Dennis Dash - Last Race for a while

Another great way to end the year is by running a race! Unfortunately it may be my last one for a while. Yup that hip is acting up again. I may have to find a new sport. I had been cutting back the miles for a few weeks. Trying to get enough races in the grand prix to qualify for an award may be difficult now. I'm officially taking a few weeks off from running then I'll see what happens.

NYC, PA and the Holiday

Well we ended the year by taking the girls to NYC for Christmas eve. Kelli had been wanting to go the city for a while so when we decided to go to my brother's for Christmas we incorporated it into our trip. It was a brief few days but perfect time to take in the Rockets and do some shopping for the girls at the American Girl store.

Then it was on to see my brother Steve and his family in PA. My mom and my step-dad came up from Florida. It was the first time Steve, my mom and I had been together in quite a while. Nothing like having family all together for the holiday.

Holiday Promotion Raises $$$$ for Dana-Farber

Our 2007 season ended with a fantastic fundraiser effort by our portrait clients participating in our Photoshop out Cancer campaign. Thanks to your participation we donated $500 to Dana-Farber cancer research.

Here is another recent portrait from this month's campaign.

Look at the Baby!

My buddy Phil is a proud new Dad! Welcome Peter Zane 7lbs, 3oz - 19 inches. Mom and baby are doing well after delivery last night. Phil and I have worked together over the years. He is also a photographer. We first worked together for Bob Knight Photomarketing in Florida while I was still in college at UCF.

Last time I saw Phil was after he finished running the Boston Marathon in 06. Take care of the your new bundle Phil!

Last Minute Holiday Gifts?

With most of our holiday deadlines now past I can recommend for you last minute shoppers our family gift certificates. These are now on sale through the 21st! They can be purchased in any amount. For every $100 spent receive an additional $25 in credit.

Mention you read about it on my blog and I'll double it to $50!

Blog special!

$100 = $150

$200 = $300

$300 = $450

$400 = $600

Gift certificates are good for 2008 sessions & orders. Purchase one today and use it for your next beach session this coming summer.

Holiday Hours

Just to update everyone on our holiday schedule. We are currently open 9am - 4pm on MWF. 9-6pm Tue & Thur (evenings & Saturday's by appointment.) I do have openings this Saturday the 15th if you need to pick up something before Christmas please call if you need an after hours pick up.

We will be closing the studio Saturday Dec 22 - Thursday Dec 27th. Amy and I are both going to be spending the holiday's with our families out of town this year. We will be open by appointment only Dec 28 - 31st. Closed on Jan 1st. We resume regular winter studio hours starting Jan 2nd.

New 5x7 Custom Holiday Prints

Customize your own greeting on our new 5x7 Holiday Cards. A brand new product that we are unveiling tonight! It's not too late to place your order for these. These cards are unique and cannot be found anywhere. Custom designed by myself and Amy they can be uniquely designed with colors and styles for you and your loved ones. Pricing starts at just $3 per card and comes with envelopes (min order of 25). No additional charge for more than one image or personalized message on your card. In fact mention the coupon code HOLIDAY07 and get your cards for just $2.50/card.

Andrea Holden 5K

Last weekend I ran in the Andrea Holden 5K. It was a bright sunny day but a little chilly (low 30s at the start). Around 500 runners at this year's event - I think that is there largest turn out so far. I finished in 51st place with a time of 21:06. About a minute faster than the raw bar in Mashpee a month ago. So the running seems to be coming along. Running between 20-25 miles a week right now.

Next up will be a the CCAC grand prix series starting this weekend in Chatham. There is a series of 7 races/runs all on Sunday mornings. These are quite fun. 5$ and we bring some food to help out the host. Where else can you run with 60-70 of your friends for 5$ and eat all kinds of food after.

If you run 5 of them and your a member (cost $20 to join) you will get an award at the end. You don't have to be a member to come run at one of these races nor do you have to race. In fact I'll probably just use this Sunday as a training run.

This weekend's run will be at Campari's Bistro in Chatham at 11am on Sunday. Bring your $5 and I'll see you there. Go to the CCAC website for details and directions.

