Delmarva Bike Week

That little Gecko has an incredible following. It seems that everyone at the Delmarva Bike Week in Ocean City Maryland wanted something to remember him by. It rained most of Friday, so we didn't have many visitors, Friday night the rain ended and the booth was ready.

On Saturday the crowds came. Our Honda motorcycle with the Gecko Tiki Bar continues to attract attention. In the days of the event, GEICO staff handed out over 30,000 items with his image. We were handing out over 2000 items per hour. It never ended.

Hannah Moore working the crowd. The GEICO people worked as a team, meeting new people, saying hello to current policy holders, answering questions and just having a grand time. Although we all worked hard; it it seemed that it was not really "work" it was just fun.

Hannah Moore, Kirk Kimble and Abby Faison

Sy Pilz

Just One More

This is the last image for the Life is Sweet 2 Event. Although, Michel Richard of Citronelle will be on his book tour during the event, his exuberance and excitement for cooking will be with us.
Buddy Chef Jennifer Holden will represent Michel at the event by promoting his book, Happy in the Kitchen. Signed copies of this wonderful book will be on sale and the proceeds will be benefit Best Buddies Virginia. This book will make a great gift or wonderful addition to your kitchen.

Life is getting Sweeter

On Sunday September 10th we completed the last six photo shoots for the Life is Sweet event. A daunting task to go to six different locations and get 12 people to smile pretty with desserts. But we did it. An incredible experience, a feeling of accomplishment and re-establishing old friendships and making new ones.

Our first stop was with Chef Laurent Merdy of the Willard Hotel, one of the most elegant and historical places in DC. He and Buddy Chef Caitlin Donovan shared time in the kitchen learning to fill little pastries. Afterward, we were treated to a fantastic assortment of peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and chocolate cookies.

Vidalia's Chef Caitlin Kelly recently returned to DC after surviving Katrina in New Orleans. Her warm smile and graciousness radiated as she met Buddy Chef Greg Voldish. Their friendship instantly grew as the two of them melted chocolate and hand dipped plump ripe strawberries.

Chef Naomi Gallego and Buddy Chef Chelsea Murray were matched last year. However this year, Naomi is at a new restaurant, PS7. When we visited, the restaurant was not officially open. However, Naomi was more than happy to meet up with her buddy Chelsea and spend time together.

Chef Geoff's Pastry Chef Nichole Ferrigno delivered a baby two weeks before our photoshoot. It was amazing the she was able leave her baby and look so good during her photo shoot. Buddy Chef Pounhe had some trouble making it on time to the restaurant. But that is OK, things happen and the two of them will be able to spend plenty of time together before the big event.

As the day got later, I was getting tired. However, Chef Megan Seward of Equinox and her Buddy Chef Russell Kelly were extremely patient with me. Megan brought out two incredible desserts and Russell eyed both dishes as I requested them to smile and pose before eating. Finally, I reliquished my request and they both indulged before I could say "just one more."

The last shoot of the day, Buddy Chef Cesar Rojas was in for quite a treat. After meeting Chef Stefan Jarausch of the Madison, they both went to work in the kitchen. First, filling some pasties and then learning knife skills. They started to cut into pineapples. Cesar never used to like the fruit. But after learning to properly cut them, Chef Stefan encouraged him to try it. And try it he did.....And he liked it!! Not only did Cesar gain a new taste for pineapple but he gained a new best friend. What great way to end our photo journey!

Lisa & Dan's Wedding

One of the hardest assignments for a photographer is shooting a wedding. Everyone is on edge and you want everything perfect. The reason I did take on this task was that I knew the couple. (Plus it is my wedding gift.) I have known Lisa for over ten years, so I was like part of the family. That is a real bonus because Lisa and her family were comfortable with me taking pictures at some very special moments. They were relaxed and most importantly accommodating to my "one more" requests. Even though everyone was nervous, we were able to have fun which translates to good pictures.

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Over the river (I drove over the Potomac) and through the woods (along Great Falls Road) and passing by the horse farms and mcmansions of northern Virginia, one arrives at a restaurant disguised as a quaint farm house. Upon entering you are taken to a far away place, a charming French country styled house. In Chef Jacques Haeringer's restaurant, L'Auberge Chez Francois, you are at home. With warm smiles he and Buddy Chef Eric Latcheran concoct an incredible surprise for the Best Buddies Virginia Life is Sweet event.