Roxanna & Chris

One of the fun sessions I enjoy photographing for my brides-to-be is their “Love Story” session (aka “engagement session”). I prefer this title because I truly want to show the love relationship between the bride-to-be and her fiancé. I strive to create portraits that burn with passion and friendship. Usually, this is the first time that I get to meet the groom-to-be in person, and I really want to impress him with my style of photography before the wedding day.

Meet Roxanna Urena & Chris, one of my latest couples. Roxanna met me at a recent bridal show, fell in love with my work, and booked me on the spot. (I love it when that happens). Anyway, Roxanna couldn’t wait to have me photograph her with Chris. To be quite honest, after viewing the images I created for them, I now know why. They are totally in love with each other and have a rock solid relationship that is quite evident in their portraits. See for yourself.

I'll show you images from Roxanna and Chris'
wedding on a future blog listing.

Spot on Lung

Six months ago my daughter Dana got fed up with a chronic little cough that I'd had for months (who knows...years?) and scheduled a doctor's appointment for her dear 'ole dad'. Prior to the appointment an episode one night where I had a complete shortness of breath put the icing on the cake for me. So, I took every one's advice and submitted to a CT scan. Results? I had a tiny nodule on my right lung. In January my primary care doctor said "nothing to worry about; we'll check again in 6 months".

Fast forward: Two weeks ago I had another CT scan and was told by my PC not to worry again, but then he wanted me to have a PET scan today. Ummm? Not sure why (yet). The good thing out of all this so far is that in February 2008 I joined a local gym and I now have a daily routine from 9-10AM, Monday through Friday. I spend an hour weight lifting one day and cardio the next. I feel great (better than I have in a long time) because sitting behind a computer all day working on digital images CAN make you fat and lazy. I'll keep you posted.

Ena Bernard & The Kennedy's

This weekend I had the pleasure of being a part of history that can never be repeated. Imagine photographing the 100 year old nanny for the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy's family. Well, both my daughter (Dana) and I were the exclusive photographers for Ena Bernard's birthday celebration at The Signature Grand in Davie. We were honored that Ena's daughter (Josefina Harvin) chose us from among the Recommended Photographers at The Grand to document this special occasion.

The Event Producer for Ena's party was Linda Blanco and she saw that everything progressed smoothing with the high profile guests that would be in attendance. After meeting Ena and photographing her with Josefina, throughout the event I photographed her one on one with each arriving Kennedy, including mom Ethel Kennedy. You could feel the excitement building with each dignitary's arrival until finally the entire Kennedy clan was present. Awesome!

It was amazing watching the Kennedys embrace, touch, and kiss Ena in their own special way as they greeted her. Her eyes sparkled with each greeting and her lips broke into a smile as they snuggled their faces close to hers. The significance of the event, however, was so eloquently explained when Josefina introduced the audience to Ena and the Kennedys. She graciously thanked everyone (especially the Kennedys who had flown in from various parts of the country) for coming to her mom's birthday celebration. As Ena's only child, Josefina's humble words of appreciation and gratitude to the Kennedys brought tears to our eyes and a standing ovation for Ena.

While I was documenting this event I sensed a little of the humbleness and pride that Ena was experiencing for herself and her family. As a father, I watched my daughter photographing this "once-in-a-lifetime" event with me. She was getting both a history and photography lesson that would stick with her the rest of her professional life. Thanks for inviting us Harvin and Kennedy families.

Happy Birthday, "Mimi!!

The Harvin FamilyEna with the Kennedy children she lived with & helped raise.Ena & Josephina with the entire Kennedy clanEna and Ethel Kennedy
Me with Joe Kennedy & wife
Dana with Joe Kennedy and wife

Jorge Antonatos (DJ) with Joe Kennedy and wife
Josefina holding a greeting card to Ena
from Presidential candidate Barack Obama

To view more images: Click here, select View Events, and enter Ena as the Session ID

DJ: Jorge Antonatos (jorgeant@visiondjs.com)
Event Producer: Linda Blanco (lindablanco@thesignaturegrand.com)

Big Sister - Serena

Several months ago when I photographed Serena's 4-year old sister Savanna, I was able to create some of the cutest portraits of a child. In fact, at the May 2008 PPGF Print Competition one of the three First Place Merits I won was of a portrait I'd taken of Savanna. (That winning image is now in the new header design for this blog; she's holding the doll). Anyway, the day that I gave her parents the ribbons and actual photograph used in the competition, I knew I had a dilemma. How could I photograph the Stapleton's youngest daughter and not the older sister?

To solve this problem, I offered them a session for Serena knowing she might have felt a little left out. On the other hand, she had such an awesome attitude about all the fuss made of Savanna's success (no jealousy with this kid), I felt she would do wonderfully in her own session. Needless to say, she didn't let me or her parents down. I want you to look at the first image I took of her. Perfect! This is how we started the session. The rest of our time together was nothing but fun and laughter for the two of us. We had a ball together and many of the poses you see I confess that Serena struck them up herself. She was doing so well in front of the camera that I started calling her "supermodel".

It's such a pleasure to photograph children who are comfortable with themselves at an early age and are having equal fun simply growing up. I created a lot of images knowing that this is what the parents might treasure, but I also created some images that I believe will show what a beautiful young woman she is growing up to be. The Stapletons should be proud parents of their two daughters. Serena and Savanna are beautiful girls that this photographer think are "special".