As a photographer, it’s sometimes an little known fact that you need a great support system around you to make magic happen. That can include but not limited to your spouse, assistant, studio manager, editor/retoucher, album designer, accountant…you get the idea. However, some of you may not know that the best support a photog can get is from other photographers. Colleagues can push you to be better, pull you back to reality if you get full of yourself and even help you get gigs. I’m pretty luck to have found a great group of photogs to help me with weddings and vice versa. As an example, last week I had the pleasure of second shooting for the wonderful and talented Mrs. Karin Belgrave, make sure to check out her work! The wedding was winding down when Troy approached us to tell us that he was proposing the next day to his girlfriend Breezy and thought it would be a great idea to capture the moment. Now this is pretty awesome because most people figure a cell phone is good enough. Troy realized that he needed a pro. Good job Troy! Unfortunately, Karin couldn’t cover the proposal because she was flying out to shoot a big time commercial gig, did I mention she was talented? Without missing a beat Karin asked if I were free and to go ahead and document that special moment. When I was first starting out in the biz, this kind of act was never offered to me. In my experience Photogs wouldn’t go out of there way to help out a client let alone a fellow photog. Anyway, thank to Karin and her unselfish nature, Troy and Breezy had their moment captured forever.

Here’s the brief backstory as I know you want to get to the images. Troy and Breezy had purchased a home and were ready to move in but Troy hadn’t popped the question yet. He was waiting for the perfect moment. The closing of the house contract was it. He let me into their new home in which he had created a montage of their life together and asked for her hand in marriage. It was a pretty cool moment. Enjoy.

Check out a preview of Troy’s surprise proposal to Breezy. Stay tuned for a full blog post to follow soon.

As promised here is the full post of Tom & Grayleen’s Wedding. It was a lot of fun & I’ve heard an unconfirmed rumor that the groomsmen & bridesmaids may still be partying.

Enjoy.

Bridals by Allure Couture.  East West Bridal, Secaucus NJ

Hair & Makeup by Elie Esper salon

Mens Tuxedos by Dantes 

Cake Artist by Palermo’s Bakery

DJ & Entertainment by Elite Entertainment

Floral Design by Anne Rose Floral Design

Officiant: Kim Lalicata

When I received a phone call 3 years ago about donating my services to a not-for-profit agency, I admit I was a bit hesitant. I mean, who wants to work for free, right? Well, I went over to Shelter our Sisters website and read the about page. I knew after the first paragraph that I would gladly donate my time and talent to the organization.

Here’s what I read: Shelter Our Sisters is dedicated to assisting victims, and their children, of domestic violence by turning fear into safety, helplessness into strength, and isolation into hope. You can continue to read more by clicking >>here<<

Well, that was three years ago. I’ve been asked back ever since and I’m happy to go and see the sponsors and guests who donate to the organization. I’m also always moved by the real SOS speakers who no longer view themselves as victims of domestic violence but as survivors with a new life ahead of them. I recommend checking out their site and possibly contributing either your free time or make a monetary donation if you feel so inclined.

Here are some images from their 2013 Annual Gala held out the Westmount Country Club to get you motivated.

I had a chance to photograph Clutch play @ Terminal 5 in NYC this month. The venue is perfect for a band like Clutch. They sounded tight as usual and the crowd grooved along to a bunch of new tunes and some familiar favorites. Clutch is by far the best touring hard rock band of this era. They are the Greatful Dead of Hard Rock of this generation. Enjoy the images.