Jen + Bill | NJ Engagement Photographer

Chris, the owner of the Hidden Pond Tree Farm in Mendham NJ was kind enough to let me use his Christmas Tree Far for several shoots the end of 2011 - check him out: www.hiddenpondtreefarm.com - awesome guy.

Anyway, Jen randomly emailed Chris about doing her engagement shoot at his farm - of course being the nice guy he is, he said yes. Being even nicer, he recommended me! So, Jen and I got to chatting and we hit it off and set a date. Let me tell you, Jen and Bill were two of the coolest people, ever! I had a blast with them and hopefully they felt the same. When you click with people everything goes so much smoother, the energy is good and everything become second nature. It was truly my pleasure working with them.

Welp, here we go again | South Plainfield NJ Photographer

Remember about ten minutes ago when I said I didn't like shooting friends, well, here's another. Now, please don't misconstrue what I'm saying. I love me friends, but when I shoot them, it makes me nervous - no clue why. Stick me in a room with Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Jeremy Renner - I'll work like champion. Put me in a room with an old friend and her newborn son...I freak like a 12 year old girl at a Justin Bieber concert. I don't get it. Anyway, my friend was kind enough to invite me to her house to document a day in their new lives - I had a blast catching up with her and getting to meet their new edition.

Friends + Photographs = Nervous | Voorhees NJ Photographer

One thing that continues to bother me throughout my photographic journey - shooting friends. Something that bothers me a little bit more - shooting my friend's child. And, to throw more salt on the wound, my friend is an artist. I think I guess, as artists, you're always a little insecure about your work. But the fact I was shooting with another artist next too me, I was waiting for her to tell me I was an idiot and that she'd take it from here - no joke. Alas, my friend complimented my work once she saw the images - coming from  a person on the street, it feels pretty good. Coming from another artist, feels even better. SO glad that's over with :) Here are some images...

She's Here! Christina + Tom | Atco NJ Photographer

I remember the first week my wife and I brought our son home.Those first 7 days, plus the 4 days prior we had spent in the Hospital were the most physically and emotionally draining 11 days I had experienced. If you've been through it, you know what I mean. Well, Christina and Tom were at about day 10 when I came to photograph their new edition, Gabriella. They were holding up great and adjusting even better. After a little fussiness, a bottle or formula and some swaddling - she was lights out and I could finally grab some shots of her.


Thanks again to Christina and Tom for letting me into their home to document this special time in their lives.


Here are a few shots:

Family Life: Jess + Chuck | Far Hills NJ Family Photographer

I don't know how they do it, but some how they keep it together. I've known Jess for only a short time and only through her job. That's it. I knew she had a few kids, but you don't quite fully understand until you're right in the middle of it. Me, I have one son - one. And man, since he started crawling/walking I feel like Rocky Balboa when Mick made him chase chickens to get in shape.

Both Jess & Chuck work full time, Jess owns her own business and throw 4 kids in the mix...well, make that 5 kids in the next few months - because there's another little one on the way.  I have to hand it to them - I don't know how they do it.


 Here's some of their shots...

Maternity: Christina + Tom | Atco NJ Maternity Photographer

Somehow I became friends with Christina on Facebook and not too long after I saw a posting from her that she was looking for a photographer to take her maternity photos. So, I shot her an email and eventually we set a date. After a slight hiccup due to Hurricane Irene, I finally got down to their house last Saturday for her session.

Sometimes, you show up to people's houses and well, it's weird. Without a face to face consultation, it's the first time we all meet. It has to be weird for them as well, here I am - a stranger - and I come strolling into someone's home. However, it couldn't have been more the opposite with Christina and Tom. I walked in, we started chatting - everything was cool and relaxed and it stayed that way throughout the shoot. At the end of the day, it felt like we were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a while. And, I'll tell you what, good energy produces good results.

Christina and Tom, thank you for welcoming me into your home and letting me document your journey. You are both beautiful people and I'm very much looking forward to meeting your little girl!

Here's a few shots from their session...

Lens: 50mm   F/2   1/800   ISO 200

Lens: 50mm   F/2   1/100   ISO 800

Lens: 50mm   F/2   1/100   ISO 800

Earthquake | Scared NJ Photographer

I sat doing some work this afternoon when my chair began to shake. I then realized that not only the chair was moving, but the ground was moving as well. A friend and I looked at each other like - HUH? I quickly thought, was there an accident or something outside...did a plane crash nearby? However, in that same split second I realized, we're having an earthquake. HOLY S#*% we're having an earthquake - HA. I never thought I'd ever say those words, but today I did. Probably the most surreal feeling I've ever felt. You know, normally you feel something like that because something you SEE caused it. Say your walking around your neighborhood and a truck drives by; you see it coming and as it passes you the ground shakes. The truck moves on and so does the shaking. Cause and Effect. Yes, there are causes beneath the ground that I won't pretend to know, but feeling what I felt and not being able to point at something to blame was weird. And, I have to admit pretty cool. As far as I know everyone is OK, which is great.

Today on the news they said it was the biggest earthquake in the area in 114 years? Think about that.

I learned a few things today.

1. No matter what, raisins will stick to the bottom of the box because they think they're funny. Seriously, spent my morning swearing at the box of raisins I ate - after I tore the box to shreds due to some minor frustration.

2. Love my family. I know the earthquake was minor up here in the tri-state area, but hey, you never know if/when it could happen again and at what strength. Appreciate the people around you.

3. IT CAN HAPPEN. Like I said, today a 6.0 earthquake hit the east coast. Say that again to yourself. It made me think about the ridiculous amount of scientists and important people who said it couldn't happen. Moral of the story, don't let people tell you it can't happen or you can't do it. You have a dream? You want to do something great? Go do it. What's stopping you? Some naysayer saying you can't? I can  guarantee you whatever it is you want to do, stranger...crazier things have happened. Don't be afraid to fail!

Lastly, a photographer named Chase Jarvis out of Seattle posted this link on his blog today about the earthquake. Basically, West Coast people think we're wimps. Take a peak...


http://www.grist.org/list/2011-08-23-photos-of-devastation-from-the-east-coast-earthquake