Well, we’re at it again… preparing for another 6 day/550+ mile ride in support of those who are fighting cancer: the doctors, the survivors, the family members and the researchers.  Our group is called the Fireflies, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t start off by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the support and love that we have already received.

For those who don’t know, my sister Lea was diagnosed with leukemia almost six years ago, and has survived an amazing array of treatments including a bone marrow transplant.  She literally went from a 32 year old carefree triathlete and newlywed, to a tactical survivor at war with her disease.  Over the years I’ve seen the physical and emotional toll that it has taken not only on Lea… but on her amazing husband, my mom and me.  She is now cancer free, but suffers from a variety of incredible medical challenges too personal to mention here, but suffice to say we fight constantly to keep her healthy, though her constant smile is never in jeopardy.

Back to my gratitude: many, many friends stepped up last year and this spring to support my efforts to complete my first The Fireflies West Ride down the coast of California and then The Fireflies Tour from Geneva, Switzerland to Cannes, France.  These rides have been an incredible life experience, and it has been an absolute joy to participate with so many dedicated people committed to raising awareness and money for survivors.  The rides were hard, beautiful and they affirmed my belief that the world is a better place when people do what they can, when they can.  That time is now.  We raised a tremendous amount of money, and as importantly, were able to add HUNDREDS of people to the bone marrow registry!  THANK YOU!

In the event I haven’t made it clear: I live with gratitude for being able to have so many wonderful people in my life; to cherish the health of my sister; and to have the opportunity to be part of a team like the Fireflies.  Thank you to my clients who tolerate my occasional absence, thanks to my donors who donate generously, and to my family who always encourages me to chase after my dreams.

This Friday, I’m leaving for another Fireflies Ride down the coast of California to raise money and awareness for leukemia and lymphoma survivors.  Specifically, we’re raising funds to support the City of Hope Hospital’s Hematology Oncology Center.  Our small group is a fusion of American and European riders from the advertising industry who are all dedicated to the cause.  We ride “for those who suffer” and appreciate all your thoughts and encouragement!

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!!

1.)  Donate any amount possible directly to The City of Hope via this link (100% of donations go directly to City of Hope): http://www.fireflieswest.com/

2.)  Beginning this Friday, we leave San Francisco for a 6 day ride down the coast of California.  Though I always ride for my big sister Lea and her ongoing battle with this awful disease and the aftermath of her bone marrow transplant, once again, I’ll be dedicating a part of each day’s ride to a cancer survivor that YOU tell me about.  Just email directly HERE or leave a comment & send me their name etc.  You can also contact us via Twitter or Facebook.  We know there are cancer survivors out there, and we want them to know that we’re in the fight with them.  There is power in Unity. It may be a really steep climb, it may be the day when my legs are exhausted from the hundreds of miles I did days before, or the incredible view from Big Sur overlooking the Pacific Ocean… but connecting with survivors will motivate me to keep going, to tell their story, and hopefully to remind them that they’re not alone.

3.)  Follow our progress on Twitter: brianwedge  Want to meet us on the road with hand painted signs?  DO IT.  Want to see us climb the canyons of your home town?  DO IT.  Want to hear hourly updates about what part of my body hurts and what form of food I’m most craving at that moment? DO IT!  In all seriousness, there will be some tough days coming up, and we would love to have some some support along the way.  Twitter is great for real time communication:  Bring your bike to ride along or don’t bring your bike… just get involved!  (Disclaimer: specific ride routes may change and sweaty athletes may not be able to stop for very long, but smiles and appreciation will always be shown).

4.)  The fourth way you could help, is to go find a friend who hasn’t yet registered for the bone marrow registry and get them committed to signing up.  It breaks my heart to see people literally dying without a proper donor match… often because the public just doesn’t realize how EASY and FREE registration and donation is.  You can go HERE for the link to all the information, and the FREE registration process.

A happy, dry Will.

You might see this shot and think we were going for a "hardcore" look... not really; this is Will becoming hypothermic and forgetting to smile.

Oh, and back to the athletes at The Lobsterman Triathlon… a friend of mine sent me the following photo that shows how I managed to get in the way of many swimmers (with permission).  Just look for the bald head amongst the purple swim caps.  Many thanks to Peter Thomas of alpengraphik.com for the photo.

Swimming Upstream...

I was a big Norwegian water hazard that day.  Thanks to all the athletes for allowing me that position, but I think the images were worth the obstruction!

And I even had a few minutes to catch part of the bike.

It’s hard to believe that I first raced The Lobsterman Triathlon NINE years ago… but I might just have to throw my hat back in the ring for the race’s ten year anniversary next September!

Jenn & Daniel are an amazing couple.  Fun, smart and beautiful are adjectives that come to mind… but also genuine and down to earth as well.  They met at Tufts Veterinary School, and fell in love during games of ultimate frisbee and days of studying together.  Jenn is a Maine girl, and Daniel was raised in England… but when it came time to choose a location for their wedding, there was no other choice than her grandparent’s property in Scarborough, and the Nonantum Inn in Kennebunkport.

Daniel and Jenn’s wedding truly reflected their values: they were married beside the sea, in front of family, friends, and most importantly: their PERFECTLY behaved dogs.

The flower girl and attendant.

Jenn's grandfather walked her down the aisle.

Looking over Jenn's shoulder (foreground), Daniel sees Jenn for the first time in her dress!

Lots of emotion. Tears of joy.

Jenn smiles and holds back tears as her mother sang to them.

Jenn's brother in law sang as well.

Daniel receives his ring.

These two are soulmates. Their bond is so obvious. So beautiful.

Walking back down the aisle.

Finally alone, just after the ceremony.

We should be honest... these were the two most important guests.

Back to The Nonantum for the reception!

The Nonantum Lighthouse.

Hanging out on a lobster boat.

Shoes off.

First Dance.

Beautiful cake by Confection Art with US & England Flags.

Daniel had moves. Many, many moves.

Had to include this. Jenn's face is priceless.

Just another perfect night in Kennebunkport!

Sunset down on the docks.

We love Sperry Tents... so pretty.

Speaking of pretty... this gent came out of the gates ready to dance, and kept going for 4 straight hours.

Come to think of it... ALL the guests came ready to party.

And those that didn't want to dance? Well, they were "encouraged".

This little boy was amazing... breakdancing for hours.

Bon Jovi claims four more victims.

Make that five.

Jenn is like the Energizer Bunny... nonstop dancing. Even Daniel started to get tired.

