After a canceled flight back and returning home a day later, I (Sam) have finally been able to recuperate from all the hard work at the DQ Quikeys booth, the late night partying and singing karaoke until I lost my voice, and all the friends, old and new, that I was able to meet up with. New York was a blast.
Here are pics of some of the people that made my trip so memorable:
(and some I didn't get a picture of, like meeting Jesh De Rox, Jerry Ghionis, Becker and Jessica Claire, to name a few amazing photographers that I've been honoured to finally meet and chat with.)
Here we are enjoying lunch at Gray's Payaya, a hot dog restaurant and the place to go if you want to grab a quick bite to eat in NY. They had amazing all-natural exotic fruit drinks, but of course that was washed down by their greasy hotdogs!
Mike Dickson, from Photos for Life showing us how to eat a New York hotdog, with onions fried and simmered in ketchup, of course!
The uber-cool and talented, one and only, Dave and Quin from DQ Studios hailing a taxi cab:
My favourite shot of the trip
Here is the gang hanging out on our last night in NY. From Left to Right is Dave Cheung, Jesh de Rox, Jason Leon, and Quin Cheung.
My most memorable night (ironically due to my cancelled flight!) was all of us just sitting with, listening and talking with Jesh about photography, life and love - how all of it flows into one another. It was really scary how it really resonated with all that Mary has been sharing with me over the past year (and she wasn't even there!).
This is me the day after, waiting for my flight and walking the streets of NY on my own.
My friends were long gone and all had flown back to their respective cities. I had realized just then, how lonely New York really was with no money (long story!) and no friends. The city became a different place. I roamed around taking pictures one last time of the city (which we'll post later this week!) and soaking all of it in. The good times, the laughs, the conversations, and now the quiet, but yet bustling dirty streets, the experience of this alone-ness.
Here is a fitting quote I found on my Starbucks cup, as I sat to have my coffee and breakfast.
"The Way I See It #141 I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say "Hi." They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word. -- Augusten Burroughs, Author of Running with Scissors."
I think it sums up the city for most of those who live here quite well, whether they know it or not. New York or any where else you live, regardless of how lonely it feels, is really a city full of hope, change and possibilities.
I am first to admit, it's been slow here on the blog as we head into our last stretch of wedding season (is it October, already!?!). Of course, thanks to emails from our faithful blog readers for calling us on that and for asking for more updates! You guys are awesome and so great to know you're out there and interested in our work and everyday life...
The summer has really been packed with scoping out locations, prepping, shooting and it's been insanely busy. But, back to our scheduled blogging... Here's a location that you'll really dig!
Lago is Ottawa's NEW bar and grill restaurant with a view at the Dow's Lake Pavillion along the Rideau Canal. If you haven't been here yet, you must go check it out! We love the decor, colours, and vibe of the place.
Even the restrooms are well designed and we LOVE the concrete sinks!
This is one of the lounge areas. I just love this photo that shows the quiet side of Sam that I get to see once in a while : )
We get so excited to see new cool places and venues, so we'll definitely be coming here again. It looks awesome in the evening too as the ambience changes to more of a nightclub. Lago also offers a large private 140-seating banquet facility (it was unfinished at the time we were there, so no pictures yet!) that is a great idea for weddings and events, so if you're a bride looking for something different, give them a shout as we'd love to shoot here!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much, Roon-bop, for your kind and sincere words! Sam and I feel so honoured and continue to explore and get better at what we do. We wish you all the best in your photography adventures! Keep it up!
The best advice we can give to photographers who are learning and starting out is to follow your passions and be true to who you are! Go out there and practice shooting what you love. Staying in touch with what moves you is one of the things that has helped us to develop our style of photography and keeps us grounded in creating images that tell the story of each of our subjects, who they are, and how they love.
Here is Steph chillin' out in the Sam and Mary Photography ladies Racer Back Tank... with a little bit of pink, of course! And, Travis sporting our original classic men's Macho Tee. Vintage, surf style for supreme comfort.
Thank you so much, Steph and Travis! You guys really rocked it!
We can't wait to see you guys in a couple weeks. Your official teaser will be out soon, promise!
Love,
Mary (& Sam)
Here's a photo I found that Sam took of me during Spencer's lifestyle session. I was quite unaware he took it, obviously, as you can see how intently I was concentrating on taking the photo!
For this shot, we wanted to utilize the amazing natural window light that was filtering through the couch. Even though we do bring lighting to our sessions and are prepared to use it creatively, we love to find natural light!
So there you have it. A raw behind-the-scenes at what goes on at Sam and Mary Photography. Don't worry, I got Sam back and have some incriminating shots of him at work, so stay tuned for more. Happy Wednesday!