Recent Session

Here are some cute photos from a recent photoshop out cancer session. Ashley was quite the ham after she warmed up a little. We are all booked this weekend but have openings after school/some evenings and the weekend of Dec 8th. Call the studio for details 508-833-0080. Come help us photoshop out cancer - your $25 session fee goes entirely to Dana-Farber.

Melanie & Kylie Fall Photos

Here are some recent photos of my girls I did a couple of weeks ago........It was freezing when I did these!! They lasted about 5 mins. before they were complaining about how cold they were. That's what happens when I wait to take their photos.

I am very Thankful for my wife Kelli and of course the girls.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

8 Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I once won a marble tournament while I was in 2nd grade - my favorite TV show at the time was Emergency
2. I ate fluffernutters for lunch and sometimes dinner everyday while in grade school.
3. In my youth I once won a few state awards and blue ribbons for my veggies at the Barnstable County Fair - those 4H kids didn't know what hit em.
4. In 6th grade I played the part of Nathanial Morton at Plimoth Plantation and was on Evening Magazine TV (betcha didn't know I could act did ya!)
5. I grew up in the town of Sandwich where my mom was the school nurse and my dad was a police officer. I attended Sandwich Jr/Sr High but graduated from Cocoa Beach HS where I learned how to surf and bag groceries at the local Publix.
6. In college at UCF I studied Zoology and ran X-Country. While in school I did an internship in PR for Orange County Public Schools.
7. I once taught middle school science and coached track and soccer in Orlando.
8. I once lived in Kansas (go Jayhawks!!) where I learned how to two-step and met a girl named Kelli.

In Memory of Mags

One of the humbling things about being a photographer is losing someone you have photographed. On most occasions my job is a very happy and enjoyable experience - someone gets married, a couple goes to a prom, a party, a group gathers for a special occasion.... Then when we lose someone I am reminded of my responsibility to capture these images not only for our clients but for their families as well. In some way knowing that I was able to capture something that will help them remember helps me put things in perspective. I took Maggie's Senior photos in the early fall of 2005. She had been going back and forth to hospital's in Boston for another transplant at the time and we had to reschedule several times. She was very determined to get her Senior Portrait taken. Something that a lot of teens take for granted or don't care at all about. She suffered from CF and kept a O2 tank close by while we took her photos. She had more courage and determination then most people I know. A true hero! She will be missed. Parents hug your children everyday.

From her friends on facebook -"In memory of the strongest girl many of us have ever met. A true inspiration to us all. Whether you knew her as Maggie, Mags, Magpie, or didn't personally know her at all, you know the story of the girl who battled Cystic Fibrosis her entire life with a smile on her face and nothing but love and strength in her heart. To that beautiful girl who was first to walk at the SHS class of 2006 graduation that brought many of us to tears, to the daughter, the friend, the classmate, the role model, and now the angel. We Love you Maggie"

Rip Margaret Grace Smillie6/19/88-11/12/07

Edaville 2 mile Fun Run

Recently I ran in the 2 mile fun run at Edaville. It was a blast! I hadn't run in a race like this in a very long time. First it was short (under 3 miles) and it was mostly x-country. I finished 5th out of 161 and 2nd in my age group with a time of 12:50.

Next up will the the Andrea Holden 5k road race in Dennis the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Photoshop out Cancer!

For a limited time (Nov 14-Dec 28) we are reducing our studio session fee to just $25 (normally $75). All of your session fees will be donated to Dana-Farber. Included in your session fee will be your choice of 10 free slim line cards or 1-8x10 portrait. (a $50 value)

Many of us have either been touched by, lost or know someone who has been dealing with this illness. My Dad is now in remission from his battle with the disease. Kelli's Dad now is dealing with his battle and Kelli's best friend recently survived her fight. Dana-Farber has been making great strides in battling this horrible disease and I thought of nothing better to do this holiday season than to try to help battle a little myself.

Come have your family portrait taken this holiday season and help us Photoshop out cancer!

Call me today to set up an appointment 508-833-0080

Tom

Sox Win! I won a free sofa!

My couch just got a little more comfortable today! Kelli and I bought some new furniture back in the spring when we moved to our new home. Some of the furniture was purchased at Jordan's during the MONSTER DEAL! If you bought a sofa, table or mattress and the Red Sox won the world series then you get the furniture for free! We should have bought more stuff!

