DSC_0155Glade Arch Central Park   We started at the Glade Arch. While this picture may give you the impression that it was a slow day at the park, it wasn't. We were lucky enough to get a 30 second gap in foot traffic and we moved on!

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The Belvedere Castle is such an amazing place to check out. On top of the amazing views there is magnificent stonework! It was a no brainer to use that as the backdrop for this shot. While we ultimately wanted to use all of the castle, it was a mob scene and we moved on to the Shakespeare Garden. DSC_0211 DSC_0292 DSC_0271

DSC_0320 DSC_0328 The paths, gardens and overall layout were amazing. We managed to find some quiet corners to capture some really sweet shots. I think one the best parts of an engagement session is seeing a couple in love. Eleanne and Matt almost made it like they weren't there for pictures at all, just enjoying a day in the park. To round out the day we took a subway ride downtown to capture a few more shots and grabbed a little lunch. When in NYC, you must get a couple of shots on the subway!!

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At the end of this amazing day together we stopped at the New York Public Library for a few parting shots. It was the perfect way to end a day well spent!

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_DSC6189  We wandered around the park and laughed, cracked jokes and pondered on a season for the wedding. My daughter entertained in between stops and taught us a thing or two about surviving in the woods. The apple doesn't fall far! It is always a good day when you work with a couple who is easy and fun to be around. _DSC6062 _DSC6077 I can honestly say that i could not be happier for Kristine and Mike. I am honored to be part of this and I hope to be there to capture every milestone they achieve! They deserve all the happiness in the world and more! _DSC6150 _DSC6243 _DSC6211 _DSC6003

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First up was the fried quail. Having been to previous game dinners I was all too excited to try this. It was spot on. Crispy, tender and moist, granted you can deep fry anything and make it delicious but not everyone can do it with quail. Throw in the grits and honey and you had a plate of deep fried sweet and salty to kick off a night of awesomeness. 

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Second course was goose meatballs. These were more like baseballs, not surprising since Pat pretty much has had the meatball game locked up since he first started offering them. Farroto and baby carrots accompanied this dish and were the perfect, subtle finish that it needed.

_DSC6300 Next up was a dish I self admittedly was on the fence about. I can say that because I confessed it to Pat and he was cool with it! Squab Ragu with mustard greens and calabrian chili. This dish was legitimately a flavor juggernaut. 3 different textures, heat, sweet and salt. 1 forkful in and I was a believer. 

_DSC6311 Number four was a pheasant milanese with millstone lettuce, green strawberries and pickled fiddleheads. Say that 3 times fast! I have had plenty of pheasant and lettuce but it was a first for the strawberries and fiddleheads. This was such a refreshing and solid dish that most of the table was quiet while eating it. That is pretty enough to get the point across without me rambling on.

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Bringing us home was the braised duck legs. I mean, I feel like a broken record but it was fantastic. The polenta was out of this world and the duck was tender and cooked perfect. It is tough to attend these dinners and not seem biased but if Pat and the guys in the kitchen weren't this good I along with the restaurant full of people wouldn't keep going back!

_DSC6326 So in closing I will share a little story and leave you with a few random shots of the night. We shared our table with Chef Pat's parents and Aunt. Pat and I have been friends for a few years now and I even played sports with his brother. Spending a few hours with them made me realize why Pat is every bit of an amazing man as he is a chef husband and father. He has built something that anyone close to him knows is his dream. His wife, Megan is right there with him and together they are doing some incredible things. I am proud to call them my friends and I would hands down tell you that if you haven't eaten there cut the shit and go!

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The first dish on the menu was the Venison Meatballs. If you are unfamiliar with Bar Sugo or you live under a rock you know that their meatballs are second to none. While these are not on the regular menu they belong there. Tender, moist and the sauce was fantastic.  Prepared with creamy polenta, parmesan fresco and parsnip caponata. Great way to start the night.

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Next up on the list was the Fried Squab Sandwich, I have to admit I was going into this with an open mind and I was glad I did. This gem included bacon jam, arugula, pickles and toragashi ranch. Put it between a rosemary bun and you have a believer. I was so happy with serving that if it ended there I would have been fine.

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But luckily it didn't. I have been shooting for Pat and coming to Bar Sugo since they opened. I think that over the years we have built a great friendship that comes before the business at hand. He and his wife Megan are two of the most wonderful people you can meet and to see their passion for each other and Bar Sugo is amazing. We are truly lucky to call them friends. The third course was roasted rabbit with burnt onion, wild mushrooms, hot peppers and lardo roasted potatoes. The rabbit was absolutely delicious, hot, crispy and tender. The potatoes however, just divine. 

