“Jay” – Worldwide Photo Walk 2011The last three years I’ve participated in Scott Kelby’s “Worldwide Photo Walk“. It’s simply a day, actually two days this year, where photo enthusiasts all over the world get together in groups of 50 at a chosen location to shoot, talk, and have fun. This year I chose the Downtown Houston at Night location. While it was still light we started at University of Houston Downtown and walked down Main St to the Houston Pavilions area. With 50 people participating it was a great way to shoot downtown after dark and not feel too threatened. There were thousands of subjects, architecture, cars, textures, and people. I tried to find scenes with people in them. I’m not too forward when approaching strangers, especially if I want to take their picture. So on this day and in this location there were plenty of people that would walk up and ask for money. So much for breaking the ice. The gentleman in this post called himself “Jay”. He asked if I had a couple bucks. Seeing the opportunity I offered him a few dollars on the condition that he give us a minute to take his picture. I don’t know his story or even if he’s homeless. He looks rather healthy to be on the streets so I’m thinking he was just hanging out in the area trying to score some money for a drink or smoke. There does seem to be a lot of experience behind those eyes.
Melissa and Dan – {8/12/2011} Lyndonville, NYMelissa and Dan got married at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville, NY. Melissa is my niece so it was a pleasure witnessing and shooting the wedding. The day started early with the girls getting ready at Studio 11 in Albion, NY. It was a relaxing time and we had fun taking pictures while the bride and her bridesmaids were getting their hair done. Here’s a shot of Melissa’s two sisters watching Lisa put on the finishing touches.
The hair turned out exquisite!
After all the hair was done we went outside in the alley and experimented with the camera and flash a little bit. I always love old alley ways and this one was no exception.
Here’s another in the alley with a lot of special “grunge” processing. I like how it came out.
From there we headed to the wedding venue at White Birch. They made a beautiful house available for the girls to finish getting ready in. It made for just the right setting for a shot of the wedding dress.
Melissa got some finishing touches on her makeup.
Then a kiss from Mom and Dad.
The finished product! Melissa was a beautiful bride!
Melissa and her sisters Heather and Beth.
The men arrived on a fire truck so I grabbed a few shots. Here’s one of Dan and his groomsmen.
And the girls.
Of course no wedding shots at White Birch would be complete without a shot in the trees.
Melissa and her flower girl Bailey look over the beautiful venue.
Dan’s first peak at his Bride Melissa as the ceremony starts.
Always tough for Dad when it comes time to give his daughter away.
Did I say the venue was beautiful?
Afterward we went into town for some quick shots with the Bride and Groom. This shot is humorous to me.
A beautiful August evening in Upstate NY.
Since we were at the golf course we snuck away for a few minutes during the reception to take advantage of the beauty of the place.
I’ll finish off with the rings and the cake.
Thanks Melissa and Dan for letting me be a part of your special day. I wish you the best in your future life together. Sarah and Zach – {6/4/2011} – Owasso, OKSarah and Zach have been waiting a long time for this day. I’m so glad that I could be part of it as their photographer. They were fun to photograph and weren’t shy about trying new things and letting me be a little untraditional where photos are concerned. The wedding and reception were held at Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso, OK. The last time I was there it was in the 30’s, this day it was in the 90’s. The building has lots of architecture and character to make for a great wedding and photographic setting. The day started with the girls getting ready.
The dress was perfect.
The colors were black, orange, and pink with some zebra patterns throughout.
Mom and sisters helping with the final touches on the dress. Love the flower girls looking on.
Several yards away the groom getting his finishing touches from the Best Men.
The detail in the dress was exquisite. Love the zebra fingernails.
Great moment of emotion. Mom looking on at her first child to be married.
I took the girls out to the main hallway of the church because I wanted to incorporate the stained glass windows in the pics. It was cool getting the Bride with two flower girls.
A special moment between Father and Daughter right before the ceremony.
Even though it was 90+ degrees outside I was able to talk the guys into going out for a quick picture. I promised them it would only take 90 seconds. That was probably all I could handle anyway.
A touching moment in the ceremony with a demonstration of total servant hood.
The first kiss…literally.
The bridesmaids all wore zebra patterned shoes. I wanted to really incorporate this into a picture somehow.
No wedding would be complete without a cake. Extending the “zebra” theme.
Now for a run of Bride and Groom shots. They were both exquisite.
This is one that I took some artistic license with. The shot has some added texture and color. I like the way it came out.
Heading out for their life together.
It was a great wedding and I was honored to shoot it. Thanks Sarah and Zach, as well as the Stinson and Taylor families for letting me be a part of your day. San Jacinto Peak California–{5/21/2011}This past Saturday I was busy checking off another location on my list of places to visit. I’ve always wanted to visit Joshua Tree National Park. When my company agreed to send me to a conference in Newport Beach, California I knew I’d have to opportunity if I stayed behind an extra day. So on Saturday after checking out of the “Conference Hotel” I headed east. I’ll show some shots that I took that were actually in the park in another post. This is an iPhone shot of San Jacinto Peak at a rest area on I-10 about 40 miles from the park entrance and just a few miles from Palm Springs. I love that there was still snow on the peaks in the area. Such a beautiful country we live in. I’ll never get tired of visiting new places.
Joanna and Klifton–Owasso, OK {3/26/2011}I was thrilled to be apart of Joanna and Klifton’s wedding in Owasso, OK (Tulsa area) on March 26. I’ve known Joanna and her family since about 2002 and have been getting to know them more in the last three or four years. Naturally I was honored when Joanna asked me to photograph the wedding. The venue was Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso and it proved to be a beautiful place for a wedding. What was expected to be a nice Spring day proved unusually cold. Temps in the morning were in the low 40’s and it was cloudy most of the day. But the good news is it didn’t dampen the festivities whatsoever. My assistant for this wedding was Bekah Crow and she did a great job getting her “feet wet.” She’s got a great eye and I look forward to shooting with her again sometime. I’ll be sure to point out her shots. Of course, every wedding starts with getting ready.
The dress was a perfect choice and had tremendous detail.
A great makeup shot by Bekah.
Again, fine details.
Joanna and Klifton had a “reveal” before the wedding and we had about an hour for some private shooting with the Bride and Groom. I had a few ideas that I wanted to try out and they were both game. It was a blast for me and I hope they had fun too. Here’s a shot I saw somewhere and wanted to set it up for Joanna and Klifton. I like how it came out.
The Church had lots of places to shoot. This was in one of the upstairs rooms. I love the stained glass and the dramatic lighting.
A signature shot for me and it works as well indoors as it does out.
No blog collection would be complete without including the wedding party. It was cold outside so we went a little more traditional with the girls and used the sanctuary. Pockets in all the dresses. I loved that!
The guys braved the cold (Well for about 45 seconds anyway.).
Couldn’t resist the ring bearer. Another of Bekah’s shots.
Even though there was a pre-ceremony reveal Klifton was still mesmerized as his Bride came down the isle.
The cakes were captivating. Simple beauty and the Rangers-themed groom’s cake.
Elegant rings.
I never saw them wear them but awesome hats nonetheless.
Joanna’s “get-away on the honeymoon” shoes. Rumor has it someone spilled something on them in the air plane.
It was a great day and you could tell Joanna and Klifton are totally in love with one another. Another testimony of God’s awesome plan in the lives of His children. |
