Young Creative Bannister Talent

My sister just completed her stint at YTEPP (Youth Training & Entrepreneurship Partnership Programme) in Graphic Design.

WAY TO GO SIS!!!!

Most of what they did is basic design stuff, all in a hands on fine art fashion (No pixels here!) I went to their open day and saw much interesting pieces including, a choice few by my super sibling!

This is how I started off in design right out of school and I didn't turn out so bad :-) so I know the value of the experience, even though I now snicker when I see their poster designs (snick, snick). Its all good that Nessy (Janessa) and the rest of the class can express raw, budding creative talent.

I'd love to see what happens in a few years

Nessy and her favorite project - Hope she has the cash to pay copyright royalties ;-)

Nessy and her teacher Mr. Huggins, hopefully this was not her attitude during the course. (A genuine moment captured)

Shine Ruby Shine

Ok folks,

Just have enough time to post some of the Tobago shoot family pics. Couple gallery coming soon. Hey Debbie, Mick and Lee Ann and not to mention the Rubster! Ruby was without a doubt the star of this shoot as you will see from some of the sample pics below (Sorry Debs and Mick!)

She's just beyond cute!

There she is.

Ruby making a break for it.

A little family fun.

Productive Tobago

Its always special to go to the Sister Isle and this time was not different, I always think about how it would be to live here instead...sigh.

Ok back to reality.

This trip was very productive and Brenda and I hit the ground running. We were out of the guest house in less than 1o minutes of arriving and on the road meeting people and delivering quality flowfoto/flow new media (For all who don't know www.brandnewflow.com) products and services.

We caught up with old friends and made some new ones which I think made the entire trip worth every second. Good show Tobago!

Anywho I had a few seconds to spare between assignment and eating so I took a few random shots most of which are surfing or more correctly put, surfers. I didn't have the right equipment for these types of shots so I had to eek out a few...not to shabby though.

Brens trying to pose but getting ambushed by a wave..yikes!

Vidya and Paul - The perfect 7

Whew! its been a while since I've been here but I'm happy to report that I haven't been lollygagging since you last heard from me.

Vidya and Paul...Oh vidya and Paul...where do I start. this couple is what I would call made for each other, they flow so well together its almost as if the were always married. They both said in their wedding reception that they have know each other for 7 years and they are best friends. How sweet! They both teared up (but didn't cry) as they were talking about each other.

So when I found out that they were going to be in Tobago doing the ole honeymoon thang' I had to go see them and my wife came along as well to see who I had been rambling about.

So we took some more pics in Tobago and had a bitter sweet parting as Paul had to go back to his chilly homeland for work (bummer!)

I'll put up the gallery soon but here are a few pics from the wedding.

Tassa - Vidya was getting ready and started to cry whey they began to play...I immediately excused myself to take a few pics.

Assuring Hands

Enjoying the first moments of marriage.


Some commented that this was like a movie star looking kiss...I just think its love

When they started to dance...Everyone and I mean EVERYONE disappeared, including me, which works out well for shots like these.

Vidya and Paul - Under the shade of the Almond tree

After talking via e-mails for a bit, I've finally met Vidya and Paul! Cool guy and lovely lady.

Limin' under the Almond tree..excited as can be!

They are going to get married on Sunday in a Hindu ceremony and I'm looking forward to documenting their day. I expect sunshine, smiles and lots of good times.

Will keep you posted.

Flowin' with Blue Daisy

Congratulations to Abby and Neil on their impending nuptials!

This lovely couple is excited about their upcoming wedding and I am excited about capturing the Trinidad leg of it...Trinidad leg you say? Yup, as if it wasn't great enough to be doing their wedding, I also get to be half of a collaborative creative that captures their special days.

The other half being a fellow WPJA member, the very talented and lovely Mariann Scuzs of Blue Daisy Weddings, who will record the memories for Abby and Neil in NY.