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Number four was a pasta dish. I am a self admitted anti pasta person, not really sure why but I am. Perhaps if I ate more pasta like this I could be swayed! Ravioli with duck and foie gras, smoked yams, sunchoke, pickled gooseberries and currant gremolata. Sweet, salty and savory. As a side note Pat make his pasta in house. Stop by the Facebook page for Grana and check it out!

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Bringing the dinner to a close was a dish that I was excited for. Wild Boar with gnocchi creamed brussel sprouts, torched orange mostarda and fried pistachios. I am a huge fan of boar, actually I am a huge fan of any sort of pork. This works out well because at Bar Sugo they are all about the pig! This dish was a perfect way to end the night. Sweet and salty with fantastic texture. 

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I am going to leave you with a few candids from the evening. In closing I just want to touch on one point. As I stated earlier, Dena and I have become very good friends with Pat and Megan. We have watched this creation grow and become something nothing short of amazing. Now we get to watch their family grow as well, they are two of the nicest most deserving people in the world. We could not be happier for them and are really honored to be a part of their lives and their friends. 

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Here are a few shots from our session, the setting sun coupled with Bruce Park in bloom made the day even better!

Barry and Shy are such a playful and happy couple that we spent almost as much time laughing as we did working!

By the end of the day I think that we all knew there was something special about our chemistry!

It is couples like this that make me love and appreciate what I do!

From the minute we arrived at the ceremony I just knew that this day was going to be one like no other. There was such a buzz running through the aisles, you could truly tell how happy everyone in attendance was for them.

I know that there is much controversy surrounding politics, war and especially the care that soldiers receive when they return home. I am not here to push an agenda, opinion or act as if what I have to say is relevant. But what I am going to say is that I think it is a shame this parade is attended by fewer people than will probably read this blog post. I take my daughter to the Thanksgiving parade and it is a borderline outdoor concert. Bands from all over the country and people lining the streets to see an event that isn't necessarily something they believe in.  And to boot, the mayor waving and smiling. There was an ad in the paper, about the size of a stamp, informing us of the Memorial Day parade. No signs, no news channels telling the schedule, hell there wasn't even the annoying guys with the grocery carts full of souvenirs.  Just a street lined with about 100 people doing something nice for the troops. 

With that said, I am proud of the people who come out and experience this special event. It means a lot to the men and women walking those streets to see some support from total strangers. I mean they did it for us right? When you put it into perspective you have a group of men and women willing to go wherever they are sent, whether they want to or not and fight for whatever it is regardless of how they feel about it. Is it that hard to spend 30 minutes on a sidewalk and clap? There are no bullets to dodge, no IED's to look out for and pretty much the only worry you have is your kid getting scared by the fire engine siren. 

I am proud to say that I come from a family that has a long history of military service. My great grandfather was in the Italian Army in WW1, my grandfather was in the Battle of the Bulge, my great Uncle was in the Korean war, my dad was Military Police in Okinawa during the Vietnam War and my Uncle was an Air Force mechanic there as well. There is actually a very rich military history in Stamford and you can pretty much bet on someone being a vet in most places you go. Countless times my dad or myself go out with some sort of Army hat or shirt and someone will stop us to talk about it or share a story from when they were in as well. It is an amazing feeling to share that bond with a complete stranger, almost like a private club that isn't too good for it's members. In closing I hope that you all enjoy this post and hopefully the many that are to follow. I am hoping to get back in the swing of things and post a couple of times a month. As always I appreciate the support and encourage you all to share the site and posts with whoever you wish to. Comments as always are welcomed and appreciated. Thank a vet when you meet one, we like it!

With all of these amazing things said I would like to lastly say this…THANK YOU. There are a great amount of you who have supported this from the first post right up until this one. Without all of you none of the great things I previously spoke of would be anywhere near real or happening. I cannot thank you all enough and even if I could I am too busy.

So without further adieu please stop by www.tmrimagery.com and let me know how we did!

PS- I will try to update this as much as possible along with the new site but eventually everything will be on the new page.

The short of this dish is that it hit on all cylinders and got us excited to see what else was in store. Next up on the list was a trio of tacos, ironically there was nothing else to describe them on the menu and when the gentleman from Craft Butchery came by to fill us in on what was in them I was too busy enjoying them to listen. What I can tell you is that he mentioned something about tongue and cheek as well as that is what we were eating. This was paired with a german beer, Gaffel Kolach, a smooth flavorful addition to some fantastic tacos. On the side were three jars of toppings, a spicy cactus, pico de gallo and a pineapple jalapeño. All were fresh and spot on when added to the tacos.

The third dish was a showing of hot dogs made in house at Craft Butchery. There was a white bean and stew take on franks and beans, a hot dog meatball and lastly a hot dog ash. They are hot dogs and believe it or not Pat made them fancy, refined and most of all delicious. These were paired with a 2010 Trimbach Gewürztraminer. Don’t ask what it means but I can tell you that it was one of the best white wines I have experienced. Germany has come a long way with it’s wine and this one proves that point to all of the non believers.

Following the hot dog course was a 6 week dry aged steak 3 ways. First up was an espresso crusted steak with a pesto sauce to go along with it. Just wonderful and from what we were told an easy thing to make at home. Next up was a tartare. Never had it before this evening, but can say that I will have it again. Juicy, flavorful and great texture. I have to admit that I was always leery of eating it but not anymore. When prepared right this is by far something anyone could enjoy.

Last was a pecorino tartufo, a great pairing as the cheese gave it the contrast to make it stand out on the dish. As I write this I feel compelled to tell you that Craft Butchery and the Fairfield Cheese Company are nothing short of amazing when it comes to their products. Knowledgeable, friendly and most of all passionate about putting out a great product. They took the time to answer any question someone had about just about anything pertaining to meat and cheese. Dish 5 was pan roasted gorgonzola gnocchi. A dish that I can say with the utmost certainty was great all around. The gorgonzola was so smooth and mild it was unbelievable. The woman from the cheese company explained that they actually scoop it with an ice cream scoop because it is so soft! Paired with the gnocchi was a lamb shoulder, arugula and raisin compote. Putting this all together and serving on a dish was just a reminder of how creative Pat really is and just how seamlessly he integrates his ideas.

The final course of the evening was by far the best dish of the night and something that I pray he incorporates into the menu. Moullard Duck over goat cheese polenta, kale, sunflower seeds and an orange reduction. There are a million cliches I can use to describe this dish but I won’t, there is no need to. The flavor, texture and all around perfection of this dish are indescribable. Pat hit the mark on this one and I made sure to go in the kitchen and tell him. The last few dishes I mentioned were all paired with a red wine, 2006 fumanelli valpolicella. Great body, not over powering and a great compliment to the meat courses.

Last up was a cheese course paired with a blueberry fig cake. There were three cheeses on the dish, a rogue river blue from Oregon, a Manchester goat cheese and a cowgirl creamery “red hawk”. The blue cheese was flavorful, fairly strong and creamy. The goat cheese was some of the best I’ve tasted and the red hawk was a great cheese as well. The star of the dish however was the cake.

This was prepared by Megan who I had yet to mention. She is a new addition to the Bar Sugo team and one that I hope stays for the long haul. She is the wine and spirits director and also works on coming up with special events. These little squares of joy were her creation and she was kind enough to let us take some home and even share the recipe. Thanks Megan, I hope they only come out half as good! With all of this said the night was a great time all around, we had a table of fun people and it was nice hear spots of people impressed by what was being served. When a bunch of people passionate about what they do get together nothing but good things can happen. I look forward to the next event and want to thank Pat and his team for dealing with me in their way all night in the kitchen!

Out of all the people I have tried to capture most don’t even realize that I am doing it, but I still can’t get over feeling strange about sneaking pictures of people. With that said I still think that is the best way to capture a true, moving moment. No posing, prep or discussion, just a person doing whatever it is they are doing and having no idea you are capturing it.

I hope to someday have enough stuff to make a coffee table book, I have no delusions of being a best-selling author but if there is going to be a book of photos for people to look at they may as well be mine right? To be honest I want to have two, one of life in motion and the other containing my collection of subway shots. Who knows, maybe someday this will all happen and when I have company it will make for great conversation, we shall see. In closing I want to thank all of you for reading, liking, following and supporting me. This blog started as something I tried while my daughter was asleep one night and it has grown into something that I can’t wait to add to. I could not possibly do what I do without all of your support, knowing I have a small legion of people motivates me to keep busy, get better and try harder. 2012 was a great year and I already have huge expectations for the year to come. I wish all of you an amazing holiday season and a prosperous new year to come. Here are just a few more of what I hope becomes the first few pages of my first book. Enjoy!

In the second installment of the Montreal excursion I present you approximately 400 or so words on why I love this city and to go along with it a handful of images. Normally I like to give some sort of back story or history lesson with my posts but Montreal is an old city and I don’t feel like typing that much! For a 6.5 hour drive it does not leave you wanting more, the locals are so friendly it is almost scary and the city is cleaner than most I have been to. We shacked up at the Le Meridien which was within walking distance to Mount Royal Parc. Those of you who pay attention to my posts already know that this park was landscaped by Frederick Law Olmstead who also designed Central Park. Although we went after the foliage was in full bloom the park was still beautiful and full of life. We managed to make it to the summit and visit the deck of the Chalet for a wonderful view of the city.

