visual:ramblings: tomas flint - Finger Lakes Rochester NY Destination Wedding Photographer

New York Yankees - 2009 World Champions - Get Fired UP!!!

2009-11-05T12:23:00.004-05:00

Greetings Dear Friends :)

With a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 last night in the Bronx, the New York Yankees secured their 27th World Championship...the most by any professional American sports team. I think that that's something to smile about, these Yankees agree!!!

Whoot Whoot!!!

Yogi in the limelight...not related to the theme of this post, but pretty cool, huh??

Blogvember marches on! Thanks for visiting :) Drop a comment, I'd love to hear from you! ...or swing by my facebook page for more visual:ramblings.

love.laught.light,
t
(Tomas Flint Photographer - Pretty fired up for the Yanks right now!)

Yolanda & Nico - Lake Tahoe, CA Wedding

2009-11-03T20:32:00.005-05:00

Foodie:
Wikipedia defines 'foodie' as an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food & drink. Based on what I know about food and drink, Yolanda & Nico are foodies...to a tee. Their European themed, cross cultural celebration blended Yolanda's Italian heritage and Nico's French roots with tasteful elegance and...well, I'm getting hungry :) Man was the food AMAZING!!!

Cheers, Salute and Salut to my dear friends Yolanda & Nico. Thank you for sharing your lives with us so genuinely. It was an incredible honor. There was no place else on Earth that we would rather have been that day. ...and thank you to Margie Lockwood and the staff at the Fitzhaven in Lake Tahoe, CA for being so good at what you do. Kelli Marsh came along for this one and added an invaluable perspective to the day. I am, again, blown away by you :)

Yolanda & Nico - The Fitzhaven - Lake Tahoe, CA

Photo Credit below goes to Kelli Marsh - best darn kids photog around :)

Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you enjoyed your visit...

love.laughter.light
t
(tomas flint - lake tahoe wedding photographer)

Lixa & John - Utica, NY Wedding Photographs

2009-10-20T15:41:00.006-05:00

Greetings Dear Friends,

What a thrill it was to return to the town that I grew up in with the privilege of doing what I love most for old friends whom I will forever adore. Congratulations to John and Lixa - it was a tremendous honor to work with you so closely on your most important day. You'z guyz...I love youz guyz! Thank you to the Santana and Bevilacqua families (and to all in attendance) for making this homecoming unforgettable. ...and a huge thanks to Kelli Marsh for contributing her refreshing perspective to this day :)

Lixa & John

Below is one of Kelli's Killer Kaptures...

Thanks for visiting my friends. I hope that this finds you all with spirits soaring.
**Reminder** - Blog-vember is fast approaching...buckle your seat belts, it's gonna be a wild ride!

love.laughter.light
t
(tomas flint - photographer)

3rd Wheel Session - Erin & Kyle - Rochester, NY Photos

2009-10-08T20:12:00.003-05:00

Greetings :)

Here are some images gathered from a stellar day, featuring stellar light, spent with stellar people. Thank you for the experience Erin & Kyle, it is one that I won't soon forget. ...and thank you to Kelli Marsh, you can 4th Wheel anytime.

Erin & Kyle

love.laughter.light,
t
(photographer)

New York Yankees - Mariano Rivera - Poster Night 2009

2009-09-28T12:44:00.005-05:00

Greetings Dear Friends,

The day is almost here...and I am ecstatic to share these images with you. Pinch me...

Tomorrow night the New York Yankees square off against the Kansas City Royals in the Bronx. Why is this relevant??? It's worth mentioning (and blogging about) because it is also 2009 Poster Night at Yankee Stadium. 18,000 posters were printed and will be distributed to all fans 14 and under in attendance. ...and the coolest thing about all of this...

THE POSTERS FEATURE AN IMAGE OF MARIANO RIVERA THAT I CAPTURED DURING A RECENT PHOTO SHOOT AT THE STADIUM WITH HIM!!!
...exciting indeed :)

A word on Mariano: He is as gracious as he is talented...which is quite a statement considering he is arguably the greatest closing pitcher in the history of the game. He is patient and cordial and even brought himself to laugh at my bad jokes...and if you've ever worked with me before, you know how bad my jokes can be! I never once sensed a hint of pretension, just a dude, like any other. The 30 minute session was a blurr as I was forced to shoot in the Yankee Press Room...a nightmare for photographers as it is more visually confusing than a Las Vegas Casino floor. Scrambling to make the best of it...here are a few of my favorites.