I've asked Mariann to share some of her lovely save-the-date photos of Abby and Neil on my blog.
Here they are:




You can see more of Mariann's work at www.bluedaisyweddings.com

Shoot with Ayinde - High ISO, Large Aperture and a side of Flash

So one of my partners in crime Ayinde, asked to me to go on a shoot with him on Sunday last in Port of Spain. I was looking forward to do the shoot with him since I had nothing on and wanted to just "connect" with another photog. So Here's me thinking I was going to assist with the shoot, but when we got there I realized that I was only the "muscle" cuz Ayinde didn't want be cavorting with thousands of dollars worth of equipment all around the city at night by himself...yeah it was a night shoot.

So in keeping with all things good and not having to assist Ayinde, I kinda shot the shooter. Yup, and it was gooooood. Shooting a photographer is always interesting you kinda get to see what you look like in action...well, in some part. Plus you get to practice with a subject in a photo journalistic context with out being eyeballed all the time. Sweeet.

Here are some pics.

You really have to give your self to the environment to get the shot you want...here I am lying on a pavement in Port of Spain to get this low angle shot...ahh the smell of all things sewage

checking the angle.

Checking the shot, another angle, excellent rim lighting.

Love this colour version, look at the railing in the bg, the perspective is wicked.

The streetlight makes for excellent back lighting and this gave the photo extra depth.

This was a long exposure, with a double flash.

Profile..getting the shot.

No stress...just waiting on a long exposure.

Getting low for the right angle.

Allison & Sheldon - Well Done

Finally, the wedding has come and gone not without its technical challenges buy lovely none the less. I'm just putting up one pic now. I figure that you might only get the pics here, not sure yet if I'm putting up a gallery.

Ahhhhhhhh....the joy of it all!

November and December 07 Specials for the Beach Babies!

I've been thinking about this a bit and I wanted to try something new so I've decided to do something special for all the beach babies out there.

Wouldn't you love to feel the sand between your toes on your Wedding day?

Any BEACH WEDDING (Beach meaning the ceremony takes place outdoors on the sand) in the month or November and December that is booked this month (October) will receive a whopping 40% discount off the photography cost and if this wedding takes place in Tobago the lucky bride and groom will receive an additional 10% off photography services according to my most recent pricing structure. Of course special conditions apply.

I'm only taking 4 weddings like this so act accordingly ;-)

So tell your friends and beach buddies who are planning Married on the sand!

Terri & Adrian - First Class all the way

Saturday I had the honour of documenting the wedding of Terri-Ann and Adrian, which I was looking forward to ever since we began talking. Why you ask? Well mainly because of Terri's infectious personality and her go getter attitude. Very nice lady...very happy hubby.

Talking about go getter, the wedding was extra special because Terri got the surprise and elation of her life, when one of her invited guests - her former lecturer at University arose to speak. This moment was unexpected and brought about a wave of overwhelming joy for everyone present...especially her parents. Her mother and father embraced each other and cried tears of joy when they heard that their daughter was the top Communication Studies student in the entire University and would be graduating with first class honours. What a day and a way to find out! According to the MC "I wouldn't like to be the guy to speak after him"

All in all, despite a couple speed bumps, this was another lovely time of family joining to family and relationships being built.

I have a few sneak peek photos for you.

Laughing at the fact that I had just caught the make up artist with a silly expression, one of those "delete that photo" moments.

Terri and her two sisters.

Terri said she didn't want to cry...I should have bet her on it, this touching moment was her undoing.


Enjoying marriage fresh out the package.

Standing together.

One of the many "unique" dances that evening...you'll see a few other intersting moves when the gallery goes up.

My first WPJA award!

As all of my faithful blog readers may know, I was accepted to the Wedding Photo Journalist Association just a few months ago and of course its recommended that you enter competitions.

So I did.

I entered in 5 categories and I am happy to say that I actually came in the top ten in one category...fourth to be exact. Considering the standards of the WPJA I think this is a excellent start. There are many more competitions to come and now I've had a taste of victory I'm gunning for more!

Here is the actual page...you can see more at www.wpja.com

The photo that got placed is one of Tarin and Lorenzo from their engagement shoot. Lovely!!! If I do say so myself.
The Judges comments were: "Perfect lighting and directing. Elegant and sensual without being cheesy."

You can see the actual page here >>

From Paris with love....félicitations Lisa and Omo!

I just have to congratulate Lisa and Omo on their engagement! I'm so glad for them both.

