emmaAugust 5th, 2011Let’s take a quick break from the usual scheduled programming for some cute kid photos. The more I shoot, the more I’m aware that the camera seems to love certain people. This most certainly applies to 4 yr old Emma. Here’s she’s living it up at her dad’s birthday celebration. Is that a great party [...] |
Let’s take a quick break from the usual scheduled programming for some cute kid photos.
The more I shoot, the more I’m aware that the camera seems to love certain people. This most certainly applies to 4 yr old Emma. Here’s she’s living it up at her dad’s birthday celebration.
Is that a great party dress or what?
2011 fourth of july weekend wrap-upJuly 6th, 2011Milford has over 15 miles of shoreline. I’ve heard it’s more than any other town in Connecticut. For the Fourth, every waterfront neighborhood seems to ramp up with picnics and amazing aerial displays of fireworks. The City of Milford does not fund a fireworks display on the water. The pyrotechnics are financed and set up by [...] |
Milford has over 15 miles of shoreline. I’ve heard it’s more than any other town in Connecticut. For the Fourth, every waterfront neighborhood seems to ramp up with picnics and amazing aerial displays of fireworks. The City of Milford does not fund a fireworks display on the water. The pyrotechnics are financed and set up by local residents.
True to my word, I didn’t leave the zip code on Sunday or Monday. D and I went paddleboarding on Sunday morning, but also brought the board to the seawall in Morningside later in the day. It was high tide, so once the board was down the stairs it wasn’t a problem to get it to the water. It’s rare for me to photograph at the waterfront, but Morningside is all granite and no sand! I stayed on the seawall while D paddled out. On the left side of the photograph you can see the Morningside raft.
Huke is out on the board, D and his boys look on…
Like father
Like son
Looking down the Morningside seawall towards Hillside and Villa Rosa.
D is trying out my new board. His may be prettier, but mine is easier to ride!
We’re not used to hanging at this section of the seawall. There were many more swimmers and sunbathers enjoying the sunshine and proximity to the Morningside raft.
After last year’s spectacular sunset in Point Beach, I was determined to get more photographs on the Fourth. Timing was perfect, low tide meant the sandbars were out for the fireworks.
Looking towards Charles Island from Point Beach
Getting into the holiday spirit in Point Beach
and in our old ‘hood, Bayview
Looking out to Bayview Beach
Neighbors gathering on the seawall, it’s truly “twilight in Morningside”
On our way to Fort Trumbull, we’re coming down towards Gulf Beach
Low tide in Fort Trumbull, with Charles Island in the distance
Sunset behind Fort Trumbull
While we are roaming the street in Fort Trumbull, my parents have secured a swanky waterfront perch at this private party. One day, I want to own a house with a wrap-around porch. D, are you listening? Accordingly, once acquired, I will be throwing a killer party and if you can still remember this post, you are automatically invited.
Wondering what’s going on out there on the sandbar? That’s the setup for fireworks. That’s BEFORE
And this is AFTER (left). You’ll note t’s quite a pile up around the garbage can. I didn’t bother with many fireworks shots, but Fort Trumbull (like any good beach neighborhood in Milford) knows how to put on a spectacular show.
I didn’t get a photo, but some residents were lighting off sky lanterns. Even though they rose majestically just one at a time, they still reminded me of our honeymoon and the cluttered skies of Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai.
on south streetApril 10th, 2011I’m a big fan of photographers Bill Cunningham, the Sartorialist and Garance Dore. While they are often documenting high fashion, I’m more interested how they track personal style on the street. I can feel their collected influence pushing me observe the streets of New York more carefully. Yesterday’s main attraction was New Amsterdam Market’s Oyster Saloon [...] |
I’m a big fan of photographers Bill Cunningham, the Sartorialist and Garance Dore. While they are often documenting high fashion, I’m more interested how they track personal style on the street. I can feel their collected influence pushing me observe the streets of New York more carefully. Yesterday’s main attraction was New Amsterdam Market’s Oyster Saloon down at South Street Seaport. The event started late and as we waited under the dark cover of East River Drive, this fellow caught my eye.
I’m grateful for the reminder that I enjoy photographing more than just food. Sometimes even I forget.
only in new orleansMarch 8th, 2011In honor of Mardi Gras, I thought it was the perfect day to share this photo that never made its way into any other posts about our Halloween trip to New Orleans. As I search through my files, I still can’t believe how few photos I took during our three days in the City. I [...] |
In honor of Mardi Gras, I thought it was the perfect day to share this photo that never made its way into any other posts about our Halloween trip to New Orleans. As I search through my files, I still can’t believe how few photos I took during our three days in the City. I try not to walk and shoot (this has been the source of 2 sprained ankles), but I know I did just that.
