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Long Island Batmitzvah Mazaltov

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:32:47 GMT

Yesterday, I spent the day photographing a Batmitzvah party on the South Shore of Long Island in East Meadow, New York at a local Jewish Center. These events remind me of coronations. Going from photographing weddings to photographing a Barmitzvah or Batmitzvah is positively lilliputian -- mini-grooms, mini-brides, and mini-guests. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the party.

Kimberly and Szymon's Cold Spring Harbor Engagement Shoot

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:50:15 GMT

The lighting was all over the place, cloudy, sunny, contrasty, soft, and the wind seemed to come from every direction. All of which combined for a fun and challenging photo shoot. Variety is good. So is fast service. After the photo shoot I joked with Szymon and Kimberly that my nickname is "fast Dan." Considering the fact that I was able to have this blog and Internet photo gallery up within 3 hours, my nickname really fits.

Here's a photo of the DVD with full size images I'm mailing to Kim & Szymon tomorrow.

This image is an example of the effect photographers may achieve by properly exposing the subject, and underexposing the background. In most situations photographers try to balance the flash to the ambient light so that the flash fills in shadows, adds catch lights to eyes, and results in a pleasing photo that appears to be lit with only natural light. Tech: Nikon D3, Nikon 24-70, Nikon SB900 at plus one, Quantum Turbo SC. Fun stuff.

JFK Wedding Cake September 12, 1953

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:09:57 GMT

I just came across this photo on the Internet of Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy cutting their wedding cake. My father-in-law, who was a history professor had the pleasure of meeting JFK when he spoke at his college. And a year or two before JFK Jr died, while delivering a photo assignment to a magazine owned by the same company that owned JFK Jr's magazine George, I wound up sharing an elevator with JFK Jr. Small world. I didn't say anything to JFK Jr. because I was surprised to be standing a foot away from him, and didn't want to bother him. He looked at me, I looked at him, that's all. Speaking of elevators, I also shared an elevator with Kevin Bacon. I asked him if I touched him would that be zero degrees of separation, and he laughed. Therefore, all the couples whose weddings I've photographed can claim one degree of separation to JFK Jr, and Kevin Bacon. Do the math. :)

Photograph by "Antoinette" Toni Frissell. Copyright unknown.
Location: Newport, Rhode Island, Hammersmith Farm

Jennifer and Chris Tie The Knot

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:35:28 GMT

Yesterday, under clear skies, mild temps, and a gentle breeze, Jennifer and Chris made their romance official at the Eastwind Country Gardens in Wading River, New York. Here are a few photos, with more to roll your way soon.

JENNIFER & CHRIS: CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR ON-LINE PHOTO GALLERY.
© Dan Wagner 2009, All Rights Reserved

Kim and Chad's Westhampton Beach Wedding

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:36:38 GMT

I had a blast photographing Kim and Chad's wedding yesterday. The reception was at Atlantica on The Ocean. It's a beautiful location. Here's a brief photo selection.

Kim had everyone laughing when she followed her mother, Dorothy's advice to scuff her wedding shoes.

KIM & CHAD: CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR ON-LINE PHOTO GALLERY.
© Dan Wagner 2009, All Rights Reserved

Dan Wagner Takes Manhattan -- kinda :)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:16:33 GMT

As many visitors to my blog know, besides photographing weddings, I also enjoy going for boat rides on my 1990 Boston Whaler 18 Outrage. Last December I sold my 16 foot Whaler and bought the 18. Over the winter I replaced the gas tank, refinished/replaced wood, rewired, and more. For years I wanted to take a trip from Huntington to the Statue of Liberty. Finally with the right boat, engines running well, 4 mph wind, temperature in the low 60's, and 1pm slack tide at the dreaded Hellgate bridge, I decided to go for it.

The Hellgate Bridge wasn't too hellish today. This photo was taken about 1 hour before slack tide. On the return, my GPS indicated that the current slowed me down by about 4mph. But this is when I was on plane, and would probably be stronger if more of the boat was in the water. I've read it can get a lot worse. Two of my concerns were floating objects like logs, and commercial boat traffic. Barges are unable to stop, have large wakes, and make wide turns. Just past the Hellgate Bridge there's an area to the right that's good for laying up and fishing. Evidently, the striped bass fishing can be fantastic in The East River. One fisherman proudly displayed a forty-pound striper.

I made friends with three men in a 1985 22ft Outrage who were kind enough to snap this photo of me waving like a dork.

I felt pretty fortunate to be able to snap this photo of Lady Liberty peeking out between the sailboat's masts.

Here's a photo of me with Liberty in the background. I would have liked a photo from the sunny side of the statue, but there weren't any boaters there that I could impose upon with my camera. Maybe next time. The trip took a little over 4 1/2 hours and covered about 100 miles. I can hardly wait to do it again. Okay, now back to working on some wedding albums.

Courtney and Jesse's Rain-Free Wedding at The Oldfield Club

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:36:38 GMT

Saturday, 10/17, wow, what a fun wedding. Courtney and Jesse spun the roulette wheel of weather and won. Forecasts all week and just prior to the wedding called for rain. Luckily the rain held off. It was a bit chilly, but who could complain? The staff at the Old Field Club in East Setauket New York scored another grand slam with their clockwork precision at setting up the rooms quickly, perfectly, and with delicious food.

Myrtle the cat playing with Courtney's wedding gown and veil.

Jesse getting manhandled.

One can't ask for a more dramatic background than this

Columbus Day Engagement Shoot For Courtney and Jesse

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:48:43 GMT

I just got back from the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River New York, and couldn't wait to share some cool photos from Courtney and Jesse's engagement shoot.

Klye and Dan's Milleridge Inn Wedding

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:51:51 GMT

Yesterday, Kyle and Dan had a wonderful wedding reception at the Milleridge Inn, in Jericho New York. Here's a cool ring photo with the infamous water tower in the background.

Message for my visitors from Korea:

여보십시오. 나에게 인사장을 한국 방문객들. 고맙습니다. 즐기시기 바랍니다 내 사진을 찍었습니다.

Ashleigh and Paul wed at Crest Hollow Country Club

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:04:14 GMT

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing Ashleigh and Paul's wedding at the fabulous Crest Hollow Country Club. Here are a few photos:

Paul has some great facial expressions.

I can't resist a good mirror/reflection photo.

Here's something a little different, and fun.

Check out the petals "frozen" in air -- cool.

The Crest Hollow pool fountain is a great photo spot.

Grooms never seem to mind my endless requests for kissing shots.

ASHLEIGH & PAUL: CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR ON-LINE PHOTO GALLERY.
© Dan Wagner 2009, All Rights Reserved