A hearty, heart-felt, forever-owe-you one thank you to Mr. Michael Macchione and the entire staff at Catch 24 Designs in NYC for opening this door for me. I hope that this is the first of many collaborations together :)

THE OFFICIAL NEW YORK YANKEES MARIANO RIVERA 2009 POSTER NIGHT poster:

...and here are a few outtakes, including the last image which I captured from the AMAZING seats we enjoyed for that night's game against the Oakland A's...4th row behind the plate!

mike 'n mo. goodtimes. mike is responsible for the poster design. he also let's me squat at his house while in nyc. ...he's pretty cool.

Game starts at 7pm...Tuesday August 29, 2009. Hit me up if you are heading out to the Boogie-Down Bronx!!!

love.laughter.light
t
(New York Yankee Portrait Photographer) - for a day at least :]

Finger Lakes Wedding Photographs - Danielle & Richard

2009-09-17T19:03:00.005-05:00

Upstate NY NEVER gets enough credit. Those of you who have visited, lived or passed through Adirondack Park, the Finger Lakes Region, Niagara Falls, etc etc know exactly what I am talking about. Wide open spaces to explore. Hills, grass, water, wine...a far cry from the perception that New York State is New York City.

Danielle and Richard know just what I am talking about. It was a real treat to spend a weekend NYS Wine Country with two amazing people and the people who matter most to them. With a perfect setting and a perfect couple (and a whole lot of love), something beautiful had to come of it. I hope that these images convey how full our hearts were on this day.

These are just a few of my favorites, chosen at random.

much love to two of my favorite people.

...and a special thanks to my favorite-ist person - Kelli Marsh who once again brought her 'a' game and left nothing on the table :)

Thanks for tuning in y'all. I hope that your summer/fall transition is going smoothly. If you'd like to see more images from this event, swing by my facebook page by clicking here or shoot the studio an email at:

studio@flintweddings.com

...and request information for viewing the entire event.

That's all for now dear friends. MAJOR updates forthcoming...swing by again soon, will ya??

love.laughter.light
t
Finger Lakes Wedding Photographer - and PROUD Upstate New Yorker (yeah, I said it...)

Jennifer & Brandon - Buffalo NY Wedding Photos

2009-09-03T17:30:00.005-05:00

Greetings Beautiful Blog People :)

I simply cannot find the words to describe how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to work with this fantastic couple on their most special day.

Jenn & Brandon - you overwhelm me with your kindness, enthusiasm, trust and love. I am blessed to have you both in my life and better for having witnessed the bond that you share :)

These are just a few images from your unforgettable day.

A very special thanks to Kelli Marsh for once again knocking it out of the park. I've included a few of her images here because they ROCK! ...and a very, very special thanks to the Vacanti and Marineau families for treating us so incredibly well. We truly enjoyed our time spent with each and every one of you :)

If you'd like to view more, swing on over to my facebook page, where more visual:ramblings await.

love.laughter.light,
t
(Finger Lakes NY Wedding Photographer (...and beyond!!!))

3rd Wheel Session (Proposal!) - Conesus Lake, NY

2009-08-24T16:05:00.002-05:00

life is but a dream...

Under the guise of gathering promotional headshots for Alaina (who is a richly talented dancer, singer/songwriter), my bff Phil (did is just use 'bff'??) and I planned the ultimate "I bet you didn't see that coming" proposal. ...and guess what?? She DIDN'T IT COMING! Not one bit...

We were sobbing like babies when it was all said and done. It was a surreal experience. ...one of those "did that really just happen" - type things. Lucky for the photos...proof that it did :)

Phil & I have been through kindergarten together...through our blissful childhood to our awkward teen years. Through college and into early adulthood (if that's what you want to call it!). We nearly killed each other a few times while "learning the ropes" during our young entrepreneurial days and yet still today, we remain, the very best of friends. In Alaina he has found his counterpoint. A beautiful young woman with a vivacious spirit and a heart shot through with gold. I don't like having to give up my best friend...but Alaina somehow makes it easier :) I am ecstatic for the road that lies ahead of you!

Cheers guys! Thank you for allowing me the privilege of sharing in your most special moment. I still get tingly just thinking about it :)

What a thrill.
What an honor.
Unforgettable.

love.laughter.light
t
(Rochester NY Photographer & International Purveyor of Refreshing Perspectives)

Destination: Puerto Vallarta Wedding

2009-08-23T18:22:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends,

Puerto Vallarta was AMAZING! ...but what was even more-so were the people whom I was privileged to share the experience with. A million thanks to Kathy and Rob and their families who welcomed us with open arms and once again left us wondering..."is this what we get to do for a living?!?".

