above the activity going on below me.

Meditation Rock

Footprints

Snowshoeing

A beautifully sunny day.

Henry David Thoreau…one of my favorite authors. This journal goes with me wherever I go and I find myself jotting down my thoughts and observations. A goal which I have had for the past several months is to write more; to sit down and be more deliberate in the act of writing.

Writing is one act which has always brought me some form of relaxation. My blog is obviously published on the Internet and therefore must be written on my computer. All of my writing is done first in my journal with a fountain pen. It happens to be a replica of the fountain pen used by Mark Twain.

I always use a fountain pen even when I hike. I enjoy the way the nib of the pen dances across the surface of the paper and leaves behind it a trail of ink. the ink when formed into characters and linked together  gracefully allows my thoughts to be displayed for all to read. I have even toyed with scanning my written word into my blog posts but I’m not sure if you could read what I have written. The color of ink I use is also important to me be it red, black, blue green or purple. Each ink bottle contains the life blood of my thoughts and when used work together with my hand to form the words which allow my thoughts to be expressed.

I removed my backpack and from the pack I removed a cushion, my journal, thermos of coffee and my fountain pen. I sat and gazed across the ridge that is the Niagara Escarpment. I watched as two cross-country skiers silently skied below me, oblivious to my presence high above. I heard the sound of a hawk and looked up to see it circling looking, I am sure for its next meal. The sound of the hawk accentuated by the cold breeze which blew through the trees causing the branches to rub together like bony fingers on a long dead cadaver. The only other sound was that of my breath and the beating of my own heart. Solitude.

Henry David Thoreau

A solitary skier.

A photograph of one of the orchards left in this area.

Silhouette

Thanks for reading.
Namaste.
Chris

Welcome to the Central Adirondack Region. I have a love hate relationship with NYS. I hate the high prices and taxes which we pay as a result of greedy politicians and mismanaged government but I love the Adirondacks. It is a 5-hour drive for me to the Central Region and makes for a fantastic long weekend escape.

In had previously traveled to the Adirondacks twice each year. New responsibilities have challenged that number but it remains a goal still.

Thoreau said, “Walk like a camel, which is said to be the only beast which ruminates when walking.”

“When we walk, we naturally go to the fields and woods: what would become of us, if we walked only in a garden or a mall?” -Thoreau

“Two or three hours’ walking will carry me to as strange a country as I expect ever to see.” -Thoreau

“When a traveller asked Wordsworth’s servant to show him her master’s study, she answered, “Here is his library, but his study is out of doors.’” -Thoreau

The road less traveled. It had snowed the previous evening and the branches of the trees which lined the trail reached out like an outfielder to catch the falling snow. The snow rested on the branch and appeared to balance in mid-air.

The cabin in the woods is over 100-years old and belonged to an individual who had previously logged this mountain. The cabin stands as a silent sentinel as to what was. It is a simple cabin reflecting the simple life led by its owner a very long time ago. As one enters the cabin they see enough room for two horses and a ladder leading to a small loft allowing the owner to rest for the night.

“What is it that makes it so hard sometimes to determine whither we will walk?” -Thoreau

The beauty and the expanse that is the Adirondack wilderness.

“When, at rare intervals, some thought visits one, as perchance he is walking on a railroad, then indeed the cars go by without his hearing them.” -Thoreau

The restored Goodnow Mountain fire-tower. The fire-tower is  said to provide one of the “best views of the Adirondack peaks.”

I love this photo. The summit of Goodnow Mountain is 2685′. The summit holds a 60′ firetower which was originally erected in 1922 with the last keeper leaving his post in 1979. The tower has been restored and at its base one will find a partially restored cabin which was used by the firetower keeper. That’s Stephen and Caitlyn at the base of the 60′ tower.

The photo below is another photo from the cabin of the firetower. The panoramic view of the surrounding peaks including the Adirondacks highest tallest, Mt. Marcy are visible from the tower.

Namaste.

Chris

This past weekend I had the opportunity to combine two of my favorite things: photography and hiking.

As many of you know I continue to work as a social worker as I build my wedding, portrait and senior portrait photography business. A quick shout out to those of you who have read my posts, visited my FaceBook Fan page, my main website and also hired me to work together with you to make the photographic memories which will alow you to look back and smile throughout the years.

I work with Diana. She is a nurse in our OB/GYN department. For months I had to “endure” lol her conversations about her “fantastic” boyfriend. Tommy proposed and the conversations turned to her “fantastic” fiance. No doubt after the couple marries in 2011 the conversation will turn to “my fantastic husband.”

Tommy had decided on a career path which included joining the army. Tommy’s love for his country and the importance of defensing the right to free speech made this an easy decision to make. Tommy recently graduated from basic training. throughout Tommy’s absence, Diana did an awesome job planning her wedding. Tommy returned to Buffalo for the holidays and we decided this would be the best time to complete the couple’s engagement session. Tommy leaves Buffalo to return to his home base and complete additional training. Tommy will be one of the soldier s responsible for locating, identifying and disarming IED’s. For those of you who don’t know, those are Improvised Explosive Devices otherwise known as “roadside bombs.”

As we drove to various locations (to keep warm) I thanked Tommy for his decision to enlist and to help the thousands of other men and women who have decided to protect our bill of Rights and our Constitution. A HUGE ‘Thank you” goes out to all of the enlisted men and women and those who have served in the past. Another HUGE “Thank you” also goes out to those men and women who have given the ultimate price. Thank you for allowing me to do what I do and the freedom to enjoy it.

Diana and Tommy had their first date at Niawanda Park in Tonawanda, NY. Now anyone who know this park it has a lengthy (several mile) bike/walking path which follows the contour of the Niagara River. Tommy told me he and Diana had begun at one end and found they had walked several miles before realizing just how far they had walked. The couple enjoyed each other’s company to the point of not paying attention to how far they had walked.

Several locations, a stop for additional warm weather gear and we completed a very fun shoot. I love winter shoot especially in places such as Niagara Falls. The softly falling snow combined with the lack of overzealous tourists makes for a great photography environment.

Namaste and thank you all for reading.

Chris

Wedding season has come to an end. Thanksgiving and Christmas come quickly on the heels of Halloween. December 21st, the Winter solstice, brings hope to those of use who struggle with the light shortened days. December 21st is the shortest day of the year. Everyday thereafter brings more daylight and the hope Winter will be coming to an end and warmer weather will soon follow.

Winter used to be a huge downer for me. I’d sit in the house and complain about the cold, the darkness and anything else that would cross my path. I rediscovered the outdoors through a return to skiing and snowshoeing. Snowshoeing fit my personality perfectly. I love the outdoors. I love hiking and I love the solitary feeling of being in the woods. I take a backpack and a thermos full of coffee, my hiking poles and my thoughts. I also bring a notebook and my camera. Several times along the path I stop to photograph with both my camera and my mind, the beautiful scenery laid out by God for my enjoyment. I hear snowflakes gently falling and settling on top of their dearly departed relatives.

