An International Golf Event - Right at Home

When you're asked by a major insurance company to photograph their annual golf event, but you can't tell anyone who was there or where it was played or ... let see, I guess that's it ... Oh, for God's sake, show anyone the photos of the players!  

Well you grab the chance to do it of course!

This is an image of one of the player's golf club covers ... (can you guess who's??) ...no animals were harmed ... but some golf balls were bruised

 The course was incredible - I had my own cart. and I was driving like a mad man!

 My job,  find the gophers ... I mean golfers and take team photos.  I can do that. 

 I just can't show you any of them.

 And then there was the food ... it was so good.  Just look at this - cooked on the "patio" with this view.

One day I too will have a bed room window that looks out over this type of view ... yea right!

Travis Roy Foundation / Francisican Hospital for Children - Wiffle Ball Tournament

The First Annual Travis Roy Foundation / Franciscan Hospital for Children Wiffle Ball Tournament was held at Wake Field in Brighton, MA on June 18, 2011. Everyone had a great time supporting this worthy cause. It was as awesome day!

Ok, that's my official first paragraph.  But to be candid, it was a blast to be there and volunteer to photograph the event. It was also sad and happy and "eye-opening".

The event was held on the tiny wiffle ball field behind the hospital which is named after Boston Red Sox player Tim Wakfield .

It was sad to see the children and adults in wheelchairs, happy to see all the corporate sponsers and their teams hitting that whiffle ball with a yellow plastic bat. Eye-opening to hear Travis Roy during his opening remarks say "I would like to be on the field with you, maybe one day I will".

(footnote - Travis was injured during the first 11 seconds of his college ice hockey career) \

OH!  and it was delicious.  The food - hamburgers, hotdogs, etc was ... Excellent!

Here's a video look at the day. 

Beth - Joe and their Rockin' Kids - Dan Busler Photography

Beth and Joe's Family session was destined to be awesome from the very first shot. They love to be together and these incredible images just happened. I didn't want to stop!

Kelly and Mike - A Fenway Park Engagement - Dan Busler

We met at Fenway Park .. on a game day ( oh yea) for Kelly and Mike's engagement photo session.  At first I thought that it was going to be chaos ... and I was right.

I drove into town, but I still took the subway up from where I parked my car to Kenmore square where we were going to meet.

This huge sign greets you in Kenmore Square as you come out of the subway - it was so colorful that I had to take a shot. 

I think what I like most about photographing couples that recently got engaged is learning about their lives together. 

Mike is a postal carrier, he told me that he walks 10 miles a day. As we walked the streets of Boston, if Mike got too far ahead Kelly would just say "slow down mail man ..." and we'd all just laugh.

We walked from Fenway Park down though the Public Gardens and on to the Charles River .
It was great day with this incredible couple.

Anna and Joe - Their Engagement Session - Boston MA - Dan Busler

We walked Boston's beautiful Public Gardens and historic Beacon Hill for Anna and Joe's Engagement session- it was a great day to capture images of their love

Rose and John - An Engagement Session with a Perfect Couple - Dan Busler

I recently had the chance to to do an Engagement photography session with Rose and John, a beautiful couple who flew out from Ireland to the Boston, MA area to get married. (most of their family are now here in the U.S.)

I typically spend some time with the bride and groom separately to get a feel for how they met, got engaged and what they mean to each other. I took the opportunity to film some of their thoughts and feelings and found that they are just perfect for each other.

We all search for happiness, maybe wealth and success as well if they come along. John and Rose know that happiness must come first.

Here's a short (I always say that my videos are short ... whether they are or not .. HA!) slideshow of the images and clips from that session. 

Watch it full screen and enjoy.

First Communion - St Ann Parish Dorchester MA - Dan Busler

First Communion, the first time that a child has that "meal" that they have watched their parents, older siblings and others share. It's kind of rite of passage ... I guess. It is definitely a milestone in one's life.

And it's part of tradition - it doesn't matter what your religion, we respect each other's traditions. They make us human. They show us how we love family.