And of course, none of this would have been possible without my dear friend, Mr. Joe Cogliandro of J. Cogliandro Photography. His talents are vast, his passion undeniable and his heart - full of good stuff. I look forward to returning the favor Joe...many times over :)

Here are some images from that amazing week!

Kathy & Rob - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

So much has happened in the last few months to leave me feeling like the luckiest guy on the planet. I hope to find some holes in my schedule soon to get you all caught up.

In the meantime, I wanted to leave you all with one more image from a recent 3rd Wheel Session. Man, I loves me some 3rd Wheel Sessions!!!

love.laughter.light,
t
(Puerto Vallarta Wedding Photographer)

The Sincerity of Josh Ritter

2009-06-09T13:21:00.005-05:00

"I'm singin for the love of it, have mercy on the man who sings to be adored."

-josh ritter, "snow is gone"

Thinking back, I still remember the feeling that came over me when I heard this lyric for the first time. A rush of simplicity, sprinkled with age-old wisdom - resulting in an effortless sense of clarity. I remember thinking, "Man, this guy is the real deal - he gets it". Months later, as the winter turned it's back to welcome the spring air, I thought that it might be nice to make a video of the tune and share it with my friends right here on visual:ramblings. I did so and that was that.

Flash forward nearly a year and wouldn't you know it - I am standing in a bar in Ithaca, NY sipping beers and chatting with Josh, who couldn't have been a more gracious human being. I am happy to report that the sincerity that he delivers in his music comes from a genuine place. Often we fear meeting those whom we admire from a distance as there is no way that they could live up to what we have made them out to be. Josh Ritter is an exception. He's all that...and then some! Before we went our separate ways, Josh grabbed my concert poster and wrote:
"Tom & Kelli - May all of your dances be slow dances." - How freekin cool is that?!?!? We fist-bumped, hugged and went on our separate ways - forever connected by the experience. Thank you Josh Ritter, for being exactly who I hoped you would be :)

Here's a photo:

Now...you may be wondering why I mentioned that I recorded that song for the blog...
Tonight I am off to see Eddie Vedder Solo in Albany, NY. Call it wishful thinking, but here is an Ed Ved song that I'd like to share with you all. If history is inclined to repeat, perhaps I will have another chance encounter to share with you all on future posts...

Alright y'all...
I'm off to ROCK OUT!

love,laughter,light
t

3rd Wheel Session - New Haven, CT

2009-05-27T14:54:00.007-05:00

Greetings Dear Friends,

I thought that I might share some images from a recent 3rd Wheel Session in New Haven, CT. A million-zillion thanks to Kara and Hans for inviting me into their lives and exposing to me a love that warmed my heart and sent my imagination reeling. The time spent with them was a reminder of how very blessed I am to connect with amazing people who encourage my madness and revel in a process that is not yet defined. For it is through my clients that I realize my own value and hope with absolute humility that my work helps them to realize theirs.

Kara and Hans - Thank you for your courage, kindness and willingness to expose the comfortable bond that you share. I look forward to September and exploring the vastness that is Lancaster, PA :)

Kara & Hans - 3rd Wheel Session

In other news, I've just returned from an amazing wedding celebration in sunny (and ridiculously hot) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Look for those images in upcoming posts.

I hope that this finds you all well my friends and appreciate you sharing a bit of your day with me.

love.laughter.light
t
(New Haven, CT Wedding Photographer)

ISPWP Spring Photo Contest Results

2009-05-12T10:58:00.007-05:00

I am at a loss for words at the moment. A combination of excitement, humility, pride, shock and joy have rendered me less that articulate.

Here's the Short Version: The results from the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) Spring 2009 photo contest are IN! I am honored to be a member of this prestigious organization and floored that 5 of the 6 entries that I submitted placed in the top 10 of their respective categories. Here's a review:

1st Place! - Details - Not Food or Drink

3rd Place - Getting Ready

6th Place - Getting Ready

9th Place - Details - Not Food or Drink

10th Place - Pure Art

The results from the entire contest can be viewed by clicking here. Congratulations to all who placed and submitted...it's truly amazing company to be in :) I urge you to swing by and spend a few minutes. The experience is a feast for the eyes and the soul.

Those of you who know me know that my work is NOT about me. It's not about what I expect or desire or think that I know. It has nothing to do with what I did yesterday or what I want for tomorrow. It's about being present - being in the moment - and being connected to this experience of life. I wish for my images to contain something revealing about both my subject and myself, as relevant images must contain traces of both.

