Last weekend my good friend and photography extraordinaire Victor Sizemore was in town. I got a chance to shoot and learn from him and it was an awesome experience. Brett & Alicia were an amazing couple and I got to spend the whole day with them. The got ready at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Chicago and had their ceremony at the Garfield Conservatory Park.

They had guests from all over the world fly in for this beautiful occasion. Big thanks to Victor for letting me shoot along with him. Click here to view the slideshow from that day.

Here’s couple of my shots from the day:

UPDATE: Please pray for my friends in Kearney, NE.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,360362,00.html

My friends Shane & Erin live in Kearney Nebraska where they just had a major tornado touchdown. They are currently taking shelther right now and would appreciate your prayers. Thank you!

END UPDATE

Hey folks! I’m in DC/VA area this week for Dave & Hanna’s wedding. We had an awesome time shooting their engagement session today. We did our session over at Ocean City, Maryland. On our way there, I saw something that I had to blog about.

So you guys know I’ve been saying the phrase: “good times” for some period of time now. Lo and behold, on our way to Ocean City on Route 50, we find a store called “good times!!” What are the chances? So we immediately make a pit stop there for some photo opportunities!

The shop was actually about to close but the owner was nice enough to keep it open for us while we were there.

Meet the owner. She even took a photo with me and put on silly costumes for us. I got her business card and a book of matches. This store was so much fun. They had pretty much everything you can imagine there. There was a bookcase there I really wanted. It was imported from Pakistan. I was about to say “I’ll take it” until I saw the tag ($1,100)!!! I ended up just getting a nice album frame for ($20).

Here’s Dave & Hanna…getting hitched in two days!

Did I mention we had an incredible time out there in Ocean City? Can’t wait to show you some photos. For now, this will do.

I am super excited about this wedding. Lot of my old friends will be there. It will be like mini-reunion!

Good times!!!

Yesterday some of the photographers from this area got together and had great time talking shop, shooting, and networking together. My friend Armin “aka George Michael” Defiesta organized this fun get together. Peter Bang brought his couple friend Jamie & Stuart to do some fun engagement shoot together.

First few photos are for Jim Garner & his staff. Their camera bag, BODA is awesome. All of us were sporting it. So practical and sleek!

We love our Boda!

Laura Auer is not a photographer. But she’s an awesome event planner. She loved our Boda so wanted all of them!

Can’t keep our hands off!

Big thanks to Stuart & Jaime for coming out and modeling for us. They are in same small group bible study with Peter Bang. Such a fun couple!

Here are just a few shots from that day…

From L to R (Paul Price, Troy Woods, Stuart & Jamie Easson, Peter Bang, Noah Hayes, Armin Defiesta & Yours truly.

This is the guy that took our group photo for us. I told him I would post a photo of them so just incase they come visit my blog. Does any one know them by chance?

Okay I am heading out to do hang out w/ the groomsmen today before the wedding.

Good times!!!

Ceremony: St. Thomas Armenian Church – Tenafly, NJ
Reception: The Rockleigh – Rockleigh, NJ

Second Shooters: Tomas Flint & Andres Valenzuela

Eunice is another Wellesley graduate bride that I got to photograph in the past several months. I feel like I got to meet so many Bostonians from this that I should probably go visit that area in the near future. I feel like I already knew the couple because we had so many friends in common. I’ve already been in three weddings with her sister Janet so it was like a reunion seeing familiar faces again! Tim & Eunice planned a beautiful wedding and I think everyone there could testify that they had an amazing time! From the beginning the live band put on a show that everyone danced to until the wee hours of the night.

Here are some of our favorite moments from the day:

Some shots from their eSession in Central Park — New York

Eunice & the bridesmaids getting ready at the Blush Studio

Gotta love a Jimmy Choo bride!

Retouching and re-energizing before the reception…

There were plenty of joyful & happy tears going around that day…

Welcome to the family Tim!

Thank you so much guys for allowing me to capture your day. I look forward to our friendship in the future!

This week I got to spend some time in Pittsburgh, PA. I wanted to attend Ed Pierce’s seminar in Chicago but I couldn’t make it out due to schedule conflict. When I saw that he was going to be in Pittsburgh, I immediately thought of visiting my good friend David Burke’s family out there. I’ve always wanted to visit them so what better way to kill 2 birds with one stone? David just purchased a commercial space in the heart of Mt. Lebanon, PA (a prime location in a major city) so I got to see the cool space in person. It has so much potential, I cannot wait to see it once it’s all decorated. I may have to come back for their grand opening!

Here’s some photos from the trip. I’m trying something new. Let me know what you think about this new format:

1) Sat next to a cool gal name Megan from Pittsburgh. She found out I was a wedding photographer and we chatted about her wedding, etc. She gave me some tips (including Primanti Bros) about where to go in Pittsburgh! 2)Pittsburgh folks LOVE their football team. Can you name this football legend? 3) The most livable city? Hmm.. wonder how they came up with that? 4) Mr. David Burke himself – he picked me up from the airport, drove me to his studio and then put me to work right away! 5) Meet Christian – one of many members in the Burke family 6) Their lovable boxer Dozer. Never knew dogs could snore until I slept next to this guy!

1) David with the newest addition to his family – the one and only Bryleigh! 2) Meet Mr. Bryden “I sleep in my Spiderman outfit” 3) David’s neighbor Jose owns an awesome mexican restaurant. We had to go there for dinner! 4) Then they treated me for dessert at the Sarris Chocolate factory. Man, their chocolate was good!!! 5) I ordered a small sundae that was almost as big as a bowling ball. The photo doesn’t do justice of the size – or maybe David’s head is just that big?! 6) According to Dave, this place is world-famous.

1) Meet Burke’s oldest son Damon. This kid is probably the best Rock Band guitar player I know. I couldn’t believe how fast he was playing this. 2) Primanti Brothers has been around for over 70 years. We went to the original one by the strip area. 3) Just looking at the menu, I knew it was going to be a good experience. 4) Only place I know where they put fries AND coleslaw in their sandwich. Sounds gross? You should try it. I recommend adding some hot sauce. 5) This man was busy enjoying his sandwich – he didn’t even notice me taking this photo of him. 6) Burke’s pimped out mansion in Canonsburg, PA. Did you know Perry Como is from this town?

1) David’s brother-in-law Darrell works for 30 year old Italian meat packaging company called Parma. Darrell gave us a tour of the place. It was actually really educational experience. I got to learn how certain types of meat such as prosciutto, genoa salami, etc. was prepared. 2) To get a great tasting prosciutto, it takes minimum of 14 months! We got to taste some after the tour and it was good! 3) I got the impression that Pittsburgh folks are hard working guys that love what they do. 4) Then off the Ed Pierce’s seminar. I’ve heard lot about this guys and I actually got lot out of his workshop. I’m glad I went. 5) Ed invented/patented this awesome WB/Exposure balancing disc. We had to pose with one. 6) David & his lovely assistants Jennifer & Beth.

It was a short 2 day trip but it was well worth it. Look forward to going out again! Until next time…