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Holiday Family Portrait Session With The Moon At Sunset

My friend Rose Mary called saying that she would love to get some updated family portraits and lucky for us, the weather was still really nice outside. On this particular December afternoon, we scheduled the session around the time when the sun was setting and the moon was just about full. They have great neighbors who let us walk through their backyard and I photographed them all, including Phil, their dog, in a field with a red barn in the background. It was chilly, but it was still stunning out there. I brought my Westcott Rapid boxes to have my Canon 600RT EX fire off wirelessly because we were loosing light pretty quickly.

I wanted the kids to have fun and do whatever they wanted within reason. So we did the standard poses, but then I asked what they wanted to do.

Holiday Family Portrait Session in Columbus, NJ photographed by Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com

Holiday Family Portrait Session in Columbus, NJ photographed by Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com

Okay, I told them to give each other bunny ears LOL Then it was on to poses the kids wanted to try out.
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IMG_7931FamilyPortraitPhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotography.jpgThis is one of the poses their youngest brother wanted 🙂
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I asked if they wanted to jump over each other…
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Mom gets in for a photo 🙂
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Then it’s time to get them all separately…
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His karate moves….
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Last shot, it’s dark, and I wanted to have something super fun, like a leaf fight or everyone throw leaves up in the air, we got in in the last shot. By then, it got colder, we all had other places to go, Rose Mary got yummy hot chocolate for us all at Wawa(I’m addicted to that now, thanks Rose!), but we all had a lot of fun, and that was what I wanted. Everyone looking great, showing off their personalities, and having a great time.
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Thank you all so very much guys! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Do you want a session? Start a chat by clicking on the red button that says Get Started to contact me 🙂

Notre Dame High School’s Class of 1967 50th Reunion-NJ Event Photography

I loved high school for a bunch of reasons, but for me it was a fresh start. Yes I struggled with certain subjects, math being the main one, and today I still have a difficult time with it. But Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ was my mother’s and her brother’s school. She was the Class of 1967, he was the Class of 1969, and I was the Class of 1991. I made new friends, I worked hard, and had a lot of fun.

So my mother was on the decorating committee for her Golden Year Reunion, of our Notre Dame Family. Then the next day they escorted the Class of 2017 as they graduated from NDHS. The committee looked at other photographers and then I was hired to photograph their once in a lifetime event at the Mercer Oaks Country Club. I’ve shot a quite a few events there before, so I’m very familiar with this venue. A bonus that evening was the woman supervising, was in the wedding party one of my last weddings I photographed last year. I got their early with my mom, who had to help set everything up. You couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. I already knew where I wanted to shoot this large and very important group picture of all the alumni. The flowers were done by Petal Pushers, the owner is also a NDHS Alumni and also my neighbor. The live band was The Meg Hanson Group, with Billy Hill.

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

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180_IMG_9019 1_NDHS1967.jpgHere is the Class of 1967, those that could make it to this event. The evening sky was just beautiful!
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190_IMG_9037 1_NDHS1967.jpgThey presented a check of $1,000 our school.
192_IMG_9045_NDHS1967.jpgThe ladies of the committee.
199_IMG_3995_NDHS1967.jpgAfter the large group photo and presentation of the check, we came inside for a few guest speakers, and a prayer before eating.
235_IMG_4067_NDHS1967-1.jpgThey honored their Vets and those no longer here.
264_IMG_9073_NDHS1967.jpgThe Class of 1967 has the most student who have passed away from either the Vietnam War, accident, sickness or cancer in our high school’s history to this date still. My mother’s yearbook has so many notes next to classmates pictures that say died or passed away, a fifty-something kids…
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289_IMG_9101_NDHS1967.jpgThe band started to play and hardly anyone stayed in their seats. Remember, this class had the year of incredible music.

