Sept. 29, 2007 Stephanie and Randy

Jennifer on WTNH

Jennifer was on Connecticut WTNH Channel 8 News at noon yesterday talking about the latest trends, fashions, and everything wedding for TogetherInStyle.com. We would love to shout out a special thanks to Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore, for helping out with a stunning bridal gown for our model and Kristina Foreman for doing an incredible job with hair and makeup.

Beth has an incredibly beautiful and charming wedding boutique in Clinton Connecticut that offers designer gowns and quality advice. Kristina Foreman is a makeup artist that works with brides all over providing hair and makeup expertise for the special day. Thanks as well to all of our friends and couples who happened to catch the segment. We received several calls yesterday from all of you which made our day.

Cheryl and Jeffrey Sept. 22, 2007

Testing the New 40D

Over the weekend I got the opportunity to do some initial tests with the new Canon 40D that just launched. Having used the 1D Mark III, and knowing it's capabilities, I had a feeling that the performance of the 40D would be astonishing compared to the older technology, and I was right. One subtle, but great new improvement is how quick and quiet the new mechanical shutter is. At 6.5 frames per second with over a 10 megapixel sensor, this camera has most every feature you could want in a professional camera.

The new system also keeps noise levels at bay with a true ISO range of 100-1600 with the ability to boost it to 3200. My tests in low light showed that digital photographers can now shoot at ISO1600 with results that looked more like 400-800ISO on the last generation of cameras. This is a very welcomed feature which will step up new opportunities and change the way photojournalists, wedding photographers, and lifestyle photographers capture images in low light situations on a regular basis.

The new 3 inch LCD was expected, but the brightness of it was a nice surprise as it was even fairly clear in daylight. For any serious amateur or professional looking for an incredible camera, the 40D is a system well worth taking into consideration.

The Brides Best Friend... Jennifer Blog

Jennifer is excited as she launched her own blog this week as a column for Together In Style, luxury wedding television online titled "The Brides Best Friend." I am working on creating a link for the Maring Photography website that will feed into her blog as well, but right now it is live and linked up at TogetherInStyle.com. While my blog tends to be related to our personal lives and professional photography, Jennifer's column will focus on tips for the wedding day.

As photographers, we see it all, and up close and personal. Typically, we are also the only wedding professional that has personal meetings with the couple after the wedding day. So, we get to hear the inside scoop of what went wrong, what went right, and what couples would do differently if they did it all over again. And, party planner or not, it is the photographer that really controls the flow of the days events, so we have special insight that helps make the day stress free.

Jennifer's blog is beautiful to look at as well as we are posting photographs that backup the topics discussed. Jennifer's plan is to be blatantly honest and not to shy away from the tough issues, in order to give couples the truth of the matter. We see it all, and are usually in the thick of the experience alongside couples, so we know what works, what doesn't, and what is visually appealing in photographs. Check out her blog and Together In Style!

Reinventing Light

I got a copy of Rangefinder Magazine today to find a recent article I wrote on how we have reinvented ourselves this season through the use of new light shaping tools from Profoto. I felt compelled to write the article after I experienced just how amazing their tools are. One thing along distinguishes the big hitters from the average photographer, and that is the ability to see and control light.

Over the past 10 years the giant softbox has become the preferred tool of so many professional photographers because it's easy to use. But if you look historically at the masters that are forever remembered, they used smaller or more specular light sources. So, this year we went on a mission to change and found that not only were the tools available, but they have evolved to new heights. If you are a professional photographer looking for a lighting experience, check out the Profoto system, and check out the article in the September issue of Rangefinder Professional Photography Magazine.

Emily and Chris Sept. 07, 2007

Purple Parties

I want to draw attention to a special day that is coming up soon. The Alzheimer's Association around the World Alzheimer's Day is (September 21). Purple is the official color of the Alzheimer's Association and September is the month to throw a purple party to support the association.

This week, Jennifer and I helped to sponsor a party in New York City hosted by our good friend David Tutera. Throw a party any day in September to help the Alzheimer's foundation reach it's million dollar goal that will be matched by The Harrah's Foundation. Learn how you too can hold a dinner or party to benefit such an important cause at link. Here David shares tips and advice for creating your own successful Purple Party. Join in and help raise awareness!!

KC concert

It is an absolutely gorgeous day and we are getting ready to head out for a wedding at the Glen Island Harbor Club in New Rochelle, NY. So excited about todays wedding. Jennifer and I spent the past few days in NYC at the office having meetings and working on post production. Caught a Kenny Chesney concert at MSG which is conveniently a block away from the office. I shot this with my iPhone. This little camera in the phone does a pretty good job! What a great show. We are big KC fans as we do a lot of sailing down in the British Virgin Islands. So, his songs really hit home.

We got out of the city a little early and headed up to Connecticut. It was perfect timing to catch up with my nephew Derrick and do a little motocross riding. We've been riding a lot this summer both with new bikes. I have a Suzuki RMZ 450 and he has a RM125. It's great to hang out with him and just play whenever we get the chance. There are tons of great trails up along with an indoor supercross track that isn't too far away. It's a good mental escape to say the least.

Well... of to a wedding. Hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend!!!