Our Summer Sessions are really about just capturing those beautiful “Day in the Life” moments -  fleeting tastes of childhood summers that pass before you know it.

There’s still one opening available so be sure to contact the studio as soon as possible if you’re interested in having us preserve a slice of your child’s summer for you.

from complex up dos to simple, playful ponytails, we’ve seen it all. here are some of our favorites:

The first, was from Nora and Matt’s wonderful wedding at The Metropolitan Club.  The second was from Tamara and Michael’s Engagement Session in SoHo.

JUDGES COMMENTS: I like the layers in this photograph. It’s nice to have context in an image and to be able to see where and how many people attend the wedding. This photograph accomplishes both as a slow shutter speed records this man studying his paperwork a blur of attendees swirl in the background. Nice framing with the symmetrical lights and perfectly framed entrance that highlights the sharpness of all the detail in and outside the room.

JUDGES COMMENTS: The beauty of this image is how the primary focus on the vendor is not lost among the crowded elements of the scene. It’s partly due to the subject’s own actions. He is deliberate and focused. It’s hard to miss his professionalism. But the image gets the award for supporting actor through artful use of leading lines used in the composition combined with lighting that leads our eyes directly to his scrutiny.

JUDGES COMMENTS: I like the way this portrait includes their dog! Just adds an element about them that gives us a sense of who they are. Their embrace is very sweet and the urban context is interesting and the dog is not sure what to think of it all. Nice framing of the image.

Personally, I like the way the graphic face on the lefthand door seems to be watching the couple.

this event was at the wonderful Cipriani 42nd Street.

just you and 550 of your closest colleagues…

the lovely hostesses

The Climbing Tree held forth in a Frederick Law Olmstead designed park near the house in which I grew up.  Of course she predated Olmstead’s work.  She even predated George Washington’s work.  This old tree had seen some history.

“…Her impossibly long and knotted arms twisted out and about every which way – each completely covered with what seemed to be a hundred of years of tattoos – carved scars bearing names and dates and mathematical formulas of lover’s initials circumscribed by hearts.  She was an entire illustrated tree filled with evidence of those who stayed and enjoyed her at least long enough to make their mark.  Those gravity and logic defying branches stretched long and low – perfect for climbing.  She slowly waved them back and forth in the breeze begging passers to hop on one of her bark covered tendrils.    For those climbing aboard she provided a ready-made Indiana Jones fantasy complete with a tangled sea of writhing snake roots waiting to snap at your ankles should you swing too low…”

Occasionally I would stop by with my kids and let them climb aboard as I had done when I was their age and of course, I’d take a few pictures.

but i didn’t give the photographs much thought or place any exceptional value on them – they were just cool snapshots of my kids.

That is until this weekend.  On Sunday I was in the area again and went for a walk in the park and was stunned to find her gone.

My third thought (after, “who the heck would do such a thing”, and “why didn’t someone come up with a creative way to avoid this”) was “Oh man. I’m so glad I have those photographs!”

Sad fact that time eventually robs of us our youth, our beauty, our memories and ultimately, our existence – but the more of that we lose the more our photographs become worth to us.

And there you have it – the climbing tree reminded me of how quickly our photographs can appreciate in value.  Quite simply, before this weekend, I had a few pretty cool pictures of my kids playing in a tree.  I realize now I have irreplaceable treasures.

“Ok. You finally get all of your family and friends together – dressed up and looking sharp. Everybody brings along a camera to take a group shot.  Oh, just let me get one picture… wait, let’s get her in this too… wait one sec…. look this way…. wait, put down your drink…. wait…look this way…. smile… wait, which button is it? Did the flash go off? Oh, you blinked… wait let’s do one more. Oh wait, do one with my camera too. And you never see them anyway. Not that that’s such a bad thing because they looked like crap. Our self-portrait studio is manned by a photographer, real equipment, real lighting, real fun. Guests take their own pictures with a remote and see the results instantly on screen. They keep going until they get what they love. They want a nice family formal – we’ll make sure they get it. Want a group shot of school friends – have at it. And after a few drinks…. they get kinda fun. High resolution files can be used to make great big images – not some little rinky dink strip that one person runs off with. No better way to memorialize your friends.”

And here’s what you get (I’ll skip past the nice family pictures to the, “sure we’ve had a few drinks” fun stuff) :

And then it starts to get out of control….

and i thought the raw silk runner was a great match for the room…

such a cute couple.

decor was done by the wonderful and fun to work with David Beahm.  Check out the copper mirrored tabletops.

that image you see in the table above is the reflection from the ceiling’s trompe l’oil

clear glass chargers… brilliant.

the grand entrance

the first dance… soul street bringing everyone to the dance floor.

and then this amazing duo came out – Black Violin – wandering with wireless violins – cranking out some classical tunes until the hiphop dj joined in and the 3 of them rocked the house.  awesome!

and the self portrait studio once again was a huge hit with everyone.

But let’s start at the beginning.

Dorothy’s ruby red slippers ain’t got nuthin’ on Francine’s tourquoise Loubatins.

below – a great shot of the guys by Ron

and Francine was radiant

as francine and peter see each other for the first time…

mail order bride?

in my photography lectures, I always stress how unique shots are everywhere around us – you just need to have your eyes open, think outside the box and be willing to ask for crazy things with a straight face.

excuse me, Mr. UPS Man, would you mind if we climbed in the back of your truck for a sec?  In the case of the Ghostbusters’ Firehouse shot (top and below), I actually had the Fire Chief move the ladder truck forward to even out the light across the face of the truck and the firehouse.

Below: “The Spectacle” by Ron.

The 18 person bridal party on our way to Tribeca Rooftop.  Keeping the ladies having a good time while avoiding breaking their ankles on cobblestones while in high heels is a neat trick.

on the Tribeca Rooftop