Matt Ramos Photography Blog

We’re still enjoying our time in Arizona (although it just went from 75 degrees to snowing, which is a bit strange?), and thought I would check in since the weather isn’t working in our favor at the moment. We spent a full day at the Grand Canyon, which is without a doubt, one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my entire life (and I’ve seen a lot!) I can’t even describe to you what it feels like to stand near the edge of a cliff that drops anywhere from 500 to over 1000 feet straight down…. it’s seriously so insane and scares the hell out of you when you image the imaginable for even a split second. We found this book in a gift shop that talks about all the encounters/deaths of people falling at the Grand Canyon over the years, and if I knew the other day, what I know now from that book, I probably would have stayed much farther away from the edge!

While standing atop a 500ft cliff, I ended up talking to another gentleman with a camera, and when asked where he was from, he said “from a small town in Upstate, NY.” We both almost fell off the cliff when we learned he’s from about 15 minutes from me back home (bad joke, but you can imagine the coincidence of all places).

Yesterday, we spent the day down in Phoenix, which is about a 2 hour drive south to attend a Strobist lighting seminar, which was very exciting. It was awesome to meet so many other photographers from this side of the country as well as some cool new lighting techniques that I look forward to implementing in some of our shoots and weddings this year. This seminar was the entire reason for making the trip at all, and a good excuse to take a little vacation for Tonya and I.

So…… we are back up in Sedona at the moment, and then head back down to Phoenix tomorrow, to spend our last night before heading back to NY. The weather went from beautiful sunshine to hailing this very strange, confetti-ish white stuff, that I guess is supposed to be snow? (it’s much different than anything I’ve seen before – it smells like fresh rain, and seriously almost doesn’t even qualify to be snow). Anyway…. just checking in – I don’t have my normal programs and stuff at my fingertips since I’m on a laptop, but here’s a few shots I thought I would share of our trip thus far…… you may want to wear your sunglasses for this one, sorry! More later – I hope all is well, and look forward to getting back to NY in a few days.

See ya soon! (hopefully)

It’s been a long day of traveling, but we made it safely to Arizona today (our flight was rescheduled from yesterday). Since we will be doing a lot of driving while here, and our hotel was 2 hours from the airport (fun after a long day already in the sky), we treated ourselves to an Infinity M5 for the week (we may just need to pick one of these puppies up when we get back to Albany :)

Anyway, we haven’t seen much yet or had the chance to get out, but here’s a quick shot from our drive to the hotel – the weather is amazing here (75 and sunny), and I’m really excited about the upcoming week and all the things we are planning on doing. I am attending the Strobist lighting seminar in Phoenix on Saturday and then the rest of time will be “play time” which will be nice before the insanity of the 2008 wedding season begins. I’ll be taking tons of photos while here this week, and can’t wait to share them throughout the week or when I get back. (Lots of stuff of the Grand Canyon probably and whatever else we do). Ok…. we’re off to grab some dinner and book some stuff for the week!

P.S. We’ve been here 3 hours and I’m already ready to move here….. the 75 mpg speed limit doesn’t bother me much either! :)

And a quick shot of where we are staying for the next few nights before we move onto the next hotel.

Working with families (and kids) is always a little unpredictable, yet always fun at the same time. I enjoy watching and photographing all the fun and cute little mannerisms and expressions a child can make – despite the cliche…. it’s priceless stuff in my opinion.

I had the opportunity to work with the Raymond family a few years ago, so it was a pleasure to be able to work with them again, and meet the new edition to their family, Emma (she’s adorable as you can see)! Here are a few quick samples from our session today that I liked and thought I would share. Thanks for coming guys, and for a fun shoot!

P.S. We are off to Arizona tomorrow for an exciting strobist (photography) seminar in Phoenix that I’m dying to go to, and then a little R&R in Sedona and the Grand Canyon, etc. which I never never seen. I’m not sure if I’ll post while I’m away or not, but I can assure you, I will have some amazing photos (hopefully) to share with everyone when we get back – check back for details!! :)

It’s been another busy weekend, and am still playing catch-up from all the shoots last week (I don’t always post stuff on the blog depending on what it is)….. I did, however want to post a few shots of Alexandra here and some samples of her new headshots we did earlier today. Alexandra is trying out for some new musical theater things (and apparently is a great singer & dancer!) For a 14 year old girl, I’d say she already has a lot going her way…. thanks for a fun shoot today and best of luck with yoru audition!! :)

I don’t usually post emails I receive, but I got this today and it totally made my day – I just had to share! :)

Let me tell you – there is no greater feeling than knowing all the hard work, time and dedication of the end product is so much appreciated and that the bride & groom (or whoever for that matter) is happy. Thanks again, Lydia (and David) for allowing us to be a part of this and for being so incredible to work with – this will have me a in a good mood for days! :)