As I make my way across the open field, breaking a path through knee deep snow, I look up toward the top of the ridge and I see it; “meditation rock. “Meditation rock” is how I refer to this rock which has provided me with countless opportunities to be introspective. The rock juts out from the ridge and appears to be ready to fall at any time. As I make my way out toward the end of the rock, I remove my backpack and ultimately my thermos. I sit and see other winter hikers below me. They do not see me. I am invisible to the world if for only the time I spend on the “rock.” As I sit I remove my notebook and pen from my backpack and try to capture the thoughts racing through my head begging to be written down. No one sees these words but I know they are there. They are my comfort. They complement my photography and combine to tell the full story; a story that words alone cannot capture. At some point I need to resume my hike. I don’t want to and a battle ensues within my thoughts. I know there is more beauty to see along the path but I am happy, content where I am. After a few more minutes I rise and replace my notebook and thermos. My backpack rejoins my back and I return to the path; the path used by others. I begin hiking and search again for that spot where I can find the quiet, the solitude and be comfortable with my thoughts once again. A smile crosses my face as I come to a bend in the path. I am familiar with this section of the path. It leads downward and comes to an abrupt turn where, as my eyes glace further along the path they spot a large stand of pine trees. I know these trees. They provide a similar sense of quiet and solitude as does “meditation rock.” As I leave the path my eyes search for another comfortable spot on which to find a perch. The sequence of removing my pack and its contents is slowly and thoughtfully repeated. I sit. I contemplate. I write. The feelings at times become overwhelming and I find tears leaving my eyes. I have thoughts of my grandmother who left us two years ago. I think of my family and the successes I have experienced. I think of the love I share with my wife and the tears of sadness turn to those motivated by joy and happiness.

The summer months accompanied by their long, sun filled days are an opportunity to get things done and to feel productive. There seems to be a natural slow down during the winter months. Weddings are still being booked but are not being photographed, especially at the pace they are during the summer.

Thanks again everyone for reading. I hope you find my photography and my writing inspirational. Please keep coming back and please leave comments at the end of the post.

Have a great Christmas. Be safe and God Bless.

Chris

Winter is here and the bright colors of Fall have faded.  I’m a sucker for Mother Nature’s patterns and Winter contrasts I see during the cold, dark Winter months. What is left is best expressed in black and white.

I sat and looked at these photos again and stared for several minutes at the ones I enjoy the most. As I looked at them I find my memory being drawn back to numerous winter trips to the Adirondack’s. The thought of hiking, skiing and kayaking, enjoying the great outdoors, the wide open spaces and all that the area has to offer.  John Muir said it best, ”As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.” -John Muir.

I hope everyone enjoys. Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment in the comment section at the end of my blog.

Chris

The forces of nature get together to produce interesting sculptures. Wind, water and freezing temperatures combine to form some of the nost beautiful sculptures on Earth. They cannot be duplicated and as they are made of organic compounds and continue to be exposed to the same forces which developed them, they will change daily. As they grow and change they remind us of the frailty of life. Soon these sculptures will be gone and remain only in our memory. It is my desire to capture these memories for all to see as I have seen them.I love trees. They have two very distinct personalities; the one we see when in full bloom during the warm, inviting summer months and the one we see during the cold, dark months of winter. The trees have shed their leaves, their personality and stand dormant as once great features of our landscape waiting to bloom once again. We often take these same trees for granted and pass by them without notice. We cut them down arbitrarily when they are in our way and lament their absence when gone and unable to provide us with comforting shade.Three trees stand a silent vigil on the Western shore of the Niagara River.Mother Nature’s sculpture as crafted by the wind and water.More ice sculpture. i can get lost for minutes trying to figure out the exact combination of elements which helped to form such interesting sculptures.I watched the seagulls from my perch at a nearby picnic table. The wind had picked up and began to ruffle the bird’s feathers; their heads tucked into their breasts to avoid the cold, windy assault.

More ice sculpture.Additional trees guarding the shoreline of the Niagara River standing silently against the cold breezes blowing across the water.This is my favorite. As a child I remember listening to Neil Diamond’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” over and over. If memory serves me, I needed to replace at least one vinyl LP it was played so frequently. I saw this seagull effortlessly coasting on the wind and I was transported back to the 1970′s and the song “Be” from the Jonathan Livingston Seagull soundtrack. it was very peaceful sitting and watching the birds take flight on such a cold afternoon.A picnic table absent of people who, when the weather is warmer would be enjoying a meal, a cup of coffee or just the company of another.It’s not often I see pigeons by the river. This group took flight as I approached. They are beautiful and graceful in their flight.

The baby will have an extensive library from which to make his or her reading selections. I was rather disappointed as I did not see a Kindle among the books.

