Lauren + Dan - Engaged!

Lauren and Dan got engaged right before Christmas of 2010. For those of you who know me, you'll know that Lauren is my best friend and she was my maid of honor in my wedding back in October. We all have been waiting for her and Dan to get engaged after being together for the past 6, almost 7 years.

So naturally, right after they got engaged I asked to take engagement pictures for them because I was super excited for her! Due to the fact that we have had what is the snowiest January in history, we weren't able to make use of the beautiful outdoors because there is no way we could walk through almost 2 feet of snow.

Instead, we decided to head to Danbury Fair Mall as well as Vitti's Dance studio to take some different pictures. We felt that even though the snow kept us indoors, we should treat indoors as a bad thing.


This first picture was taken on the Carousel.... unfortunately Danbury Mall doesn't want you taking pictures while ON the carousel so this is the only one that I took with the camera to my face.

Lucky for me, I know how to improvise so I don't get in trouble.... Which takes me to the next few images. They were also taken on the carousel while we were all riding it. So how did I get away with it? Well, I pre-focused the camera and sat it on my lap aimed right at them.

You can't tell the difference can you? I thought not. And that's precisely the point!

This one was also taken while the camera was sitting on my lap..... not too bad right? 

So after being yelled at for taking pictures while on the carousel, We all decided to try and take pictures while I was on the ground and Lauren and Dan rode the carousel. This also posed another challenge..... making them look good while they were riding in circles and I wasn't... 

Well I think I took that challenge and "rose" to the occasion.... or rather.... Dan and Lauren did on the carousel horses. (Yes, bad joke. )

Believe it or not, This next photo was taken in the bridge from the parking garage to the food court. Lauren and Dan were also strategically placed right near the heating vent so Lauren's hair had awesome movement as if we were outside.

This picture was an experiment that went pretty good. I wanted to try a long exposure and of course since Lauren and Dan were up for anything, we tried it. I posed them, set up my tripod on the second floor, and held the shutter open hoping I got something. This was the end result and I'm quite satisfied.

So I have to take a moment and really appreciate Lauren's ring. Lauren went searching high and low to find the perfect setting for her grandmother's diamond. So after a few weeks of hunting and 5+ jewelry stores later, She ended up with this vintage reproduction ring with the most beautiful detail I've ever seen.

So after the mall, we decided to head over to Vitti's Dance Studio right around the corner. Lauren and Dan have been taking ballroom dance lessons for the past few years and there was open floor that afternoon. We took the opportunity of getting great pictures and the couple got some much need rehearsal.

It's Christmas Time!

It's Christmas time! Have you thought about taking family pictures for your Christmas cards? You don't have much time, so send me an email to set up an appointment!!

Michelle and London - September 5, 2010

When most people think about Labor Day weekend, they think about BBQ's, boating, and.... let's admit it.... beer. Also, this is the weekend when most women pack up their white shorts and admit that summer is over. Well, Michelle wore white this past weekend for her wedding, and let me say that she ended summer in style!

I originally met Michelle and London a few months ago after they received my business card from their reception hall. After meeting with them, I knew this would be a fun wedding to do. Michelle and London both had a very relaxed feel about them and knew what they wanted. (Which makes my job quite easy!).

So, early afternoon on September 5th, I arrived at the Courtyard Marriott in Waterbury to find the bride, Michelle, quite cool in her heels, or should I say... slippers! The rest of the day was relaxed, with of course the occasional and expected snafu's. The weather was beautiful despite the expected hurricane that conveniently re-routed itself instead of crashing the party and gave us amazing sunlight and just the right amount of clouds.

And now, for the pictures!

So I know this is a cigarette pack, but I have to honestly say
it is one of my favorite images from the day.

Remember those clouds? These are them!

There is one thing I failed to mention before. Michelle and London decided to have the ceremony inside the gazebo in the garden. Well, while it is quite a picturesque setting, it isn't the easiest obstacle to work around to take pictures! So, during the ceremony, I found the best photo spot possible..... standing in a bush! So while everyone was standing in the gazebo admiring the couple, I was taking pictures paparazzi -style with my zoom lens, large flash, and sunglasses while standing between two bushes. For the record, It was completely worth it!

After the ceremony, London told me that he gave me
one chance to get a good picture of him, I think I got it!

And of course I managed to get a fabulous one of both of them.

This series of 3 images really says more than I could ever explain. Just the "sass" that Michelle expresses is priceless!

Favorite action shot of the night!

And now, for Michelle's "What 'cha gonna do about it"? face.

I'd say both London and Michelle got each other quite well.

The poor ring-bearer, Gage, was wiped out from the festivities.
He worked hard blowing bubbles as the bride and groom recessed from their ceremony!

London and Michelle, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of your special day. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Vlad and Lauren Shamritsky - March 20, 2010

I attending Lauren and Vlad's wedding yesterday as a guest. They will be my brother and sister - in - law when I marry Lauren's brother Allan this October.

The wedding was held at the Union League of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. The drive there wasn't the best thing I have ever done, however, the drive was well worth it. The Union League is absolutely stunning with all of the fresh wood and grand staircases throughout the building as well as the Inn (where many guests including myself stayed).

The ceremony started around 5pm, cocktails to follow, then a delicious sit-down dinner followed by more dancing than my shoes could handle!

Without further delay, here are just some of the images from Lauren and Vlad's wedding, Enjoy!