Lights, laughing, and lassies...

Last Thursday night, I got together with some wonderful friends Carla, Robin, and Eileen for a long, chatty dinner, and to practice shooting some Christmas lights at night.

It was... an adventure.

Be sure to check out their posts about the evening, as it was more of a learning experience for me in what NOT to do. =) Like, have a UV filter on my lens. Must remember to ditch that. And, perhaps upgrade to the 5D MkII someday for better noise handling (my shots were definitely way too noisy for my tastes.) And, to ALWAYS have your GPS on you. Even if you THINK you know where you're going. (*cough* *cough*!) Or at the very least, bring Eileen with you to mimic the English Garmin lady.

I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time... we thought we were going to never find our way out of Meriden, driving in circles past Ali Baba Bail Bonds, shady barred windows, and the Grocery, LLC. We eventually found Hubbard Park and its annual light display full of Holiday Dinosaurs, phallic giant candles, and half-lit trains. And upon piling out of the car, we perhaps were all SO traffic stoppingly gorgeous in our poofy coats, scarves, and massive amounts of ridiculously unnecessary camera gear, we caused someone to back into a fence. CRRRRRRUNCH went the plastic fender as the four of us stood basking in the car's high beams, laughing uncontrollably! Evil. He drove away but was no doubt angry the next morning.

Robin stood in awe of the stage full of giant trees and presents... and reminded me of a 5 year old on Christmas morning.




Checked out the caboose...


And mugged like only The Dini can do.


Too bad I'm clueless half the time and got this LOVELY shot of her looking like she was eating the light bulb. Great. I'm a stellar photographer.


Eileen is one of the funniest, most stunning people to photograph...




And has the uncanny ability to make you practically pee your pants with one word (or hand gesture.)


Going the extra mile to get the shot!


I can't decide which one I like better.






It's REALLY HARD being on the other end of the lens... it takes a while to warm up to it. Multiple cameras in your face is TOTALLY disconcerting. I have a much better appreciation for workshop models.


We never stopped laughing.


The beautiful Ms. Ten Eyck


A classic.


Just a cool shot of the lights...


And yes, I was there, doing what I do...




Thanks for a great evening girls. I had a blast. XOXO

Digital Asset Management... DAM!!!!!

Tremendous thanks to the awesome Paul McNerney of Studio Foto and Matt Wagner of Matthew J. Wagner Fine Photography for a terrific all day workshop on how to manage an overwhelming and ever expanding digital file storage system. And also for some great Lightroom lessons.

I cannot wait to tackle my current system and start fresh for 2009. =) I'm such a computer nerd... I highly recommend this workshop next time they do it, which will be a couple times a year.

A special thanks to my fabulous seat mates Val McCormick, newly anointed Rocktographers Robin Dini and Carla Ten Eyck, Steve DePino, Eileen Broderick (albeit banished to the front with her monstrous screen!) and Geoff Boka who made sitting in a hotel conference room for 9 hours smelling decaying onions thoroughly enjoyable.

And a book raffle win doesn't hurt!!!

Rediscover You Love of Shooting Workshop ::: Part III

The last batch... the fabulous Justin & Mary Marantz, photographers-turned-models for the day. How cute are they?























For more, click here!

I'm still all fired up... I need more workshops to attend. =) And I'm totally crashing the PUG meeting tomorrow... so if any of you read this, I'll see you there!!!

Rediscover Your Love of Shooting Workshop ::: Part II

On to the next batch! This was the lovely Nicole Frechette.









And just a couple fun ones...





For more, click here!

Rediscover Your Love of Shooting Workshop ::: Part I

This past Monday, I had the amazing opportunity to attend an all-day workshop given by the fabulous Carla Ten Eyck and Steve DePino.

I can honestly say it was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I met a huge group of really kind, fun, awe-inspiring photographers... and I left with hoardes of new info and confidence that I didn't have 12 hours earlier.

Everyone there seemed to be infinitely more "professional" and talented than I, but that didn't matter. Every single photographer had the patience of a saint, dealing with the girl who really doesn't know how to shoot people and just laughed her fool head off the entire time. =)

Carla and Steve... well, they wouldn't let me sit back and watch. ALL I wanted to do was just be a fly on the wall and absorb everything around me, but the whip was cracked and I was forced out of my comfort zone. Nerve wracking to say the least, but much much needed. I'll never step out on a limb without a shove. =) I cannot thank them enough!! Nothing like being thrown into the fire.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a spare moment until now to sit down and go thru my 1,000 shots!!! Special thanks to our fabulous models Cara (below), country music artist Nicole Frechette and Justin & Mary Marantz, photographers-turned-models for the day. =) (Pics of Nicole, Justin, and Mary to come!)

Without further ado...

Steve DePino: Sun God?






















Full gallery can be found by clicking here. There will be PLENTY more to come, once I get my act together. =) And if you have the opportunity, check out Carla's blog for a super fun slideshow of the day.

To be continued!