I recently photographed the First Communion celebration at St Ann Parish in Dorchester MA. The kids were so happy and looked fantastic in their beautiful white clothing ... now did they keep them clean??

Here's a quick look at some of the images I shot of the kids being holy and also being "kids" ... for after all they are kids.

Jessica and Anthony - An Orange County Engagement - Dan Busler Photography

Jessica and Anthony said that they wanted to have their Engagement session at an upscale mall in Orange County.  That sounded like fun.

They are such a beautiful couple and the mall was just perfect for capturing pictures. There were gardens, fountains, lots of flowers and so many quiet places.  I could tell that this couple is totally in love.

Check out this video of our session ... but be prepared to be jealous!

Boston Event Photography By Walpole Event Photographer, Dan Busler { Travis Roy Foundation Eleven Seconds that Changed his World }

Probably one of the worst smells I know is that of the locker room of a Boys ice hockey team.  Gastly! And yet, it is a sweet smell to the players (and their proud Moms and Dads) I can assure you. 

Every day ... beginning at 5:00 AM - you will find thousands of young girls and boys on the ice ... practicing and working toward that day when they too can step out on the ice and hear the crowd cheer their name.

Travis Roy was one of these boys ... it was his dream ... it was his Dad's dream for him as well that he would one day play ice hockey for Boston University. That's the team that went to the Olympics and won the gold medal.  

All the hours of practice paid off and the day came, Travis was selected to play for Boston University.  He must have walked into that arena ... for that first game, maybe more frightened than proud ... maybe more nauseous than confident .. but he knew that he deserved to be there.

He played for Boston University for eleven seconds that first day ... his first game for BU and he suffered an injury that broke his neck. 

His Father must have come down from the stands ... stood at the glass ... watched Travis as he lay on the ice ... then he came out on the ice (as he had done thousands of times over the years) to encourage Travis to "get up Buddy ... we've got a game to play" But Travis couldn't get up, he couldn't move ... Travis just looked up at his Dad and said " We made it Dad!,  I'm playing for BU ! "

Both of my kids are ice hockey players. I know the smell of that locker room, the early mornings, the quiet conversations on the way to the rink, the happy conversations when they won and the encouraging conversations when they lost. The fear that they would be injured, the way that I yelled during the games with the other Dads ... and Moms (the Moms are animals! when they get angry!) . 

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph a corporate gathering where Travis Roy was the guest speaker.  I arrived at 7:45AM to scope the place out ... and then found out that Travis was speaking.  I had a decision to make, I knew that my Son would want to meet Travis, to share his love of ice hockey with him and let him know that he thought of him virtually everytime that he stepped on the ice.

So, I texted my Son ... "Hey Travis Roy is speaking at this event that I'm photographing ... you can come ..."  I know that he didn't believe me that he would be able to come ... but I'm also guessing that he was throwing on clothes and flying out the door as we texted a few more lines to each other.

My Son is a NeuroSurgical Nurse Practitioner at a major Boston hospital ... he has a first edition of Travis' book ... I think he bought it the day that it came out in 1998, he brought that copy of Travis' book with him that day.

My Son listened to Travis' words  ... he could relate to them. He was honored to be there, he was there to honor Travis actually.

Here are a few images of my Son speaking with Travis.  

My Son tells me that he told Travis that he went into Neurosurgery because of him.

Travis smiled, signed my Son's copy of his book, then Travis invited my Son to lunch.

Eleven seconds changed Travis' life and meeting Travis changed my Son's and mine.


Here's a short slideshow / video - which includes still photography and video clips from the day.

Girlfriends - Where are they now? - Dan Busler

A number of years ago I did a family reunion portrait session for three ... or was it four families? 

Today I was looking through the images from the session and came across these of a Mother and her two Daughters.

I'm pretty sure that a lot has changed in their lives over the years since this session. Are the Daughters married, do they now have kids,  did one or both move far away from home ? 

