Happy Birthday Jaden

One of the things I love to do is talk to clients. People as a whole are very interesting and have much to contribute to each other if you take the time to strike up some small talk and try to listen as much as you talk.

This was the situation last week when I was speaking to a mother of a Bar-Mitzvah boy whom I am going to shoot this weekend. We were talking about party themes (his is going to be Marti Gras) when I mentioned that my sons birthday is Nov. 15th and we were going to have a Carnival theme. For anyone that knows me and my wife, we love Birthdays and usually make elaborate games and decorations and bake a novelty cake. I had spent the last month making Carnival Games out of wooden boards and painted them in garish reds and yellows (I was very proud of myself)

Kelly, the mother of the Bar-Mitzvah boy shares the same view on birthdays and mentioned a Carnival themed one where they did a take off on "ye ole" pie eating contest. The twist is bubblegum. You drop a gum ball in a pan fill it with whipped cream. With no hands the child has to burrow their face through the whipped cream, get the gum, chew like mad. The first one to blow a bubble is the winner.

I loved the idea and had to do it. Guess what? it was the hit of the party. Despite hours of hard labor building those games, they were out shined by a very simple yet clever idea. Thanks Kelly I can't wait to see what you have in store for this weekend.

Click Play To Watch The Video Below


Heres a link to more pictures MORE PICTURES

Happy Birthday Louis Daguerre (221 years old)

Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre
Born November 18th 1787

For many of those that are slowly forgetting what film is, may be drawing up blank at the mention of the Daguerreotype. But photography would not be what it is today with out this Artist and Chemist. The Daguerreotype is an image exposed directly onto a mirror-polished surface of silver bearing a coating of silver halide particles deposited by iodine vapor. The daguerreotype is a negative image, but the mirrored surface of the metal plate reflects the image and makes it appear positive in the proper light. Thus, daguerreotype is a direct photographic process without the capacity for duplication.

While the daguerreotype was not the first photographic process to be invented, earlier processes required hours for successful exposure, which made daguerreotype the first commercially viable photographic process and the first to permanently record and fix an image with exposure time compatible with portrait photography.

Here's to you Luis-

Video Montage of Kayla's Sweet 16

Happy Birthday Kayla

I had a blast at Kayla's Sweet 16. 

Thank You Thelma and Freddie for having me. 

Kayla you were super to photograph and I wish you a very happy birthday.

From the guests to the birthday girl everyone was great and having a good time

 

KNOCKING ONE OUTTA THE PARK

I would like to wish Josh a big congrats on his Bar Mitzvah, and thank you. It was an honor to not only attend such a spectacular event but be the first photographer to shoot a bar-mitzvah in The Washington Nationals baseball stadium. The facilities at the stadium were awesome, from getting to be in the players locker rooms to the players indoor batting cages, it was truly a thrill, and if it wasn't for the rain we wouldn't have got a rainbow. 

3ed Place Congrats Sienna

Thank you to all who came and those that supported the Angel 34  Walk for Hope (AKA Sienna's Birthday Party) I am very happy to say that she took 3ed place in the most money raised category. Over $15,000 was raised in the entire day by all participants. Thank You again for being a part of it.

PLEASE READ THIS !!! - it could save a life

A Celebration with a Cause

I always new that my daughter had secret super powers, but I am pleased to find out that selflessness is one of them. Her birthday is September 21st which happens to be the same day as the 5th annual Walk for Hope by the Angel 34 Foundation. IT benifits local children in Eastern PA battling Pediatric Cancer and thier families. And Nationally with the ICEE Program. 

So rather than have a party with presents she is inviting everyone to attend an bring a min $20 donation in lew of a gift. 100% of all monies raised go to the children and families. You who are reading this are invited to attend even if you don't know my daughter, Sienna. Angel 34's website is www.angel34.org if you want to check it out. please email me mike@mcnettimages.com if you would like to attend. The walk starts at 1:30 (we will get there just after 12:00) on Sunday Sept. 21st 2008 @ Northampton HS Stadium. Just look for the guy in the black fedora carrying the big camera LOL!

Sincerely, Thank you all who are able to attend.

Happy Birthday Sheena!

It was a pleasure to photograph your birthday. I had a great time. Suman and Elias thank you as well and congrats on your daughters first milestone she is beautiful.