Frank DiMeo Blog

Michelle and Jeff in Syracuse

It was a pleasure to meet up with Michelle and Jeff in Syracuse for their engagement session. We started out at the Everson Museum of Art. Usually, I will ask for forgiveness rather than beg for permission at a last minute location because no one in charge wants to be responsible for granting permission. We asked, and of course it was denied, so we decided to go outside and make the best of it.

More and more of my couples are either into the arts or have close friends that are. Sometimes their creative friends have a lot to do with choosing me as their photographer. Now and then, they will come along to help out. Jonathan is a designer, and he was with Michelle and Jeff for support and camaraderie. I am not one to shy away from working with another professional. So it was definitely a treat, and a lot of fun to have him with us.

We were right next to the Landmark Theatre and I was thinking it would be great if we could do some things inside this majestic place. The guys were finding nothing but locked doors and had given up when we saw Michelle inside waving for us to come around. The place was locked up tighter than a drum, but Michelle had convinced the maintenance guy to let us in. For future brides out there, I have to tell you that photographers love it when a bride does things like this! Well we only had about 240 seconds but it was better than nothing and definitely convinced me that I need to do an extensive shoot, or even a workshop there at some point.

Thank you Michelle and Jeff, and thank you for the awesome dinner at Wise Guys. The food/company were excellent, and I would strongly recommend both. Thanks also to the incredible Mother/daughter wedding consulting team of Ann and Andrea Crowley from Bellabrations Event Planning. Email: Bellabrations@yahoo.com for introducing us. I’m really looking forward to working together again. I know we are in good hands, and it will be a lot of fun for everyone.

Ariel, Adam, Collegetown, and Rulloff's

Ariel, Adam and I met at a popular indoor/outdoor coffee house in Ithaca called Collegetown Bagels. Actually, not much happens outside right now as we approach our annual stretch of single digit numbers in temperature. It is so strange meeting people like this for the first time. It is kind of like a blind date (not that I have been on a lot of blind dates) but you instantly recognize each other with the first eye contact. I mentioned this before in a post http://frankdimeo.blogs.com/frank_dimeo_blog/2007/05/nora_and_eric_i.html and I think it is interesting to talk about. It is something that fascinates me, and I thought it would be nice to share it again. This time I even left my bag in the car so the 40-pound anchor around my neck couldn’t identify me. Maybe Ariel and Adam recognized me from my photo? Or maybe I just look like a lost photographer looking for an engagement couple, I don’t know. Could also be that everyone else doesn’t look like they are looking for someone.

Their first date was at Rulloff’s (I have actually photographed his brain) so we went there next. Edward Rulloff’s unusually large brain is preserved for public viewing in the Psychology Department at Cornell University. It is a crazy story about a local Cornell establishment so click on the links if you are interested. Of course we also took advantage of Cornell’s beautiful campus for a bunch of photos too.

We discovered some new places (even for me) and that is always exciting.
They said, and my couples say this quite often, “We had a great time and really enjoyed you showing us some unique locations that we didn’t even know existed in our old stomping grounds. It is obvious that you love what you do and your energy and enthusiasm is amazing.” This was my 3rd engagement shoot in six days (all over the state). I also did 2 days of weddings, a workshop and trade show in NYC, and photographed Sandra Day O’Connor for the Cornell Law School, all in the past 11 days. That works out to 10 major shoots in 23 days, and gives me barely enough time to back the images up properly before I shoot again. The post-production, blog posts, and everything else pile up really fast though. So yes, energy and enthusiasm are prerequisites, but determination, hard work, and resiliency are also essential ingredients. Isn’t that the case with everything worthwhile in life?

It was a pleasure meeting/photographing you Ariel and Adam. I’m looking forward to doing your wedding together.

Jennifer & Hernando at the top of McGraw Tower

As I do more weddings, it becomes evident early on if a bride and groom really want to work with me, or if I am one of the many photographers they are considering. Of course, no one likes to be one of the many, and nothing feels better than being “the one”. I felt this instant connection I’m describing with Jen when I first talked to her on the phone. Then the feeling was amplified when I met with her and Hernando, and confirmed at the engagement shoot. Once again, I am blessed, and thankful for another fabulous couple that I am excited to be working with.

Hernando purposed to Jen in the top of McGraw Tower at Cornell University. It is a special place for them so I didn’t hesitate when the asked if I would be up to climbing the 163 steps to the top of Cornell.

Autumn in New York has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The temperatures are perfect, the colors are luscious, and the sunsets are spectacular! My wedding schedule is also full at this time for the same reasons. I try to take advantage of the perfect conditions and shoot as much as possible. I call it “getting it in the can” while we have the opportunity, because to me the saddest part of the season is knowing the monochromatic, cold days are not far off. The reason I call it this is because I know that it will be some time before I can actually get back to the images and work on them. However, most people (including me) would much rather do them before it gets too cold. I will do them during the winter if we absolutely have to, but usually I will try to wait until spring whenever possible.

