Camera on the high line

One of the most enjoyable walks in New York City is the Highline. Located in the meatpacking district it extends all the way to Hudson Yards. Along the way you will see incredible architecture, fantastic gardens and wonderful scenery. It is a great place to people watch too. We started on 23rd street and ended at The Vessel, which opened last year. One of the wildest things we saw is The Edge, the observatory platform. Liz, my wife was at The Edge a few weeks ago with her sister visiting from California and said it is a must see!

Family Portrait

I know a lot of people are into the candid and lifestyle approach to family photography but, there is nothing wrong with a little traditional and posed photography. I like to take the world as I find it is the way to go. If you have a lot of little ones, then a traditional image can be hard to grab. This is where experience and perseverance take over. As much as I like an image of all the grandkids piling on each other in the middle of the lawn, sometimes you have to just work with what you got and come up with good results.

If you can get a secondary background that is a bonus

I like to give the client many options. As many as I can push them to get. It really depends on the kids and if I can get them to do this for 20 minutes.

Then we break the families down to smaller families

I shoot a lot of horizontal, but I love the verticals too.

There is nothing wrong with everyone looking at the camera

I did not get the picture of everyone piling on the little guy, but sometimes, you don’t need that picture.

I send these images to the families in hope that they will order something for their walls. I have a great lab that produces fine art printing with float frames and they are so beautiful. Call me for a photoshoot. 203-856-5075.

sample of the print and framing that we do. They are a treasure.

CLASP Fundraiser at Wakeman Town Farm

I have been photographing for Clasp homes for many years. They are such a great group to work with. This past weekend I photographed their fundraise at Wakeman Town Farm in Westport. This is such a cute little venue. It was so intimate and fun to just stroll around and see the gardens and animals and listen to Terrapin, The Grateful Dead Band.

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video sample of Terrapin playing

Surprise surprise!!

This weekends rainy downpour caught me on a boat with 12 other people heading to Cedar Point Yacht Club for a surprise party. The plan was for me to board a boat at Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club and take family photos on Cockenoe Island with the birthday girls family. On the way to the island we would stop by the yacht club to grab something. That is when the rain started, a torrential rain. We saw a sailor slip and fall into the water and we also saw Chris Tait keep the 12 people dry by getting them safe and dry using a few table umbrellas. It was a very memorable night.

we started at Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club

Engagement Photography

It is exactly as the title says. This is when you engage with a couple and produce images that they want to use for announcements, save the date or just a nice image to frame on the wall. It is also a great time to get to know the couple so the day of their wedding you have a sense of familiarity with them. The couple wanted a place by the water where they can take pictures with their dog. I know the right places.

Click here for 11 tips for engagement photos.

Architect Branding Photography

Megan is the owner of MLR properties. A design and construction company based in Fairfield County. Branding photography is no longer just a bunch of headshots. Now you have to tell a story behind the images. Locations help a great deal. An architect at their build, a swimmer at the pool or a landscaper in the garden. Half the fun of photographing a subject is coming up with the type of look or pose that the client will look natural and approachable.

Megan in her clients wine cellar that she designed.

picking out products.

Megan on site.

Prom Photography

Weddings, proms and graduations. It is that time of year and thankfully we are all celebrtating these events and not locked up in a home or quarantining. I photographed this group of models using the Canon 5d mark 4 which is my go to camera these days. People say that the DSLR will be obsolete soon, but that is another story, I still like the feel of the camera. My lighting was my Godox200 pro with an octobox and as you can see, it gives us very soft light to work with.

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Lee gives it a try at shooting

Baseball Portraits

I grew up in Westport, Ct and I have a lot of experience photographing people. Groups, solo, on location…. you name it. My children now attend the same schools as I did growing up. So when I was asked to photograph the seniors for the Staples Baseball team, I was very happy. Happy to try out my new Godox 200 set up which allows me to control the settings from the camera. This is a game changer for me. No more pausing the shoot to adjust the flash settings. I can now talk with the client while I adjust my settings. Brilliant!!

The Staples Baseball seniors

Flash set to fill.

Nice Bokeh

don’t forget the mask shot

Here we go.

Street Photography for Fitness Day

Westport had it’s second fitness and health day on main street this week and the turnout was very good. This year Fleet Feet added a 5k run earlier in the morning, which I think is a great idea. They basically shut down main street Westport and have fitness demonstrations, giveaways and information on how to be fit.

Street photography is very enjoyable and it can be very sneaky at times. You really want to go unnoticed because you are looking to get the most natural images you can. A lot of times when I raise my camera, people will automatically become aware and strike a pose. This is where the “sneaky” part comes in. A quick focus, and a quick shot and then move on. It works 90% of the time

going unnoticed can be very difficult when a lot of eyes are on you.

main street Westport and the 5k run finish line

Photography for design and build

Photographing for architects and builders is very enjoyable for me. In most cases, these jobs take a half day or a full day of photography. Unlike with real estate photography, this is a little slower and more thought out. The angles are always very important but the lighting set up is different. For real estate you have only an hour to shoot all rooms, but with architects, it might take an hour to do a single room. Why? It is because the lighting is now more unique lighting setups and in many cases… light painting.

In both cases I will try to do my best to get the “feel” for the environment by choosing light and angles that will make the space look flattering. Windows with a view, close ups of a wooden floor. These are special things to capture because someone ( the architect ) went through a lot of trouble to showcase a specific thought, or design.

much thought goes into angles and lighting

I try to make the shoot look interesting and creative.

A sliding mirror that can be moved for a dynamic view.

The wood floor was provided by Mike Greenberg’s son.

I have been fortunate to work with many builders and architects and they all want to showcase their work. To do a right, you have to hire a photographer that will capture and show their visions. This is why I enjoy photographing for these professionals. I have photographed many properties for Michael Greenberg and it is total satisfaction to present photography that shows his vision.

A Connecticut Photographer

Videler Photography

westport photographer