Pam and Dave: An Engagement session

I met with Pam and Dave, the winners of our 2009 wedding photography giveaway, this weekend for their engagement session in Cold Spring, NY. I was stoked about doing a shoot in this really neat town on the Hudson River, just across from the USMA at West Point. They are our first couple that didn't want to do a shoot at a park or botanical garden so I was just itching to find some awesome color and textures... and believe me, we found tons of color!

Pam and Dave, thanks for being great guinea pigs! Can't wait to see you guys in August!

-Jaymie

Miscellaneous Monday

So here we are, Monday!

-An open complaint to our UPS guy:

YOU SUCK! In the past year, you have left EXPENSIVE items at the door when you were given specific instructions to require a signature, 3 of those times, the items were never recovered. One of those times, I was home, but you were too lazy to take the elevator up 4 floors and instead left it in the lobby of our building to get stolen. Again... YOU SUCK! I just thought you should know.

On a lighter note...

-It's official folks, we're moving to Connecticut. We'll be living in Danbury for a few months while we begin the exciting adventure of house hunting. I never realized how hectic and complicated moving from one state to another is. We have to find a new daycare for our little Addi, register our cars, get new DL's, change addresses, mail forwarding... not to mention the business side... geez don't even get me started on that one. *praying for a more responsible UPS guy*

-With luck, if we get all this done, we'll be heading somewhere tropical before Audrey starts her new job. Hint: SPAM Musubi

-Also, if you know anyone in Fairfield county looking for a wedding photographer please send them our way!

-To our 2010 Brides, stay tuned for an awesome announcement.

Happy Week everyone!

Julianna and Bou: A Wedding

Julianna and Bou were married on June 20, 2009 at St Mary's in Hudson, NY.

Me and the guys packed all the gear and took the 2 hour trek up to Hudson to join the celebration and document this wonderful day. It had rained a bit that day... *erase erase*. It had rained a LOT that day. But we had a blast spending time with these two and their families.

The reception was at the Mount Merino Manor. PJ, the owner and his wife were so friendly... and the place is exquisite... SERIOUSLY! If you're ever in the Hudson area... it's definitely THE place to stay.

Catering was done by none other than Hugh and his team from Terrapin Catering.

Fantastic couple, wonderful friends and family, awesome food are the ingredients for a perfect wedding... if you have these three things... who cares what the weather is like?

Julianna and Bou,

You two are an amazing couple! We at J. Castro Photography are blessed to have had the chance to be with you on your wedding day. Thank you for sharing your day with us.

Jaymie, Izzac and Ben

Here are a few fav's from their wedding. The slideshow is at the bottom of this post.


OK... How cute are these?


Rings please.


Bou = Beau












First look.






These next 3 images were taken at the Muddy Cup. A local coffee house where Bou proposed to Julianna.








I swear I had nothing to do with this!


Julianna and Bou's wedding was the first time we brought out our photobooth setup. I think it was a hit!










The Bridal party




And of course... we had to have some fun too...

"Yes folks you too can have a photo booth at your wedding!" =P
No seriously... you can.


Like Addi and Jojo, Izzac is always serious about the art of photography


Always the hesitant subject, Ben refuses to make eye contact with the camera.


Enjoy the show!

Addison at 18 months

No misc. monday today... instead a letter to Addison!


My dearest little Addi,

I can't believe how big you've gotten in just the past couple of months. Here you are, 18 months old, going on 19 in a couple of days... it just amazes me.

We visited our friends Shivanee and Nirav at the hospital on Friday to see their newborn baby boy. He was only a couple ounces heavier than you were when you were born. But, seeing him next to you really put things into perspective. It really is a miracle to me how a little helpless baby can develop into such a personality in just a few months.

You've really become a little jabber jaw and always have your piece to say in all our family conversations. My heart beams with joy when you come up to me and ask me such simple things like "What's that?" or "Where's Mommy?" or my favorite, "Milk Please?".

I returned home this past saturday night from a 16 hour workday shooting a wonderful wedding. I was exhausted after the drive home and knew I still had another 3 hours of work ahead of me before I could come to bed. When I walked in the door, I saw a piece of paper that mommy helped you draw. It had your hand prints and a little note that said "Happy Fathers day Daddy!" I didn't notice the part about the note that night, but the next morning when mommy gave it to you to show me... my heart just melted. You are such a sweet spirited little girl.

You aren't all fun games though. As you grow you are starting to become more self aware er... moody. I understand your frustration, when you have so much to say but don't know how to express it. I do get frustrated at times when we don't understand each other and you start throwing a tantrum and I start to get upset with you and put you in time out. Honestly, though, at those moments, I think I need a time out as well. You go to your corner and I go to mine... =) I'm no perfect father. I am learning as I go. But I am thankful that you are the one that was chosen for me and your mommy to grow with.

Thank you for being such a wonder daughter. Try not to grow up too fast ok?

Love,
Daddy

Here are some pictures from the last couple months.


This was one of your "moody" days.


Same day...


Cupcakes makes my cupcake happy... =)




But she's not the only one it seems...


The happy dance.


Here's my cupcake playing model as I test out our new backdrop and light kit for our photobooth!



JoJo wanted to play too.


Addi: "Dude! You're in my shot!"
JoJo: "No way man... I was here first."


JoJo and Addi take photography very seriously!


Ok not really...


I love the expression on her face in this shot.


This is how Addi is most of the time.... she can't help but laugh at herself. She is definitely my girl!