Summer has officially arrived, as our complaints turn from “It’s too damn cold.” to “Damn, it’s f@#king hot out.” Soon, the streets will be teeming with sweat soaked residents, tourists and the like. All looking for a moment in the spotlight and a day in the shade. Personally, I’ve managed to capture my share of moments and mayhem. With some new gear and a strong focus towards doing what ultimately makes me happiest. Be sure to stay tuned for the laughs, tears and lunacy.
Category: Finding your Zen
Who Says You Can’t Go Home?
Last week I dropped by unannounced on an old friend with nothing but a smile and a case of beer. It had been years since I last saw Gary, but the memories and appreciation for this old friend had never wained. I first met Gary when I was sixteen, maybe seventeen years old. 
At the time I had just met and had begun dating his daughter Casey. At the time I had already perfected the “Meet the Dad” thing and had developed quite the silver tongue. As I sat there in his living room. Gary popped the top on his can of Budweiser and the conversation began. As we spoke about our common interests such as Hockey, power tools and of course his daughter Casey. Gary leaned back in his chair and breathed in before saying “Listen James, I like you. You’ve got a good line of shit.” It was a strange moment. One that I remember vividly years later. The man was honest and forthright. 
A gritty, no holds barred kind of man. A union guy who got his hands dirty at work, just like my step dad. Since that day Casey and me remain trusted friends and I’ve kept in touch with Gary through family events and unannounced visits. Till this day, he’s still as honest and forthright. A hard worker who, despite retirement, keeps himself busy and his hands dirty. Years may pass without a visit, but he welcomes me every time with a smile and an offer to stay as long as I like. He reminds me that, as we get older we learn to appreciate the little things in life and cherish the people we invite into it. My appreciation for Gary, the way he welcomed me to the family in my teens and the way he still welcomes me in to his life and home goes a long way. As I get older, I’ve grown to appreciate these little moments and exchanges more and more. Whether it’s reaching out to a stranger or dropping in with a case of beer on an old friend. These little things can make a difference in someone’s day and even their life. It sure goes a long way to make my own better.
Attention You Seek
Wherever you go these days, make sure to your camera in tow. For the world is a stage and there is a long line to get on it. It seems that everyone and their uncle Sally are looking for the fifteen minutes of fame or moment in the spotlight. For better or worse, good, bad or ugly. It matters not the presentation. What matters is your documentation of such. Since my days in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen to my current Hoboken state of mind. I’ve always made a point of documenting my surroundings. It provides a sense of history and boatload of fun and frenzied images.
Raise Your Voice
During a recent meeting with my consultant Louisa, she suggested I use my down time to do things that keep me inspired when I’m not actually working. Whether it be working on a show, book or a trip to the printer, remain in an artistic state. Well, for me personally, I get inspiration from the city and it’s many parks. No matter the time or place, there’s always something brewing and something worthy of training my lens and putting the world in focus. This past Thursday, with no sessions planned until the late afternoon I head to the city for some extra inspiration. As I made my way through Washington Square Park, I came across a group of poets assembling by the west end of the fountain. What began as a quick stop quickly turned into an extended stay as one passionate voice after another recited personal works. The group known as P.U.P. (Poets in Unexpected Places) were all the expression and inspiration I needed to get through the early part of my day. I often wish I was brave enough to raise my voice without fear. Maybe someday I’ll learn to speak with more than my camera. Until then.
New Additions to Damion Photo
Last night I added a KIDS section to Damion Photo which includes studio and location shots taken at local parks and beaches. Working with children and families has been one of the most rewarding parts of my photography life. Something I hope to dive head first back into in the coming months. I’m currently booking Spring sessions which include visiting clients homes where kids seem most comfortable. I also plan to continue taking advantage of Hoboken’s Parks and beautiful Hudson River view. There will be many updates and additions in the coming days, weeks and months. Come visit and watch for the coming updates. Yours Truly, The Photo Geek
On the Way Home
Shortly after the new year, we had an official Christmas dinner at my Dad’s place in Staten Island. Though we usually drive in when visiting. A early trip to Chinatown for dim sum meant we had to take the Ferry instead. Having lived on the Island for two years in my early twenties. I had taken my share of pictures from the deck of the ferry. As we returned that night I figured I’d take a few shots from the deck. Being that it had been nearly twenty years since I regularly took the ferry. It only seemed fit. Though it’s safe to say, night photography is not one of my strong suit. The night sky and it’s varied colors and textures more than welcome my untrained lens. So as we grew closer to the Manhattan side of our ride. I took my shots. Low and behold, they weren’t all that bad. It reminded me how I always enjoyed my ride home from The World Trade Center and Cantor Fitzgerald. How on a few occasions I was able to catch the warm sun setting over the Statue of Liberty. It was a nice moment. One that I was glad to have been able to share with my wife.