Running Update - 5K Raw Bar

Well I'm back running again since the doc told me I should at least do a few miles a week - Just not any marathon's just yet. Today after a few weeks of training again I entered in the 1st Annual Raw Bar 5K in Mashpee. Great job for a first time event. Lots of food & drinks at the end which is great!

I ended up winning my age division by 1 sec (22:15). Not bad but it was a "1st annual" and most of the fast guys are gearing up for the Cape Cod Marathon/Relay on Sunday. I'll be there lending a hand but no racing tomorrow for me. Next race in a few weeks? Maybe.

See you on the roads.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!

What an amazing weekend!! I went to both game 6&7 against the Tribe with a few of my good friends from Sandwich. Both games were awesome!! Sorry to my good friends who are Indian fans but it was another great comeback for the boys from Boston. I actually got to talk to Kathryn Nixon (Trot's wife) at the beginning of game 7. She was very stressed watching the game with her husband on the bench. Here are a few ok/bad pics that my buddy Ian took. But they are better than anything I got since I left my camera at home. I better remember to take along my camera next time!

There are some pics of Ian & Kathryn (she is sooo nice!), couple of solo pics of Rich and me after the game at Who's on First? The final pic shows the Indians walking off the field and the Sox beginning their celebration. Bring on the Rockies!!

Save the Date! Jenn & Joe 2008

A couple of weeks ago I went up to Providence to photograph engagement photos of one of my past assistants Jenn and her fiance Joe. Joe went to school at PC and I thought of nothing more fun than to get off the beach for a day and do something a little different. I convinced my wife Kelli to come along and we made an afternoon/evening out of the session. Congratulations on your engagement Jenn! Joe seems like a great guy. We look forward to your wedding at the Newport Hyatt on June 28, 2008.

Marathon Update

OK I know I said I signed up for.... and started training for another marathon (Marine Corps). Doesn't look like that is going to happen since I haven't done any serious training since the end of August. Work has consumed me this month and with the hip starting to ache here and there it was all too easy to defer to 08. Not to mention that I was going to have to go it alone in DC.

I have been running here and there but probably needed to take a break again anyway. I'll be back on the roads soon enough.

Wendy & Kendall

Congratulations to Wendy and Kendall who were married on 9/8/07 at the Holden Inn in Wellfleet. A truely inspirational day! Kendall battled cancer for several years to overcome the illness and live out one of his dreams - to marry Wendy. Amy and I were simply blessed to be able to capture such a fantastic moment in two people's lives.

Images can be viewed at Cape Cod Wedding Life
To view thier album use "Wendy" as a password

Flowers by Fancy
Music - The Sultans of Swing They ROCK!

Marissa & Tal

Last friday I had the pure pleasure to photograph Marissa and Tal's wedding at the Popponesset Inn. We had lots of fun on the beach creating some wonderful memories. DJ Danny Walsh was there again keeping everyone entertained throughout the night. Enjoy the new slideshow! Your images are now online are ready for viewing www.capecodweddinglife.com

Sandwich Class of 2008

I got a call from the HS YB advisor a few days ago with a request to help them out with a photo of the Senior Class. Having attended Sandwich "back in the day" I gladly agreed to help out. All I had to do was climb in a 95ft ladder truck with some of Sandwich's finest - oh boy!

Evelyn Ann & Mark Daniel by Amy Lee

Evelyn & Dan where married in a wonderful beach ceremony in Onset Beach. Amy Lee was the lead photographer on this one. I went by for a few hours to play as her 2nd photojournalist. Something that I don't get to do often. They had a beautiful day! The wedding was at the Harbor Watch Inn. DJ Danny Walsh provided the music for the night.

Need a Job?

As we approach our fall season our event photography division is looking for a few good men and women to help us on the weekends in September and October. For more information go to www.northernimagesphoto.com/jobs.htm

I am in the need of 2-3 assistants and will maybe add one more part-time photographer if I can find the right type of candidate. No experience necessary!

New Web Sites Launched!

Whew! - Some of you may have noticed some changes happening both in cyber space as well as at our studio.