Last song of the night... surrounded by friends and family. The way life should be!

A sparkler sendoff, led by this little boy.

A happy couple... congratulations!

Jenn & Daniel!  THANK YOU for having us!  We had so much fun with your friends and family!  Good luck with the big move to Colorado and PLEASE let us know when you’re back in Maine!

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The COMPLETE collection of photos are available to view here:

http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=818#page=1

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Photos are already posted to Facebook!  Tag your friends here:

http://www.facebook.com/brianwedgephoto

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Wedding Ceremony: Private Residence, Scarborough, ME

Wedding Reception: Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport, ME

Cake: Confection Art

Flowers: Minott’s Flowers (Portland, ME)

DJ: Jeff Rockwell

Photography: Brian Wedge Photography

Fort William Henry played host to Sarah and Will’s beautiful wedding ceremony.  Located in the village of New Harbor, in the town of Bristol, Maine… the setting was meaningful and idyllic.  Will’s family has had a home in nearby Christmas Cove, and their celebration represented the joy of summer in Maine, and the union of two great families.

Fort William Henry, New Harbor, Maine

Cottage at The Bradley Inn with Sarah's wedding dress.

One last check by Sarah... beautiful.

Sarah's bouquet.

Waiting for guests to arrive.

Every detail was thoughtful and gorgeous.

Will's shoes. To call them shoes may not be completely fair: these velveted slippers of matrimony had an embroidered cutter on them.

I've never seen flower girls take such delight in being part of a wedding.

Sarah, starting down the aisle.

The crowd parted, and Will saw her for the first time.

Elegant lines of her dress and the vibrance of Maine on a summer's evening.

Will's reaction to seeing Sarah for the first time!

One of the EVER attentive flower girls.

There's truth in Sarah's eyes. You can't fake that.

The kiss!

Another view of the ceremony and the gorgeous sky.

They recess back down the aisle... flower girls in tow!

A candid moment caught.

Cooling off in the fort.

Window light.

Walking to The Contented Sole for their wedding reception.

A classic shot... the flower girls staring at the wedding cake.

In a friend's boat.

New Harbor sunset.

Will's toast.

Kids... being kids.

The Contented Sole dock at twilight.

Their neighbor made this personalized guest book for them!

Then the dancing started.

They had moves!

The Contented Sole is a great space for a reception.

Their (amazing) DJ keeping things moving inside during a perfect, cool Maine evening.

She's feeling it!

So was he.

A long, long day when you're a little girl.

Shoes off... ice cold drinks everywhere, the party rages on.

A moment alone on the dock captured.

Sarah & Will!  THANK YOU for having us!  We had so much fun with you, and hope to see you again when you’re back on the coast of Maine!

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The COMPLETE collection of photos are available to view here:

http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=800

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Photos are already posted to Facebook!  Tag your friends here:

http://www.facebook.com/brianwedgephoto

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Wedding Ceremony: Fort William Henry, New Harbor, Maine (Pemaquid)

Reception: The Contented Sole, New Harbor, Maine

Dress: Arrisale

Shoes: Valentino

Rings: Cartier

Groom’s Tie: Brooks Brothers

Stationer: Lucky Luxe

Calligrapher: Love Jenna

Cake: Sticky Fingers

Flowers: Poppies & Posies

Planner: Kate Martin / Beautiful Days Events

DJ: The Flashdance (Los Angeles)

Jazz Trio: Hot Club of Portland

Flower Girl Dresses: Priscilla of Boston

Photography: Brian Wedge Photography

Last September I was lucky enough to join a small group of courageous cyclists for a 6 day, 600 mile ride down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles… all in honor of cancer survivors.  Our team, named the Fireflies, is a small group of advertising and film professionals who tackle the hardest climbs of the Alps and the coast of California every year to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer, and specifically leukemia.

In about 30 days, I’ll be boarding a plane for Switzerland, to join the Fireflies again for a ride from Geneva, Switzerland to Cannes, France.  I’m thrilled, I’m honored… and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a touch nervous.

Yes, I ride my bike a lot… but there’s NOTHING on the coast of Maine or California that could possibly prepare me for the hardest climbs of the Tour de France.  It will be 1000Km of hard roads and 22,000m of elevation climbed by the time we reach Cannes.  The Fireflies motto is “For those who suffer, we ride” and every pedal stroke, every moment of self doubt, every glorious view and grueling ascent will be for those leukemia survivors… like my big sister Lea… who have lived with a disproportionate amount of suffering every day since being diagnosed.

This ride is 100% in aid of Leuka, one of the world’s great leukemia research and support foundations.  Their mission could not be nearer and dearer to my heart… and quite honestly, I hope you will consider making a donation to Leuka today.

So… like everything we do for cancer survivors, there’s an opportunity for YOU to get involved.  Here’s how:

1.)  I won’t belabor the point: we need financial support.  100% of donations go to Leuka in aid of leukemia research, awareness and support.  None of your donations pay for any part of my trip.  I have a goal of raising a minimum of 2,000 £​’s (that’s about $3,000 as $1 = .6£’s) in the next THIRTY (30) days. Please help!

The direct link to my fundraising page is here (or click on the Leuka logo below)

2.)  Beginning June 13th, we leave Geneva, Switzerland for a 9 day ride in search of the hardest climbs of the Alps on our way to Cannes, France.  Though I always ride for my big sister Lea and her ongoing battle with this awful disease and the aftermath of her bone marrow transplant, once again, I’ll be dedicating a part of each day’s ride to a cancer survivor that YOU tell me about.  Just email directly HERE or leave a comment & send me their name etc.  You can also contact us via Twitter or Facebook.  We know there are cancer survivors out there who are suffering, and we want them to know that we’re in the fight with them.  There is power in Unity. It may be a really steep climb, it may be the day when my legs are exhausted from the hundreds of miles I did days before, or the incredible view from the top of the Alps… but connecting with survivors will motivate me to keep going, to tell their story, and hopefully do remind them that they’re not alone.

3.)  The third way you could help, is to go find a friend who hasn’t yet registered for the bone marrow registry and get them committed to signing up.  It breaks my heart to see people literally dying, because the public doesn’t realize how EASY and FREE registration and donation is.  You can go HERE for the link to all the information, and the FREE registration process.

