A First Communion Celebration - St Ann Neponset Dorchester MA - May 3, 2014

Each year, I have the opportunity to see angels, little angels dressed in white - one minute they're giggling and running and being little kids and the next they are walking into the church, their hands folded, singing a song as they walk to their seats.

It's First Communion Day - it's their First Communion Day and it's exciting for them and a magical milestone for their Parents, family and friends. 

I've photographed the First Communion celebration at St Ann Parish - Neponset in Dorchester MA for a few years now. And I am amazed, humbled, calmed, happy, fulfilled, by the whole experience. 

Here is a look at the day.

You .. yes You are Living History

One year ago - on "Marathon Monday" 2013 here in Boston - before we knew anything about the bombings other than they had happened, I wrote about how that day; actually each day of our lives or that matter, something "historic" was happening. Something that we will one day look back upon and think how important that event had become to us. 

It might be the first time your child puts on skates and steps on the ice, or auditions for the school play and gets a part, or tells you that they got into medical school or that they want to move to California after they graduate from college. 

I got a bit of a surprise when a short time after last year's marathon I received a call from a Canadian TV station to ask if they could use a video and some photographs that I had taken of Martin Richards [one of those who lost their life ] at his First Communion ... and I had no idea that I had met and photographed Martin. 

So in honor of Martin and as a reminder to me ...Here is that post from last year:

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I am writing today's post on Monday April 15, 2013. It's "Marathon Monday" here in Boston MA and today bombs exploded at the marathon's finish line and forever changed history. 

I am guessing that this day will be remembered for as long as there is a Boston Marathon - and whenever people talk about the Marathon they will say, "where were you the day the bombs exploded?"

It's that moment when we saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, the news flash that Princess Diana or President Kennedy had been killed or the World Trade Center disaster 

Or maybe it's the birth of your child, your Son or Daughter hitting a home run or scoring a goal or leaving for college.

During those moments did we sit back and think ... "I have just witnessed history" ? 

No, of course not, it didn't feel like history, it felt like "now". Well maybe you did, but then you had to deal with the next historical moment in your life. 

Today, as sad as the events (which are still unfolding as I write) are - they will be history. They will change everything - nothing will ever be the same.

I can speak from experience that we need to acknowledge every small miracle in our lives. So jump out of your chair and applaud for every song at your kid's concert, hug your best friend when you see them, kiss your Son and Daughter good-bye every time they leave the house ... even in front of their friends. 

Because one day you will look back ... and realize that you are living history and "You" yourself are "living history" as well.  

Dan Busler Phoptography is located just south of Boston in Walpole MA and specializes in portraits, headshot and events    781-352-4863  www.danbuslerphotography.com

Norwood Event Photography by Walpole Event Photographer, Dan Busler {Dessert Works}

It's time to feature another one of the great vendors I get to meet and work with ... Dessert Works !  

Now I know that you've seen some pretty epic birthday cakes ... there are even TV reality shows about them. Big drama, family fights, flour and dough flying through the air ... huge ratings ! 

But I doubt that any of that drama exists at Dessert Works in Westwood MA, where they make some incredible cakes.  http://www.dessertworks.net/ 

I recently photographed a birthday party for Paul Ragusa. His wife Michelle came up with a design for his special cake which included his love for the saxophone and his passion for making very ... very high end custom leather briefcases.  

She gave this design to Dessert Works and their Head of Rolled Chocolate Department, Kristyn Powell (who has a degree in both fashion design and pastry) http://dessertworkstest.blogspot.com/2013/03/meet-kristyn.html 
and together they produced a freaking masterpiece!  

Here's Kristyn with the cake.

Who would cut this ?  

Paul (you remember Paul ) did ... Hey, it was his birthday and he'll cut it if he wants to! 

The detail was incredible as you can see. Alas, all that's left of this classic pastry are my images ... you're welcome ... HA!  

Norwood Party Photography by Walpole Event Photographer, Dan Busler {Tom Bruhl}

It's time to Feature one of the awesome entertainers that I get to meet and work with ... 

Tom Bruhl ... The Music that Makes You Move !  - well that's a fact I can attest to.

I recently photographed an event where Tom provided the entertainment.  Although Tom performs with a trio - this night he was a "one-man-band" - playing sax and guitar (not simultaneously) along with backing tracks that he recorded at his studio. 

It was interesting to find out that we both graduated from Berklee College of music Magna Cum Laude ... the same year!  

All I can say is if you need a great DJ, who plays live instruments and sings ... it's kind of the whole package - you should check out Tom.  

Of course this is after you've hired me to photograph the event of course..!  

