Steph Stevens Photo

I'm moving!

2010-01-10T21:33:00.000-05:00

.....really I'm not moving, but my blog is.

You can find all new posts [starting tomorrow] here at WordPress.
In addition to the move I'll be making more regular posts.

Here's my schedule:
Monday I'll be bringing you stephstevensphoto news.
Tuesday I'll showcase some of my favorite Etsy finds.
Wednesday I'll bestow some wedding wisdom for those in the planning process.
Thursday I'll dig into my archives for some throwback images pre-2010.
Friday I'll share a favorite image found on Flickr.

I hope all of you have visited the all new stephstevensphoto.com and soon livebooks will integrate my new wordpress blog so that it lives right on my own website. Stay tuned.

Client Love

2009-12-10T14:46:00.003-05:00

New website???
Soon, soon, soon. Definitely before the end of the year.

In the mean time I'm gathering all the little bits and pieces I need to create my dream website. I'm looking to all of my past clients to send me a little shout out. Tell me how much you loved ______, rave about my _______ and gush to my future clients about your experience in front of my camera.

Your words are invaluable to me and moving my photography forward.

So give me some client love!!

Extra Credit Points:

If you're a Yelper - I would love to hear from you there.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/steph-stevens-photo-boston

Can I ask for your vote??

2009-12-03T11:21:00.002-05:00

Lots going on with Steph Stevens Photo

more exciting updates to come.... albums, portfolios, yearbooks, booked weddings, etc....

BUT for now can I ask a favor?

Help me win People's Choice in Top Knots Photography Contest.

Go here:

http://www.topknotscontest.com/bin/Rate?image_id=1009006804

If not win, then help me move up to the top of the first page.

I really appreciate your help & let me know if you voted, so I can thank you properly.

The Lachiusas

2009-11-09T16:43:00.000-05:00

Before I even turn into The Lachiusa's driveway I'm already looking for backdrops. Where am I going to shoot the family portraits? Where are we going to do the senior photos? Where's the sun? Where's my shade?

Right off the bat I like the front yard and festive fall porch, complete with brilliant colors, pumpkins and a bed of fallen leaves. I pretty much love photos taken on the front porch. I believe there's no better way to visualize the family's identity than to gather around the front of the family's house.

Once we had this shot we attempted something a little different. They had a great big hammock in the backyard and I had all four kids pile in (something they probably haven't done in years) and their parents leaning in around them. I had my ladder, which always comes in handy, and grabbed some shots from above.

The other objective for the day was to do some senior portraits.

And then a quick one of the parents.

Happy HalloWedding | Cheryl & George

2009-10-31T22:33:00.000-04:00

This image is brought to us my favorite 16-35mm wide angle lens and a fantastic priest who called me out in the middle of the ceremony and invited me up to the altar to get some better shots. THANKS!! Sure the typical "down the center isle" works fine but when you can do the "hail mary" shot and hold the camera right above the priest's head, they're much better. Cheryl & George in the center and their collective 6 kids by their sides.

Very Martha Stewart and I love that. And that pesky wind that made all of our hair fly around also gave the bouquet ribbons some life - so its a-okay.

Their kids staged a gauntlet of bubbles and Cheryl & George walked right into their trap.

This looks very beach-y with it's soft light and breeze, but it's East Longmeadow in the middle of an unforgettable Halloween Wedding.

Note the festive bow tie of jack-o-lanterns.

Kelli & Larry's Rowdy Reception

2009-10-26T14:18:00.001-04:00

This rainy October night kept us inside DiBurro's in Haverhill, MA but the Fowles & Hannons came to celebrate their wedding and my two cameras and I just tried to keep up. The last 2 hours of the night went by kind of fast. So I think everyone needs a little recap of what went down. Seriously, these people know how to have a good time.

All my best to the happy couple, their family and friends.

Kelli & Larry's Reception Recap from Steph Stevens on Vimeo.

Temporary Website by LiveBooks

2009-10-16T16:34:00.000-04:00

I couldn't be happier to unveil the beginnings of my new website. This is just a temp site, yet to be styled by one the talented designers at LiveBooks. They cater to photographers and those seeking photographers. Big images, clean design, easy navigation - what more could I need?

.... I need to dig through more of my archives for more images. But here's a few that at this moment I'm just in love with. I feel like weddings are under represented at this point and hopefully tonight I can change that. Visit often for more.

Christine & Brian | 10.3.09

2009-10-13T12:44:00.001-04:00

This was a fun one!

Check out our little movie of our Model T PhotoBooth. It's a little slice of the fun pace and mood of the night. Plus it's a great excuse to listen to Matt & Kim's "Daylight" - love that song!!

Christine & Brian | Fun with toy cars | 10.3.09 from Steph Stevens on Vimeo.

And two more favorites from the reception. We were at the Heritage Antique Automobile Museum and had to get pictures with their favorite fire truck.

And this one is in the 11th hour, just as we were all headed out. Christine and Brian to their after party and back home for myself. Being the photo-geek that I've become, I love this image for lots of reasons but partly for the lens choice. The grand-daddy of portrait lenses the 85mm f1.2 Available light was all that was needed and that's the best.

While I'm still in the process of editing down the evening's worth of pictures, I sent this one over to Christine last night and she mentioned that she remembers this exact moment and what she was feeling - love. [I'm tearing up right now] That's like the best thing I can hear from someone. That we can freeze a moment in time and seeing that image later can bring you right back. That is the essence of what I do and I'm really happy I get to do it.

A special THANK YOU to Eric Wallis for coming all the way out to the Cape to be my right-hand man. He took some great photos, carried bags and helped corral people when they needed corralling. You can find his work here.

Joanna & Chris | July 12, 2009

2009-09-26T22:19:00.005-04:00

This was the second wedding of the season and I was second shooting for Anna Sawin. Started in New London, CT for the church ceremony, hopped on a boat to head over to the reception at Mystic Seaport. What a lovely day!!