If you live in France or Switzerland, or know someone who does… please come out and cheer us along.  We are a small, but dedicated group of wackos who put ourselves on the line in order to support the fight against cancer.  We love meeting new folks along the way, and can provide detailed times/locations to anyone who might want to connect to ride with us, or just needs a sweaty smile and wave.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

We wandered over to a cyclocross race this past weekend on the way back from another assignment, and snapped a few pics just for the fun of it.  I’ve been hearing all about the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series for a few years now, but never managed to get myself over to watch a race.  Cyclocross, is a short (40-60 minute) circuit bike race on dirt/mud/gravel that includes a variety of obstacles (hills/barriers/stone walls) that force a rider off their bike briefly, before they remount to ride again.

Following the circuit.

Honestly, I was hoping for mud… and LOTS of it.  But Mother Nature did not cooperate.

Lots of short, steep, winding hills.

Running past the log sections.

Racing through the leaves on skinny tires.

All the arrows pointed the wrong way.  Must be a ‘cross thing.

Women Elite race begins… with an amazing backdrop and slow shutter speeds.

Stone wall bike handling skills.

Running the barriers.

Farm implements everywhere.  I couldn’t resist a few snaps.

Focus.

A nice excuse to plug my boys at Cannondale… makers of some of the best ‘cross rigs in the world.

Cows and bikes.  You can’t go wrong.

Some more log barriers.

Action.

Sweet Victory (please do NOT mention the giant booger coming out of his nostril).  Dude was working hard.  We get it.

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We have a couple hundred more images in a gallery.  If you want to see them, just click the link below:

http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=771

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/11/03/cyclocross-maine-or-why-is-that-dude-running-with-his-bike/feed/ 11 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/10/10/fireflies-ride-2010-san-francisco-to-la-in-6-days-by-bike/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/10/10/fireflies-ride-2010-san-francisco-to-la-in-6-days-by-bike/#comments Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:01:41 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=3600 Continue reading →]]> It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to post anything non photography related on this blog.  Heck, for all I know, y’all might like it that way… but I recently signed up for a “little” 550 mile / 6 day bike ride down the coast of California.  There’s a pack of maniac cyclists from the film/advertising world called The Fireflies, and every year this small group of about 20 riders tackle the Alps and the coast of California to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer, and specifically leukemia.

After all we’ve been through with my sister’s leukemia, I couldn’t help but get involved.  The motto of The Fireflies is “For Those Who Suffer, We Ride” and this small group of crazy bike riders have done a tremendous amount in only a short period of time.  Long story short, I leave next week for a 6 day, 550 mile bomb down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles on my bike.

So… like everything we do for cancer survivors, there’s an opportunity for YOU to get involved.  Here’s how:

1.)  Beginning next FRIDAY (9/24), we leave San Francisco headed for LA (via Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Cayucos, Solvang, and Ventura).  Come out and look for us as we bang out 6 days of 90 miles (I can send you our exact route).  We want to see you along the way, and though I always ride for my big sister Lea and her ongoing battle with this awful disease and the aftermath of her bone marrow transplant, this time I’ll be dedicating a part of each ride to a cancer survivor that YOU tell me about.  Just email directly HERE or leave a comment & send me their name etc. It may be a really steep climb, it may be the day when my legs are exhausted from the hundreds of miles I did days before… but it will motivate me to keep going, and hopefully do the same for them.

2.)  If you would like to donate some much needed cash to the good people at City of Hope and their amazing cancer center… you can do so through our Fireflies West website at www.fireflieswest.com

3.)  The third way you could help, is to go find a friend who hasn’t yet registered for the bone marrow registry and get them committed to signing up.  It breaks my heart to see people literally dying, because the public doesn’t realize how EASY and FREE registration and donation is.  You can go HERE for the link to all the information, and the FREE registration process.

4.)  If you live in LA, or near the smog of LA… PLEASE get your butt over to our arrival celebration on Wednesday, September 29th.  550 miles in 6 days, all in honor of those who suffer from cancer is a big deal, and we would like to see as many people as possible.  All the information is below, and I hope to see some folks there!!

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/10/10/fireflies-ride-2010-san-francisco-to-la-in-6-days-by-bike/feed/ 5 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/05/05/win-a-weekend-on-the-coast-of-maine-and-help-fight-cancer-with-lance-armstrong/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/05/05/win-a-weekend-on-the-coast-of-maine-and-help-fight-cancer-with-lance-armstrong/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 23:29:19 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=2706 Continue reading →]]>

We’re feeling pretty fortunate these days as our business continues to grow through the support of some truly wonderful clients and organizations.  We recently won a photo contest that came with a pretty spectacular prize:  a two night stay at The Newagen Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine INCLUDING gourmet breakfast and dinner!!  When we won the contest for the 2008 year, we were pretty psyched… but we never thought we would win AGAIN for 2009 as well.  We’ve been pretty lucky… and we feel like we should give back a little.  We decided that we would donate our prize to help raise money for one of our favorite organizations: The Lance Armstrong Foundation and LIVESTRONG.

If you need any reminders of why we’re so passionate about the fight against cancer, just imagine someone you love… fighting for their lives.

Alternatively, you can just click HERE or HERE and you’ll learn a bit about my amazing sister Lea who was diagnosed with leukemia a little over 4 years ago, and later survived a bone marrow transplant.  Her progress is slow, but steady.  Her attitude and perspective on life in incredible.  She is now cancer free and the mother of a beautiful baby boy… but the impact that the disease has had on our family will never leave us, and LIVESTRONG has been part of our support team for years now, so it would be wonderful to give back to them for all that they have done on behalf of survivors like us.

SO WHAT’S THIS CONTEST YOU KEEP REFERRING TO?

Happy you asked!  We are raffling off a TWO night stay at the beautiful Newagen Seaside Inn with gourmet dinner and breakfast included.

Check out The Newagen Inn’s website HERE, or click on the photo below.

HOW DO I WIN THIS INCREDIBLE TWO NIGHT STAY ON THE COAST OF MAINE?

There are two ways to enter (Yes, you can… and should do both!!):

THE FIRST OPTION (CASH DONATION):

1.)  Go to: fundraising.livestrong.org/grassroots2010/brianwedge and make a tax deductable donation right now.  For every $10 you donate, you will get an entry into our raffle that will be chosen at random on June 5, 2010… the winner will be notified by way of the contact information you provided when you made your donation.  So if you donate $10, you get one raffle ticket.  Donate $50, you get five tickets, donate $500, and you get 50 raffle tickets etc…. as well as a darn good chance that you and your significant other will be spending a weekend relaxing on the coast of Maine!

