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SAFFRON - SESHU'S DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & PORTRAITS BLOG
A Post Wedding BELOVED Session in Central Park & Prospect Park |
Mid-September of this year, I was honored to photograph Saima and Raju's wedding at the Green Tree Country Club, in New Rochelle, New York.
With busy schedules and a wedding to plan, Saima and Raju opted to do their engagement session with me after their wedding. Instead of posing them or asking them to smile unnaturally, I chose to invite them to engage with each other by asking them some light-hearted and some serious questions. Their expressions and honest responses to each other gave me the chance to capture those moments for them. This was my first, day-long BELOVED session and I loved hanging out with my new friends.
I'll be posting more images from this session in the next few days, but I wanted to share with you Saima and Raju's feedback right after we wrapped up. Just so you know, Saima is doing her residency after medical school and Raju is soon to be a New York city police officer. A truly amazing couple.
"We had an incredible time. We really appreciate the time and energy you put into making our session a success. I think that we may have started off a little unsure of how to be comfortable in front of the camera, especially on 5th avenue, but you made it much easier to relax. You really engaged us in conversation and the fact that we told you more about ourselves, and learned more about you made it that much more natural.
The invites were interesting. They definitely gave us a particular theme to focus on, and distracted us from thinking about the camera, which in and of itself is pretty impressive. I'm sorry that I couldn't do the more serious invites- with Raju having recently completed his firearm training, we've had a number of conversations about the reality of the dangers he may face and anything that includes the word "last" is particularly sensitive, which is why I was not quite ready to participate with that set of cards. But otherwise, I think in general, they were fun, and elicited genuine emotion that judging from the photos you gave us glimpses of, you were able to capture.
Starting the day with hearing your approach and goals of the session also helped us think about what exactly we would want to come away with- and the candid, or semi-posed pictures of us engaging with each other are truly timeless. For that, we thank you.
The last thing that I wanted to mention was that having the full day made a huge difference. It took us quite some time to relax, which I'm sure you noticed. Aside from that, having more time gave us the luxury of selecting those multiple locations and producing moments that may otherwise not have occurred - I'm specifically thinking of that side street with the perfect lighting in Brooklyn Heights, and the tall greenery in Prospect Park. They were completely different and equally amazing and I'm so glad that we were able to do both, and more. We didn't feel rushed, and that helped us come away with something very special." |
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ProDPI and Fundy SOS Jointly Sponsor Phases + Faces |
As I have noted before ProDPI, the nation's premier professional lab and Fundy SOS, a company that produces a wildly popular album creation and proofing program have agreed to sponsor Phases + Faces: The Kids of Connecticut.
You may remember the poster I created when the project initially launched. It had to be updated with the new sponsors' logoa and so find below the newest version of this flier which was generously printed by ProDPI.
Starting this week, I am going to be knocking on doors and calling offices and stores that cater to children in the hopes that they will spread the word on my behalf.
I might have some exciting news to share about this project closer to August 29. Stand by! |
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Limited Number Of Engagement Sessions At Special Rates! |
To celebrate 3000 followers on Twitter (and if you are one among them, thank you!), I am giving 3 couples a chance to book their engagement session with me by July 31, 2009 for 30% off my usual rates. The actual photo sessions need not take place by that date, however.
3 couples, 3 very cool, relaxed and fun engagement sessions in Connecticut, 30% off. Good things come in 3's. Thank you to the first 3000 followers on Twitter. |
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And if you also happen to follow me on Twitter (@PicSeshu), you get a special SURPRISE bonus after your engagement session! Nope, I can't tell you what it is. You just have to trust me. You will love it!
Contact me to book your session by July 31, 2009. Simple! |
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Photographing Children's Parties |
I think this has been the busiest birthday party season for Rohan. He has been invited to at least 8! Sure he celebrated his own a few weeks ago, but it's also fun to check out what the other kids and their parents have planned for their parties.