Here are some favorites:

Pete & Denise: The Proposal

2009-09-22T20:56:00.004-04:00

This one goes way back - June 25th, 2009. I'm not sure if you remember June in New England.... rainy, right? Well this one of the few days that didn't require an umbrella, even better it was a perfect summer day. Pete hired me to photograph the proposal in secret as it unfolded at the Public Gardens in Boston.

We actually hadn't met until after he got on one knee. There was a lot of secret text messaging between he and I to make sure we were at the right place at the right time and then it happened. I don't know about those two but my heart was beating out of my chest, snapping away. The whole scene attracted quite a crowd, hoots and hollers from all the passerbys. As they soaked in their moment I crept closer and finally introduced myself. We snuck under some shade for one last picture and then we were done - they had dinner reservations and all of a sudden a wedding to plan.

[click to view larger]

An afternoon in the park with Joe, Brian & Quiche

2009-09-21T11:04:00.006-04:00

Spent time with Joe & Brian this weekend. They had just come back from a honeymoon at Disney and were eager to get some photos with their other love, Quiche.

Look at the smile on her!

ps. much more to come!! Don't think that August/September's crazy shooting schedule was forgotten. Just too busy to keep up.

More from Jaime & Matt, Kerry & Tony, Iwona & Brennan, Catherine & Adam, Erin & Brian, Cara & Rick, Katy & Frank, Meagan & Gregg, Joanna & Chris, Pete & Denise, Kasie's senior portraits, some architectural shooting, Ride Far 2009, Ann & Archimedes the Hedgehog and a Stanley Cup party.

Jaime & Matt | August 15, 2009 | Blandford, MA

2009-08-18T16:16:00.002-04:00

Such a great day!!

More to come soon.

Who is StephStevensPhoto?

2009-08-07T22:22:00.004-04:00

Good question!! I'm trying to figure that out.

Shooting like never before, stretching and reaching into new areas. It all feels good!

I suppose this is an attempt at a mission statement.... possibly.

Kat & Adam Vintage-ized

2009-08-07T22:07:00.004-04:00

Tested out some vintage effects with a couple engagement shoot images of Kat & Adam [September 12th wedding].

Kind of grab bag of exposure adjustments, textures and such. I like it... but I definitely think I need to refine and define my style. So I'll have to play some more some night but for now they're pleasantly imperfect.

PhotoBooth

2009-08-06T22:07:00.010-04:00

Here are some images from earlier this summer of my attempts at a "photo booth". Kind of a highlight and I can't wait to perfect it for 2010!!

Kat & Adam's Engagement Party

(click on image to view larger)

The Sterners

2009-07-07T14:13:00.006-04:00

Caught up with an old CrabApple rafting friend and did some photos with his wife Trish and their adorable daughter Nora. Rob's also a web programmer and I looked to him when I hit some rough patches with my new website redesign, he's helping to smooth them out.

But I got the fun job and got to play around a grab some cute pics. Cuteness Overload, in fact.

Annie & Kaelyn

2009-06-10T09:29:00.005-04:00

Had a wonderful shoot with Annie and the adorable Kaelyn. Such a cutie-pie!

A mega mix of photos & a much needed update

2009-06-05T13:12:00.007-04:00

I've been neglecting this blog and it is in need of some updates. So much going on...

Spend this past Sunday with the most adorable little man, Kason. He stayed uber-photogenic the entire 2 hours, a credit to his fun and outgoing parents Jen & Matt.

Somerville Kickball League:

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's Annual Dinner @ the BCEC.

More photos can be viewed on their photo blog.

Colin Powell was the featured speaker.

Colin Powell, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen (I was actively facebook status updating during this event - not going to lie)

Assisted a friend and fellow wedding photog newbie in Dennnisport, MA.

Awesome, fantastic, wonderful day!! Can't wait for my wedding season to start.

View her work: Anna's blog & website

[note the flower girl being held by the groom's father]

Speaking of wedding season....

I shot these engagement portraits of a couple whose wedding is in August. Great day, great couple, great images. Can't wait for their big day.

PINK @ Orchid Nightclub

2009-04-21T20:12:00.006-04:00

From the guys that threw the Mini Bar party in February, they came back even stronger with the opening night for PINK. Orchid is in Saugus, MA on Rt. 1 North.

Red Sox v. Orioles

2009-04-21T20:03:00.001-04:00

Went to a Sox game last week. I haven't been in years and it was Ben's first time.

Oh yea and they won!

Zerah Jakob - The Facebook Picture Project

2009-04-21T19:58:00.002-04:00

Zerah, like most Bostonians loves the Sox and I figured she'd be perfect for a little photoshoot with the Citgo sign as a backdrop.

Our shoot was too much and she'll definitely be popping up in other projects soon.

Back Bay Systems - Product Shoot

2009-04-21T19:49:00.003-04:00

Here are some images I shot a couple of weeks ago for the company Back Bay Systems.

I haven't photographed much product in a studio setup since Hallmark almost 2 years ago but with a camera in hand nearly everyday it came back to me pretty quickly, kind of like riding a bike.

Combining old film scans and new techniques

2009-04-16T14:56:00.004-04:00

I recently got a phone call from Hunt's in Hadley about some film that was developed and ready to pickup. It was film from Fall '07 and I hadn't heard from them and forgot about it. So I had 3 rolls of 120 film that I shot with my Mamiya.

Still new to the city I went out with my tripod, medium format camera and some almost expired Kodak film to see what I could find. This is one frame from the Mass Ave bridge.

The big building is the Hancock Tower and the red streak are tail lights of cars passing by.

With that "Little Planet" trick I learned a couple weeks ago I went that one step further.

A little photoshop...

