So here's the story of how I got to shoot Sam & Esther's wedding. I've known Sam for a while now and when I ran into into him at a concert last July, I was surprised to hear that he was still single, knowing how eligible of a bachelor he is.

Well, about three months later in November, Sam calls me up and asks me, "Hey Minnow, I'm getting married in December. Are you available to shoot my wedding?" I answer, "Of course man! Congratulations!" but also really confused as to how someone who was single a couple months ago was getting married in a month. But I guess that's how it works when you are eligible, ready, and found the person you want to be with.

When I saw him and Esther together on their wedding day, it all made sense. Their wedding was beautiful, simple; they just wanted to be together for the rest of their lives.

Congratulations to you both.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the day.

A fellow photographer and friend Edmond Lee had set up a workshop a couple months back for us photogs to get together in a studio and experiment with different lighting techniques. It also brought models together to get their headshots and portraits taken and make-up artist to build their portfolio.

It was great to see Edmond building a community and at the end of the day everyone had a great time and also great photos that they could use to further their careers.

Here's some photos that documented the hour or so that I was there for my headshots. The photos on my about section and Facebook page (taken by Albert Cheung are all from that day.

Another commercial photoshoot that I did recently, with minimal setup was a product shoot for Wild Turkey's Rare Breed Society's holiday brochure and online store.

The space I shot in had white walls all around it and so the afternoon sunlight filled the entire space with even, soft light. This won't always be the case for every photoshoot and will use the help of strobes if i need to. But since my wedding and documentary photography is done mostly with available light. I tend to go towards that kind of work with my still life and portrait photography also.

I thought I would share with you some photos that aren't neccsarily weddings or documentary photography, but that I had fun shooting nonetheless.

A couple weeks back, I was given the opportunity to do shoot some portraits of a couple members living at the Sterling Glen of Roslyn. It was for an advertisement that Atria Senior Living is running now in local magazines in Roslyn, NY.

Armed with my camera and great sunlight from a window, we were able to do the photoshoot with minimal setup using only available light.

Because the people in the photos are not professional models, but just happy residents at the senior home, it was important to make them feel as comfortable as possible in order to get the candid shots needed for the ad. I asked one one of the directors to have a conversation with them off camera while I took the photos. It allowed them to relax and not mind a camera being pointed at them. And while they talked and laughed together, I sat waiting, ready to capture them at their most natural and genuine moments.

Here are some of my other favorites that didn't make the final ad.