Severna Park Senior Portraits I Ambassador | Nathan

Severna Park Senior Portraits I Ambassador | Christine

Love Park, Philadelphia Engagement Session

This weekend I had the pleasure of shooting an upcoming wedding couples engagement photos.  Marcus and Tonya had their session in the famous Love Park in Philadelphia, Pa which is a first for me.  One thing that can be a huge task in Love Park photography is the amount of people that are in the area.  This park is a tourist attraction and brings a large amount of people.  We were lucky for it not to be super busy but there was quite a bit of people.  The area also brings all sorts of people and attractions, as you see with the one images.  There was a gentleman there with a huge boa constrictor that he was allowing people to get photos with.  I have to say this was a definite first for me and probably will be for a long time coming.  I had a great time with the couple and can not wait for the wedding!

SUMMER GIVEAWAY! --- FREE FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION

Official Rules

Description Contest

Contest starts July 23, 2012.  All contestants are to submit a photo of their family and why they should be chosen as a Finalist for this contest.  10 finalists will be chosen by an unbiased party with no access to the names of the families and will be posted on the Geoff Bernstein Photography Facebook fan page on August 1, 2012.  The family with the most likes on the Geoff Bernstein Photography Facebook fan page at the end of the contest (August 15, 2012) will win a 2 hour family portrait session by Geoff Bernstein Photography and a CD with images.  

Sponsors

Photography by Geoff Bernstein Photography

Binding Agreement

To enter the contest, you must agree to these Official Rules. Therefore, please read the following rules prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree to said terms. By signing this agreement that submission of an entry in the contest constitutes agreement to these rules. You may not submit an entry to the contest and are not eligible to receive the prizes described in the official rules. These official rules form a binding legal agreement between you and the contest sponsors with respect to the contest.

Contest Period

Entry submissions begin July 23, 2012. Photos, details and stories are to be emailed to gb@gbmemories.com

On-line Facebook posting and voting will take place from August 1, 2012 to August 15, 2012 at 5:00pm (EST).  After which time the winner will be announced.

Who Can Enter

1. To be eligible all contestants must be 18 years of age and within the contest radius

How to Enter

1. No purchase necessary to enter or to win. A purchase or payment will not improve your chances of winning. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.

2. Qualified contestants must submit a picture of their families along with why they should be chosen as a Finalist for this contest.

3. All entries must be emailed to gb@gbmemories.com with the subject line 2012 Family Photo Contest.  Each entrant agrees not to submit any picture that infringes any third party proprietary rights, or copyright applicable to U.S. law.

4. Geoff Bernstein Photography is not responsible for lost, late or misdirected email; errors; server unavailability; or computer or any other electronic or telecommunications malfunction.

5. All entries received that do not follow the instructions of these rules, are illegible and will be void.

6. If entries received that are for family session outside of the radius map are void.

Elimination

Any false information provided within the context of the contest by any participant concerning identity, mailing address, telephone number, E-mail address, wedding details, cheating, ownership of right or non-compliance with these Official Rules or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the participant from the contest. The contest sponsors further reserve the right to disqualify any entry that it believes in its sole and unfettered discretion infringes upon or violates the rights of any third party, otherwise does not comply with these Official Rules, or violates U.S. or applicable state or local law.

Winner Selection

1. All Finalists will be published on Geoff Bernstein Photography Facebook fan page on August 1,  2012 along with each finalist’s name and photo. All decisions made by Geoff Bernstein Photography are final and binding.

2. The winner will be the family who can get the most “like” votes on the uploaded picture to the Geoff Bernstein Photography Facebook Fan page.

3. .  “Like” votes of the families pictures from  Facebook members who are not fans or have not added Geoff Bernstein Photography in the liked pages or fan page on Facebook are not eligible. Comments do not count as votes – ONLY “likes”.

4. The entry with the most valid “like” votes wins. In the event of a tie, the sponsors will choose the winner based on most original story.

5. Only the likes on the Geoff Bernstein Photography picture page will count, not any news feed repost or picture uploaded in any other area.