2009-04-15T16:09:00.002-04:00

Another great image from this weekend's shoot:

Lauren Farenga: The Facebook Picture Project

2009-04-13T16:12:00.003-04:00

Lauren and I haven't photographed together since our "Flasher" shoot while I was studying at Hallmark. Well we've both come a long way since then and it was great to work on creating some great images again. She has a sense like no other about how to make every shot perfect; all I have to do is point and shoot.

Thanks Lauren!!

[oh yeah this is only about half of what we did, there'll have to be a second update soon)

Megan Maguire: The Facebook Picture Project

2009-04-13T16:06:00.003-04:00

Megan and I had a photo session last week. We had a wonderful excuse to haul my gorgeous craigslist purchased chair out into a field near my house and snap some evening photos. Doesn't Megan look fantastic?? Couldn't take a bad picture of her if I tried.

Thanks Meg!!

Easter in Montague

2009-04-13T16:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a milestone; my third Easter with The Kriete's and Sawin's and the first where my parents [The Stevens] were able to join us.

So it was appropriate that we do a group photo along our walk through the woods. Everyone gathered in nice and close and said "cheese".

Will Sawin showing off his cars.

Sigma 8mm f3.5

2009-04-10T12:35:00.002-04:00

Ben and I toured Boston with my new fisheye lens and snapped these photos.

Copley Square

Boston Public Library

A duck boat waiting for its next tour

Bikes on the sidewalk

Ben, on our ice cream stop on the way home.

Little Planets

2009-04-06T12:30:00.002-04:00

This is my first attempt at a panorama and then went one further and tried out a new trick I learned and wrapped the stitched panorama into a "little planet". I thought it would be harder but it wasn't too bad. The first is a "right side out" little planet and the second is using the same panorama but it's "inside out".

It was taken on the Mass Ave Bridge over the Charles. It connects Boston to Cambridge. The detail isn't great but you can see the Prudential and the Hancock and even the Citgo sign near Fenway, but it is awfully small.

I feel inspired to make more little planets!!

A busy day

2009-03-17T16:09:00.003-04:00

Here's a snapshot of a busy day of shooting for me working at FayFoto.

Left home (E) to go to Westwood to shoot some standard head and shoulder portraits for Citizens Bank at 8:30am.

From there I went to Arbella Insurance in Quincy (C) to continue on with Day 2 of shooting images for their annual report, 10:30-12:30. Portraits of the President, fitness center, meetings, exteriors, etc...

Back to the office (D) in Brighton to process all the images and turn them around so that the clients have them the end of the afternoon today.

At 5pm I'll be heading home (E). Glad tomorrow won't be quite so busy but lucky to have work.

And it's only Tuesday??

Caitlin Gould: The Facebook Picture Project

2009-03-02T11:22:00.004-05:00

To keep myself busy and creatively inspired I've called upon my friends to model for me and build up my portfolio. They in turn get great profile pictures to use on Facebook (and the like).

Here's some favorites from this weekend's shoot with Cait. (you'll see Cait in my portfolio several times, she's always up for something creative, takes direction well and brings great energy. I guess you could say she's my muse :D )

Beer and Friends

2009-03-02T11:10:00.003-05:00

Saturday night I saw two of my favorite girls. We got back to our old stopping grounds The Moan and Dove in Amherst, MA.

We are all official Mug Clubbers at our favorite bar. That means our own big mug with our name on it.

Sare

Cait

It's a dog friendly bar
The view from our booth. (with a little bump in contrast and saturation)

Isn't Craigslist wonderful?

2009-02-23T10:33:00.009-05:00

As far as new work in the past couple of weeks, it all goes back to craigslist. It's put me in touch with some fantastic people and I just can't thank them enough for working with me to grow my portfolio.

Angela and David came by my house to shoot some maternity portraits. I'm so happy for the two of them. I wish them and their growing family all the best!!

Covered a launch party for an events promotion company JA Promotions. It was at the MiniBar at the Copley Square Hotel.

Joamil and Albert (on the right) were the hosts of the launch party.

Worked with a company Polite in Public on some photobooth stuff. They were hired to shoot photos of guests at an advanced screening of a new HBO show "Eastbound & Down" starring Danny McBride (Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express, etc...). I was the assistant stuffing prints into sleeves but I did get a chance in front of the camera. Really awesome equipment and unique style.

These are some of their more political slanted events. Of course now you might recognize the infamous Shepard Fairey. He's posing for the two photos below.

btw, check out his new exhibit at the ICA Boston. Free on thursday nights!!

And Samuel L. Jackson
This was actually their first event in February 2007. Apparently the company has grown 800% in the past 2 years. Just last week they covered Paris Hilton's birthday (for what it's worth).

on that note I'm off to check the craigslist-gigs board for my new job. :D

Shooting Boston

2009-02-09T12:45:00.006-05:00

Debbie (a friend through a networking meet-up) and I hit the town on a glorious sun-shiny day in Boston this past saturday.

Debbie is an amateur photographer with a nice new Nikon DSLR and she suggested we get out and shoot some pictures together. It's really a treat to get out, without a real objective. As a working photographer I'm driven by assignments and a preconceived "shot list" in my head. Too often I'm blinded by my expectations. It was nice to recharge my creativity and let my eyes wander for the unexpected.

Our first stop was the frog pond ice skating rink in the Common. It's one of those places where its like shooting fish in a barrel. Stand there for a couple minutes and you're bound to snap some cool unexpected shots.

Loved her!! I wish I could tag her on facebook.

He was the unofficial referee of the rink. He knew where the cameras were.

Debbie taking her shots of the Public Garden Ducks

Marlboro Street in the Back Bay

Statue on Comm Ave.
Loved her too!!

Angela, David and The Bump

2009-02-07T11:35:00.006-05:00

Oh my god!! How much fun was last night?

Lots! I got in touch with Angela and David through craigslist on thursday and shot some maternity portraits last night in my living room/make shift studio.

We got some fantastic stuff and here's just a couple that I pulled out.

