So, I just realized that I forgot to include one of my favorite pictures that Stacey took into Cassie & David's blogpost.  As I was looking at the image, it reminded me of one I took last year.  What it reminded me of is how far I think we have come as photographers. 

Looking back at when we started, we began our career during the peak of "wedding photojournalism".  Although our style definitely still leans to those roots of capturing "moments", we have evolved in the discovery that our role goes beyond just capturing.  We are also there to understand how to capture those moments beautifully.  We feel that It is our job as a photographer to know when to add suggestions and provide guidance.

The following two images are examples of using our knowledge to make a normal part of the day, a stunning result.  Every bride is going to have to put on her shoes or have someone put them on.  If we can suggest that she puts them on in a beautiful location in the room vs. being surrounded by clutter and not so great light, why not?  Anyway, here are two of my favorite images because they display how elegant and beautiful a common event can be portrayed!

Cassie

Today was one of those days that remind us of why we love our job!  We met one of our fantastic brides and her mom for lunch while we were delivering their albums.  They both wanted something unique yet classic, and "them".  I met with them a few months ago and went over some options, got an idea of what they were looking for, and then sat down for some design time.  The best part came today when we got to deliver them!  It was so great to hear how our clients loved them.  How they not only loved the album, but the comments on how nice the finished images turned out!  That is why we finish every piece of art that leaves our studio.  It takes a little additional time, but is the difference between a book and an art piece. 

As a studio, we LOVE albums.  Why you may ask?  They are the tangible story of the wedding all wrapped up in a beautiful piece.  In a digital age, people sometimes forget about the "story" and how it's told.  With the rate of change in technology, who knows if that CD is going to be able to be accessed in 5 years, but you can bet that you can hold that album!  One of my favorite things about the album process is when the bride's mom will talk about how that same bride would crawl up in her lap and look at her wedding album.  These aren't just books with pretty pictures, they are lasting memories!  It's a chance for you to show your children how your life started as a family.  A chance to show them how much fun you had and what if felt like to be there. 

Looking back, I wish someone would have taken the time to explain this and show us more options.  We have a wedding album with about 10 or 15 individual pictures.  I love that I can look back and see what Stacey and I were like on that day, but unfortunately it's missing "the story".  At this point, I would LOVE to be able to show our daughter and son more about what our day was like.  About how my Father In Law's steps got slower and slower the closer he and Stacey got to the end of the processional.  The story of how we had our first dance taught to us as a surprise to the guests.  In short, our individual story! 

Anyway, when you are planning your wedding, we encourage you to think about how you want to remember that day!  How you want it captured and then how you want the story told.  As the years go by we don't think you will ever regret choosing a professionally designed and finished album to remember the day!

Here are a few images from today's albums!

We love when our couples make a statement and aren't afraid of a little color!  With that said, all things should be done in taste.  I love this color combination that Gillian and Ivan used in their wedding last fall, what do you think?

We have been sitting on a stack of interviews that we are currently in the process of cutting together and getting ready to view.  With the big "engagement season" coming to an end, there are probably a lot of brides looking for THE DRESS!  We were invited to attend Macy's Bridal Expo last year and had the wonderful opportunity to meet designer, Jorge Perez.  He was kind enough to talk with us about his debut line and features for the direction of this years line.  I love that he puts an emphasis on lasting designs and not so much on trends.  In addition to a trunk show, the expo featured the work of some additional vendors like Apres, which we included some of their beautiful table settings below!

Jorge truly shared some great information about his thoughts on design as well as some great tips for picking out your dress!  If you are in the process of looking for a gown, be sure to go check out what Macy's Bridal has to offer, and Jorge's gowns particularly!

Be sure to check out some of the images and the embedded interview below!

Since being invited to take part in the Grace Ormonde/Thirst Relief Benefit Shoot in Tanzania, Africa during the summer of 2009, Thirst Relief has remained a cause that Stacey and I have been very involved with. 

Fast forward to this past year and I was asked by the founder of Thirst Relief, Jim Davis-Hicks, if I would help plan their WPPI Benefit Shoot.  The concept was to piggy back off the success of the Tanzania trip while adding an educational component.  We brought together some world class instructors (David Becstead,  Mike Colon, David and Luke Edmonson, JVS, and Richard Sturdevant).   In addition, we had local designer Foat Design, make two gowns.  Brandi Brownlee stylize the event, head pieces by Preston & Olivia, and Pixels2Canvas sponsored dinner!  Needless to say it came together very well. 

This year one of the things we really wanted to do was increase exposure and we accomplished this with the help of Junebug Weddings.  Junebug was so gracious to agree to publish some highlights from the event.  This was fantastic because it helped bring exposure to the entire wedding community.  Plus I am happy to say that they chose a couple of my images to feature in the post. 

One of the things that I like about Junebug is that they place a high importance on photography!  This makes sense as it was started by three former photographers :).  If you are looking for some wedding inspiration, you should check them out.  

 

If you are interested in learning more about Thirst Relief, I encourage you to look into how $5 can help provide a family with a long-term sustainable clean water solution.  And, since no post is as cool without pictures, here are some of my favorite images that I took from the day!