Friends:
Yes there has been a slight delay in posting.  Sorry!  The studio has been trying to catch up since the Grange Fair and seems only fair to give my clients immediate attention.
After the fair, I have since had 4 weddings among several beach sessions and some general portrait sessions.  As you know, I love to do weddings, but they do take a large amount of time out of the studio.  Many folks forget that although we are at the wedding the entire day, their is a ton of work to do behind the scenes on our end.  Digital may be easier on the front end because their are no film costs, but the back end which has to do with processing is a nightmare!  Anyway, I could not image myself doing anything else in this world except photography.
Here is a sampling of a wedding done at last weekend.  The event was at the beautiful LOWES Hotel in Philadelphia.  The day was hot but not that dreaded August heat.  We all lucked out!

Corine and Ryan!  What passion!

Both the bride and the groom take a moment during this fun day to relax.  I love this photo!

Stay well friends.  Remember that life is passing you by so get out there and enjoy it!
donna

The end of the Middletown Grange Fair for 2008 came to a close this past Sunday at 5:00 p.m.  Wow!  What a crowd it was!  Even with a closing time of 5:00, at 2:30 on Sunday, the line to get into the Grange Fair was two miles strong!

My hats off to the entire staff who runs this great event.  I have done many "fairs" in the past where you can display your business.  I have never seen a more well run event ever than this one!

So, on to the fun stuff!  Last Tuesday, after setting up, I took my set up crew to the local Applebees in Newtown for a bite.  My cell phone rings and it is the Public Relations Firm that handles Applebees!  They are looking for a photographer to capture the flavor of the Middletown Grange Fair to display in their local NEWTOWN Applebees!  How funny is that!  The images will eventually be displayed among the other photographs of Newtown in the entry way!  Having a previous newspaper photographer background, I spent a few minutes each day of the fair taking some images that I thought represented the fair.  Here is a sampling!  Of course you will have to visit the Newtown Applebees to see for yourself which ones made it on their wall!

What would a Grange Fair be without cows of course and a little boy resting among his!

These horse are huge.  Cost to keep one in food and vet per year:  $3000

Everyday at 5:00 all the tractors started up and had a tractor parade.  So cool to see the tractors from years ago.

My favorite photograph is of the pig races.  It was too funny to even describe. 

I want to say thank you to all who helped set up and staff my both during these 5 days.  It was a huge undertaking which went smoothly thanks to friends and family.  I got to meet many a ton of new friends and catch up with some old ones as well.  Kinda like Old Home Day!

Here is the link for the Grange Fair if you are thinking of going next year!  I would totally encourage you to go!

http://www.grangefair.org

all the best,
donna

P.S.  I forget to mention that I took the time to bid on the 4-H silent auction.  I am the proud winner of 200 pounds of bird seed!  Woo Hoo!

Hey Friends!
This week from yesterday until Sunday, I will be at the Middletown Grange Fair displaying some awesome metallic 16 x 20 prints.  Yep, we packed up the studio (what it seems like) and headed up to this awesome fair.  60,000 people are expected to attend!  WOW!  So, with all hands on deck, we printed up these fancy schmancy prints to display and they sure have been show stoppers!  Plus, this is the cool thing.... The studio is offering a Grange Fair special.  If you book your portrait session during the Grange Fair, you will receive a 11 x 14 custom color wall print!  How cool is that?  The value of this in my studio is $225!  You need not be at the Grange Fair to book it and receive the special.  We will honor the special for 5 days after the closing of the Grange Fair which is this Sunday.  No exceptions folks!

Here is the Grange Fair link:   http://www.grangefair.org

Stop up and see us if you want some down home fun.  Lots of animals and rides!

My daughter Ashley has graciously given up some of her summer time off to help me at the booth.  Having the booth open for 12 hours a day for 5 days is a huge undertaking that requires many hands.!
Stop up and see for yourself!  FUN FUN FUN
donna

Sometimes you need someone to shake you.  Why?  I think one becomes to comfortable.  We are all about change and once we get comfy, we tend not to work as hard.  I decided to change the song on my website.  I came across this song and just loved it.    It is called "Perfect People" by the David Ramierez Band.  So many of my folks that I come across are so critical about everything and everyone.  I have to laugh.  Are their perfect people out there?  HA!  Don't think so.  Enjoy the song.  Feedback is always appreciated!

Hey Friends!
Years ago when I was a newspaper photographer and had to work outside in the cold for hours, I would always think that I would love to retire in a warmer climate. However, now that I am a bit older, I am not so sure that I want to travel down that path.  This hot weather is just terrible.  Not just regular summer hot, but blistering hot.  It effects everyone's thinking and for many, determines whether they venture outside. 

Anyway, this past Saturday, I had a wonderful wedding at the Hotel DuPont in Delaware.  The bride and groom wanted me to stay overnight to cover their day after wedding breakfast.  So, they put me up in a beautiful room.  The only downfall was the next afternoon, I had a beach session in Cape May, New Jersey.  So, after breakfast, I typed in "shortest" route on my navigator and away I went from Delaware to the tip of  New Jersey.  The navigator took me through some small towns and the flatlands of Jersey. At first, I was totally enjoying my trip with the sun roof open and the I-Pod churning.  The sun roof thing got old quick and the air came on after about an hour of doing 45 miles per hour. 