I am overjoyed to receive this recognition, yet nowhere near satisfied with my journey. I pledge to continue to give my all to every moment believing above all that the best is yet to come. Thank you all for sharing in this exciting time with me. Your love and support is a greater honor than any contest can yield.

love.laughter.light
t
(humbled, honored and overjoyed)

The Arrival of Baby Luca

2009-05-09T11:49:00.006-05:00

Greetings Dear Friends,

When Kelli Marsh asked me to tag along for an arrival celebration at the Rochester International Airport, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. All that I knew was that a young couple from Rochester had flown out to Ethiopia to adopt and bring home their baby boy. Armed with that knowledge and an open heart, I embarked upon a truly unique and shockingly beautiful experience. What awaited was a joy so powerful, so pure and unfiltered that it shook me to the very core. The reception of family and friends was so genuine and intense that it made fighting back the tears an exercise in futility. I am not ashamed to say that I was one hot mess :)

The following are some of the images gathered from that unforgettable day. I believe that they speak for themselves, so I will shut up now. An extra special thank you to Kelli Marsh and the Luciano family for inviting me along on an experience that sent my heart soaring. Be sure to swing by Kelli's Blog for more images from this beautiful day.

If you're looking for more information on Adoption Services, you can visit the Better Future Adoption Services (BFAS) by clicking here. In-Joy my friends:

Luca Arrives

Thank you for spending your time with me friends. New posts coming soon, so be sure to stop on by :)

love.laughter.light
t
(Rochester NY Photographer who is so lucky...so freekin lucky)

Destination: Atlantis Wedding

2009-04-28T10:42:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends :)

I'd like to share some images from a recent wedding on Paradise Island in the Bahamas that I was not only blessed to witness, but was doubly-blessed to to work alongside the fabulous Kenny Kim. A million thanks to Kenny, to our wonderful couple Riley & Jason - who gave us an uninhibited window into their world - and to their families for accepting us with open arms from the very first day. This was the second Atlantis Wedding that Kenny and I had worked together on in as many years. Can we make it three-for-three this season?? My fingers are crossed...

I've mixed a few 'travel' photos into the bunch as Paradise Island is a feast for the eyes & the curious heart. Enjoy! :)

Riley & Jason - Paradise Island (Atlantis), The Bahamas

Goodtimes indeed :) That's all for now kids. I hope that you have enjoyed your visit and will return soon for another installment of visual:ramblings.

love.laughter.light,
t
(Bahamas Atlantis Resort Destination Wedding Photographer)

On the Subject of Liberty

2009-04-18T23:12:00.009-05:00

On the subject of liberty I suppose that what's most important is that liberty affords its lucky few the consent to express their opinion to inspire social evolution. This freedom to express is critical to all relationships...political, professional and personal. If used properly, free expression encourages dialogue, which inspires the progress that gives much-needed momentum to the process of betterment. As history indicates, though, this is often difficult to accomplish between groups of men as our ability to focus on the root issue is often overshadowed by the temptation to indulge on spoils of immediate satisfaction. All social systems have their flaws. Liberty, in theory, exists to correct those flaws once they are realized. I digress...this is a topic for another conversation as it exceeds the scope of this blog...we love images here, right?!?!

The following images were gathered at last week's T.E.A Party in Rochester. In my estimation, the core purpose of this demonstration was for a group of individuals to exercise the freedom to express their position on a topic of major concern. This was the essence of the reality of liberty, as dialogue is not often easy to initiate. The specifics to me were irrelevant. What was relevant was the enthusiasm...the passion...the fired-up-ed-ness! These are contagious energies which, if used properly, can move mountains.

Please note: This is NOT a political post. This blog NEVER has been and NEVER will be a forum to express political, religious or social opinion. By posting these images, I am not trying to make a statement on policy, but instead paying tribute to a freedom that it too valuable to overlook. These are simply observations that I thought might be fun to share with you all. Not to mention, it was cool to slip into the roll of Photojournalist :)

Thank you for stopping by dear friends. I'm finishing up the edit on a magnificent wedding from the Bahamas in the next day or so. Post coming soon :)

laughter.love.light
t
(Rochester Photojournalist...for a day)

Hurry Never (and other words to inspire)

2009-04-17T14:05:00.007-05:00

Holy Blog-Slacking!!!

In the midst of all of the excitement, I neglected to share my adventures (Boo for me). For this I apologize and promise to get you all up to speed.

Since my last post we've traveled to England to share an amazing week with a talented bunch of international photographers who I am proud to call friends. In fact, Kelli and I worked as models for the group and benefited tremendously from being on the other side of the camera. We visited London and took a trek up to Liverpool, the home of The Beatles!!! Since arriving back home, we've spent a night hanging out with Josh Ritter and the boys from Gomez, shot some incredible 3rd Wheel Sessions, Weddings, and even an Arrival Celebration for a couple bringing their adopted African baby home for the first time...an unforgettable experience. In addition to that, we bought our FIRST CONDO! A two bedroom waterfront beauty on the Irondequoit Bay...fully equipped with a large porch, stunning views and a boat slip to boot!!! Needless to say, this 'slow' season was anything slow!!!

In the midst of all of this madness, one of my closest and oldest friends - let's call him Mikey Lindacher - sent along a message that has been ringing through my head ever since. I'd like to share a snippet of that with you, for his perspective is as refreshing as the spring air that fills our lungs:

"Flint, you know what I want??"

"To live content with small means. To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than style. To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy in spirit, not rich. To work hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly. To listen to stars and birds with an open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, HURRY NEVER. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony...the instruments are all around me."

**Breathe**

Thanks for that Mikey...

I'll be back soon with some images, today I decided rather to share a thought.

I hope that this finds you all with receptive hearts and soaring spirits.

much.love
t
(New York Wedding Photographer who is enjoying himself at the moment)

Visual:Ramblings

2009-02-26T15:32:00.004-05:00

"Our brightest blazes are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks."
-samuel johnson

Greetings Dear Friends,

As an "exercise for the soul", I chose a random folder on a random external Hard Drive and random images contained therein to come up with the following. I'm excited about these images as they instilled in me a sense of rejuvenation and rekindled a fire that was in dire need of a good spark. In-Joy!

love.laughter.light
t
(tomas flint photographer - fired up!)

The Scrubs Debacle

2009-02-24T16:49:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends,

While in LA some time ago, I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon on the set of Scrubs in North Hollywood. Somewhere along the way, mashed between meeting the crew (Zack, Sarah and guest star Keri Russell, to name a few :]) and touring the set, I was spontaneously thrust into the roll of 'Bar Scene Extra'.

What followed was far and away the worst display of extra acting in the history of Hollywood. A complete and utter disaster proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that my place is on the other side of the camera lens.

Recently, Anton Lorimer edited some of those excruciating moments into a short video clip. Take a look but be sure that you're not drinking or eating anything, as uncontrollable laughter and mockery may result. Special thanks to my man Devin Mahoney for the experience that day...and I once again apologize for the embarrassment that I caused when they called you into the editing room to explain why you let me loose!!! goodtimes :)

...ri-donk-u-lous.

love.laughter.light
t
(tomas flint photographer - and I stress PHOTOGRAPHER)

The Love/Fear/Time Continuum - Rev. 1

2009-02-15T10:38:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Friends.

It has long been my contention that when you get down to it, there are only two emotions: love and fear. Love embodies all that is favorable, while fear embodies...you guessed it...all that is unfavorable (or at least not-so-favorable). In between those lines is a myriad of labels that we've concocted to describe more specifically what human beings and those select few that we recognize as worthy are feeling. Happiness (Love), Trust (Love), Greed (Fear), Anger (Fear) - are all examples. Given this thesis, every emotional action and reaction is dictated by either love or fear. Now this does not assume that our intention is to convey love or fear, merely to suggest that our actions and interpretation of the emotion arising from said action are, at some point, able to be classified as one or the other. Let's call them 'core emotions'.

Stick with me, I'm going somewhere with this.

Time. The ultimate variable. Time is a constant - time marches on - so it is NOT a variable...correct?? I suggest that time is a variable in that it can be both our greatest ally or our most vicious nemesis. I want you to imagine that time is not what we humans have labeled it as. It is not seconds, minutes or when we have to get to the next meeting that's been wedged into our busy agenda. Instead, imagine it as something that we either have or don't. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that WE are the variable...or at least our interpretation of existing in this space and time varies from the life that we are currently aware of to the blank space that exists on both sides.

So what is the correlation??

