Tomorrow, Sunday the 14th,  we’re donating our time and expenses to photograph The Reindeer Ball, supporting abused and neglected children through The Mercy Foundation and A Child’s Place. If you’re attending the ball, please stop by to say hello.

I’m putting the finishing touches on some very cool wedding albums. Most of our work is actually after the wedding. We spend a lot of time on creative design and making each and every photograph look it’s best, enhancing and retouching for blemishes.

Here’s a couple of before and after samples from an album I’m working on today.

straight out of the camera

The final version after color and density correction and some selective highlight and contrast filtration.

I knew I wasn’t going to leave the other figure, but wanted to have some extra room for cropping.

The final version – this just worked best in sepia tones with some selective darkening or burning in, to enhance the mood – toned down the graffiti on the wall.

Barb and I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!!

Married July 29, 2006 at St. Raphael’s & the Westin, Antonette & Joe are now living in Pittsburgh, PA. (Check out their wedding images!)

I THOUGHT TIME FLEW WHEN WE WERE DATING AND ENGAGED….BUT HOLY COW DOES IT FLY EVEN FASTER ONCE YOU ARE MARRIED. WE BOTH WORK *A LOT* AND THE WEEKS AND MONTHS JUST FLASH BY. WE HAVE 7 NIECES AND NEPHEWS BETWEEN US AND WE ARE ALWAYS BUSY WITH BIRTHDAYS, PARTIES & GAMES.
What is the best part about being married?
IT MAKES YOUR RELATIONSHIP “OFFICIAL” (WOW, I HOPE THAT DOESN’T SOUND CHEESY!!). YOU REALLY ARE A “TEAM.” NOW AND ALL OF THE DECISIONS ARE FOR THE TWO OF YOU–EVEN IF IT’S JUST LITTLE THINGS LIKE WHAT COLOR TO PAINT THE BATHROOM. EVERYTHING WE DO IS “TOGETHER” AND AS A TEAM. IT’S A DIFFERENT KIND OF TOGETHER THAN WHEN YOU ARE DATING OR ENGAGED. EVEN THE LITTLE THINGS ARE “TEAMWORK”. WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER TOGETHER THAN WE EVER WERE APART- WE HELP EACH OTHER STICK TO OUR GOALS- -FOR EXAMPLE- –I.E. WHEN ONE OF US ISNT UP TO GOING TO THE GYM, THE OTHER PUSHES AND WE KEEP TO OUR COMMITMENT TO GO NO LESS THAN 3 DAYS A WEEK.
FOR OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WE WENT TO ITALY. WE STARTED IN THE NORTH AND WORKED OUR WAY SOUTH VIA THE TRAINS AND SPENT OUR LAST 5 DAY’S IN MY PARENT’S VILLAGE IN THE SOUTH OF ITALY SUCH AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR US BOTH- GETTING BACK TO OUR ROOTS AND SEEING WHERE MY PARENTS GREW UP. WE EVEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A PHOTO AT THE ALTAR IN THE CHURCH WHERE MY PARENTS MARRIED 42 YEARS AGO!
IT WAS A VERY, VERY BUSY FIRST YEAR AND I HAVE TO PINCH MYSELF TO REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS ALMOST TIME TO CELEBRATE OUR 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, AND THAT WE HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY! THIS YEAR FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY WE ARE GOING TO GO TO CHICAGO FOR A LONG WEEKEND – SEE A SHOW, DO SOME SHOPPING AND TRY TO CATCH A CUBS GAME.
WE ARE ALSO HOUSE HUNTING- BUT THAT HAS BEEN A SLOW PROCESS….WE ARE BEING PICKY BECAUSE WE DO LOVE THE TOWNHOUSE WE ARE IN, BUT WE’VE QUICKLY OUTGROWN IT! IT’S SUPPOSEDLY A “BUYER’S MARKET” BUT WE HAVEN’T FALLEN IN LOVE WITH A HOUSE ENOUGH YET TO WANT TO BUY IT! PLUS, WE ARE SO BUSY THAT SOMETIMES A FEW WEEKS GO BY AND WE HAVEN’T FOLLOWED UP OR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK OUT ANY LISTINGS…WE DO NEED TO GET MOVING ON THIS..WE’D LIKE TO MOVE BEFORE OUR LITTLE BABY MAKES HIS OR HER DEBUT!
WE HAVE FRIENDS IN DIFFERENT CITIES THROUGH OUT THE U.S.- WHICH ALSO KEEPS US BUSY. AND IT’S HARD TO STAY IN TOUCH W/ EVERYONE- THANK GOD FOR E MAIL!!! WE JUST SPENT A WEEK IN MEXICO WITH OUR JOE’S BEST FRIEND FROM CHILDHOOD- FRANK AND HIW WIFE STACI AND THEIR LITTLE GIRL AVA- – THEY LIVE IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND AND WE TRY TO MEET UP AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. WE ALSO HAVE GOOD FRIENDS IN SAN DIEGO , TORONTO, AND WASHINGTON D.C.

Shalini and Jim’s bridal party were awesome – from steaming their dresses, helping Shalini dress, carrying her train and bags; the bridesmaids were the most helpful of friends and the guys were easy-going and laid back.

Even Paige and Nicholas, the ring bearer and flower girl, did a great job! We were able to get some great photos of everyone because the day was so relaxed. Shalini & Jim were joyful and calm.

The Heinz Chapel ceremony was beautiful and stirring with the addition of the Children’s Festival Chorus. The Westin staff did a wonderful job of keeping everyone fed and happy at the reception. Shalini looked so beautiful in her a-line strapless dress and her bridesmaids wore tea length, pale gold, halter style dresses with matching pashmina shawls – very cute! (And yes, they really CAN wear those dresses again!).

The beautiful bouquets were created by Renee’s Florist in West Mifflin; the centerpieces were simple and elegant.

You wouldn’t get the full feeling of the day, if we didn’t mention two honored guests, Tuttle and Pippen, Shalini & Jim’s Golden Retrievers!

Barb

[Show as slideshow]

We celebrated tonight by attending Kerrumba, a night of dancing, dinner and auctions to benefit the elementary school that David, Nina and Kate attended. Truly the best part of the evening was seeing so many old friends that were a part of our everyday life when the kids were little. Teachers, principals, and neighbors all let their hair down and mingled for a great cause. Steve and I left the party a little early, because we have an early start tomorrow morning.

We are really looking forward to Shalini & Jim’s wedding. We’ll begin at the Westin with the ladies getting ready, head to Heinz Chapel for the ceremony and celebrate with the newlyweds back at the Westin. I can just imagine what must be going through their heads tonight as they dream about their wedding day – tomorrow!

I am excited about getting back into wedding mode! We have a few things planned for blog postings and our newsletter this season. I will focus on all of the beautiful wedding details that make each couple’s day special (with photographs and buying guides); and I will be starting a special feature just for wedding guests. Look for that soon, as well as a link to subscribe to our newsletter next month.