Amy and Mark
All the preparations for any wedding cannot prepare you for everything that might happen. But the beauty and grace still goes forward, as it did for Amy and Mark today.
Amy and Mark reside in Jefferson County, WV.
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Julia and David
My first time in St. James Catholic Church (the new one) in Ranson, WV. It’s rather an inspiring scene. When we first walked in, the lights were off. Someone there (I couldn’t see them) asked if I wanted the lights on. Well, yes. This made me happy. 🙂
There are often inspiring moments throughout the service. I respect the sanctity of any wedding service, regardless where it is held. There are some moments that are more special than others.
During formals I sometimes have the opportunity to just look around and capture what is going on. This shot, of the bride (obviously) was a catch, not posed. The light was just beautiful on her.
It seems like every wedding has its challenges with the dress. This scene is so typical of a bustling, as every gets involved.
We want to wish Julia and David a happy life together. They were planning a family shortly after their nuptials.
Mother and Daughter
It always seems that around the holidays everyone who comes to us wants something for a loved one. Not the typical pictures, but something unique.
Janet and her daughter wanted something special for dad, and we worked with them on several images to get just the right look.
Do You Know Harry?
In many ways, Harry is destined for greatness. One by one, Harry has been restoring and rebuilding old computers and donating them to families who cannot afford a computer for their kids.
As of this writing, Harry has built nearly 100 computers. And given them to good homes. Harry has a lot of help, too. Transportation, painting and collection of parts are all done by neighbors and friends.
We took pictures of Harry with these two computers as they are very special to him, and are even painted by a local artist just for the occassion.
The Cardiel Family
There’s something about a large family in the studio that makes for so many more opportunities than just a few people. In our studio, we make a particular focus on children in families, and this family was intent on making that same focus.
At less than three months old, this little one spent a lot of time being fascinated by her parents and me (I make noises during baby portrait sessions). This classic portrait of her lead her parents to get a few large portraits.
The baby’s cousins weren’t really posing, but this was a nice shot from a precious moment between the three girls.
Much of the family is in California, while others are on the east coast. Bringing everyone together for the holidays was a nice plus for this particular sitting.
Amy’s Bridals
Amy wanted unique bridal portraits. We spent an hour or so in the studio, but then went to a local farm property to do some more portraits. I was kind of in photographer heaven, because there was a pond, ducks, geese, a cat, a barn, and – well you get the point.
Setting up most shots involved nothing more than taking a position and telling the bride to be happy. This particular shot was made late in the day, which gave me some great shadow lines and a hazy sky.
This image, with some enhancement, is more in the fantasy realm. But with the swans on the right edge and the reflection of Amy in the pond, this could not have been a better scenario.
Amy was a wonderful subject, and she braved some cooler weather to take the kind of pictures that she wanted. The second picture shows her wearing a lovely hooded cape that she found online. Quite the shopper.
Amy’s wedding is on January 5, 2008.
The Kercheval Sisters
So Lindsey, the older sister, calls us up and says that she and her sister need a nice portrait for their parents for Christmas. They also told us that they haven’t had a good portrait in a long time. Given their youth, I explained that a “long time” is ten years. 🙂
They were both a lot of fun to deal with. They got some nice photos for relatives, and even a couple for themselves.
Tracy and Ralph
Trully one of the biggest blessings a photographer such as myself can receive around the holidays is a wedding where there is a combination of challenges. The biggest challenge at this wedding was there were a LOT of people, and the reception was at the house. 🙂
Getting the bride into her dress was easy. But it seems like every wedding dress has some small button, zipper, latch or hook that is impossible to reach somehow. Here, two of her sisters help fasten the dress before she finishes getting ready. A word of praise for a busy bride, though. She also helped get her young son and daughter ready to go, as well.
This was right after Tracy came down the stairs. There is a small candle-style bulb just below the staircase that was casting this soft light onto the bride.
The staircase was a natural posing point. This is one of a series of about ten images we did on the stairs.
At the reception, there was a lot to do and see. The groom, who helped make quite a mess with the cake, was also quite willing to help clean up. It was a fun moment.
I like home weddings a lot, because you never really know what to expect. But then, I like every wedding for one reason or another.
Nita’s Pregnant!
Nita called about doing some maternity photos with her daughter in the picture. Lexi was very cooperative and is looking forward to the birth of her baby brother (or sister – they didn’t want to know in advance).
We think this is a sweet picture, and are looking forward to meeting the baby.
The Wilson Clan
How do you get ten children to all look at the camera and smile at the same time?
I’m not sure either. But somehow, I did. And this little group was a portrait for their grandparents as a Christmas gift. They purposely dressed in blues.