I loved everything about it.
The gardens were absolutely gorgeous and provided (what felt like) endless backdrops for my portraits.  My inaugural Senior Model, Gabby, was a dream to work with and I pray that every future client has half of her kindness, enthusiasm, and laid-back demeanor. I thought the styling in this session worked well and I had a ton of fun putting together looks using a combination of Gabby’s clothes and accessories and my own.

While it was warm and cozy inside the gardens, it was the opposite outside. Winter has been mild but on this January day,  snow was on the ground and the wind was blowing cold. I worried about our planned outdoor concepts and repeatedly asked Gabby if she was really on board for hang outside in a leotard. Every time I asked, she said she was and then leapt out of the car like a graceful gazelle. I swear.  I would get our shots set up, motion to Gabby to come on out, and she’d perform magic right in front of me.

I mean, really. The girl is not only talented but a total trooper.

Gabby, thanks for bring your talent, energy, and charm to our session. I hope you have a great Senior year!

More information about my photography sessions, including Senior Portraits, is coming soon. For now, if you’re interested, please use the above contact form to reach me!

Those of you who followed my syllabus project might remember the photography-related assignments. I wanted to explore the possibility of a side business, and that exploration has paid off. I’ve been quietly taking on clients and shooting as much as I can. I plan to officially launch in early 2012, and I’m very excited.

If there’s not enough going on as it is, I have also started a second, photo-only blog about my life in Buffalo. Here’s how I describe the mission of that project:

“Like most people who live and work in my city, I’ve been asked, “Why Buffalo?” Why live here? Why buy a house here? Why deal with the weather? Often I wish I could show those who ask a series of moments from my life: a nice dinner with friends or a beautiful day in Delaware Park or the many times my neighborhood feels more like a small village of 100 and not a city. In those moments, I think, “This is Buffalo” and I know why I’m here. These photos are the closest I could come to capturing and sharing those moments.”

If that description interests you, please visit THIS IS BFLO.

All photos taken in Madrid on the first leg of our honeymoon; I couldn’t choose five. The weather was perfect the entire time we were there: warm days, blue skies, bright and blooming flora. We slept late every day, walked miles upon miles, and stopped to drink wine & beer and eat tapas whenever we wanted. Perfect.

We got back from Spain on Saturday night. Our honeymoon was wonderful, a total blast. Sean, in a habit learned from his mother, will often declare things “magnificent” or “stupendous.” When, on the last night of our trip, he stated that our honeymoon was “spectacular,” I did not tease him. It was.

Obvious post-Europe visit thoughts: so America is pretty isolated, huh? And Europeans are pretty lucky to have access to wildly different cultures by jumping on a high-speed train, short cheap flight, or quick moving ferry? I was and am jealous.

We managed to make it to a friend’s birthday party on Saturday night after we got back, despite the long day of travel and jet lag. We drank beer and wine, got caught up on Occupy activities, and looked at each other with knowing glances. The looks said, “These people are great, we are so lucky. These people are home.”

I got married on Saturday, and it was wonderful. Sean and I leave today for our honeymoon in Spain. I feel so lucky and loved and happy.

Photo by our incredible photographer Brandon Lata. He is the real deal.

Anyway, I’ve been really busy as you might expect and my neglect of this blog is one of the consequences. A lot of you have asked about my syllabus project and what happened in the end. The shortest and most truthful answer is that the syllabus worked and because it did, I spent the summer quietly starting a photography business. I haven’t officially launched yet, and won’t until after our honeymoon) but I have done a lot of planning, portfolio-building, and equipment purchasing. It is very exciting. Thank you for the support on that project, my friends.

Before I go, do you like the above photo? Every single thing in it besides the juice glasses are new items from my bridal shower. My family and friends were very generous, it’s incredible.

A couple weekends ago I got to tag along with Sean and my future brothers-in-law on an hour long fishing trip just around sunset.  I’ve been trying to focus on taking photos for fun lately rather than trying to find the perfect shot for my portfolio, website, etc. While I got a whole bunch of beautiful color on this trip–sunsets from the boat are awesome–these black and whites are really speaking to me today. I. Mike reels in a small one. II. Sean gets ironic or perhaps just complicated with his Sea Shephard shirt and the gilled friend in his hand. III. Michael casts and chats, his fave thing to do. IV. The Canandaigua Lady strolls by, teasing us with her good looks. V. My feet and my flip.

I. Declan chowing down on some crackers at the cottage. His eyes are just lovely.  II. Sara on the beach at Woodlawn State Park in Hamburg, New York. In previous summers we drove all the way down to Bennett Beach, which is nicer, but discovering Woodlawn has been great because it’s a 15-minute drive from our house. III. Sara and Kevin have been nicknamed Parks & Rec because they are always organizing games, sing-a-longs, and contests. Doesn’t matter if it’s at the beach, at a bar, or in the car. IV. Corn on the cob, chicken on the grill. Bridget and Michael at the cottage last weekend. V. Despite his water-logged diaper, Sam ran around the beach for hours. He finally had to be scooped up and wrapped in a towel.