Love & Hate vs. Time. Insomuch as we are capable of feeling an emotion, we are aware of the very finite time line that dictates each experience. Taken over a long enough sample...these experiences combine to form our life's journey. Throughout, we have a very pecular way of interpreting time based on the core emotions that surface from experience. With Love, time is perceived as an ally. As with all that is on 'our side', we do not feel the need to concern ourselves with time when our experience is linked to love. Therefore, in the face of love, time is infinite. A non-factor. It 'stands still' or 'flies by'. In the face of fear though, a very different interpretation of time is revealed. Time becomes a nemesis. Fear brings time to the forefront and causes us to fight against it. We concern ourselves with the detail of time which overshadows the experience that we are faced with. Fear and time share a mutually beneficial relationship with one another.

Am I making sense here?? Perhaps a few examples to illustrate...

I am fortunate enough to associate the work that I do with favorable emotions. Joy, Satisfaction, Bewilderment, etc. etc. ...Love. When I am working I don't think about time. It does not factor. This is evidenced by the days that have slipped past while involving myself in a process that I am passionate about. This is accomplished without recognition that time has, in fact, passed. A mother and her newborn baby. Yes, the days may seem long, but when that little one leaves home for the first day of college, it seems like only yesterday that he or she were still in diapers and needed their mommy. Two new lovers embarking on the journey of discovery...timelines erode. These are all examples of favorable experiences, and are not associated with a ticking clock or a beginning and an end.

Conversely exists the fear/time continuum. I recently suffered a blockage in my esophagus. This experience caused an overwhelming sense of helplessness, anxiety and desperation. ...fear. Immediately my thoughts shifted to time. Am I out of time?? Did I have the time to tell my mother that I love her?? Did I have the time to illustrate to my girlfriend the profound effect that she has had on my life?? Will I ever spend time with my siblings again?? As morbid as these thoughts were, they were instinctually brought to consciousness by virtue of fear. Like a cat hiding in a tree waiting for its predator to pass. She will stay perched all day until the 'bad guy' loses interest. Like the disinterested high school student staring at the clock, waiting for bell to ring. 'When will the time come??' These are examples of the unfavorable emotion. ...fear. And with fear comes the shocking realization of time.

I am not suggesting that love is a good thing and fear is bad. This is not my intention. Instead, I am recognizing that both exist...perhaps one to amplify the other, combining in a helix around the perception of time. Perfect symbiosis. Only through experiencing great fear can we realize the value of time. Only through love can we realize that time is irrelevant. Only through experiencing both the favorable and unfavorable can we realize the magnitute of our existence in this life. And only through this realization can true enlightenment begin. our energies are timeless...our forms bound to time.

At any rate, we mustn't squander that which we have been given - for its value is too great to measure.

please note: I am currently working to expand upon this theory. I am presenting it in a very raw form in an attempt to gather feedback from the people whom I value most. I invite your thoughts in helping me to develop mine. I value and love you all, and thank you for reading.

love.laughter.light,
t
(just a guy with some stuff on his mind)

Gratitude - Jared Valentine - Drop Dead Designs

2009-01-30T13:40:00.012-05:00

January was a busy month for Tomas Flint Weddings, though this blog was not exactly indicative of the fact! Yep...the ol' visual:ramblings has once again played second fiddle to a number of new developments - all of which will be featured in upcoming posts.

For now, I would like to continue with the 'Gratitude' theme which was developed to pay tribute to key individuals who have enhanced my life, both personally and professionally, by virtue of their individuality, patience and talent.

If you're from Rochester, then you are probably (hopefully!) familiar with Open Face Sandwich Eatery. It's tops on my list for lunchtime destinations. The decor is quaint, warm and inviting and the menu - clever, thoughtful and delicious. Not to mention it is staffed by down-to-earth individuals who contribute enormously to a truly unique dining experience. I'm a big fan, what can i say?!?!

Now I am not the type of person who gets cravings for one particular food or another, but Open Face features this 'open face' corn mash sandwich on sourdough topped with bbq sauce and onion crunchies that actually causes a physical reaction every time that I think about it. So a few months back while gorging on one of these bad-boys, I came to the realization that it was their branding that spoke to me almost as loudly as their product. After some investigation, I discovered that the guy who was responsible for delivering this 'sandwich of the gods' was also responsible for the atmosphere that I was so fond of - enter Jared Valentine.

Now Jared is not only the artist force behind developing Open Face's one-of-a-kind menu, but he is also its part owner, operator, interior and graphic designer...all rolled into one. In addition, he runs his own design outfit - Drop Dead Designs - which provides visual consulting services to businesses of all types. Quite an impressive dude :)

Over the next few months, Jared and I worked together defining and visualizing the brand that is Tomas Flint Weddings. He was patient every step of the way - sketch after sketch, swatch after swatch, etc...etc. A true professional in every sense, he is a gifted listener - and Lord knows, I talked a LOT - with extensive knowledge of his trade. He invited my input and knew exactly when to cut me off, as I have a tendency to get ahead of myself! In the end, we arrived at a logo, color scheme and slew of marketing products that we feel exemplify Tomas Flint Weddings as it is today - Fun, Fresh and Full of Possiblities.

Thank you Jared, dear friend, for giving so much of yourself to the process. I am eternally grateful for what you have introduced...both the me and Flint Weddings...and I look forward to our friendship and collaboration for years to come.

Here are a few samples of the font, logo and color palate...it's such a diverse little guy, so many possibilities:

All this writing's got me hungry...can you say "corn mash"?!?!?

Love.Laughter.Light
t
Rochester, NY Wedding photographer with a look so new that it still smells like plastic

Arriving in Italia

2009-01-03T18:21:00.003-05:00

Ciao Tutti!

Derailed, sidetracked, off the beaten path. These are all words to describe my workday. I awoke full of excitement, ready to tackle the task at hand. I sat at my workstation with a steaming cup of 'very vanilla' coffee atop my Beatles Abbey Road coaster in front of me and a plan to work out the final details of the new Flint Weddings Website.

"Before I do that, let me take a quick peek at a few images from our trip to Italy last Spring," I thought. ...and so it goes.

Upon our arrival in Rome, we dropped our things at the family villa and headed out to catch the last glimpses of daylight. It is a long running tradition of mine to take the B Line to the Colosseo stop before I do anything else. Since this was my first trip to Rome with Kelli, I thought that it might a nice way to say..."Benvenuto a Roma!". Walking out of that subway stop to witness the mighty Coliseum and Roman Forums staring back takes one's breath away every time. It is a powerful thing to behold. So much history...so freekin old!!!

After regaining our breath, I noticed a poorly violin player (shabby clothes, beat up intrument missing the chin rest) approaching a young woman waiting for her bus. She was immediatly aware of his presence, but didn't want him to know. The violinist walked up along side her and began playing. And although she did her best to ignore him, she was eventually broken. They exchanged a smile and she gave him some change. It was a brief interaction...easy to miss, yet when I saw that sequence of images this afternoon, I was immediately transported back. I was there again, and the smells and sounds and sights were as alive today as they were 8 months ago. That is the power of a photograph. They are not just ink on paper...They are reminders. They are the information that jog our memories and allow our past to live today. They are significant.

I've included a few images from that sequence below, but had to cut them down in the interest of image load time. If you'd like to see more, I would be ecstatic to share. The rest of the images are from that evening. Twilight at the Panteon, dinner at Piazza Navona...ahhh Roma. From there we traveled for two weeks and collected thousands of images. I hope to find some time to review those soon...you will all be the first to know :)

Roma, Italia (day 1/2)

After dinner we walked past a film crew shooting two really beautiful people doing something around a limousine. I snapped this and was kindly escorted away by one of the grips. As I always say...It's easier to ask for forgiveness that permission :)

Thanks for stopping by my friends.

love.laughter.light
t
tomas flint photographer - fired up for 2009!

ATTN Photographers Heading to Vegas (WPPI)

2008-12-31T16:10:00.004-05:00

Hey Hey!!!

If you're a photographer planning on heading out to Las Vegas in February for the WPPI Trade Show & Convention, Southwest Airlines is running a 50% off Sale!!! You have to act fast though...the sale ends tonight at midnight.

Clicking on the image below will get you to the Flight Search page.

I hope to see you all there!!!

Buon Anno tutti!
t
Destination Wedding Photographer gearing up for good times in the Sin City

Gratitude - Anton Lorimer - Lorimer Works

2008-12-30T15:38:00.009-05:00

Hello Dear Friends,

So the big push is on. Yes indeed, the .:tomas flint photographers:. rebranding effort is in full swing. This all began months ago when I arrived at the realization that it was time to loosen the reigns and invite individuals into the organization to breathe new life into what was beginning to feel stale. I finally accepted that I simply could not be all things and that the strength of many is so much more significant than that of one. ...and I am ecstatic to report that what (and more specifically who) I've discovered along the way has enhanced not only my work and my approach to it, but my life as a whole. This influx of creative energy has benefited my entire existence, recharged my batteries and re-affirmed that I am on the right path.

Over the next few blog posts, I intend to pay tribute to those who have enhanced this experience by virtue of their honesty, enthusiasm and creativity. I am doing this in NO particular order as it would be impossible to rank their contributions.

Anton Lorimer - videographer/editor/producer/genius/father/husband/friend
www.lorimerworks.com

Anton and I met in San Francisco back in June of this year. I was "west-coastin' it" to work with my friends Ann Hamilton and Joel Serrato on a wedding in San Jose that week. Already being a fan of Anton's work, I was pleased to discover that he was, in person, everything that I wished he would be. We were introduced via Ann & the fabulous Gene Higa and the rest is, as they say, history. Anton exceeds expectations. Anton is the uber. I simply cannot say enough. What we forged over the next few months was more than just hours upon hours of footage...we forged a significant bond. I thank you Anton, for your dedication to this project, for your numerous edits and for simply being you.

Anton's production is featured at the top of the blog and will be for the next couple of weeks. Check it out if you have a spare 3 and a half minutes. It won't hurt...much :) And if you're a photographer considering a video element for your business, feel free to contact me. I like to talk :)

Thanks for checking in friends. ...and thank you for the wonderful feedback. You've given me a case of perma-grin. This entry wouldn't be complete without sending a shout out to Lindsey Thorne, Traci LaVallee-Snodgrass and Brendan Snodgrass. Thank you all for being yourselves and allowing me to see it.

Here's to a New Year filled with love.laughter.light
t
Destination Wedding Photographer who is so darn thankful

Imagine all the People

2008-12-20T17:36:00.004-05:00

Hello Friends,

This past December 8th marked the 28th anniversary of untimely passing of the extraordinary yet altogether ordinary poet, musician, philosopher, activist, hero, villain, beatle, human being...John Lennon. John was many things. Regardless of whether those were right or wrong, good or bad, he was EXACTLY what he said he was. Simply a dude with a very thin protective coating, blessed with the spirit of wonder and a penchant for articulating his life experience in a way that anyone could understand. This is not to discount his genius (as it is indisputable), but moreso to point out that greatness walks amongst us. In fact, greatness lives within each and every one of us. It is finding the courage to broadcast that which we possess that prevents us from believing in our own potential. ...and the world from appreciating it! John was beautiful and so are all of you my dear friends. Beautiful just as you are. Bursting with potential.

So...

I played hookie for a good portion of that day to listen to some of John's music, read up on old interviews and play some of the tunes that inspired me to begin my musical journey. I wanted to share a few of those with you. Now even though they display no greatness in any way, they sure do beat the heck out of working :) I hope that you enjoy...or at least don't throw tomatoes at your monitor...

"Time that you enjoyed wasting was not wasted."
-John Lennon

Thanks for stopping by friends. I hope that this finds you all well.

love.laughter.light
t
Rochester Wedding Photographer in need of a voice coach

Not a Dry Eye in Sight - Misha & Michael

2008-12-15T19:38:00.011-05:00

They laughed...a lot. They cried...a lot. They danced and sang and hugged and kissed and made the absolute MOST of their biggest day. Did I mention that they laughed and cried?? ...a lot?!?!

Misha and Michael were married this past October at The Fountainhead Conservatory & Gardens in New Rochelle, NY. And let me tell you, dear friends, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. I told Mike after the ceremony that it was like shooting fish in a barrel! There was so much emotion in that room...you could literally feel it. It was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget as Mike and I go back to grade school together! That's a lot of history so you can image how honored I was/am to have played a roll in creating memories of this time in his life. Yes, I love my job!

The party that followed did not disappoint. There was Caribbean fare, Italian pastries, a live steel drum band...the works. The speeches were heartfelt, the wine was flowing and the dance floor bumpin! good times indeed :)

A super huge special thanks to Miss Kelli Marsh for her (once again) tireless curiosity and stunning imagery. And an enormous thank you to Inez Bennett from Elaborate Parties by Bennett for her masterful coordination of this fine day. If you're a couple in the NYC area looking for someone to help you plan the perfect day, you need look no further than Inez. She's committed, knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic...a real pleasure to work around.

Misha and Michael: From the very depths of me, I am grateful for the experience. Much love today, tomorrow and always.

Misha & Michael - New Rochelle, NY

Credit this one to Kelli Marsh. Spectacular capture Kel!!!

So you may have noticed the new photo tag featuring the new tomas flint photographers logo. That is the first in a string of huge announcements that I plan to unveil between now and the new year. Stay tuned dear friends. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

love.laughter.light
t
Westchester County Wedding Photographer