Happy St. Patrick's Day

Coming and Going

One of my favorite things to do during a wedding is simply have the bride and groom walk away from me and then back towards me. It's a fast way to get candid shots. Most often the couple feels a little silly creating 'action' for the camera that they relax and smile because they are focused on the walking motion. In some cases, they even surprise you by running! I like to do this against a simple background or path. In the two samples above you'll see the wooded path and the couple walking away....I like this shot a lot  & it seems to take on the classic metaphor....walking down the path of life. For the second shot, I was basically laying on the grass to get a nice low shot with the open foreground. This worked much better than if I would have been standing since we didn't have the expanse of sky to work with. The grass becomes the calm blank spot in the photo. 

Black & White

Another veil shot this week. I realized, looking back on my various posts that most of the images I've posted so far are in Black & White. The same goes for my office display, for those of you who have been here. I do like the neutrality of a simple print, uncomplicated with color. For my weddings I shoot the Kodak Portra 400BW, but I also love Tri-X and sometimes I'll shoot the high speed grainy stuff. I typically have both color and black and white on me throughout the wedding shoot...in two different cameras. I like black and white for it's vintage / classic look, or when I'm not happy with the colors in front of me. I use it more towards the end of the night when I need my flash. 

I think it works well in this combo shot of stephanie too. It's one of my favorite shots from their wedding day.  

Starting Early

I just love this veil shot of Jessica getting ready. One of her bridesmaids was helping her with her shoes and she titled her head downwards. The window light is also perfect. I really do like to arrive early to take photos of the bride getting dressed. It's great to warm up before the wedding day craziness occurs, and since there is so much preparation going on, it's a wonderful opportunity for really candid shots.  Depending on the itinerary, I may suggest that the bride wait to put her veil on until after we do shots with the bridesmaids (sometimes it can be a bit to deal with) but in Jessica's case, we were heading right for the church.  

Love in the New Year

It's been so long since my last posting and I actually included my blog in my New Year's resolutions. I will honestly try to write a little something once a week. I figure a good way to start is a continuation of my 'favorite photo of the week' series. And this shot above of father and son is a recent top pick. Every once in a while,  the camera captures something 'honest'. Don't get me wrong, I strive for the candid...in the moment...shots every time I shoot, and I'm typically pretty happy. Somehow I manage to avoid images looking stiff  or posed... BUT on rare occasions something more happens... completely out of my control...and I think it shows in this photo. For me, it's in the eyes...you can see love here. & THAT is what makes photography magical. 

the RED CROW

We are just opening our new art gallery in Grass Valley called the RED CROW anthologies. You'll see a link to the side here. It's housed in my old studio space (although Myrtle still has a small room in the back). We'd love for you to drop by and check out our artists if you are in town...and if you're not in town...make plans to come out to the foothills....it's GORGEOUS here, I promise. 

We are having an opening on December 18th  at 122 Mill Street from 6-9PM.

Little Dear

I just posted some photos of kate on my other main wedding blog, but I couldn't resist posting some here on my more discussion based blog too. There are several things I love about OPEN space in a photo...it gives me much more freedom to shoot....close up or with a wide environment. This was my idea of perfection on a shoot as well: The sweetest little subject, great light and expansion. 

Happy Election Day!

As you can tell from my last post...I have been extremely BUSY! So much to share over the next few months as wedding season slows down. But even with my nutty schedule I am still taking time to head to the polls today. Please VOTE!