The weather was awesome! It was a bit windy, but it was perfect for a late summer beach photo shoot. I totally wanted to capture Stef and Mike in a way that was fun and to use the weather and location to our advantage. To me, it was a scene straight out of a J. Crew catalog. There is one picture that I absolutely love – it’s the first image where they’re walking through the tall grass holding hands (can’t see their faces).

I didn’t quite know what to expect of Asbury Park because the last time I was there (8 years ago) it wasn’t very pretty. However, I was really pleasantly surprised with the way the boardwalk area had been revitalized. There were shops and restaurants (with outdoor seating). There was even a water play area for kids (and adults!). I’m totally taking Jonah and Jeannie there next summer! It looked like a lot of fun.

Heather and Ralph are freaking cool to hang with, very easy going and laid back. They were obviously totally into each other and their friends and family showed so much love and support. I love my job and wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Anyway, Gina and Yoonsuk are getting married next week at Florentine Gardens. This will be the second time shooting there for me. Florentine Gardens also happens to be where Jeannie and I got married. One thing I cannot stop saying is that the food is freaking phenomenal! I love the food there!

Here are some of my favorite images from Gina and Yoonsuk’s engagement session.

A few weeks ago, I shot Sophia and Chul’s engagement session in Central Park. They’re getting married next month at Crystal Springs Resort in Vernon, NJ. I can’t wait. I’ve never shot a wedding, but have played a few rounds of there. Be prepared to “ooh” and “ahh” next month when I post their sneak peek photos.

Just wanted to give everyone an update as to what’s been going on with Inku Photography.

I was nominated on the blog BridePop.com as one of the best wedding photographers in New York. You can vote for me here (once every 12 hours until August 26th): http://bridepop.com/contest/wedding-vendors-in-new-york/.

Also, in addition to opening a new office in Edgewater, New Jersey, I’ve been actively marketing my services and have applied and been accepted to several prestigious wedding related websites.

Style Me Pretty. SMP is probably one of the premier wedding planning blogs and most popular wedding related websites around. I applied to be part of their Little Black Book, which lists some of the best wedding vendors in the country. You won’t find the high volume photography studios listed there.

Cake & Pictures. C&P is a start up blog and vendor listing dedicated to wedding photography. If you click through and see the members, you will find some of the world’s finest wedding photographers listed. I am proud and honored to be among the chosen few.

International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers. The ISPWP is another photographer directory that only accepts new members by either application or referral by an existing member.

Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association. The AGWPJA is another photography directory that consists of some of the best photographers found in the world.

The difference between advertising on sites such as the ones listed above versus pay per listing sites is this:
To be listed on Style Me Pretty, Cake & Pictures, ISPWP, or AGWPJA, you must APPLY for membership and undergo a peer review and/or interview process. Their standards are high and I’ve heard of many photographers applying and being rejected.

To be listed on other vendor sites, you just need to pay a monthly fee. That basically means anyone with a camera, a heartbeat, and money in their pockets can be listed as a vendor on sites such as those.

So, I’m pretty excited to be able to offer photography services that are among some of the best in the world. I’ve been working hard to improve my skills so that you, my valued clients, will have some awesome imagery that will last you a lifetime.