They got engaged in Romantic Paris (Par-ree!) right in front the Eiffel Tower! How romantic, what a story to tell.

This is the Tour Eiffel on the actual night, I had to add this pic for a feel of the venue.
Photos Courtesy Yohan

Over the past few months Lisa had been dropping hints about hiring me for her wedding...little did I know...little did she know. I wish I could show you all of their pics from the actual engagement but unfortunately I wasn't there, :-( this is one time my camera felt left out but her expression when she saw the ring...priceless! I have just a couple pics from the up and coming paparazzi Yohan.

Lisa and Omo all smiles after the engagement, see the t-shirt, Lisa has already begun the "triniization". Omo lives is DC (hope I got that right)
Photos Courtesy Yohan

Lemme tell you, this man should get an award! It wasn't an original idea but I've told Omo this already and i have to say it again...I hope all the men out there are taking notes because this is how you do it :-) The Eiffel Tower, the starry sky, the love of your life...most Likely I'll be doing their wedding but whether i do or not, it will be lovely.

My Boston trip

Well we're (We, being my lovely wife Brenda and I) back and safe and sound from Boston.

It was real madness to get tickets to fly to Boston and I learnt my lesson about booking flights on my own the hard way...once you decide, move on it fast. We lost two bookings then eventually had to take a New york flight, and then take the bus to Boston. A four hour ride and being 6'6.5" and 260 does not help...it was like sardineville in there, not to mention the plane seating. Luckily we got exit seats coming back (Yaaaa!)

Even though this trip started off as a wedding assignment, it turned out to be much more, we had time to visit and shop with the moms in law and I met a few people from Brenda's side of the family.

We happened to meet the uncle of the Bride, who was our major contact for the event on the bus stop heading to Boston.
Well I was so shocked to see him, because he and his wife could not get tickets and were back and forth to the airport on standby for the last three days (pressure!) They got on a plane around the same time we did that morning and were trying to call me, but thanks to my STUPID mobile company I wasn't roaming! Arrrrrgh!!! And believe it or not my wife's phone which is a pre-paid phone from the other network was roaming!! I had a paper weight on a corporate phone plan.

Anyway, when we got to the bus stop we couldn't get on the 7 o'clock bus because there was only room for one more and as soon as it drove away, a cab pulled up and out jumped the uncle of the bride and his wife! I was floored!

So we took the 4 hour ride to boston together at 8. We almost missed that bus too, due to the shenanigans of the men who went in search of a go phone and some Chinese and when we got back the bus was already boarding! Thank goodness for the ladies who took the bull by the horns loaded the luggage and got in the line. Of course that wasn't the end of the excitement...I couldn't find my ticket! I had run back and buy another before the bus left without me and then when I sat on the bus I discovered the ticket was in my camera bag :-O. Thank goodness I could use it for the ride back.

Brens taking a read of the local news in Piarco Airport. Our flight left soon after.

On the tram/bus thingy. A pit stop in Puerto Rico on our way to NY.

The uncle of the bride and his wife, right after we saw them jump out the cab, we were so glad it worked out.

Me diggin in at the bus stop, that chinese dude makes some rockin hot dogs!

The Chinese resturant that almost made us miss the bus! Why did some lo mein take so long!

Moms and Brenda. Mushy mother daughter stuff. Gimmie back my wife!

On the way to the Galleria Mall...could not resist this reflection shot. I have short Cargos because I was told I would be hot...I didn't sweat a drop.

Gotcha! Brenda looks back, were were on our was back to the moms in law's house on the Orangeline I think.

LOL! Leaving the MOM in law's house. Someone cracked a funny one. Check out the KEWL flowfoto polo. If you want one let me know!

Yes, yes I just got up. Practicing my mirror shots with the new camera. This is the hotel in Chelsea

Took this on our way to the airport through Queens

On the bus back to NY, some people getting in some work. I eventually was doing some editing as well.

But the wedding was great the family was nice and even though I only met the groom on the wedding day, he was cool as well and I actually got in a dance or two while taking photos. Noice. It was all over in a flash and we were back home, thank goodness for pics to remember the days.