Alysia and Jeff - Engagement Session - Mystic, CT

"As cliche as it might sound, fate brought the two of us together. Jeff moved to Clearwater, Florida from Milford, CT to start a new job and a few months later I moved to Tampa, Florida from Philadelphia, PA to start a new job. Our paths crossed and we had our first date at Frenchy's on Clearwater beach in October of 2006. After a few Florida summers we decided that we wanted to make our way back north. We decided on Stamford, CT. We joke that we had to move to Florida to find each other!" - Alysia

Yes, fate did bring these two together. The chemistry between is incredible. In getting to know Alysia and Jeff the first thing I thought that would be perfect would be an Apple Picking session at Lymon Orchards but unfortunately Jeff was in Florida and we just missed apple picking season. No worries Alysia and Jeff also love visiting aquariums. Soooooo.....of course I had a mall is open and sale signs just went up in every window moment! MYSTIC!

First stop was the aquarium. It was a cloudy, misty day and we prayed that the rain would hold off. I'm sure glad it did because we had some fun outdoors after leaving the aquarium.

I love their reflections in this shot.

Super cool Jelly Fish!

Sidenote: trying to shoot a ring underwater with kids making the water wave makes for difficulty focusing. It took me about 5 minutes to get the shot but I was determined!

Hot!

Be sure to watch the slide show to see the surprise Jeff had purchased for our session. Also a little out take on what can happen when you blow dandelions into eachothers faces ;-)

Thanks Alysia and Jeff. I had fun hanging out with you two. Enjoy :-)

Melissa & Michael - Engagement Session - Thomas Hooker Beer Brewery, CT

I love, love, love really getting to know my clients.  It just makes for a super personal experience because after all documenting our lives is personal.  In getting to know Melissa and Michael; it was clear that they were huge beer fans.  When I say huge fans Michael had me speechless on how much he knew about beer.  Val McCormick - Speechless????  Yeah, that's HUGE!!!

As soon as I found out what fans they are, I made a call to the Thomas Hooker Beer Brewery.  I was delighted to be in touch with Curt Cameron not to be confused with Growing Pains "Kirk", lol.  Curt was kind enough to set up a day that Melissa, Michael and I would have the whole place to ourselves and never forget.  Along with tastings including Watermelon Ale ;-)  Check out the fun we had below and be sure to stop by the brewery's site to check out all the happenings.  

This mural behind the bar made for some fun images.

Love the bottles.

Wheat & Rock!!!

After our session we planned to go to a second location but REALLY dark gray skies were above.  We just started shooting right outside the brewery.

Then it literally became a torrential down pour.  Thankfully Melissa and Michael trusted me and we kept shooting.

LOVE this shot of them!

Thanks again to Curt Cameron of Thomas Hooker Beer you went above and beyond.  Also to Melissa and Michael.  You guys are SO AWESOME!!! I can't wait for your beer themed wedding!  SO FUN! Hugs to you both :-)

Want to see more?  No problem check out the slide show below.

Slideshow - Stephanie and Nate - Harrington Farm, Princeton, MA

Claudia and Jeffrey - Married - Waterview, Monroe, CT

Excited and anxious those were the emotions going on inside. I'm sure the bride and groom felt that way too but in this case I am writing about my emotions! When I met Claudia and Jeff and learned how this would be a multi-cultural wedding I jumped out of my seat and did a triple back hand spring. O.K. maybe I just had an Ally McBeal moment and imagined I did but that's how excited I was.

This would be a two day event. Starting with a Mehndi celebration on day one and an Indian/Western wedding celebration on day two. These celebrations were full, of love, joy and warmth. I was treated like family and I can't say enough about Claudia and Jeff.

Jacqueline of Lifetime Events by Jacqueline was the wedding coordinator for this wedding and she has got a talent. She did a beautiful job coordinating the day's events. If your ever in need of an event planner be sure to look Jacqueline up.

Make-up Artist - The talented & Award Winning Naomi Martinez of Naomi Martinez Salon.

Ceremony & Reception - The Waterview

Entertainment - Sean "Big Daddy" McKee of James Daniel Entertainment

Florals - The Flower Corner

Transportation - Gateway Limousines

Day one started with beautifully applied Henna.

Shortly after arriving to the Henna celebration a good friend of the family helps Claudia.

Fun during the dance. Jeffrey really busted out with some moves!

Day two; the shoes!

Claudia looking at the beautiful job Naomi did.

Getting dressed; I LOVE the window and the beautiful light!

This looks posed but Claudia just happend to look up and I love the way this turned out.

Final adjustments in the bridal suite before the ceremony.

She is just so beautiful I couldn't stop shooting her!

Praying hands during the ceremony.

Claudia changed during the reception into this beautiful gown.

My favorite shot of the day!

There were so many I wanted to post more. Check out the slideshow to see more and a super huge shout out to Autumn of Autumn Photography who Team Shot this with me. Be sure to stop by her blog to see her take on things. Thank You Claudia and Jeffrey for having me and to Jacqueline for recommending me to Claudia and Jeffrey.

A note from My little brother; Michael

Click here to find out more about what my little brother Michael is gearing up for.  

Thanks,

Val :-)

Racing to Save Lives

Dear Friends & Family,

Without a doubt, I am getting ready for one of the most fun challenges of my life. On September 12, 2009, I will be racing in an Olympic distance triathlon in Pacific Grove, CA! That's a .9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike ride, and 6.1 mile run, and yes all in one day. Luckily, I am not doing this on my own. I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. Through this program, I have great coaches, mentors and teammates whose support will help me cross the finish line.

More importantly even than my physical commitment to the program is my commitment to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its effort to battle Leukemia and related cancers. These diseases strike some 107,000 Americans each year and acute leukemia is the number one cause of death of children under the age of 15.

One of the greatest contributions of the Society is toward research. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of this disease, and researchers are now optimistic that they will find a cure within 6 years!

I am not only competing in this race for the Society, but also in honor Esther Fluke, a Baby Boomer and a mother of three girls and two grandchildren. Esther was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in June 2005, along with fighting T-Cell Lymphoma, which was found in 1992.

Research is the key to finding a cure, and funding for this research is essential. I have set a personal goal to raise $3,200 toward this effort.

As I compete in this Olympic distance triathlon, you will be with me in spirit, and your sponsorship will inspire me to train harder and faster to the finish line. Whatever you can do to contribute matters it all adds up! With over 75% of your donation going directly to research, you truly can make a difference.

Please send your donation along with the enclosed pledge form by June 19th so I can monitor my fundraising efforts.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity!

Michael Burnias

FOR EVERY COMMENT LEFT SUPPORTING MY BROTHER MICHAEL; VAL MCCORMICK PHOTOGRAPHY WILL DONATE $1.00 PER COMMENT!!!  HOW MANY COMMENTS WILL WE REACH? (One comment per person ;-)  )