Naturally at an area like this there are tourists taking a million pictures (guilty) but you honestly can’t help it once you get up there. Inside the Chalet is an architectural gem with ceilings meticulously crafted and old world chandeliers.

One of the most amazing things about Montreal is it’s similarity to Brooklyn. Old stone everywhere, young, hip crowd and everywhere you turn there is an art gallery. As a photographer I can appreciate a city with so much art, be it graffiti (which there is plenty of) or fine art on display. We had a wonderful first day roaming the streets and taking it all in, needless to say we had arrived and could not wait to see more. We decided that the next day was going to be spent in Old Montreal. There was so much to see and do there, plus the metro was $8 for the whole day so why not take advantage? To start the day we ate a small cafe on Rue Notre Dame where the food was just amazing and so where the people there. We thought it a good idea to fuel up since we had a long day ahead of us.

After breakfast we walked across the street to pay a visit to the Basilica Notre Dame. James O’Donnel was commissioned to design the new structure when the congregation outgrew it’s old building. Ironically he was a Protestant at the time and did not later convert to Catholicism until he was on his deathbed. Many believe it is because he came to the realization that he could not be buried in the church he designed. He was and is still the only person buried in the churches crypt. The main construction took 5 years to complete with the inside was finished in 1879. It was the largest church in North America for the next 50 years. You can visit the church for a $5 donation and take photographs while there. To be honest I couldn’t wait but while inside I did take a moment to appreciate what was in front of us. This was hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It actually made me stop in my tracks because of how overwhelming it was to see the inside.

When we finished we decided to head over to Olympic Stadium and see another piece of history. The summer games of 1976 were here and they had a good amount of fun facts to go along with them. The US had what was considered the greatest boxing team of all time. Nadia Comaneci scored a perfect 10 at the age of fourteen and Canada had no gold medals which was a first for a host country in the summer games. It was a nice thing to be able to walk around where the olympics were held and I felt a sense of pride saying that I was able to go there. After we finished the tour we tool a ride in the olympic tower which sadly was not finished in time for the games but still in operation. It goes up about 500 feet and gives you great views of the surrounding areas including the old olympic village which they have since turned into housing. The rest of day two was spent wandering around Old Montreal taking in the sites and enjoying some much needed time from work. Day three was our last and as it turns out we headed out of the way to Little Italy to check out the local market.

There were all kinds of vendors with everything from produce to a butcher shop. Funny as it sounds, you can go to Fairway or the weekend farmers market in town but when you are traveling the market always seems better. Maybe it is a nostalgia thing or maybe it is a way of telling yourself “I made the trip so it had to be better” either way we enjoyed it and picked up a few things to bring home.

While it was an amazing journey that we both were glad we took, I feel like we only scratched the surface of what Montreal has to offer. It goes without saying that we will be back and spend some time finding more amazing things to see and do. As always I will leave you with a few parting shots and appreciate the support from my loyal followers.    

I know I promised more on our recent trip to Montreal, but after we took a trip to Central Park I couldn’t help but write about it. The only justification I have tying the two together is that Frederick Law Olmsted was the landscaper for Central Park as well as Mont-Royal Parc in Montreal. As a matter of fact he also designed the layout for the Wolrd’s Colombia Exposition also known as the Chicago Worlds Fair. Central Park is iconic, beautiful and a staple of New York City. In a city that is defined by one of the most recognizable skylines in the world there is a world that lies beneath and behind that skyline that is awe inspiring. Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States and built mainly for well to do residents who wanted a place comparable to parks found in London or Paris. Their theory was that it would give the city more notoriety and reason to be viewed as worth visiting. Construction of the site required over 20,000 workers who spread more than 3 million cubic yards of soil and planted more then 270,000 trees and shrubs.

Central Park officially opened in the winter of 1859 with some interesting rules and regulations. For instance you could not have group picnics on the great lawn and children were required to have a note from their principal in order to use the baseball fields. Concerts were allowed on Saturdays only and this would eventually change. Most laborers from the city, who had also helped built the park, were unhappy with concerts only being held on Saturdays. Reason being was they only had Sundays off and after some convincing, concerts were allowed on Sundays. In 1927 August Heckscher donated the park’s first playground and years later under Mayor LaGuardia there would be many more playgrounds to come.

By the 1970′s a combination of budget cuts and a mounting fiscal crisis had thrown the park into disarray. Upkeep was almost non-existent and attendance along with safety were dwindling. In 1980 the Central Park Conservatory was formed and through generous private donations the park was on the road to recovery. After spending a few short hours there we barely scratched the surface of what the park has to offer. There are bridges galore, the aforementioned zoo, cafe’s and a castle. Carriage rides are at every turn along with musicians, vendors and artists. The views along the outskirts of the park and in between the tree lines are superb. They are a reminder as to why the skyline is so recognizable. Needless to say this will be not the last visit to this wonderful park and it goes without saying if at all possible go see it for yourself. This time of year New York City is something to behold. There are buildings decorated for the holidays, people from all over the world and a buzz you can only get in New York while walking the streets at Christmas time. I will leave you with just a few more from today and wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. Thanks and enjoy!

