Here's lookin at me kid

The Second Enstalment of Wedding Photos

 

 

I don't think I mentioned this in my last post of photos from this wedding, but I had quite a few challenges in photographing the event.  Most of the time I spent in the church basement with the girls, taking shots of them getting ready.  Flourescent lighting, blue walls, and blue carpet were challenge one, two, and three.  But I really appreciated the random old upright piano in the corner of the basement.

 

While editing my photos, I messed around with applying various color layers and textures to the pictures, which helps reduce that flurescent light basement look.

 

The next challenge was the mix of incandescent and natural lighting in the sanctuary during the ceremony.  It would make for an odd mixture of warm and cool tones in a single shot.  But I still ended up with some shots that worked out after editing.

 

This next photo was my favorite capture from the ceremony.

 

The next challenge was the weather.  It began pouring during the ceremony, and I, of course, forgot to bring my super cool clear umbrella.  Fortunately, the church had a front porch, so while I stood in the rain taking pictures, the bridal party was safe and dry at the front of the church.

 

The wedding took place at a small New York town, where we were able to find cute storefronts with covered porches.

 

All the while, it was raining outside.

 

The last and most frustrating challenge of the day was my camera equipment, or lack thereof.  I was working with two f1.8 lenses, which is great for low light, but not great for hardly any light.  Which is what I was dealing with at the reception.  I had no external flash to speak of (working on that right now!), and I really wished I had just splurged and bought that 50mm f1.2 lens I've been eyeing for the past few months.  It would've helped out greatly.
But, I'm still very encouraged about the shots my other cameras (Kyle and Jera) got during the dancing, and I can't wait to see theirs!

There are hundreds more pictures I would love to share with you, but it's just an awful lot to post on the blog, and I'm sure most of you appreciate me limiting the photos I post here.  Hopefully I can share another wedding sometime soon!  I'm accepting new events, and already have two weddings booked for next summer!

My very first wedding.

Well, of course, this is my first wedding as a photographer, that is!  I have thousands of photos to rummage through, but these are a few that caught my eye.  I'll share more later!

I have so much more to share, but I'm posting from Pennsylvania now and don't have the pictures at my fingertips.

I think the most exciting part of this experience will be seeing Kyle and Jera's (the two super cool kids in the doorway above) pictures from the wedding!  We all have such uniquely different styles, I can't wait to see all of our photos together.  I spent the day with the girls, Kyle spent the day with the guys, and Jera floated about snatching details shots throughout the day.  I'm so excited!  I really think the event was a huge success.  And despite my aching body, I can't wait for the next opportunity to shoot a wedding!

Just as I suspected, the kits will be delayed.

But only until Wednesday! I just wanted to let everyone know, because I know some of you are standing by.  The kits will be for sale on Wednesday night at midnight, EST.  I am still awaiting a package of goodies to include in the kits, so hopefully tomorrow I will have a picture of the kits for you to see as well as a price.

I hope you all had a good weekend! I spent most of mine working on the kits, but I also had a lot of fun celebrating the marriage of a good friend.

It was one of those perfect weddings with a perfect bride and groom.  I don't know the groom too well, but all anyone could say was how great he is at everything, how popular he is, how handsome he is.  And I know Sarah is a beautiful, practically perfect girl.

The church was beautiful, and I appreciated the historic aspect of the location.  It was the Presbyterian church in Canton where president McKinley worshiped when he was alive.

It was a little unreal seeing my friends from highschool with their children.  Phil and I received a few "When are you having children?" questions.  Gotta love those.

Sarah wanted to have a picnic style reception where everyone brought a covered dish.  The pavilion where their reception was didn't allow covered dish parties, as they keep a contract with a catering business.  But it was still very laid back and fun.

Sarah's brother, Ben, always seemed to be surrounded by girls.  He's not completely a ladies man, but it was funny that my camera always seemed to catch him surrounded by skirts.

Next weekend I shoot my very first wedding as a professional photographer!  I'm pretty excited, and very nervous.  If you all have any tips, I'd so love to hear them!  And I'm not quite sure what I should wear.  All black?  Something comfortable, yet professional.  Anybody...?

Oh, and before the night was over, Phil and I managed to snag a dashboard shot... although unfortunately it turned out blurry and my face is all scrunchy on one side... heee!

Putting your foot in a picture is better than putting it in your mouth.

WARNING:
another picture heavy post follows.
That's what happens when a wedding happens.
The wedding was for our dear friend Jordan,
and his WIFE! ahhhhk! Wife?! That's so strange.
Jordan's married!
Anyway, I've yet to get to know Kimberly,
Jordan's beautiful bride.
Although I'm very excited,
as they are moving here to NE Ohio.
I digress.
This was my first wedding
that I've actually attempted to take photos.
You might think that's crazy,
but I'm the type of person who does better with actual "shoots"
than remembering to bring my camera to every day events.
Although, a wedding isn't exactly an every day event.
Anyway, I digress again.
SO I was faced with the challenge.
As I found out, it IS indeed a challenge,
trying to take photos at a wedding, without getting "in the way."
Kimberly made a dramatic entrance to the wedding,
appearing from the woods, and walking
what must've seemed like a quarter of a mile to the church,
to the theme from Somewhere in Time
(which, by the way, I made Phil watch that movie with me
when we got home. :)
So her grand entrance afforded me an opportunity for a shot.
Here it is! I didn't get any other good shots of the ceremony.

But after the ceremony....
while the bridal party was taking photos....
Phil and I decided to get our own photos!
Luckily, my tripod was in the back seat.
I swear- I didn't plan it! haha

When we got to the reception,
Phil got me a glass of Merlot
while I took a photo of our place setting. :)

After my second glass of Merlot...
I decided to hell with it-
and got up and got in the way.

Jordan's family owns a dairy farm/company.
And so everyone toasted with chocolate milk!
It was oh so wholesome. :)
And it made me giggle that it was a "milk toast."

I would say, they'll thank me later,
but I highly doubt it,
as they had about five photographer roaming around at the event.
I can't wait to see their pictures!

I think Phil thought about staging an intervention.
He informed me that my feet picture addiction
was getting out of hand.
Perhaps he is right.
After I got home and loaded the pictures,
I realized that I had as many pics of feet as I did people!

Why oh why do I take so many pics of feet
when I am accompanied by the best model I could ask for?
I dunno.
You tell me.

Raspberry Beret

Making headway on the room!
All that is left is installing the light
and making the headboard.
Went by an antique mall- which is always hit or miss-
usually hit, though.
And today I hit.
Three times.
Picked up some stuff for the room:

Which, by the way, I plan on painting that mirror white.

And I also picked up a gift for one of my very best friends.
She has been dating this guy for like six years.
And she had her whole wedding planned.
But no ring, no engagement, no date.
We're talking like hyper planner here.
It was killing her.
So while I was gone at the sisiversary event,
he finally popped the question!!
Anyway, she resides all the way over in Chicago,
and I won't see her until the 4th of July,
So I wanted to send her something special.
Found THIS

at the antique shop, and at first bought it selfishly.
Then it occurred to me- it would make the perfect gift!
So, I'm going to wrap it up tonight
and send it on its merry way tomorrow.
It's got a lot of goofy articles inside

about how like now it's your mission in life
to make your husband happy.
Some silly stuff. Some sweet stuff,
and actually some useful stuff!
Anyway, it's vintage 1947 stuff, and I'm sure she'll like it!

Well, it's rainy and I'm tired.
Perfect ingredients for a nap right now.