I’ve said it before, but second shooting is really a treat. Kelly and Paul’s wedding was a dream to shoot. There are times during weddings when the stars align and special moments abound. It seemed like Kelly and Paul’s wedding had plenty of special moments. I was glad to be there to capture them.

Thanks to Laura Ryan for asking me to come along.

I know I’ve been a little light on the blogging lately, but my super-busy-shooting-August is now turning into my super-busy-post-processing-and-editing-September! If you are expecting an online gallery to go live, or DVD’s in the mail, or blog sneak peak, just know I am working my little tush off getting your photos all ready to go!

Lastly, I am skipping town this weekend. I have a date with a photographer! My girl Cynthia That-Cacopardo of That Girl Photography is taking some portraits of me for this here little blog and for my website!  So, I won’t be super close to a computer that much this weekend, but will check email from my iPhone.  Just know I am going to be busy looking fabulous.  I kid, I kid.

My father has been riding his bicycle as a vehicle to raise funds in support of the AIDS Services provided by the LGBT Community Center in NY for nearly a decade. He’s riding his bike again this year and is reaching out to anyone willing to make a donation to help this truly worthy cause.  On the weekend of September 26th, he will be riding his bicycle from Gettysburg, PA to the island of Manhattan to raise awareness for those that have succumbed and those still suffering from AIDS. I could write pages and pages about my most caring and generous father, but I think it’s best to hear about why he rides in his own words:

“I ride because I can. I ride for those who can not ride. I ride because I must.

It is such a small thing to do really. The journey begins with a decision. “Hey, this is kind of neat. Ride a few miles, get in shape, help some folks along the way! Where’s the down side?”

But life continues and it changes you. The decisions you make reach out and touch not only those around you, but they change you as well. You make friends… and you lose friends… Life reaches out and touches you in ways you would never expect.

Now I find myself easily ten years later reaching out to you once again for support, not for myself, but rather for others, others who have no where else to turn…

I have ridden many rides. I have helped to produce rides. I have cared for riders on the road as they endure their journey leaving bits of themselves behind, yet growing along the way in spite of the loss.

This year again I take up my bicycle to do what I can in support of the AIDS Services of The Center, and I ask you to join me. In so doing, together we support the care and health of people…

Not some pharmaceutical company looking to profit from a vaccine…

Not some fat charity paying huge television advertising rates…

But rather we support a simple organization of dedicated friends and people caring for others that much of the world ignores and avoids, People infected with AIDS, Families devastated by AIDS, Communities ravaged by AIDS. We reach out with counseling. We reach out teaching how to avoid AIDS. We reach out with medications to defeat AIDS.

This is where your donations will go.

Please join me in this fight, donate now, RIGHT NOW. Donate what you can and donate as much as you can. Our world is worth it. Human life and hearts are worth it. Please share your heart…

It is an act of Love!
Gary”

So, please.  If you feel so inclined, help my Dad raise the funds to help out such a worthy cause.  Follow this link to go directly to the donation page.  If you’d like to read more about Braking the Cycle, go here.

Christina, Mike and I met up at Lido West one fantastic evening last week. I got to the beach kind of early to scope out some more deserted areas. You know, the beach, on Labor Day weekend is….umm, crowded to say the least. Well, not so much at Lido West where the surfers congregate in the evenings for some classic Long Island surf.

So, it was perfect really. We had the place to ourselves save for the few folks looking to soak up the last few minutes of sun.

Here are some of my favorites you guys. Enjoy!

I met up with Laura and Mike at one of my all time favorite places to shoot! Cedarmere is a fun little place to wander around in. The grounds are ripe for kisses and hugs and loving glances. And sometimes when you are lucky, you run into BUNNIES! I really do love engagement sessions. It gives us the chance to have some fun, get to know one another, talk about how your wedding plans are coming along, make jokes, usually sweat, and just have an awesome time taking some relaxed photos.
Here’s some of my favorites from Mike and Laura!
For these shots, I squeeeeezed them into this tight little doorway and got some of my favorite photos of the day.

I spot a bunny!

Thanks for such a fun evening you guys. Did you get to Sea Cliff Sushi Company?