Links to music is courtesy of http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1967.htm :
Ode to Billie Joe – Bobby Gentry
I’m a Believer – The Monkees
Light My Fire – The Doors
Happy Together – The Turtles
Groovin’ – The Young Rascals
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli

326_IMG_9150_NDHS1967.jpgYes, that’s me dancing with my mom LOL I’m so glad that she had a great time.
I Think We’re Alone Now – Tommy James and The Shondells
Respect – Aretha Franklin I Was Made to Love Her – Stevie Wonder
Come Back When You Grow Up – Bobby Vee and The Strangers
Soul Man – Sam and Dave
351_IMG_9181_NDHS1967.jpg Incense and Peppermint – Strawberry Alarm Clock
Ruby Tuesday – The Rolling Stones
It Must Be Him – Vicki Carr
Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone – The Supremes
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane
Get On Up – The Esquires
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Jimmy Mack – Martha and The Vandellas
A Whiter Shade of Pale – Procol Harum
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They held a raffle…
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And then suddenly all of the Catholic grade school classmates wanted group photos. These schools aren’t around anymore so I waited around for everyone to come to where I was so that the photos could be taken. 478_IMG_9346_NDHS1967.jpg 483_IMG_9356_NDHS1967.jpg 481_IMG_9354_NDHS1967.jpg 490_IMG_9366_NDHS1967.jpg

497_IMG_9375_NDHS1967.jpg 519_IMG_9404_NDHS1967.jpgThe band was rocking and awesome! I actually know the lead singer, he actually knows my good friend Phil, a fellow photographer and musician.

Reflections – Diana Ross and The Supremes
Please Love Me Forever – Bobby Vinton
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair) – Scott Mckenzie
This Is My Song – Petula Clark
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson
I’ve Been Lonely Too Long – The Young Rascals
Penny Lane – The Beatles
525_IMG_9411_NDHS1967.jpg You’re My Everything – The Temptations
Dedicated to the One I Love – The Mama’s and The Papa’s

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How Can I Be Sure – The Young Rascals
Friday On My Mind – The Easy Beats
Gimme Some Lovin’ – The Spencer Davis Group

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672_IMG_9610_NDHS1967-1.jpgYou can’t have a party like this without a conga line 🙂

Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) – The Hombres
Let’s Live for Today – The Grass Roots
Groovin’ – Booker T and The MG’s
Funky Broadway – Wilson Pickett
Pleasant Valley Sunday – The Monkees
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – Aretha Franklin

Cold Sweat, Pt. 2 – James Brown and The Famous Flames

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Here We Go Again – Ray Charles
White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
Bernadette – The Four Tops
The Beat Goes On – Sonny and Cher
Snoopy vs. The Red Baron – The Royal Guardsmen
Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking) – Janis Ian
Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon – Neil Diamond
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

I Dig Rock and Roll Music – Peter, Paul and Mary
Daydream Believer – The Monkees

Baby, I Need Your Lovin’ – Johnny Rivers
Mirage – Tommy James and The Shondells
Green Green Grass of Home – Tom Jones
I Can See for Miles – The Who740_IMG_9711_NDHS1967.jpg

Here at last is the Notre Dame High School Class of 1967 Alumni Committee, they put on a fabulous night for everyone. Thank you for letting me a part of this evening, I had a blast!

Environmental Portraits With DES Home Renovations-NJ Environmental Portrait Photographer

Stephen and I connected via an online networking group on Facebook and together we collaborated with an idea that he needed very quickly that represented how he wanted his clients to see him and his business online. You see Stephen is a contractor and a man of many talents and also a father and husband. He works very hard like all businesses do and expects the very best for his clients. I was really impressed with his website and the work his company has done.

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We met on a Sunday at the building where his office is located. It has so many incredible areas to photograph inside and out because it used to be an old leather factory right here in the Trenton area of New Jersey. Now it’s being converted to gorgeous loft and studio style office spaces. Honestly I could’ve stayed and shot there all day long. But the important thing was that he looked great and the location matched how he wanted to have his company represented with their branding.

As always, I overpacked, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I brought my Dynalites but we were moving around a lot so I decided to use my Canon RX ET 600 wireless flashes with Westcott and Photek light modifiers. Normally I shoot tethered as well, but I didn’t want to be hindered with more cables than necessary. I did have my husband/business partner assisting me, but once I got there and Stephen started to show me around, I knew that having my camera tether to my Macbook wasn’t going to work that day. I used my Canon Mark 5D III and just 2 lenses, the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 non-IS L and the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L. Stephen put on some music with his cell phone because mine was having a hard time getting a signal and then the fun began.

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ProfessionalAfricanAmericanBusinessmanOrangeBlazer- 1DESHomeRenovations.jpgStephen was a natural in front of my camera, while I did give him direction and coaching, these favorites of mine and his, are all him. We started off in the orange and white striped hallway, then the stairwell, and after that, we wanted to get one more area. We walked into an unfinished area, he turned a corner inside of it and this amazing room appeared. Raw, still under construction like the rest, but just beautiful and perfect to represent him and what he does.
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IMG_0829DESHomeRenovations.jpgHis brother came by and wanted a quick shot so I did one for him too.

We had a lot of fun and I’m very happy with what we were able to accomplish. Thanks again Stephen!

I would love to hear what you have to say, leave a comment below. Stay up to date by signing up for my newsletters, if you’re interested in what I do, please contact me for your next project. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

Photoshoot of Candidate for City of Bordentown Commissioner-NJ Branding Photographer

I met John Brodowski a couple of times before and we hit it off. He’s born and raised in this town, we’ve both lived in other areas, and have come back.

Like many people, this past presidential election has made them feeling very doubtful. But this has turned out to be a good thing, causing many to not just do something about it, but actually go into politics to make changes for the better. John is one of the candidates of fresh faces in our town, who is up for being elected for City Commissioner.

I got a call from him one evening asking to do a photoshoot so that he could complete his site within the next day or two. So the very next day in the afternoon, after an on location session with a client, I returned back to Bordentown for his.

A lot of images for politicians tend to be very stiff or formal. I wanted to get John away from that, to see people as they would in person.

The weather looked a little threatening, and it was windy. John was waiting in front of Old City Hall, and yes it has a clock tower.(Back to the Future reference). After a few shots in, he got more comfortable. Then a car stopped and two of his friends from grade school came out to say hello. Gave us the idea to do some shots in front of the Thomas Paine statue. But before that, I wanted to get John on the sidewalk in front of some businesses. His friends came back to offer some help, and they were a HUGE help at the statute and later down by Black’s Creek. One of them held a large diffuser to block out the direct sun on John’s face(because of course that’s when the sun decided to come out). The wind kept picking it up like kite, but he did a great job and I was able to get the shots that we wanted.

Using only natural light with my Canon Mark 5D III, and two lenses, my Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L non-IS and Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L and the diffuser(when the sun popped out later). Having it overcast like that makes for even light, yet even more important, getting the correct exposures in the camera. So that when it came time for editing, it came together quickly.

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Thanks John for coming to me for these important images. Good luck with the election!

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

The Successful Failures Perform With Men Without Hats

The Successful Failures and Men Without Hats came to Bordentown back in June of this year. Randy Now is a great guy and a very good friend who brings awesome bands and talents to our little town at The Open Arts Theater.

They have a blue-sy, rock, sound that is loud and incredible. The guy on the lead guitar just wails and you can tell that he just loves his instrument and what he does with it.

Randy and Ivan(the lead singer of Men Without Hats) go way back. So it was really a treat to see Pop Goes The World and The Safety Dance, among others live and up close.

All images copyright Deirdre Ryan Photography. DO NOT SCREENSHOT IMAGES or copy in anyway. By doing so is not only illegal, but will give you bad karma. Thank you.   RandyNowConcert_deirdreryanphotography.com00002TheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyTheSuccessfulFailures_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyMenWithoutHats_PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotography

All images copyright Deirdre Ryan Photography. DO NOT SCREENSHOT IMAGES or copy in anyway. By doing so is not only illegal, but will give you bad karma. Thank you.