Prizes

• Winner: 2 hour family portrait session by Geoff Bernstein Photography and a CD with images.  

1. Income and other taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner.

2. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received and votes received.

3. Prize cannot be redeemed for cash value and is non-transferable.

Winner Notification

1. Winners will be notified by e-mail. The contest sponsors reserve the right to examine additional identification and may choose to accept or deny awarding the prize based on the identification presented.

2. By participating in the contest, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against the contest sponsors, and their employees and agents, their respective employees and agents, for any personal injury or loss that may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the contest, or from the use of any prize.

3. By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation, of his or her name and/or likeness and/or voice/photograph and municipality of residence for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including, without limitation, radio broadcasts; newspapers and other publications; television or film releases; slides; videotape; distribution over the Internet; and picture date storage) the contest sponsors may deem appropriate.

4. For a list of prize winners, send an e-mail to gb@gbmemories.com or check our blog at www.gbmemories.com/blog orFacebook page after August 15, 2012 6:00PM (EST).

Additional Rules

1. The conduct of the contest is governed by the applicable laws of the Unites States of America and State of Maryland, which take precedence over any rule to the contrary herein. The contest sponsors shall follow the applicable laws for conducting contests, including notice to the state attorney general or consumer affairs office, posting of a prize bond, furnishing lists of winners, running specific on-air disclaimers, providing specific written information about the contest, etc., as required by local and state law.

2. The contest sponsors are not liable for any lost or stolen entries, prizes or contest information.

3. By participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of contest sponsor personnel. The contest sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any participant or winner and may refuse to award any prize to a person who is ineligible or has violated any rule, gained unfair advantage in participating in the contest, or obtained winner status using fraudulent means. The contest sponsors will interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, conflicting claims or ambiguities concerning the rules or the contest and contest sponsor decisions concerning such disputes shall be final. If the conduct or outcome of the contest is affected by human error, any mechanical, technical, electronic, communications, telephone, computer, hardware or software errors, malfunctions or failures of any kind, intentional interference or any event beyond the control of the contest sponsors, the contest sponsors reserve the right to terminate this contest, or make such other decisions regarding the outcome as the contest sponsors deem appropriate. All decisions will be made by the contest sponsors and are final. The contest sponsors may waive any of these rules in their sole discretion.

4. The contest sponsors reserve the right to withdraw or terminate this contest at any time without prior notice.

Waiver of Liability and Agreement to Indemnify

By submitting an email entry, each entrant, its, his, her or their heirs, successors and assigns (“entrant”) thereby releases, forever discharges and covenants not to make a claim against or sue the same day edit contest, its sponsors, subsidiaries and affiliates, licensees, employees, officers, directors, representatives, successors and assigns (“Free Family Portrait Session”), of and from all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, at law or in equity, suits, claims, demands, liability, loss, cost or expense, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, which entrant may have or hereafter have against the same day edit Contest by reason of any injuries or damages entrant may sustain, whether to entrant’s person, property, reputation, or otherwise, as a result of, incident to, or related in any way to the entry, the contest, or the use, incorporation or exploitation of the entry for any purpose described herein. Entrant waives and forego the right to seek injunctive relief against anyone relating in any way to the entry, the contest, or the use, incorporation, or exploitation of the materials for any purpose described herein. Entrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Geoff Bernstein Photography from and against any liabilities, losses, claims, demands, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses arising in connection with any breach or alleged breach by me of any representation made in the entry or by virtue of submitting the entry.

The Point at Broomes Island Wedding - Jen & Will - June 2, 2012

Jen and Will's wedding was one that Bill Bauer and I shot in southern Maryland.  This was the first wedding that Bill and I shot together.  He asked me to shoot weddings with him as a second shooter a month or so prior and this was the first one that we did.  It was a great venue, The Point at Broomes Island, about 45 minutes south of Annapolis, MD   The ceremony was outdoors between two waterfalls and over looking the river. One very cool thing that they used was everyone release butterflies during the ceremony.  The little boy on the right could not walk down the aisle, he locked on to my camera lens and walked right up to it and smiled.  He was so cute! The reception was in a permanent tent on the premises with a great setup.  Congratulations to Jen and Will!

