There was singing , there was dancing, there was laughing, there was crying, there was kissing... and this was all at the cermony. Kandise and Oronde were wed in fine style. The chapel was excellently decked out, the bride was beautiful and her dress came with the designer who ensured it was correctly fitted(talk about taking service to new heights!) The reception which followed at the Caymanas Golf & Country Club was a similarly elegant affair. The groom's choice of music was right up my street. We wish you all the best guys!

My motivation

To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
-Henri Cartier-Bresson

I saw this quote on Mike Colon's blog today and it captures the essence of my feelings about what I do. My work stopped being just a job years ago. Its a constant adventure where I compete against myself vigourously, aiming every day and every wedding to top my previous best. For me this is the essence of living and growing. The intelectual stimulation I receive from wedding photography & videography mutes the problems and stresses of everyday life.

Everyone should be this fortunate. Everyone should have this much fun. How many people work a 21 hour day(OK take out 1 hour for part of a 007 movie and 1 hour with the family) and go to bed with a smile on their face beside a beautiful(albeit sleeping)woman?

Life is really what you make it and it doesn't necessarily take a lot of money(although having a lot of money does help) to have a fulfilling life. The fact that you can have two people doing the same job making the same amount of money with one loving it and one hating it proves this.
Ask youself;how do I see what I do for a living?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Destination Wedding Special - Jamaica

Destination Weddings in Ocho Rios & Montego Bay - limited run special package - http://tinyurl.com/dynykj/info3/

Secret of success - in nine words

Secrets of success-9 words. Thanks Becker.

Passion-Hard Work-Good-Focus-Push-Serve-Ideas-Persist

Go to the video link for a 3 minute explanation. This was passed on by a friend.

Wedding in Jamaica-Rose Hall Resort-Montego Bay

Selena & Daniel had a romantic wedding at the georgeous Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay Jamaica. Selena was really fun to work with and Daniel was laid back and cool.

Their wedding planner Charline was amazing. She organized everything and somehow managed to teleport herself between the three different locations on the property that were used for the different aspects of the wedding. (Did I mention that she has a great sense of humour? She has.)

The property is outstandingly beautiful, the staff efficient & friendly and the food...(shhh! the food was out of this world. My wife & I had a table to ourselves with all the Cranberry Juice we could drink)

We drove our faithful backup van as our main van is in the shop and in honour I've included it in one of the photos(I'm loyal that way).

Now if I can only find another client getting married there so I can go back...hmmm....

Stephanie Masters sports day

Stephanie had her first sports day today. She turned 3 years old yesterday and she won her event in grand style. In a brief thank you speech she thanked her school for giving her the opportunity to excell, her mom for the practice races at home and Jonathan for racing with her as part of her training...(just kidding, she's barely three.)

Although being the smallest of the bunch, and lacking the asistance of an aerodynamic hairstyle, Stephanie was waaay out front from the start of the race, reminiscent of Usain Bolt's thrashing of his opponents. Unlike Bolt however she did not ease up at the finish, but rather pressed home her advantage widening the huge gap separating her from her rivals.

On hand to witness the spectacle were her Mom, Dad, Grandma, and scores of other well-wishers.

Wedding in Montego Bay Jamaica

The whole family was in Montego Bay last week for the wedding of Cory & Shernett. For the first time I can remember, both sets of parents were late and kept the bride and groom waiting. (I recall one where the bride's father went drinking with the boys the night before and was still drunk the morning of the wedding. We were all kept waiting as they gave him multiple cups of black coffee so he could walk the bride down the aisle, but that's another story)

It was a great wedding with plenty guests, good food and oh the table the food was on caught fire! For real.(Anyway that's another story)

I've added some shots of the family and the couple. (By the way, only two of the children and one of the wives pictured above are mine)

Masters Weddings at Pegasus Show 09

Last week-end was the Pegasus Bridal Show;Jamaica's largest annual show for purveyors of wedding related products & services. Its always a fun-filled event for me as I enjoy meeting with both prospective brides and my colleagues. Its a pleasure to note the shock expressed at our rates by visitors to our booth and the change in expression as they come to understand the benefits and superiority of our services. I had two satisfied brides and one satisfied mother-of-the-bride providing impromptu testimonials regarding our service and the quality of our work.

