Happy 2010!

To wrap-up the end of 2009, I wanted to share some photos from a wonderful community volunteer project I took part in just before Christmas. Over 150 volunteers trekked out in the blizzard to make this day possible. Adults were matched-up with kids to help them shop for their families at Target (with donated gift cards from the event organizers), followed by a gift-wrapping party and lunch at Chickie's & Pete's.

It was arranged and funded by event organizer Sonny DiCrecchio, Manager of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, Pete Ciarrochi, owner of Chickie's & Pete's, and Philadelphia Eagle's Quaterback, Donovan McNabb.

Another photo was also published in the Philadelphia Daily news!

Fall Fun

Where I grew up, autumn meant a trip to Van Riper's farm (now, ironically, the site of an Apple store) - to select your favorite soon to be jack-o-lantern from a neatly arranged lot of pumpkins. It's been a few years since we've gone, but this year we found a great new place - Ramsey's Farm in Delaware! Not only did we pluck our pumpkins from a field (right off the vine!) but we also went on a hayride and meandered through a corn maze for what seemed like hours (but was more like 20 minutes).

Au Revoir Pif!

Last Saturday I went with a group of friends to an adorable little restaurant in South Philly called "Pif" - on their closing night. As it turns out, we were literally, their last table; as they sent out our entrees, the chef's and servers were clapping...and once I had the first bite of my dish, I was sad, knowing I'd never again be able to enjoy this magical place. 'Tis better to have loved and lost...I suppose...

Spin for a Cause

It's 10:30 Saturday morning and I can hear Bon Jovi blaring from around the block. But it's not a weekend barbecue - it's a fundraiser at my gym, Fitness Works, where they are hosting "Spin for a Cause" to raise funds to support the American Lung Association. Considering many of the members participating rode from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm - they deserve a lot of credit for giving not only their time, but their energy and determination!

All proceeds from the event are going to sponsor another ambitious and caring South Philadelphia resident - Justine Dobies - who is participating in The Big Ride Across America where she'll be pedaling 3,300 miles over 48 days from Seattle to Washington D.C. Justine is still working to reach her goal of raising $6,000 - so if you would like to help out donations can be made here.

Dancing at Lughnasa

On a whirwind 36-hour trip up to Boston this weekend, I caught the last matinee performance of Way Play's "Dancing at Lugnasa" at the Calderwood Pavillion - which was amazing. Afterward we had a phenomenal dinner at the neighboring Sibling Rivalry – a perfect finish! If you're in or visiting the Boston area, check out Way Play's website for upcoming shows; they're a local gem: http://www.wayplays.com/

Ain't no party like a Vegas party...

I just got back from Las Vegas, where I attended the WPPI convention - what an amazing time! Not only did I get to meet and learn from photographers whose work I admire, especially Cliff Mautner and Mike Colon...but I was also fortunate to get to know a lot of friendly, talented photographers from all over the country (not a shock since Wedding Photographers are all so out-going and personable!).

Extracirricular events included Cirque's show Love - which was phenomenal, exploring all the strange and wonderful attractions (the lions at MGM Grand...the fountains at The Bellagio...the volcano at The Mirage) enjoying many, many delicious meals (my favorite was Emeril's Delmonico Steakhouse ), and of course, snapping some photos (some of which are below in the VEGAS montage!).

My favorite quote from the trip: As I was leaning over the railing one night in front of The Bellagio taking photos, my friend Alex overheard a woman say non-chalantly to her friend, "Is she throwing up?"

Madmaude & Co. Letterpress

Two weekends ago I had the rare opportunity to print letterpress invitations that I had designed for a friend's wedding - at Madmaude & Co. in Philadelphia.

If you're scratching your head and saying "Letterpress? What's that all about?" Here's wikipedia's two cents on the topic:

"Letterpress printing is a term for printing text with movable type, in which the raised surface of the type is inked and then pressed against a smooth substance to obtain an image in reverse. In addition to the direct impression of inked movable type onto paper or another receptive surface, the term letterpress can also refer to the direct impression of inked media such as zinc "cuts" (plates) or linoleum blocks onto a receptive surface."

Still scratching your head? Well, basically, it's an older form of printing that, similarly to darkroom printing with photographic film, is becoming less common, harder to find, and more of an artisan process. You really need to hold a letterpress piece in your hands, to feel and marvel at the quality. Once you do, you're hooked.

Ryan and Leslie are in the process of moving to a larger studio and plan to begin teaching letterpress classes, in addition to printing beautiful letterpress pieces for their clients. For those of you interested in learning more, check them out at: www.madmaude.com