Archive for the ‘My So-Called Life’ Category
Call Me Master!
OK, Mistress will do….. only kidding! I was recently conferred the Master of Photography degree by the Professional Photographers of America, which is the highest honor in this worldwide association of more than 22,000 members! It is one the most prestigious awards that can be earned in professional photography. Begun in 1937, PPA Degrees are professional recognition of accomplishment in photographic competitions for those individuals who have consistently excelled in the peer-judged PPA International Print. Artists all have our own paths to perfecting their art and their craft. Print competition has always been one of mine. Year after year, it has forced me to look at my work more critically and develop the skills needed to grow as an artist. I remember when I started doing competition I would sometimes not score as highly on an image that I loved. I would get angry at the judges, of course, but when I brought out the image a year later, I would see their point and I would grow. A wonderful compliment that I received last year from a judge was, “here is a photographer that knows the “rules” so well, they can break the rules, and it works”. As artists, we don’t always want to believe there are “rules”, but by internalizing them, we no longer have to think about them. Art is an ongoing process for me, always searching for perfection and never quite achieving it. I’m treating myself in 2010 and I’m not doing competitions. Sort of a little break! I’ll be back in 2011 to do competitions again, not for the glory but for the growth.
Somewhere That’s Green
It’s been a long and snowy winter in the northeast and I’ve been lucky enough to have a little hiatus down in warm and sunny Key West. I try to sneak away for several weeks every winter, just to be reassured that it’s green somewhere! This year I was exceptionally fortunate as I left town the day before the first blizzard! Good karma for shooting that blizzard wedding I guess! Key West is my favorite locations to “recharge”. So laid back, where else can you dine at a 5 star restaurant in flip flops! I’m on my way home soon and so renewed for a most exciting 2010 season.
A New Years Resolution for 2010
Happy New Year everyone! Here is to another decade of photographing the art of love. What a way to make a living! I’m a lucky girl and I want to thank all the beautiful and creative couples that have graced me with their weddings. I’ve sort of given up on traditional New Years resolutions. Let’s face it, if I do lose the weight, I’m only going to gain it back. My New Years resolutions are more “wishes” for the New Year. For 2010 my wish is to photograph a European wedding. Every Summer I go off to Europe for fun and inspiration. In my travels I’m always visualizing brides and grooms in my images. I adore world travel and I adore photographing weddings. Combining the two in a European wedding is one of my dreams and has continued to elude me. Though I’ve had requests, I’ve never had dates available. I know from my blog tracking that you European brides are always chatting about me. Why not drop me an email and help me keep my New Years resolution. I can see you in my pictures. Happy New Years everyone!
Arrivederci Roma!
What a wonderful August adventure we had in Italy. It was difficult saying goodbye! I had such fun editing all our pictures but I’m finally done. I’m totally looking forward to our adventure next August. We are planning on visiting some of the eastern European countries, which are the countries of our heritage. We are planning on a little Poland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and possibly Germany. I hope we are not being too ambitious! I’m ready to start photographing my beautiful Fall wedding season tomorrow and I’ll have such a special venue to share with you all next week. For now I thought I share with you a few more of my Italian favorites. Arrivederci!
A Little More Italy
Having recovered from jet lag and caught up on all my album orders I thought I’d start editing some of my Italy images. The country is just a total work of art waiting to happen. I’m not even half way through! We all know what the beautiful travel pictures look like. I thought I’d share a few “hidden treasures”. Stay tuned for some more later this week.
And We’re Back!
What a marvelous adventure! From the canals of Venice, to the rustic hilltop towns of Sicily to the hypnotic blue waters of Capri our trip was everything we hoped for and more. As with all my tours, it is the wonderful people we meet that I remember the most and the warm and expressive people of Italy gave us much to remember. I was not able to blog as much as many of our hotels have uber slow internet. Hopefully I will be able to share some of our images this winter.
Ciao Roma!
On our way to the Forum….. oops, I meant on our way to dinner we passed by the Forum. I’m not very clever with words right now as we are both very sleep deprived. Our tour started tomorrow but we did a few drive bys. Zac and I already know this adventure is going to be amazing! We will have much to share!
Marie + Zac’s European Adventure – Part 2)
Today Zac and I are off on our Grand Tour of Italy. Last year we had the tour of a lifetime visiting London and Paris. It was in Paris that Zac fell in love. He fell in love with the beautiful historic city and its people. He wanted to stay in Paris and send for his parents! I assured him that there are many great cities of the world to see and if he likes “old” he is going to love Italy. I’m going to try to post some images of our adventure every couple of days so family and friends can see the marvelous things we are up to. Note to self: post on blog at least every two days. Ciao!
MARIE!!! I forgot to tell you when you you have to go to these places to eat in Palermo: I HOPE IM NOT TOO LATE!!!
1. Ganci… there are a few in the city just ask around. once you go in the store you will know what I mean!! mmm
2. best gelato in the world is at ” Dolcissimo” on VIALE DE GASPERI ALCIDE 197 near Viale Strasburgo. seriously it is amazing ice cream and awsome to take picutres there. you have to have the gelato in the brioce bread!!! im so jealous.
3. if you want a 7 course fish dinner for about 25 euro each it is about 5-10 minutes outside palermo in an amazing seaside town called sferracavalo (my favorite town typical old school sicilia! the ristorante is called Ristorante Al Brigantino its is just beautiful (try to go here around sunset the sunsets there are great!)
4. last but not least you have to go to the piazza in Mondello. This is were Alessio is from in the evening they sell stuff on the streets. in is 5 minutes from the core of Palermo.
Hope you have an amazing time…. say hello to my Palermo it is the BEST city in Italy and the food is by far NUMERO UNO!!!
sorry about the heat you will have there my family said its like 115 
ciao send me pics- Lauren …. if you have any questions on the city just email me!
Hey Marie…I hope you and your grandson have a great time in Italy!! Be sure to eat lots of Gelato
Fun Times with Zac!
It’s been awhile since I’ve shared any photos of my most wonderful grandson Zac. We are planning a awesome vacation in Italy and Sicily this coming August, so you will all get to see him again. Last week we took a little tour of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. I live in the New York area yet I have never done the tour. Zac was totally fascinated with the abandon Train Terminal near our boat dock for the tour. On the way home I suggested he go lay on the tracks. We both love the image. It’s perfect 13 year old humor! He thought I should share it with you!
Kathi + Gil 4.11.09
I actually got to be a guest at a wedding and was able to drink mojitos! What fun! My friend, wedding photographer Kathi Littwin married her long time love Gil in the town that they love, New York City this past Saturday! I was honored that she asked me to photograph their wedding portraits. Just like a wedding photographer she planned for 3 hours of pictures all around the city, but just like April, it RAINED!!!! With the wedding gods on her side the rain finally subsided around 45 minutes before her ceremony. We we able to get in 30 minutes of portraits on the way to their ceremony at the City Hall Restaurant in Tribeca. Congratulations Kathi and Gil and best wishes for a picture perfect life!
Kathi provides Gil with some last minute instructions for a perfect life! Yes dear!
Kathi had this great idea to “strike a pose” in front of this storefront. Gil has obviously seen the movie Zoolander!! It was great fun!
Now kiss the bride!
Congratulations Marie, well deserved!!