I didn't shoot a lot of images but i'm uploading a few from the show.

Ps. (Both the gentleman and the young lady shown are as yet unmarried and can be found wandering around at the Pegasus:)

Ps to the PS. The young lady is really nice, a bit tall, but nice otherwise. The guy... well the picture speaks for itself...

Simone & Stanley

There was no hint of rain, but a rainbow formed overhead while we were shooting after the ceremony. Talk about a sign! A very relaxed bride, with a really super Mom and a cool groom. Welcome to Jamrock Stanley! A star studded lineup of guests attended and the wedding got mention with photos on the social page of one of our top Newspapers. We wish you all the best guys. It was a great wedding.

Tameka & Chris

What can I say about the wedding of Tameka & Mr. Personality(A.K.A. Chris)? One thing I can say is that Tameka will be constantly entertained. Chris was Just estatic about getting married and enjoyed his wedding day. The Garden of Eden shot was my favourite. Something about the bush I guess.

Donnie Cox-The passing of an Icon

Donnie Cox passed away this week. He was an Icon on the Jamaican photography scene, the epitome of what a truly professional photographer should be. He was a gentleman. If only more of my peers would emulate men of his calibre, but alas being gentlemanly and chivalrous seem to be considered outdated, yes, so passe. I heard a joke at a wedding that if you see a young man opening the car door for a young lady it means either the car is new or the lady is new. (I know we now have central locking and all, but I still surprise my wife every now and then by opening her door.) Sorry, I digress.

I do love the gentlemanly thing. No apologies. I love wearing my suit to cover weddings, I love holding the door open so others can go through. I believe in doing random acts of kindness. Being kind to someone you don't know, expecting nothing in return. Being kind for no apparent reason with no ulterior motive. I think its a great way to live. Donnie Cox was like that. As newcomer to the business I could ask him anything about the business of photography. He was a giving person as I think we all should be.

The shots are from the wedding of his lovely daughter Kelli, which I was honoured to cover.

Brides on mastersweddings.com-real brides

Greetings all! Due to work pressure and my house project, I've been a little tardy in blogging but I've been meaning to address something for some time now.

I wish to advise that all the photographs on my website are of actual weddings and were shot by either my wife or myself. No models were used, all the brides are real brides on their wedding day. I'm constantly surprised to find that people think the brides are just models posing for the camera. Yes they are beautiful people, but it is all real. Real couples, real weddings, real action and I really enjoyed working with each and every one of them. I will post some more pics soon.

Regards,
Gary

2009 will be your best year yet!

Greetings to all! A fabulous year has ended and an even greater one begins. Yes I know of the gloomy predictions but I firmly believe those famous Quotes "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." ~Theodore Roosevelt and "Whether You Think You Can or Can't, You're Right"--Henry Ford.

Life is phenominal, but our thoughts and our focus need to be managed in order to create for ourselves that phenominal experience each day. Stop believing the naysayers and the predictors of doom. Most of them are paid handsomely for what they do. What do you want your life to be? Paint a detailed picture in your mind, write it down on paper, put in the details, read it often, believe that it not only is it possible but that it is a certainty and will happen exactly as you see it.

I made no resolutions for this year as i've been working on all my goals from last year. I know exactly where I'm heading and I know exactly how to get there. Learn how to ask the universe to deliver whatever you want and it will. Over the last year I've been learning the secret of doing this and it is so unbelievably awesome that when I told my brother-in law about the results he was simply blown away.

I again want to thank all my fantastic clients for their business, my hot, loving and supportive wife for her love, hard work and support, my two beautiful, well behaved children for the joy they bring into my life, my parents for not giving up on me during the teenage years and the universe for smiling on me and my family in so many ways.

