Yesterday Nina and I spent the afternoon at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and I was finally able to test out the new Canon 100mm Macro lens I just got. I was so impressed with the quality of the images I got with it and the detail I was able to capture in even the smallest object was outstanding. It also fared well with some test portraits and the colorful trees made for a perfect backdrop. The bonsai exhibit was my favorite part of the garden and we got one to bring home as well, we’re going to name it “Gizmo”. I’ll definitely be going back in the summer, hopefully with some more new equipment to test out again.
Last weekend I had the awesome opportunity to perform show coverage for Lotus at The Capitol theater in Port Chester, New York for DMNDR. Had such an amazing time! You can read my full write up, see all the photos, and read my interview with the band here:
As a huge lover of winter and the bitter cold, I was so excited that we got one last blizzard this season and I thought there was no better way to enjoy it than to walk around with my camera and take some photos. One of my favorite things about the canon 5D Mark III is how rugged and durable it is. It got covered in snow and I walked around in below freezing temperatures for over an hour and not once did it slow down or lag. It is so nice to know that I can bring it anywhere and not have to worry about it; whether it is walking in a snowstorm, stuffed in my backpack during a rugged hike, or covered in dirt while shooting a motocross race, it just keeps going strong. Aside from the beautiful snow falling, I was able to get some good photos of all the awesome graffiti all over Jersey City where I live, only made more photogenic by the falling snow. All in all it was a great day and while I am excited for spring and summer, I will certainly miss the winter!
Last week I took a trip out to Colorado to spend some time with a few friends and of course to do some snowboarding. I rode at Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin and every day had great conditions. My last day at Beaver Creek I was in knee deep powder the entire time and I cold not have been happier. When I ride, I just bring my GoPro Hero 4 and Iphone with me to take photos since I do not want to risk anything happening to my precious 5D and I just want to focus on my time in the mountains and nothing else. My favorite thing to do between riding in the woods is to turn off my music and just stop amongst the trees and take it all in because there is nowhere else to me that provides more solitude and beauty.
On Monday I took a hike near Boulder in the Chautauqua mountains to do a photography session for a new jewelry line that will be coming out soon so keep your eyes out for a new post once I am all done editing. I brought my EOS 5D mark III and my 24-70mm 2.8 LL lens with me; my go-to hiking setup. One of my favorite things about Colorado is how one day I can be way up in the mountains in a winter wonderland and the next I can be hiking in a t-shirt.
So I am back now and I have traded in the mountains for the skyscrapers of Manhattan but I certainly missed city life and all of the constant stimulation just walking around the streets of New York. I can sense spring right around the corner and I cannot wait to get outside more with my camera!
Since I had Monday off work, Nina and I decided to spend President’s Day Weekend at Lake Wallenpauck exploring some new hiking trails. We hiked Devil’s Hole Trail in Paradise Valley, PA on Sunday where we found some old ruins in the woods and then grilled some delicious ribeye steaks while we watched the stars. All day I was using my Canon EOS 5D and my 24-70mm 2.8. I really love getting away from city life every once and a while so this was a much needed trip to decompress and relax with nature. On Monday, we stopped at High Point State Park on the way home and hiked the Cedar Lake Trail and switched over to my 50mm 1.2 for the day since it is much lighter to carry and it provides beautiful bokeh for up-close nature shots. On Wednesday I am off to Colorado for a week to do some snowboarding and of course take some photos so stay tuned!
Yesterday I did an engagement photo shoot with some close friends of mine from my home town of Mahwah, NJ. As it happens, they have recently moved to Jersey City as well so we chose Liberty State Park for the location and we could not have asked for better weather either. I love working with clients whom I already know because they are so comfortable with me and I know their story as a couple too. Mike and Mandy have been dating since 2008 and my girlfriend and I have been lucky enough to have know them throughout and to enjoy some great times with them. As far as clients go, they were perfect; so natural in front of the camera and even willing to climb over some railings to get the shot!
As usual, I was shooting on my Canon 5D Mark III all day and spent most of the day with my 24-70mm 2.8 II attached. From wide to close, this lens is the most versatile in my arsenal and when I only have the room for one lens, this is certainly my go-to. When I needed to get a little closer I used my 70-200mm 2.8 II. When I can let them be themselves and laugh and not be so close and interfere at all, the telephoto provides some excellent shots.
Overall, we had a great time and I will definitely be using Liberty State Park for future shoots, as well as for catching a sunset after work. Nina and I could not be happier with living in Jersey City and the more we explore, the more I find some great locations for shoots with clients or just for exploring alone with my camera. I wish Mike and Mandy the best of luck on all their endeavors and cannot thank them enough for the opportunity to do their engagement photos. Congratulations guys!!!
Last weekend I had the incredible opportunity to work with Vivre Couture for New York Fashion Week. They were premiering their new line and celebrating their first time on the Red Carpet. After the runway, We brought some of the models outside into Times Square for a photoshoot amidst the traffic and crowds. I was using my Canon EOS 5D Mark III all day with my Canon 70-200mm 2.8 II for the runway and the Canon 24-70mm 2.8 for portraits. You can check out more at http://vivrecouture.com/. Designer Kristen Alyce does all of the design and crafts pieces out of artists canvas. Artist Sarah LePierre then hand paint all of the designs onto the canvas with acrylic paint. It really is wearable art and they got quite the reception from the crown with the original and innovate designs and the beautiful models. I really had a great time and got to work with some awesome people and definitely looking forward to doing more fashion photography before winter.
I spent my Labor day weekend upstate with my dad, a few friends, and of course My Canon 5D and my 50mm 1.2. It was a more relaxing weekend than usual with less adventures and exploring and more time spent editing in the tent and playing with my camera. I’ve eaten nothing but hot dogs and egg sandwiches for the last 72 hours and I must say, I don’t hate it. Between shooting guns, building bonfires and shucking clams we found some time to do long exposures and shoot off some fireworks as well. I kept my 50mm 1.2 on my camera all weekend and love it more each time I use it. Alex brought his DJI Phantom 3 drone and I got the opportunity to fly it as well and was really impressed with the ease of use and the quality of the footage. The problem is now I want to buy one immediately. I will definitely miss summer but bring on fall! I have way too many flannels in my closet right now begging to be worn.
Despite the 90 degree temperatures, Nina and I walked across the Brooklyn bridge after work on Friday and caught the sunset from the park after walking around DUMBO and taking pictures. I was using my canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Canon 24-70mm 2.8 USM and 70-200mm 2.8 USM II. No matter where I am going I always try to bring my 70-200mm with me since it yields such incredible quality photos despite the size and weight. We stuffed our faces at Shake Shack once the sun went down and walked back across the bridge with a perfect summer breeze blowing. Today I treated myself to a Canon 50mm 1.2mm L-series lens for portraits and the weddings I have in August. Can’t wait to explore Jersey City and test it out when it arrives!
Last weekend I spent Sunday afternoon at the Backstreet cafe in New Milford, NJ taking photos for their website and advertising. The owners, Kim and Tom Phelan are some of the nicest people you’ll meet and the food was awesome as well. The best part was getting to eat everything after the photos were done! I used my Canon ESO 5D markiii and EF 16-35mm 2.8II with the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT flash. I just got a Gary Fong flash diffuser for wedding and used that as well; I was really happy with how it softens the flash and helps with shadows. You can check out the Backstreet Cafe at: http://backstreetcafenj.com/.