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Archive for April, 2006
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Wow… I think that’s all I can say. I sat here and looked at the blank screen for a minute, but I’m actually going to copy and paste a comment I left on my friend Becker’s blog –
all i can say is wow. im assuming watching it here in NY might be different than other places…. but even so i cant imagine other people didnt get emotionally charged.
the entire theater sniffled, wept, coughed, sniffled, coughed, wept, the entire movie. once they showed the footage of the second tower being hit though, the entire theater lost it. people were walking out of the theater for a while.
anyway… i had very mixed thoughts about them releasing this so soon, and just doing it so soon. however after seeing it… im glad they did it. i personally didnt have any loved ones die though, so they might feel differently…. but the fact that we all lived through it and it’s still relatively fresh in our minds makes it different for me. its not like watching gladiator, where it happened on some unknown battlefield in a different age…. it happened 5 years ago on a spot where you can stand today and have emotion just run through your body.
I wont lie, I actually cried tonight. I mean I had some tears stroll down my face in the theater, but tried to keep it together so I could watch the movie. I had no idea that once it was over, and I sat in my car and shut the door… that I would finally start crying myself. I’m not going to say whether it was a good or bad thing overall that they made this so soon after the events (because of the people who lost loved ones), but I will say that the emotional response here in the state of NY on opening night of this movie was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.
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I had the pleasure of shooting Monica and Tushar’s wedding at the Wyndham Hotel in Syracuse last August, and working with the coordinator over there – Shari Drace. It was great to meet and work with Shari, and we’ve both said on several occasions since then that we can’t wait for the next time. Hint hint ladies!! No really, finding a coordinator who really does a great job and helps to make the bride’s life that much easier is a great thing.
Anyway, it was my pleasure to donate some of the images I shot at Monica’s wedding to Shari and the Wyndham for their use in marketing and also for a sample album for them to showcase. I strongly believe in the services they offer over at the Wyndham, so it was my pleasure to help.
I didn’t expect anything in return from Shari or the Wyndham (since I know they were more than willing to help me in any way possible at the event and I just wanted to repay them), but this afternoon I received a package. Inside was a complimentary dinner for 2, a one night stay at the hotel for 2, and a breakfast the next morning. Thank you soooo much Shari!!!
I just wanted to share with all the brides the type of professionalism they have over at the Wyndham, and how strongly I recommend Shari.
:)
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Yesterday I went into the city to hang out with my good friends Frank DiMeo, Mike Colon, and Jason Groupp. My original plan was to head down to meet Nicole Rupert from 4pm Events to tour the Wedding Salon. The Wedding Salon is a by-invite-only bridal show held at Gotham Hall, so I wanted to get a tour and see how it’s run this year before I consider future years. Frank decided to join me, and we met up with Jason at Gotham Hall. After the tour we headed over to the studio, grabbed some food, and then started our little poker game. The poker game was good times, and considering I had never played before I was stoked to take home some big winnings!! Ok it was only 20 bucks, but when you’re playing with people like Jason "can I check?" Groupp… I’ll take it :) The final four (10 to start) was me, Frank, J, and Mike… so we cashed in and took off around 1:30 to shoot with Mike’s friend Brittany. The original plan was to go out and do a subway shoot, but we didn’t get back to the studio until around 4am and still hadn’t seen any subway yet. Good times and a bunch of funny stories that I can’t wait to share with some of you. At least this sampling of photos will be a nice tease….
images
-Frank, myself, and Mike in the cab ride…. gotta love starting the night at 1:30am. Hey at least we were in better shape than the dude who got in his car and tried starting it twice after he already turned it on (ouch).
-We met up with our model at the Waldorf and we were off to find a subway entrance.
-Mike and I started the shooting, but we ended up bringing a bunch of gear so we were trading off and on.
-Jason was sporting some hot head gear!! LOL that is just classic bro
-Chimpy chimpy!
-Grubby grubby?
-This is me with my hired bodyguard taking a quick break.
-If you thought Jason’s head gear was hot, check out Mike’s neck wear and shoes in hand.
-This one had to be my favorite image of the night! The sanitation guy just happened to stop by as Mike sat on the vendor’s stool…. and J had a camera in hand. Only in the city is all I can say.
-In case you’re wondering what Frank is doing… he’s bouncing light off the sidewalk. Yes that’s our beloved Frank! The man can see light and bounce it places most don’t even think of. More images in the next blog entry of our actual subject, and of Frank’s bus stop lighting part 2! :)
         
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Today signified the first day of Spring for me. It was a beautiful day with colors trying to pop up everywhere, warm, and the city was buzzing.