THE SECOND OPTION (REGISTER TO BE A HERO):

2.)  My sister’s life was saved by a true hero named Tammy who registered to donate bone marrow YEARS before she ever got the call that she was needed.  Donating bone marrow is NOT like donating a kidney or lung… so get that out your mind right off the bat!  It’s EASY, and registering is EFFORTLESS.  Joining the registry is FREE and is literally as simple as swabbing the inside of your cheek with a Q-Tip, then mailing it back.  YOU can do this. YOU need to do this… because the people who need a bone marrow transplant are literally dying without your help.  The act of bone marrow donation can take on one of two different forms, but 70% of all donations are taken in a procedure very similar to the simple act of donating blood. The cold hard truth though is that every year 35,000 people need a donor and only 3800 will find one.

VIDEO: How to register / get tested

Here’s the link with all the detailed information and how to receive a free test kit (donations accepted but NOT required):

Plus, if you register or are already registered… you get ONE FREE RAFFLE ENTRY.

Just tell us that you’re registered via:

A posted comment to this blog below [your email address is never published... promise]

or via TWITTER (@brianwedge)

or via FACEBOOK

Just tell us and when you WIN, we will contact you with the info you provided.  Honor system here.  If you say you went to the website and ordered the registration kit… we believe you and you qualify.  If you say you are already on the registry: we believe you!  If you say you actually donated marrow to someone: we LOVE YOU!!!

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So, to review:  You can win an exquisite two night stay at The Newagen Seaside Inn including dinner/breakfast if you:

a.)  Donate $10 to LIVESTRONG here: http://fundraising.livestrong.org/grassroots2010/brianwedge

OR

b.)  Are registered currently or become registered to donate bone marrow (just contact us through our comments section here, Twitter or Facebook)

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Follow up questions:

Brian, I own/work for an AWESOME company… and I bet we would be psyched to donate something to add to the prize list and therefore raise more cash to fight cancer (while also harnessing the power of social media marketing and your amazing blog followers)… how on earth would I do that?

What a great idea!  Just shoot us an email, or hit us up on Twitter (@brianwedge) or our Facebook Page and we will add it to our prize list while promoting your company as best we can!

(Original Photo Credit: EPA)*

Is it true that the winner gets to go for a ride with Lance Armstrong during their stay in Maine?

Ever since Lance and I ran the Boston Marathon “together”, it is true that he is a huge fan of Brian Wedge Photography (always bugging me for a print of his favorite wedding shot or obsessing about the plight of sea turtles in Mexico).  Knowing Lance as well as I do* he did mention that he had some sort of a cycling tour planned for July that’s taking him overseas I think.  I think he said something about studying cobblestones in France and then training for some little social ride in Colorado, so I can’t promise you that he’ll be there… but you never know!  In the event that Lance doesn’t show up to meet you, we would be happy to show you one of our favorite cycling loops while you’re in town.

Last question now… are there any other rules?

Whatever mumbo-jumbo legal rules apply to your state/country etc. apply.  If you’re under 18, don’t steal your parents credit card and donate without their permission.  In fact, you probably shouldn’t steal anyone’s credit card and donate without their permission.  This is simply us trying to raise money for a good cause in a fun and simple way… if you have any questions, let us know and we’ll do our best to answer them…. but otherwise, be cool and let’s all have some fun with this.

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*aaaaaaand for the record, I’m joking.  I don’t think Lance is coming to ride with you in Maine… but donate some money anyways!  It’s a good cause!!

That being said, while we were traveling and shooting far away from the blogosphere, much occurred, and we will try to recap some of it here:

First up… my sister Lea and her husband Billy adopted an adorable baby boy!  Henry is absolutely beautiful, and has a remarkably calm energy about him that is just amazing.  Though we did miss the cranky-baby 2am diaper changes and feedings, we are quite certain that Henry is either high on baby formula… or just happy to be alive and have parents who adore and appreciate him so much.

Though we only stopped in for a few days during our return from Hawaii, one thing led to another… and of course an impromptu photo shoot occurred that resulted in baby Henry winding up in a salad bowl.  Sorry Henry, but you just don’t know where creativity will lead you!  Anyway, we wanted the whole world to know how proud we are to have him in our family!

And speaking of growing, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we won a few more awards for our photography and we wanted to thank the sponsors for their encouragement and recognition.  First up, we managed to sneak out a few awards from the prestigious Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA.com) once again.  There are some truly incredible photographers that compete in their contests… so we are honored that we had NINE winning images in the past year.

Here are the two latest winners:

This image is from Matt & Ashley’s Hurricane Wedding at The Newagen Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  The photo is a fun grab shot of the bridesmaid being “blown away” in the wind.  The great news is that the bridesmaid holding the umbrella (Christine) is engaged to be married & in June we will be in Massachusetts to document their wedding for them!  There is no greater honor than to get the opportunity to support the friends of great clients like Matt & Ashley.  Don’t worry… we PROMISE… the weather will be better!

Next, from Heidi & Ross’ wedding at The Sebasco Harbor Resort, we won 4th place for dancing… but the true story is that the dancing started about 8 hours earlier, and the award should really be for the consistency and longevity of the dancing.  If I remember correctly, this is Heidi’s brother… who started dancing before the ceremony and in my mind is probably dancing wherever he is right now.  Congrats!

Last up, our favorite social media guru / Innkeeper Jason Schlosser (from The Newagen Inn in Boothbay Harbor) held a photography contest and self selected our entry because we were out of the country at the time (thanks Jason!!).  By popular vote, we were lucky enough to win the contest in 2008, and we never expected that we would again in 2009, but as luck would have it, we did!  The prize for winning the contest was a 2 night stay at The Newagen Inn, along with dinner.

In honor of all our good fortune, our great clients, and most of all… our precious new nephew Henry, we’ve decided that we are going to donate our two night stay at The Newagen Inn to raise money for LIVESTRONG and their continued fight on behalf of survivors like my sister in their battle against cancer.  More details about the raffle will be coming tomorrow: we’ve got a donation page all setup with LIVESTRONG, and Jason at The Newagen Inn is psyched to host the prizewinner.

So for now, thanks for all the support, love and emails.  We love hearing from everyone… and rest assured, we are back!!  Spread the word about the contest… more details right here tomorrow!

No sleep for the weary here at Brian Wedge Photography, but rest assured, WE ARE BACK!  We’re back from some wonderful commercial and editorial shoots that have led us across the country capturing all sorts of interesting and talented people.  We’re back with reinvigorated creativity and some wonderful experiences under our belt.  Stay tuned as we share more in the coming weeks… but for now, we thought we’d share the fact that a bunch of our wedding images won a few MORE awards while we were away!

