Serena's Baptism

The countdown to the seven Holy Sacraments begins with the Baptismal affusion of my daughter Serena. Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation and the list goes on and on. Dark cavernous halls of Catholic Churches with four types of mixed light sources plague my Baptismal photography as well.



It is hard to believe Original Sin flows through Serena's wonderful smile before the Holy Water soaks her head. With three pours of water gives me three chances to capture the moment. In the Name of the Father, click. Son, click. And the Holy Spirit, click,click,click.



My son and daughter are no strangers to the Holy Sacraments. They share the same desire for Salvation and the eighth Sacrament, Apple iPhone Apps. Serena is on her way to Apple device addiction starting with her virtual babysitter, the Apple iPad.



Anointing Oil introduces Serena to the Sacrament of Baptism as well as her Godmother and Godfather. The oil and with the help of her sponsors grease the wheels of Serena's life.



Baptism number three accomplished. Group family photos completed. Now for the Baptismal reception at the new family favorite, Yummy House China Bistro.



A great reason to celebrate is a great reason to feast. Hong Kong style Chinese cuisine and Cantonese style Dim Sum to be exact. Family and friends sharing a fabulous meal make fond memories. Sweet and Sour Fried Grouper with Honey BBQ Sliced Pork make even better memories.



This Baptismal experience brought to you with my Canon EOS 1D Mark IV paired with the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L lens. With the great help of GetAwayMoments and BTW is the Godfather of my son, I was able to be in my own photographs this time. Finally!

You can view more photos in Serena's Baptism 2011 Gallery.

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Welcome Holy Communicants!

I thought all hope was lost when I missed the photograph of my daughter receiving her first blessed host. I can only describe the situation as communicant chaos. My longtime family friend from Los Angeles, California was the only one who noticed me bothered by the mayhem. He offered me a solution that turned my frown upside down.



You will notice the above picture has my daughter receiving the host. That host in the picture is very special. So special, it is made of a simple paper dinner napkin. Yes, the entire shot of my daughter receiving holy communion was completely staged. I am now complete.



No, the fake host is not a precursor to a staged mission to Mars landing like in the movie "Capricorn One" with O.J. Simpson and Eliot Gould. It is a celebration of turning something negative into a positive with a dinner napkin. The negative was overshadowed by all the gleeful recipients in their beautiful dresses and handsome suits.



My daughter was proudly escorted by her oldest cousin up to the altar for this special day. My oldest niece will be graduating this year and going to high school next year. How time flies!



A once in a lifetime event had to be followed by a memorable celebration. Enter the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City , FL. The oldest restaurant in Florida became the ideal backdrop to my daughter's Communion gala. Fabulous food and flamenco dancers filled the festive atmosphere.



The entire event was shot with the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV,the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS version 1 and the Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L. You can view more photos and videos in my Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Gallery.



You can view more photos in my First Communion Gallery.

First Communion Photo Shoot !

The Blessed Sacrament soon approaches without haste. My daughter and her 2nd grade class have been preparing for their First Communion all school year. It began with Reconciliation and her religious obligations end this year with the Holy Eucharist.



As you probably noticed already, her dress traveled a far distance for her special day. The dress was custom made for my daughter in the Philippines. The ornate material,the intricate vale and the matching purse completed the outfit.



The photo shoot was quite an event. I had less than an hour at the church to set up, shoot and break down the gear before the next Mass service began. A main light with softbox and CTO gel powered by a White Lightning Ultra Zap, a circular reflector with arm stand bouncing the main light for side fill and a standalone battery powered Sunpak flash with a reflective umbrella for separation accomplished the lighting setup.

The First Communion Gallery was shot with the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens.

Sacrament of Confirmation

My niece received the Sacrament of Confirmation this morning. Dressed fancy and her hair done up, she walked up to the altar to be "Sealed with the Holy Spirit" by the Archdiocese of New York.
Her Mom would have been proud how her first born grew up to be such a beautiful girl.

1996 seemed liked just yesterday when I was holding her in my arms when she was born. She was my sister's first child. She was my parent's first grandchild. She was my first niece. I was living at home at the time because I was only two years into my TV job earning entry level pay. The money did not matter because seeing my niece all the time is payment enough. My mom was the baby sitter while my sister worked and I worked the night shift gathering news for the 10pm newscast. This gave me a lot of "Big Uncle" quality time.
At the time, I would of never imagined 10 years later I would have two kids of my own. It was the farthest thing from my mind and to think my kids go to the same school as my niece and nephew today.

My niece will be a freshman in High School next year. Scary to think she was just a baby not too long ago. Since she is the oldest, she has a lot of cousins that look up to her as the wise and all knowing teenager. She is in the National Honor Society in her school and she personally tutors my daughter after school with math and reading. What a great cousin! I intentionally put my kids in the same school with my niece and nephew, so they can spend quality time together. There are closer schools where we live but I think the decision was all worthwhile.

2006 seemed like just yesterday when my sister died of breast cancer. During my news career, I saw death and destruction. People at the worst and best of times. Car accident here and missing person there. I did not think it would happen to me.
I am well aware cancer strikes anyone. The cancer might as well as struck everybody in my entire family because our minds were so filled with grief. I am a grown adult with the desensitized mind of a journalist with 12 years of news gathering. I was devastated. I was more devastated to think my brother in law lost his wife and my niece and nephew have no longer a mother.
I know she is looking down from heaven with a proud heart.

You can see more of the proud moment here.