It should be any time now that they'll have Milly. Congrats to them!! They were the best.

Cats & My First 5k

2009-02-05T12:37:00.002-05:00

My Aunt Katie's four cats made for pretty striking models. I spent the weekend with a very very special and expensive lens (Canon 85mm f1.2) and that gave the the ability to shoot these cats with just natural light.

These were the favorite images and the 4-up will be something like the final product, which Katie will print and hang.

February 1st finally came. Cait and I ran in the Super Sunday 5k down a the Seaport in Boston. It was my first road race and the veteran Cait was a good running buddy and kept me on pace.

Lucky for us we had Ben to document the day.

Oh yea and the weather was spectacular!!

Finished in 33:29, 10:48 per mile pace.

Not bad. That's about what I was expecting and now I have a baseline and hopefully a time to beat.

(Thanks Cait!!)

Build it and they will come

2009-01-26T19:52:00.006-05:00

This is my new "About Me" photo collage.

(of course clicking on the image will give it's full size)

2 months ago I wanted to be busier and I think that's what I've got now. With 3 (maybe even 4) weddings coming up this summer and a handful of business cards to follow up on, I've got to learn a little time management so that I can stay on top of things. I think I'll learn that; just like I've re-taught myself how to edit my website and dive into new areas of photography. It's exciting going into something a little new. I would hate to be complacent and look at any job as "old hat".

Had a great shoot with Kerry & Tony in the Berkshires this past weekend. I'm shooting their wedding August 28, 2009.

This photo.... yea how do you ask people you've only really known a couple of hours to climb up in a tree for a photo? I'm not really sure, but it turns out it's not that hard. Of course I had good models, willing to "go out on a limb".

(I'm sorry for the pun, I had been trying so hard not to go there... but I went there)

Check out my website for all of the recent projects and an always evolving website: Steph Stevens Photo

International Place

2009-01-23T16:28:00.002-05:00

I love how familiar I've gotten with Boston I know all the office buildings and can pick them out of the skyline, I know the best places to find a public restroom (yup no more dingy fast food restaurants, I just walk confidently into the Plaza Hotel and b-line for the bathroom). And the other day this week I was killing time before a networking event and stopped off at International Place to warm up inside. I snapped this before I got reprimanded.

Girl's Inc. Rappelling with Holyoke Rows

2009-01-03T21:52:00.010-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I tagged along with my Dad for a rappelling trip in western Massachusetts.

It was with a brave group of girls from Girls Inc. working with the organization Holyoke Rows.

They might have been tentative at first but by the end of the day most everyone had done at least one vertical rappel and some even had a handful of attempts.

Bill Stevens, my Dad
Getting harnesses on (my Mom in the green jacket)

Getting used to the equipment and trusting the ropes.

It's a spectator sport....

February 1, 2009 | My First 5K

2008-12-24T16:04:00.002-05:00

So I had quite a productive chat with Cait today. Beyond the holiday jibber-jabber and talking about the weather, we started talking about running.....

Now Ben and I were on a after-work run kick for a couple weeks in the fall and it was great. Even if it was 8pm before we got a chance to get out we would do at least a mile around the block. Well the cold has kept us away from that routine recently, but I've been trying to make it the gym on my own.

But in this talk with Cait I think I've realized what my gym workouts have been missing. They've been missing a goal, a deadline, a date circled on the calendar. So now I have one February 1st! A 5k in the Seaport district of Boston. 3.1 miles is about a mile longer than I've been running lately(2 consecutive miles at a 6mph pace). So it's just enough of a goal.

Cait will be some good support running next to me. She's a veteran 5k/10k runner and a aspiring half-marathoner.

Anyone else interested?

Happy Festivus!!

2008-12-23T13:35:00.006-05:00

A holiday for the rest of us!

The Birth of a New Holiday:

Frank Costanza: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
Cosmo Kramer: What happened to the doll?
Frank Costanza: It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born: a Festivus for the rest of us!

The Festivus Pole:

Cosmo Kramer: And is there a tree?

Frank Costanza: No, instead, there's a pole. It requires no decoration. I find tinsel distracting.
Frank Costanza: It's made from aluminum. Very high strength-to-weight ratio.

Airing of Grievances:

Frank Costanza: And at the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around, and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year!

Frank Costanza: The tradition of Festivus begins with the Airing of Grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now, you're gonna hear about it. You, Kruger. My son tells me your company STINKS!
George Costanza: Oh, God.

Feats of Strength:

Jerry Seinfeld: And wasn't there a Feats of Strength that always ended up with you crying?
George Costanza: I can't take it anymore! I'm going to work! Are you happy now?!
Frank Costanza: I've brought one of the cassette tapes.
Frank Costanza (on a tape recorder): Read that poem.
George Costanza (on a tape recorder): I can't read it, I need my glasses.
Frank Costanza (on a tape recorder): You don't need glasses! You're just weak, weak!
Estelle Costanza (on a tape recorder): Leave him alone!
Frank Costanza (on a tape recorder): All right, George. It's time for the Festivus Feats of Strength!
George Costanza: No! No! Turn it off! No Feats of Strength! I hate Festivus!
Frank Costanza: We had some good times.
Festivus Miracles:

Miracle #1;
Betting Shop Guy: Hello again, Miss Benes.
Elaine Benes: What are you doing here?
Betting Shop Guy: Damndest thing. Me and Charlie were calling to ask you out, and, uh, we got this bagel place.
Cosmo Kramer: I told them I was just about to see you. It's a Festivus Miracle!

Miracle #2;
Gwen: Jerry!
Jerry Seinfeld: Gwen! How did you know I was here?
Gwen: Kramer told me!
Cosmo Kramer: Another Festivus Miracle!!
Jerry Seinfeld: (gives Kramer a murderous glare)

-end scene

I only wish I could have been driving around Western Mass this morning to hear Rock 102's Bax and O'Brien read transcripts on the air.