So over the next week or so I will be doing a series of posts about our recent trip to Montreal. While there are bunch of things that were shot, I wanted to start with the pictures from the Metro. The Metro is the Canadian version of the subway, but better by leaps and bounds. There are three main lines that connect you to Montreal, Old Montreal and the outskirts of the city. You can ride all day for $8.00 which includes buses as well. The system runs like clock work, is cleaner that anything I have ever seen and could not be easier to use. Now that I am done plugging the Canadian transit system it is on to why I began this.

About a year ago I took on a project for a gallery and based it on subway musicians. I spent a few months riding the subways and capturing performers well, performing. It was such an amazing experience, there were dancers, singers and even a full 5 piece band! As we entered the Metro I got the same sensation I had when I did my last subway adventure. The funny thing is that there weren’t really any performers this time. Maybe because we were there Monday to Wednesday, but I didn’t care. I love to people watch and steal pictures of whoever I can. Some of the people watching always gave that confused look of “what are you taking a picture of?” While most others had no clue. To be honest I don’t care either way. I have come to the realization that posed pictures in a city or urban setting do nothing for me. I love capturing everyday life and people being people, not people being posed by someone who wants to create a vision.

To me there is something about black and white photos of people that makes an impact. Maybe it is some kind of subconscious play on life being so black and white. Or maybe its that when it boils down to it the theory of black and white makes it easy to see the stark contrast of people in their element. I feel that when you see an image of a person and it is done up to make them look like they are in a magazine, it is fitting for weddings, portraits and commercial work. I love these types of shots and love the photographers who shoot them. As a matter of fact I happen to have two very close friends who make this look easy. They are so good at it, but I see life as a much less glamorous medium when it comes to everyday things. One should look beautiful and their best on their wedding or when taking a family portrait, but not when going to work, heading to school or just getting from point a to point b.

Life is a funny thing, no two people really view it the same and time and time again I am always fascinated by seeing a photograph of nothing in particular and realizing that it was there all along. There are so many great photographers who have captured things that I, and most likely you, have never thought to take a picture of and gave it life, meaning and some sort of purpose the moment it was looked at as more than just something you pass by. People watching is a clever way to see what life is all about. Sometimes people don’t even look up from what they are reading to see me take their picture. Other times I feel like I am in a game of cat and mouse or spy vs. spy. At the end of the day, I may only end up with one out of one hundred shots that I like, but that is fine by me.

In closing I will leave you with just a few more, I am really looking forward to posting more from this trip and will do so after the upcoming holiday. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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I come from a family of Veteran’s so when I enlisted I was next in line behind some soldiers who had been through it all. My great-grandfather was in the Italian Army in WW1, my grandfather was a tanker in WW2 in The Battle of the Bulge, my great uncle was in the Korean War, my uncle was an Airman in the Vietnam War and my father was Military Police in Okinawa during Vietnam as well. I am like the poor man’s Lieutenant Dan! Needless to say the day I enlisted I was proud as hell, but equally as nervous. I had a lot to live up to and I didn’t want to let anyone down.

I found that as the two wars in the Middle East progressed America finally remembered that there are soldiers out there that needed support. Each year the parade seems to get a little bigger and a little more ink in the local papers. I am not going to go on a rant about that lack of turnout and coverage compared to the Thanksgiving parade, but I will say that it is saddening to see the stark difference. But who am I to judge? Those Vets on the floats and marching are what this nation was built on, not a bunch of balloons and vendors. In closing I just want to say that I am honored to be an American and I am honored to be a part of a very special group of people who served their country. I hope that each of you who reads this takes the time to try to understand that there are Vets out their that gave up a whole hell of a lot for a nation of people they never met. I try to remember that each time I am about to steal a parking spot or hurry up to get in front of someone in line. There are bigger things to sacrifice and bigger people who have sacrificed them for me so I pay it forward whenever I can. Thank a Vet….we like it!