The answer is ... yes, maybe. But no matter how much time passes .. or how far they may travel, that day we captured a moment. That particular moment is saved for all three of them to remember and enjoy.  The laughter and love they felt that day is theirs ... for a lifetime.

I loved doing this session and I'm reminded of how lucky I was to be there every time I stumble upon these images.

Austin! Not hard to take

I was recently working in Austin TX and snapped this image of one of the swimming pools where I was staying.  Now this is how you "do it right! " .

But saddly, I never had the time to take a dip.

Maybe next time ... It's Destination Wedding Season ! 

So it was St Partick's Day ... the whole day

Yesterday was St Patrick's Day. I wonder how many of you went to church?  Or did you "worship" at the alter of the flowing green beer...?  HA!

I spent the day living my other life as a musician ... what a marathon!  Now it's back to being a photographer. Until next year ... GREEN BEER ... holy moley! That's almost as good as the green pancakes I used to make as a kid ... I had to close my eyes to eat them!

Christmas 2010 - Take the time to Smile - Dan Busler

For me - I feel that there is no holiday more tied to "family" than Christmas.  I know it's a religious holiday - and the one that my family celebrates - so for you it might be another holiday that means "family". But for me ... it's Christmas.

Christmas is the one time of the year when people give themselves "a hall pass" ... a waiver ... to stop the rat race and look at the lights on the tree. Listen to to holiday music and take the time to smile at each other.

Since my children are now grown and have fantastic careers I now put up a fake Christmas tree. It's kind of thin and crooked .  But it holds a lifetime of memories of early Christmas morning ... wrapping paper flying in the air as presents are opened, screams of joy as the kids get the present they asked for and hugs.  It is a good day.  

I am writing this as the spring season is just around the corner (it had better be!) . it's kind of sad for me to look at these images and know that the little tree and ornaments are packed away until next year. And I'm afraid so is the "hall pass" to stop and smile.

The Real Inspector Hound - Norwood High School - Dan Busler Photography

It all starts with an empty stage .

The year, Norwood High School in Norwood MA is doing the Tom Stoppard play " The Real Inspector Hound" for their entry in to the high school drama festival. And that means that it all starts with an empty stage. Then they have five ... oh yea, five minutes to bring the whole set on stage and set it up. 

The play must fit into 45 minutes ... exactly

 Then they have five ... oh yea again, five minutes to break down and remove the set from the stage.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

The play is great, it runs for 45 minutes... ish, and they can bring the set on stage in five minutes!

It's very funny and the actors are so talented.

It's a howling Who Done It ?

Daniel Mahoney - Hand him the baton and a guitar - Busler

Where do you look to find your dreams ?  And when you get there how do you know that you've arrived?
WOW!  I am way to serious today!  HA!

I first met Daniel when he was cast as one of the leads in Norwood High School's production of Evita.

I later learned that he actually considered himself more a guitarist than an actor. 

Well, move a head to the present and Daniel is just about to graduate from college and is planning to be a high school music teacher.  He asked me to do a portrait session for his professional resume. It was a blast!

 This last image was for his Mom ... you gotta love those "I love ya Mom " poses!  

A Walpole Winter - Busler

I don't actually like snow that much ... I used to LOVE snow, but that was before life made me see it as evil .. HA!

You have to shovel it. 

It can cave in your roof,

Cause auto accidents

Make you late for work

You have to shovel it .. sorry, I already said that , but sometimes you have to shovel a few times ...

Snow used to be so beautiful. It was

A Day off from school!

We're going to go sleding!

Snowball fight!

and it was so quiet and white and soft and beautiful and calming  and slow and incredible

It still all the good things - it still is all good things

Snowball Fight!

Caitlin and Joe - Tie the Knot - Take the Plunge - Make it Real - Busler

I've known Caitin for a few years and when she asked me to photograph her wedding - I was thrilled.

She is such a classy person, I knew that Joe would be too and I was right.

