Bar Mitzvah Cover Boy!

I was very excited to learn that Westchester Family wanted to use one of my images for it's just published Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide. Thousands of copies of the Guide are being distributed throughout Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

This image was taken the week of this boy's Bar Mitzvah. When possible I really do prefer to take the Temple portrait images a few days before the Bar Mitzvah day. I do this for a combination of reasons:

1) It's less stressful for the family.
2) It allows me more time for creativity.
3) We don't have the distractions of guests arriving early for services.
4) And it keeps all the focus of the big day on the big day. There's enough going on without having to take pictures.

That all being said, some families do opt for the portraits before services, provided the Temple permits it. And it works out just fine that way, too.

You can pick up the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide at area temples, Jewish Community Centers and select supermarkets.

Mommy & Me Was A Big Success!

Thanks to all the moms (and a few grandmas) and kids who came by last month for my Mommy & Me Portrait Special. It was such a treat to showcase moms and their kids. The kids were most adorable.

Clearly I'm photographing for the Mom. And she chooses pictures she likes. But I also become the advocate for the kid - being his or her voice when mom selects images. If you're of a certain age - like me - I bet there aren't too many pictures of your mom playing with you when you were just a small tike. That doesn't mean it didn't happen. They just didn't take pictures of that when we were growing up. More formal portraiture was the vogue.

So the magical thing for me is thinking of how I'm allowing time travel to happen. I'm giving a special gift to the child in front of me - showing him or her that: "Yes, your mom loved getting on the ground and playing with you. Look how young, gorgeous and vibrant she looked when you were just starting out! And just look at the sparkle in her eye. You gave her that!"

The sparkle in a mother's eye never dims when she's gazing upon her child. As a photographer, it is my sweet job to capture it for the ages.

Putting a Legal Slant on Portraiture

I love business portraiture - the art of finding the perfect setting, putting the client - who many times I've just met - at utter ease, and creating a sterling expression and pose that translates confidence, approachability and integrity.

A recent job that had all that was my work with the Stamford law firm of Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLC. A marketing and design firm, Brandmark Studios, was working on a new website for the firm. They asked me to handle the attorney portraits. I scouted out three potential areas to shoot at the firm: the lobby, a conference room and the library. I photographed everyone who was there in one day. I returned another day to photograph attorneys who were out the first day. All round it was a terrific project. Everyone at WRKK and Brandmark Studios was wonderful to work with.

Jeffree is a Great DJ!!!

If anyone is in need of a great DJ, I highly recommend Jeffree Kiley Stroffolino of More Than Music. Jeffree was actually the first DJ I worked with when I moved to Stamford years ago. It was the wedding of Tina and Jeff at the Stamford Hibernian Club. It was more of a luncheon type wedding rather than a big reception. Jeffree provided wonderful background music throughout and then one song for Tina and Jeff to dance to. But the main thing that stood out for me was the few words he said about Tina and Jeff. He spoke of how nice a couple they were. It was a real special moment.

I've seen Jeffree at plenty of other events over the years. And he's always impressed me as a class act. He can get a party rocking and he can keep it more low key depending on the setting and the family's request.

He's also looked out for me to make sure he didn't have a couple start cutting the cake while I was in another part of a reception hall. He's pointed out when key people were dancing on the dance floor, which is so helpful. While looking out for me, he's also looked out for his clients.

So if you need a DJ or think you may in the future, write down Jeffree's name and number. He definitely provides More Than Music to any party I've seen him at.

Mommy & Me Portrait Special April 13th - 26th

It's time to celebrate MOMS! I am so excited about this upcoming special: Mommy & Me. It's just such a special way to record the mother and child relationship. Moms don't often get to be in front of the camera. I really see this two ways. First for the moms who have kids still living at home - this is a terrific way to have that fun experience with your kids that they can look back on years from now. And then the second group of people is anyone who's reading this who would love a portrait with their own mom. So this promotion really embraces moms of all ages!!!

Portrait sessions are available from April 13th through April 26th (both weekday and weekend slots are open).

Another Terrific Celebrate Party Showcase

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth at the Celebrate Party Showcase this past weekend at the Greenwich Hyatt. As always, it's an amazing show with a fabulous array of talented vendors. If you have any further questions about my bar/bat mitzvah or wedding photography, I would be happy to talk to you. I do have a 10% show special for any event bookings in the next two weeks. I wish you all the best with your planning and ultimately a fabulous event you'll cherish for years to come.

Kudos to Flora Smithline and Elise Davis for putting on a terrific show.

Priceless Expressions Were Just That!!!

My "Priceless Epxressions" special photographing kids went extremely well. Here are just a few of the cuties who came by to share their laughter and sweet giggles. Kids are just so wonderful to photograph. They're so full of marvelous expressions and personality. I love being able to capture their faces for their parents to cherish. But I also love being able to capture those faces for the little girls and boys who will one day grow up and be able to look back and marvel at how small and precious they were.

Thanks to all the families who came by. Next month's special will be Mommy & Me portraits the last two weekends of the month. Be on the lookout for details.