I guess that's why I photograph weddings!

Wedding photography is a LOT OF WORK! You pack and unpack all of your gear about 3 or 4 times during the day and have to be ready to create an artistic photograph of just about anyone or anything at the drop of a hat. Most times the subjects are moving. But that's the drill for a wedding photographer. Saturday December 26th I had the pleasure of photographing Jael and Nick's wedding in Andover, MA. It was a 2 hr. drive from my home in Brewster. The bride was referred to me by her sister-in-law who's wedding I photographed about 5 years ago. When I arrived at the hotel where the reception was to be held later that evening, the sister-in-law was the first person I recognized. She said "Mark, we are so glad you are here. We told Jael she had to have you photograph her wedding. We have been getting nothing but rave reviews about our wedding pictures for the past five years!"

I guess that's why I photograph weddings.

When Jael and Nick have had a chance to see their wedding photos I will post some of them here, but for now here are a couple from Genevieve and Gerson's wedding five years ago. Enjoy!

And now, for the first time, right here on our show...I mean, on YouTube!

In an effort to make my marketing materials more accessible to potential clients, I am converting everything over to electronic format. Instead of printing brochures and contracts, and burning DVDs, putting it all in an envelope and mailing it out, it will all be available on YouTube and via email. Personally, I prefer printed material in the mail, but you can't always rely on the good ole postal system, and people want stuff yesterday! So here's my first installment on YouTube. You can click on the link below and view it there too (so you can rate it and comment on it too, which would, like OMG, be TMTH) THX.

MAZ



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSl8jSdF-Us

And now for something completely different!

And now for something completely different! I first heard that line in a remix of an old INXS song called "Guns in the sky". That was in the late 80's. They borrowed the line from Monty Python I believe. Since then comedy is different, INXS is different (unfortunately since the sad loss of Michael Hutchence), photography is different. But last night I saw something completely different as far as movies go.

The Avatar!

This movie was nothing short of phenomenal. I said to a friend on the way home "How do you get more realistic than that?"

Probably 70% of the movie was computer generated, but you felt like it was real...THE WHOLE TIME. Now I'be seen several CGI movies, but this one is completely different! All I can say is "Go See It!". I was so impressed that I am planning to go to Boston to see it in IMAX 3D.

Check it out. You won't be dissapointed!

Keeping up with the photography theme of this Blog, The lighting and cinematography was breathtaking!

Senior portraits

Well, High School Senior Portrait season wound down toward the end of November with Dec. 1 as the deadline for most yearbook photos to be turned in.

I clearly remember my own senior portrait session almost 20 years ago. I remember going to a photographer that other kids recommended hoping and praying that I wouldn't look like a GEEK in my yearbook photo. I think that experience has helped me in photographing high school kids even today. I have two goals during a session. 1) Create an accurate portrait of a high school senior that the parents will love, one that has a pleasant expression and a twinkle in their eye. 2) Make the session fun, assuring the guy or girl that they are looking like a model, and showing them some of the cool, fasionable and edgy portraits we are creating along the way. Let them know they don't look like a geek! If I can pull this off it really shows in the photos. The kids have fun, I have fun and the parents always love the photos. I'll post several of my favorite senior portraits over the next few days. Keep posted for some exciting offers for the class of 2011!

One of my favorites from this fall!

This portrait is from a recent engagement session for Jennie and Phil who's wedding I will be photographing in May. It was about 49 degrees out that day, but with no wind it made for nice portrait weather. The spring wedding should be beautiful with flowers and trees in full bloom and cool, comfortable weather. Our session was at the Brewster Grist Mill and Herring Run. There is a little path that goes way out into the woods along the stream. I had Jennie and Phil stand in the path and got on the other side of this patch of flowers and overgrowth. I liked the way the background and foreground, both out of focus, framed the couple and gave the portrait a "private moment" look.

Congratulations Jennie and Phil!

Camera info: Canon 40D w/85 f1.8 lens. Canon speedlite off camera to left of frame @ -2 stops just to lift the shadows a touch.

Exciting Developments in Solar Power

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to provide a "Professional Snapshot" of a group of investors in Orleans. I got to go on a little adventure to the roof of the Orleans Marketplace where Staples, Willy's Gym, Dunkin' Donuts, Sherwin Williams and a host of other businesses reside. The project is a rather large Solar Farm that you can read about here. http://www.unutilityelectric.com/ I know Luke Hinkle personally (pictured far right, http://www.mygenerationenergy.com/) and can tell you that he is what I consider to be THE frontrunner in the solar movement on Cape Cod. Not only does he design and install the highest quality solar electric systems in private homes, but if you take a look at his website, you will soon realize that he's not just into solar as a way to make a living. He is into solar for what it can offer Cape Cod's future, ecologically and economically. Kudos to Luke and his associates.

Milestones

Well, this will probably never happen again. Two posts in one day.

Anyway, one of my newer business cards has an adorable little girl named Esme on it. Her dad brought her in for a photo session this past summer and recently sent a video of her walking. (Thus the milestones post title. Two posts in a day, and a child's first steps.)

To get started, here's a photo of a boat I regularly drive by and have often thought of photographing. I finally did. This boat was once owned by a Chinese Emperor. No, I really have no idea who owns it. But it was more of the boat's color and relation to its surroundings that inspired me. It is tranquil and brilliant at the same time.

First Post

Well this is daunting. I'm looking at this completely blank page. Now, not so much. I will try to make this blog both entertaining and informative.

Please feel free to browse some of my work at http://www.mazphotography.com/ and if you have questions about any of the photos I'd love to know what they are. (I might even be able to answer them.)

Thanks, and enjoy!