And then there was....

Nicole and Taylor... Really proving what a small world it is. Nicole and I met on myspace when talk of a portrait session came up. After discussio

ns the small world became noticeable when her fiances name came up. Why does that make it a small world? Because I we grew up in the same towns and same school systems

However, none of that even comes close

to what this little diddy is about...

Their wedding day. What a great day it was. July 12th 2008.

I arrived at the Cottage House... This place was wonderful, white, filled with a flow that was so inviting. The Cottage House is just part of the Lord Thompson Manor located in Thompson, Ct..

Their day would have been marvelous no matter where it was held but, well, there is really nothing one can say about Lord Thompson Manor. From the service to the food to the owners. Not to mention the out door fires, the fire pit and the croquet set up!!!

The place just calls out to all. And on this day, it was all for Nicole and Taylor. They made it more their own with such a beautiful cake, flowers to bring a touch of light wonderful colour and a band to bring down the house...

A truly beautiful day, from the weather to the smiles, just a beautiful day....

It seems as if a blog has been happening on a daily basis... Good? Bad? Indifferent?


Can't say as if there is a reason, or isn't a reason. So why stop with the daily blog'yness.


I came across this little movie here of a bird, he got a way in the beginning of the flick... Will he return????

Brooklyn and some Racing In The Rain...

Copyright Tim Brown / TAB Photographic

Brooklyn NY... Yes Brooklyn. Ever been to New York City??? I bet many of you can say yes. I mean come on, it's "the city"... Not just any city but again "THE CITY".... Buildings that have grown into the clouds, trains that have tunnelled the earth, and people that have filled all spaces high, low and everything in between. With out question, it's just a great city!

But stop for a moment, what about all the culture, pieces and parts that are wrapped around this city??? Ultimately making NYC what it is? Like the Bronx, Queens, Long Island or maybe, maybe even Brooklyn.

Copyright Tim Brown / TAB Photographic

Quite possibly with it's pieces and parts Brooklyn could be considered "the place". I know a few people close to me that feel this way and I sit here in positive agreement. Because Brookly is filled with this great energy. This calmness that must rest just outside "the city"... A place where people run home to after being in the hustle and bustle all day long. A place where the kids play on the streets, the markets are filled with smiles and the brownstones tower over with such beauty and grace.

A place where a couple bikes locked up have seen so much. Probably raced down the street with the Statue of Liberty watching over in the distance, past the (F) stop and back around the block.

Copyright Tim Brown / TAB Photographic

A place where a van has been touched by so many, or in some cases painted. Though I look at this van and see so much. Really, I want to blow this picture up to about 48 inches and cover an entire wall with it. Maybe put the bikes on the other wall??? I guess what I'm getting at here is that Brooklyn is the place. Really, the place... Manhattan is great and all but if you want the city feeling with a more relaxed atmosphere and some great stores... yea, try on Brooklyn for size....


**************************************

While I'm here I just feel another need to share one more thing. That one more thing is a great book I read over the summer. I saw the cover, which had a simple picture of a dog, picked up the book and saw that it was about a dog and a race car drive... Hence the title, " The Art of Racing In The Rain"... There I am, 24 hours from that point I would be on a 6 hour flight to Portland Oregon, picking up this great book about a dog, and racing cars. I mean come on, talk about a guys novel. No, I'm not saying guys read one type of book while woman the other... I just didn't want some romance filled, love on the beach book... So damn it! I would buy a book about a dog and race cars!!!

Well..... Let me tell you, this book, simply filled with so much. From laughs, to love, to anger and tears. Yes, tears. What? I'm not allowed to tear up over a book? And more so, I'm not allowed to tell people about that fact??? It's a great book!

There are so many lessons that can be learned along side of the feelings felt. How to over come the odds, never give up and stick to your guns!!! So much about life... All, generally, from the eyes and mind of a dog. As far as I'm concerned, it's a must read. Just know, you'll tear up too. Maybe even sob......

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.




Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.




On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.




A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.

Ooooops... She did it again...

That's right, she did it again. Beth Jannery (http://www.bethjannery.com/) just released her newest book. Why is this blog worthy news on the photo front? Quite simple, she's a good friend. And on top of that, a good friend that has used pictures of mine for her last two covers as well as with in the pages. Beth has gone through some major changes in her life, even since I have met her. She has become stronger, learned much and if I'm allowed to say, I think she has found a new freedom. A new life???