We love capturing natural, authentic moments in creative and unobtrusive ways, and once again we were honored by the Pulitzer Prize winning judges for Brides Magazine and the prestigious Wedding Photojournalist Association.  Yahoo!!  It’s always wonderful to have our work recognized by such respected people and organizations!

The photo above was captured at Stacia & Lloyd’s beautiful Bar Harbor Wedding in Maine.  The image encapsulates so much of the emotion and tension that almost every bride feels on her wedding day.  One part excitement, another nerves: so much effort and time planning for the big day and then all of a sudden it’s here!  The final pieces come together seemingly all at once.

Speaking of timeless, there’s a universal appeal to the image above… every body part in motion, from arms and feet to nose and eyes… this guys is GROOVING!  As interesting are the reactions of the people watching him in the background.  One part astonishment, another admiration.  There’s always one at every wedding!

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We’re truly honored to have won awards again from the WPJA and Brides Magazine.  We’re always striving to create unique and meaningful images for our clients… and it’s a bonus when our work is recognized elsewhere, especially alongside such a talented group of international photographers.  Thanks again!

I wouldn’t wish for it to rain on anyone’s wedding day… but when it does, something truly special happens.  Quinn and Chris had a rainy wedding day, and that something “special” came in the form of family and friends who circled the proverbial wagons and hunkered down for an intimate ceremony in the tiny St. Ann’s Church by the sea, and an energized reception at The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine.  As an observer of numerous wedding celebrations, I was amazed once again by how the entire party were galvanized by the adverse weather.  Strangers bonded under umbrellas, friends dodged raindrops together as they ran through puddle filled parking lots and families were linked forever through a day spent laughing and supporting the people they loved the most.

Quinn & Chris couldn’t have been more relaxed about the weather.  They had the right perspective: their wedding day was about more than about the clouds or sun… it was all about their union, in that special church Quinn had always loved beside the sea as witnessed by their family and friends.

Their rings in the mail slot of the room where they would spend their wedding night.

Beautiful details found throughout the day.

Quinn’s grandmother reacts to seeing her for the first time.

On the way to the church, Quinn and her dad hold hands in the back of the car.

It was REALLY raining.  Quinn’s ever present smile never faltered.

Quinn & her dad walking down the aisle.

St. Ann’s is an intimate and beautiful stone church right on the edge of the ocean.

The timber frame construction at St. Ann’s is truly beautiful.

The exchange of rings.

Husband and Wife!!!

At the end of the long isle, Quinn & Chris.

Made entirely of large beams and stone, St. Ann’s was the perfect sanctuary on such a cold and rainy day.

Beautiful design by “Let Them Eat Cake”

A card left open on a table from Quinn to Chris reads “forever and ever.”  A natural background for a photo of their rings.

Back at the Colony Hotel, the floral designs by Blooms & Heirlooms were exquisite.

My favorite moment:  Quinn’s grandfather Moe, shares a hilarious and touching poem he wrote.

The band “The Marsels” got the crowd going quickly.

An impromptu twist contest broke out.

The rain kept pouring… but Quinn & Chris wanted some shots outside.

We went to the beach and Quinn just ditched her shoes, and walked around in the rain barefoot.

Beautiful and timeless.

A little rain wasn’t going to stop these two!

Quinn & Chris: What a wonderful celebration!  Thank you for having us there!  Your wedding was everything we love to photograph: real moments regardless of the wind and rain outside.  Thanks for being so much fun… we loved documenting your big day!

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Want to see the complete set of photos?  Just go to www.brianwedge.com or click here.

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Vendors:

Ceremony:  St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Kennebunkport, Maine

Reception:  The Colony Hotel, Kennebunkport, Maine

Florist:  Blooms and Heirlooms, Kennebunkport, Maine

Band: The Marsels, Boston, Massachusetts

Cake:  Let Them Eat Cake, Kennebunkport, Maine

Dress:  Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Mother’s modified creation

Photography:  Brian Wedge Photography

Kate and Paul’s wedding had everything we could dream of: incredible people, thoughtful details, beautiful weather and an amazing story of love that we were so honored to document.  When Kate contacted me last year about shooting their Newagen Inn wedding, we could tell that she possessed an energy & enthusiasm that was rare.  As the months passed and we continued to exchange ideas, I learned that Kate was a local girl from Boothbay whose family had been there for generations.  Though she now lived in Boston, she wanted her wedding to be a celebration to show her love for Paul, their love for Maine & their deep respect for family.

Paul engulfed by a Kate Hodgdon Bear Hug… just after the ceremony.

As the months went by, I learned that Kate had recently lost her dad, and above all else Paul & Kate wanted their wedding to honor her dad through laughter, joy and a party that no one would soon forget.  Kate’s honesty about her dad’s passing was incredible.  When we finally met in person Kate looked me straight in the eye and with a fierce, unflinching intensity explained to me that her dad was her best friend… and that the color yellow I saw throughout their wedding was in honor of him. I could see the hurt, I could understand the loss… but as importantly I could feel the determination and excitement to celebrate all that is wonderful about life with her dad looking down upon her.

A pocket sewed into Kate’s wedding dress just over her heart held a photo of her & her dad.

There is a passion and enthusiasm for living that some people have when they survive great adversity.  I’ve seen it in over the years as we battled leukemia, but it’s not limited to cancer nor the passing of a loved one.  There’s just some people who manage to get through tough times with their spirit intact and a perspective for life that is inspiring.  Kate and Paul have that twinkle in their eye and a presence about them that just radiates enthusiasm.  Their wedding day was all about being in the moment, being in love and savoring every opportunity to enjoy their friends and family to the fullest.

Paul & Kate created Maine inspired wedding gift bags.  Nothing says “Maine Wedding” like an engagement ring on a can of Moxie!

Paul’s wedding day gift to Kate was a dog crate filled with puppy toys and a card that contained a photo of a litter of Golden-doodles.  The photo reads: “Your choice!  I love you!”

The groomsmen all wore cufflinks with their photos in them.

The ringbearer did SO well!  He walked and smiled… until he stopped.

He spent about 3 minutes figuring out if he should walk towards the crowd or run away.  With the collective prodding of 140 guests, he made it!!

The ceremony held on the front lawn of The Newagen Inn.

Surrounded by yellow flowers in honor of her father, a single tear falls from Kate’s eye.

After the wedding, Kate & Paul took a few moments to look at their rings and stand back and check each other out.  In this shot Paul shows off his fine physique.