Here it is. The love, I mean the cake from Say Cheescake. OMG was it awesome. I actually got asked, as my eyes glazed over if I wanted to eat the fondant. I knew if I did someone would have found me huddling in a corner attempting to recover from the sugar coma.

It was an absolutely beautiful Fall day in Western New York. The venue was right on the banks of the Erie Canal in North Tonawanda, NY. I’m always thankful when I can see the sun and feel the warm weather extend into the month of October. Andrea had a wonderful day for her baby shower. I think it’s cool they didn’t want to know the sex of the baby. It’s so much more of a surprise.

This was my favorite book. I wonder if it’s available for the Kindle.

Andrea and her sister Sarah.

This was by far my favorite photo of the day. The baby shower was winding down and Andrea was discussing her long drive back to Philadelphia. She took a few minutes to herself and basked in the warmth of the sun and the beautiful scenery of the Erie Canal. She looked so content and happy. I’m sure she was thinking of her husband Brian who is a pilot and was flying a route and couldn’t be in attendance. I hope both of you enjoy the photos. I can’t wait to do the photos of the baby.

Kujo, now also known as the “Animal”, the “Rhinoceros” and the “Locomotive” romped for over 176-yards rushing Friday night.

The football gods were being kind to photographers and fans at the game. I knew it was going to rain and hoped it wouldn’t rain too hard for too long. The rain began in the afternoon and the sky told me it was not going to cease anytime soon. I arrived at the game cloaked in wet weather gear and ready for the rain. As the first quarter came to an end the rain slowed and evolved into a fine mist. Half-time arrived and we were treated with heavier rains that retreated into a fine mist by the time the second half began. This mist continued for the rest of the game.

Kujo playing both sides of the ball very effectively.

  Kujo was thankful his “O” line did such a fantastic job blocking and opening up running lanes. Seriously, this is a good team!Kujo broke away from tacklers to secure some of his 174-rushing yards.

Charlie was a typical male in front of the camera. His mother wanted the photos; he really didn’t care if he had them done. It was a day off from school. The weather was damp and dreary and as I got into my car to head to Cardinal O’Hara High School, raindrops danced on my windshield. I became anxious the shoot would not go off. I saw Charlie and he had gotten all dressed up and I just knew we had to make sure we got the shots. Charlie’s mother also made me aware Charlie had been named the 2009 Homecoming King. Congratulations Charlie.

Charlie started off stiff and experienced some difficulty smiling. I don’t know how I did it but a couple of minutes into the shoot Charlie started to smile and he never stopped.

The couple called me a few weeks later and announced I had gotten the job to photograph their May 2010 wedding. I had suggested the couple complete their engagement shoot during the fall as their June 2010 wedding would not allow for the beautiful, full foliage to sprout on the trees in the area. Two weeks ago Bryan called me with some options for dates. Once the date was defined we hoped and prayed we would have nice weather. We were blessed with one of the most beautiful nights we had had in the past month. I mentioned the fantastic weather to Bryan and he explained he had “called in a favor.” Nice job Bryan. make sure you call in that same favor for June 5, 2010.

We met in Niagara Falls at the Starbucks restaurant which coincidentally was right across the street from the church in which the couple will be married and also from the couple’s reception area.

Michelle explained she had struggled through several clothing changes to decide what she was going to wear. As we began we walked for 10-15 minutes and just talking about how things had been going since we first met in May.

This was one of the first shots of the evening. I just love picnic tables. When I see one I think of some great childhood memories where the entire family would gather together outside for a meal together and celebrate the warm weather, a family member’s birthday or a holiday. Sometimes I can actually smell hotdogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob.

