Updates

Posted on by

There are just a couple more days left to ‘The Big Giveaway’ and I’ve received some very moving nominations.  Some of you have written to me asking how I decide on the winner.  After reviewing all the nominations I select 5 of the most moving stories and I forward them to a panel of 3 people asking them to choose the top 2 nominations.  The panel receives the stories with names removed.  The story that has the most votes is the winner.

I don’t advertise the winner of ‘The Big Giveaway’ for obvious reasons, but I want to share the introduction to last years essay (the details are private).  The winner was nominated by 2 friends that admire her in every way.

We are writing to nominate our friend Y to be the recipient of The Big Giveaway.

The reasons we thought of her are obvious in some ways but yet so subtle in others. She “qualifies” on paper because she has a special needs child.  But in our hearts she qualifies because of her amazing spirit, friendship, determination and ability to embrace what Hashem (G-d) has given her.

So far, for this years GIVEAWAY, I’ve received nominations from cousins, neighbors, mothers and friends.  Each story is heartfelt and I truly wish I could do something for all of them.  I look forward to making the call on January, 15, 2010 to the winner.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some recent studio sessions.  Do they cuter?

IMG_0135wfweb

IMG_0341wfweba

IMG_0273wfwebIMG_0350wfweb

The Big Giveaway Part II

Posted on by

Last year I gave away a free session to someone that was nominated by YOU.  I’m doing it again.  I need your help!

I want to give a gift to someone YOU know.

You know someone that could really use custom portraits but wouldn’t or couldn’t do it on their own.  Is it your child’s teacher that goes above and beyond, a neighbor that is overwhelmed or depressed, a friend that is always there for everyone else and it’s time they got a break?  Let me know about it by nominating them.

The best part?  If your nomination wins you will get a free session and an 11×14 print.

The RULES:

-Send your nomination to dini@dinigroner.com.

-You cannot nominate yourself.

-The winner must be able to come to Rockland County for the session.

-The deadline is 12/31/09 at midnight.

It’s that simple.

Winner will be announced January 15th, 2010.

HINT: Last year I received many worthy nominations.  When it came time to choosing a well written ‘story’ or ‘essay’ helped the decision.  In other words, a 2 line submission saying “Sara is a great friend to everyone and would love photos” doesn’t carry as much weight at “Sara was there when my newborn was sick and she brought dinner to us for 2 weeks.  I don’t know what I would have done without her, etc…”.

On a visit to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Posted on by

I was lucky enough to visit my sister in Sao Paulo earlier this month.  While there I scheduled a couple of photo sessions.  The thing about kids is that no matter where they are in the world they just want to play and have fun.  That’s why even though I didn’t speak much Portuguese I was able to work with them and capture their individuality.  I love to travel and if I you would like to schedule a session in your neck of the woods get in touch with me.  My travel plans for the near future include Los Angeles, CA and Jerusalem, Israel.

1 copy

2 copy

5copy

25 and 26 copy

14copy
40copy

13copy

dinigroner

41copy

Chanuka Boutique – Monsey, NY Photographer

Posted on by

Join me this Tuesday at the ASHAR Chanuka Boutique.  There are going to be fantastic vendors offering jewelry, accessories, toys, Judaica gifts and more. Door prizes galore including one from me  –  a free session and an 11×14.

BONUS:  I will be launching my Chanuka Specials at the show.  If  you’ve considered getting a canvas, from a previous session or a future session, they will be offered at an amazing 20% discount, that means the 16×20 will be available for $320 (regular price is $400).  There will be other gifts available including a free 5×5 10 page album when you book a session at the boutique.  Specials must be paid in full at the boutique.

Where: ASHAR – 70 Highview Road, Monsey, NY

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 24

Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm

UPDATE 11/25/09: Congrats to Rivka Most for winning the package!  Can’t wait to capture those adorable kids of yours!!

And since I’m posting I can’t resist sharing this adorable little boy.

12 copy

3 copy

Remembered…

Posted on by

I’m often asked why I got into photography.  I’ve always been drawn to photos, as a teenager I used to pour over my mothers childhood photos, my mother grew up in Paris and her photos had a timeless quality to them and it gave me a glimpse of the young woman she was before she became my mom.  On the other hand my father had no photos of his childhood, he grew up in war-torn Russia, orphaned at 5, brought up by an uncle, there was no place for photos. At one point, when I was about 10, a family photo of my father’s was discovered, in it were my father’s parents, his brother and a young girl, a sister that I never knew he had.  It was very emotional to be able to picture the grandparents I never met and see my father as a young boy.  That is what photos do, they are a moment in time, frozen, to be preserved and shared throughout generations.

The reason I’m bringing this up now is that yesterday I got a call from a client telling me that her mother had passed on.  She was calling to tell me that the photos I took at her son’s Bar Mitzvah in August were the last thing her mother was able to see and that in the past few months, seeing her mother in pain she got great comfort from the photos I took of her mother at the Bar Mitzvah.

Gabriella Grossberger  Z”L  –  1928-2009

40 and 41 copy

The Bar Mitzvah Boy

21 copy

6 copy

His beautiful nieces, the great-grandchildren.

32 copy

Autumn portraits in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Posted on by

Seasons change pretty quickly; the colors come and go. I read a quote by Albert Camus “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, the colors are just breathtaking. We got lucky this past Sunday; the weather was amazing, the leaves have just changed colors and Chana was ready for the spotlight.

IMG_0761 copy

IMG_0671 copy

IMG_0903 copy

IMG_0896 copy

IMG_0808 copy

Win a free portrait session by Dini Groner – Monsey, NY Photographer

Posted on by

Yeshivas Ohr V’Daas is having their annual Chinese Auction on Monday, November 9th at the Atrium, at 7:30 PM. For ten dollars, you can purchase a ticket for the chance to win a free portrait session and support Yeshivas Ohr V’Daas. There will be a delicious buffet and sushi bar, and lively entertainment by the Monsey Players. Yehudit Gelbein will be the featured Parent Speaker. Yeshivas Ohr V’Daas is an amazing school for children with special needs. The level of care and individualized attention given to each child is truly inspirational. You can check out all the fabulous prizes, purchase tickets, and learn more about the school at www.yeshivasohrvdaas.org.

To purchase tickets over the phone, call:  DAY: Chana Leah – 845.425.1849  EVENING: Risa – 845.362.2375

I had the pleasure of photographing Yehudit’s family this summer. Many of the photos from this session will be featured in a slideshow during Yehudit’s presentation. Here are a couple.

13 copy

9 copy

4 copy

34 copy

26 copy

39 copy