Her first book that rolled out in her series was "Simple Grace" living a meaningful life. Bringing back the simple graces in life. The things that truly matter and have meaning...

"Do you notice small wonders and daily joys? Is your life full of rich meaning, deep friendships, appreciation, gratitude and reflection? Have you ever wondered if there is more you should be doing with your life-but you just aren't sure what it is? Simple Grace is your guide for living a more meaningful life. With just a few minutes of reading each day, you will realign your thinking to be more peaceful, reverent and soulful. Simple Grace was written to help you discover your true north. End your search for something more. Begin a Simple Grace sojourn to simplicity using your own compass to map out and discover the truth about who you are. Stop worrying about what might happen tomorrow and start relishing in what today reveals. When you place Simple Grace in your life, you have a new beginning. Simple Grace is a gift worth opening. "

And now comes a new chapter, not as in a book chapter, but as a new chapter in Beth's life. With that new chapter comes the second book in her series.

Simple Grace - Daily Joys (http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/334592)

Live in the now, appreciate simple moments, embrace grace...

This book, after just cruising through the 15 pages available on "blurb", is a great one for sure. And now after reading some of the words I am able to picture her daughter sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, listening to the shh shhhh birds and the crickets making their music.

I think we all need to do that more often, we need to stop and listen to the shh shhh birds and the crickets as they make their music...

Beth is at...

http://www.bethjannery.com/

bethjannery.blogspot.com

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/334592

These days we need to budget...

As many of us know, for one reason or another, we all need to budget. And no reason rings more true than a wedding. I came across a helpful article on how to set your wedding budget and hope that it may come in handy for many brides and brides to be out there. I will continue to post any helpful information I find as time goes on...

How to Set Your Wedding Budget

Get started with these three steps to setting your wedding budget
The numbers are in, and they aren’t pretty. With the average wedding cost at over $28,000, it’s no wonder tackling the budget is one of the most overwhelming tasks on your to-do list. We’ve sorted the figures to help you put it all in perspective and build a plan of attack.

Step 1: Talk to all contributing parties
As the cost of weddings increase, so does the number of people paying for them (good news for the bride’s parents, who no longer need to take out a second mortgage to fund their daughter’s nuptials). You’ll need to sit down with everyone who is going to contribute to the wedding-day piggy bank and discuss how to logically divide the tab and arrive at a total number.

The old-school rules dictating who pays for what are meant to be broken, but you can definitely use these wedding etiquette guidelines on who pays for what as a starting point for your budget discussion.

Step 2: Allocate totals for each service accordingly
Now that you’ve arrived at a reasonable total budget, you’ll need to determine where that money is going to go. Come up with a list of items/vendors/details you’ll need, and how much you’ll allocate to each. Then you can customize each amount based on your style and priorities. For instance, if a fabulous. wedding gown is particularly important to you, you may splurge in that area, and make up for it by cutting back on your floral arrangements.

Step 3: Get a system and start saving
You’ll need to establish a reliable method to keep track of all savings and expenditures. There are endless ways to save and track your finances, from sophisticated software to old-fashioned spreadsheets.

Bank it If you’ve already got a hefty seed to put down for your affair, talk with your financial institution about the best way to accrue interest leading up to your big day. A seemingly nominal interest rate can mean the difference between Vera Wang and hand-me-downs. Just be sure to open an account separate from your personal savings so that you won’t be tempted to dip into the funds and ultimately find yourself in the hole.
Save smart If you are starting from zero with your wedding-day savings, consider paying for as many of your expenses as possible on a credit card that amasses benefits like frequent flier miles, rewards, or cash back that can go toward your honeymoon travel.

Just a few DON'T YOU DARE WEAR to the next wedding!

The day is not yours, even if you think you're the most beautiful person in the world, or have more style than you know what to do with, the day is not yours. Tone it down a tad the next time you're invited to a wedding. Even if it's "black tie"... You need to be careful as to keep the spotlight off of yourself. Look good, but not too good.

You know, we hear about the blue tux that Uncle Dan wore... yea, you probably did and you probably still remember him walking into the room, but do you remember the bride??? Doubt it! So here below is a list of just a few simple tips... Just don't do them!!!

