To keep myself informed and inspired as a photographer, I regularly attend various seminars and workshops.  And as such, I attended a 3-day workshop in Nantucket this week, held by my friend and mentor, Claudia Kronenberg. Under the banner ‘Jump Start Your New Year‘, Claudia and her team presented an outstanding program. They covered various aspects that a photographer would need to stay at the cutting edge, artistically and professionally. Thanks again to Claudia, Brea & Gordon and my fellow photographers who attended and help make this a wonderful event!

The highlight for me was a fashion shoot at the Whaling Museum where we had the chance to work with two great models - Seth and Marie. We were allowed to direct the models, and each push ourselves creatively. These are a few of my favourite images of the day.

Jennifer and Kwang are a beautiful couple - (Kwang, I’m allowed to say that?) - whose wedding I photographed recently. The affection between this couple was clearly to be seen the entire day, such as this photo above, of them in the the limo after the ceremony.

On this bitingly cold day here in New Jersey, Jen and Kwang were brave enough for some portraits outside on the grounds of the Florentine Gardens where they held their reception.

It was much warmer inside - much better to capture a few romantic portraits ..

Jen looking thoughtful during the toasts ..

This impromptu dip after the cutting of the cake shows the spirit of fun and affection that pervaded the entire day. Thank you Jen & Kwang, it was wonderful being part of your special day.

Megan and Jon were married during the last weekend of December - and from their engagement portrait session, I knew I would really enjoy photographing their wedding.

Megan getting ready, with the help of her mother and bridesmaids.

Megan …

Their reception was held at The Seasons, one of the best venues here in New Jersey.  It’s one of my favourite places to photograph in, because it lends itself easily to photography inside - like on this bitterly cold evening when it was just easier to work inside.

A fun shot of the couple, using a fish-eye lens to give that extreme viewpoint.

It always feels like a privilege to photograph a wedding of a couple who is so obviously in love. Megan & Jon, best wishes for your future together.

Kathy and Ken are a couple from California who wanted to do their exchange of vows in Central Park, on New Year’s Eve. The following are a few images from what turned out to be a fabulous photo-shoot with a wonderful couple. And here is a slideshow of the photo album of the afternoon’s events.

Part of the trip through Central Park was on one of the horse carts there, which are a well-known New York sight. 

Just the two of them in as private a moment as you could have in the middle of Central Park.

After Central Park, we left for Times Square in the back of two bicycle rikshas, stopping at various points …

Rockefeller Plaza …

The weather on this 31st Dec, was quite mild, and by 3pm dense crowds had already started to form in Times Square. It was quite funny to watch how people around us responded to the sight of Kathy and Ken - heads turning to look at this very elegant couple striding along the crowded sidewalks - with me photographing every move.

Thanks Kathy & Ken, for what turned out to be one of my most memorable New Year’s Eve events ever.

At the start of 2006, a group of 28 photographers from the DWF came together in Mystic, CT, to network. A few of us also did presentations on various topics in photography. It was a great success and showed the need and desire for such a meeting.

This year, Walter van Dusen once again arranged the seminar and get-together in Mystic .. and there were 68 photographers who attended. I was one of the 8 presenters, who included noted photographers such as Claudia Kronenberg, Dan Doke and Michael Cody.

I once again held a presentation on techniques to improve on-camera flash.
(Incidentally, those webpages are a result of last year’s presentation.)

And here I am .. in action. 
And if it looks like I’ve been travelling, it *is* because I’ve been travelling. 

Thank you to everyone who was there and made it a great day of learning and socialising. See you all there again in 2008.