I love the way this street vignette is permanently frozen in time. At first I thought he was staring at me, but now I feel he is staring right through me.
photographic memoryFebruary 15th, 2011Photographic memory… Sadly, I definitely don’t have it. My abilities are a bit more selective. Luckily as a designer, I am blessed with good visual recall. This means I can remember certain images very clearly, even years later… Like this one, from our wedding nearly 5 years ago. We were just married minutes before and [...] |
Photographic memory… Sadly, I definitely don’t have it. My abilities are a bit more selective. Luckily as a designer, I am blessed with good visual recall. This means I can remember certain images very clearly, even years later… Like this one, from our wedding nearly 5 years ago. We were just married minutes before and there was husband and my great uncle from Hawaii – together on the lawn of a winery in Connecticut.
Some of you may know my Uncle Ed. This man of great compassion and wisdom was my maternal grandmother’s brother, both an architect and artist. He passed away late last week, but I know he would want family and friends transform sad thoughts into happier ones. I’ll always remember feeling special when Uncle Ed took me (the short lived, architect-aspiring version of me) on a tour of his firm, Aotani & Associates. One of his paintings now hangs proudly in our living room. When I look at the giant brushstrokes and ponder my grandmother’s abilities as a seamstress, I can’t help wondering if my creative abilities find their roots in the Aotani side of the family?
freestyle fireworks in bayviewJuly 7th, 2010On the fourth we like to stick close to home. We were lucky enough to have the golf cart at our disposal, so we hopped in and drove to Point Beach to watch the Bayview fireworks. I have to say this vantage point is absolutely perfect in my book. It’s a great spot overlooking Bayview [...] |
On the fourth we like to stick close to home. We were lucky enough to have the golf cart at our disposal, so we hopped in and drove to Point Beach to watch the Bayview fireworks. I have to say this vantage point is absolutely perfect in my book. It’s a great spot overlooking Bayview (and this year’s killer sunset) and you’re bit out of the fray. As Officer Smitty wisely noted, watching the Bayview fireworks can feel like you’re in a war zone. I cannot even begin to convey the amount of illegal fireworks that were launched here on Sunday night! Our former neighbors were still going strong an hour after it got dark. Aerials were shooting above our head and showering us with debris and ash. It was smoky and noisy and a bit even felt a bit dangerous… but I suppose that just added to the thrill of it all!
Point Beach gets in on the action and now the debris starts to rain down.
We started and ended the evening driving by the Morningside shoreline. It was a quiet oasis next to the activity in Point Beach and Bayview. 
west haven fireworksJuly 7th, 2010D and I call them the Kahunas. Mary and Steve have a wonderful home right on the shore of West Haven. Every year they throw a party for the 4th and graciously let us crash their front porch to watch the fireworks. We headed here on Saturday night to show Brent how the pros do [...] |
D and I call them the Kahunas. Mary and Steve have a wonderful home right on the shore of West Haven. Every year they throw a party for the 4th and graciously let us crash their front porch to watch the fireworks. We headed here on Saturday night to show Brent how the pros do it… 
perfect 10July 5th, 2010Three days, sun, surf, sandbars and fireworks. My cousin Brent came to town for the holiday weekend and we had three full days of exceptional summer beach weather. The paddle board came out and we also hit the streets in the golf cart to watch the festivities in Point Beach. I was glad we got [...] |
Three days, sun, surf, sandbars and fireworks. My cousin Brent came to town for the holiday weekend and we had three full days of exceptional summer beach weather. The paddle board came out and we also hit the streets in the golf cart to watch the festivities in Point Beach. I was glad we got there a little early before the skies darkened. What a view to over our old neighborhood of Bayview:
focusMay 21st, 2010I’m trying to get a better handle on my camera by practicing with more still lifes. It’s much easier to get your shot when you’re subject doesn’t move! Maybe that’s why I like photographing food so much! I was attracted to the carved details on this sculpture in my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Hawaii. They lived in [...] |
I’m trying to get a better handle on my camera by practicing with more still lifes. It’s much easier to get your shot when you’re subject doesn’t move! Maybe that’s why I like photographing food so much! I was attracted to the carved details on this sculpture in my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Hawaii. They lived in Guam for over 20 years and have seen quite a bit of of the world, especially the countries around the Pacific! All the unique treasures that decorate their house must make for lovely reminders of a life well-traveled. Next time we visit Aunty Jean and Uncle Harry, they will probably be situated in a new abode and I can’t wait to see all their thoughtfully curated possessions re-arranged into new surroundings.