“Foolish Choices” just happened to fishing nearby… we HAD to get that shot!

Even the lobsters held hands.

Kate wanted a photo with them standing in the water… which is easier said than done, as Paul slipped just seconds after this shot getting a bit wet.

Bridesmaids bouquet rests on a chair.

Their guestbook was a collaborative painting made by all the guests.  Very creative!

During the first dance… there was evidence of Paul’s impromptu splash in the Atlantic.

Mmmmm…. whoopie pies.  Yum!

Then the dancing started.

All kinds of dancing.

An all candlelight cutting of the cake per the request of Paul & Kate.  Tough shot, but very creative!

Then the party REALLY got started.  This is NOT the band… these are wedding guests on stage.

Kate in the arms of her husband… rocking out!  Pure joy.

Going big (Another victim of Bon Jovi).

Paul sings Livin’ on a Prayer.

Late night bowling at The Newagen Seaside Inn.

Paul’s bowling technique was impeccable.  Look at that follow through!

The stars come out at The Newagen Inn.  That’s not photoshop folks… that’s the Big Dipper!

Kate and Paul: It was an honor to document your day and to be there to celebrate with your family and friends!  Thanks so much for having us.  Your love for each other and for life is inspiring to us!  Have fun in Greece!!

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Want to see the complete photos?  Just go to www.brianwedge.com or click here.

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Vendors:

Location:  The Newagen Seaside Inn, Southport Island, Maine  (the amazing Innkeeper Jason took care of everything there… just a wonderful person and host).

Band:  Sly Chi (Kate emailed me months before the wedding and wrote that she was having “Sly Chi, a sick band from Portland that plays funk.”  Indeed, there is no better description than that.  They rocked!)

Cake:  Sweet Sensations

Florist:  The Greenhouses

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/09/17/kate-paul-newagen-seaside-inn-boothbay-harbor-maine/feed/ 4 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/09/02/wedding-guest-entertainment-photobooth-crazybooth/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/09/02/wedding-guest-entertainment-photobooth-crazybooth/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:44:30 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=1781 Continue reading →]]> You’ve been looking for a creative way to have a guest book at your wedding, but you want something that’s truly original … or you’ve realized that even the most die hard dancers can’t last for the entire 4 hours that you booked your band for.  Whatever the reason, we’ve been swamped with requests by our clients this season to bring along our photobooth (nicknamed the crazybooth).  The photobooths we’ve set up for our clients have been hilarious and entertaining to say the least.

We provide the studio lighting, cameras, props and backdrop (in this case our client’s Matt & Ashley provided their own which is fine too)… as well as our super cool wireless remote control that allows guests to have fun and be creative without having to do anything other than press a button and smile.  The wireless remote is great because people won’t trip over cords as they move around the camera… an important safety feature as the creativity gets flowing!

Armed only with chalkboards and chalk… the creativity is amazing.

What you can’t see off camera is the crowd of people laughing, giggling and planning their own signature photo.  We always joke that the photobooth is like bringing the third ring to the three ring circus… your friends, the dancefloor and the photobooth make for an entertaining reception!!

Classic.

Some folks are sweet and appropriate.

Some are… a little more creative.

The chalkboards are great for sharing your deepest thoughts and wishes.

Or so he says…

Maine Moose.  So much better than a signature on a blank guest book page.

Yay!

This guy wanted to know if we had Photoshop.

Yes we do…

Thanks guys.  Not sure if they were talking to me or the bride and groom.  I’ll take it!

Receptions mean: off with the fancy shoes and on with the dancing shoes.

In the words of Kool & The Gang: Cherish your love.

These folks are from Wyoming… one of our favorite places on Earth to photograph (and ski/climb/ride).  They’re all nuts there, which is why we fit in so well.  We’re still trying to to decipher this one…

It’s true… damn it!

So positive!

“Rain sucks… party didn’t!!!”  Too true.

Amen.

We’ve had a great time setting these photobooths up at the weddings we shoot.  It’s a whole new layer of creative entertainment for your guests… and the best part is that everyone gets to see all the photos within a few days after the wedding!  Thanks for the laughs everyone!  We love sorting through these images the next day and discovering what people came up with!

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Want to see the complete version of Matt & Ashley’s photobooth pictures?  They’re all right here.

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When they arrived in Maine from Manhattan for vacation last week, the weather simply refused to cooperate.  Weather forecasts predicted rain throughout most of the week, and so with only a few hours of notice, we rallied to catch the last moments of sunshine, before the storms rolled in.

I’d say the extra hustle was well worth the effort!  Ryan and Julie were absolutely wonderful to work with, and we literally ran all over Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, making the most of our time there.  I think we were all huffing and puffing at one point or another during the shoot, but laughing and having a blast doing it.

In this shot, the sun had already dropped very low in the sky.  I was setting up a silhouette shot, but then saw how the light reflected in Julie’s eye with the lens flare.  You might just be able to see it in these smaller images… but it’s a beautiful moment… or I thought so anyway!

So this was the original inspiration for having an engagement photo shoot.  Can you imagine receiving an awesome “Save The Date” like this? Hilarious.  That’s their puppy in the center!  Nice job Cooper!!!

I’m a pretty high energy guy, and as a result I’m cautious not to push my clients into doing anything that’s too uncomfortable for them.  Great images are great in large part because people are natural, having fun and showing real emotion.  Great shoots on the other hand, occur when the collective energy is so positive, creative and enjoyable that spontaneous ideas are followed without hesitation.  These shots of them IN the breakers was NOT my idea… but it worked, and is a reflection of a great connection between photographer and client.  Photographers have to be able to “roll with it” as much as the clients/models do!

Julie & Ryan were wonderful, energetic and willing to try new things.  This shoot reveals the simple truth of who they are: vibrant, athletic, fun, beautiful, adventurous and in love.  Who knew that so much could be achieved in about an hour?

If you’ve ever been to a lighthouse, you know that there are dozens of people milling around at all times.  A man with a bright yellow jacket was in the background of this image, so I moved to hide him behind Ryan & Julie.  Looked like it worked!

Julie’s boys: Cooper & Ryan.

That was a great time!  I hope you both enjoy your images! (Don’t worry… there’s LOTS more).

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To view the complete images, just click here or go to: www.brianwedge.com

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We met Jordanna and Jason last summer in Bar Harbor, and were psyched to hear their story of friendship that began at Harvard, followed by 12 years as a couple and finally returning to Jason’s home state of Maine to tie the knot.  Little did we know that Jason and Jordanna are incredibly talented and accomplished… working on Broadway in various capacities, with Jason most recently working as The Phantom of that little Broadway hit called The Phantom of The Opera.  Yeah, that one.

