Check out our new blog site

I've been a bit slow on the blog posts lately as we've been working on a new look for this site. I'm so excited that it is finally up and running! I had the pleasure of working with Brian at Skooks Designs. Still making a few changes here and there but update your RSS feed and bookmark the new and improved blog site. I think that once I get the hang of the new interface that I'm going to be posting a lot more. Goodbye Blah Blog-Hello http://www.cynthiabrownweddings.com/blog.html! See you on the other side.

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Nor'easter doesn't stop the 'Naked Cowboy'

His real name is Robert Burck, but to anyone who has passes him by in Times Square, he is simply recognized best as the 'Naked Cowboy'. I found this Associated Press shot on the web today and had to laugh. I believe it was just this past Fall when I was in the city with my son one day when we found ourselves in Times Square on our way to Toys r Us. I was surprised that the 'Naked Cowboy' wasn't preforming and was told by a street cop that he was probably in court that day. It seems that the makers of M&Ms, (Mars Inc.) has made an advertisement using the likeness of Robert, briefs and all. The cop went on to tell me that the 'Naked Cowboy' makes a really decent living preforming in Times square. Frankly, I'm not surprised since I've seen him there for many years. If he wins his lawsuit against Mars Inc. he'll definitely be able to afford some new duds.

Don't Miss Valentines Day!

There are plenty of holidays that you could call Hallmark card creations meant to send us into gift giving frenzy's. Although my son was given a printed list of eighteen cards to give to his classmates, he will also be getting 18 cards-how fun! Kids love any excuse to throw a party or to eat chocolate (don't we all?), so we will be creating something special over the next few days for him to give to his friends. If you're looking for Valentines Day gift ideas, you can't go wrong with flowers-that is to say if diamonds are not in the budget. Check out Fleur de Lys in New Haven. Jennifer, the owner, has done a beautiful job on the flowers at several venues that I have shot. I know that they are busy, busy so don't wait until the last minute. If you are a bride, just planning your wedding, I highly recommend Fleur de Lys.

Boudoir Anonymous

NCSA 29th Annual Photography Exhibition

The New Canaan Society for the Arts holds a juried photography exhibit each year. The show has become increasingly popular and draws entrants from all over the Northeast. It's popularity alone makes it a tough show to be accepted into. This years juror is George Schaub and like the jurors who have come before him, he has one amazing list of credentials. He is the editorial director of Shutterbug magazine and a member of the faculty in the Visual and Preforming Arts Department of the New School in New York. He has also taught at the Santa Fe Photo Workshops, The Maine Photo Workshops and the Palm Beach Photo Centre. He has authored over 20 books on photography and has been widely published in the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Men's Journal and numerous photographic magazines. I am thrilled to be a part of this show again this year. In past years I've won first prize in the Professional color catagory and an honorable mention the following year. The show runs from February 8th to March 15th, 2009. The opening reception is Sunday, February 8th from 4PM-6PM at the Carriage Barn. Come say hi if your in the neighborhood.

Here is my entry titled "Casey's Hairdo".

The honorable mention in 2008

And the First Prize in 2007

I'm Proud to be an American!

The whole world is watching, it's one of those days that we will remember what we were doing when Obama became our 44th President. This is huge!

Minus What!!!!

O.K. This is officially ridiculous!

The Big Chill!

After yet another snowfall this past weekend, it looks like we have finally begun a relentless big chill here in the northeast. We are expecting sub zero temperatures by Friday. Wretch!!! I definitely hate the cold. However, there is no denying the beauty of a sunny day after an ice storm has hit. Waveny Park was the place to be on Sunday. Kids come from near and far to go sledding here. The hill is not the largest around but the tiered property makes for great jumps in the right weather conditions. Add in the expansive fields and trails for cross country skiing and even I get into it. I love this old house. Waveny House is where my husband and I got married. I've been hanging out there since I was in high school, so I am really nostalgic about the place. I shoot here often and my son plays Soccer on the fields from early Spring to late Fall.
I am loving my new Canon 5D Mark II!! I had to finally bite the bullet and upgrade to Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2, as the previous versions did not support my new cameras digital files. I have a lot of new technology to learn, and a good excuse to stay in when it's bitter outside.

New Years Eve at The Bond Ballroom

Happy New Year everyone. I spent my evening in Hartford at the Wadsworth Atheneum and The Bond Ballroom, second shooting with my friend Kim Bova. It was a snowy, bitterly cold day as it always seems to be on New Years Eve. I'm always amazed at the crowds that gather in Times Square in New York City to watch the ball drop. When I lived in the city, I could hear the crowd go wild at midnight even though my loft was many blocks away. I would always smile and be thankful for welcoming another year from the warmth of my home. I actually think that I had more fun shooting this New Years Eve than I would have just being a guest. This was the very elegant wedding of Ben and Rebecca. A black tie affair that guests traveled long distances for. I know that they were not disappointed. Ben and Rebecca decided to see each other before the ceremony so that they could take advantage of the museums' beautiful spaces for portraits.

Then on to the service.

I had to run to get to The Bond Ballroom before the guests in order to get some room and detail shots. The view is gorgeous at night.

I loved this band,"Moonglow"! I would highly recommend them!

At midnight there was a beautiful fireworks display over Bushnell Park and the capital. The windows were steamed up from all the dancing, but it was a great way to end the night. Check out Kim's blog for a slideshow of the day. Thanks Kim for including me. It was a nice way to end the 2008 season.

Celebrate!

I still have presents to wrap, cards to send, laundry to do, cookies to bake and deliver to school. I'm shopping online for last minute deals, writing lists of everything I still want to do. So much is not finished, it's not what I pictured. I'm harried and hurried and wonder what happened. I tell myself this same thing every year that next Christmas I'll relax and be kind to myself. But the life that I lead is hardly so tranquil, I remind myself that at least I am vertical. So I try to be grateful when chaos surrounds me, keep moving and breathing and soon it's astounding. That I no longer care about the lists I have made, because it's here today, time to celebrate.

This post is in honor of Robert Neal Johnson who passed away this afternoon surrounded by love.

Happy First Day of Winter!

It seems like it's been Winter for months already, but today is officially the shortest day of the year. That means that it will start to stay light longer from here on. Now that's something to look forward to. As much as I really prefer the warm weather, the snow that we are getting (It's still falling) has been lovely. We went into the city yesterday to the employee childrens party at the Penninsula Hotel where my hubby works. Seeing Rockefeller Center and a decked out Grand Central Terminal was refreshing. After living in the city for years, you stop paying attention to the beautiful sights. Now I go in whenever I want with a new perspective.

I've never seen Metro North go so all out on holiday decorations. They were projecting light shows periodically and we just caught one on our way through.

And I can't believe that I got a posed shot of my son at the hotel. He is completely over having his picture taken. I'm hoping that he grows out of it cuz I'm not going to stop!

They go all out for the employee kids. Santa comes with gifts, they have an indoor moonbounce in a banquet room and clowns who paint faces. The buffet is everything a kid would possibly want to eat and then some. I loved the face painting table.

We made it through the crowds to see a bit of Rockefeller Center.

Then it was straight to Nintendo World. What a gas! I could stay in that store for hours. You can be sure that Santa will have some Nintendo goodies for under our tree.

Then back home today it finally stopped snowing late in the day, so I went out to catch some snowy sights and get out of the house. The neighborhood was looking gorgeous under a fresh blanket of snow.

I'm so lucky to live on this beautiful property. I love my river.

The house at dusk in the snow. More snow! At least shoveling is good exercise.