Just had an awesome opportunity to meet with lots of couples who have weddings coming up at the beautiful Hyatt Penns Landing. Everyone was super nice and the food for completely off the hook! Even the table setups were second to none.

The food stations were incredible. I hope it’s not in poor taste for me to bring a doggie bag next time!

Wow! The desserts were to die for.

Asian food stations, Italian … you name it!

Dude! Marble chocolate tulip? I had never heard of such a thing but it made me drool just photographing it!

Oh, and an open bar.

My new buddy, Bart Wlocynski, pro DJ was there spinning stacks o’ wax.

Teddy was representin’ the Philadelphia Trolley Works and 76 Carriage Company.

Khalir Love from the Philly Horn Band hams it up with some potential clients.

And here’s my humble display featuring banners from Simply Canvas and albums from Finao. Photo courtesy of Dan Cohen from the Philly Horn Band.

It was a fun day with the incredible people at the Hyatt. Hope to get back there this coming season!

I teamed up with the dynamic duo once again to fight for hair, make-up and beauty for every woman! Béke Beau and Dar Clinton are completely off the hook with their respective talents and our shoots have just been getting better and better. Today we were joined by Stephanie and Caitlin. Neither has modeled before but you could never tell. They look like pros!

Despite there being a foot of snow on the ground outside and dense cloud cover, that didn’t us from having all the sun we could ever want pouring through the windows of the studio (more on that when I post the “behind the scenes) photos)!

 

These photos are completely unretouched. That’s how good Béke and Dar are!

 

Wow! What a blast! I just love seeing all these great photos at the end of a long day of shooting. Lots more on Facebook.

Just got done an all-day photoshoot with Béke Beau, Dar Clinton and three gorgeous models. We went from mild to wild and had a blast doing it!

I channeled my inner Joyce Tenneson.

Ashley and Margaux were young models but worked hard all day and looked so darned cute doing it!

Olya brought her years of international experience to the table and it showed!

Then it was time for Dar to go funky on the hair.

 

What a blast! Can’t wait to do it again!

The Phirst Philly Photog Shootout and GTG was an incredible smash hit. We had models, dresses, a limo and a venue for shooting and then a new-studio-kickoff party at my place. Woohoo!

We had three models and four stylists onhand.

Darrell Aubert was also there to capture cinema (not video!).

Group founder and head party starter, Rob Nicholson from Humbled Eyes Studio jams on Guitar Hero as a warmup to shooting.

Mark Gardner made the trip up from Maryland to be with the crew and share his techniques.

The new studio looks pretty good with Julie posing in it!

Great light is everywhere if you just know how to look for it. Jordan looked stunningly retro for the shoot.

Of course the Philly Photog Group would travel in nothing less than a limo!

We shot at the mansion at Ridley Creek State Park. What an awesome venue! Dark paneling and lots of natural light!

My good pals Joy Moody and Jackie Bayne map out a shooting strategy.

Ryan Estes and Joy Moody keep warm … and incognito!

The photo booth back at the studio was a scream!

Jeff Caplan from Digital Wedding Forum made the trip down to party with us.

I also can’t forget to give special thanks to Gloss Styles, Tiara Bridal Boutique, Aubert Films, Bayside Limousine, and EFototLab for all their generous donations to the group.

Know anyone in these photos? Go check out the rest and tag your friends at Facebook.

All in all, it was a great time both shooting and partying. It’s great that competitors in the market can still share and be friends. Look for more Photog Shootouts coming to a city near you!

No, I’m not moving into a new house. But I am schlepping the new furniture from the garage into the studio. Here is a sneak peek.

There are still lots of things in boxes yet to be moved in. I hope I have enough room for all of this stuff!

I’m leaving my actual work area uncluttered … for now.

One lone bar stool soon be met by its brethren! I expect many fellow photographers to join me in bending an elbow here when it’s all together.

I left a substantial shooting area.

Back to work!

Things are really starting to move along this week. I’m sad to say the new studio won’t be ready for the Super Monday seminar but I’m sure to be hosting my grand opening in the not-too-distant future.

This is the corner which will host the wine and espresso bar.

This is the view from the shooting area.

The HVAC system is pretty slick. Two cassette-type units are housed inside the drop ceiling out of sight.

Nick hangs the door to the dressing/powder room. No, it really doesn’t look quite this red in real life.

My patio and garage are staging areas for all the stuff that’s going to be installed in the next week or two. The garage is completely full!

I’ll post more as stuff happens. The tile guy is coming in tomorrow to start the heated dressing room floor and then the vanity and fixtures will go in. Should look pretty cool.

Just came back from the Yervant workshop in Venice and it was a doozy! So many cool settings and beautiful models. A photographer’s dream! And again, as we did in Santorini, we clogged the streets.

Even when I was supposed to be looking forward and participating in the shooting, I couldn’t help looking all around at the cool colors of the buildings.

Yikes! Gondola crossing!

The locations were incredible.

We attracted a crowd wherever we went. Some shopkeepers, though, weren’t too amused.

Even the kids around us got in on the action.

I don’t think there are any ugly parts of Venice.

Shooting went on well into the night. Good thing I brought my video light.

Although I only hit the sack a few hours before, Cathy and I just had to get up to catch the sunrise. We weren’t disappointed!

The busy Grande Canal. I’d take this over an I-95 traffic jam any day.

I played hooky one day and took a boat to Murano to check out some of their famous glass sculptures. What a great day tip.

The setting sun was spectacular as we headed back to Venice.

You meet the coolest people in Venice. We ran into Flat Stanley at San Marco one morning!

When in San Marco, the pigeons rule the roost and they’re not afraid to let you know it.

There is a distinct pecking order in Venice and the gondoliers are at the top. Even with the ribbon hanging from their hats, they’re cool and they know it.

Me and Cathy took a gondola ride our last night in Venice. It was awesome! Shoulda brought a bottle of wine with us, though …

What an incredible trip! I’d recommend Venice to everyone and the Yervant workshop to every photographer. I met a lot of great people and learned a lot from them. Can’t wait for the next trip!

Lots more photos at Flickr!

When I first met Sarah and Matt, I thought that I had gained their trust. But when we got thrown out of Eastern State Penitentiary during their engagement shoot, I was in fear that they were questioning their choice of wedding photographers. But my fears were unfounded as they gave me every chance in the world to redeem myself by getting married at Sofitel, the swankiest hotel in the city and giving me literally hours to do whatever shots I could dream up. I’m kinda pressed for time right now so this is just a rough edit. No time to even start up Photoshop!

A proud mama.

If Sarah hadn’t already reserved the Presidential Suite, I would have offered to chip in for it. What a great room in which to shoot! Awesome light and decor everywhere! (Note to self: Get rid of light fixture before shot goes into album.)

Handsome Matt has yet to see his bride at this point.

It’s awesome being able to plan a first meeting

Heading down to Rittenhouse Square for photos.

Oops! Wait a minute! I found great light reflecting off a building across the street!

Life is too short to be serious.

Back to the hotel for the party!

The dance floor was beautifully lit so I didn’t want to blow it out with flash. My able and willing assistant, Mark, was right on top of things with the video light. An what a great Daddy-Daughter Dance!

Modern camera technology is awesome. It’s now possible to get fantastic shots using just candle light.

Just one more before I go.

Sarah and Matt kept on partying way into the night but I had to head home and pack for the Yervant workshop in Venice, Italy. So watch this spot for plenty of photos!