Tara Donovan | ICA Boston

2008-12-19T14:40:00.008-05:00

Ben and I visited the Institute of Contemporary Art last night and I fell in love with the work of Tara Donovan. She takes ordinary objects and sculpts them into very large art installations. Unfortunately the pictures won't do enough justice and if you can make it to the ICA before January 4th you can see it all in person. Inspiring and awesome!

I forgot to mention that these photos were pulled off of ACE Gallery's website and the MET.

I would have loved to snap some of my own but it's not allowed.

Styrofoam Cups

Drinking Straws

Adding Machine Paper Rolls

Paper Plates

Sewing Pins

Tooth Picks

Tempered Glass

Buttons

Mylar Rings

Caitlin Gould

2008-12-18T13:41:00.004-05:00

It was about 2 years ago that I was on winter break from Hallmark Institute of Photography and visited Cait at her then apartment Malden. She was the model for my window light assignment. I don't think I really had a good handle of that assignment at the time. Light, especially natural light and how best to use it. And posing? Working with my subject? Forget about it, I was pretty clueless.

Two years later, we're both far from where we were. She's no longer in Malden and professionally going in a pretty different direction. But here we are again, another portrait session. This time it's a professional portrait for her to use in online networking and for me another example to add to my personal portfolio.

I'd say we've both made big strides in that time.

So here's one that she liked best from last night's shoot:

Metro | Boston

2008-12-10T11:51:00.003-05:00

Today's Metro used my photo

check it out!!

Chamber Breakfast with Mayor Menino

2008-12-09T12:07:00.004-05:00

This morning's Chamber breakfast at the Park Plaza. Look for one of the top two photos to make into the Metro tomorrow.

The wall of media that was waiting for the mayor.

This is me holding the camera over my head and hopefully getting the shot.

Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party

2008-12-04T11:10:00.004-05:00

I've been with FayFoto for almost a year and a half and I'm starting to develop a rapport with our clients. I do a lot of work with the Chamber and it was nice to be back at their holiday party for the second year in a row. It's their biggest event of the year, held at the State Room on the 33rd Floor of 60 State Street. Huge floor to ceiling windows looking out over Faneuil Hall, the Customs House Tower, the North End, Charlestown.

And because I'm so impressed with my camera, I'm going to to show you what the photo above looks like at 100%

Specs: Canon 5D 24-105mm @ 24mm

3200ISO | f4.0 | 1/10 second (handheld IS)

Pretty damn good right?

I'll be honest the decorations were a little sparse, but I didn't mind it. It solved the problem of hideous, sea creature-looking light fixtures that got in the way of my room shots last year. I suppose they had to trim the budget somewhere but they still had fantastic food all night and an open bar (I did not partake of course, I was working)

I also did some networking of my own.

-Got a business card from a marketing person from the Bruins. And to keep my karma in check I will pass on to FayFoto and not take it on for personal work.

-Bumped into Judy (from Big Sisters, she was a huge help at their annual party I shot a couple weeks ago) and I might do a business portrait for her soon.

-And another girl I worked with for Hollister Inc. told me she loved the pictures from a party I did for them at the State House(different than the "State Room".... it was the actual State House) Huge event and I was recommended to them by the Chamber.

Looks like it pays off to be in with the GBCC.

Oh and speaking of marketing: I'm completely going out of my comfort zone and attending a Meetup.com event for Women's Networking. It's in Waltham tonight and maybe I'll meet some people looking for a business portrait or some event work, even some family pictures would be fine too. My goal is to get out more, test the waters and see if I could really go out on my own some day. I also want to justify a imac computer purchase.

My Birthday Lamp!!

2008-12-02T16:15:00.002-05:00

Check out this gorgeous lamp Ben got me for my birthday!! Well after many technical difficulties, sending recalled lamps back to the manufacturer and such we have third and hopefully final lamp.

It puts off the most wonderful light.

Love it!!

It's a Tord Boontje. He does some amazing work.

http://www.tordboontje.com/

Brianna & Brooklyn

2008-12-02T16:00:00.008-05:00

I met Brianna at a conference in Worcester(the one with Doug Flutie) a couple of weeks ago. We got to talking about photography and set up plans to do a shoot with her daughter in Stanley Park.

I realized I have a lot to learn about photographing kids (when they start running, crank up the shutter speed) but I have some images to start a portfolio.

So a big THANK YOU to Brianna and Brooklyn!!

NYC trip

2008-11-24T13:38:00.007-05:00

We spent Thursday night in Greenwich Village
I saw this church on the way to the comedy club.

Ben and I stumbled upon this beer bar, The Old Rabbit Club. So so dark. The whole place, a small basement, was lit by a handful of candles and 2 dim light bulbs. So the graininess of the photo should add to the place's vibe.

This was a one second exposure with my camera sitting on the bar top.

A pretty non-descript entrance. Thankfully Ben and I were curious what the place was and googled it on Ben's phone. A good find.

The Comedy Cellar with Ardie Fuqua. He MCed the night and was really really funny.

Collin Quinn, he was okay. Honestly he was the most well known person and turned out to not really be the funniest. It's possible he was a little inebriated.

Ben Bailey from Cash Cab on the Discovery Channel. Man was he tall!! Just standing up his head was 3 or 4 inches from the ceiling.

All of these photos were taken from my seat. We were in the second row but also in the booth at the back of the room.... so the place is pretty small. Great place, highly reccommended and we'll be back.

If we had gone to the 11pm show we would have seen Dave Attel. Maybe next time. Ben was really hoping Kevein James would just wander in and do a set.

Coming back to our hotel that night, I was looking at some of the old photos the Chelsea Lodge had on its walls. I was admiring this one because I know how hard it must have been to get that many people looking and paying attention for this group photo. And at the bottom right of the photo was the photo credit....

