It is my honor and my pleasure to photograph another wedding photographer and his fiance! Very early on when we first started Kevin remarked how strange it felt to be on the other side of the camera.  It had been a number of years since he found himself the one being photographed.  No worries!  He was easy and fun in front of the lens.

Katie is just as beautiful as her smile.  Easy in front of the camera.  Quick to laugh. Little bit of sassiness.  Perfect!

Can’t wait!  It’s going to be a fun day in June!!

There are those that just burst into your life and you like them from the first hello.  For me that is how Jake and Ashley came through the door.  They met with me for their interview appointment to see if they found Studio D Photography a match for them.  Right up front they let me know they were also interviewing with a couple of other photographers.  I kept quiet but in my mind I was going, “NO!  I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU…”

The photographer spends the day with the couple, and it is really important there is good chemistry between the couple and the photographer.  So! I thanked them for coming in.   A short while later they called back and asked if they could stop back by and sign a contract.   I was so kewl on the phone, but I did a happy dance when I hung up.

Yesterday we did a first engagement session with them!   I was so right in my initial feelings.   I had a great time with them.  Jake adores Ashley, and when he hugs her he just wraps himself around her.  They fit together perfectly.   Of course they are in love, and it is really easy to spot what good friends they are.

Tony and I decide to have a beer after the shoot.  Who strolls in lookin’ like my kind of people in jeans and sweats?   I want to go do another shoot with them!!  Might just have to do that. I am willing to bet Jake would be fun to photograph when it is snowing!

and without rain! Yay!  See you in about 3 short hours.  All the waiting is over!

The day started out with Greg and Kristin my August 22, 2009 wedding.  It was hot, and they opted to pop in the studio for a casual shoot.  No flash, 85mm, natural light…. just them being them!  Quite fun to shoot this way without all the “expected” poses.

Before I took off for the next shoot we talked about the ceremony, reception, and all the timeline for the day. It’s going to be a fun day for sure!

Then it was off to Vander Veer to shoot Brooke and “Jeremy” (inside joke)

There is no way you can be with them and not laugh a lot and often!  He eats up camera time like most of us eat chocolate.  There’s no shyness.

Of course we had to get Chance with mom and dad.  I really think Chance should come to the wedding!

Then it was off to shoot with Lynn Carr owner of Clazzy Designs for a story being done elsewhere.  You just cannot talk about Clazzy Designs without mentioning Suzy……

Suzy is going to kill me for posting this.  She is a behind the scenes, taking her list and checking it 3 times type.  Sharp wit, ready smile, and tell it like it is kinda gal who loves Lynn!  Suzy is great!!

Started at 9am and wound down around 4pm.   It was a good feeling to settle into some air conditioned air and chill.

Some stories are just fun to tell, and this one I enjoy sharing with the blog readers.  I met Rob the week before Easter at Palmer where he is going through the last months of training to becoming a chiropractor. He is assigned to the doctor taking care of me.   Since I was there 3 to 6 times a week for a few weeks I began asking questions here and there about him… it’s called getting to know someone….others would say being nosey

He asked what I did, and I shared about being a wedding photographer.  Probably more info about being a photographer  than he wanted to hear, but my left shoulder was hurt in the accident.  Holding a camera, working a wedding, and life in general all provided more info about what I did while explaining what hurt and what was making it hurt.

I found out Rob has the girl of his dreams all picked out and they are scheduled to be married pretty soon.

The young man has made a most excellent choice, but I get ahead of myself.  Once I found out they were engaged the wedding photographer in me wanted to know more.  Every visit a little bit more was shared.  I asked if they had done an engagement session with their photographer. Rob explained that they were over 5 hours away from where they would be getting married and where their photographer was.

Long story short….. we got together Sunday afternoon and guess what we did? Duh!

Oh, the sweetness of having the camera pointed at them when Rob shot Melissa this priceless very Rob “look”.   He would have NEVER got it right if we tried to pose it. It would have just looked contrived and  awkward.    He probably would have never even agreed to try for the look for the camera.

I was a captive audience listening to their hopes, plans and dreams for the future while we visited after the shoot.  No crystal ball here, but I am positive as a couple they are strong.  Add to that the feeling that Rob will be very successful in his practice as the years unfold for them.

