the guys: capturing dramatic portraits on the wedding day

There are many ways you can shoot wedding photography. For us, creating idealized and romanticized moments (that hollywood cinematic moment) is part of our photography ideology and philosophy. In an age where it seems everyone has a digital camera, our goal is to provide the bride and groom with something greater, and more beautiful, than simply clicking the shutter and capturing the plain image anyone else can capture. We want to capture art!

I plan on doing a short series of posts, using the same wedding, showing several ways to capture the groom and his friends on the wedding day. This first one, a dramatic image focusing on the groom, utilizes lines from the double railroad tracks and shows off the amazing drama in the sky. Even the low angle of the shot builds confidence and power showing each groomsman well, but ultimately focusing on the groom himself.

a day for thankfulness

Today is a day for thankfulness.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow. We have now, and now is beautiful. It may not be everything we think we want, but it is what we have—and when we look closely, we can usually find beauty somewhere within.

Today I look around me and see...happiness. Now I can choose to embrace what I have, or I can choose to focus on those things I'd rather have. But it's my choice; It's your choice. And no one can take that away from you. In this seemingly small sense, you do have control over your happiness at this very moment.

Regardless of where you are, you can transport your mind to a positive focus of those things you do have. I find a smile from a stranger, a hug from a friend, the wonder of my children at play, or even the sound of wind rushing through my hair and past my ears far more wonderful, in retrospect, than greater goals I may have for my life.

And the fullness provided through the focus of those "little things" can provide me with the most happiness—the happiness we're all looking for.

I wish whoever may be reading this a beautiful day, and a full life.

wygant: creative session (partial)

Attitude.

It's a fairly big word with even bigger meaning. What one person perceives as a tragedy, can be seen by others as opportunity. It's in this vein of thought that Josh and Lauren's creative session stands out.

Lauren loved the imagery of couples out in fields that she had seen of our work earlier, and asked if we could do some shots in a field. The weather was clear and brisk on the day of their shoot. Silly me, I was thinking she'd want to stay warm and had some great indoor ideas; trying to keep the couple comfortable. We decided that for us to create the mood we wanted, and have access to that "perfect light", we would need to start shooting a little before sunset. I loved her idea and initiative; we found a field, freezing and all, and captured some of our best pictures there.

Sometimes brides picture the perfect day, with just the right weather and just the right things falling into place at just the right time. The truth is, that rarely happens. And for those who can keep from stressing about that, and shift their thinking, a world of unseen and beautiful possibilities unfolds! Because with the right attitude and a little fun, you can make a seemingly "less than perfect" situation into something more amazing than you ever thought possible!

e-session: johnston (partial)

Connection.

It's a beautiful word, with a wonderful meaning. Regardless of the subject, when connection is mentioned, it's always talking about the relationship of one part with another. Putting this into the context of love and two souls connecting, introduces a dimension that cannot be found when talking about business, machinery, or philosophies. Maybe it's because we're the superior cognitive lifeforms on this planet, or maybe it's because love interwines the spiritual aspect of our creation, but whatever the reason, when two lives come together, it creates, in this author's mind, a superior connection unlike any other.

Michelle and I love showing that connection between people; particularly with those in love. We love experimenting with the complexities that capture the attention of two souls to one another—and we like having fun doing it.

We think Ryan and Erin have a beautiful connection, and as you scroll through the following images, we ordered them in a way, where each mini-series shows a story. In some cases, the pictures could be flipped, the order is not set in stone. Use your imagination, and imagine what the story might have been with each series; what each was thinking and how they were connecting.

Use it to spur some creative thoughts in your own relationship today. Remember, love is the great adventure and there's nothing like it!

at the church....but elsewere

As much as we love outside weddings locations, it's inevitable that we'll have to shoot inside a church from time to time. And it's a well known fact, that certain types of churches are more "photogenic" that other churches, but that doesn't mean you have to live with non-creative, boring photography for the wedding day.

The images below were shot inside a church, with the exception of the bride and groom portraits lying on the ground with roses petals and the back of the bride facing the groom. This particular church we were shooting in, had a kids area that was decorated with various themes. We found this area particularly useful, for creating unique imagery, in what was otherwise a "boring modern environment". It's a constant goal of ours to take an area that is normal, and capture something magical, or at least find a place where that magic can happen!

We find it advantageous to arrive early at each location we shoot at, to scope out a plan for that days pictures. I encourage any photographer to use this as their "secret weapon". There's something to be said for those who can capture "the moment" as it's happening, but consider taking that a step further and choosing the place in which "that moment" can be captured. Regardless of location, there will be wonderful split-second moments to capture throughout the day, and to some degree you have control over where some of the moments can occur. Don't just capture "the moment", capture the moment in the perfect setting; it will take your pictures to the next level.