FayFoto, it's from 1930. Yup, my company's been around for that long. Actually I think even back to the 1920's or longer. So here's hoping that we keep our strong ties in Boston going.

The MET

On the Staten Island Ferry

Approaching Battery Park

November

2008-11-18T15:40:00.008-05:00

A PR photo for a fancy VIP breakfast featuring Barney Frank at the Locke-Ober in Boston. Very cool place.
(Lydia Shire - left and John Henning - right.)

Massachusetts Senior Care Association (Formerly Mass. Extended Care Federation) had a conference in Worcester last Thursday. The morning featured Doug Flutie speaking and signing footballs for important donors.

The afternoon portion was more speaking and a performance by the Capitol Steps. I wasn't familiar with them and didn't know what I was in for, but it was a riot! Way funnier than SNL... well at least SNL without Tina Fey.

... and a champagne toast

I left Worcester at 3:30, drove back to the office in Brighton downloaded images, drove into the city for a 6pm job:

Big Sisters Annual Event at the Boston Opera House. Awesome place for an event!!

Mayor Menino and Deb Re the CEO of Big Sisters

After the stage portion we moved to the stage for dinner. Yes!! We had dinner on the stage of the Opera House. It was a big secret until the curtain rose.

So between Mass Senior Care and Big Sisters I worked 6:30am-10pm and shot over 2000 images. But one of the more exciting days recently.

Yesterday's Chamber breakfast with Sen. Niki Tsongas.

Also at the breakfast I ran into some people from the Big Sisters event. They raved about the pictures and are going to make sure that I shoot their next job.

October

2008-10-21T14:43:00.006-04:00

So October has been such a busy month!! Here's some photos that I've collected the past couple of weeks.

Some random shots from a corner office at 125 High Street in the Financial District.

Last week I shot posed pictures of media people with the Celtics Trophy. Here are a couple with some of my favorite radio guys.

The Sandbox guys: Fletcher, Keith, Special Ed from WFNX

Clash and Adolfo from WBCN's Toucher and Rich
Rich from Toucher and Rich

This morning was a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: Gov't Affairs Breakfast with Barney Frank.

Carol Leifer @ Funny Women | Serious Business Luncheon for Rosies' Place.

Sandra Bernhardt was scheduled to headline the event until she made some inappropriate comments about Sarah Palin

Making Strides | American Cancer Society | October 5, 2008

2008-10-08T10:48:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday I covered the annual Making Strides Walk for the American Cancer Society. I worked it last year on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but this year I was in the Hatch Shell covering the "must have" pictures. Mayor Menino, Presidents, CEOs, Doctors, Surviors and such.

I've learned so much about photography, especially event photography in the past year and Sunday definitely made that even clearer. And what a huge difference the Canon 5D has made to the work that I do. In working with older gear at CrabApple and for the first year here at FayFoto, I know how important it is to keep equipment current and in top shape.

I got lucky for the day, as far as weather. It was over cast mostly and I felt a couple of rain drops but nothing major. While the walkers probably wanted sun, I didn't.

Over the seven hours I was there I got some great shots, dancing, candids, speaker, etc... I especially like all of the dance groups that performed.

I wish I had one with all of them up in the air.... So close!!
in sync!!

Doesn't he look like Zac Efron??

Mayor Menino with Candy O'Terry from Magic 106.7 (left) and Matt Lorch and Kim Khazel from Channel 7 Boston.

Catch All

2008-10-03T12:25:00.004-04:00

A couple weeks ago my Mom and brother came out to visit. This was my Mom posing us in front of the big screen tv.

Mom, this ones for you:

This was at a lecture/reception/dinner from two nights. After making rounds at this cocktail reception, someone asked to take a picture of me. The wine glass is purely a prop and I wasn't drinking at the time (I did have a glass with dinner.... oh yea they fed me too. Score one for the photographer!)

The guy sitting was being honored and little does he know he's about to be beaten over the head with his own gifts.

Between last week and this week I've been very very busy at work.

Just some of the events have been:

Boston Lawyers Group Annual Meeting

Building a house in Dorchester for Habitat for Humanity

Chamber of Commerce breakfast with Lt. Gov. Murray

Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the UMass Club at 225 Franklin

Chamber of Commerce breakfast for Life Sciences

....My chamber pictures get posted to their Flickr account

Hollister Inc. 20th Anniversary Party at the State House's Great Room - a great place to have a party!!

Portraits for Choate Hall & Stewart, Fidelity, Fish & Richardson, ORT patents

BNY Mellon Women's Initiative Network Breakfast

Joint Center for Housing Studies Annual Meeting (lecture, reception, dinner) pictured above

So my new(probably not so new anymore) camera is being put to very good use.

This Sunday I'm covering the American Cancer Society's Making Strides walk at the Hatch Shell. Let's hope for good weather!! (but not too sunny).

South End Exploration

2008-09-24T15:46:00.005-04:00

Last saturday I set out to explore the South End by way of the "South End Open Studios" Event.

I saw some amazing artists and others that made me feel more confident in what I create and what I call art (read: really?? do they really make a living off of this??)

I fell in love with the work of this one woman, Heidi Whitman http://www.heidiwhitman.com/

Night Flight

Transmission

Wired

And then right next door was another fave Susan Jane Belton http://www.susanjanebelton.com/

Coffee Story #2

I've heard about the South End Open Markets and I stumbled upon those too. Same sorts of artists types, just more affordable. I actually picked something up for a birthday present. Now I've just got to hold on to it for a little while.

I saw most of the studios on the map but had to leave the city in time to get back for evening plans with Ben.

Oh and I rode my bike in. Turns out - not as scary as I thought. Though Clarendon Street could use some smoothing out. It was just over 17 miles round trip.

