Abby + Jon

Back at the beginning of August, I had the amazing opportunity to shoot a session with one of my best friends, and her handsome (and wonderful!) fiance.

We did sessions in three locations, and I took over 3,000 pictures (I only sent about 300 proofs for them to check out...). They were nervous and felt really awkward, but when it came down to it, they were perfect models - especially by the last location!!

These are some of the pictures that Abby and her mom chose... there may have been some wine involved!

I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I did taking them!

So much fun! I cant think of a better way to spend the weekend than with two people who are so much fun, and so in love. Congrats!!

I'd love to shoot YOUR engagement portrait session... get in touch!! Sarafinaphotography@gmail.com or on facebook as Sarafina Photography!


- SMY

Anytime Can Become A Photo Shoot

As a veterinary student in my clinical (and final!) year, I'm often asked "How in the world do you have time to have a photography business? I barely have time to (insert necessary task : eat, sleep, shower, etc.)..."

And it's true - vet students are essentially indentured servants, at the will and [slight] mercy of the hospital and its patients... we are tired, sore, cranky, occasionally downtrodden and often bruised or scraped.  We are busy, overworked and not-at-all-paid... and just looking for some time for a beer and a hot meal, maybe even a full night's sleep!

But my answer is always this :

I take my camera everywhere. I've learned to work with it slung over my shoulder and banging against my hip.  It's a familiar weight in my hands and I'm comfortable with it. Which means, of course... that anything, any time, any fun happening or beautiful landscape or perfect curve - any time can become a photo shoot. Anything could be your next perfect portrait.

I spent the evening in Chatsworth, NJ with one of my very best friends, Stephany.  Here are a few shots that back up my promise that anything can be beautiful; any time can be a photo shoot....

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. These abstract-type photos are what hang in my house - the shots that could be anyone's horse... no one's in particular.


- SMY

Oldenburg Inspections

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch the last few hours of the Oldenburg foal inspections at Hill Top Farm in Colora, MD.

According to the Oldenburg Registry... "The Oldenburg horse is one of Europe's oldest warmblood breeds. Anton Gunther von Oldenburg... developed teh breed in the 16th century, using mares of the Fresian breed as well as selected stallions from Spain and Italy. His purpose was to develop a grand coach horse."

Well, he certainly did develop a grand horse!  These days, Oldenburg horses are used for dressage, show jumping and eventing.  They are known for their smooth, elastic movements and beautiful performances in the show ring.  Each horse must be inspected in order to be accepted into the Oldenburg registry.  The foals are inspected sometime during the same year of their birth, and are branded with either the Oldenburg brand (an O topped by a crown, with N and A accompanying) or the International Sporthorse brand (an intertwined S and I, surrounded by a circlet of leaves).

The latest inspection and branding was at Hill Top Farm, a beautiful facility located on acres and acres of phenomenal green pasture.  Yesterday bustled with heavy mares and naughty foals, and there was perfection abounding!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the inspection...

A view of one wing of the spectacular barn at Hill Top

We saw a lot of naughty babies!

The ISR Official, heating the brands

 

To learn more about the Oldenburg horse and the International Sporthorse Registry, go to www.isroldenburg.org

To learn more about Hill Top Farm and see pictures of their beautiful facilities and equally beautiful equine residents, check out www.hilltopfarminc.com

- SMY

Early Morning Breeze

Up before dawn on a Friday morning to catch a breeze may not seem like it's worth the trouble. But it is if the breeze is accompanied by the thunder of galloping hooves and the rhythmic whoosh of warm air from the noses of working horses.

Fair Hill Training Center is a hub of activity in the early morning hours, not the least of which is exercising racing thoroughbreds.  We were lucky enough to catch a few hours of these workouts with Dr. Ben Martin, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a wealth of information about thoroughbreds and racing culture, and it really was a great, informative morning!

The fog lays low, that early in the morning - but as it burned off with the rising sun, the day became a beautiful, sunny testament to the beauty and grace of thoroughbred racing.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from that morning...

Learn more about Thoroughbred racing and Fair Hill Training Center at www.fairhilltrainingcenter.com

- SMY