As I drove in the pouring rain up to Mount Desert Island, I worried that these two amazing, deserving people would be frustrated because of the bad weather.  Though I’m happy to work in any conditions… dust, rain, sleet, riots, fires, whatever… I never know how a couple is going to react to the adversity of weather, especially at a place like the Asticou Inn, which is famous for it’s back lawn overlooking Northeast Harbor.

Within minutes of stepping out of the car, I realized that my worries were completely unfounded and that I had landed smack in the middle of a cast of incredible characters, and a wedding that I’ll never forget.

For starters, on the front porch of The Asticou Inn, I met a mountain of a man, who was wearing a tuxedo and brandishing a large kitchen knife while wearing only one shoe.  I watched as he palpated and examined his shoe, occassionally grumbling something under his breath about how “it had to be done” and “there were no other options.”  His thoughtful contemplation and words reminded me of a surgeon bearing the bad news to one of his patients.  The situation was dire and he would have to “go in” immediately to save the rest of the shoe.

The knife wielding shoe butcher turned out to be Lou, the father of the bride, and I watched incredulously as he shaved off the heel of one of his dress shoes with an ease of hand that reminded me of a Tokyo sushi chef filleting a tuna.  His movements were confident, exacting and without hesitation.  After his first pass, he strapped the mutilated shoe back on and with a satisfied “Ah Huh” proclaimed that “it wasn’t bad” but that “the other shoe was next.”  It seems that Lou’s old Army dress shoes had seen one too many tours of duty and the heels had finally disintegrated to a point of no return.  Lou did what had to be done.

After thoroughly enjoying Lou’s inspiring cutlery demonstration out on the front porch, I ventured inside the Asticou to check in with Jordanna & Jason as the rain continued to fall.  They had explicitly written to me earlier that day that “unless there is horrible weather we would like to have photos out on the rocks near the ocean”.  Obviously “horrible weather” is a relative term, and as an old Outward Bound Captain and Himalayan mountain guide… it’s always best for the bride and groom to define those standards rather than me… otherwise we’re liable to wind up in a hurricane or a blizzard in no time.

To my pleasant surprise, they were both thrilled to go outside, and happy to dodge rain drops in order to get a few photos.  By sheer will, they had convinced their friends and family to venture out as well, and through a lot of laughter and rain showers… we got the images that we hoped for!

Singin’ In The Rain.

Jordanna’s beautiful smile while hiding under an umbrella.

Their wedding bands.

Because of the rain, the ceremony was held in a cozy room overlooking the water.  As a team of actors, Jordanna & Jason had decided that their intimate ceremony should not NOT be a performance, but a quiet, meaningful ceremony.  They were committed to having no distractions from their photographer… and therefore required that I not use flash and not move (even a little) during the entire ceremony even if it impacted the final images.  I always love a challenge, and the bank of windows behind the ceremony silhouetted everyone dramatically… making details difficult, but not impossible.  I switched to a 1.2 aperture lens, that captured more mid-tones than could normally be picked up in a situation like that.  So far, so good… we had successfully managed the rain, and the harsh lighting… all that was left was the reception!

When I grow up, I want to be like Jordanna’s grandmother: beautiful, smart, motivating and eloquent.  Here, she whips up the crowd during her speech.

Oh, if I only had audio running that day.  So many talented friends.  It was a joy to listen to.

Breaking the glass.

The kiss!

Their cake was a mountain with the two of them embracing on the summit.

I was warned by the guests repeatedly during the cocktail hour that I would be “in for a show” during the dancing.  The first dance hinted at what was to come.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so effortlessly and joyfully dance so beautifully.  I could tell that they had done this before.

Jordanna being dipped (again).

And then the crowd got involved… everyone was AMAZING.  They should have charged admission for their performance (my guess is that most of them do usually).  One moment everyone was swing dancing, then dramatic reenactments of musicals, then some latin dancing, then hip hop… just incredible.

Oh yeah… I forgot about the Russian dancing.  Check.

Time for the Hora… tall guys and short ceilings… bad mix.  Nice reminder Jordanna.

Jason knows no fear.

Yup, and just drop a split in the middle of the dance floor whenever you’re ready.

Then Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” comes on, and the music theater / interpretive dance gloves come off.

Not sure if this is part of the Madonna song or an impromptu decision to fly… regardless, it was incredible and hilarious.

When I emailed Jason and Jordanna to ask what their ideal image would be at the end of the night, they said “something that captures us ‘being us’ probably amidst a series of sweaty lifts, dips or spins while dancing together”.  Got it!

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So, the next time one of my editors or commercial clients ask why the heck I’m going off to shoot another wedding, I’m going to send them this blog link.  Because it’s fun.  Because weddings are filled with wonderful, meaningful, hilarious and original moments, that could never be duplicated.  It’s an honor to be there to document a dad sawing off their shoe soles, a grandmother’s dispensing wisdom and enthusiasm… and most all, to capture the joy of two people who love each other so completely, like Jordanna and Jason.

Thank you for having me at your wedding!  Thanks for bringing your amazing friends to Maine, for “going for it” despite the rain and for sharing your spinning, whirling, dipping sweaty selves with all of us.  What a joy!

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Want to see the complete wedding photos?  Just go to: www.brianwedge.com

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Vendors:

Ceremony/Reception:  The Asticou Inn

Band: The Coronados

Flowers:  Still working on that… email if you need it.

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/27/jordanna-jason-asticou-inn-wedding-northeast-harbor-me/feed/ 2 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/11/nicole-pj-migis-lodge-wedding-casco-maine/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/11/nicole-pj-migis-lodge-wedding-casco-maine/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:48:24 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=1144 Continue reading →]]> I know what you’re thinking: Brian and Malia have a horrible life.  Another grueling assignment in Nepal covering riots?  No.  Saving Sea Turtles in Baja, Mexico?  No.  Running out of food while climbing in Tibet?  Nope, not this week.

We’re back (again) in Maine at Migis Lodge.  It seems that the now famous “Julie and Jim” of last year (link to their blog posting) had prompted more requests for wedding coverage at Migis than we could accommodate in our schedule.  Lucky for us, Nicole and PJ contacted us early enough last year when we still had room in our calendar, and we were so happy to return to Migis!