Distractions

2008-09-16T15:45:00.004-04:00

This morning I covered the Chamber of Commerce Diversity Breakfast at the InterContinental Hotel. Pretty standard stuff. The power players of Boston descend on the hotel of choice for the morning, schmooze with one another, eat bad food and then the program eventually starts. Today it was one moderator and four panelists and I'll scramble around trying the find the best angles and catch rare moments where all five look like they might be paying attention. When I come back to the office, Steve will ask me if I heard anything interesting. Well, sadly, no. Most of the time anyways I tend to just tune everything out.

Here's a panel shot:
I saw this out of one the windows. A building under construction on Atlantic Ave and Congress Street. I thought the skeleton looked interesting against the sky.

This one is looking west, across the harbor at 8am. The scene looked dreamy through the shear drapes.

Martinis & Manhatthans

2008-09-13T20:27:00.003-04:00

We did "date night" on Thursday at the Top of the Hub in the Prudential Tower. What an amazing view. So worth it!! We got there a little after 6pm and sat at probably the best table in the place. Our view was awesome!!

Ben got a Manhattan. Good, but definitely a sipper. Mine was a Watermelon Martini. I could have had several. If I drank as many as I wanted to I would have been laid out on the floor in an hour. Seriously, I still felt that drink even 3 hours later. Money well spent.

We spent much of time just looking out at the city below. Watching the planes coming in and out of Logan, the traffic sitting on 93 and ferries crisscrossing the harbor.

The view from our table.

Cape Cod Vacation

2008-09-11T15:15:00.011-04:00

Last week Ben and I took a couple days off to join his family at a rented house in Truro, MA on the Cape. It was so great to have a couple of days to relax and do vacation-y things.

On Thursday we went on a 26 mile bike ride from Truro, wandered our way up the Cape, through Provincetown (on Commercial Street, which meant our ride slowed to a crawl behind delivery trucks and out of state drivers on the one way street, pedestrian filled street). We took the bike trail through the dunes and that was especially cool. The trail was just a bunch of quick rises and falls and tight turns.

We stopped off to get this picture.

And took this one on the fly as we were headed back down the Cape.

We went out on a whale watch Friday. I haven't been on one in since high school some time, but I'm pretty sure we got our money's worth out of our trip. After our first siting, the entire boat clung to the port side waiting for the whales to resurface. Well I wandered to the otherside for more elbow room and thought it would be the coolest thing if I was the first to spot something. Well what do you know there they are! And I'm yelling out 1:30, 2 o'clock to get people to notice my siting. As I should have expected the entire boat throws themselves across the deck. Maybe next time I'll keep a little one on one time for me and the humpbacks.

So we had great weather and saw lots of whales. I'm even pretty sure I saw a whale breach. But I can't get too excited because it was so far off in the distance, but I don't know what else would have made such a huge splash. Ben was good and took tons of excellent pictures so we have some proof. Here's just a couple:

Swimming in the Ocean with the waterproof camera

Saturday morning we went out to Head of the Meadow beach to spot some seals that were just off shore on a low tide sand bar. Again Ben manned the camera and got some nice shots. Adorable!

Swimming in a freshwater kettle pond

Project Runway Dresses in Provincetown

2008-09-08T12:09:00.012-04:00

Last week Ben and I took a couple days off to vaca on the Cape with his family. We stayed busy everyday- bike rides, ocean swimming, pond swimming, whale watches, seal watching, etc...

But one of my highlights, a near miss, was stumbling upon actual Project Runway dresses in P-Town. Ben saw a sign "Project Runway Prom Dresses Inside" out in front of a clothing store. Well what do you know!! I didn't have a camera with me then but we were lucky enough to stop by the next day to document.

Check out the auction site at:
http://projectrunway.seenon.com/?v=projectrunway-auctions_season5
You'll see screen shots from the auction site from two of the dresses sold from this season's show. And notice the bidder, "coffeymencapecod" OMG!! they're definitely legit.

Christian's brown prom dress:

Stella's plastic bag dress, Season 5, Episode 1
Ricky's prom dress:

Laura's couture dress (looked a little wilted)
How cool?? I was glowing after this little siting.

Marty & Mary

2008-09-03T11:51:00.007-04:00

It was so great to see Marty and Mary so happy. It was also nice to see some "old" friends. Marty's on a short list of people from CrabApple I wish I saw more of. I'm glad he's so happy.

Their wedding went off without a hitch. The weather was great and the location was nicely chosen.

and the flash didn't recycle quite fast enough.

Now he's handsome!!

This weekend got me thinking a lot about my own wedding plans. So I signed up at theknot.com

and it'll be a good time waster for the next month or two and then be my go-to place for everything wedding. I've already started to tinker with a guest list and considering the budget. Yikes. Too many decisions to make, so for now it's just tinkering.

Giacomo's | North End | Boston

2008-08-29T13:58:00.002-04:00

Date Night, Week 2:

Ben found raving reviews of Giacomo's in Boston's North End and decided that would be our date night destination. Good call on that one. We went all in on a Zuppa di Pesce, for 2 with shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, mussels and lobster. Served over lingiune with your choice of sauce. The Giacomo lobster based cream sauce came highly recommended. Add a bottle of wine and it was one one hell of a meal.

The place is cash only, no reservations and you wait outside on the street for a table. We got there a little after 6pm and luckily only 3rd in line at the time. One thing I learned about Hanover Street is that there isn't a shortage of Italian restaurants, but I didn't see any others with a line forming outside. We took that as a good sign.

The best part was our waitress. An older woman who ran a tight ship; we were impressed.

We'll definitely be back to Giacomo's and to do more exploring around the North End. And the Greenway is THE place to hang out on a clear weather evening.

End of Summer Wrap Up

2008-08-26T14:54:00.004-04:00

So here it is the last week of August and I suppose that's the end of summer, right??

Sure, but it used to mean something completely different a couple of years ago. During high school and UMass it meant getting ready to go back to school. Something I looked forward to (except for Fall Semester '04, my last at UMass). By then I wanted out of the direction I was going.