It was a pleasure doing the engagement shoot with you Jen & Hernando. I’m looking forward to the wedding and meeting your families.

The Amazing Marti and Steve at the Magnificent Heron Hill Winery

Congratulations Marti and Steve! You two are the best!

This one is thanks to the wind goddess Rachel

I loved the way Steve looked at me. Pictures really do say a thousand words.

o.k. sometimes much more than a thousand

My favorite Mom of the year

Brothers

Dancing with Dad

Another great Mom

This is special for you Rachel, thanks for all your help

On the wine tour

Twins

I love the feeling in this image

Well, what can I say? I don’t even know what to say, or where to begin, everything was so fantastic!

I do know that Marti and Steve are one of the funnest, and classiest couples I have had the pleasure to spend quality time with. They are the most considerate and friendly couple I have ever met. Everyone, and everything was thought of. Nothing could have been better for this amazing weekend wedding in the Finger Lakes. I will always look back on our time together with admiration and fondness. Honestly Marti and Steve, it was an honor, and a pleasure to spend the weekend together with you and your wonderful families.

I thought it might be nice to unveil the new look (large images) of my blog for your post, as a kind of thank you for everything. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but haven’t had the chance to refigure yet. I hope you like it, and look forward to feedback from everyone about it.

I’m exhausted and traveling as I type this, but I wanted to write it while the memories are still fresh. It would have been nice to do the fog shot by the lake, but I was kind of glad you didn’t call. We can do it another time, if you/we are up for it. I think the main reason I am so wiped out is because of the band ATLAS. Wow! These guys have it going on, big time! They blew the socks off everyone there! If you are ever fortunate enough to see them and you aren’t grooving, then you may not be breathing either. Seriously folks, these guys are the best I have ever heard! They no doubt take over the top spot as my number one recommendation. They are an interactive band coming off stage to sing and play in the audience. Steve’s Dad and brother even sat in with the horn section! Believe me, the next time I see Atlas cannot come soon enough.

It was also my first wedding at the magnificent Heron Hill Winery. I must tip my hat to their amazing event coordinator Doni McCann, and her incredible staff. The strange thing is they were practically invisible, until you needed something, and then they magically appeared as if they were reading your mind. Every detail was meticulously addressed with the utmost of care. The winery also has some of the most spectacular views anywhere. It was a pleasure to meet you and your team Doni, and I look forward to the next time.

My good friend Shai Eynav was able to join us as a second shooter. It is always a pleasure for us to work together, and the bride and groom are very fortunate when ever this is possible. Of course, Shai captured a bunch of wonderful photos, but I decided to use only my images for the slide show. Mainly because, after spending so much time together shooting the engagement session, wine tour, and rehearsal dinner, I felt a special connection to Marti, Steve and their families.

As always click on an image to see it larger. Oh wait, I don’t have to say that anymore, Yeah! The slideshow (click here) is about twelve minutes long so please kick back, relax, and relive the weekend with us.
Thanks again Marti, Steve, and your families for everything. I wish you much happiness, love and blessings, today and always.

Edit; I knew I was forgetting something. Marti is an excellent writer and has been keeping a blog at http://becominglefthanded.typepad.com/becoming_lefthanded/ on what it is like to be engaged. I have been following it from the very beginning and have enjoyed it immensely! She has changed it to http://www.becomingwritehanded.com/ since the wedding, and it is now about everything and anything she wants to write about. Please check it out and leave her some blog luv.

Nora and Eric get married at Cornell University

Does it get any better than a beautiful fall day in the Finger Lakes for a wedding? I’m not sure, but days like we had for Nora and Eric’s wedding are always welcomed and appreciated.

I met Nora, her Mom, and the rest of the women while they were having their hair and make-up done at Satori's Day Spa and Salon. They finished getting ready at the Statler Hotel, and then we enjoyed a gorgeous walk to Sage Chapel together. Reverend Kenneth I Clarke, Sr., Director of Cornell United Religious Work (and a great guy) performed another incredibly beautiful ceremony.

The flowers from Michaleen’s were beautiful! Hope’s Way presented cuisine extraordinaire (as always), and Just Deserts provided the icing on the cake. New York State top spinning DJ Nicky Wood was there to make sure everyone worked off this incredible meal, and had a great time. Of course, he didn’t let anyone down! It is always a pleasure to work with experienced professionals that are at the top of their game, and deliver like all of these people did.

Well I think Eric gets the award for the most groovin groom of the year. This guy can boogie! Just watching him will make you want to get up and join him. He lit a fire under a lot of feet, and it was fun to be a part of.

Congratulations Nora and Eric! I wish you many blessings on your new journey together, and thank you for trusting me to capture these special moments for you. As always, click on an image to see it larger, and click here for their slideshow.