Nicole and Matias: Harkness Park

A couple weekends ago I had the honor and privilege to attend and assist on this amazing couple's wedding with the ridiculously-talented Carla Ten Eyck, Mike Romano and Katie Slater.

The wedding was beautiful and so unique to Nicole and Matias.

The sun broke through just in time for the ceremony to begin. It was a gorgeous day.

Nicole and Matias are two of the most gracious people I have ever met, and you can tell how in love they are just by being around them.




I had a blast getting to know these two and it was truly an honor to take part in their wedding.

Be sure to check out the blogs of Carla, Mike and Katie for their amazing shots!

Jenn and Rich: Engagement Shoot

Last weekend Ashley and I had an engagement session with our August bride and groom, Jenn and Rich. The weather had been crummy all weekend, but then on Sunday the sun broke through and made for a beautiful day. We decided to hit up a few places that we had scoped out. The first stop was this old textile mill down the street from Jenn and Rich's place. It looked like a backlot straight out of 24.

There were so many colorful accents mixed in with the decaying old brick and concrete.

You can tell these two are so in love!

Ashley pointed out this floating green door and we knew we had to get them here. I love the mid-afternoon shadows here.

Again with the random pops of color!

I love Ashley's take on this one:

I love this one. Probably one of my favorites of the day:

When we were done at the mill, we headed up to a park that Rich and Jenn new about to finish out the day.

Ashley set this up and snagged this shot. It blows me away. Definitely a favorite:

I'm loving these lovebirds :)

We had a blast with these two, and we can't wait to shoot their wedding in August. Thanks Jenn and Rich for an awesome day!

Be sure to check out Ashley's blog to see more of awesome her shots from the day!

Matt and Ali: The Fountainhead

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing the wedding of Matt and Ali with Sarah McCoy and Natalie Nigito. I got to spend the first part of the day with Matt, his family, and his groomsman at their hotel. The ceremony and reception were at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle, NY. It was a beautiful event and I felt honored to be able to witness and document their special day. Here are some of my favorites:





To view this slideshow at a higher resolution, click here.

Be sure to check out Sarah's Blog and Natalie's Blog for their images!

Recent Happenings

As many of you know, I have been blessed to be able to work with an amazingly talented photographer named Carla Ten Eyck. I recently started a monthly column on her blog that will chronicle my experience of becoming a father. The initial post ran a few days ago. If you missed it, here's a link.

Also, a couple weekends ago Ashley and I met with Carla for a maternity shoot. We were blown away by the images that Carla got. Here is a sampling:




Be sure to check out Carla's blog for more images.

I shot a beautiful wedding over the weekend with Sarah McCoy, so be looking for a post on that soon! In the meantime, check out her blog for some killer images.

Ten Eyck Tuesday: March

Earlier this week, Carla Ten Eyck held her monthly workshop: Ten Eyck Tuesday. Though I was not a participant in the workshop, I was working at the studio while it was going on, so I was able to jump in and grab a few shots of the lovely Katie Slater. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Katie was an incredible model, and Carla and the workshop attendees got some amazing stuff. Be sure to check out Carla's Blog for her images and links to the others!

Out with the Old, In with the New

So I just got my new gear earlier this week and I'm loving it! I have been using any excuse to play with my new toys, and my dog Bear has been kind enough to model for me. Here are the results:

and my favorite of the day:

Farewell Dear Friend

This may sound strange, but last week my wife and I spent a moment saying goodbye to and reminiscing about my Canon 40d. After a long and hard debate with myself, I had made the decision to make the switch to Nikon. Everyone that I am working with shoots Nikon, and I had a friend and fellow photographer who wanted to buy a 40d, so I knew it was time to let it go.

You may be saying to yourself, "It is just a camera, what's the big deal?!" Let me explain.

When I bought my 40d I was going through a rough patch in my life. I wasn't satisfied with myself creatively or artistically, and I felt like I was repeatedly running full speed into a brick wall. I was so unwilling to confront the resistance in my life that I was paralyzed, and I was slowly starting to convince myself that I could do nothing about it.

So I scrapped together some cash and gift cards that I had been given for my birthday and went somewhere that could brighten even my darkest day... Best Buy. I went in determined to buy a Nikon d80, but the sales associate convinced me to go with the Canon 40d instead. I went straight home and read the manual cover to cover while the battery was getting it's first full charge. I had work the next morning, and all I could think about all day was getting home to go out and shoot. When I finally did get home, I went out and shot anything and everything I came across until the sun went down.

I can't really explain what happened next. I guess you could say something just clicked. I had always loved the art of photography, but I was reinvigorated with my passion to shoot. The resistance was still there, but I could no longer make any excuse about confronting it. If I was unsatisfied with myself as an artist, I had no choice but to go out and shoot and learn.

As silly as it sounds, that camera gave me the ability to weather the storm and come out stronger for it. It gave me a clear direction and a sense of confidence in pursuing my calling.

Alright, alright, so maybe I'm just over-sentimental and cheezy, but it really was hard to say goodbye.

So Farewell, my dear friend. You have been wonderful to me, and I know you will be in good hands now!

Liza: Ten Eyck Tuesday

A few days ago I joined three other photographers for Carla Ten Eyck's workshop: Ten Eyck Tuesday. We couldn't have asked for a better model! Here are my favorite shots from the day:

Ashley: 22 Weeks

Today I had the opportunity to photograph my all time favorite blogger (and human being for that matter). Ashley is the author of the blog Three Scobeys through which she chronicles her adventures with her adorable dog, her crazy husband, and a fourth Scobey that is on the way.