 The value of marriage hasn't changed. It's an expression of commitment. Not only to each other, but to your friends and family. Think about it, here you have two people that get engaged ... then go through months or years of preparation for their Wedding Day and they still go through with it! All that stress - all those questions and suggestions and stress. 

But when you know it's right, when you know that this person is right, that you will support each other and comfort each other - that you will be the " strong one" - non-judgemental,

It's actually an amazing day, but it's not a magical day, the magic was there all along, this is the day of celebration.

I was recently told that I am a couple's "Photographer for life". Until today I didn't realize what that meant - It's not a job, it's a responsibility - an honor and a mission to be there to capture their life.
Pretty neat!

The B Girls - Spelling Bee - Walpole Footlighters - Busler

These headshots are of three of the cast members of the Walpole Footlighters - Walpole, MA production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

I really love doing headshots .. I must admit. I think it has to do with focusing on the actor's eyes. 

 After all, there is so much life in a person's eyes .. it could the saddness, or the laughter, the experience or maybe something else, but I do know that the eys don't lie.



Amber Stahl - Fluently French - Busler

I've actually know Amber for many years, so it was great that she asked me to do her Senior Portraits.

But I didn't see her a lot during her Junior yesr because she spent it in France on a Student exchange.

What a confident girl. Our session was very classic as you can see.

It was a beautiful Fall day and we got some great shots.

I wish that I could type in Franch ... becasue this would be a goood place to do it ... but no,  I need Amber to assist me ... HA! 



The Knot - The Wedding Channel - Dan Busler Photography - Walpole - Norwood MA

Congratulations ! You're Engaged and You're Getting Married!  That's Fantastic!

And when you think of the best Wedding publication and WEB site ... you think of The Knot and the Wedding Channel .

And so now - I am there too!  Please click on this link to see my listing.

http://local.weddingchannel.com/Wedding-Vendors/Dan-Busler-Photography-Profile?ProfileId=373875

"The Time is Perfect ... You're so in Love ... so excited  ... so absolutely ready to be married ...  I'll take the time to focus on you and create images of your love and your Wedding Day that will last for generations"

Happy Birthday Christine - 2011

February 17, 2011 is my Daughter Christine's Birthday

So I'm taking the liberty to post my video tribute to my Fav Girl, my little Sk8rGurl

Christine's an ice hockey player, actress, redhead , comedian, "copper top" , friend, life saver, photographer, ... Daughter

The video is just a glimpse.

Happy Birthday Christine!

Adalene - One of the Dolls - Coakley Middle School - Busler

Go ahead ... I dare ya! 

What you looking at?

Luck Be a Lady ... tonight!

Yes, it's all about the attitude ... even if you're a Middle School doing a production of Guys and Dolls .

 But to do it right you just have to have a "dame"

 You've just gotta have an "Adalene".

Now, what's kind of funny is this actress ( an 8th grader) had it down cold.

The accent, the attitude, the stance ...

 It was quite a performance, but then something tells me that we are really seeing the shades of the strong, confident woman this Adalene will become. 

And that was very cool to see

Sweeney Todd - Norwood High School - More Hot Pies - Busler

Yes, that was the song ... we want more hot (meat) pies! But how did Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett get all that delicious meat in London when meat was only for the wealthy?

Well, we didn't have to wonder for long ... Sweeney was happy to help by supplying a close shave to most anybody that came into his shop, which just happened to be above Mrs. Lovett's lovely pie shop.

This cast of students from Norwood High School in Norwood, MA took on the challenge of this musical and did a great job. Check out the videos.

Here we get a look at the cast.



This is one tracks the cast from rehearsals to opening night.

Kathryn Russo - Her Senior Session

Kathryn's session was effortless. Everywhere we went, the images we got were great.

She has such a confident smile, but then she is the Captain of her cross country team, an A student ... and a pretty neat person.

These images at the studio really do show the three sides of Kathryn - the smile

the graceful

and of course ... "don't mess with Kathryn" ! It was an awesome session.