Last weekend we were up in Massachusetts for my wife's cousin's daughter, Adithi's 2-year birthday party. Jayanthi and Venki were awesome hosts, opening their home for us to stay the night. After running around a 4-year old and an almost 2-year old, we needed the sleep. But Ketan had other plans for us (an entirely different blog post in the future?) The party was held in Acton, Massachusetts.
Anyway, I downloaded and processed some of the images that I was able to shoot at the party. I picked just two for today and I will post a few others over the weekend.
Yes, I am available to photograph your child's birthday party. Contact me to find out more about why you can retire your own camera during your child's party, what I have to offer you and how I approach photographing children around the world.
Lastly, if you know of a child or a family with children in Connecticut, please let them know about my Phases + Faces: The Kids Of Connecticut, portrait book project to benefit Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
And please post your comments. Thank you! |
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Portraits For Phases & Faces: The Kids of Connecticut |
Maya and Thatcher's parents, Nick and Sabrina, were introduced to me by Rachel Hadiashar. When Rachel heard about the Phases + Faces: The Kids of Connecticut coffee table book project I launched, she contacted her friends and told them about the project.
Maya, 5, and Thatcher, 3, were incredible to work with. As kids go they were of course all over the place but it was great in the way they allowed me the opportunity to slip into their lives and go unnoticed.
We first photographed right outside their condominium. Then went indoors to warm up. Later on we drove down to a park that they frequently visit and enjoy. Despite an early Spring snap, the entire family were all laughs and giggles. We even saw flurries as we were shooting outdoors and that was fun until the wind started to pick up and things got really chilly!
I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to photograph both Maya and Thatcher towards the Phases + Faces: The Kids of Connecticut project to benefit Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
So, here are a few of my very favorite images from that photo session. As always, I welcome your comments and please feel free to spread the link around amongst your family and friends. I would love to photograph more children right here in Connecticut. |
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Portraits For Phases & Faces: The Kids of Connecticut |
Amy, Philip's mom, and I always ran into each other when I dropped my kids off at the day care center. When Amy expressed an interest in commissioning me to create some portraits of Philip, I was coincidentally launching Phases & Faces: The Kids of Connecticut. So, I invited Amy to participate and she willingly donated $100 to nominate Philip for the coffee-table book I will be publishing towards the end of the year.
When I arrived, Philip was still waking up so I adapted to his schedule. It took him a little bit of time to warm up to the idea of being photographed. Never one to be pushy, I wanted him to go through whatever ritual he wished to become more comfortable with my presence. Initially, I didn't even take my cameras out. Photography gear does tend to naturally create these walls between photographer and subject, so I chose to simply hang out for a bit. Soon, I found myself playing with Philip and his train-set.
At one point, Philip decided he wanted to run around and around from the living room to the kitchen and back. Allowing a child to settle down into her/his own groove is so important to me. I knew that if I was just a little patient, Philip would cooperate and allow me to do what I came to do. When Amy disappeared to make a cup of coffee for me, Philip began to take the pillows off of the couch and jump from one of the couch to the other, calling himself "Superman." With a similar aged child at home (who likens himself to being "Spiderman"), I totally understood Philip. Again, instead of corralling him and making him smile, I chose to give him the freedom to express and be himself. I think the images are richer because of this approach.
What do you think? Check the images out below and please leave me your comments. And if you know of children in Connecticut who you think should be nominated for Phases & Faces: The Kids of Connecticut, please help me spread the word. Thank you! |
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1000 Followers To Help 10 Lucky Kids |
On Valentine's Day, I launched Phases & Faces: The Kids Of Connecticut, a portrait project to benefit Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
Today, I am asking you Twitter users to follow me on Twitter (@seshuthephotog). If I reach 1000 followers by the end of February, I will photograph 10 deserving children in Connecticut for this project at no cost for their families.