I just love this photo. Michelle smiled so easily and you could tell she was comfortable in front of the camera right from the start. As the sun began to descend toward the horizon signalling the end of the day, the colors became more brilliant, more golden. It’s no wonder this time of day is referred to as the “golden hour.”I love sunsets. As I have said in many earlier posts this has to be one of my favorite times of day. I absolutely love the way the sun was framed between the couple as they kissed. By the way, getting the couple to kiss was not a difficult task at all. Long after I stopped shooting, the couple continued to kiss. Of course there are worse things…I just love black and white. I think this is the best photo of Bryan an his smile. This smile looked so easy and natural.Again, black and white. Need I say more?This was an interesting shot. Both Bryan and I thought he was more flexible than he really was. I can totally relate to that so we allowed Bryan to “cheat” just a little bit by bending his knees.I just love ring shots and I love them even more when they show the hands they will soon be adorning.Bryan had to quickly replace the ring because Michelle was afraid he might drop it.This was one of my favorite shots of the night, I have a tendency to be a pretty emotional person and a true romantic at heart. When Bryan decided to kiss Michelle’s hand with no direction from me it gave me some additional insight into his warm heart and love for Michelle.

I love you guys and had a great deal of fun with you for your engagement shoot. I can’t wait for the wedding. P.S. Michelle, I don’t think you’ll have any difficulty knowing what to wear for your next photo shoot.

I enjoy sharing my images with others. I hope you enjoy the images and they bring you the same calm centeredness. Enjoy!

Before I jump into Kristin and Jake’s rehearsal dinner photos I wanted to share how much I enjoy my job and how lucky I feel I am to be able to take photographs for a living. I came across this passage which I believe truly encapsulates my thoughts and views. “A major goal of spiritual practice is to clear our mental space of the intellectual and emotional garbage we have been collecting…and to provide space for the experience of true relaxation and enjoyment.” That space for me is whenever I have a camera in my hands.

Kristin and Jake will be married on July 19th and I have the privilege of witnessing their vows and documenting their love for each other.

The rehearsal dinner was at Tommy Bahama’s in Destin, Florida. What a cool restaurant and kudos to the manager for the wonderful job he did. So we’re in SouthFlorida and what’s on the menu? If you guessed some pretty awesome seafood you were correct. Snapper encrusted with macadamia nuts and served with wasabi soy butter sauce and grilled broccolini seasoned with lemon garlic oil. Man my mouth is watering just recalling this most excellent meal. After the rehearsal dinner the wedding party gathered with family and close friends back at the hotel for a meet and greet. Jake’s mom put together a beautiful video for the bride and groom. Photos of both from birth through present was set to music. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the house. here’s just a few photos from the rehearsal dinner.

The table settings at the restaurant all kept with  a nautical theme.

Here’s the girls. Not their wedding but by the end of the night you knew they rivaled Kristin for the title of “Most Important Person.” Here’s some photos from a night that was quite a bit of fun.

Here’s the Boys. Well behaved during dinner and rambunctious the rest of the night. Great fun.

Kristin, Jake and their family and friends at the rehearsal dinner at Tommy Bahamas.

I love this shot of Kristin. She will be an absolutely beautiful bride. Her smile and laugh are infectious.

The kiss. I had asked one of the little boys to go up to Kristin and Jake and tell them to kiss so I could take this photo. He told them then ran and watched to see if they would as he peered from around the corner.

Kristin and Jake watched the video Jake’s mom put together. The video commanded everyone’s attention for almost 20-minutes. What a great video and a fantastic way to celebrate the lives of Kristin and Jake.

This young lady had a kind of her own. When she saw the camera any trace of a smile immediately left her face. It was as if she was saying, “No way are you taking my picture!”

Jake was watching Kristin open some of the gifts received by the couple tonight. I asked Jake if he received any “man” gifts and he held up a pizza cutter. Go Jake!

Kristin was of course very happy with the pizza cutter and said she “might actually let Jake use it.”

Jake, Kristin and the gang.

A view from my 6th floor balcony.

