So many great things have been going on in life lately.
Summer has flown by.
I’ve been so blessed to photograph many absolutely beautiful moments in peoples lives.
We packed up all of our belongings (even lola’s doggie snow boots) and moved up seven floors in our building…(which you will be getting a tour of very soon)
And so many other great things going on.
Like a new blog, a website (yes, I’m getting a site), & a new look for it all.

Something that has been “going on” in my head all day (and now into the night) and why I am up so late writing this blog post is about a contest I am in right now. Yep contest–for “Best New York Wedding Photographer”. For about a week now so many of my friends, family, past clients, and complete strangers have voted for me and I have been so humbled by the votes, and especially the kind words. That alone has made the contest a great experience.

But I’m going to keep it real here. It has started to feel like a popular contest. Like when we were back in high school waiting to see who would get nominated for homecoming court (on top of worrying about parking on the cool side at the sonic). Today I was talking to one of my friends and fellow photographers Mark Eric about some of my concerns and what I was feeling. To be quite honest there are so many amazing photographers in NYC that deserve the title of “Best New York Wedding Photographer” but aren’t even on the list. Mark said something that summed up my feelings and was quite funny…I just had to share it with you guys. He said “Trent you feel honored to be mentioned in this category but you feel that there are so many talented and experienced photographers that deserve this more …like you’re Justin Bieber at a strip bar –card me, quick!”

It’s EXACTLY how I feel. How does anyone really decide who is the best ______ of _____ location? It’s such a personal thing. I look up to so many New York City wedding photographers for so many reasons. Some of them are very well known in the community, some are not, some have many years and many shelves of hard drives filled with past work, and some are just starting on their journey. I look up to these people for so many reasons, their guidance or inspiration, their talent, how they balance their life and work, their savvy business sense, and their willingness to share knowledge with me.

I’m not going to name names, because I could go on and on and on and on about what individuals are “Best New York Wedding Photographer”. Seriously….the list could get long. I’m humbled and thankful for all the great folks out there who have voted for me…but really, I’m just Justin Beiber in a strip bar waiting to get carded.

For now, I’ll leave you with a preview of our change of address that we sent out recently.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”

I know without a doubt there is no way I would be the person I am today without the influence my Dad has had on my life.

Today I just want to say Thank You Dad for believing.

Here is a shot of my wonderful parents on their most recent visit to NYC.

I was blessed to be able live and intern in the city for two summers in college.  The summer of 2007 Dara (my girlfriend at the time) also lived in Manhattan; she was attending FIT while I interned at a magazine.  That was one of the most memorable summers of my life. Our love for each other and new york city continued to grow, and it was that summer that we both knew we would be returning not for a short visit, but as to stay full time as New Yorkers.

Yesterday, my beautiful wife and I celebrated our one year anniversary with NYC.  It has been just over a year since we left all that was familiar & comfortable.  We traded in a 3 bedroom home with a yard for a 450 square foot studio apartment with a wonderful view of the building’s wall next door.  We left behind our cars and are now proud owners of a monthly unlimited metro card.  We really do miss our family and friends, but are having a blast making new ones. However, with those sacrifices comes the privilege of calling this magnificent island of Manhattan HOME.

If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere. That’s what they say…here’s to the journey

Dara,

I finally know where I’d be if you weren’t in my life (permanently stuck at a red light; that’s an inside joke that has alot to do with me never paying attention at intersections).  But I’m not.  I’m blessed to spend every day of my life with you.  Sharing our dreams, making memories of the beautiful moments in life, laughing at some of the not so beautiful moments, and cherishing every single second.  I love the way you hug me when you walk in the door.  I love the way you encourage me to be my best.  I love the way you are just you, never trying to be anyone but Dara.  And you do that so well.

Today I celebrate your birth.  Everyday I celebrate your life.  I love you endlessly.

Dara is my constant inspiration.  She gives me ideas, shows me editorial spreads in her fashion magazines, points out killer locations for shoots, supports me in my quest to be the best photographer, husband, son, friend, and person that I can be.  It is always a blast to work with my beautiful wife, to collaborate, and it is even better when I get her in front of my camera.  Here is a highlight from our walk on Sunday morning at South Street Seaport and by the Brooklyn Bridge.

Happy Birthday Dara!

I’m also patiently waiting on my wonderful parents to arrive in the city.  They are flying in from Houston for the weekend, and I couldn’t be happier.  I haven’t seen them since Christmas (which seems like FOREVER ago).  I’m a huge momma’s boy so I can’t wait to see her and cannot wait to see my dad on his first trip to NYC.

Happy weekend to everyone

Also, tomorrow I am going to be heading home to my wonderful home state of LOUISIANA!  I’m excited to see friends, attend two weddings, shoot lots of portrait sessions, a bridal session, and a HUGE HUGE HUGE shoot that has been on my brain for so long!

Details and and all those hot images will be put here first!

I’m not sure about you, but NYE has always been a let down.  You have Halloween, Thanksgiving and then the weeks of Christmas celebrations filled with parties, shopping, gifting, and travels to see loved ones. Then New Years Eve comes along to rain on me parade and tell me it’s ALL OVER!

This year was different.  I had a beautiful date, dressed in a vintage sequined dress, and a killer place to celebrate 2009 & bring in 2010!  One of my friends threw a great PARTAY on her rooftop, and rented out the lounge at the top of her apartment building, overlooking a new york staple, the beautiful Empire State Building!

We had so much fun with friends, and met some great new friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE…on march 11th.

Candice, I want wish you the happiest birthday today, but I also want you to know that I celebrate you everyday for all you have accomplished in 28 years, your influence on my life and so many others, your big sister advice, and loving heart.

Love,

Your Baby Brother

Photo on the right taken by: Melissa Key

Photo on the left….just cute

Here are a few I shot of Candice & Dave when I was home for Christmas.  The light was fading and we had just a few minutes, so we will be having another session next time we are together.

Had to get a quick one of our awesome mom & dad….they pretty much rock!

Not.At.ALL I just saw last night on the news that this February was NYC’s “SNOWIEST” on record. EVER. Meaning the city got more snow this February than it’s ever had in any February.  What a way for winter to welcome us to the North.
I joke about it, but I really do love it.  Friday we had so much snow and the city was absolutely beautiful.  Now I know you’re saying, “Didn’t he JUST post about the snow?”.  Yes, I did.  That was the last blizzard….these are from the newest blizzard. And this time I was prepared with a full battery, so no excuses!

NYC is getting back to normal.  The snow has melted into a brown slushy mess and the hidden puddles are no fun to step into (especially if you’re wearing suede boots while on a date with your wife), so I wanted to post these from Friday to remind me of the snowglobe that is the Northeast!

This is just outside of our apartment on Wall Street…looking down at Trinity Church

I’m not a history geek, but I think it’s beyond cool that I get to walk past the spot that George Washington took the oath of office as our first president.

The gates around the cemetery at Trinity Church.

The cemetery has so much history with members of the continental congress, congressmen, members of the Astor family (some who passed away on the Titanic), writers, artistists, and also has the oldest marked grave in New York City dating back to 1681.

We had to take a starbucks break to warm up!

We made it to my favorite spot in the park!

These are the steps that lead down to the Bethesda fountain…everyone just slid down, because of all the snow!

Have I told you how much my wife LOVES THE SNOW?  Her face lights up like a little kid!

I love this one…the reflection on the tiled ceiling

and these two:  love the silhouette and my favorite of the day is the one of Dara on the right!

SNOWFLAKES!

Dara took these of me….It was a cold bench!