Sometimes getting up at the crack of dawn has it perks. Normally it is quiet, calm and peaceful. Today was most of that, but with the still present effects of Hurricane Sandy. The roads were mayhem to say the least. There is a mad dash for fuel, coffee and anything to bring some comfort and normalcy back to people’s lives. It is tough to watch even though it is like a buffet of opportunities for a photographer. Most of you who will read this are in the thick of it and some of you aren’t, but if you are here you get it. Living close to NYC has made us used to the grind, hustle and flat out machine that everyday life has become in these parts. With that said and taking into account that we are generally a tough populous, this has shown to everyone that even we need a hand from time to time. I drive around looking for things to capture and although there is plenty, I am most happy with what I read from my friends. Be it on Facebook or Twitter there is a plethora of people offering food, showers, water or just some heat and a bed. To me this is the silver lining, sometimes it isn’t about getting what you want i.e. your power or cable. It is about knowing a neighbor, relative or friend offers you anything in the form of comfort and seeing the bigger picture. With that said I just want to thank anyone who reads this if, you are one of those selfless people, you are all that is right in a time like this. While I am not in a situation to offer much, I wanted to get up this morning and shoot the sun coming up for those who are too busy helping out or rebuilding to see it. I hope that if one or one thousand people see this post one of them get’s some sort of comfort or peace seeing something so breathtaking.

When I set out today I had every intention of getting into the beach and documenting all of the damages and what was left after Sandy was finished. While I still intend to do that, it occurred to me that nobody really needs to see that, not now anyway. Maybe next week or next month, but as of now I felt it was more important to remind people that as much as mother nature can really make a mess when all is said and done a sunrise shows us that as long as you see a new day begin there is nowhere to go but up. In closing I want to wish everyone who reads this a speedy recovery from any damages or losses they suffered and wish you all the best. Thanks.

So as most of you know you by now hurricane Sandy came up the east coast and left quite an impression. While most people on the eastern sea board are used to dealing with the weather related issues that snow brings, to me there is always something more when it comes to hurricanes. They are unpredictable, temperamental and flat out dangerous. Living in Stamford and close to the water is always thought to be a perk and something that attracts people to this town. While this is true, we were all given a very stark reminder of the opposite side of the coin Monday and Tuesday. As a photographer I was chomping at the bit to get out and shoot anything and everything that I could to document this as well as see what was coming first hand. However, I have to be honest and say that I felt a little guilty using something that was sure to ruin peoples homes for my own advancement and portfolio. Though in the end I am a photographer and what I was doing was no different than what many photographers have done before me. When Monday morning rolled around most of the streets with access to the water were blocked, but I wasn’t giving up that easy. I managed to find my way to a little beach and set up shop. The waters were choppy and the clouds were rolling in. I knew that I could get a few shots that I had in my mind if I just stuck it out. Along the coastline the waves battered the sea walls and were surging with no signs of letting up.

It was quite a rush knowing that you were on the edge of what was to be a major storm. The ocean is a force not to be reckoned with and while it is the most breathtaking sight to see it rage without remorse, I kept reminding myself that I had no shot if it called my number. I stuck around for about 30 minutes and convinced myself that I had enough to get started with documenting the storm. I decided to pack up my gear, but as I turned around I realized there was a whole other angle to get some waves so I pushed my luck.

Naturally the whole way home I thought to myself “maybe I should try this road” or “I bet if I went there I could get something else”. I decided to head home and see what was going on as the storm got closer. As I watched and read the news it became apparent that everyone was taking this storm very seriously. I had mixed emotions. While it made me happy to see people use their heads it also made me really think that something big was going to happen. The devastation that New Jersey sustained was unfathomable and watching it unfold was saddening all while being awe struck watching it unfold. Most of the time Jersey will get hit the hardest and suffer more damage, but when I saw just how much and how fast I was amazed. While watching Sandy roar my way I was battling the angel and the demon, do I pack up and go storm chasing or do I just stay put and watch others capture what was going down. Well needless to say, I left. As the storm approached you saw things around town that were just different, you could sense in the air and the general vibe that people were nervous and not taking any chances.

It was an eerie sight to see the trains all stopped and empty at the Stamford Train station. Supermarkets were closed, gas stations were out of gas and roads were closed. I remember very little about Hurricane Gloria back in 85, but I felt that same nervous excitement that I felt when I was a kid. Boarded windows, sand bags and road blocks. The next few hours were spent watching and waiting. That was when a mad dash was made to get to any place I could think of before it was too late. While riding throughout town there were already signs of what was to come. I just kept thinking that if this is the pre cursor to what is coming we are in for a wild night.