“Our difficulties are not obstacles to the path; they are the path itself. They are opportunities to awaken. Can we learn what it means to welcome an unwanted situation, with its sense of groundlessness, as a wake-up call? Can we look at it as a signal that there is something here to be learned? Can we allow it to penetrate our hearts? By learning to do this, we are taking the first basic step toward learning what it means to be open with whatever life presents us. Even when we don’t like it, we understand that this difficulty is our practice, our path, our life.”
–Ezra Bayda, from Being Zen: Bringing Meditation to Life

Sometimes we need to look for places to stop and rest along our path. Society tells us we shouldn’t ever stop, we should remain moving at all costs. We may need to stop from time to time, to catch our breath and see what is around us. We cause ourselves difficulty when we move forward with little or no thought of our path. It is then we become lost. Lost because we are unsure what it is we are searching for. Without a clear path we will struggle to find our way.  We also never think to ask others for help or feel it is weak to do so. Instead we move along the path and wonder to ourselves if it is the right path. There are times when we move along the path because others have directed us, others have told us the path is correct. When we place trust in others without trusting that relationship we find ourselves hurt.

Often in our travel we feel as though we’re alone. We see the path but can’t see around the bend. We become tentative and we stop moving forward.

When we choose to get back onto the path we have been following we need to look for our lighthouse; the beacon that will lead us home.

Wednesday is the day that says, “The weekend is almost upon us”, or if you will “The week is half over.” Now if you’re one of those glass half empty or glass half full kinda people, it doesn’t matter. It’s all the same. Wednesday meets every one’s needs. For me it means time to stop working and time to pick up my camera and take photos. Hopefully it’s a wedding, engagement or portrait session but if it’s not it’s seeing; seeing what’s around me, being mindful of what’s around me and seeing it in a different light.

Through the photos in this feature I hope to capture those things we usually pay no attention to on a day-to-day basis. Those things we might not even see until someone points them out to you or you see them highlighted in a photograph. That’s one of the things I love about photography. Buffalo and Western New York have thousands of these things. We just need to take a moment to slow down, dare I say “Stop” and take in what’s around us. Springtime in Western New York is full of color. I think it’s important to make that color a part of our lives so we just “don’t go through our day like robots.” Stop. Take a minute. You won’t miss that minute. You will find if you take that minute your day will be better, more balanced. So join me on Wednesday for a few of those things that I’ve seen throughout the week and I will share for you on “Mindful Wednesday.”

So, in honor of this glorious day, here’s a couple of shots I took for Wednesday.

We had been concerned about the weather for the past two weeks. Western New York weather can be very unpredictable this time of year. The week leading up to the shoot the weather report changed several times. The morning arrived and we awoke to a morning that was bright. The sun promised to shine proudly during throughout the day.

The couple planned their wedding for early June on the shores of Chautauqua Lake at Camp Onyhasa. This setting is beautiful any time of the year but is especially beautiful as the leaves are just beginning to sprout from their trees and the flowers are beginning to push up through the soil that imprisoned them through the cold winter months.

Onyahsa is blessed with a beautiful setting in its own wooded bay on Lake Chautauqua. It is nestled within over 120 wooded acres that includes a core campus and natural woodlands. Its facilities include a year-round heated lodge, beautiful winterized dining hall, sports fields, nature areas, cabins, and tents.

Thank you both for inviting me to document your engagement and for sharing your lives with me. I wish you only the best and many years of happiness together. Much Love and Appreciation…Christopher.

This photo is typical Shauna. There aren’t many times when I don’t see her smiling, laughing and having a great time. Shauna knows how to enjoy life.

The only time he would appear awake was when Nancy placed a straw between his lips. It was like a Pavlonian response. The minute he sensed the straw he began to suck. The doctors said it made no difference if he ate solid foods again as long as he consumed the two small bottles of fortified milk they provide at each meal as it contains more than enough vitamins to keep his weight normal.

I really love this black and white shot. For me there is nothing better than black and white to capture the true emotion of a photograph.

Occasionally Pops would wake long enough that Nancy could spoon feed him.