Posted on December 31, 2009
It’s almost impossible to pick our 10 best images from 2009. There were so many great images that could have made this list. Instead of trying to pick the best, I’ll try choosing images that are not only good pictures, but have a special story or special meaning behind them. I’m going to do this David Letterman style and start with Number 10.
10: Raining on Ryan
Ryan and I had been trying to get together for a portrait session for the longest time. When we finally found the time in our schedules, the weather didn’t want to cooperate. The day started out okay, but it started to rain as we were winding down. To make matters worse it was getting dark. It was so dark we almost got hit by a car…..twice! It was a really fun session and this shot was definitely worth fighting the rain and the traffic for.
9: Bonnie & Clyde?
We shot Maggie and Christopher’s engagement session out on the North Fork of Long Island. Little did we know, they were fugitives running from the law! Actually, I spotted these 2 officers in their squad cars and decided to use them as props for the shot. Luckily, they played along and we ended up with a really good image.
8: Becca Being Becca
Our daughter Becca is my favorite model and my own personal crash test dummy. Whenever I get a new toy, she’s the one I end up trying it out on. In this case it was a new lens. Of course, Becca is easily bored and can be a pretty reluctant model at times. This was one of those times. She might be reluctant, but she makes for some beautiful photos. Since she’s gone off to college, I haven’t purchased many toys. Not because of the tuition, but because I don’t have anybody around to test the new stuff out on.
7: Da Bronx
This shot is from Justine and Walter’s wedding. They were getting ready at different locations and I met Justine early that morning at the hair salon. She had the dress with her so I took the opportunity to shoot it while we were there. I couldn’t think of anything (besides the Yankees) that says “Bronx” more than a fire escape. I guess it’s something I remember from my time growing up there. I’m glad I came up with the idea because this turned out to be one of my favorite shots of the year.
6: The Groom Gets Ready
I pride myself in being a documentary style photographer. I like capturing things as they happen as opposed to try to make them happen. That being said, some of my favorite images are the ones that look like they were staged, but really weren’t. When I get a shot like that, I know I’ve done what I set out to do, which is capture the moment and paint it with my own artistic brush. This image is a perfect example of that. I was standing there as Kevin was putting the finishing touches on his tux. He had just finished tying his tie and was looking everything over. He had this look of satisfaction and that’s when I snapped the photo.
5: The Elopement
Okay, this photo was semi-staged. I set them up in these positions, but actually snapped this shot while they were waiting for me to get ready. The next shot was posed and turned out really good, but for some reason I like this one better. I think this image says a lot about their day. Justine and Walter put their wedding together in like 3 days. They wanted to do something really small, but once the families found out about it the numbers grew. To quote Justine: “We eloped with 40 people.” Her pose and the way she holds the flowers has the look of a bride who is somewhat aloof to the whole “big fat wedding” thing. I thought it was kind of cool and refreshing.
4: An Officer and a Gentleman
There’s not much to be said about this image. I think it pretty much speaks for itself. All I can do at this point is screw it up by talking too much. In some ways it reminds me of that old World War II photo with the sailor kissing the woman in Times Square. It’s just one of those moments that stands on its own.
3: A Day At the Beach
From Lauren and Russell’s engagement session done at the beach (duh!). Their session was almost completely unscripted. It was obvious that they were madly in love. It’s like the camera wasn’t even there. I just let them do what they wanted with very little interruption from me. The tall grass and cloudless blue sky gave this image just the touch of color that it needed.
2: The Anxious Bride
I’ll never forget this shot of Yolanda sitting alone in the limo right before the ceremony. It was a crazy day (as all weddings are). There was a miscommunication with the driver and things were running really late. She did all the planning herself and was obviously stressed. I remember saying something to her in an attempt to help her stay calm. She actually thanked me a few days later for helping her relax. It’s something I’ll always remember about that day and a reminder as to why I wanted to be a photographer in the first place…..it’s moments like this one that really make this the best job in the world.
1: The Loving Wife
They say that behind every good man is a strong woman….they just left out the fact that she’s standing behind him with a cattle prod! But seriously, 2009 could not have been the year it was without my wife and partner behind me…..and in many instances leading the the way. This photo is from our trip to Philadelphia where I had shot a wedding the day before. Here’s Silke sitting on the steps of the entrance to Independence Hall.
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Posted on October 29, 2009
Pretty. Smart. Crazy. Bold. Funny. Sexy. Sassy. Hip. Cool.
Ryan is all that…..and then some!
The whole bag of chips…..with the dip!
If she was a pizza, she’d have ALL the toppings!
Okay, that last one was kinda corny, but you get the idea…
So let me tell you about Ryan. She’s a beautiful, engaging young woman who recently graduated from one of the top engineering schools in the country. She’s also one of the most fun and down to earth people you’ll ever meet. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that she works on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico! So, I guess you can add the word “tough” to the long list of adjectives that describe her.
Before I go any further, I just have to say “Sorry guys, she’s already taken.”
Ryan and I have been trying to hook up for a portrait session for several months, but scheduling conflicts kept us from getting together until now. Although the weather was iffy at best with the threat of worse weather on the horizon, nothing was going to stop her from getting her photos! The weather held off long enough, but that was the least of our concerns. She nearly tumbled over backwards into a creek and then we both had to dodge cars in the dark at the end of the shoot to avoid getting run over. Luckily nobody got hurt and we managed to walk away with our limbs intact. I’d call that a good day!
©Alan Abrams Photography – Long Island Wedding Photographer – Specializing in Wedding, Portrait, and Lifestyle Photography
Posted on July 29, 2009
So Rebecca is getting ready for college…..a big step step in a girls life. It’s also a big step in any parent’s life, sending their child off into the cold, cruel world. This is a time when all parents have concerns about their child’s future.
My main concern? Packing for school? Nope.
Making sure she has everything she needs to survive in the world. Nope.
College loans and tuition bills? Nope.
You know what I’m concerned about. My main concern is squeezing this last month of photos out of her before we ship her off to school. Who says I don’t have my priorities in order?
You see, Becca is my favorite model.
Not because she sits there patiently while I snap away…..she doesn’t.
Not because she jumps at the chance to get her picture taken at the mere mention of it….she doesn’t do that either.
It’s because I love taking pictures of her.
When she cooperates (which isn’t very often), she is a wonderful model. Very pretty and extremely photogenic. (she’s gonna kill me when she sees this).
Anyway, we’re outside the other day. I’m practicing for an upcoming photo session by playing around with some off-camera lighting. I set everything up and point the camera at her. She turns away.
I wait. (we play this game ALL the time)
Finally, she gives up and lets me snap a few shots. Nothing special.
She looks away and I pounce! That’s when it happens…..and that’s why she’s my favorite model.
CLICK!