Here is my favorite shot of the day:

Web Site Launched

I am proud to announce that grahamscobey.com is officially live! Check it out and take a look around.


In the next few months I will be revamping this blog to be more integrated with my website. Stay tuned for more developments!

Sanctuary

It is important to have a place of refuge in our lives. Somewhere we can go and close the door behind us to escape the pressures of the day. A place where we can exist as ourselves without judgment or resistance.

It might be a physical location, but it may be something less obvious as well. Our sanctuary might actually be a piece of art, a favorite album, or a book. One might go for a drive or a run to find sanctuary. You might find sanctuary in your family or loved ones.

Where do you find sanctuary?

Jay and Jennifer: Rocky Neck State Park

It has been a little quiet around here lately, and for that I apologize.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to work with a wonderfully talented photographer named Jennifer Fiereck. Jennifer shoots weddings and portraits here in Connecticut (check out her website here). Here are some shots I captured while working with her on the recent wedding of this wonderful couple:



I am currently offering my services in the New England area. If you or someone you know is looking for a photographer, please feel free to contact me. For information on booking and pricing email me at graham.scobey@gmail.com

To view this slideshow at a higher resolution, click here.

When One Door Closes...

Sometimes we have a tendency to take a passive approach to our lives. We speak of "open doors" and "closed doors" as if the winds of fate were dictating our direction. We sit back and take the path of least resistance, and then we justify it by saying it was the way things were meant to be.



It is one thing to recognize a closed door. It is another to walk away without even trying the handle.

The Gift of Light

In life we are faced with two varieties of lights: those which guide us and those which serve as warnings. Wisdom is simply the ability to discern between the two.

Appreciation

When I had reached the peak of my growth spurt as a kid, I pleaded with God for a few more inches. Even as a grown man, frustration finds me in the form of a stiff neck from craning my head skyward to view the world around me.

It is easy to get into the habit of wanting what we do not have, be it money, a perfect body, or a taller stature. This habit is at the root of many life-altering problems, including materialism, eating disorders, and infidelity.

If I constantly tell myself, "I wish I was taller," "I wish I had more money," "I wish I had the newest ..." then I will fail to appreciate the things I have, and (more importantly) the person I am. I will fail to take ownership of myself: one of the amazing individuals on this earth. I will be hindered from becoming my fully realized self. If this happens, I am doing a great disservice to myself and to the world.

Twists and Turns

Straight lines can be interesting, but my eye is always attracted to the curves. I am much more drawn to ever changing twists and turns. Even when a straight line or a right angle would be more efficient or more practical, still I favor the wavy lines and the rounded corners. I prefer taking the winding canyon roads as apposed to the straight highway. I prefer the rolling hills to the flat plains.



In the same way, I prefer a life full of twists and turns. Sure, the formulaic highway of life may be mapped out and well marked, but I believe the bends and curves of the less traveled paths make life more interesting and exciting.

A Storm is Coming

When a storm comes, we feel that the wrath of God is upon us. When the storm passes, we realize that it was necessary for our growth.

Living with Our Heads in the Clouds

Daydreaming. We all do it. Some of us do it more than others.

Often, the act of daydreaming is viewed in a negative light. Daydreamers tend to be criticized for having their head in the clouds, and for not paying attention the important and pertinent issues. Our society defines daydreaming as an unfocused, unprofessional, and utterly useless waste of time.

I personally feel that daydreaming is a wonderful gift. It serves as a creative palate on which we can mix reality, fantasy, past, present, and future. However, just like the painter who spends his entire day mixing paints to make the most splendid colors but who never touches brush to canvas, if we do not utilize our daydreams than we prove that what society thinks of daydreaming is true: it is all for naught.

In a way, every writer, artist, innovator and great prophet who has ever walked the earth is a professional daydreamer. So are the political activists, the missionaries, and the philanthropists. The craft that they have mastered is harnessing their daydreams into their mediums, and using their various skill sets to connect with and inspire those who need connection and inspiration. They know how to bridge the gap between creativity and productivity.

What have you been daydreaming about lately? How could you use your daydreams to connect with and inspire those around you?

If you need to find me, look up. I'm probably somewhere with my head in the clouds.

Family Trees

This time of year it is sometimes unbearable to go outside around here. The dry, southern California heat can be so blistering that it keeps even the most enthusiastic nature-lover inside. There is refuge, however, in the shade. When there is a nice breeze, shade can transform a miserable day in the 100+ degree heat into a comfortable afternoon spent outdoors. Even our dog has learned how to run from one shadow to the next when we go for walks, and he often plops down for a break in the shade of one of the local trees.

Interestingly enough, I don't think I have ever thanked the trees for bearing the sweltering rays so I didn't have to. I naturally gravitate to the shade they provide, but often take that shade for granted, as if I was entitled to it.



It reminds me of the shade I have been blessed with my entire life. Not necessarily shade from the hot summer sun, but from the rigors of life. I am reminded of the many trees that have surrounded my life:

My dad, who worked so hard to make sure that I always had the things that I needed (and the things I thought I needed). My mom, who made sure that I never missed a dentist appointment, a paper due date, or a meal, and always took care of me when I was sick despite my persistent whining. My wife, who has always encouraged me to chase my dreams, and has supported me even when they were wild goose chases. My grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, who all blazed the trails of life ahead of me and gave me so many examples of how to live a meaningful life.

I think I will try and be more appreciative of the trees in my life, and always be grateful for the shade they provide.