Once back home the waiting game began, I wasn’t sure if I was waiting for what the storm was going to bring or what I could shoot as a result of it. In the end I realized it was both. Luckily we didn’t suffer a ton of damage although in the height of the storm we did make an emergency run to a family members house because a pine tree was across their living room. A tarp to cover the broken sky light and a little clean up and my dad and I were back home to enjoy the dinner we missed when we left. But I will say the beer in the middle of the repair was just what the Dr. ordered. We got home and no sooner did we take our boots off did some branches come down and smack up our back garage. Some damage, but not the end of the world. A few beers and burgers later and all was well. The next morning I was up at the crack of dawn and ready to get out and see what happen. After tying up some loose ends with my real job I was on the loose. The next collection of shots are all post storm damage from various spots around Stamford. In closing I just want to say that I am thankful for getting out with no damage, deaths or injuries. I am also thankful for the men and women who risk their well being to go out and help those in need. Lastly, I want to thank the utility workers because let’s face it, nobody else does. Those people get the shaft so if you are one of them reading this I want you to know I am on your side. Since my cable is not fixed I have had plenty of time to catch up on tweeting, photo editing and most of all writing this post. I hope this finds all of you out there in good spirits and if not I hope this helps.

This last shot was taken the night after Sandy on Webb Ave, it is eerily serene and peaceful the nights after a major storm. I think this picture pretty much sums that up.

Today was one of those days where things changed and changed and changed but managed to somehow in the end work out. I had a couple of shoots this morning, one which happened to be with Tessa, she is quite the explorer. Those shots won’t be on here though as they are for her Christmas card and off limits. I had a shoot this afternoon that went better than I could have imagined so things were well on their way to being awesome. It turns out my late afternoon/evening freed up so a trip was made down to Cove Island Park. There was a great breeze and all kinds of things to capture. I am not going to get long winded here because I think the stuff I am about to share speaks for itself. I hope you enjoy the shots I am posting and please feel free to comment and tell me what you think. Thanks

This was a referral and I couldn’t find enough nice things to say about them as a whole. Kids were just amazing and the parents were right there with them. It was a great start to a weekend that only got better! Later on that afternoon I was up in New Canaan at Grace Farms to do some work for a friend. I have driven past this farm a million times and always wondered what it was. My curiosity was no more when I got there, this piece of land was breathtaking. Rolling hills, beautiful colors and green grass as far as the I can see. As I mentioned this shoot was for a friend, I met Houston and Rhonda a while back through some mutual friends. We have always kept in touch and I was honored and thrilled when they reached out to hire me. The shoot was a blast, Andrew was too fun for words and they brought along their dog Maggie who was a rescue.

I could have spent the entire day there taking pictures of this great family and would have stayed even longer to shoot the property. That was it for Saturday but Sunday was Sienna’s turn. A friend from high school was looking to get some family photos done and I was lucky enough to be the one she chose to do them. We met at Waveny Park in New Canaan, from the minute we met Sienna was smiling and already making my job almost too easy! This shoot was a photographer’s dream, great weather, an amazing family and best of all wide open space that we occupied alone.

This was a weekend full of shoots that really made me realize that I love what I do and the people I do it for. No matter how busy I may be or how many calls, changes or challenges come up this really is what I enjoy and look forward to doing. Knowing that you can capture moments for a family that they will cherish and look back on means the world to me. There really is nothing like a photograph, it captures a moment that can never be altered or denied. That one moment in time is frozen and you can always go back and remember it. In closing I want to thank all three families from this weekend, I am truly thankful.

I have a friend who just happens to be what I consider to be the most talented chef around. Now I know some of you may think that I am bias, but he and I became friends because of food…his food. Pasquale (Pat) Pascarella studied at the French Culinary Institute, cooked for Mario Batali and served up some fantastic food at g/r/a/n/d, Bella Luna and the Saltwater Grille. Impressive? Yeah I think so. From having talks with him over the years and following his posts on Facebook and other social media I knew that this was his dream restaurant and when we got there I knew that his dream come true. The staff is great, the decor is modern and warm, but most of all you just know you are welcome which is always a good thing. We started with a 3 plate course that included prosciutto wrapped truffle fries, fried calamari and rice balls with sausage and wild mushrooms. For starters the fries were cooked perfectly and had plenty of flavor. One might think that fries with a meat that is known to sweat might be soft or soggy, not these. They were rich and flavorful and the texture was spot on.

Next up was a couple of fantastic rice balls with sausage and wild mushrooms. The outside was light and crispy, but not too delicate which helped it all stay together when you cut into it. As for the inside, the rice was soft and creamy. The sausage and mushroom was a perfect contrast not only in flavor, but in texture too. Much like the fries, this dish was not overly salty which you might expect with each dishes respective ingredients. Definitely two stellar plates to start.

Rounding out the first plates was fried calamari. This is a staple in any Italian eatery, but that doesn’t mean they always get it right. Let me just preface this with, Pat did. Crispy, large pieces accompanied by a generous helping of hot peppers. I could go on about it, but what more is there to say? The dish was done right. Sometimes it is the easy ones that people butcher, but when it is right you just know.

