Connecticut Wedding Photography - Karen Leaf » Personal

Time it was and what a time it was,

Karen Leaf — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:11:01 +0000

It was a time of innocence a time of confidences.

Long ago it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left you.

“Bookends” Simon and Garfunkel.

One of my favorite of all the S and G tunes, and a photo from the way back machine.

Rocky passed a few months ago and Mom and Dad miss him terribly.

I remember this day (4-5 years ago) vividly. In a lifetime of beach visits, this day was was perfect. Late summer/early fall. Empty beach, long walks and running dogs. And time alone with my Pop.

xoxoxoxxo

The Year in Photos: Part One

Karen Leaf — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:38:04 +0000

A couple of my favorite personal photos: playing around, personals, things that made me laugh a little:

“The All Photographers Need to be in Focus Series”

Dad is pretty much a ham! I gave him one of my older DSLRs a few years ago, and he still can’t get over the fact that you can’t line up the prisms in the viewfinder. We’re working on learning how to get the photos from the camera to the computer.

For everyone who DOESN’T like having their picture taken, I completely and utterly commiserate. That’s why we have so much fun when I’m doing the picture taking

And of course Bailey didn’t want to be stuck in the car when everyone was having so much fun outside.

I love to travel, but didn’t get very far this year: DC, which I adore and so convenient since Morgan lives right outside the District (and I can’t wait to get back for the Cherry Blossoms!) Took the nephews down for a few days since they had never been

Didn’t make Martha’s Vineyard as much as usual since my weekends were pretty much booked solid, but the 4th of July is always off the calendar. Reading of the Declaration of Independence has been an annual family and friends tradition since ~1946, and Dad let Morgan be the guest speaker since she has missed the past 2 celebrations while serving in Iraq.

Brother Gus overseeing the whole operation….

Chilmark pond was opened to allow the water level to drop, and in the incoming tide caused large dunes along the ocean side. Such a cool shot of the water coming up and splashing the dunes. One of my all time favorites cause it’s so weird.

Boston: Scott Kelby’s PhotoWalk North End Boston.

I Love Boston. Enough said.

Great day except I missed my scheduled train and had to wait 2.5 hours. BLEH!

Stay tuned for favorite wedding photos from the year. So many to choose from!!

The Red Coats are coming!

Karen Leaf — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:10:28 +0000

As anyone who knows me well can tell, I have a few passions, one of which is history; since I live in the northeast the rich history of the Revolutionary War comes to life frequently. One great pleasure I had recently was doing the Scott Kelby World Wide Photowalk in the northend of Boston-pictures will come soon, I promise!

Old Sturbridge Village being just up the road more or less, was the setting for the most recent re-enactment of a revolutionary battle. Not real sure if it was fictious or a real battle, but the encampments were real, the re-enactors were real and the whole town was alive with the bustle of army camp.

Friends Bill and Ellie invited me to go with them and we had a fabulous day. Sun! Picnics and great conversations with the actors, who have a real passion for these events. A great day.

The Battle Scenes

The Supporting Characters

And of course the kids: it was great to see so many real familes especially with the little kids and teenagers.

The remaining pictures are located here

Competition Season: Part 2

Karen Leaf — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:04:34 +0000

I was not able to attend our annual banquet and award ceremony Saturday since I was privileged to spend the day with Rachel and Lee, documenting their wedding (see directly below). I came home to find out I had won not 1, but 2! first place awards in the year end judging competition. Whoot!

One of my favorite weddings of last year produced this image: Kim as she was getting ready at the Salem Cross Inne:

I have this printed in canvas 16×20 and it really shows all the shadows, details and quiet confidence of a beautiful bride.

The Traveller was awarded First Place in the Black and white category which included electronically projected images as well as prints. It was taken at Plimoth Plantation earlier this spring.

Usually a full moon brings weird things, but last Saturday was an exception. Yipee!

Memorial Day, 2009, Putnam CT

Karen Leaf — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:19:53 +0000

Small town USA, where service is found in your back yard.

Morgan was asked to be one of the representatives from the armed services to serve as Grand Marshal in the annual parade.

It makes a Mom proud.

Plimoth Plantation

Karen Leaf — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:36:14 +0000

Plymouth, Ma

I think the hardest part of the year for a photographer is the cold winter months–luckily my studio work keeps me busy, but it’s just so exciting when the snow is off the ground, and we can get OUT of THE HOUSE!

My good friend Lois and I decided we’d had enough cabin fever, and the first time the temp hit 50 and we were both free, we decided LET’S GO! Plimoth, or Plymouth Plantation was the destination. I’d never been and Lois hadn’t been since her grandkids were wee youngins. As a history major in college and an interest in all things historical I wasn’t disappointed with the village. Both Lois and I fell quickly into the language and conversation with the many re-actors and it was fascinating learning ‘first hand’ the truly challenging conditions of the earliest settlers.

