Jay Bryant’s Domain

We had a great two week trip at the first of the year to London and Paris. Additional photos can be found at my flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/jaysbryant

Had an enjoyable day with Grace and Walter. Despite having a wedding in January, they had great weather for their day.

I have this yearly habit from all of my years working as a journalist of putting together a end of year wrap-up. So this has been a busy year for me with a lot of poltics, travel, wedding photography and gardening.

Please visit my end of year gallery at http://www.jaybryant.com/2009pics All of these photos were taken with my iphone.

Here are three of my favorites:

Waiting for Obama’s Train in DE:

New York’s Wall Street Canyon’s:

And flying over Iowa:

Found here:

http://www.personalizemedia.com/garys-social-media-count/#more-1734

I spent all day Friday riding on Chris Daggett’s campaign bus through Southern and Central New Jersey to document his campaign with pictures and video. The photos can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaysbryant/sets/72157622580414431/

(Full disclosure: I was invited by the campaign and got 2 t-shirts, a side order of corn-beef hash, 2 pieces of tomato pie and a bag of pretzels)

I was impressed with:

Daggett’s drive and determination to make a difference in this state

Taking the time to listen and interact with the people he met during the day. Most politicians I’ve been with just shake hands and move on.

The incredible support that he has from his wife and daughters out on the campaign trail with him all day long.

I was drawn to Daggett by the endorsement of the Newark Star Ledger which said:

“The newspaper’s decision is less a rejection of Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican Chris Christie than a repudiation of the parties they represent, both of which have forfeited any claim to the trust and confidence of the people of New Jersey. They share responsibility for the state’s current plight.”

And today the Star-Ledger added:

“Indeed, it’s more critical function is to send those who govern in Trenton a clear signal that they’ve gone badly wrong, that radical reform is needed.

A vote for Corzine or Christie won’t do that. Only by sending Chris Daggett to Trenton will voters make it clear that the era of wretched excess and irresponsible spending in Trenton must end — now.”

My final words are those that Chris Daggett tells everyone:

“It is never wrong to vote for the right person.”

Chris Daggett is my choice for the next Governor of New Jersey.

Last weekend I headed up north to Phillipsburg NJ and Easton PA for Rebecca and John’s wedding. The couple met prior to the ceremony at her aunt’s 200+ year old house (that Washington had visited way back when..).

And the last shot of the night of me with the bride:

Had an enjoyable day in Vineland photographing Amanda and CJ’s wedding. What started out as a rainy day ended up with great clear skies and the start of fall colors.

Great fall colors:

And one last shot of me with the bride:

Had a great day at Point Pleasant Beach with Sherry and Ron photographing their wedding. Had prefect weather and great venue (White Sands Resort).

Cute shot of the couple’s daughter:

Ringer bearer hiding from all the bridesmaids:

And as always…the last shot of me with the bride:

I spent an enjoyable day in Philly photographing Leah and Matthew’s wedding last weekend.

Some cake action:

And finally a shot of me with the bride at the end of the day:

I had a great day with Amy and Kevin shooting their wedding in Bucks County PA. I really appreciate it when a couple schedules time prior to the ceremony to do the portrait work…it makes for less stress during the day and great photographs. This couple choose Tyler Gardens at Bucks County Community College and then had the ceremony and reception at the New Hope Winery.

How many people can you stuff into an elevator??

First Look:

My new 105mm Micro Nikkor is an incredible lens:

So after all the family and group photos were done the couple stopped and had a passionate moment:

And the final shot of me with the bride:

Engagement photos of Lan and Luke at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia

On the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, I wanted to share one of my images that I shot of him back in 1978 when I was an intern photographer at the White House. Kennedy and Mrs. Carter had just returned from the funeral of Pope Paul VI in Rome and were met by President Carter at Andrews Air Force Base.

I’ve been thinking about this image this week with the news of his death. I went on a hunt through my house today trying to find the album with the 11×14 print that I have (the negatives are in the Carter Library) to scan it and post it. After tearing through my garage and basement this afternoon for 2 hours… I was not able to find the print. I did get lucky tonight and found a slide copy in my office and did a scan of it (sorry for the poor quality…it is a 3rd generation image).

I went out after dinner tonight and shot pics of the sunset at Grovers Mill Pond by my house.

I had an enjoyable day shooting Dena and John’s Wedding at Mercer Oaks Golf Course. Best wishes to this great couple.

And of course a photo of me with the bride at the end of the wedding:

I had decent weather to shoot a beach wedding of Amy and James this weekend in Beach Haven NJ. They picked the Gables Inn …which was a good location and great food.

I’ve always said…give me a good window and I can shoot an entire album with just that window light:

A really cute thumbs up shot of the flower girls:

And some really nice shots from my assistant Lara Darpino of the couple:

And one last shot..my signature ending shot of me with the bride: