DESTINATION: PHILADELPHIA!

I remember when this beautiful bride...


was just a bridesmaid...

summer 2005!

Oh how quickly they grow up!!!

I can't even begin to tell you all how happy I was when I received a call from Danielle asking me to photograph her wedding! Not only had she been a bridesmaid in one of my most defining and sentimentally favorite weddings but she was to also have it in Philadelphia, a favorite city of mine to photograph in...
When we first arrived Danielle and her family were in such a great mood and they greeted us so well that it was a bit daunting... I think we got offered drinks about 20 times in the first 10 minutes!
From the outstart I was entertained by the Dicerbo's and their humor. Danielle made me laugh so hard when I first started shooting when she noticed how her dad would always smile and and look at the camera every time I would point it in his direction, and seeing that I didn't say anything to him, she just went ahead and blurted out "Dad! stop posing...it's supposed to be candid"! (everyone laughed... even dad)
Ah, but his smile never disappeared... you could tell he was extremely happy...and very, very proud.
And who wouldn't be? Danielle looked SPECTACULAR!
Stunning, I think is the word her French groom Bertrand used. Damn those French and their gift with words...
What great people, I am very happy to have met you all especially Danielle, her family, and her really cool Bertrand!

Despite the fact that this was to be my first nighttime wedding ( not something to be taken lightly) I think we were able to get some really spectacular photos and some amazing moments.
I hope you all agree!


















If you would like to see more pictures, there is a SLIDESHOW presentation here (please have patience while it loads and be careful with your volume).


Maria Mayer and Amber Johnson thanks for coming along with me!
PS. Heather and Joe (and Debbie) Thank you again for such a wonderful first wedding in Philadelphia. It has brought me many great moments, images and weddings, it is like I said in the post, a sentimental favorite.
PS2. And of course thank you my dearest Cynthia for always recommending and believing in me!

Slideshows

If you have been following my blog you probably noticed that I started adding slideshows to my entries...
-'bout time (I can hear some of you say).
In the online news world, slideshows have been going on for a while. However, instead of just having music accompany their images they add narration (think NPR but with pictures). The main differences between a traditional slideshow -like the ones that I and most people make- and a news centered photojournalistic one is that there is narration and a story line... not just a timeline.
As shamelessly self promoting as this blog is, this entry will not make reference to any particular slideshow or picture of mine. In fact, the slideshow I want you all to view is somewhat different than most, it is presented "flip-book"style and although it is reportage, it is a slideshow with no narration...just many story lines.
It is like watching a movie with only the soundtrack playing. Making it, in my view, an incredibly powerful and unique presentation; unique in the sense that you make it your own... it becomes personal, intimate... there is no one there. No one to tell you what, or how, to think, feel or react. No outside voices, just yours...
Listen to the beautiful music as well (I am a big fan of traditional music, especially middle eastern and Persian) see how well they go together...


For the flip-book style presentation of Iraqi Kurdistan by Ed Kashi go here.



Weep for Joy...help others.