I raced home and we drove to the 2.5 hours Alfred, NY. As I drove the Thruway munching on a Wegmans sub listening to NPR I attempted to contemplate the magnitude of the plans I had scheduled into the next two days. We arrived on campus at 8:00 PM and caught the last quarter and a half of Kujo’s pre-season game. He played well breaking up a pass play and four tackles. It was great to see him and know, first-hand he is doing well. His classes began earlier in the week. We make another trip South when he plays his first season contest Saturday September 4, 2010.

We drove the 2.5 hour drive back home and arrived home in the early morning hours. Both of us collapsed and immediately fell asleep. The next morning I packed the care and made the two-hour drive to Westfield/Barcelona, NY. I met with Ronda and Mike (the couple whose wedding I photographed last week) and photographed their Trash the Dress shoot. Once we completed the shoot I took a leisurely drive back to North Tonawanda in time to shower and change to head off again this time for dinner with friends for my birthday. Thanks Christine and Bobbi for a wonderful dinner and a wonderfully relaxing time.

Sunday was no less busy. Nancy and I spent the afternoon at the Music is Art Festival in Downtown Buffalo. It’s all good and the weekend, despite being very busy was a lot of fun.

We stopped at the cemetery yesterday and found they had installed Paul’s headstone.

I love to take Jack for a walk by the Niagara River. As you already know my camera is never left behind. I grabbed several of an awesome sunset with my trusty point and shoot.

Here’s a sneak peak from Ronda and Mike’s Trash the Dress shoot. I love showing these photos locally and discussing Trash the Dress in Western New York. I get the strangest looks and people say things like, “What? Are they crazy?” I love the concept. I think there are far too many things we hold on to and never use or see again. Send me an email with your thoughts and opinions. maybe I’ll include them in a blog post about Trash the Dress shoots and their place in wedding and portrait photography.

This one was from the beginning of the shoot.

Well, that’s it for today. Come back later in the week for more photographic fun.

Chris

I arrived at the salon for the hair and makeup photos and Ronda pulled me aside and said, “I need to tell you what the plan is. You’re the only person other than Mike who knows this but when he goes to get the garter he’s going come out with a derringer pistol in his teeth.” I asked where the pistol will be and Ronda responds, “tucked into my garter.” Of course, why didn’t I think of that. So this is where I tell you, faithful reader that Ronda and Mike are police officers. Henceforth the interest in firearms.

We completed the shoot at the salon which by the way was a pretty awesome place. It was Marcel’s in Jamestown, NY. I arrived at the church located in a town called Stillwater just outside Jamestown. Now if Stillwater sounds like an old western name keep reading. So I see the groom and the groomsman all dressed in tuxedos that are reminiscent of what Doc Holiday might have worn, complete with cowboy hats, cowboy boots with spurs and bollo ties. The guys in the bridal party also wore badges which denoted the groom as the “Marshall” and the groomsmen as “Deputies.” Now, before I forget every groomsmen also wore a holster containing a sidearm, a six-shooter to be exact. I would find out at the conclusion of the ceremony the guns were real as the bridal party fired blanks into the air to celebrate the couple’s union. There was also one member of the bridal party who sported a shotgun, and yes he fired it as well. Now Ronda had mentioned this to me but I’m not quite sure what I was thinking because when the guns were fired it took me by total surprise.

I hope everyone enjoyed the post and the photos. Thanks for reading. There are many more photos to come. You can also click here for a slide-show.

Chris

I hope everyone is doing well and your last week has been fun and productive.

As I write this I look up at the calendar tacked to the wall. I realize it has been almost two full weeks since Kujo has been at Alfred University. Time has made the transition a little easier, at least on me. Stephen calls and texts us daily and we can see his updates on Facebook although as busy as he is they have become fewer in number. I have not pursued the calls as frequently as mom because I can often hear how difficult the time away has been for him and I want to be able to give him the space he needs to grow and flourish in this new environment. Nancy and I attended a BBQ cookout on the Canal last week. Hands down this was the best BBQ at the show…Skin and Bones.

Weddings have been busy and I have had the opportunity to spend time with and photograph some pretty amazing couples. This past Saturday I  photographed Jamie and Michael’s wedding in Ripley, NY. This Saturday I have my first Trash the Dress shoot. Back to Barcelona, NY where we’ll be spending some time in the lake with a wedding dress. I can’t wait.

Here’s a sneak peak from Jamie and Michael’s wedding.

This Saturday also marks another annual landmark for me. It’s my birthday. We won’t be discussing my age here but I will say except for a few creaks and groans I feel pretty good. I have no complaints and am very thankful for my family and the always amazing couple with whom I have an opportunity to spend time when I photograph their wedding.

Thanks everyone for reading.

Chris

Nancy and I returned from taking Stephen to school last Wednesday. It was strange to walk into the house and to not see him or hear his laughter and see his smiling face. The house was quiet and not filled with the laughter and conversation of him and  his many friends.

As parents we say we look forward to having kids. We have our children and many of us believe they become a burden to us and stop use from achieving the goals we have set for ourselves while a small minority of people allow their children to be a huge part of their life and that goal setting. There is a high degree of maturity and selflessness necessary to be an awesome parent. I think I fell somewhere in between.

Our children grow up and they move on leaving us wonder where the time has gone. We are forced to examine or maybe reexamine our lives and wonder what we have done with our lives. What value have we brought to the world in which we live? What value have we brought to the lives of others? What have we left behind to make our small corner of the world a better place.

I have a tendency to become really quiet and contemplative. People who don’t know me think there is something wrong. Often there is not. it is a self-imposed time out. An opportunity to examine or perhaps reexamine decisions I have made as well as activities going on in my life both within and outside of my realm of control.

Recently there have been individuals who have left this world at ages which I believe are too young, 21 and 47. These were not people central to or important in my life in anyway but were very central in the confirmation that there are more important things in life than just working. I push myself to be a better photographer and truly enjoy working with couples to capture some of the most meaningful events in their lives.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to photograph the nuptials of Ronda and Mike. This was an interesting wedding to say the least. I’ll leave those photos for a future post. For now here’s a few to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

Chris

Stephen leaves for college in two days. Nancy and I discussed his absence. She didn’t want to talk about it because it made her want to cry and for me it’ll take just a little bit longer to acknowledge his absence. Either way, you’ll be missed Kujo. I taught mom how to use the computer so we can Skype each other during the week.

I stepped out of the house late yesterday and noticed something on the front porch. It was a gift bag. I say an envelope sticking out of the top of the bag and when I peered inside my lips immediately curled into a smile. The bag was left by friends who had kept every news article written about Stephen over the last year. I believe I was more impressed by the obvious impression my son had made on the lives of another couple they thought enough about him to complete this task and save these articles. It reminded me of Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and the discussions Mr. Covey has had about the importance of “leaving a legacy.” I believe this will be my son’s legacy; to be a quiet leader. To lead without having to demonstrate that level of leadership which has become so rampant in society and negatively demonstrated by some of the athletes, political figures, etc. who seem to believe the opposite is true.

I love you Stephen. You have made us so proud and have so much to be so proud of. Go to Alfed university. Study hard. Practice hard. Play hard. Never lose your focus and maintain your integrity as there is nothing more important that following your own path.

This past month I’ve had an opportunity to photograph some pretty amazing couples. Kristina and Jason then Beth and Matt. This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to the Southern Tier of New York; Westfield, New York to be exact to photograph an amazing family. The couple resides across the street from Barcelona Harbor. The area is beautiful especially in the summer. Here I go again. Everyone knows what a sucker I am for the water. I could have sat in the warm sand having my face warmed by the sun and simply allowed myself to get lost in the sound of the waves as they brushed up onto shore. OK, I know I can be an emotional sap but that’s how I feel when I’m near the water.

This family was a lot of fun to shoot. I arrived for the shoot at the time the family had specified. I was presented with a list of photos the family wanted to make sure I captured. Normally I’m not a fan of “shot lists” but in cases such as this when I don’t know any of the names a shot list comes in handy. The list is even more handy when a member of the family is willing to help coordinate family members. Thanks Paige. Your work helped everything to go that much more smoothly.

Here’s a sneak peak into that photo shoot. There will be more photos to come later this week. as every couple or family I photograph warrants their own blog post.

Thanks again for reading and keep coming back.

Chris

Beth spent the morning at the wonderful Belezza Salon located in Williamsville, NY. Beth and her Maids of Honor spent the night in the beautiful Avant Hotel in Downtown Buffalo. This was my first time in this beautiful hotel. The designers saw the need for a mixed use building. In addition to the hotel rooms there are also 26-luxury condos and five-floors of office space. Beautiful.

The couple exchanged their vows in the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Buffalo, NY. Once the ceremony was completed we drove to the Coast Guard Base on Furhman Blvd. and with granted permission were allowed to take photos at the base of the lighthouse.

After post-ceremony photographs, the couple celebrated with family and friends at the celebrated Saturn Club in Buffalo, NY. Music was provided by Whirlin’ Disc Sound.

Thanks for reading. Next week I’ll some additional photos from this and some other recent weddings.

Chris

Kujo’s last football game as a high school student ended in a defensive battle seeing a score of 7-0 in favor of the “South” team. Kujo played for the “North” team. Another week means another week of work as a social worker; busy with interesting patients. Another week also means another wedding. My passion realized.

I am asked all the time how I can work a 40-hour week and pull a 12-hour wedding day and then sit down and edit and upload all of those photos, put albums together, etc, etc. The answer is simple really; I LOVE what I do. I love the couples who have trusted me to photograph their wedding day. I have an opportunity to spend an amazing day with amazing couples. I feed off of that energy and excitement. The real question I tell people is “How can I not be energized by my business.”

Saturday I had the pleasure of spending the day with Beth and Matt. The couple was married at the Unitarian-Universalist Church on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo and celebrated with family And friends at the Saturn Club. Here’s a couple photos to wet your appetite. More to come as the couple has earned their own blog post.

Here’s a couple of photos from the couple’s wedding.

Thanks again everyone for reading. Your comments and suggestions are kind and helpful. Much thanks goes out to the fabulous couples who I have had an opportunity to meet, photograph and simply spend some incredible time with.

Keep coming back. It’s only going to get better.

Chris

I’m not sure if we had enough soda for the party. I am a true lover of a good, dark beer but shhh, don’t tell anyone; I’m a sug-a-holic. I could chug a couple of really good root beers and be in heaven, sugar heaven that is. I have to get in my fix before 9PM otherwise I’ll lay staring at the ceiling long into the night. if you look long and hard at this photo you won’t see any root beer. The reason, shhhh, is because it’s been hidden. Nancy accused me of hiding it. I don’t know what she’s talking about and that empty can in my office? i’m not sure where that came from but it’s not mine.

My weekend began in a very interesting manner. Jack and I returned from our walk Friday night. We reached the end of the driveway and I took him off his leash. We walked up the driveway and as we approached the rear of the house Jack took off after something in the backyard. Usually it’s a squirrel. A minute later he returned and with a pronounced limp. The smell which also accompanied him caused me to wince and recoil in disgust. Neither Nancy nor myself was ready for that smell. Jack was sprayed by a skunk. Now you know that smell. You’re driving down the road and you smell a skunk? Well take that smell and multiply it by a hundred. In the midst of everything Nancy was involved in planning Kujo’s graduation party she jumped in and washed Jack. The remedy provided by so many Facebook friends worked. Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions.

I still can’t believe he completed high school and will now be moving on to college. August 11th we make the trip to Alfred University where he begins the next chapter in his life. it was so much feun to get together with old friends who I no longer have an opportunity to see with as much frequency as I would like. Thanks to everyone who attended and made Kujo’s grad party a memorable event.

A quick note. Kujo played in the North/South All-Star Football Classic last night. His team lost what was a very defensive battle 7-0. His team played well and I am proud to say Kujo’s individual play was as it always is, stellar.

Thanks again everyone for reading. Your readership and friendship is appreciated.

Chris

This past weekend I had the opportunity to photograph an amazing couple. I had met Jason a year earlier when I accepted another social work position. I don’t make a point of discussing my photography at my job but I do display some of my work in my office. One thing lead to another and the conversation of wedding photography was broached. During the past year Jason became engaged to Kristina and he discussed with me my willingness to photograph the couple’s engagement and wedding. Naturally as I build my business I did not want to say “No” but I also didn’t want Jason to choose me because of our work relationship. Kristina and Jason were married on Friday July 16, 2010. We began the day at a really cool hair salon in Herkimer, NY. The salon, HotSpotSalonandSpa is a full service salon with very nice professionals. If you find yourself in Herkimer, NY and need a haircut, color, tan, etc. check them out.

Most of my favorite shots are the ones I’ve waited some time to get. These are the shots where people have forgotten about my presence and begin to assume their true selves. I fall in love with the expressions on their faces at that time as well as those expressions when they see those photos and don’t recall me taking the photos. Those are also

Hoping the rain stops. It did and then the humidity took over.

Kristina looked beautiful in her dress.

I have recently been consulting with Marc Fuller. Marc is an SEO designer extraordinaire. All I’m going to say is there are going to be some changes in my blog-site in the coming months. We’re going to share some fresh new colors and bold new images. I have not yet decided on a new avatar because I’m just not that comfortable in front of a camera. truth be told its simply more that I’m just not that photogenic. this past year i have had an opportunity to work with some amazing couples and they have inspired me to make these changes. I’m excited and I’m even more excited to share these changes with you.

Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

Christopher

While at the couple’s wedding I had the opportunity to meet one of Jason’s friends, Steve Gregory. Jason introduced me to Steve about a year. This wasn’t a formal introduction but one of those “I’ve got a friend…” introductions. Steve plays strong safety for the San Diego Chargers. I couldn’t believe how laid back and humble Steve’s presentation was. My son called me during the reception to ask how the wedding was progressing. I asked Steve if he would speak with my son, who while not a Chargers fan is a huge football fan. My son has played football since age 8 and is now moving on to play Linebacker for Alfred University.Steve offered to speak with my son when he called. I heard Steve’s portion of the conversation and again was impressed. I was thankful to have met Steve and to have made his acquaintance.

Thanks Steve for the photo, the phone call and autograph for my son. I’ll remember that always.

Jason and Kristina had their first dance of the night as a married couple.

Kristina’s dad jumped in with the band and played the drums like a pro. He lead the band playing Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.” I’m not sure what his musical background is but you could have fooled me into thinking he was an original member of the band.

All in all it was a pretty awesome week. Fantastic wedding with really great people.

Stay tuned later in the week for a sneak peak from Kristina and Jason’s wedding.

Thanks everyone for reading. Keep coming back. There’s sure to be a lot more excitement.

Chris