Hey all, I'm testing out a custom slideshow I'm making for Nicole Wagner...forgive the random slideshow.

In their own back yard (and mine)

Kelly and Chad had just about the most relaxing, calm wedding I've ever been to. Before the wedding they explained that they wanted a very simple day to celebrate their vows and interact with friends, and that they would like my role to basically be like an old friend with a nice camera. Their guests were so fun to interact with!

Kelly and Chad live in a beautiful area right next to Donavan's Place, a Christmas tree farm here in Corvallis. Their neighbor who is the owner of the farm performed the ceremony. It was great. Everyone just mingled in the home, and then walked out to a beautiful fall ceremony under two gorgeous oaks. They set aside LOTS of time for pictures so I just couldn't stop picking shots of these two interacting for the slideshow. Enjoy!
ps This is my first wedding in Corvallis...just down the road from my house.

Confession

Ok here is my confession. I watch America's Next Top Model....yeah it's kind of embarrassing but it's true! Last night was the season premier and Kara and I even had to tape it because we were both out of the house when it started. I love the photography and photo shoots and Kara loves the drama. Actually it is interesting because I really see wedding photography moving from the photojournalist style to more of a fashion photography style.....Anyway, just had to let that out!

The wait is over

Hey wedding fans! Although I didn't shoot a wedding this weekend, I do have a wedding to show you. Loyal blog followers might remember a teaser about the next Brangelina. Well the cool couple who asked to keep their pictures private, have now given me permission to share them with you! Sarah and David got married in August at the Emerald Valley Golf Club. It was so much fun! We didn't have a lot of time for posed pictures so I really focused on capturing beautiful moments, therefore this slideshow will be pretty much all photojournalistic. I also want to let you know about some great vendors I worked with that day. Kurt Hunter from Big Adventure Enertainment provided great DJing for both the ceremony and the reception, while Renee Rocker of City Mouse Design did an amazing job of decorating with a natural touch. Melissa from A Perfect Gathering was perfect in coordinating a wonderful evening.

One more thing, a few people have told me that they would like to make comments on the blog but had problems registering or didn't want to register. I've figured out how to open the blog up to anyone who'd like to make a comment so comment away!

Diamonds in the Rough

When I get home from a shoot I do a quick run through of the images and get them up on my blog as quick as possible. In the process sometimes really amazing shots don't make it.

Take the picture below as an example. I remember shooting this and thinking "I love the line that is formed from the highlight coming in from the window." Shooting in full manual, I exposed just enough to get that highlight, and then just went on with the day.

Last night as I was adjusting Julia's images I came a across this shot, played with the levels, and wow, this shot just jumped out at me as my favorite of the day. Someday when I get the time(probably in December) I'm going to make a "best of the rest" slideshow with all my favorites that didn't make it in the blog the first time....Until then stay tuned, more weddings to come!

julialovesdave

It's not every day you have a bride like Julia. Her wedding was great! Dave and Julia are not they shy type at all and really worked it in front of the camera. I was also excited to shoot this wedding because I got a chance to work with some of Oregon's top wedding vendors. Nicole Wagner, is a hair and make up genius, and Ryan Hein is a great guy and an awesome DJ. We started the day at Brooks Hill Historic Church for an intimate ceremony, and then finished up at the Scappoose Creek Inn. Great wedding. Great Day. (and the Ducks won at Michigan!)

p.s. Shoutout to PhotoGrl for the assist!

Things I've Learned

I was thinking the other day about two principles that I've really learned while in business and how I was introduced to them a long time ago. The first, "Do Your Best" is the Cub Scout motto. I always thought it sounded kind of cheesy and maybe even a little apologetic like, "Who cares if I didn't do a good job, I guess I just did my best." But the truth is when I come home at 1 a.m. after a wedding and stay up until 3 a.m. editing and posting pictures on my blog so that the bride and groom can look at themselves the next day, I know I've done my best. I've laid it all on the line and done everything I possibly can to provide my clients with the best possible service. I lay down at night exhausted but feeling fullfiled and satisfied that I did my very best. I think my clients appreciate that effort, and the results that it produces. Am I perfect? No. Do I make mistakes? Yes. The truth is that we all do. However, when a bride and groom book me they can know that I am going to do my very best work from engagement session to the album design every single time.

The other principle I've learned is "Be Prepared." This is the Boy Scout motto. It totally applies to the wedding photography business. I think of being prepared mostly in having all my equipment in order and really knowing how to use it. Because I'm prepared for most anything that can happen at a wedding, I'm not nervous or scared that I'm going to miss shot. I can honestly say that I really enjoy myself at weddings. I'm working hard, no doubt, but by being prepared I'm free from the fear of screwing up and that allows me to relax, have a good time, and interact with people naturally. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think being prepared is doing all the worrying before the wedding, so that I can concentrate on capturing those timeless moments during the wedding.

Anyways...the moral of the story is, do your best, be prepared, and try to apply all those good things people have taught you years ago. Just thought I'd share that with y'all.

Oh and here is the original newspaper clipping of me when I earned my Eagle Scout award.(and yes I earned the Photography Merit Badge!)

Kendra and Norman

I think I have the best brides and grooms in the world. I am always amazed at how I can show up at a wedding, not having met the bride and groom, and then share the most important day of their life with them.

Kendra and Norman were so much fun to be around. They came from Colorado to enjoy the beautiful Oregon coast at Salishan Resort. I know it's not always possible, but it is so great when a bride is able to set aside a good chunk of time for photos. Check em out!