Norwood Theatrical Photography by Walpole Theatrical Photographer, Dan Busler {Rozenkrantz and Guildenstern}

This is kind of a "Throw Back Thursday" post.

The show, Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is (in my opinion) one of the most challenging plays that a high school group can take on. The dialogue is rapid fire and really hard to perform. It's also wicked hard for the audience to understand! HA !

Norwood High School in Norwood MA presented the show as one of the final performances of their 2005 school year season. It proved to be a showcase for a talented group of students.  I still feel that the actors didn't realize the great job that they did with this very difficult material. 

Boston Charity Event Photography by Walpole Event Photographer, Dan Busler {Alzheimer's Association 2013}

"A Walk to End Alzheimer's "  - I recently had the honor to photograph this annual event which was held at Patriot's stadium in Foxboro, MA

It is a day of remembrance and a day of celebration. There are lots of families coming together, some who have lost a loved one to the disease and others who are celebrating the successes we have seen to end it.

Mostly, they come together to share.

Boston Sports Charity Event Photography by Walpole Sports Charity Event Photographer, Dan Busler {Mayo Bowl - Dont'a Hightower - Megan Hart}

It was such a nice surprise recently to get a message from New England Patriot's linebacker Dont'a Hightower's girlfriend Megan Hart.

Megan had come across the pictures I had taken of Dont'a and her at Patriots Captain Jerod Mayo's annual charity event "The Mayo Bowl" (which benefits the Boston Medical Center and Pitching in for Kids www.pitchinginforkids.org/ ).

I have to admit that as I was looking through and doing the final processing of the images from the evening for Megan I realized (as you can see) what a beautiful couple they are ... you know, I hope that one day when Dont'a "takes a knee" ... that I get the call ... HA!!

  

Norwood Choir Concert Photography by Walpole Senior Portrait Event Photographer, Dan Busler { Norwood Schools 3rd Annual Concert }

The Norwood Public Schools (Norwood MA) Fine Arts Department presented The 3rd Annual Choral Collage Concert on January 30, 2014 in the Norwood High School Performing Arts Center ... featuring Chris Martin and Ashley Nelson - the wicked awesome Choral Directors and Susan Fortin, the wicked epic Accompanist.

It was a night of singing and dancing and clapping and laughing and ...well, it couldn't have been a better night even if they had if they had served fried chicken! (OK, fried chicken would have made it better .. ) 

I hope that they're already planning the 4th Annual Concert ... maybe they'll serve chicken? !!

Boston Charity Event Photography by Walpole Charity Event Photographer, Dan Busler {Travis Roy Foundation}

A few years ago I was lucky enough to get involved with Travis Roy and Travis Roy Foundation. 

Travis Roy - The Eleven Seconds 

Today I am proud to be one of Travis Roy Foundation's photographers. 

Here is a fusion slideshow / video that I recently created using some of my own images & video clips and images from others. 

It gives us a look at some of the people who have been instrumental in supporting the foundation and those who have benefited.

Travis Roy Foundation - Helping People Move Forward

Boston Theatrical Production Photography by Walpole Theatrical Event Photographer, Dan Busler {The Fox on the Fairway - The Walpole Footlighters }

There's a fox on the fairway! But this fox is the two legged kind ... and she's got her next victim in her sights.

The Walpole Footlighters in Walpole MA present Ken Ladwig's The Fox on the Fairway directed by Frank Moffett - February 7 - 23, 2014 at their theater in Walpole.

This wild comedy takes us to the Quail Valley Country Club as they prepare to take on their rival Crouching Squirrel in the annual inter-club golf tournament.

I was there for the media photo sessions and the show is hilarious ! You do not want to miss a second of this fabulous show. 

But which one of these lovely ladies is the "fox" ??? 

And which of these unsuspecting guys ... is her prey??

You'll just have to wait to find out ! 

Boston Senior Portrait Photography By Walpole Senior High Portrait Photographer, Dan Busler { Sarah Maloney }

You know, a serious expression isn't always the most popular pose with Mom and Dad. But somehow, that's just where I often take my seniors.

For me, there is great strength and confidence in the serious pose. 

Sarah "kicked butt" and had an awesome session - you know - you can't fake this! 

Oh yea, Sarah smiled ... too ! 

  

Walpole Theatrical Photography By Walpole Theatrical Photographer, Dan Busler {Laughter on the 23rd Floor}

For those of us who have wondered what it must be like in the "writers room" of a sitcom or SNL .. or, well the list goes on ... 

The Walpole Footlighters gave us a little look when they presented Laughter on the 23rd Floor. And after seeing it I must say that it's a lot more serious and crazy and funny that I had ever imagined !

These characters are real "characters" to be sure. Just take a look!

The cast ...

and crew !