• White Is Not Right It seems obvious and yet so many guests seem to forget. Material that is mostly white with a small pattern is a no. White suits are a no. If there's a question...no. White garb is meant for one person only and that's the bride! Always. End of story.
• Skip the Shorts Shorts at a wedding? It's just wrong; even if you dress them up with a blazer or a pair of sexy heels. Guys, no matter how preppy you make 'em, and, girls, no matter how stylish Charlize Theron looks in them, shorts just won't do at this affair.
• Keep it Classy Up-to-there miniskirts, shirts with more buttons undone than not, and bustier tops are best left for a night out with the girls (or that person you really want to wow). We know you're sexy, you know you're sexy, but a wedding isn't the place to show off. Play down the sassy and play up the classy.
• Coattails Don't Cut It If it's a black tie wedding, men are going to be renting a tux or digging one out of storage, so tap into your inner James Bond. But keep it in check -- a classic or modern-cut style is the best bet. Stay away from extra frills like tails, ruffles, loud colors, or satins which are inappropriate and overly fancy. Even if you plan to be the funny man in a powder blue '70s number, refrain. All attention should be on the groom (and his tricked-out honey, of course).
• All That Glitters Is Not Gold Stay away from anything lamé, sequined, shiny, or glittery. It's distracting (both in person and in those precious keepsake photos). Again, the newlyweds are the star attraction, so resist the urge to be a "shining star."
• Lose The Leather Leather rocks (where would our shoe collection be without it?!) but it's not the best choice for anything above the ankle on a day of "holy matrimony." Leather jackets and skirts are probably too casual, and leather pants are just too flashy. Even if the bride and groom are hip enough to roll with it, opt for something more sophisticated.
• Mad Hatters Whether you wear a baseball cap to show your allegiance to the A's, disguise thinning hair, or hide a bad hair day, a wedding (even the most casual summer ceremony) is the last place to don one. Go hatless and hit a home run!
• Give The Wild West A Rest Bandanas, cowboy boots, and ten-gallon hats all make it onto the list of what not to wear. Unless the betrothed couple has planned a themed bash and requests that guests get decked out in ranch gear, save these goodies for another day, pard'ner.
• Dress to the Nines Don't be too cool to don your finest fixings. Honor the couple's union by leaving your jeans at home -- even the really nice ones! Unless the invitation mentions a beach barbecue or luau, forego the casual fare and plan on turning it up. It's a wedding after all!

Just things to keep in mind!!!

Mail...

Do you know what I have come to realize, I love mail! No, really, it may sound odd but I love getting mail. (taking the bills out of the equation of course)...

From a magazine to a thank you card. So great!

Walking down to the post office or to the mail box on the other side of the road. Yes, yes yes... Especially the post office. There's just something I remember from my youth of going down with my father, running over to the little metal door and putting the magic key in, with a twist the lock releases and the door swings open so effortlessly. Looking inside, wondering, what's in there, what has shown up in this little 4x5" box??? Even now, it excites me. Maybe that makes me crazy, looking forward to the mail??? Who knows. It's just good. Can you honestly say that you don't like mail? That when a card comes you don't rush to open it? Huh????

And then of course there are the days you get to walk into the post office and there is nothing... You know what still makes that fun though??? You can open the door and look in and see behind the scenes of the post office. The stacks of letters written, telling stories from one soul to the next. Or the bills that may be lurking. You know, that's what they do, the bills... They lurk. We won't go into the lurking bills though....

So yea, send me some mail. I like it... HAH!

P.O. Box 426
Collinsville, Ct. 06022

And yes, it's even better than e-mail!!!

The ALL NEW WWW.TABPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM

Yup, that's true.

I just sent the new WWW.TABPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM LIVE!

Why re-design the site?

The real reason is for a photography association. They are very tight on who they let into their circle. I can't say as if I enjoy crowds like that but this is different. This would be huge and great all at the same time. The goal, to really show some fun work and have everything flow. So of course while I was re-working the wedding site at WWW.TABPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM I of course had to re-work the portrait side too. And coming soon will be the Pet Portrait Site!!! And hopefully the art gallery close behind!!! YES YES YES!!!!!!



SO... In welcoming these new sites will of course be some new work. And I am working with just about everyones budget to make some great work happen for them too. So if you're in need of portrait work, head shots, pet photos and yes, maybe even a wedding, keep me in mind. I'll work with you. And again, for 2009 will be one free wedding shot by me. As long as I hit a certain amount of weddings booked I will be shooting one wedding at no charge. And it looks like I am more than well on a way to making that happen.



Just keep TAB Photographic in mind.



WWW.TABPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM

YOU ALL ROCK !!!