Rebecca and Victor, Married!!!

Okay, this may just be my longest post ever so go get some popcorn and sit tight!

Dr. Mel's forcast: Rain through the morning and letting up around 1-2 pm.

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's just say it didn't stop raining until the last hour of the wedding. But I'm here to tell you it did not matter. Sure Rebecca was a little bummed at first, but who wouldn't be? Once we got going though, Rebecca and Victor totally blew the Water View off the chart.

Rebecca is one of the sweetest, most sincere people I know and I was honored to be able to capture her natural beauty. Not to mention, that Victor, a doctor, was the most easy going and relaxed you can be. A true gentlemen that was only concerned about his new wife's happiness and well being.

A special thanks to Nikki Nicole and Caitlyn Bouchard for team shooting this one with me. We had an awesome time. We got sooo many ridiculosly awesome shots, if I could I would post the whole wedding, I would. I hope these will do!

Next up: Kim and Shane's Family/Getting to know you session.


I love these two shoe shots! The intensity of the framed flower in the 1st one and the lighting in the 2nd give me chills.




The beautiful Bride!
I got all crazy on this wedding with silhouetting, there were opportunities everywhere.
This is one of my most fave moments of any wedding. The first time he sees his wife to be walking towards him.



I love the rim lighting in these next two. I think it really emphasizes the moment and really makes you feel it.




Umm, paging Dr. Mel?
I thought we would have a little fun so we got all wet, sort of. They had an awesome sense of humor for this one.
This next image is getting sent directly to the lab to be transformed into a 20x30 gallery wrap. Pronto! My fave of the day for sure.
You know what's next right?
A little first dance, off camera magic. Lovin it.



Victor performing baby got back with his ladies.

This little one's name is Keegan, just like my son. My son Keegan and I actually met him randomly at a park in Newington last year with his mom, the bride's sister. How crazy is that?
Okay so it finally stopped raining so we went back out right before the end of the day to grab a few dry shots.

Off Camera Flash Sally and Patryk

Okay, I forgot to post a few killer off camera flash shots I grabbed from Sally and Patryk's wedding so I wanted to share. I get allot of emails from other photographers asking me how to go about using the off camera flash technique so I thought I would share a few tips.

- I always start with my flash(s) set at manual 1/8 power to start and then adjust from there. I use a Canon 5D, 3 - 580 EXII flashes (one on my camera with a diffuser attached) plus 3 - Pocket wizards w/ light stands.

-The first thing I always try to do is grab a test shot with the available light so I can adjust the power on my flash(s) and camera settings. Use your assistant or 2nd shooter if available.

- Once you find your correct settings it's really all technique and creativity from there.

- Make sure your subject is in between you and your flash. The tricky part for the rim lighting effect is making sure you can't see the flash in your viewfinder. It's best for the flash to be either behind your subjects head(s) (about 10 feet) or just out of the frame in your camera. Although, sometimes you can get some really cool effects with the flash directly in your sight. It's all relevant to your style and the "look" your going for.

- Sometimes to make it easier, I will set up two flashes to offset the couple dancing and hit different angles (can be tough when they are moving quickly). Of course the slower they dance the easier it is to track your flashes and place them where you want in your frame.

- And last but not least, be creative! Put the flash or flashes all over the place. On the floor, 10 feet in the air or even across the room. It's all trial by error from there.

Here are a few from my last wedding.


Here the flash was on the ground pointing up towards heads.

Here the flash was about 10 feet behind the brides head.
Here the flash was just out of my frame on the floor which allowed the cool burst effect.
This one broke my own rules with the flash directly at the top half of the frame. I love this one because of the light shower effect.
Again, just off the outside of the frame. This gives an awesome light streaking effect.

I enjoy using the flashes to give the dance shots life and to create atmosphere. I think it works.

Eric

Laura and Steve....Happy New Years Wedding Part 1

Okay, so everything is slowly getting back to normal. Yes we are still living out of boxes and bags (which I can't tell you how crazy that drives me. Those who know me well know I am very particular about my stuff) but it's all coming together. As much as I thought buying a house in the winter was crazy, I couldn't imagine what it would have been like doing so in the middle of the wedding season.

Anyway, introducing one of the first couples of the new year, Laura and Steve! Two of the coolest cats I've met in a while. They had to be that cool because it was like 6 degrees at their wedding at the Pond House in West Hartford. We were running in and out of the Pond House in between shots just to stay warm. Needless to say, I think Laura made Steve, Craig and I look like wimps. She totally toughed it out while I was looking for every excuse to warm my bald head.

There where so many awesome shots we grabbed so I will post more later. And you know there is going to be more off camera flash :)

Another special thank you to Craig Freeman for shooting this one with me as well.



I used a custom white balance for the tungsten lighting on this one. Some times my 5D over compensates for the lighting but for this one I think it came out pretty cool.


It wasn't hard making Laura look beautiful. She pretty much took care of that naturally. I love this image, it reminds me of a European fashion magazine ad



Steve had such a great, natural smile. How in love are they!

I was Impressed with the Pond House decor. They had quite the winter spread.

Kristen & Brandon Part Two

Well 1st I have to apologize to my wife Erin for totally leaving her out of the part one post. I must of had a senior moment. Now I will spend the next week or so trying to get out of the dog house.

Goal #5 of 1001: Shoot a wedding with my better half. Erin came along to help out and get a taste of the wedding photog scene. She was rockin the reflector and poofing dresses. She was a natural.

Here is a pic Craig shot of us while Kristen and Brandon were thawing out in the limo bus.


Yes, I did try this cake and yes, it was delish!
Okay no surprise, I was abusing my back lighting. I tried to mix it up a bit so I moved the flash around to get different looks.

Notice the flash on the floor. I love how it illuminates everyone behind them.



laying on the floor looking up, trying to get a cool shot without getting beer & wine spilled on me.
C'mon, you have to hit this mirror up if your at The Bond.
This elevator shot is too hot! I love the mood and reflection from the stainless steel.