Afghanistan unveiled

A couple of years back; I had the rare opportunity to photograph American soldiers, the people of Afghanistan and the remote but often beautiful countryside.  It was truly a journey to remember.

One of my favorite photos is an American soldier caught in the rotor wash of a departing helicopter and the resulting sand storm of the Red Desert of Southern Afghanistan “Caught in the storm”

I also had the opportunity to have a photo published in the "seven Stans" of Central Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, ... and Uzbekistan) in this travel photo gallery from National Geographic.

My photo “Band-e-Amir, Afghanistan”

Travertine peaks rise above one of the mineral-rich, sapphire lakes of central Afghanistan’s Band-e-Amir. Legend has it the lakes were formed by Caliph Ali, who miraculously raised the retaining walls to dam a dangerous river, thereby impressing a local pagan king who converted to Islam.

Orlando Florida, Engagement & Wedding Locations

Here are a few locations that are beautiful settings for engagement or even quinceanera sessions in Central Florida. In our experience, these are great choices for relaxed, and fun shoots!
Disney's Boardwalk
Downtown Disney
Disneys Saratoga Springs
Universal Citywalk
Universal Portofino Bay Resort
Downtown Celebration
Kissimmee Old Town
Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee
Lake Eola Park, Orlando
Church Street, Orlando
Park Ave in Winter Park
Little Big Econ State Forest, Seminole County
Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Beach
Historic Cocoa Village, Cocoa
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral

We recommend scheduling photo shoots for mid-morning or early evening, in order to maximize the best, flattering daylight!

Let us know which of these locations appeals to you and your style! We can collaborate over the phone to finalize the location, time and details.

We decided to add some of Orlando Florida's best wedding or quinceanera locations to help you find that perfect venue for your day:

Mystic Dunes Golf
Hilton Grand Vacations
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
Rosen Shingle Creek
Ritz Carlton
Rosen Plaza Hotel
Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate
Womens Club of Winter Park
Winter Park Farmers Market
Harry P. Leu  Gardens
Hard Rock Live
JW Marriott
Cypress Grove Park
Rosen Centre Hotel
Lake Mary Event Center
Gaylord Palms

First Look - Once in a lifetime photo opportunity

F09rst Look  Once in a lifetime photo opportunity

What is a first look? This has been another of our clients favorites.  Its a wonderful, romantic opportunity for you to see each other for the first time before the wedding ceremony.  No parents, no bridal party, no distractionsjust pure emotions.  This is usually a very sweet and emotional moment.  By not seeing each other before the ceremony, you never really get to share that moment together, alone.  When the ceremony is over, the moment has passed.  The first look not only captures great photos, it gives you some time to enjoy being alone before your magical day begins.

How it works
The bride and groom get ready separately.  When both are dressed and the getting ready photos have been captured, we take the groom to a location with great light.  The bride is sent in and the groom turns to see her as shes walking up.  At that moment, the bride and groom will completely forget we are there while we capture every smile, every tear, every laugh and every kiss.  The first look photos end up being some of their favorites from the entire day.

Why consider a first look
Having the first look before the ceremony allows us the opportunity to capture those once in a lifetime moments that will be cherished forever.  This is also a great time for a photo walk, where we capture some amazing images of the bride and groom in their favorite places.

Some think the magic moment is when the bride walks down the aisle to her groom and they see each other for the first time.  This moment is certainly magical but its not the same as an intimate first look.  We love to capture when a couple get lost in each others eyes, when they see each other for the first time as bride and groom.  That moment can sometimes get lost walking down the aisle as the couple holds back their emotions so they can make it through the ceremony.  This is just an option, one we think is worth considering

Trash The Dress

Trashing the dress after a wedding seems to be a popular trend.  Its a photo session done AFTER the wedding and honeymoon are over to symbolically show your husband that you will NEVER need your wedding dress again. The purpose of the photo shoot is to get some very creative and different photos of you in your dress.

Brides and grooms want awesome imagery from their wedding, period. They want the unscripted moments captured, but they also want a photographer that can get very creative during a portrait session. Thats why couples everywhere are donning their wedding finery and not only plunging into breakers, walking through abandoned amusement parks, wandering through cornfields, wading into forest streams and chasing other wild pursuits in an increasingly popular ritual and edgy extension of wedding photojournalism called Trash the Dress (TTD) or Day After Session.

The perfect place for this type of photo shoot is at the beach. Yes you will be rolling around in the sand and surf and your dress will be trashed. But, only temporarily. Most often, the dress can be hung to dry and cleaned. If you are recently married and would love to be one of the first to get a trash the dress photo shoot by me, please email or call me about Orlando Wedding Photography and trash the dress photography sessions.

Orlando Trash The Dress Photography

 

Trashing the dress after a wedding seems to be a popular trend. Its a photo session done AFTER the wedding and honeymoon are over to symbolically show your husband that you will NEVER need your wedding dress again. The purpose of the photo shoot is to get some very creative and different photos of you in your dress.

Brides and grooms want awesome imagery from their wedding, period. They want the unscripted moments captured, but they also want a photographer that can get very creative during a portrait session. Thats why couples everywhere are donning their wedding finery and not only plunging into breakers, walking through abandoned amusement parks, wandering through cornfields, wading into forest streams and chasing other wild pursuits in an increasingly popular ritual and edgy extension of wedding photojournalism called Trash the Dress (TTD).

The perfect place for this type of photo shoot is at the beach. Yes you will be rolling around in the sand and surf and your dress will be trashed. But, only temporarily. Most often, the dress can be hung to dry and cleaned. If you are recently married and would love to be one of the first to get a trash the dress photo shoot by me, please email or call me ASAP.  Also visit our web page at http://www.davecragophotography.com/

My Review of Nikon SC-29 Dedicated TTL Coiled Sync Extension Cord, with Male / Female ISO Hot Shoes & AF Illuminator

Originally submitted at Adorama

Nikon SC-29 Dedicated TTL Coiled Sync Extension Cord, with Male / Female ISO Hot Shoes & AF Illuminator

Nikon SC-29 Dedicated TTL Coiled Sync Extension Cord, with Male / Female ISO Hot Shoes & AF Illuminator

Simply makes my life easy

By DCP from Orlando, Florida on 11/8/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy To Pack, Easy to Use, Reliable, Lightweight

Best Uses: Travel, Weddings/Events, Family Photos

Describe Yourself: Pro Photographer

Was this a gift?: No

The SC-29 sync cord simply makes my life easier. I love the SC-29 sync cord teamed with my SU-800, SB-900's and SB-800's for my wedding and special event photography.

(legalese)

My Review of Nikon SU-800 Replacement Wireless Speedlight Commander

Originally submitted at Adorama

Nikon SU-800 Replacement Wireless Speedlight Commander

Nikon SU-800 Replacement Wireless Speedlight Commander

A must have for wedding photographers.

By DCP from Orlando, Florida on 10/31/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy To Use, Lightweight, Versatile, Consistent Output, Fast Recycling, Powerful Output

Best Uses: General Use, Fill Flash, Photojournalism, Portraits

Describe Yourself: Pro Photographer

Was this a gift?: No

I love the SU800 teamed with my SB 900's and SB 800's for my weddings. If you use Nikon's CLS system this is a must have. Big pro is having control of 3 groups. The display is straight forward, easy to read, and easier to change for run and gun photography.

(legalese)