OSP North Meetup, or....Always Be Learnin!

Being a photographer in New York City is a lot like being Chinese. Even if you are a one in a million, there are a whole lot of folks, just like you. While sometimes standing out in the crowd can be a challenge, in the end you just have to do your own thing, and be the best "You", you can be. And one way I accomplish that is by blending my own artistic vision with the latest trends and techniques in the photography industry.

There is no better way of staying on top of the fast paced NYC photo trends that to regularly meet with amazing photographers and talk shop. Today I met up with some friends from the Tri-State area for lunch at Tanti Baci in the village.

Aside from enjoying great food and conversation, we are photographers and since we always have a camera around, it was just a matter of time until someone started taking some pictures.

Here are a few from the day.
That is Chelo hiding...and then not. Check out her work at www.Chelophoto.com

Tara, from www.TaraSharmaphotography.com

Jameel, from www.JameelMorrison.com








Not pictured, but a big thanks goes out to Bill Wang and Matt Richman at
www.bwangphoto.com and www.mattrichman.com

In case you don't have a window in New York

It's cold and snowy.
But now is the perfect time. If you are planning your wedding and thinking about the sunshine of a June day for your Long Island wedding, now is the time to interview your vendors and start booking.
January is the start of the booking season and prime dates go quickly, especially with some of the incentives vendors are offering right now.

A Big "Thank You" to Veterans !

You many not agree with where they are in the world, but you have to respect that they have the guts to do a job that you and I could not do.

Thank You Vets. I appreciate the freedom you fight for and the sacrafices you have made.

If you are current active duty Military and are getting married in 09, call me and lets talk. I will say "Thank You" with a $500 print credit towards your package if you book prior to 12/31/08.

How to reduce the cost of your Long Island Wedding

I originally saw this on Consumerist, one of my favorite blogs. They got it from CNN and I have a link to the whole story here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/08/01/wedding.list.quiz/index.html
I recommend reading it. Really funny and really interesting idea. The basic premise is:

"Too often, women are pressured into inviting way too many people to their weddings out of a sense of obligation. Parents, prospective in-laws and grooms can turn a simple wedding into a grand affair.
And as soon as that engagement ring catches her eye, that occasional lunch acquaintance feels entitled to share in your happy nuptials.
Then you realize too late that the majority of people at your wedding don't really know you or what has been going on in your life up until your big day."

They go on to suggest a quiz to see who makes the cut and gets an invite:
"Here are 10 questions couples can use to trim that guest list and weed out the people you really don't want at your wedding.
1) Name the city I'm living in now (Good one to weed folks out, especially if you have moved a lot. Don't use this if you've lived in the same place for 10 years).
2) Name at least two of my closest friends.
3) Name my current employer and my past employer (Again, if you've remained in the same job for 15 years, this does not apply).
4) Do I have any kids?
5) Do you know the name of my fiancé? Bonus question: Where and when did we meet?
6) Do you know where my parents are and whether they are still alive? (Imagine a friend at your wedding asking how long have your parents been married when they divorced years ago).
7) Name at least two of my hobbies.
8) How old am I? (My favorite is when family friends would query, 'Are you 28 now?" Imagine their surprise when I proclaimed, 'yeah, 10 years ago!')
9) Where did I go to college? (Some people might not remember whether you attended college or even graduated.)
10) Name my last boyfriend before this engagement. Bonus question: if you can name the last two and why we broke up. If you get the bonus question right, that might automatically get you in.
Scoring helps determine whether you get invited.
If you score 50 percent or below, you definitely are not getting invited.
If you score barely over 50 percent, you are on the waiting list. If someone who scored better than you cannot attend, you might get an invitation. This barely acceptable person who might be invited may get you a great gift because of their guilt for scoring so low.
If you score over 60 percent, you get an invitation."