Tasting in Burgundy: Laboure Roi

Creeeeek......I mentioned I would bring out a few pics from the past...so here we go - opening up the vault! A number of years back I was fortunate enough to be part of a wine related business trip to France. We spent 17 days traveling through most every major wine region. The result was nearly 1200 photos! It was a truly amazing trip filled with many visits to some of the best producers in France. Something I will certainly never forget. We did stay in Burgundy for three days and tasted some incredible wines. One of our visits was to the negociant Laboure Roi. Their cellars are beautiful - and huge too! Here's three photos from that evening.....


Tasting in their cellars by candlelight.....


After a wonderful time tasting and touring the cellars. We were back later that evening for a special dinner. This area was actually part of the entrance to their cellars - it was absolutely huge! When I took this photo I was standing at ground level at the top of some stairs. To the far right of the end of the table was another set of stairs that then led you further underground into the main cellar. That's how large it was! We had a wonderful time that evening!

I love touring France! Know anyone wanting to get married in France? Need a photographer? Serious discounts may apply!

April & Josh - "Street Session"

Coming up soon is April & Josh's September 15 wedding at Carillon Park in Dayton! For their Session we headed down to Dayton's Oregon District as well as around downtown and Riverscape. They were so relaxed and up for pretty much anything....we had some fun, I think it shows...!

Here's one of my personal favorites....I loved that vintage style matched with the pattern and colors in April's skirt....

a little "interaction" is always good....




Congratulations! Can't wait for September!

Phebe & Gerry - "Street Session"

Well tonight was a pretty nice evening out...a perfect night to take the three block stroll for a chocolate malt at K&W here in Springboro......definitely a little cooler and less humid than the night that Phebe, Gerry and myself headed out for their engagement session!

Because of the temps we started out with a few shots here at the studio, and then high-tailed it to downtown Dayton to catch the last of the evening light. Gerry had flown in for the weekend from Texas - so we had to make something happen!Here's a few favorites from the night...!

One from the studio.......

I'd say we had some fun with the night shots........

Despite the temps, they stayed "cool" and relaxed the whole time - and it showed.....!

Here's one of my favorite grabs of the night...it just has that city night life feel...maybe I'll call it the "New York Minute" look since that's the Don Henly song in the background right now.

Congratulations you two!!

California Highlights.....

I thought I would share a few shots from my recent trip back to California. I was able to spend a couple weeks with my two girls who live out there. We managed to get in a lot of good pool time, as well as heading up the coast to visit Talley Vineyards - a personal favorite of mine - and camp at Pismo Beach for a couple days. Looks like I'll be able to head back out there at the end of September. Here's my girls on one of our many trips to the park.....

Just in case you're not aware I do have a real passion for wine, and have actually worked with wine for even longer than I've done photography. One of my favorite vineyards to visit is the family run Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande on the Central Coast (north of Santa Barbara). They do an incredible job as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialists. Brian Talley invited us up to join them for an employee luncheon in the courtyard - and then we went out to the vineyard to give my oldest a little lesson in growing grapes. Of course barrel tasting followed! Here's Brian giving Kayleigh a little grape growing tutorial....

If you ever find yourself passing through Santa Barbara, you've got to stop at the Cold Springs Tavern. A small restaurant housed in what was an old stagecoach stop. Be sure to get good directions though - it's possibly the best hidden place that everyone still knows about! Yes this is actually the front door!

Since we were staying in Simi Valley at my Father & Step Mother's home, we took an afternoon and headed over to the Reagan Presidential Library. Incredible place. Also includes this new hanger with Air Force One and Marine One in it. Gorgeous view since it sits atop some of the hills on Simi Valley's west side by Moorpark. As a side note - it was also fun being there because I used to horseback ride with a girlfriend of mine on those same hills years ago. She used to have her horses on a ranch at the base of the hills. I think the ranch is apartments now......

Here's Hanna outside at the Reagan Library looking from Simi Valley into Moorpark. And a stop at the Malibu Inn for lunch is always welcome! Located directly across from Malibu Pier.

Candace & Scott - Dayton, Ohio

Thought I would share a few shots from Candace & Scott's recent wedding here in Dayton on May 20, 2006. Ceremony was at St. John's United Church of Christ downtown, and reception was at Mahara Banquet Center in West Carrollton. The weather was gorgeous - couldn't have been any more perfect! Everyone had a great time - a really enjoyable group to be photographing! Enjoy the photos and look for a more extensive highlight of their wedding on my web site soon!