I pledge to continue raising the bar as it pertains to my photography and cinematography, to continue to treat each and every one of my clients like a celebrity providing an unmatched experience in client services and to be an even better person each day I live. I love you all, go forth and conquer in 2009!

Some side images from recent weddings. By the way, what do you have to be thankful for? Think about it... there is more... think harder, list them on paper and say thanks for each one everyday for a week. Remember, your attitude and not your aptitude determines your altitude. Whatever you do, treat it as if its the most important job in the world. I know mine is!

If you've lost your job recently consider working for yourself! Become a wedding photographer. Its great work with regular cake and good food at some of the best establishments. You get to dress up a lot and meet nice people and listen to great music and sometimes good jokes. and shhh! you actually get paid to do all this. Anyone wishing to get into wedding photography drop me a line, I will be happy to help. The young lady above was a guest at the wedding of Michelle & Errol last week. I blog about that wedding in my next post but she so wanted to see herself I just had to post her photo:) The vendor outside the Emancipation park(a favourite spot for newlyweds) was quite peeved about sharing a good vending tree with the sign. The person walking away is my lovely wife after she had purchased a bottle of water from the illegal vendor. Life goes on...

Gary Masters at Large

This weekend I was again reminded that I have the greatest job in the world. On Saturday I covered the wedding of Threesha & Howard, a splendid affair coordinated by Marguerite Anderson of Petals & Promises fame. Apart from the beautifully decorated chapel, the coordination between the violinist, the saxophone player and the pianist and the fact that the rain held up just in time, the bride was in her element. Threesha is 240 volts of pure electricity perfectly moderated by the totally unflappable Howard. Together they are a wonderful couple and we had a fabulous time working with them. I have never seen a bride dance that much at her wedding and the cake tasted fantastic. All the best for the future guys!

After about five hours of sleep I headed off to meet Sherri-Ann and Alan for a save-the-date seaside shoot. Another fantastic couple who will be getting married early next year. Trust me when I tell you I've never seen such a sparkle in a bride's eyes when she speaks about her wedding. Over a fabulous breakfast of Fish, bammy & festival after the shoot she told me all about it with Allan filling in essential details along the way. At the end of a great session I employed all my driving prowess trying unsuccessfully to keep up with Allan's V6 Honda Accord as he 'flew' back to kingston. I look forward to working with you both.

Again I give thanks for the life I have, I wake up each morning with a smile on my face attributable in no small part to the fact that I wake up beside my lovely wife who supports all that I do. Considering the tumultous times in which we live I feel specially blessed to have all I need and much of what I want. I'll try to add some more pics later.

Sometimes you get an e-mail that makes you smile. A bride to be who subsequently booked with us sent this e-mail which chronicles her visit to a bridal show earlier this year in which I participated. It is e-mails like this which motivates us to do do our best for every client:

"Hi Gary,

It was a lovely Sunday afternoon and I visited the room. Looking high, looking low, looking for 'the one'.

My prayer preceding that day, "Lord, let me know when I've found the one you'd have me be with. Confirm it in my spirit and let there be absolutely no doubt in my mind." I continued my search around the room and saw several bidding me to come... I couldn't help but go in to take a look for I was, after all, on a mission. I saw the effort... or was it a lack thereof?... I thought to myself, even I could do a better job than that... is that all they have to offer? They are all competing, hoping I will choose them, but how can you effectively compete and offer with flaws? Not one, not two... the search continued, it wasn't any of them, no not one.

Then the last invitee I entertained, woo, how lovely, how significantly a cut above the rest... A 5X7 album with perfect pictures and to top it all off, the best formatted DVD I've ever seen!! Not to mention Kelly's Love Story! I said, "Hallelujah! I have found the one!" I'm a 'photo te-te' (nicknamed a paparazzi) so only the best is good enough.
It was the Beautiful Brides & Mr. Tux's wedding show @ the Hilton in Feb 2008. I wasn't even engaged, I was there as a Chief Bride's Maid assisting the Bride but I have been planning my wedding from high school days, adjusting the list & events as time passed and I was not satisfied with the services I had seen over the years hence my search for 'the one'. In due time I knew God would provide the man and the date and so He did. Whohooo!!

