My niece and goddaughter was turning 16. My Brother is his own worse enemy, so suffice to say he's not in the picture. Personally I thinks is better for her...

Her Mother and Step-father planned and paid for this event. My goal was to save them $800 on photography, and that's what I did.

To be honest I did need images of a teenage formal, so it was a win-win.

First: there was a tanker flipped over on the 95/bruckner exchange, which was a stones throw from my nieces house.
It took some planning and general skill to navigate the traffic and find her house in a maze of 1-ways, 5 min late.

I beat the Limo; score.

The limo arrives I grab some quick shots of Ariam and her sister, then off we go to find a location and get to the party in 1 hour.

We tried a location kinda under the White Stone bridge, no dice. I wasn't feeling the tall reeds and soccer dust.

We settled for a roadway overlooking the throgs neck bridge, near the Maritime school. 

I

 pulled out 2 speedlights and a trigger and my stock 18-105mm.

set up a camera left and camera right flash with the group in the middle and setting sun camera right behind subjects.

Yea I know her glasses, she wanted them.
This is one of 4 different poses I put them in on this 50' degree day.

Like a wedding party, boys on one side girls on the other, ok couples, ok now group.... you get the picture

 

Off to the venue, I had to set up projectors, screens, Video camera (had Nephew-her bro shoot all day).

Shot misc pictures in different lighting, dancing the candles. Interesting when I had to also play a part-handed off my camera to Ariams Uncle JR. (Note: He and I were in the same Media Production Class in HS) He did a great job-I guess this is a case were the camera was great. if not what does that say about me.... JK I usually shoot manual in these cases, so it was my settings... IMHO

 

Now to the all important family shots. How awful mo

st of these types of shots are. I wanted to make sure mine were on part or above.

I went hand held and placed each person into the right location, the extra 5 minutes presents a much better image. 

I like to think I create Pictures, I don't just "Take" one.

 

Ariam and her GrandMothers 

Ariam with her Parents >

All and All the day was a success, the pictures came out good. the food was great music and all.

I look forward to my next sweet16...

My new Sigma was giving me issues with AF. But I still felt the need to get out and shoot something. I saw a Bruce Springsteen band was playing at Paulies. Since I shoot there often it was a good place to debut/test out new glass. 

Lead Singer Mark was awesome, if you closed your eyes you'd think it was the Boss Himself.

I was doing my thing and climbed on a chair looking for Him in the Crowd, ans there he was beneath me putting the mic in my face to sing. I did my best and sung a few chorus lines and changed the last line to suit the night.

"She wore a short Skirt, up to here" as I pointed at my hips. I think I did ok, a guy came up afterwards to tell me so.

I shot more than normal (850 images) Trying to get the focusing down I found myself shooting in burst adjusting the focus as I shot hoping for a crisp clear shot. I kept 25% of what I shot, normally like 50% but since it was my first all manual night (NOTE: only the 70-200m had focusing issues. I also used a 18-105mm for my wide shots in AF. 

As a Videographer for about 10 years Professionally, I had a new experience worth sharing. Having shot with actual Video Cameras, Be it ENG, Pro-Summer versions, or now DSLR HD. I love the ability to use different lens to change the feel of a scene. 

What was once only seen in film and then High end Digital, is now technically possible using a high end DSLR - Not your Fathers Polaroid camera. I can't share yet, I was subcontracted 2nd shooter on this project. When Tracy is done I am sure he'll let me share it. 

I learned a BUNCH of things From Mikko very talented DP, out o NYC. He shot with a Cannon 5D, nice camera. He comes from a film background and has shot with all types of cameras/conditions. Nice guy, he had a vision and I stuck to it.

Interesting feeling, being 2nd shooter and actually having a DP and producer to work with. Normally its Me, me & Me, or a client filling a role. I had to suppress the Type A-Personality of mine and be a follower, wasn't all that difficult kinda relaxing too. I look forward to shooting again in that role, I still consider myself learning and the best way is to keep your mouth shut and observe, ask good questions when appropriate.

I loved looking at a frame picture quality in my camera that I see on Documentaries. Working with small businesses I haven't had the same opportunity for high end production value.

So the day was a learning and growing day.

