Thursday, January 24, 2008

Oswego West Pierhead Light

I took this picture almost three years ago with my little Kodak point & shoot. I revisit it every now and again, never able to get it just right. I took one last shot at it yesterday and now I think I'm finally happy with it.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

More from Bullhead Point


Along the shoreline were some old, mostly empty milkweed pods...


The edges of the ice encompassed everything - sticks...

...rocks...


...a surprising little bit of green...

...even small bushes.

Icy reflections under the pier.

A little snowfall because it just wasn't cold enough out there. :P


Friday, January 18, 2008

Bullhead Point

I stopped by Bullhead Point this afternoon after dropping Griffin off at preschool. There was some gorgeous light going on. Here's a taste. More to follow when I get a chance.


Thursday, January 10, 2008

Models needed!

"Pregnancy is a kind of miracle. Especially so in that it proves that a man and woman can conspire to force God to create a new soul."
~ Robert Anton Wilson

I've been considering adding maternity portraits to the list of services that I offer. I think that no woman is more beautiful than when she is pregnant. Before I commit to offering this service, I would like to do several "practice" maternity sessions. So if you are pregnant and in your third trimester and would be interested in having a free portrait session, please email me at jmarriner@twcny.rr.com or call me at 592-2356. Sessions can take place at your home or other location, and the father-to-be and siblings are welcome as well. The type of posing that we use is entirely up to you and will be based on whatever you are most comfortable with. We can try fully-clothed belly shots, poses in lingerie or even some tasteful partially-nude shots (much like Demi Moore's cover of Vanity Fair).

The best part is that, as I mentioned, it's entirely free! You'll have your own password-protected online photo gallery that you can share with family and friends, and I'll even include two prints of your favorite pose (up to 8" x 10"). Any other prints that you would like to order will be 25% off my regular print prices. This offer is limited to the first five respondents, so contact me soon!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Another Day at Beaver Lake

Most of our trips to Beaver Lake are during the warmer months, but occasionally I like to spend some time there in the winter and see how different everything looks. Today was one of those days. I had to try out my new lens, after all.

We started with the Hemlock Hollow trail, and as we were entering the trail I told the boys that if they were quiet enough they might see a deer. Not ten seconds later I looked up and saw these beauties...



Although there was a lot of white everywhere, you could still find plenty of color if you looked hard enough...



Vacancy...

Because I remain obsessed with the form of bare winter trees...


And of course I had to include a picture of my sweethearts...

More Save the Date Cards

This morning I've been very busy designing more Save the Date cards. Here's a few of what I have so far (click on each image to get a better look)...




Thursday, January 3, 2008

New Wedding Packages & Prices

Did you get a shiny new engagement ring for Christmas?

Congratulations!

I would love to be a part of your special day. Please contact me and we can discuss all of the wedding photography services that I can provide for you.

But hurry! The new 2008 prices have just been posted and there are some increases. But don't worry, if you contact me soon and have your retainer and contract submitted by January 31, 2008 you can still get your package at the 2007 price. Be sure to mention that you saw this offer when you call or email.

Some of the new package features for 2008 include:
~ Beautiful book-style folios are now included with all five packages. These folios hold three 10" x 10" photos and will look stunning on a desk or mantle.
~ Say "iDo!!" Previously just an add-on, 8 GB iPods are now included in both the Fairy Tale (iPod Nano) and Forever (iPod Touch!) packages. Both come pre-loaded with all of your proof images.
~ Storyboards are now included in the Forever package, and are also available as an add-on to all other packages. These storyboards are 10" x 20" frames matted with three 5" x 7" prints. They are gorgeous!
~ New products! I'm now offering "save the date" postcards featuring your engagement photo, as well as thank-you cards featuring your favorite wedding photo. Here's a peek at one of the save the date cards (many more designs are available and I can customize the colors to match your wedding color scheme)...


~ And the biggest change - Custom Packages!! Yes, you can now completely customize your own package, starting with the hourly coverage and adding only those items that you want. And with the minimum charge starting at only $750.00, it's actually cheaper than any of the 2007 packages!!

So enjoy all of your weddnig planning, and be sure to contact me at jmarriner@twcny.rr.com or call me at 592-2356. I hope to hear from you soon!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The Marriner Year in Review - Part One

January
January brought snow, of course. Griffin had a blast playing in it, and I found lots of frozen things to take pictures of. At the end of the month the Fulton Congregational Church closed its doors. I was asked to take some photos as a gift to the pastor and the remaining congregation. I fell in love with their gorgeous pipe organ, and was very pleased to finally be able to see that wonderful stained glass window from the inside.





February
February brought tons more snow! Our area made the national news and the kids missed lots of school. Mom and Mike made the trip up for my birthday (#38) and we drove up to Oswego to check out all of the white stuff. My beloved lighthouse looked even more beautiful surrounded by the icy blue water, and this tugboat seemed to be a bit icebound. On the 18th Griffin celebrated his fourth birthday with a party at My Gym in Clay. Lots of family, friends and fun.





March
All that snow finally started melting in March. One day I was out driving and I saw this beautiful fog surrounding the lake. I was kicking myself for not having my camera with me, so I raced back home to get the camera, and was very grateful that the fog had not burned off by the time I got back. The boys and I also made a trip to the zoo. They liked the barn area a lot, especially this sheep. We also saw the eye of the tiger (or at least the eye of the tiger statue) and a couple of goofy-looking penguins. I especially like that gap-toothed penguin. :)





April
In April Griffin began his glorious soccer career. He was a member of the Orange Orangutans team in the Fulton Youth Soccer league. He had a blast and played in both the spring and fall seasons. He didn't score any goals but he did learn a lot, made many new friends and had lots of fun.


May
April showers did indeed bring May flowers, as seen by this gorgeous orange tulip. It had the honor of being added to my Petal Shots notecard collection. May also saw Grant in his first piano recital. He looked so handsome up there and he played both of his songs perfectly! And then, as if I wasn't feeling old enough, I got to see my baby sister graduate from Villanova Law School. Proud sister alert!





June
In June Griffin and I accompanied Grant on his end-of-the-year class picnic at Breitbeck Park in Oswego. Grant spent the day hanging out with his best friends Robert and Alex. Griffin was full of impy smiles that day, so I had to get some shots of him as well. June also saw my rose garden back in full bloom. Having planted it the year before, I was nervous about how they would survive their first winter. Fortunately 15 out of my 16 roses came back, and filled my house with fresh bouquets all summer. In June I also attended Fulton's annual Relay For Life. The luminarias looked absolutely stunning when the sun went down. And of course we made many trips to one of our favorite places - Beaver Lake Nature Center. Since I can no longer be considered an amatuer photographer, I was unable to repeat my first-place performance in their annual photography contest, but I did manage to take quite a few pictures there anyway.










Stay tuned - the rest of the year comes your way tomorrow!