We had a great time, got some sun- and wind-burn, and learned alot!

Highly recommended. Except in December.

The Pressman-Old Stubridge Village

Karen Leaf — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:10:32 +0000

Anyone who knows me would probably agree that self promotion is not something I do well. At all. I get all embarassed when people tell me how much they like my photography. Like I want to crawl under the desk, or go hide behind the camera. Don’t get me wrong! I am thrilled when a wedding or portrait session exceeds my expectations and my clients are over the moon with their images. I go to bed really happy. It’s what makes my work worth it. So this post is kinda out of the norm.

My camera club is active in neighbor club activites, and we enjoy various outings with them. PSRI (Photography Society of Rhode Island) hosts the annual Ocean State International Salon, a juried show, with submissions from photographers all over the world. Stunning stuff; knock your socks off stuff. And so our camera club decided to particiapte again. For this show, PSRI processed 988 images from all over the world. 370 were accepted into the show. Scores ranged from 15 (with 19 images awarded the top score), down to 8. To be accepted the image had to score 12 (159 scored 12). We had 3 members of our club have accepted images. This is mine– with an incredible score of 14. Only 83 images had a score 14 or above

This was taken last Decemeber at Old Sturbridge Village during a club outing. It was SO cold, and of course with most re-created old towns none of the houses/exhibts have electic lighting./heat. The character actors know to stand by windows, or opposite windows to allow for better lighting for pictures. This was made at 3200 ISO, no flash, with a monopod. He had a window opposite him which allowed for some good lighting on his face. Touched up with a little Draganizer action to give a gritty appearance.

The Pressman

HOME FROM IRAQ!!!

Karen Leaf — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:18:29 +0000

Been crazy busy the past couple weeks and have neglected posting about the biggest event of the year! Morgan, number 2 in the birth order, has spent the last 15 months in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division home based out of Fort Drum, NY. I spent 5 days in in Watertown waiting for her delayed arrival and then welcoming her home with laughter and tears. I am happy to say that she doesn’t seem to have changed and she couldn’t wait-literally-to get her apartment set up (can anyone say ‘let’s go shopping at Walmart” at 2am??)Her roomate Jack is wonderful and while I’m sure it was weird for him to spend alot of hours with ‘the Mother’ he was kind, considerate, and wonderful company for me.
Love you guys!

New England Patriots-Opening Day at Foxboro

Karen Leaf — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:51:58 +0000

What an absolutely beautiful late summer day in Foxboro! I won’t say it was too hot, because that will bring the cold weather in faster than anyone wants but we were all quite warm but the beer was cold, so all was well.

We started out early-about 815am to get to the stadium for some quality tailgating time, and were rewarded with little traffic and good parking. Met up with Oliver and Caitlyn and we shared bounty and brews. (No brews for me since I was working on 3 hours sleep, after a 4 hour drive from the Cape Saturday night)
Pre-game ceremonies included men and women from the New England area national guard who re-upped, even after serving in either Operation Enduring Freedom or the ITO; When Lee Greenwood’s Proud to be an American was played I well and truly lost it, as it’s one of Morgan’s very favorite songs, and all I could think about what she is going thru in Iraq now. A special flyover of 3 F15’s almost made me fall over–being so high in the stadium the sound was immediate and amplified beyond imagination.

One second later, they were directly overhead!

Our seats are at the VERY top–the above image shows there’s not much protection from sun, snow, rain, or planes! Thankfully it remained sunny–very sunny all day. And the concrete behind us made for a make-shift pillow a couple times. Below is the opposite view of the beautiful stadium. Start from the left, count 4 sections, and those guys at the top row would be us.

The extent of Tom Brady’s injury won’t be determined until Wednesday–and would be a blow to the organization, but Matt Cassel pulled us thru a nail-biter!

Thank you Sara and Barney and Bill for making it a great day!

Come to the Woodstock Fair!

Karen Leaf — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:55:44 +0000

Woodstock Fair, always Labor Day weekend.

For kids of all ages–A kid’s area for the littlest kids; the midway for those who can beat the Whack a Mole; the rides for those who can beat their fear of heights and fears of being strapped in so tight almost restricting breath, and then tossed around like a rag doll; crafters and craftsmen; the Concerts; the Ag displays - for that’s what the Fair is really all about, with the animals, baked goods, and of course the food– Italian Sausage, fried dough, Souvlaki with tetziki sauce, Potato Heaven, Pulled Pork……………….. (and no, I didn’t really eat all that. Really…. really…………

Come to the fair and be a kid again.

(click thumbnail for full size image)