Erin and I decided at the last minute to go to the workshop and also check out the Photo Plus Expo at the Javits Center in Manhattan.  We got plane tickets and a hotel reservation just a couple days before we left. (!!) Jason recommended the Belvedere Hotel and it was perfect, just 3 blocks from Times Square, we walked to lots of cool sights.  Manhattan is another world, even the short buildings are 10 stories, the taxi drivers really are crazy, the sights, sounds and smells are intense!  We got in Monday afternoon and took a taxi into town from JFK - had dinner at an Italian place in Hells Kitchen and then headed to Jason’s studio for a pre-workshop meet and greet.

At the workshop on Tuesday we spent half the day talking business and then headed out to shoot.  Jason had lined up two sets of bridal models (they were great to work with!).  We did two shoots, one in the afternoon where I was carrying the cameras and Erin was working the lights and one after the sun went down in Times Square where we traded off and I worked the lights while Erin shot.  It’s always a little crazy shooting with a large group of photographers but we got some fun stuff - check it out:

These are from the night shoot with Erin shooting, the first one is down in the subway with one of the subway cops.

I love this one! Great job honey.

Here’s a shot of the instructors and the models - great job and a huge thanks from both of us!

We spent all day Wednesday seeing the sights and doing SO MUCH walking! It’s such an amazing city. We started with a bus tour through Times Square heading south, we got off at Macy’s and did some shopping (we both needed warm hats, it was cold on top of that bus!). Macy’s is more than 2 million square feet of shopping (ya, I said million)… Then we got back on the bus and rode it to Greenwich Village. We had lunch and walked through the campus of NYU and then walked 40+ blocks back up to Times Square for a drink at the Hard Rock Cafe. After that we walked to the Rockefeller Center, rode the elevator up the tower and took in the view from 68 stories up. After that we took a horse drawn buggy ride through Central Park and back to the hotel. After all that we headed to Jason’s famous yearly party. He had over 200 photographers from all over the country at his studio - it was packed - we got there a little late (about 10pm) so it wasn’t super crammed but there were still lots of people there - it was fun to catch up with people I’ve met before, meet new people and get to introduce Erin ( ).

Here are a few pictures from our sight seeing:

Times Square from the top of the bus

The Bus Tour Guide - a character for sure

It’s good to be home. But we didn’t even come close to seeing everything, we’ll just have to go back.

They drove down from Mukilteo to meet me in Tacoma for their engagement session - we hung out, had a nice dinner (although the restaurant was a little crazy, apparently it was $3 steak night!!).

The more I shoot in downtown Tacoma, the more I like it - it’s a beautiful area.

Here are a few of the pictures we captured - I can’t wait for the wedding!

Right after that last shot the train station security came to kick us out - very politely, but none the less…

See you both in a few weeks

~Bill

We stopped for snacks and drinks… twice.

As the sun went down we found a strangely deserted 5 lane city street in downtown Tacoma and took advantage of it….

What a good looking couple huh? Love you guys! See you Saturday at Erin’s.

~Bill

Check out a few of the images and feel free to leave a comment at the bottom.

After the sun went down we headed over to the bridge of glass and the waterfront - it was raining by then, hence the umbrella.

I had a great time hanging out with you guys - I’m bummed you’re moving all the way to Ohio after the wedding…

~Bill

They’re a relaxed and fun couple and I’m really looking forward to their wedding -

A couple of steamy kisses ~

This one with a little sun flare - I love sun flare…

Walking away… together.

Thanks guys - I’ll see you soon!

~Bill