Eric Crossan

Back in january I had the honor of conducting a photography workshop at the Southgate Coastal Reserve on the East end of St Croix .The Southgate Coastal Reserve was created in 1999 and expanded in 2000 through two generous gifts from an anonymous donor with a keen interest in birding and education.The Reserve is located a little over 3 miles east of Christiansted, just north of East End Road. It totals 100 acres and encompasses a coastal salt pond, mangrove forest, beach forest and upland grassland. The pond and surrounding wetlands provide habitat for many resident and migrant birds including several species classified as threatened or endangered. Three species of sea turtles nest on the beach berm – all are classified as threatened or endangered. About 12 attendee’s interested in photography showed up and I went about showing and explaining the importance of taking your camera off of auto and to the manual settings to produce better images.  We also worked on fill or reflective lighting to enhance flowers etc, in bright sun. After and our or two we assembled on the beach overlooking the beautiful Caribbean  for a Q & A session . I hope to return to the reserve soon to continue to explore for  more photographic images.(photograph of Eric(with camera) and attendee’s by Carol Cramer-Burke)

One of the benefits of choosing Crossan Studios for an outdoor portrait is the quarter acre pond and dock that we help maintain.It makes a great background.  So when it comes time for repairs and maintenance Eric gets the call. It’s all ready now for the spring and summer season

While many of my friends in the photography business frown at the thought of shooting a wedding, I have taken a different approach. Over the past 25 yrs I have photographer over 700 weddings and estate parties as part of my photography business.I simply think of each as a commercial job and add the needed creative and personal touches it takes to complete the assignment. Many of our weddings are outdoors and beach related which makes the job more difficult and that is where the commercial photography experience come in. Take this wedding at the beautiful Wilmington Country Club in northern Delaware. The bridal party wanted to do some fun shots.. They did all the work, I recorded it for a great image for their album. Delaware Beach Weddings, Dewey Beach Weddings   and weddings at beach clubs like Baywood Greens and  Venus on the Half Shell  offer a different atmosphere and are fun to photograph. Of course of all the items involved with photographing a wedding/party or event, great customer service is in my opinion the most important of all.

In Delaware there is one thing that is certain. The Hotel DuPont is THE place to hold a dinner/awards ceremony/party or any other event. The beauty of the Gold Ball Room takes your breath away.  So where else would former Delaware Governor and a duPont family member Pete duPont hold his Individual Freedom Awards Dinner.  This years recipient was former Pres. candidate and editor in chief  of Forbes magazine, Steve Forbes. I was asked to photograph the event for the Delaware GOP. I started at a round table  Q & A session followed by photographs of sponsors with duPont and Forbes.  We then traveled down to the Christina Room in the Hotel where another group of donors awaiting a chance to mingle with Forbes. Finally we all headed into the Gold Ball room  for the dinner ,speeches and the award. I had set up a studio mono light on the opposite side of the ballroom to keep my light consistent and allow me to move around for the best views. I have found this the best way to light a event in a large area.

   I decided to get on the other side of the camera for a photograph with Pete and Steve,thanks to Pierre duPont for taking the image

Architectural Photography, especially interior  spaces can be very challenging.  Creating pleasant lighting can take time and may need  numerous lighting applications. These images of guest rooms as well as other spaces at the Dover Sheraton are being used on the official Sheraton/Starwood  Resorts website. Eric Crossan Photography is proud to have worked with Axia Management for over 20 years providing advertising photography for their hotels.

Photographs by Eric Crossan Photography

Sometimes crazy things happen that you just don’t expect or plan.. Take for example a trip Karla and I made to St Croix late last year to visit our daughter.. While waiting for our flight we stopped to check out a PINK  oceanfront condo that caught our eye. While the views and location were breath taking we didn’t really have a sense that we would buy it. After arriving home and doing some research we were sold and made an offer..  Needless to say the sale was made and we now enjoy spending time at the Seabreezegetaway , a Caribbean oceanfront condo that is location on the Islands West End and is within easy  walking distance to the town of Frederiksted. Of course I have been networking and  making photographs when ever possible. In case your wondering we do rent the Seabreeze condo  on a limited basis.

Seabreezegetaway_St Croix USVI