Early morning serenity
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.
The day I met Sandy
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.
It just sorta happened…..
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
Fall sessions are in full swing!
The time of year has come when people want to get the perfect family portrait or shot of their children to stick on their holiday card! As hectic as this time can be for a photographer it is my favorite time of the year. Meeting new people, catching up with old friends and most of all spending a beautiful fall day doing what I love. Anyone from Connecticut or the northeast for that matter knows that there is nothing like fall and the colors it brings. On top of that you can smell it when the leaves change and the air is crisp, there really is nothing like it. It is like a forrest’s version of the Northern Lights. This past weekend I was in full swing with 3 shoots on the books! The first one was in Larchmont at Manor Park for a family of three.
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.
Why you should go to Bar Sügo!
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!