Therefore, you are cordially invited to provide video & photography services for me (Name removed) and my fiancé at our wedding ceremony and reception on (Date removed) 2008, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Kingston . Ceremony begins @ -. & Reception/Party @ -
Kindly review my invite & RSVP asap . Thanks mucho!"

Brides, choose wisely!

I'm a positive person and do not like making negative posts, and I try not to bad-mouth other professionals, but something happened at a wedding I covered on Saturday that made me feel compelled to warn brides about what I see as an unfortunate trend.

My Saurday wedding was at the picturesqe Tryall Club, possibly one of the most beautiful locations in the Caribbean. The couple will have not even one image in their album of them in those exquisite surroundings all because of their make-up artist. (For the record.....this stylist/make-up artist was NOT referred by Tryall) Recently I have done several weddings which have run seriously late due to the make-up artist and or hair stylist running late. I think it is apalling and selfish of these professionals. The make-up artist for another wedding I did was one and a half hours late and arrived with a big smile on her face! Amazing! The bride's Mom was seething with rage.

I know there are really professional make-up artists and hair stylists who are always on time, but I must list hair and make-up professionals as the number one cause for brides running late for their weddings. By the time the vows began on Saturday it was night. As it was an outdoor wedding the minister was happy to have some light from our video camera to read the vows and was in sore straits when we changed angles.

Brides, please be extra careful when selecting the professionals for your wedding. Get references. Ask, "were they on time?" in addition to whether or not they did a good job.

Understandably I feel that every bride deserves an album filled with beautiful images, It really hurts me when, due to no fault of her own, a bride is forced to settle for less than her rightful due. I'm posting a shot taken before the wedding on Saturday.

first night wedding

Stacy & Orane's wedding on Jamaica's north coast last week was my first night wedding. They both flew into Jamaica from New York just ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Gustav. Due to the storm the wedding was changed from Saturday to Sunday, then the bride's maids were unable to get into Jamaica until Sunday evening and then it started raining during the outdoor ceremony! Wow! After all that tey will surely have a smooth marriage. All the best guys. I worked with super cool Brian Nejedly who did the photography while Zahra & I handled videography duties. We had a hair-raising drive to get to the wedding. I'll upload some pics shot along the way. (that's not my car in the shot BTW)

Awaiting Tropical Storm Gustav

More hype than rain and wind so far. We are all safe inside. Internet service comes and goes so I'm typing as fast as I can. My family and vehicles are all safely inside and windows boarded up. Trying to stay safe. I hear it will get worse tonight.

37.10 New WORLD RECORD-Jamaica

I feel so good its hard to do any work today! This whole week i've accomplished very little workwise, but that's the beauty about the fantastic life i'm privileged to live. I thank God every day. I can work when I feel like, weed and water my lawn when I feel like, play with my children when I feel like, take a nap when I feel like and watch the Olympics when I feel like it. How great is that? Congratulations to the Jamaican team.

A word about Usain Bolt and the unfavourable comments about his behavior: Just shut up, please. Sorry, that was four words. We are by nature a very expressive people and I think he is being rather restrained considering his history making achievements. Usain...YOU DA MAN, YOU DI BEST BY FAR.

Asafa's problem is all in his mind. His ability and talent are intact, but he has some sort of mental block that needs to be worked out. We still love him though. The girls... can we turn back time and make both them and the American team not drop the baton? What? You don't believe in time travel? I guess you also believe that earth is the only planet with intelligent life on it! You sound just like my wife. Where is your sense of adventure? Anyway its all good. I'm an artist and we cannot aford the luxury of being considered totally sane. That's just so passé:)

I'm actually trying to get some video editing done now so be good, be happy and give thanks for every day and the blessings you enjoy.