High School Graduation - Severna Park High School - Towson University

Every year since I have started at Severna Park High School, I have been a part of the graduation at Towson University.  One because we are required as teachers to attend and help but they usually give the teachers a role of being at the end of a row seated with the students.  Some other teachers have different duties, so I asked if I could help out and shoot and give the photos to the school website and yearbook.  This was my second graduation and I really love it because all of the students are so happy to be done school and they are a lot of fun 

So I spend the morning winding the halls taking pictures of the students together getting ready and talking about their plans for the future.  I also catch the occasional teacher helping student who doesn't know how to tie a tie! (See below, haha)  These are the great memories that stand out in my mind.  Later I shoot the students entering and listening to all of the speeches.  Being valedictorian in our school does not come easy and it a huge race for many students.  It is not uncommon for our valedictorian to have at least a 4.85 GPA!!!   I do not focus on the students receiving their diplomas because another photography service owns that time and place on the stage.  I get a few just for capturing the moment for the school.  

After the event, families gather outside to take pictures and I usually get the "hey can you take this?"  I shoot it with my camera but am nice enough to shoot it with theirs as well.  I do get a few who buy my prints instead of just keeping theirs.  Thank You!  Lastly, every year I have the family, "wheres the memory card? Wheres the battery? YOU DIDNT BRING THE CAMERA!?!? &*#&^@!!!!"  Thats were I come in camera in hand with a smile on my face! ​

Annapolis Family Portrait Session - Downs Park, Pasadena, MD

I was checking Facebook one night and saw a post by Beth Meadows, a fellow teacher from work, she had posted request for recommendations for a local photographer.  I went to post and to my pleasant surprise another fellow teacher has told her to look me up! Thanks Kevin! Later that week she contacted me about a family portrait session.  We spoke on the phone a few times and found a great place that her son Ayden could place and have some fun.  I met up with Beth, Shad and Ayden at Downs Park in Pasadena, MD.  I like to allow the family to just have fun and I just set up some shots as they unfold. This makes for a more laid back session which produces more relaxed images. We had a blast, Ayden could not have been better! He was locked onto the camera with amazing expressions.  Many times I would say, "Ayden smile for me."  Before I could get his name out he was working the camera.  What a great time we had and hope to make some more images with their beautiful family.

Thanks Again!

Virginia Beach Wedding - {Chrysler Museum of Art} Shahrum & Shirin

• Venue - Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia Beach
• DJ - Arch Entertainment
• Photography - Bill Bauer Photography (second shooter - Geoff Bernstein Photography)
• Videography - Captivate Productions

Since I have moved to Maryland the business has been on the back burner because Kylie and I were house hunting.  Once we found our house and got it I have had very limited time for the business.  I met Tammy Bauer who works with me at school and she gave my information to her husband Bill who is also a photographer.  We met up one night and really hit it off on our photography talk.  He asked me to shoot some weddings with him this year and since his push it has been what I needed to get back in to the business.  

Bill asked me to be a second shooter at his June 2 wedding in Virginia Beach a few weeks before the wedding and all he kept saying was "this is the one!"   I heard it but did not know what he was even talking about.  We drove down to Virginia Beach and as we are driving I ask, "so where is the wedding?"  I get a surprising response of Chrysler Museum of Art.  Just the named made me smile and think I think I know what he was talking about.  

We pull in and take our equipment upstairs to meet the bride.  When I met Shirin, I thought to myself, wow maybe he was talking about how beautiful the bride was and not the venue.  Throughout the morning the group was fantastic and the ladies were so much fun while getting ready.  

When we pulled up to the venue, I was nearly speechless.  This place was amazing along but with the other vendors setting up their lighting and DJ equipment the place was brought to an even higher standard.  Ok, so we have a beautiful bride and venue and in walks the groom, Shahrum, and the groomsmen who were just as great as the bridesmaids.  