And then there are my years spent at CrabApple. The first couple of years I hated to see the summer go; the summers were great but they always ended too soon and then that changed too.

So this is the first summer where I barely got sun burned, haven't rafted, didn't live in Chacos, didn't live out of my car, etc...

But it's also the first summer I'm living in a place that's truly a place to call home, enjoying what I went to school for, taking my finances seriously, living with my fiance, planning/thinking about planning for big time adult decisions.

Now summer's nearly over and I barely notice. That's something I'm perfectly ok with. It feel like where I'm at now is what I've been trying to find. Something reliable, steady and comfortable. Who doesn't want that? I still see things I want more of.

I want more money at work, I want more responsibility, I want to push myself to do more. But I feel a change brewing at work and I think the next couple of months couple be really exciting. It's nice to work at a small company and see how easy it is to be heard and make changes.

I'm loving the mid-week outtings Ben and I are planning, date nights and such. Last week I met him in the city and we went to the ICA and grabbed food in the Fort Point district. Just before we left we went on a spontaneous shooting expedition down some dark allies. This week it's his turn to plan.

I want to get out on my bike more. Really my goal is to some day keep up with my 56 year old mother, maybe do one of her 500 miles / 5 days AIDS ride. So Ben and I are taking the bikes out after work on a quick 15 mile ride up to Lexington. The evening slips away so quickly, but if I throw on my shoes before I have time to do anything else I should be ok.

I've got so many craft projects that are started and not finished. I need to focus and finish what I've started. I have ideas about selling handmade stuff on the the website etsy.com
More on that later. Hopefully some pictures soon.

Last weekend we finished up Dexter. Check it out. Yes, the main character is a serial killer but seriously you'll root for him.

This weekend is huge!! The first of my friends is getting married. Marty Parichand and Mary McAlister are getting married on saturday this weekend. I haven't been to a wedding since I was probably 12. So you know I'll be taking notes both from the perspective of planning my wedding in the next year and as a photographer that wants to shoot weddings. I'm so happy for Marty and Mary. I remember him first telling me about the beginnings of their relationship, waiting for our flight in Newark on our way to Costa Rica. They would write letters and email to each other everyday for a month. It's too bad I don't see him or that whole crowd enough anymore. This weekend will be so great to catch up and see everyone.

More to look forward to??
A week and a half from now I'll be at the Cape with Ben's family. It'll be nice couple of days to relax.

Maybe I'll finally get that sun burn.

Boston

2008-08-25T14:49:00.012-04:00

I'm continuing to weed through all the photos I took the end of last week. Here's some more:

Shooting Boston

2008-08-22T12:47:00.006-04:00

I've been shooting tons of Boston photos lately here's a quick sample. There'll be more for sure.

Bread and Buildings

2008-08-14T16:28:00.000-04:00

Ben making bread:

Isn't he the cutest??

... and the bread was really good.

With this handy little blog now I can post any random picture that I take and don't know what to do with.

So here's a view from the 27th floor of 53 State Street in Boston. I was there to do some standard business headshots but in between people I "skyscraper watched".

Rowes Wharf and International Place:

Post Office Square:

The Hancock and Pru in the distance:

Sometimes Facebook Status Updates aren't enough

2008-08-12T15:26:00.000-04:00

Blogging?? Really??

I've had this itch to do this blogging thing for a little while now. Most recently inspired by my friend Cait. It reminds me of college and livejournal. I updated for me but I also updated to keep in touch and share what I'm up to. And its seems like a good time to do all of that right now.

I have so many people that used to be such a huge part of my life and now that I've uprooted myself and they've possibly done the same it's so hard to stay in touch. Sometime Facebook status updates just aren't enough.

All of that, what I just wrote, I suppose it's in defense of blogging. Because I really hate the word. So I'll just continue on and pretend I'm not using the site named b!@&spot.com

tibdits and ramblings:

So two weekends ago I needed some Western Mass time, some Sarah Perrott time, some Deerfield River time, some Mom-Tard time, etc....
and I made it all happen.
I met Sare and Andy at the Moan and Dove in Amherst for a couple of late night beers. It was great to see them.

I used to spend so much time there (oh yea and so much money) so it feels great to come back. Feels great except when its not quite the place "where everybody knows you're name" anymore. I got a couple steps in and before I could order a beer for My Mug with My engraved name on it and I get carded. Carded? Really? As I fish for it in my bag, Nathan leans over and says, "You're getting carded? You used to be here more than the bartenders." And then told the guy that I was all set. I'm still surprised that Mark (whom I barey recognize anymore) remembers me enough to find my mug hidden on some shelf in the back. It used to sit prestigiously in front within easy reach; the shelf even had a name tag on it to save it's parking space during the few hours I didn't spend at the bar. It was good to be back, especially with good friends. And one of very few nights that I've actually been there to close down the bar.

That saturday I made a trip up to the Deerfield. With a disregard for rain in the forecast I wanted to try out my new camera in my old stomping grouds. On the drive up to Fuji's rapid I saw a bear and while I don't have proof anymore. I did and it was cool.

It was great to sit back next to the river. There was something always so calming about sitting next to the river. I suppose those calming moments helped to take the edge off the more frustrating moments. But being out there for myself was fun.
I think this is one of my favorite shots from Fuji's. It's not the typical "all 6 faces type of shot" I wanted when I worked for CAW but I like it all the same. Way to go RJ!! If I go out again I'll want a day without torrential rain. Because in a couple minutes of this photo, that was what the day turned into.

But I did get a few precious moments where the rain let up to a drizzle and I got some great shots of the fields along River Road.

I stopped by the base to say Hi. Wow have things changed!!

The tour continued down to Westfield and I had dinner with my Mom.

I packed a bunch into a day and I was tired and a little home sick for Ben.

So now that I've updated my weekend from two weeks ago I'll have to follow up soon to catch myself up to date.