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.

Bagpipes, Witches Town and the Love of my Life

I just got back from Massachusetts a couple days ago, where Christina and Brian got married on Saturday last in Salem (Salem is known for its history as a witch town and there are still many "witch houses" existing there) The atmosphere was a mix of Irish, Hispanic and of course West Indian Culture. The ceremony was lovely and at the reception people danced to Calypso, Reggae and Latin among others. It was energetic and very lively.

Here are a few pics, the gallery is up at flowfoto.com for you to check, I'll be posting my personal photos soon.

Doing the makeup

Striking a pose

The Ceremony

The walk

Enjoying the first dance

SWEET D3 & D300

FINALLY!!!!

Nikon users all around the world are breathing sighs of relief and crying tears of joy all at the same time because they no longer have to switch to Canon to get a CMOS sensor (High ISO performance) and a full frame DSLR.

Introducing the ALL NEW NIKON D3 and D300! (Shipping in September)

Pictured is the D300, looks quite like the D200 but trust me, its another level of DSLR.

I can't wait to get my hands on the D300 and work out its new features, I'm particularly excited about the CMOS sensor...and the new expeed image processor, Nikon already ruled in ergonomics and usability, its the ISO and lens wars they were losing sadly but with this new CMOS processor and 5 new lenses they are back in the game and for me who had contemplated switching to Canon for a second or two, I'm so glad that I don't have to go to all the trouble to sell all my gear...thank God!Plus I like NIKON cameras better anyway. I hope they live up to all the hype I'm giving them.

Just check out the features on this baby!

NIKON D300 DIGITAL SLR CAMERA: MAJOR FEATURES

New DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels
The D300 features a new 12.3 effective megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor that produces high quality images with fine detail and sharp resolution throughout its sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200. The camera's ISO range can be extended using its built-in options of Lo-1 and Hi-1 for the equivalent of ISO 100 and ISO 6400 respectively. The CMOS sensor's integrated A/D converter features the ability to select between 12-bit and 14-bit conversion, making it possible to shoot 14-bit NEF (RAW) format images.

High-speed performance
The D300 offers professional level high-speed performance with a shutter release time lag of only 45 milliseconds, camera start-up time of 0.13 second, and continuous shooting speed of approximately six frames per second. This speed can also be boosted to eight frames per second when using Nikon's optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10*. The D300 can sustain continuous high-speed shooting for bursts of up to 100 shots** at full 12.3 megapixel resolution, and it supports next generation UDMA high speed memory cards.

New EXPEED Image Processing System
Similar to the Nikon D3, the D300 features the new EXPEED Image Processing System that is central to the speed and processing power of the camera. EXPEED delivers optimized performance for the camera and its features and ensures high-image quality and high-speed image processing.

Versatile new Picture Control System
The D300 features Nikon's versatile Picture Control System that allows photographers to fine-tune and adjust fundamental rendering options for their pictures so they can define the exact tone, sharpening, brightness and saturation they prefer. They can then port these settings to any other Nikon camera featuring the Picture Control System, such as the recently introduced D3, so that even when shooting with different cameras, they can get consistent tones for all their pictures.

New 51-point auto focus system
The D300 features Nikon's Multi-CAM 3500DX auto focus sensor module, with 51 AF points, including 15 cross-type sensors that are located in the center of the frame. These cross-type sensors work with all NIKKOR lenses, including those with apertures as small as f/5.6. The D300's auto focus system is closely linked with the camera's innovative Scene Recognition System to deliver greater accuracy in subject detection and focus tracking performance.

Revolutionary new Scene Recognition System
Nikon's D300 features a revolutionary new Scene Recognition System that greatly enhances the accuracy of, auto exposure, auto white balance detection and auto focus in the camera. The Scene Recognition System uses the camera's built in 1,005-pixel RGB metering sensor to recognize the subject or scene being photographed and detect any movement. This information helps optimize exposure and white balance settings for the recognized subject and also enables the camera to assign appropriate AF points based on any movement of the subject, ensuring highly precise auto focus tracking performance.

Super-density, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution
The D300 features a gorgeous, ultra high-definition 3-inch LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution. The monitor provides a 170-degree viewing angle and is very effective in confirming focus on pictures as well as framing a shot using the camera's new LiveView modes.

LiveView shooting with two optimized modes
Two new LiveView modes in the D300 enable photographers to compose their shot using the camera's ultra-high resolution LCD monitor. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera's conventional TTL focusing system, with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus.

Active D-Lighting
Nikon's D-Lighting feature in its digital SLR cameras has proved to be a popular way for photographers to quickly compensate for dark areas of a picture after it is taken, without adversely affecting its highlights. The D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.

Self-cleaning Sensor Unit for efficient dust reduction
The D300 is the first Nikon digital SLR camera to employ a Self-cleaning Sensor Unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the presence of dust in the camera.

Large, bright viewfinder that achieves 100% frame coverage
The D300's new eye-level pentaprism viewfinder offers virtually 100 percent frame coverage and 0.94x magnification for comfortable and precise composition.

Fine-tune adjustment for auto focus
Photographers who need to make small adjustments to correct differences in focusing can do so using the D300's built-in capability to adjust focus specific to a lens. The camera offers the option of either setting compensation for a specific lens so adjustment in focus is only enabled when that particular lens is used, or the camera can apply a uniform level of compensation for any lens used with the camera. Users can store settings for up to 20 different lenses if they prefer to fine-tune the camera's focusing based on specific lenses.

Reliable and durable
The D300 incorporates several features designed to ensure the camera performs reliably and consistently under demanding conditions. The camera's chassis is constructed of highly durable magnesium alloy and the body features numerous seals to protect the camera against dust and moisture. The camera's shutter mechanism is tested to 150,000 cycles, assuring a long life of consistent performance.

Exclusive Wireless Transmitter WT-4A (optional)
The D300 is compatible with Nikon's new WT-4A wireless transmitter that provides support for wired LAN (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX) and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11a/b/g,). When using the D300 in LiveView mode, the WT-4A can transmit a remote view from the camera and also support continuous shooting through a wireless or wired connection using Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2 software (optional).

Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional)
The D300 is also compatible with the optional new Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10. This battery pack supports three types of batteries and features sequential power supply with auto-switching to the battery installed inside the camera body. When used, the battery pack can boost the D300's high-speed continuous shooting to eight frames per second* for up to 100 consecutive shots**.

Check out NIKON for all the info on the other stuff

Honest Answers about Wedding Photography

Came across this when I was browsing the blog of one of my fellow photographers. I'll probably make it a permanent fixture on the blog later on.

Get Honest Answers! >>

For all those who are going to get married and have not decided on a photographer yet, check this out...