I could ramble on and on but how about I just show you the days images.  What a great wedding, beautiful bride, handsome groom, amazing venue.  Congratulations to the bride and groom.  Thanks again to Bill with giving me the chance to second shoot this wonderful wedding.

Talbot County Optimist Club - Golf Tournament - St. Michaels, MD

The Golf Tournament that the Optimist club puts on every year is one of the best events we do. It is held at the Harbourtowne Golf Resort.  It was a very fun event to shoot with the people having a great time playing golf. After the golf outing, we have dinner for all the attendees and complete the night with a silent auction.  I donated a few items, framed print of a waterfall and two photography sessions.  All three were sold at a decent price.  To raise money, we sell tee signs, group tee times and the silent auction.  All in all it was a great event and I really loved shooting on such a beautiful course.

Talbot County Optimist Club - Awards Banquet - Easton, MD

This is the time of year that the Optimist club absolutely loves, the awards banquet. This is the event that we pass out our checks to each youth group.  During this event we invite the representative from the group and have dinner and talk about what we did this year.  Then the fun begins, when we actually get to pass out their checks that will help them push further during the year.  All of the groups have great things to say but some really go above and beyond to give us praise by telling us what special they are doing this year.  

One part that really set in was when we had everyone recite the pledge of allegiance.  To me this is normal because I say it everyday in school and we also recite it at all of our meetings.  When we gave our check to the Bayhawks Baseball Association, the father (show below in orange) started to cry as he expressed that his son is in Iraq and it really makes him feel great that people support his son. 

Talbot County Optimist Club - Oratorical Contest - Easton, MD

Since we have moved to Easton, MD, Kylie and I have been working a lot on the house and getting situated.   We wanted to meet some new people in the community so we joined the Talbot County Optimist Club (Optimist International).  We create events and fundraise to donate to local youth clubs and groups in our county.  We support many groups like the girl & boy scouts, baseball, football, senior after prom party. Some events that we host throughout the year are Christmas tree sales, Golf tournament, Oratorial contest and we help other group like the Lions club on some of their events. As you might imagine these take a lot of volunteering hours so I decided instead of just helping with time I would offer my photography service to document the club. Since the start I have created a Facebook page and shot all of their events. 

I shot the Oratorical Contest in these photos.  This contest was given to the local high school.  We had the contestants create a speech about a topic that we choose.  There are local judges who judge the event and the winner moves on to the regional event.  This year it was in Ocean City, MD. This year it was a great turnout with a variety of boys and girls of all ages. 

Lord & Taylor Fashion Shoot - Annapolis, MD - Annapolis Mall

Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting my first fashion show at Lord & Taylor in the Annapolis Mall.  I was a very fun event which was much different than what I am use to.  The ladies were displaying this years prom dresses for the upcoming high school proms.  The audience was very nice and a pleasure to talk to.  Since posting the photos on my site and linking to the L&T facebook page, they have received many comments and likes from those links.  Hopefully, in the next few days L&T will post up the photos in their albums to see if they hold even more traffic.  I am excited to see what comes from this shoot and look forward to the next session.  They also posted the images on their facebook page, I guess you can call me published!! Here are a few shots from the show.

Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort Wedding - Dan & Whitney - June 2, 2011

This summer I shot a wonderful wedding of two people I have known throughout college, Whitney and Dan.  When they asked me to shoot their wedding I felt very privileged to have two great people to shoot.  

I have received many comments about the title of their gallery on my site.  Many people have said "that's not very professional to say it was a boring wedding" Actually it was a very exciting wedding with a groom's last name of boring!  Dan and Whitney are a great couple to work with and they were very exciting to work with.  Their wedding was in western PA at an amazing country club with wonderful photo opportunities.

Their wedding was at a beautiful golf course, Chestnut Ridge Golf Course, in Blairsville, PA.  It was a great venue with wonderful bridges to photograph.  We had a blast and I was able to capture their favorite moment with them in the adirondack chairs overlooking the mountains!

Congradulations Dan and Whitney! You both loved beautiful!