Who's Next, What's doin?

Friends can make or break you in life. Adult friends take time to foster, some 7-8 years in this case. I got a call: "Hi Aaron, Yes Mike D. mentioned you were a photographer... are you available next week?"

As a Budding Pro I need to shoot everything and anything, but not machine gun style, but with care and conscience choices. So when I get critiques I can remember what I was thinking as I depressed the shutter. This wedding I shot 1147 pictures... in 3.5 hours!

This young couple Samantha and Marco, their family, friends, and loved ones a Beautiful day in Bear Mountain State Park. The Bride was radiant in the traditional with gown she wore, simple wedding focused on love rather than extravagance. 

The SUN! UGH

Ok so this whole ceremony was taking place with their back to a 2pm winter/spring sun. 

Technically was interesting, I could have trusted just an on camera speed-light. But because I knew I would be shooting with both wide and telephoto lenses, I could trust good light to be thrown 30 ft enough to overpower/equal the sun.

I set up slave speed-lights, outside end of 2nd rows on each side. Used my on-camera speed-light as a trigger/fill light and I was good.

Each light was focused on brides face/grooms face from about 10-12 ft. As I moved around I was able to have enough fill light on my subjects faces and front of clothing to allow them to PoP off the background.

I realized no one made the requested shot lists, so its time to wing it and not stress. I was taught "Go with the brides energy and lead..." Not really but it sounded good right...lol. 

<<< Good Example of clean light overpowering the sun.

I figured its her day let her (oh and Mom and MIL) guide me.

Well It worked and I got to be ME... After years on radio and an unseen audience I had one ... was like therapy...

My goal was to become as one with the party, laughing, playing non-stress.

I had a patio all of 12ft deep with BRIGHT light in the background, working with 1 on-camera speed-light, standing on a bench. 
The families shuffled in/out like a blur, the best man had handed me 2 glasses of red wine in white wine glasses... so they were like shots...

The family cheered as I would take one as a shooter... down goes the glass. Back to my job, for some reason people kept putting their glasses on my bench, so now people are watching as I am arraigning each shot, I am stepping cat-like over the glas

ses. No problem, no slips, falls or broken anything. It was part of a show keeping everyone smiling while I worked groups of 6, 9, 12, and the most was 15.

Wow thank God I love people, getting so many people to look at one person... challenge. I didn't allow any one else to snipe my hard worked group shots, these were mine. I kicked all over family photographers out, I had too much to do to deal with years paying attention to anything other than ME. 

Paid off, I had smiling faces, you could see every person, including small children. I never felt stress.  I took 2-5 shots of each and Moved on to the next group.

Last night I helped out a friend and coverd a couple events. Actually both in the same place. Grand PrixNY in Bedford. First time there nice place, man those carts are fast. I din't get a chance to drive one but I got passes...!!!

Met a bunch of great people, Old friends and new. Even a FB friend http://stacyknows.blogspot.com/, we met for the first time face to face.

Best part though was running into Cathy Pinsky, who I had met years before at a show. I have been a fan of her natural approach to portraits, since i met her. so naturally I had to introduce myself, and well best intro of the night. 

She mentioned a potential need for someone like myself. sent out my port link and included my shots from last nights event. MEeting with her on monday, she liked me enough to meet so soon, Good sign!

I am shooting this weekend so this boring blog will be less boring. Stay tuned.

Heres one shot from last night...

Today I did some work with Habitat for Humanity of Westchester. I walked outside and noticed a Raymond Opticians across the street.

Being the good Photog I am, I called me new client  and I ended up taking some quick shots of this location in New Rochelle. Met Christina the optician, nice woman stop in and see her when you need some new specs...

Well I noticed these and thought they were cool, not sure the complete function but hey I like them.

SO after 17 years creating what is "Websites and Media" Online I start a blog.

For years I had nothing to say, even while hosting a weekly radio program. Why now?

Now at 41 plus, I have found an incredible passion that has walked with me my whole life. One of those things we take for granted in our life, not knowing IT could open your mind, your world to a happiness. A happiness I haven't experienced since I was a child.

So come back as I share this new passion with you.

Photography.

Photo Credit: Amy King