Colonel Rogers Promotion Party, New Jersey, USA

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It takes exceptional ability and leadership to be promoted in the US Army to the rank of Colonel, so on the rare occasions it happens its something that is often celebrated by the officers friends and families.

I was honoured to be asked to photograph Stephanie's day and also to capture some family images which will be uploaded at a later date.

The day started with Stephanie preparing her uniforms and various family members visiting at her parents house.

The trip to where the party was to take place took a "New Jersey 45 minute drive" which I was to discover several times over the weekend could be anything between 30 minutes and an hour and a half.  When we arrived there were plenty of people already there.


The actual military presentation of the rank was a short part of the day with a short reading.  Stephanie's, dad then placed the Colonel badge of rank on her uniform and her mother, sister and brother added the rank to her dress uniform and cap.


With the formalities out of the way it was time for everyone to eat the excellent buffet meal that had been provided and carry on the conversations as Stephanie did the rounds and visited every table being an excellent host.


You can see a short slide show of some of the images from the day by clicking play below.  You can also download Stephanie's slideshow via i-tunes by clicking here, allowing you too add it to a video i-pod or i-phone.

Harrison's Barmitzvah Party at Stock Brook Country Club in Billericay, Essex

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Harrison and friends celebrate his Barmitzvah at Stock Brook Country Club

This Sunday I was honoured to be asked to photograph Harrison's Barmitzvah party at the Stock Brook country club near Billericay in Essex.  I knew it was going to be a great party when I heard, the band was to be the excellent "mixed feelings", in my opinion one of the top party bands in the country and as you can see on their website here, highly sort after.

Despite the weather being extremely cold outside (we were later to receive our first snow of the winter) the party inside was in full swing, with some excellent speeches, and great music all being kept in smooth running order under the watchful eye of the excellent toastmaster Robert Persell.

Harrison and his brother Max, get in to the party with the band "Mixed feelings"

 An excellent evening enjoyed by everyone in attendance (especially me), just as parties should be!

Jacobs Barmitzvah and Party at Dyram Park Country Club

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A few weeks back I had the honour of recording young Jacobs Barmitvah, well at least the practise run anyway. The actual ceremony takes place on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) and as it is a day of rest and a religious ceremony no-one is allowed to work.

Jacob had learnt his Hebrew well and read through his readings with very little trouble, overwatched by his father and grandfather. I hear the actual ceremony (a few weeks later) went completely without a hitch making his whole family extremely proud.

Of course having successfully been bartmitzvahed there is only one thing to do and that's have a massive party so friends and family can join in the celebration. The chosen venue for the party was Dyram Park Country Club, all in all a very nice venue and with very easy access just of the A1 (a photographers dream).

I absolutely love learning of other traditions and religions. I feel the more you learn the less there is to fear. I have always found with any Jewish work I do whether it's weddings or Barmitzvahs the parties are always legendary and great fun!

Congratulations Jacob, I hope you had as much fun as I did in capturing it!




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Easter Celebrations

Every Easter Randy's parents throw a large family and invite friends and families. This year I was privileged enough to be invited.

Click on the image or here to see a slideshow of the days fun.

Several games were played throughout the day which included an egg throwing contest which was very funny. Incredibly it was won by the youngest entrants who although they never actually managed to catch their egg it didn't break.

I've been takingh some pics of the local wildlife recently so look out for that in the next few days.