Now the following is a case of good news and bad news. Not necessarily for the chef, but definitely for the reader. There is a section of the menu dedicated to meatballs from which you can order individually or a tasting of all. Naturally we went for the complete tasting and if I swore on this blog this would be where it happened. There are really no words to describe how fantastic each and every meatball was and what was in all of them, but please, please, please believe me when I tell you they were beyond amazing. Each one had ingredients ranging from duck to pork to cranberry and whipped ricotta. Nothing was spared when this idea came to life. The bad news is that I was so engulfed in inhaling them I never got a picture. For that I am equally sorry and not…you understand. In addition to what we ate there are a vast array of house made pastas, brick oven pizzas and plenty more dishes I have to go back and try. After dinner was done we dove into a little dessert. Roasted pear with truffle honey and whipped ricotta. Rustic, refreshing and down right delectable.

Now those of you who know me, know that I may enjoy the occasional cocktail. I had one tonight that hit the spot. They call it “The Chosen One” and when you go make sure you choose it. It is more on the summer side of drinks, but all in all worth it. In addition to a nice list of specialty drinks there are seasonal tap beers, a decent amount of domestic and imported bottles and a superb list of wines that pair well with every dish on the menu. As I mentioned, this is what I believe to be Pat’s dream restaurant so nothing was spared when it came to creativity, ingredients and most of all passion. While in the kitchen shooting some food I just got the sense that he was ready to hit this head on. He hired two people who are close to me to cook right alongside him. Albeit one for dinner and one for dessert. Seeing them in the kitchen making these dishes and the restaurant come to life made me proud, not just because I was there experiencing it but because I know just how much it meant to all of them to be there. Doing what they love, but to also doing it with who they love. Bar Sügo is located at 102 Wall Street in Norwalk. Follow them on Facebook here and lastly, go there and eat!

I have known Lynnae since little league when I played for her dad and we have remained friends since. Through the years we went to different schools and ran in different circles, but always managed to remain friends. There are many stories to share about our friendship, but that is for another time. This one is about the kids! Frankie and Anthony were two of the best kids to deal with, funny, calm and from what you will see ready to go!

We shot at Lynnae’s parents house since it was a central location and it was exactly how I remembered it. Frankie wanted to show me his trucks and dig a little in the back yard so I followed him around while he showed me how it was done. Shortly after that Anthony had woken up from his nap and needed a little love as well.

It was a great morning all around and it was really great to catch up with an old friend, even if we had to be reminded that we have known each other for way too long! I leave you with just a few more from that lovely morning that I hope you enjoy. A huge heartfelt thank you to Lynnae for asking me to be a part of this and allowing me to have the opportunity to give her something she loves!

I shot this from the observation deck at the Empire State Building, there is something about shooting anything related to New York CIty that I love. I personally think that you could go there everyday for a year and never run out of things to capture.

I took this little gem while on a project for work right outside of our building. I was walking back to my car and saw the tracks and couldn’t resist waiting for the next train.

Caught this one while taking a stroll along The Highline this past spring. It caught my eye and I actually took about 10 shots of it just incase it was fixed the next time I went.

Funny story about this lifeguard chair, I detest the beach. I can’t see why anyone would enjoy sitting in the sun motionless, sweating and hot for any amount of time. These same folk I bet would never would set foot in the desert. But I seem to have good luck photographing anything beach related so I take the good with the bad.

To me there is something amazing about Fort Stamford, I don’t know if it is the military side of me or the fact that the grounds are a sight to behold when in full bloom. Either way this is a favorite of mine whether I am working or not. I had a blast following Mia around and watching her try to catch butterflies and pick flowers. All in all this was a great day with two families that I hope to capture grow and grow as the years go on. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them…lastly I want to thank Kim and Michael and John and Brooke for allowing me to do this for them. It is people like this that make me love what I do and want to do it better and better each time.

Click to view slideshow.

Beth was also gracious enough to make a TuTu for Tessa that I cannot wait to see her in. The products that I shot while spending the afternoon with Beth were nothing short of mind blowing. Everything was stitched flawlessly, her patterns were lined up and most of all you just got the sense that these were made with love and pride which is not something you can say about most things you buy. And not for nothing love and pride are pretty important feelings when it comes to your child and what you buy, provide and give them. A win win in my book! Please take a look at some of the products I have here and make sure to visit the Lily and Frog blog at www.lilyandfrog.wordpress.com or you can shop it on Etsy by going to etsy.com/shop/lilyandfrog. These are really great products and they are made by a really great girl. Please support your local business people and give it a shot, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I also managed to get out to the shore in Milford and head along the boardwalk. I love shooting anything beach themed so this was a no brainer. There isn’t a whole hell of a lot to look at with this but I think it is some great stuff, enjoy.

Click to view slideshow.

Click to view slideshow.