Immediately upon arriving I found this incredibly contemplative scene: the hair stylist pondering the back of Nicole’s head.  I loved the limited light and how serious everyone looked.

The seriousness of the moment was interrupted by Nicole grabbing a mirror, and running to the bathroom to look at the back of her hair.  What followed were an explosion of fist pumps, smiles, jumping and dancing (yes Nicole, it was dancing).  I’ve never seen someone so PSYCHED with their hair.  I knew that if she was going to be so happy with that moment… that there would be plenty more to come.

Next up: Dad sees Nicole in her wedding dress.  Bring on the tears, the tissues and an expert ability to remain beautiful even when crying.  I still don’t know how they managed to do it all so well, but they did.

Another Marcia Davis Flower arrangement.  So talented!

Nicole’s dad, waiting to board the boat.

Nicole was the first bride aboard the completely restored antique Migis boat.  Beautiful, beautiful work.

Nicole and her dad making their grand entrance: the mountains in the background.

Nicole and her Dad walking down the isle.  That’s joy!

With a reader reading in the foreground, Nicole listens attentively with tears in her eyes.

You may notice that everyone is turned in a direction opposite of the groom as they listen to a song being sung by a friend.  I thought it was so sweet that PJ’s focus stayed with Nicole, as she wiped away a few tears.

Holding on. Two hands.

The kiss.

I love capturing small details like these.  Just moments after being declared husband and wife, a blessing is offered for them in the background.  Nicole and PJ each turn to their respective families, and their eyes fill once more with tears.

No tears… just happiness!

Sunset with your new husband/wife aboard an antique boat.  Life doesn’t get much better than this moment.

Classic in every sense of the word.  This image is timeless.

Stuck holding a bridesmaid’s bouquet.  Nice work PJ.

So beautiful!

During the mother-son dance, PJ and his mom embrace.

PJ, going big.

Groomsman, going bigger.  Migis Lodge will never be the same after this split on the dance floor.

What a wonderful celebration, and an honor to document the story of their special day for them!  Great people, great stories and wonderful details.  Thanks for having us!

Want to see the complete set of photos?  Just go here: www.brianwedge.com

Ceremony / Reception Location: Migis Lodge

Flowers: Marcia Davis

Band:  Jim Ciampi Band

I’ve been a part of hundreds of races, but Boston has been my favorite… the best fans and best organization ever.  Last year at this time, I was running to raise money for LIVESTRONG and The Lance Armstrong Foundation in honor of my sister Lea… and if you haven’t read that post from last year (or need a good excuse to cry) the link is here.

(Me… doing my very best impression of a Kenyan winning it all!)

The Lance Armstrong Foundation has had an incredibly productive year since we raised $20,000+ dollars for them, and months after the Marathon, I received a great email from Lance Armstrong and Doug Ulman who shared this fabulous video with me.  The Boston Marathon is always a source of inspiration… and it’s a reminder that we need to stay focused on being part of something that contributes to the greater good.  For us, we hope that there will be a cure for cancer in our lifetime.

There’s only 364 days left before the next running of The Boston Marathon.  Maybe this is your year?  Click on the logo below for some motivation!

BOSTON MARATHON VIDEO

Let’s call a spade a spade… March was NOT my finest blogging month.  I’ve been away for much of the past 6 weeks as many folks have noticed.  I’ve been away shooting some wonderful commercial campaigns and photographing editorial assignments.  I’ve also been teaching a few classes and even managed to sit in on a workshop taught by some incredibly talented colleagues.  In addition to earning more frequent flier miles than I care to admit, March was a time to learn, explore, share and do a whole lot of photography both for work and for pleasure.

I have a pretty simple rule that I follow when I travel and/or shoot: I try very hard not to miss out on opportunities to be creative.  If I’m feeling tired or lazy, that’s just not an excuse not to get up and chase that next creative image.

This series of Golden Gate Bridge photos occurred at about 4:30am the day after a crazy week long commercial shoot and traveling (1600 miles by car, 4,000 miles by plane in addition to shooting everyday).  Though I can’t say that I’ll suddenly become an architecture photographer, I always try to make time to shoot just for myself.  No paid advertising campaigns, no stock images, no one is paying me to be out there… I’m there just for the love of the art form.

 iPhone Photo of the day (March 5, 2009): “Cow in a field”  Somewhere along Route 101, California.

Likewise, I’ve started a daily habit of taking shots with my iPhone.  Capturing images with a cell phone camera is so convenient because the iPhone is always on me.  The photos are always captured just with a basic iPhone lens and there’s no editing outside of the basic iPhone photo apps (no Photoshop).  It makes shooting more difficult in some ways… but it pushes me to be constantly thinking of interesting images while I’m traveling.  (A quick disclaimer: I did pull these images into my watermarking software to tag on that watermark… that’s the only non native iPhone tinkering that was done).

I share all these “iPhone photos of the day” images through Twitter and Facebook with the hope that it encourages folks to do something truly creative everyday… even if the end result isn’t perfect or even something you “love”… just like getting up at 4:30 in the morning on your first day of vacation, you may just find something out there that you like!  Furthermore it gets you in the habit of trying things that don’t always work… and creating something new every day!

Hit me up with YOUR iPhone creations anytime… I can always use the inspiration, and love to see the images!

Spring has arrived in Maine, and it feels wonderful to be home!

It’s March… and I’ve officially lost my tough New England grit.  

I’ve had my fill of winter and with the exception of spring skiing, I’m ready to bypass the next few months and dive right into summer.

The past few weeks have been consumed with way too much time traveling in bad weather, plowing, shoveling… and my absolute favorite: running a commercial photography studio under generator power.  We’ve spent more time “off the grid” than we have on, but thanks to the good folks at Honda Power Equipment we’ve got great gear that keeps us up and running at all times.

Today the entire Eastern Seaboard got slammed with another blast of winter snow, I’m on my way to the airport and I had to post something upbeat and happy for my sanity… and for the sake of those around me.  What better “pick me up” than a few images of puppies playing together in the summer sun on the ocean?

Hoku The Wonder Pup and our friend Ben… plotting their next spectacular move.

My sister’s dog Kimo sharing a stick with Mr. Selfish.

Our amazing friend’s (Christa y. Jose) puppy Capìtan shaking himself dry.

Capìtan is an INCREDIBLE water dog…

Ok… this is what a real water dog does… diving in at a moment’s notice.

Now here’s Hoku… loves the water, loves boats… but scared to jump off the dock.  

That’s the look of terror, but I still love him!!!

Hang in there everyone!!!  Spring is coming!