Life on Water, Casandra and Chris

I photographed Cassandra and Chris's wedding last year. It was a great wedding. It was an early wedding in Coral Gables and it was pleasure since it was almost all in daylight and they where so much fum to shoot.

Cassandra and Chris where in the area and wanted to talk about their album so we met on the boat. They are now one of the first clients to be on the boat and I hope their are many more. If they would have given me a little more lead time we could have gone for a sail. Please see their pics above.

I hope you guys can come down again with a little time on your hands.

Life on Water, Diane and Mike

We actually met Diane and Mike a couple years ago on Los Olas in Miami, I think over New Years eve.

They are from New Jersey and sail back and forth between there and Miami every year. They are great business people. Even though Mike is a retired post master (the boat name is EXPRESS MAIL) he is also retired from the National Guard, and to top it all off he teaches Captains classes! They also have a thriving charter business, I was at lunch with Mike yesterday and he had to turn down 5 charters in New Jersey! http://www.seasidesailing.com/

Marty did Diane's hair on the boat before she had to go back to Pburgh, and we now know that it can be easily done here. And I must say, as always, Marty did a great job. Diane looks great!

Mike and I took a short sail today to take his boat to pumpout (you don't want to know) after I met with Cassandra and Chris on the next log.

Diane and Mike are heading north in a week or so and asked if we would like to follow them. It would be nice to have their experience to help us North but we have too much going on before we go and can't commit.

Above are pics of Diane and Mike today with "Skipper".

I hope to take Diane and Mike sailing next week on our boat. I love being here in the anchorage, but it is so special sailing in beautiful Biscayne Bay!

Life on Water, Bill and LaVerne

Actually, one of the main reasons I am working so late tonight is some wonderful news we received from Bill and LaVerne.

Bill and LaVerne have been living aboard Rocinante since they retired in early 90's. They have sailed extensively in the Bahamas and East coast US.

When I first met them, they asked me to watch their boat for a couple weeks while Bill flew over to the Bahamas to help a friend sail his boat back to the States because of a family emergency.

The day before Bill was going to fly over, his doctor had some possible bad news and took a biopsy. Bills friend told him to stay here and he was going have someone else help him to make the trip. This was almost a week ago. I was visiting Diane and Mike (see their info next), when they dingied up and told us the good news. "Negative"! We where very happy and suggested he try to damage his liver tonight!

Above pic is of LaVern and Bill dingying up to my boat with their boat behind and a pic of them sanding their boat while their dog "Salty" helps. This is before the good news.

We are so happy for you!

Danielle and Brian's Wedding April 19

This is another wedding where we didn't meet before the wedding. I love meeting clients before, but it is becoming clear that it isn't always necessary. They where very easy to work with and wanted a photojournalistic approach.

The wedding was entirely at the Westin in Coral Gables. It was on the 2nd floor outside. In spite of threatening clouds the weather was great.

Danielle's family was from Rio and Miami and Brian's family was mostly from New York. It was a real pleasure watching how well the two families interacted and became one.

Danielle and Brain where very photogenic and we got some great shots from the balcony with the full moon in the background.

They have a condo on Brickell in Miami that over looks the bay and I think they can actually see where I am anchored! Can you see my light on late at night?

Thanks Danielle and Brian!

Where are we now?

We are now anchored in Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne. What a wonderful place. We moved here for a couple reasons, the first is that we could get a mooring ball. This and dockages are the safeist way to leave the boat over night, which we had to do when we went to Mike and Sommer's wedding in Mexico. But, we also decided to stay until we go North later.

Inspite of the safe anchorage, it is more of a hassle to go to town, we need a car to go anywhere unless you are willing to add a couple hours to your trip by taking a bus.

The area is very clean and fertile just like Dinner Key. The other day we watched Dolphins rounding up fish for dinner. There is also a bird sancutary about 50 yards away. At night it sounds like two newly weds on honeymoon!

April 12 Jennifer and Brian's Wedding

Well as you can see by the dates, this has been a busy month.

Jennifer and Brian's wedding was at Jupiter Beach resort, a great place for a wedding. Unfortunately, it was too windy to have the ceremony outside so they moved it inside.

This was a fun group and the reception was one of the most lively.

Thanks for a great time Jennifer and Brian!

April 6-10 Sommer and Mike's Wedding

Marty was supposed to fly down to Florida on April 2nd, but her father had a stroke. Fortunately they caught it fast and he had a speedy recovery, so well in fact that Marty felt he was good enough for her to leave on Saturday after her brother's came to help.

Sommer and Mike's wedding is very special to us. I was also very honored to photograph another photographer, Mike Purvis, http://www.purvisphoto.com/. Mike has been a very close friend since 2000 and is very talented. We where one of the first wedding photographers to go digital and spent lot of our time discovering together.

All who know him where very pleased when he announced his engagement with Sommer. She has been a pleasure to know and now has become a vital part of Mike's business.

Sommer and Mike's wedding was in Riviera Maya in Mexico. It was only a short 1 1/2 hour flight from Ft Lauderdale. The first impression we had was the very fresh flavorful food that was served at the hotel. It wasn't any special chef work, just clean organic food.

Everyone at the wedding took great advantage of all the tours and fun things to do. Marty got some needed rest from working long hours in Pittsburgh.

We had a couple nights of fun with the family and friends and we loved them all. Marty even got to do some of the hair before the wedding. I am such a lucky guy having someone who can do all the things she does and still help me shoot the wedding.

The wedding itself was beautiful and special with Mike's funny comments in his vows. That night we went to dinner again with everyone than hit the Swing Bar for more drinks and fun. We also had one of the most unusual garter tosses I had ever seen!

Thanks Sommer and Mike for your generosity and your friendship!

April 2 Lydia and Jeff's Wedding

Lydia and Jeff's wedding was the most intimate I have done. Five people, which included me, the minister and Carolina the videographer!



They started planning a larger wedding in Canada where they are from, but decided to go small and have it in Miami Beach on the shore. I always like that idea!



Lydia

April 5 Samira and Robert's Wedding

One of the best parts of being a wedding photographer is the many cultural and ethnic events I get to see. In a world that is getting smaller. it's nice to see an effort to keep old traditions alive. (I'm not referring to the "Chicken Dance!).

Samira and Robert live in Davie, Fl. Samira is Iranian and is in Dental school. Robert is a fire fighter and is also going to dental school. He is Cuban.

Their wedding was entirely at Hyatt in Coral Gables. It was a very complete ceremony full of tradition and a joy to watch. Especially the part of the $5000 of gold coins that the groom owes the bride!

I also really enjoyed the music and dancing!

Thanks Samira and Robert!