It's a wrap!

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog post.  I hope everyone enjoyed their Holidays!

I want to thank everyone who helped with the People's Choice for PDN's Top Knots contest!!  When the contest ended we were in first place.  I am waiting for them to contact me saying that we won and we'll see what happens if we did. 

I entered the contest just for fun.  I must say it was stressful.  We were in the lead and then not in the lead.  I was very surprised by how many of you came together and got everyone you knew to vote!!  I thank you all!!!!!!

Since my last blog post I shot two final weddings.  The 2010 season is complete!  Thank you to all of my amazing brides and grooms.  Everyone treated me like family.  It's amazing when I sit back a reflect on the season.  I met thousands and thousands of new people.  I took over 100,000 photos.  I don't say it often but I really love my job and can't wait until 2011 season starts up again!  But as of right now my body and mind needs some time off.

I'll do my best to update this site.  My New Years resolution was to blog more!! :) 

A room with a view

I look at this beautiful building everyday and finally decided to take a photo of it.  Here's some history behind it for you history buffs.

Lafayette High School is the oldest public school in Buffalo that remains in its original building; a stone, brick and terra-cotta structure in the French Renaissance Revival style, by architects August Esenwein and James A. Johnson. Although classes began off-site during construction of the school, the building was completed, and graduated its first class, in 1903. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.^[1] -Wikipedia

Buffalo Central Terminal - Now & Then

Here's a shot I took of the Buffalo Central Terminal a couple weeks ago while we were in between shots for the Beyond Ghosts Photo Shoot.

I googled to see if I could find any images during the glory days of this place.  Not much is out there but came across this photo thanks to http://www.buffaloah.com

Birthday Gift!

For my birthday yesterday Danielle got me a Polaroid camera!  I mentioned it from time to time but I never asked for it so when I opened it I was shocked.  I've always wanted one and it's brand new out of the box!

Polaroid stopped making film for the cameras so it makes it that much more special.  I found some sellers on eBay and the film is not cheap.  100 photos for $500!  Now I appreciate digital and memory cards so much more!!!  When I take a photo with this camera it better be a good one!  I can't wait to start playing with this new toy.  Thank you Danielle!

HDR-fun-ness

Last night I handed Danielle the keys to the car and she made some hot chocolate as we drove around the city for a couple hours.  

I've been wanting to practice HDR (High Dynamic Range). HDR is where you take multiple photos at different exposures and mixing them in post so that you can see all ranges of light in one photo.  Each photo has 5 photos mixed into 1.  It's not the easiest technique in the world but the final result can be stunning.

This drive gave me the opportunity to practice other new techniques along with new equipment.  Here is what I took.... Enjoy!

+42°53'10.8384"N  -78°52'39.9714"W

+42°55'57.0432"N  -78°52'24.8484"W

+42°53'11.0688"N  -78°52'35.6052"W

+42°54'3.2976"N  -78°54'5.6952"W

+42°55'57.0432"N  -78°52'24.8484"W

+42°53'10.5462"N  -78°52'38.3664"W

+42°55'56.7804"N  -78°52'26.2194"W

It's a wrap! Kinda.

I just wrapped up the last of a 33 wedding stretch!  The feeling is surreal.  Thank you everyone for an amazing season.  I got some really amazing images and can't wait to go through all 100,000 of them.  I hope to find the time to go through them all and post my favorites on this blog and update my website!

In a few weeks after some body/brain rejuvenation we'll be coming back strong for a New Years Eve wedding.  I can't wait to shoot in the snow again!

I recently shot my good friend Mario's wedding.  Here's a glimpse of his wife Graci.

Tears o' Joy

Christina and Tony's wedding was in August.  It feels like their wedding was a long time ago as I look out the window and it's snowing.  Here are a few photos they chose to be in their book.

Beyond Ghosts - Buffalo Central Terminal - As Seen On TV - Death Defying

I was chosen to shoot the paranormal group "Beyond Ghosts" at the Buffalo Central Terminal.  They were recently seen on SyFy's Ghost Hunters LIVE Halloween Special Starring Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson from TAPS.  

I got injured pretty bad during the making of this shot.  On flat ground of all places!  I won't go into details on what happened or how it happened because I want you to enjoy the photo instead of the story behind making it.  Everything was done in the camera.  That's probably why I got hurt!  I'm extremely proud of this photo and I can honestly say that it's worth the pain...  

Beyond Ghosts are an intriguing team who are passionate about what they do.  They're doing big things and traveling around the country.  If you're interested in the paranormal and want to investigate some cool places with them.  Check the team out at http://www.beyondghosts.com 

Wedding at the Palace

Kelli & Paul got married back in July.  I've been working on their edits.  Their choice of locations were the train tracks and one of Kelli's bridesmaids got us into the Palace Theatre.  We didn't have much time at the Palace to ourselves but we got some pretty good images.  Here are some of their favorites....

The Two Popular Faces of Neal Urban Photography

So far it's been a great ride with Jaclyn and Tim.  Last year they agreed to have their Engagement Session filmed so that it can be my promo video.  Here they are standing with one of my most popular photos.  They wanted a poster size print for themselves and for Jaclyn's parents too!  I also have one hanging on my studio walls!  Printed on Kodaks Endura Metallic paper that makes the photo look unbelievably real!

I remember prior to their wedding Jaclyn had said that she wanted photos to be taken at Buffalo's waterfront.  After the ceremony we went outside the church and got some amazing photos of her veil being blown in Hurricane Earl's winds.   Before leaving the church I asked Jaclyn: "Are you sure you want to go to the Waterfront?" She replied non-chalantly "Yeah, I'm sure you'll get something good!"

Now that's trust!  I'll never forget those words.

We still have a Post Bridal Dress session to do!  To Be Continued....