:: sneak peek :: joan & jon's central park engagement session, new york city engagement photogapher

What is more romantic than sitting under the cherry blossoms in Central Park and stealing a few kisses? Not much. Super excited to share Joan & Jon's romantic Central Park engagement session soon. Stay tuned!

top 10 essentials to keep in your camera bag on a wedding day

As I was packing up my camera bag and getting ready for my latest wedding, I realized that I always make sure I have the same everyday items before I leave the house. Ok, I'll admit that sometimes feel like Jennifer Lopez in the Wedding Planner (love that movie!) but I like to be organized and ready for anything. Here are my top 10 essentials to keep in your camera bag that doesn't involve your gear. Enjoy!

1 - Lip balm: my lips get very dry when shooting a wedding. I do my best to drink enough water throughout the day but they still get dry. Honestly, if I can't find my lip balm, I might have a freak out.

2 - Band-Aids: blisters are no one's friend. I'm happy to say that my Steve Madden P-Heaven flats don't give me blisters but what about the Bride or someone in the Bridal party? I like to carry a few extra band-aids with me at all times.

3 - Hair ties & bobby pins: I photographed a wedding on the beach and boy, it was windy!! I have plenty of Goody hair ties & bobby pins in my bag.

4 - Ear plugs: Last year, while I was photographing a wedding, I accidentally stood in front a speaker. So, when the officiant started to talk again, the noise levels went right through my left ear and by the end of the wedding, I was dizzy and felt sick. I had a swaying sensation for weeks before I finally visited the ear doctor. Turns out that my ear had a pitch in which is why I felt like I was moving, when I knew wasn't. After a few weeks of medicine, everything is back to normal but now I wear earplugs at every reception. Lesson learned!

5 - Aspirin: sometimes you get a random headache out of no where and I don't want to be stranded without aspirin. ever.

6 - Allergy Medicine: Oh, you didn't know that flower or tree you are allergic to is blooming at the outside venue your are photographing today? Bummer! Just in case, I always carry dayquil & generic allergy medicine as well.

7 - Safety pins: I know (see: the wedding planner comment above) but I have had to use them on more than one occasion to help a Bride with her dress or groom with his shirt.

8 - Hand cream or lotion: If you're outside for a long period of time, your hands will get dry. I try to keep my hands as moisturized as possible throughout the wedding day. Aveda Hand Relief is my favorite!

9 - Power bars: When you are photographing a wedding, you don't get a chance to eat till the reception but like most human beings, I get hungry every 4-5 hours. So, I always have my KIND bars with me as my mid-wedding pick me up.

10 - Wedding Day Timeline: I always have a printed copy of my wedding day timeline with me at all times. Yes, I have it on my iPhone as well but sometimes its just easier to go old school and use actual paper.

:: things i like :: professional photographers magazine

I'm currently loving my new subscription to Professional Photographer Magazine from PPA. It's full of helpful photography tips, interesting interviews and lots of good advice. After I read my first copy, I immediately subscribed. Yes, I know that I have too many subscriptions but I'm just renewing the magazines I actually read. (sorry, new york magazine) Enjoy!

:: sneak peek :: Judy & Hai-Gi's West Village Engagement Session, Brooklyn Engagement Photographer

Super excited to share a sneak peek from Judy & Hai-Gi's west village engagement session. These two are tying the knot this weekend & I can't wait to be part of their wedding day! Enjoy!

:: things i like :: film is not dead book

I recently discovered and purchased Jonathan Canlas's Film Is Not Dead book which is a guide for digital photographers looking to shoot film. I seriously thought this book was written just for me because this is what I was looking for. I've been asking myself, "how do I expose my film to look how I want?", "what light meter should I purchase?" and luckily FIND explains it all. Jonathan shoots with a Contax 645 (my new love) and explains how he exposes, processes and creates his photography. He's really open and honest about his process which is amazing since his own photography inspires me! I read this book cover to cover and it's full of helpful information. I felt a few light bulbs go off every few pages which is always exciting! However, I don't think this book is for everyone because it's extremely specific to the type of equipment he uses but I would recommend it to anyone interested in getting back into film and expanding their photography. There is also a whole network of FIND'ers who shoot film together, Jonathan hosts FIND workshops all year round and across the globe and even has time to reply to my emails about exposure. What kind of awesome sauce is that? Love this book!

photo from amazon.com

say hello to my Contax 645!

Back in January, I decided to sell my beloved Mamiya RZ67 (insert a bit of remorse here) and purchase a Contax 645 camera. It's a medium format film camera that literally makes my heart swoon. I will miss the stunning polaroids from the Mamiya but I decided that I wanted to devote more time to film, which is where it all began. Throughout high school and college, I studied photography and learned how to develop my own film. It was challenging, fun and rewarding all at the same time. Well, this time around, I don't have to develop my own film (thank goodness!) but with the help of labs like Richard Photo Lab & Indie Film Lab my new Contax shots are coming out great. I'm still learning how the light reacts with each type of film I'm testing (Fuji 400h or Portra 400) but each time I download my latest scans, it seriously feels like Christmas. Now that Spring is finally here, I'm taking my Contax 645 out almost everyday and getting used to shooting with a new camera, using my light meter and creating images that I find beautiful. So, here are a few of my latest film scans from Indie Film Lab all shot with Fuji 400H.

:: sneak peek :: Heather & Mike's Montauk Yacht Club Wedding, Brooklyn Wedding Photographer

Every detail of Heather & Mike's gorgeous Montauk Yacht Club Wedding was absolutely breathtaking. It's hard for me to pick a favorite image to share but here's a sneak peek of the newly married couple. Stay tuned!!

Kendra & Matt's NYC Soho Engagement Session, Brooklyn Engagement Photographer

Kendra & Matt are one of the sweetest couples ever! They constantly make each other laugh, can't stop smiling and truly make each other happy which is how they knew that they were going to be together within the first 5 months of dating. Yes, they got engaged soon after they started dating - so sweet! During their new york city engagement session, we visited the Little Cupcake Bakeshop in SoHo before walking around Little Italy which is where the happy couple went on their very first date. I'm so excited for their wedding later this year. Enjoy!

:: for the bride :: the perfect thank you gift for your bridesmaids

Today's for the bride is all about giving the perfect thank you gift to your bridesmaids. I've been a bridesmaid a few times and it's always an honor to be part of a friend or family members wedding day. I always treasure and keep the gifts each bride gives to me as her special way of saying thank you. So, here are a few of my top choices. Enjoy!

No.1 This might not be a thank you gift right away but having all your bridesmaids wear cute stripped dresses, like this striped betsey dress from kate spade new york, would be great after your wedding. All your bridesmaids would definitely wear it again and thank you later, score! No. 2 Give matching earrings! I'm obsessed with these kate spade new york small square studs. They are so light and gorgeous (I want them in every color!) that I think your bridesmaids would agree too. No.3 What a great way to say thank you by giving your bridal party coordinating bridesmaid's clutches to say thank you. And don't forget about your Maid of Honor. This unique clutch (No.4) is just for her!

:: things to do :: The Paper Parties at Lion in the Sun

Ever wonder how to plan a wedding by using your inspiration words? My friends Viva Max Weddings, Michelle Edgemont and Haute So Sweet show you how it's done via The Paper Parties! The first one is being hosted at Lion in the Sun in Brooklyn on May 2nd from 6-8pm. Email Viva to attend (it's FREE!) sip a few cocktails, enjoy sweet treats and get inspired. I'll be there to support my friends and I hope to see you too. Cheers!