Deal, or no deal? I am at 840 followers now. So, I am looking for 160 more in 7 days time. The clock is ticking for those 10 lucky children. Help me, help them. You can do it! |
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Nominate The Ones You Love For A Coffee Table Portrait Book Project |
Announcing the launch of Phases & Faces: The Kids Of Connecticut, a portrait project that will benefit Connecticut Children's Medical Center on February 14, 2009. Yes, this Valentine's Day!
Nominate your child to appear in a special coffee table portrait book published by Seshu Photography, in time for the Christmas holidays. Children from newborns to highschool are eligible to be included in this worthy portrait project.
I will be waiving my usual portrait session fees of $250 per hour, so that your $100 contribution will help the region's children in need of urgent medical care.
The image you see below is of the poster that you will begin seeing in and around Connecticut. Please help me spread the word through your community, blog posts, forums, Facebook, Twitter or other social network accounts.
For further information or to get a nomination form, please contact me at 888-775-4866. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you! |
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Portrait Photgraphy At Blue Back Square In West Hartford, CT |
It was my first Portuguese-American wedding, when I was introduced to dancing. I had so much fun capturing the swift dance moves and the radiant smiles of the guests. And of course, I remember meeting Stephanie and Dwight on the dance floor. It was Stephanie's sister, Michelle's wedding and what a gorgeous wedding it was.
As I circled around and around, photographing people in their element, I stumbled upon Stephanie who was trying to teach Dwight how to dance. They were so cute that I had to go up to them and introduce myself. In the course of talking to them, I casually asked if they would be interested in a off-site photo shoot. To be honest, it took quite a while before weather and our schedules really cooperated. When it finally worked, I have to say Stephanie and Dwight were such troopers, bearing a wind chill factor that made it very hard for me to hold my cameras for too long in my hands.
We met at Blue Back Square, a hip, ultra-modern outdoor mall in West Hartford. Ducking in and out of stores to keep warm, we managed to make some very cool images. If the temperature had been warmer and I had had an assistant to hold a lightstick, I know I could have really rocked it.
Dwight emailed me right before Christmas, without Stephanie knowing anything about it, and asked me to come up with a storyboard that had a few of his favorite images from the shoot. He was going to surprise Stephanie with a print. I went home and as quickly as possible came up with what you see below. |
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But Dwight had other plans. He wanted the storyboard in living color. No problem. I got back to the drawing board, moved the images around a bit and then showed him the print you see below.
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Seshu Photography Offering Limited Portrait Photography Sessions |
The portrait of Jay, a high school senior, above was created over this past weekend in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
The wedding season has wrapped up. I am in the process of custom designing albums, fulfilling print orders and of course booking new and exciting weddings for the 2009 season.
But I am not one to put my cameras away. It's all about pushing the envelope a little more, practicing my art and expressing myself like never before.
I am now offering limited (30), seasonal portrait sessions called (Re)Sessions. Until the end of the year, all photography sessions will be for two hours long, with options to extend it if you wish.
> Infant and toddler sessions will be $150 $100, with a $50 print credit.
> Elementary and Middle school children will be $150 $125, with a $50 print credit.
> High school Junior and Seniors will be $200 $150, with a $50 print credit.
> Family portrait sessions will be $300 $175, with a $75 print credit (up to six people).
> Bridal and engagement sessions will be $500 $250, with a $100 print credit.
The fee for bridal and engagement sessions will be waived if you also book my wedding photography services, or mention the promo code "FALL2008".
Please note that digital files and paper proofs are available for purchase. All photo sessions will be presented to you in an online private gallery for 30 days, and in a time-limited slideshow. Initial consultation is required for all photo sessions and you must be committed to meeting approximately one week after the session to view and order your images.
Now through November 15, call and book your portrait session to also receive a fine-art 11"x14" print that will be ready for matting and framing.
So, what are you waiting for? You have until November 15, 2008 to book your portrait session at a reduced rate and receive a beautiful 11"x14" fine-art print. But you have to move fast! |
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