Official Blog of Minnow Park Photography

Leyla & Ian

2010-09-07T13:22:45Z

I first met Leyla and Ian last year when I took photos for a show that Leyla put together with her students. They're both teachers at the KIPP Infinity middle school, which is also where they met and fell in love. We became friends, and soon after they asked me if I could shoot their wedding. I of course said yes and after a great time at their engagement shoot, we couldn't wait for the big day.

It's hard to put into words just how much love and energy there was that day between them, their family, and their friends. Every detail seemed to just fall into place, and the whole day felt meant to be. From the smiles, to the tears, and the amazing dancing, it was an unforgettable day that I feel blessed to have been there to capture.

Congratulations to Leyla and Ian!

The rest of their wonderful day can be seen here.

Wendi & Luke

2010-08-31T13:34:36Z

It was my first time at Nyack college to shoot Wendi & Luke's wedding. The more upstate you go, the cozier it feels. The vibe at the wedding felt more like a big get together with friends and family than a formal celebration. It was simple, intimate, and beautiful. A great combination for a wedding.

By the way, these two have such amazing smiles don't they?

A gallery for more photos from the day are here!

Preview: Leyla & Ian's Wedding

2010-08-27T14:46:08Z

With Friends in Long Island City

2010-08-23T14:24:56Z

Summer fun on rooftops and parks, right by the border of Queens and Manhattan.

Preview: Wendi & Luke's Wedding

2010-08-20T13:17:11Z

Proposal at JFK

2010-08-13T14:35:48Z

The original plan was to propose in Central Park, but Eddie had a last minute change of heart, and decided to surprise Christine when she arrived at JFK Airport from Los Angeles last night. A corner of Terminal 4 was decorated as friends and family waited together for the big moment. The plan was to ask strangers to hand Christine flowers and cards that had a photo and a message, then leading up to Eddie's proposal.

Brittany & Israel

2010-08-03T12:29:03Z

Brittany & Israel's wedding was one of the best planned weddings I've been a part of. 45 lucky guests attended their ceremony at the South Gardens in Central Park, with music by a saxophonist the couple hired after hearing him play on a subway platform. The guests were then brought to a terrace by the garden for the newlywed's first dance. After the dance, the couple took a cab while the gusts were escorted onto a double decker bus, much like those tour buses circling New York City, and were driven to Battery Gardens. The restaurant is right in the heart of Battery Park with a clear view of the Statue of Liberty.

The night ended with sparklers to celebrate their wedding day and the 4th of July. The whole wedding was meticulously and lovingly planned for the most important people in their lives. It was a beautiful and intimate celebration of two people who truly were made for each other.

Congrats to Brittany & Israel!

Sharon & Chung

2010-07-21T12:23:19Z

The last time I saw Sharon was probably in the cafeteria of my high school between 5th and 6th period. I think she was a sophomore. Then almost 8 years later, she is being made up and put into a wedding dress! It was a surprise to say the least, but a great one. Even though she's in Philadelphia right now, her ceremony and reception was at the church she grew up in, and so many people were invited to celebrate the wonderful day.

Michelle & Alan Engagement Shoot

2010-07-20T15:34:09Z

Being a documentary photographer, my main goal in a shoot is to accurately and artistically capture what is given in front of me. There are photographers who are great at creating images; setting up a shot to what they envision. But for me, the documentary and storytelling aspect of capturing an image is what made me fall in love with photography and what I try to do at every shoot.

So during an engagement shoot, if a couple is in love and they love to show their love in front of a camera, you can't ask for more. We started in Battery Park then took a cab to South Street Seaport to finish off the shoot. The hardest part was keeping up with all the beautiful moments Michelle & Alan were giving me.

Brittany & Israel Engagement Shoot

2010-07-15T13:34:24Z

For as long as I have been in New York I've rarely gone down to Battery Park, but a couple weeks ago I had two engagement shoots there and I immediately fell in love. There's so much life there: people going through the park to and from Staten Island while break dancers put on a show next to the artists who drew caricatures of you for $5. And Vendors sell hot dogs or jewelry while regulars lie in the grass or sit on the benches by the fountain.

It's also a great place to take some photos of couples in love.

We shot their wedding on July 4th, and their photos are coming soon!

Xinhua's Move for Wall Street Journal

2010-07-13T13:02:30Z

Wanted to share another assignment I did for a Wall Street Journal article that talked about Xinhua, China's state news agency moving from Woodside Queens to the heart of Times Square. It's an interesting article that talks about how China's news presence is coming to it's own here in the US, and if that's a good or bad thing.

Karen & Paul Engagement Shoot

2010-07-12T13:21:13Z

I first met Karen & Paul through my friend Austin, who happens to be Karen's brother (thanks Austin!). I love engagement shoots because it's a great way for me to get to know a couple before the wedding day. One thing about this couple that I've learned is that they know how to choose their venues! We had the shoot in Central Park by Bethseda Fountain and their wedding is going to be at a venue looking over South Street Seaport; two of the nicest places New York City has to offer.

Nassau Firefighters Cook Off for the Wall Street Journal

2010-07-08T13:23:37Z

It was the second year they held the burger cook-off, where volunteer firefighters from Wantaugh, Bethpage, Syosset, and Mineola counties in Long Island came to cook the best burgers from their town. There were four judges who ranked the burgers from their favorite to least favorite, and the winner took home a trophy and a Stop & Shop gift card. Stop & Shop donated about $2000 worth of groceries for the event.

Wantagh's "6th Battallion Fat Guy Burger" came in first place.

Pastor Kenny & Pastor Gary

2010-07-07T14:17:32Z

Saturday morning I got an email from a friend with the tragic news that Pastor Kenny was killed in a bus accident while he was traveling in South Korea.

I've known him for about 8 years now, and even though we didn't keep in touch all those years, he was always someone I looked up to and was always blessed and encouraged by him when we did hang out. I have so many fond memories with with him, and it's hard to believe that he's gone.

The last time I saw Pastor Kenny was this past November when he invited me to come to Maryland to his church retreat, and I wanted to share a couple photos of I took of him while I was there in memory of him.

Pastor Gary, who was also in the bus with Kenny and whom I've also come to know and respect survived the crash but was seriously injured. He's currently being treated in a hospital in Seoul for multiple broken bones, organ damage and brain hemorrhaging. His daughter is keeping a journal that you can follow of her father's recovery.

Shake it Photo: Flying from Virginia to NY

2010-07-05T22:16:06Z

Happy Belated 4th of July everyone.

The holiday weekend's come to an end, and probably much too quickly for most of us. But in the spirit of all the traveling that was done these past few days, I wanted to share some images I took while flying back from Virginia, after shooting for this video, to New York.