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Spring is Blooming

Mary B. — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:13:35 +0000

Taken Sunday, April 12, 2009

Though the weather is still a bit chilly here in NJ, the trees and trying to do their thing. I’ve been keeping watch of the cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park. It is my annual treat to watch the park come to life with the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

As I’ve written before (see previous post, Branch Brook Park, Newark), there are nearly 2,000 cherry blossoms in the park. They aren’t fully bloomed yet, but I’m hoping to catch them in their fullness next Saturday, April 18. I hope it’s a nice day with warming temps than we’ve been having.

Taken Saturday, April 4, 2009

I can see the Belleville section of the park from my deck. I noticed people out trying to enjoy the blooming trees even though they are still a little skimpy. It was pretty chilly—about 48 degrees and very breezy. But that did not seem to deter these two young ladies. (see image below) They were determined to have a picnic among the cherry blossoms.

Taken Sunday, April 12, 2009

Go Ahead… Strike a Pose

Mary B. — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:19:10 +0000

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of creating my first ad. As a photographer who is also a designer it would seem that this would be an easy thing. I discovered it wasn’t easy being my client— I had to make all the decisions myself. The good thing is if I’m not satisfied, I know I can just do it over. I chose this photo of Valerie, because it has gotten a lot of favorable feedback. Hopefully, the ad will bring in some favorable results.

As always, additional photographs can be seen on Flickr and at my online porfolio, www.marybphotography.com.

My First Interview as a Photographer

Mary B. — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:39:45 +0000

Lately I’ve been networking using different forms of “social media.” A few months ago a techie friend of mine turned me on to Twitter. It’s a combination of a micro-blog/instant message/text messaging system online. You get to broadcast what you’re doing or just communicate with a large group of people at once. The goal is to find people who have interests similar to your own—you follow them and they follow you (maybe). It’s a good way to network, get information and just share ideas. The key is interact and just sell.

A few weeks ago, I met a young lady, located in Brooklyn, named Qiana Mestrich who has a blog Dodge & Burn, Diversity in Photography. When she decided to “follow” me on Twitter, she checked out my website. She liked my work and asked me for an interview.

Click here to read the interview that was posted Dec 22, 2008. If you’re adventurous, follow me on Twitter–you never know who you might meet.

Portrait Session with Valerie

Mary B. — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:48:06 +0000

A few weeks ago, I did a portrait session with Valerie. She is a writer. Her first novel, Hollyhood, will be released in the spring of 2009. She needed an author’s photo to go on the back of the book. The challenge set before me? Valerie said she didn’t think she took good pictures and often didn’t like any of herself. From my experience photographing people and directing photo shoots, I’ve found that most people don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera and if that is the case, it shows in the photographs. It was my goal to make the experience pleasant and to increase Valerie’s level of comfort. Valerie was a great subject. We were both able to meet the challenge together and ended up with some really terrific images.

Halloween 2008

Mary B. — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:42:53 +0000

On Halloween I was in Hackensack, NJ for an appointment and remembered the annual Clinton Place Halloween displays. The residents on this street are known to go way out with their Halloween displays. Since I had my camera with me I decided to swing by and see what was going on. It was like a festival. The street was blocked off and everyone was enjoying themselves. Even reporter Toni Yates from Channel 7 Eyewitness News showed up to do a live segment with the trick-or-treaters.

Check out the slideshow and the ghoulish happenings on Clinton Place, Hackensack, NJ.

Kudos to a Fellow Photographer and Friend

Mary B. — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:30:39 +0000

January 2008 Cover of BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine, photographed by Lonnie C. Major.

As a photographer, I admire and get inspiration from the work of many other photographers. But the one photographer that I can credit for getting my out there and Mary B. Photography is Lonnie Major. One thing I learned about Lonnie very early on was that he is a perfectionist when it comes to shooting, so I was surprised and thrilled when he complimented my work and offered encouragement.

I’d been a photography enthusiast since I was nine years old. But, it wasn’t until Lonnie looked at my work and encouraged me to “shoot” professionally that I actually decided to give it a go. He said, “All you need to buy is…” After that little push, and a list of basic studio equipment, I was on my way. Now, not only do I consider Lonnie a friend, I tell everyone he is my photography mentor.

Lonnie's second photo of Barack Obama on the November 2008 cover of BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine.

Lonnie has an extensive photography career, dating back to the early 90s when he began shooting for All Sport USA and later for Topps Inc. His early sports work is evident on Getty Images.

Early during the current presidential campaign, Lonnie got the opportunity of a lifetime to follow Barack Obama as he campaigned in Iowa before the primaries and caucuses. Now that the campaign season is finally ending, and the election is a few days away, I wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to Lonnie for the two great covers he got from his time with Senator Obama. Already, they are becoming collector items. He recently shared his thoughts on the life-changing time he spent with Senator Barack Obama at Clickbooq. Please take a quick moment to read it. You can also view the portfolio of Lonnie’s work on his website, www.lcmphoto.com.

