There are lots of wishes by couples getting married. One is for nice weather.  We all know sooner or later we get some rainy days.  If it happens to you don’t be bummed.   Golf umbrellas are wonderful.  Cheap painter’s plastic drop cloths are a wonderful thing if you want to keep shoes and the bottom of the gown clean.  Go for it!  The dress is going to have to go to the cleaners no matter how careful you are!

Clouds, wind, rain…… with a little imagination can provide some really stunning images.  Like this one of Stacy and John.

Left Left Left Right Left

Here we were in the moment of the ring exchange with the priest conducting a very solemn set of vows between bride and groom.  Her ring safely in place, she places his ring on his finger.  The priest goes through the whole thing then steps down and whispers in her ear.   You got it!  Ring on the wrong hand!  I’m just sayin’……. couldn’t you whisper in her ear a little sooner?  

Stacy laughed after-wards saying she was sure it would become a funny story over time.

Sometimes the no flash misfire can be fun.  Lights from the DJ

Stacy and John you are indeed blessed with family and friends.  All day you were hugged and loved on by all of them!  What a great way to start your marriage.

Just uploading ONE tonight!  They are downloading!  Aren’t they cute?

Wow! Internet! I am so behind on blog posting.  One of my unique weddings this year was Marvin and Kara.  They planned, shopped, and worked hard to bring about Kara’s vision of their wedding.

They booked Community Christian Fellowship for the ceremony.  They blocked out the light on the windows and doors with brown paper.  The black and hot pink drapes were made and hung by them.  The aisle was created from 108″ muslin.  There was no detail left unturned.  All the florals were done by Clazzy Designs.

Lights out!  Candles, candles, candles…..it took a team to light them all.  This is the view to the rear door.

Rock Island Arsenal and Heritage Hall for the reception

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  There were tons of details and decorations plus lots of personal touches.

Every couple stands before me waiting, expecting, a little feeling of awkward.  It’s up to me to navigate passed the outer court where all acquaintances visit into that inner place.  That place of vulnerability each of us guards until we trust the visitor.  Some open the gates freely and widely. Others slowly and a little at a time.  Still others padlock the gates and defy you to gain entrance.

This image was toward the end of our shoot.  The shot mechanics were set.  I asked for an almost kiss.  Suddenly they left me behind and only had eyes for each other.  Softly they touched each other and I got to see the couple I will be photographing September 18, 2010.

Oh my goodness! That crooked little boy smile…..no wonder Erin gave her heart to him.

We are going to rock out September 18th.  I don’t know how I got so blessed with incredible gowns this year, but I am freakin’ lovin’ it!   Can’t wait, Erin!

One of the beautiful things I get to do because I work for me and make all the decisions (good, better, and worst) is write from the heart.  It has always been my thoughts to share some of me with others that are thinking of hiring me to photograph their wedding.  You don’t hire a machine. Photographers live, breathe, bleed, and like everyone…..eventually die.   It is not possible to have just part of me show up to shoot for you.  It’s a package deal……all or nothing!

So! Tonight while Lightroom exports a disk of images I choose to write and expose a little more of my heart.

Why do I shoot weddings?
I do so because it gives me the biggest emotional jolt.  I feel good!  NO matter what is going on, I am alive, vibrant, and liking what I do!  I believe in marriage, and I know just how hard couples are going to have to work at it to make it last.

Would it surprise you to know I pray for my couples?  That side of me so often remains on the quiet side because all the world wants to tell you there is no place for religion in business.  They are right. “Religion” is overrated.  I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Will I shove my beliefs down your throat?  Nope!  You have to find the way home on your own. Of course I am going to pray about it

I am a trained chef.  Credentials to prove it.

I can design a fairly nice website!

Godiva Chocolate is great but I like Ethel M’s better.

Bare feet, jeans, and ride bareback…. I grew up riding shortly after I was three.  There’s a place on the back of the right horse just letting the horse have his/her way…….riding in the wind and sun.  The mind turns off and the spirit soars.  Love it!

As much as I hate to admit it a friend nailed me perfectly by describing me as an armour coated marshmallow.

I love flowers.  Favorite?  One yellow rose given to me out of love!  If you don’t love me………the whole freakin’ dozen.

Passion in photography?  The next image.

Why do I choose this image to post with Reflections?  She chose to be vulnerable for the camera.  No pretense.  “This is me!  Love me or hate me….this is me behind the mask”!  Most are not that brave!

See what I mean?  “This is me”!  No apologies!  I love anyone willing to put their heart in their hands and let me really see them!  Game?  Yes?  Then perhaps you are my next wedding!

Ok… enough honesty for one evening!!

You meet some really great people in this world in some rather unique situations!  I always have joked about photographing a wedding in jeans.   This one was in jeans, t-shirt, flip flops, and wind blown hair plus no makeup and glasses instead of contacts.  Fortunately I had camera equipment and charged batteries in the car.

To all the guests that must of wondered why I was so inappropriately dressed….. my apologies!

Jen and Caleb…… may your marriage be blessed beyond your wildest dreams and imaginations!  I am editing the last of them.  I will burn the DVD and get it out to you tomorrow.

Much Love,

Studio D Photography
Donna Blundell

What?  Buy a fabulous creation for your wedding day and never wear it again?   Studio D Photography likes to play dress up.  This time we talked Claudia from Tita’s Linens By Claudia,  her adorably cute hubbie, and the fabulous Latin beauty Elsa into playing dress up with us.

Here is a little slide show of the shoot

Meet Chef Jeremy at Duck City Bistro (Facebook) .   The “boy” can flat out cook!  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, AND he is a marvelous hugger!  It is one place in the Quad Cities they are pleased to greet you arriving and again when you are leaving them.   A must!   Just sayin’ no one has captured his heart yet!