Every Spring I try to start the warm season off by going to Treman Park to see the falls. When my brother passed several years back a couple of our good friends decided to take me to the falls for a hike a month or so after his passing. They used to go with my brother frequently, but this time it was me replacing him. It was kind of emotional, but good in so many ways too. It symbolized a goodbye of sorts, at least a goodbye to the grey, cold, and dead plant life everywhere. The nice weather was starting to come and we knew sunny days were ahead, and that things were coming back to life.
When I woke up this morning, it felt like "that" morning. Apparently I wasn’t the only person who felt that way today, I could barely get out of the city there was so much traffic.
So from me to you, as I drove to the falls and back with my sunroof open, sunglasses on, and DMB’s One Sweet World playing loudly…. Spring is here and enjoy the beautiful weather!! :)
PS- it’s a perfect time for engagement shoots
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I think it’s safe to say people are really loving these flushmount album designs, I’m seeing a decrease in the amount of changes (if any at all) people are making in the designs. Here is an email from Amy and Thomas (the design I just posted below)….
Dear Luke,
Thanks so much for sending this along. It looks absolutely
fantastic! Our jaws literally dropped.
…..
Let me reiterate how much we love
what you’ve done!
————————————————————————
I’m off to photograph an engagement shoot today. No not the normal kind, but I’m actually off to photograph Robert Kaussner photographing an engagement shoot! Haha should be different photographing the photographer and not the couple.
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I had my first ever hot stone massage yesterday at Essential Unwinding and the Art of Massage in Groton, NY… and I just want to share what an amazing experience it was. I’m definitely a believer in the health of both the body and mind, and I think massages can really help both. I’ve had a full body massage from Janet before, but yesterday’s hot stone massage was really intense on a semi spiritual level (without sounding weird here guys). When it was done Janet had me sit in the main area and have a glass of water and just chat for a couple minutes. She could tell (and it was obvious) that I was in a different world at that point…. almost silly. It was surreal. I obviously needed several minutes to come back to Earth, I almost felt high. She asked me how I felt, as always, and my reply was that I felt almost like I had just woken up. That feeling when you’re awake but yet not at the same time… like you are concious of things happening around you but still almost asleep. Even though I did not sleep or anything, that’s how I felt afterwards. I had a dinner set up with my good friends Robert Kaussner and Frank DiMeo immediately afterwards and when Robert and I were hanging out waiting for Frank, Robert started laughing when looking at me… he could tell I was still in another world. We then started sharing some of the intimate experiences massage can have on us all, and how powerful it can be.
I guess my message (and Bob’s as well I know) is that things like massage can be very healthy for us to do. In a world full of coffee and Starbucks, fast food, cell phones, all the fast paced stay connected world… it’s a very healthy release for us to unconnect sometimes and give the body and mind some peace.
And just keep all this in mind everyone when it comes time to give wedding gifts. I’ve received massage certificates several times as gifts and it really is an amazing gift.
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One of my goals for this winter, as stated below, was to really hone in on developing my brand even further. Really taking it to the next level, to where I want it to be. When I think of companies who have killer brands I think of Nike, Mac, Starbucks, just to name a few. Companies who look, feel, smell, and even just taste of quality.
Audi is also one of those companies. From their simple yet shiny and elegant logo on the grill, to their Nappa silky leather seats, to their quattro AWD, to the Tiptronic transmission (changes from an automatic to a 5 speed with a switch). But those are just part of what makes Audi a company that makes people smile and nod as soon as they hear it, the entire experience makes them….. Audi.
When I was shopping for some new wheels this Spring, I was looking for something to blow me away. A product that I can be proud of with an experience that makes me giddy… things I try to deliver to my clients…. and of course Audi did not let me down.
I’m excited to offer my brand to happy couples getting married, and even more excited for some of the future moves we’ll be making to take things even closer to world domination!
PS – Here are a couple (stock) shots of the new ride in case you’re interested :)
 
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I am still not sure how to feel – I know I cant see it, but I am glad you did. It sounds like they did a good job – and if it helps us not to forget what happend that day, then it is a good thing. I cannot believe it is going to be 5 years since I lost my friend Bob, and movies like this will remind us of the sacrifice all those people made that day.
4/30/2006 6:44 pm
yea i actually thought about you immediately after i left the theater man, just some of the stories and such you’ve told me as well.
and yes they did a really good job with the movie. i think one of the reasons people are getting so emotional (well one of the many obviously) is because of just how well done it is, and how they don’t try to overdramatize it.
if you ever do want to see it j, let me know man.
4/30/2006 7:17 pm
I don’t think I could see it yet either… This is probably the one that I will eventually see, because I respect Paul Greengrass’ work (like his treatment of the Bloody Sunday massacre) but I was sad to learn there are two more movies coming out this summer. I hope these people are giving most of the proceeds to charities- to profit off this is pretty messed up.
5/1/2006 1:11 pm