The Rodriguez Family

Mary B. — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:56:59 +0000

I know I’m a little behind, but at the end August I spent a little time in Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ with the Rodriguez family. In a previous post, I wrote about my quest to find the right location for the shoot. The photos were taken for use in an upcoming issue of The Council Monitor, a newsletter put out by the municipal council of Newark. Its goal is to keep the citizens up to date about the various things done by the council members to improve the city. Miguel Rodriguez, the patriarch, and his family have lived in Newark over 30 years. I wanted to find a location in Newark that was not “typical” and showed a side of Newark most don’t read/or hear about in the “media.” Branch Brook Park is a place where Mr. Rodriguez and his family have spent a lot time and it made the perfect location. If you think they were cut out and placed on the background, they weren’t. They really were photographed in the park. The look was created because I used a strobe (studio) light with a soft box outside. (I have to remember to take photos of my setups in the future.)

Thanks to the Rodriguez family for their good spirit and cooperation. They were great to work with and we got some beautiful family portraits. I’d like to give a special thanks to Cole Media Inc for the assignment.

If you’re a resident of Newark, NJ be on the lookout for The Council Monitor to read more about the Rodriguez Family.

Miguel Rodriguez surrounded by his family. Notice the Scared Heart Basilica in the background.

Branch Brook Park, Newark

Mary B. — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:32:39 +0000

One of two sculptured lions that flank a formal boat landing were originally located in front of the old Newark Prudential building.

Recently I was out scouting a location for a photo shoot in Newark. I was set to shoot a family in Branch Brook Park the next day, so I needed to find a good location. I had not spent much time in the park previously or taken a tour of it. My only time spent in Branch Park had been limited to Cherry Blossom season in April when I take my camera out to capture the amazing blossoms on the cherry trees. So, I hopped in my car to drive the length of the park in search of the perfect location for a Sunday afternoon shoot.

In the background is the Scared Heart Basilica, one of the largest cathedrals in the U.S.

While driving the 4-mile length of the park, I came across some nice areas. You would never believe you were still in Newark, aka Brick City. Being the information junkie that I am, I decided to look up some information about the park.

Originally created in 1895, it was the first county park in the U.S. to open to the public.
It is listed on the New Jersey (1980) and National (1981) Registers of Historic Places.
The park is nearly 4 miles long, covering 359.72 acres, making it the largest developed park in Essex County.
The nearly 2,000 cherry trees that bloom during the month of April is a greater number and variety than in Washington D.C. This is the result of gifts during in 1927 from Mrs. Felix Fuld and the Bamberger family. Now known as “Cherry Blossomland.” The Cherry Blossom Festival in April attracts over 10,000 visitors.
The original park was only 60 acres in size but grew during the 1920s through private donations from prominent Newark families, including the Ballantines, the Hellers, Z.M. Zeene, and William A. Righter, eventually becoming one the largest urban area parks in the U.S.
The old abandoned Morris Canal that ran along the west side of the park, became the Newark City Subway, and provided a link between downtown Newark and the park.
The park was redesigned in 1900 by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famed landscape designer of Central Park and Prospect Park in New York (among many others).
Features of the park include softball fields, tennis courts, roller rink, playgrounds, senior citizen center, four-mile park drive, pedestrian bridges, a large lake.

Sources: About Branch Brook Park, Wikipedia—Branch Brook Park, Wikipedia—Frederick Law Olmsted

Up, up and away… well almost

Mary B. — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:02:06 +0000

Saturday, I made a trip to The Annual New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held in Readington, NJ. This was my second year attending, and if I have no other plans next year, I’ll probably attend again. So maybe this is my “annual” trip to the festival. I had so much fun last year that I had to be there this year. But time it was a bit disappointing because of the weather. They won’t let the balloons go up if there is too much wind. The main reason why the ascensions are at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. is because the winds tends to be milder. Well, not so on Saturday. I think a storm was brewing. It started off as a hot day, but as evening came, the winds picked up. When it was time for the “mass inflation” the winds were too high. Even after a considerable delay, the wind didn’t cooperate much so we didn’t have the pleasure of the “mass ascension” of the 125 balloons. We didn’t even get to see the main attraction, the Darth Vader balloon. Well, I did get to see it. I had a prime spot right i front of it, but they never inflated it. They ended up packing it up and loading it back on the truck. Bummer… But I still had a great time taking the photos.

Renau & Jeff

Mary B. — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:14:07 +0000

I’m playing catch up posting images from some previous sessions. This portrait session with Renau & Jeff took place awhile ago. When I photograph couples it’s important to get them to relax and interact in a nature manner. Sometimes it takes a little time, but since I know this couple it wa easy. Usually, it’s just a matter of talking to them during the session and having fun.