Because the Night
Realizing it was the fourth of the month and we had yet to pay the garage. We raced over with minutes left before a late fee would be added to the already pricy cost to house our vehicle. Though our attention was squarely placed on getting there before the strike of midnight. The layers of fog and downright ghostly spell our town had fallen under. Upon return home I quickly reached for my camera and headed back out. Though I have less than zero skills when it come to night photography. I felt I owed it to myself to at least try. The crisp night air and solitude provided a sense of tranquility I rarely experience. I find these little moments of peace to be priceless. It clears the mind while awakening the senses. Not bad if you ask me.
Vacation Pictures
During my recent trip to Tampa to visit my Mom in nearby New Port Richey my usually busy camera spent most of it’s time resting comfortably in my camera bag.
Marred by daily rain, strip malls and trips to the local Wal-Mart (cue gag reflex) for just about anything and everything my Mother needs these days. I found myself spending most of my time indoors or taking trips to the pool in between rain showers. Though a trip to the local sponge docks and a few encounters with a variation of local critters offered a few photo ops. I spent most of my time just enjoying the company of family.
I’ve noticed that recent trips and weekend excursions have brought less and less inspiring returns. I guess I’ve just come to realize that so many cities and states are beginning to look exactly the same. And for me personally, vacation pictures are more about the people you travelled with than the places you went.
Catching Up; The Dog Days of Summer.
It’s been a while since I posted anything but that doesn’t by any stretch of the imagination, mean that I haven’t been busy. Though the heat and some planned renovations have brought my studio work to a grinding halt. My event and real estate photography have taken off. One of the strangest yet most rewarding types of work I’ve been getting is animal photography. I’ve always loved animals and in particular dogs. As a kid my parents had a saluki, my grandmother a collie and my step dad a doberman. When my wife and I were getting ready to buy a condo in nearby Jersey City, we talked as much about getting an Bull Dog as much as we did about new furniture. Spending much of this Summer cavorting with canines has been rewarding both personally and monetarily. Experiencing the relationships and family bond between dogs and humans. One can’t help but absorb the warmth and love. Hopefully my dog day will come soon. 
With a new air system I’m looking forward to a much more comfortable studio environment which should bring more exciting shoots to muse about. I just upgraded the blog giving myself a new domain name and unlimited space which will allow me to go crazy with the amount of images I can upload. All my best to my friends and those who’ve been keeping up with the blog. Stay cool and remain calm.
Time to Reflect
I’ve been having a real hard time finding the right words to describe my recent shoot with Roksolana. Sometimes it just takes time to properly let an experience run it’s course of emotions in order to write about it from an observers point of view than an actual participant. 
This became evident to me when talking to a model I worked with the other day. I’ve worked with this particular woman for years and over that time, developed a close bond and trust. We’ve always shared stories and not only is she supportive of my wiring. She’s downright forceful in that she feels my stories are worth putting to paper. This Friday afternoon, as she unpacked her chosen outfits for that days session, the conversation quickly turned to just that. It was then that I realized why I do and do not write about certain subjects and certain experiences in my life. It was then when I understood why I was having such a hard time writing about this particular shoot with this beautiful and very sweet woman. 
It all came down to separation and the time it takes to remove yourself and a certain emotional element from the story. At the time of the shoot I was overwhelmed by Roksolana’s energy, her thwarting of everything I had planned and inability to focus on anything for more than a few seconds. That could all be easily overlooked if not for the pure fact that she turned my organized and uncluttered studio space and turned into a combat zone. Even going as far as moving my couch and taking the shirts I had picked out for her to model and spreading them across my couch insisting “See, it feels like a college dorm.”
Yet, with all the madness, lack of direction and complete exhaustion those few hours created. I still had a beautiful woman in my studio. One who is inspiring in all that she’s already experienced in her short life. I was doing one of the things I love most in life and I was in the midst of a ‘real story’. I controlled my anger and emotions throughout and stayed focused. An hour or so later, my heart rate was normal and I was sharing dinner with my lovely wife. I was not only alive, I was living.
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