Jasmine + Jeff

One of the first lessons I learned as a photorapher many years ago was the importance of light.  There was an oft repeated truism that stated, "Gray days=gray images."  Luckily, I don't totally believe that.  I do concede that gray days create certain challenges, but those gray skies can be used to your advantage to create dramatic images that are beautiful.   Jasmine and Jeff were just the case.  The day was freezing, it was raining and blowing. I thought for sure they would call to cancel their beach engagement session.  But, because they had flown in from out-of-state, their schedule would not permit a re-shoot.  It was about an hour and a half before sunset (my favorite time) when the rain subsided and we ventured out onto the breezy beach.  I was delighted with the results.  The dark clouds were like a giant soft box filtering the warm afternoon light above the clouds evenly over the landscape.  Of  course it helped tremendously that Jasmine and Jeff were deeply in love, were delighted to be together, and also pretty darn adventureous when it came to weather.

...a lovely escape to Puerto Rico...

I had a busy summer/fall and welcomed the winter season in which to regroup, sharpen my skills, get back on track with my blog, and focus on my family.  My first ahhhhh moment came when my husband, Ken, and I ran away for his birthday to Puerto Rico. It was a great place to celebrate, relax and refresh, but also a photographer's paradise.  We spent time on the beaches, El Yunque Rain Forest, and Old San Juan.  The perfect recipe for both relaxation and adventure.

On one of our days we boarded the ferry to the island of Culebra.  We spent most of the day on Flamenco Beach (rated as one of the top beaches in the world).  We were not disappointed!

The El Yunque Rain Forest was magnificent!  

Old San Juan has the perfect blend of old architecture, blue cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways in which to meander, old churches and pigeons!  I was a little obsessed with the pigeons.

Old San Juan also has an amazing fort that takes up the entire peninsula on the tip of the island.  Construction began in 1539 from the order of King Charles V of Spain.  Today El Morro has six levels that rise from sea level to 145 feet.   In 1961 the fort was made part of the United States Park Service.   The first aerial photograph below I did not take, but wanted to give you a bird's eye view of the massiveness of the fort.  Photo found on website:  www.thesavyexplorer.com (there was no photographer listed in which to give photo credit).

In the fort there are prisons.   On the walls were ships drawn by prisoners.  The decaying of the wall finish makes for an interesting canvas.  It is speculated it was the work of Spanish captains held there awaiting execution for mutiny.

As we rounded a corner in one of the many passageways, Ken found what appeared to be a ghost on the wall haunting us from ages past.  It was actually how the light was hitting the wall from the next floor up, but it made for an intriguing photograph.

Running away from winter has its advantages....especially when you run away with your love and best friend.  I highly recommend a winter escape for everyone!  Be sure and take your camera.

the gift of time...

Brett and Sarah's wedding was one of my absolute favorites from this summer.  They were in love, engaging, and beautiful (Brett could be a double for Daniel Craig in a James Bond movie--and yes, Sarah is gorgeous).  But even more important...it was because they gave me the stupendous gift that all photographers crave....time.  So often when I shoot a wedding the window of time allotted for photography is snatched away by other circumstances--rarely in control of the bride and groom--guests arrive late, hair and makeup run over, traffic, weather, a best man that can't be found, you know, the list goes on.  But Brett and Sarah were the model of being the perfect couple because they gave me the precious gift of time.  I had well over two and a half hours at the wedding temple dedicated to my camera lens and just them.  I was in heaven!   The three of us celebrated their love as I captured images.  I can never thank them enough for that special morning in August where time was so freely given.  Here are just a few of my favorites: