…or at least we like to think we are ;).

A couple of years ago I started to get to know a few local wedding photographers through online forums and local get togethers. They seemed like a decent bunch, and were super helpful to someone who was just entering their arena. So when a friend of mine volunteered to pose in her wedding dress, with a shotgun, in front of an old, burned out mansion, I asked a few of them to come along. We had a blast (but not a literally), and started to look for opportunities to get together to learn from one another, share our tips and techniques, and drink beer.

Fast forward a few years and several more fun shoots later, and we have decided to make our escapades a little more public, and a lot more official like.

So today I’m pleased to announce ShootStyle, a collaborative effort between 6 top New England photographers, who have different styles but the same goal: to create kick ass images! I’m joined in this endeavor by Earl Christie of Earl Christie Photography, Stacey Doyle of Stacey Doyle Photography, Jeff Newcum of Jeff Newcum Photography, Joe Ciarcia of Symphony Photography, Alicia Williams of Cordele Photography, and Michelle Williams of Michelle Williams Photography. You can see some of the projects we have completed together at the new ShootStyle website: http://www.shootstyle.com.

Aside from my excitement at being included among such a distinguished list of really great photographers, why am I sharing this here? I’m glad you asked! ShootStyle gives me a bunch of advantages that I can pass on to my clients:

First off, these guys are my primary backup. If I break my leg the day before your wedding, these are the folks that I will call first to help me out. So you can be assured that my replacement will be a top shelf shooter who’s also fun to drink beer with (not that they would be consuming any at your wedding). We also assist each other on occasion when one of us has a weekend free, so you may end up with more than one ShootStylist at your wedding!

Second, when we get together we all learn stuff from one another. So ShootStyle is making me a better photographer - which means that I will be even better equipped to take awesome photographs at your wedding!

Third, when I am aready booked for a wedding, I have a built in group of talented photographers, any one of whom I would have loved to have had shoot my wedding, to send prospects to. So rather than having to send a rejection letter, I can send a recommendation letter.

Anyway, that’s the scoop on ShootStyle, stay tuned for more of our goings on throughout the year!

One of the great things about the off season is being able to spend weekends with my family doing fun things like trying out a new playground. This one was at Green Hill Park in Worcester. At first Luke wasn’t sure about the swinging bridge, but with a little reassurance from Mom, he was on his way!

Click here for a few more from the playground: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/luke0308

–Jamie Wexler
www.jamisonwexler.com

I would love to be able to host a gala open house event in the new office, with champagne, caviar, and a rock band, but it is a bit cozy for that.  So I am hosting a virtual open house for the month of March.  Anyone who meets with me in the new office and books their wedding with me by March 31 will receive a complimentary 10-page album upgrade.  That means the album you receive with your package will have 10 more pages than is standard with the package.

For example, “The Classic” package inclues a 20 page album.  Meet with me in the new office and book your wedding by March 31 and you will get 10 more pages in the album, for a total of 30 pages.  This deal applies to all packages that include 8 or more hours of coverge.

Contact me at info@jamisonwexler.com to schedule your meeting.

OK - so when you think office, you think desk, computers, drudgery…well I’ve set mine up a bit differently! With the new addition to our family on the way, our home is no longer big enough to house my business and my family. Plus it’s pretty far for everyone east of 495 to drive to meet me (which is most of my clients). I was fortunate to find a space in Framingham, MA, that cuts the travel from the east in half, and ensures that Melanie and Luke don’t have to be banished to the top floor when clients come to visit. I hope to meet you there soon!

A special thanks to Mike Greene of Greene & Sons for getting the place move-in worthy with new paint and carpet. Here’s a little before and after video:

Before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp56C7oaSA4
After: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3tiBy1E64A

You may have noticed, but the color scheme on my blog has changed slightly. (What, it’s the same for you? Hit the refresh key!). The new color coincides with the official release of my new website. Check it out at: www.jamisonwexler.com.

The new site is the first of many exciting changes happening this week, so be sure to visit again for the updates!

–JAMIE
www.jamisonwexler.com

In an attempt to beat my family to their cries of “you don’t post enough photos of Luke”, here are a few from a conversation I had with him at the dinner table this evening. If I remember correctly, we were discusing the merits of the apple he was munching. The crunching coming from his mouth was too loud, so he had to block his ears…

–JAMIE
www.jamisonwexler.com

I just signed a lease on a cozy gallery space in Framingham. Good news for all of you folks that have been driving from the Boston area to meet me! Stay tuned for more updates as I get the space ready for a grand opening!

–JAMIE
www.jamisonwexler.com

I’m a little behind on posting, but I did want to share about the networking meeting I attended a few weeks ago in Mystic CT. Attended by over 120 photographers from all over the Northeast, it was a great opportunity to meet other professionals. But it wasn’t all drinking and debauchery - some of the best photographers in the country shared some of their secrets and techniques over 12 hours of classroom learning. This was my 2nd year attending, and I get more out of it each year!

Since many of us were arriving the day before the meeting, one local photographer, Mellissa Demille, planned a bridal shoot, complete with models, locations, wardrobe, makeup, etc. I was given the privelege to lead the group that shot at the gorgeous Ender’s Island retreat. I have to tell you, with temperatures nearing freezing and a brisk sea breeze, the models were real troopers to let us pose them so much outside! Best of all, I had the time to practice with some new techniques that I will be able to bring on site to real weddings.

–JAMIE
www.jamisonwexler.com

So when I’m not working on weddings, I work on what I will be working on when I am working on weddings again. Make sense? This weekend I joined two other close friends of mine who are also top New England wedding photogaphers in Providence, RI, for a bridal shoot at the Waterman Grille. Stacey Doyle, who is based in Providence, set the whole thing up, complete with “brides” wardrobe, makeup by the talented Jenny DiMucci, and the awesome location. The Waterman Grille let us have the entire downstairs bar area for the shoot. Joining Stacey and I was Earl Christie. It was a great time of collaboration with other excellent photographers!

Here are a few of mine from the day:

Click here to see images from the other talented photographers involved in the shoot.

–JAMIE
www.jamisonwexler.com

–JAMIE
www.jamisonwexler.com