Two Sticks Studios – Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Poconos Wedding Photographers » Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Poconos Wedding Photography, Senior Photography and Portrait Photography

A couple weeks ago I put up a post about Eliza’s second birthday. One of her presents from her Papa was a new 10 gallon fish tank. We had already managed to keep her betta fish, Mr. Bubbles, alive for months in his simple little plastic tank. So, I figured a “real” fish tank with a filter and heater and pH balancing and the works would be more than sufficient to keep a group of tropical fish alive. Oh, how naive I was.

We have now begun the ritual of checking the tank each morning to see how many fish are “sleeping.” I never thought I’d be spending so much time at Petsmart, but they do have a 14 day return policy on “sleeping” fish. As of this writing, our tank currently holds 7 fish. I am hoping that as you are reading this, the tank still holds the same 7 fish.

I also have a new respect for marine photographers. Aside from the obvious difficulties, I realized that fish move pretty darn fast when they see a camera lens. If you are ever faced with photographing the family’s aquatic pets, here’s a tip: Make the room as bright as possible. This will help you maintain a pretty fast shutter speed to catch these little suckers and keep them sharp. Also, no flash allowed. It’s just going to reflect off the glass and give you a lot of glare in your photo.

Here’s some pictures of the survivors and one of our dog, Mucha, so she wouldn’t be jealous.

By the way, anyone have any good fish names?

 

As far as I can tell, professional photographers fall into one of two categories. Those who always carry a camera with them and those who drop it at the front door. All right maybe I’m overstating it a little or maybe even a lot, but I take mine pretty much everywhere. One, I love it but it also makes you better, especially if you’re willing to experiment or take a little adventure.

Not long ago, I used to go to the Lackawaxen River in the dead of January to try and capture some photos of bald eagles that migrate south as the rivers to the north freeze. The first time the idea was floated to me I thought great it’s “like shooting fish is a barrel.” I imagined the skies loaded with bald eagles just waiting to mug for the camera. Au contraire. It’s hours of driving around peering through trees and brush and anything else you can imagine lining the river trying to grab even a distant shot.  Sometimes you come back with a decent shot and a nagging case of frostbite. Sometimes it’s just the frostbite.

One day, a friend and I stopped at a boat launch after seeing nothing but ducks and other critters but no eagles. We got out of the car to stretch our legs and looked above us to find two eagles just chillin’ in a tree no more than 30 feet above us. So far, they’re the best photos I’ve gotten along the river.  It was probably my 10th trip to the river in search of these photos. A little persistence paid off finally. While I’m proud of the shots, I’m still trying to catch up with the friend who first turned me on to photographing eagles. Jason Farmer has some unbelievable shots. Of course, Jason is willing to be there before dawn and wade into 33 degree water up to his chest to get the shot. In the end it shows. A big thank you to him for showing me how much fun wildlife photography can be. You can check out some of his work at www.jasonfarmerphoto.com/

Along with all the wonderful, spontaneous moments we capture throughout the wedding day, there is also the important detail shots that we love to take.

Even though these photos may not have people or action in them, they play an important role in telling the story of a couple’s wedding day. Sometimes they become one of the couple’s favorite images.

The first photo below is actually one of our most commented on photos, and it came about just minutes before the ceremony took place.

It happened at Settler’s Inn in Hawley last fall. As the groomsman and guest were milling about before the ceremony, Chad decided to get a quick shot of the rings. There was a great weathered table outside that just needed a little something extra. Quickly looking around on the ground, he found the perfect leaf, and in a few seconds he had a great shot.

In a previous post, we said we were fortunate enough to work with the “World’s Most Relaxed Bride.” Turns out she and her friends can throw a pretty good party too. We thought we’d throw a few shots up of the reception and the time right after the ceremony. There’s even a little cake cutting mayhem – well maybe not mayhem but cake smushing for sure. Either way, it was a good time and our friends at Settler’s Inn help throw a great party.  Thanks again to Kiersten and Jeff for letting us a be a part of it. You guys are the best!

A couple weeks ago, we showed you some of the partying going on during the second half of Trip and Laura’s wedding day. Now that we are getting close to finishing their photos, here are some of our favorites from the first half of the day. They include some beautiful floral work by Gene Seamon, the wrangling of the family dog that got loose while the guys were getting ready, the ceremony at Our Lady of the Abingtons and just two of the many great spots in the Scranton Cultural Center.

We can’t wait to finish their album. We love so many of the photos, its going to be tough to narrow them down.

 

A couple of weeks ago we posted some reception photos from Annette and Darren’s wedding in New Milford. As promised here are a few images from the ceremony and the moments right before it started and right after it ended. Right now, we are wrapping up their album. It should be terrific. I can’t wait until it’s done and in their hands. I think they’re going to love it.

Over the next few posts, we will be uploading more wedding photos – some from new weddings and some from weddings over the past few weeks. We want to mix it up to make sure we cover all parts of the day. We’re kicking around the idea of one post dedicated to just detail shots like the flowers, rings, etc… We’ll see. It promises to be a busy summer with tons of new friends. Later.