The temp outside was a balmy 94 and it seemed like I was going no where on this road even though I was.  I love to look at old gas stations that once was, old houses and farms that are abandoned.  However, the thing that intrigues me most is unique business signs.   Why, I guess because when I decided to be a photographer, I thought long and hard if I should have a name for my business or just use my personal name.  What would stand out?  What would people remember?  

So, while putting on a ton of miles on the back roads of Jersey, I came across this sign of a restaurant.  I passed it and had a good laugh.  So, I turned around and grabbed a photograph of it.  What do you suppose the owner of this restaurant thought would make a good name?  And if the diner took off, can you see this name nationally advertised?  I blanked out the telephone number on the sign for "privacy"!

After seeing this, I have decided to start a file on fun names of businesses. If you see one, take a picture and send it to me! 

Stay cool!

Crystal and Nick picked a great day 3 weeks ago to get married.  The temp outside was a cool 96 degrees.  Crystal has this smile that would light up the earth if need be.    Their beautiful wedding was at the Philadelphia Mariott.  This bride thought of a unique gift to give her gals and I could not resist a cute photo.  (see below) 

St. Joe's University was our first picture site!

No other words but wow!

Hmmmm, I wonder what these are for? 

This past Saturday, I had the wonderful pleasure of photographing the wedding of Marc and Jennifer.  The location was Philadelphia landmark Lowes Hotel.  Even though the temp outside was a balmy 94 degrees, the bride was more than happy to go outside and have some fun.  As you can see by a sampling of the photographs, their couldn't have been a more beautiful bride anywhere on that day!

Just one word:  WOW!

d

Lets have a moment of silence for my Mitsubushi Montero.................  No, it isn't dead.  I just made a decision that it was time.  It was a 2000 4wd.  Having 129,000 miles on it, I thought it was time that send her into retirement.  So, I looked long and hard for a vehicle that I could put all my "stuff" in. Gas mileage was a HUGE consideration.  I  had my eye on two other cars and loved them.  However, at 18 mpg around town, I could not foresee dumping gas into something more often then my 22 mpg (highway)Montero.  So, I elected to go with a HONDA CRV. 

The upside is that I always wanted a sun roof.  The downside is that I took a small trip with it last weekend and it is pretty bumpy on the PA Turnpike.  But............. I got an amazing 33 MPG!!!!!!!!!  Now that is cool.  I opted for the 2 wheel front drive instead of the all wheel drive.  It gives me an extra 2 miles per gallon.  It doesn't snow much anymore and when it does, it isn't much.

One tends to never believe the mileage they say it gets.  But I was surprised how good it gets on the highway.  Around town, I am getting about 23 miles per gallon.

Wait! The best part is that it has a hook up for my I-Pod!  Oh yea baby!  That is way cool!  Got my navigator, my cell phone and now my I-Pod.  Mmmmmmmm...... so much fun! 
d

P.S.  The Chihuahuas are not happy with the new car.  They have been banished to travel dog crates in the back.  Dinkers (my resident co-pilot and assistant navigator) is quite upset and refuses to get in the crate.  She is taking the "laying off" job quite hard!

See what I mean!  Really mad Chihuahua!

Sandy greetings!
Yesterday we sent out an email blast with our seashore special.  Before we announce the special to those outside the "circle", we like to give those on the inside a chance to book first.  Either through the blog or an email announcement.  Well blog readers, let me tell you!  What a response so far!  I strongly encourage you to call the studio to get a date down if you are interested in this special.
Here is this year's special:
Book your portrait session under the Jersey sunset before June 15th and receive $50 off your portrait session (regular price of $275)!  Also, you will receive eight wallets and a great opportunity to receive 25% off any holiday gift card order!  Yep, we are thinking about the holidays (December that is!) just as the summer begins! 
You folks know the drill!  You know my style is simplistic and unique.  Strongly posed stuff is not my style so don't even think I will do that!  I want you to have fun in my session.  It will show in your photograph and you will never take your eyes off these images!


How cool is this?
Lets see now.  Sand, beach, kids, water............

Call now!  Weekend sessions are booking quickly!  215 321 3600
donna

YIKES!

I am soooo let down!  I recently went to see the new Indiana Jones flick and cannot tell you how disappointed I was!  What was George Lucas and Steven Spielberg thinking?? This action/adventure movie is more like a Star Wars flick.  What I liked about the old Indy movies is it's twist and reality looking scenes.  However, Indy's son swinging from tree to tree limb in the jungle was a  bit much for me.   Spielberg, how could you direct this type of movie after doing such movies as Shindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park?  And someone must have given George Lucas the checkbook because he pulled out every fake background he could find!

Okay, enough of my rants!  You have been warned. Spend your money elsewhere.  I soooo loved the Indy movies until now. 

d