First we have launched a totally new site for our wedding photography - www.capecodweddinglife.com this site will allow for additional galleries and a new way for our clients to preview their albums.

Next we just finished updating our site at www.northernimagesstudio.com introducing studio 280 (since we are located at 280 Rt. 130 in Sandwich). This site will be dedicated to our portrait and senior work. It will include a new online shopping cart option for our portrait clients to reorder prints.

While that was all going on Karen was hard at work repainting our reception and viewing area at the studio. All new furniture and a fresh new look. Come give us a visit at studio 280. I'll post some images of the new look soon.

Falmouth Road Race 2007

My third falmouth in a row. It was a beautiful day and I ran pretty well with a time of 54:43 my fastest falmouth so far. I was joined by my long time friend Rich who had never run a race before in his life. He did great finishing the 7 mile race under 1:10. Here is a pic of Rich, Me my friend Jen and her friend Kim. We of course ended up at BBC after the race for a few drinks - we had to rehydrate right!

Leah & Chris

Congratulations to Leah & Chris! This wonderful couple first met back at Northeastern. They were married in a wonderful garden ceremony at the Old Sea Pines Inn in Brewster this past weekend. Flowers by Fancy. DJ Mike Hennessy kept everyone entertained throughout the afternoon.

UCF Men's Cross Country Cut

Ok I got a phone call a few weeks ago and my mouth dropped when I learned that my alumna matter - UCF had made the decision to drop men's cross country. It upset me very much. You see in1986 I walked on the team as a 119 lb freshman. At the time the school was in debt trying to bring football from Div 2 up to a Div 1 program. So it had very little money for non producing revenue sports like cross country. That first year we had no uniforms, no scholarships, and no coach (the conditioning coach of the football team double as the X-country coach).

By the time we had graduated we actually were able to start holding our head's a little higher because we had pulled together as a team. Pushing each other finding volunteer coaches to work with us, holding races to buy uniforms ourselves. No one gave us a dime or much support. We raised money found ways to start a Track Club and continued running the best we could. We actually had a saying "UCF X-Country - You Gotta Luv it!"

Those experiences lead us to be the leaders and educators that we are today. Many of my fellow teammates went on to be businessmen, coaches and teachers in the community.

It's sad to see a school drop a sport that took over 20 years to build to a respectable and competitive team that it is today.

Please sign the petition to have the school reconsider it's decision.

http://www.petitiononline.com/UCFXC/petition.html

Thanks!

Senior Sale!! - One Week To Go!

Seniors - Less than a week to go for our mid summer sale! Call me today to reserve your spot. Appointments for the beach are going fast! $25 off your session fee and 16 free wallets* Wow!

Offer expires July 31st. Photos must be taken by August 30th.

Call me for details 508-833-0080

Here are some of my recent favorites....

Bridget & Gregg

Congratulations Bridget & Gregg!

A top ten weekend for weather and a beautiful bride and groom! Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Bridget & Gregg got ready at the fabulous Liberty Hill Inn B&B. They saw each other for the first time outside in the gardens before we headed off to the beach to do a few more fun photos.

The couple exchanged vows in a brief ceremony at the Ridge Club in Sandwich where the reception followed. More images we be posted soon.

Flowers by Clementine Floral Studio

Marathon Training Again??

I must be nuts! But I've started training for Marine Corp marathon today. It's about 16 weeks away - Oct 29th. The buddies and I had tried to get into NY but not one of us made it in the lottery. So we had registered for Marine Corp as our backup. I'm just now getting back to running 20 miles or so a week. With a few 5k and some track work in to get some of my speed back. So far so good for me however Kenny has been having some back problems and it's not looking good - he may not even be able to run again ever! Which really sucks - having been pretty much there about 7-8 years ago with an injury that I never thought I was going to recover from I buried myself in my photography. My friend Jay is doing a little better with his training and will hopefully be able to join me in DC. The only way I'm going this time is if my training goes well and I'm injury free going into the race. Here is a recent pic from a race I did a few weeks ago. Thanks Geof for the pic.

Portraits in the Rain & Rainbows

Sometimes when you do a portrait in the rain God provides beautiful light and rainbows. Cool beans!

Hey girls where's the pot of Gold??