Why do I choose to have the latest and greatest? Because I never want to miss a moment because of the gear I use.  Having the very best that a company offers allows me to photograph what I see.  There are many different lighting environments and restrictions during the wedding day.  Dark Ceremonies where no flash is allowed and quite moments where flash would be a distraction. Fast moving moments where focus needs to be maintained for every image.  Large groups photographs where distortion is not desired or wanted.  Distractions that can be limited by throwing them out of focus and keeping the main subject sharp.  All of these and many more reasons is why I want the very best equipment for my weddings that I photograph.  You will never hear me say “If I only had better gear, faster lenses, more flashes, bigger – faster media cards, etc. I could have captured that image.”

What I noticed going from the Nikon D3s to D4 is, faster focusing, seems lighter and better ergonomics.  I like having the XQD card slot included for faster speed and construction/design of the card. I think it would be VERY cool if Nikon allowed users to swap out the CF card for a second XQD slot.  The D800 has medium format sized files in a DSLR body.  The D800 will be used for all portraits and scene setters.  I did buy the grip in order to have a similar feeling to the D4 and it’s nice having two batteries.  I’m really happy with the performance of the Nikon SB-910′s with no over heating issues and they do work perfect with the Pocket Wizards Flex TT5 and Mini TT1′s.  Wish list from Nikon.  Please make a 135 1.8/2 VRII lens and radio SB flashes. Then my ultimate wedding kit will be complete.

Tools used:

Nikon D3x with 14-24 2.8

Lexar 8GB UDMA cards x2.  Dual write to both cards

Profoto AcuteB 600R Battery with AcuteB 600 Head x 2

Manfrotto Deluxe Autopole 2 x2

Manfrotto SUPER CLAMP w/STANDARD STUD to mount to autopoles for light heads.

Impact 60″ UMBRELLA BLK/WHT w/REMOVABLE COVER x2

Profoto OVER HEAD STAND ADAPTER 5/8″ to mount the flash heads. x2

48 In. Natural Nylon Heavy-Duty Cable Ties to secure the Autopoles and light heads to poles.

Sekonic L-358 Flash Meter with PW RT-32 Digital Radio Transmitter

Genie S 40 Boom Arm

I’m a long time Trekkie and now admirer of his photography.

Leonard Nimoy and I

Photo by Seth Kaye

Update: I was just awarded the 2010 Wedding Court of Honor (top wedding image in New England) at the Professional Photographers of New England annual photographic competition for the print “Close Encounter”

Update 2: “Throwback” was accepted to the 2011 PPA Loan Collection and “Close Encounter” + “Life’s a Drag” were accepted into the 2011 PPA General Collection.

Close Encounter

Throwback

Life’s a Drag

A Perfect Fit

Crash Taylor Interviewed me at http://www.interviewsbycrashtaylor.com/

Karen Pike's image of me using the Nikon D3 with the live wireless transfer (WT-9) with the Paul Buff Ring Light

David Wong took this star burst image of me holding the Pictobooks $16,000 Wedding Album

Chris Shum image of me holding the PictoBooks $16,000 album

Karen Pike's image of the Pictobooks $16,000 Custom Signature Wedding Album

Karen Pike's image of me talking about off camera lighting

Karen Pike's image of the me presenting while being filmed by Vladimir Chaloupka

Chris Shum's image right before the excitement of my Nikon Live Fashion Demo

Karen Pike's image of me doing live photography with the Nikon D3 and the Ulitmate Bounce Card on my Nikon SB-900

image by visual.obsession of me during my live photography session with the Nikon D3, SB-900 and the Ultimate Bounce Card

Image by visual.obsession of me using the Nikon D3, SB-900 and the Ultimate Bounce Card

Lauren Slusher image of the models dancing with the image tranfered via the Nikon WT-9

Talking about off camera lighting using the Q-flash

Image by visual.obsession showing me showing the D3 with the Ultimate Bounce Card

Image by visual.obsession showing my very quick hand movements.

For my program, “What do I do with all of that stuff” I used three Nikon D3′s with 24-70, 28 1.4 and 85 1.4 len’s, Two Nikon SB-900 flashes with the Ultimate Bounce Card, four Q-flash T5 with pocket wizards, Lowel ID Light, and the Paul Buff Ring Light

Infrared B&W camera

Wedding Photography Boston, MA. I spent 5 GREAT days with Jerry Ghionis Australian Photographer in Boston, MA along with 19 other photographers all looking to improve our craft and learn from an Award Winning Master Wedding Photographer. My expectations for the workshop were very high as Jerry is one of the 2007 Top Wedding Photographers in the world according by American Photo Magazine. We spent 5 days learning what makes Jerry tick. From business to photography, nothing was left out.

After careful and well thought out posing and lighting presentations by Jerry, we use the techniques that Jerry demonstrated from his program. Like always, I love being the first to volunteer, but I waited for Jerry to ask 3-5 times for a volunteer; since no one volunteered I went for it. The below images, unless noted, are examples of what I captured using what I learned during my workshop. The entire experience was intense during the Jerry Ghionis Boston 5 day workshop in Boston, MA. Thank you Jerry for giving me the 2008 Kick it up a notch that I needed…