I love what I do.  Is isn’t work, but instead it is a passion in me.  Getting to peek behind the public mask we all wear is filled with surprises.    Loving another and the emotions that are involved leak out in spite of all attempts to keep them private.  People in love bubble over.  No exception for Rob and Melissa.  She will be his very beautiful bride coming down the aisle, and he will be the tall handsome groom standing at the altar wowed by her beauty as she comes to join hands with him for the rest of their lives.

The million dollar smile was not for the camera. It was for Rob!

What fun!   I met with Andrew, Jessica, and Cindy (Jessica’s mom) last night to firm up plans for their wedding day coverage.  First we stopped by Vander Veer for a few quick captures to round out their coverage.  Their engagement session was outside when it was fairly cool.  Spring!  Yesterday was cloudy and gray, but with Spring colors exploding everywhere it was so good to be outside again.

They are so great together!  Mom shared they had been together since Jessica was 16.  Jessica said nothing, but there was a big smile on her face as her mom talked about them.

We will be at Trinity Lutheran in Moline, and will wind up at The Raddison in Davenport.  In between we get to have some fun with a 1931 Ford.  After that Luxury Limousine will wisk them away. A stop for some extra bridal party shots, and then on to the Raddison.  Ruby Media, Heller Cakes, and SAS Entertainment will all be part of the day.  Gonna be great.  I totally forgot to find out who the florist is.

They have great mentors in their lives. Jessica’s parents have been together almost 35 years, Andrew’s parents around 40, and Jessica’s grandparents past the 50 year mark….if all our math was correct.

Jessica’s sister is her maid of honor.  It was really a lot of fun to sit and listen to plans, and stories about people, and their excitement for the day.

The surprise of the day is my assistant Jordan works under Andrew.  You just know I had to ask him to make sure Jordan was off that day.

We are going to have a great day!  We have an old car <swoon>!  I keep reminding myself I have to put the bride and groom in and with the car …. just kidding!  But no joke…..a 1931 Ford!!!  I am not excited…no not me!!

The tree is so beautiful, but I used this shot because she was telling me her colors are peridot and shades of pale pink. Spring colors! Then she sprang on me she was coming down the aisle under the blusher!  So few brides today use the blusher!  It is so romantic!

Two exciting things one wedding?  Awesome!

David is like many of us. “Please don’t make me stand in front of the camera”!    He endured for Kristen.  Little bit of laughter, some teasing, and promises it would all be over soon!  He did great!   They were totally lost in each other’s eyes.   It was an easy job for me!   See you guys in October!

Saturday’s Couple

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Smartphone Version for Windows Media 10

I am such a sucker for a guy who flashes me a million dollar smile.   When they booked me for their 10/10/09 wedding he asked if I would do pictures in the snow because they both love it when it snows.  Now you have to know I am the original hothouse flower. I moved here from Hawaii, and I just endure Winter.  BUT he gave me this cute smile and I heard myself saying, “Sure!  Not a problem!”  We didn’t have snow until this past Friday and Saturday.  Sunday was the first time we were able to get an appointment scheduled.

We could have used some more snow covering the ground, but we managed, and on top of that we had fun doing it.

These last two images are my favorites of them .  They just sparkle and you can see how much they love and care for each other.  It’s pretty obvious they are indeed best friends as well.

I did the editing and sent them a slide show last night.  Today I got the following note from Christy:

Subject:You are a Godsend!!!

THANK YOU so much for being a trooper and battling the cold weather for our engagement pics.  Lance and I were discussing last night how thrilled you must have been yesterday taking our business, hahaha!!  As for the pics…no words can describe how beautiful they are.  We were hoping to get 5 good pics, but there wasn’t one that I absolutely hated.  I am in awe everytime I look at them.  I find myself going to the computer just to look at them, I cannot believe how awesome they are.  I am looking forward to the spring pics as well as the wedding.  Thank you so much again for beign so prompt!!  I will definately recommend you to eveyone!!

Sincerely-
Christy

Now don’t ya just know my heart melted.  I love my what I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donna

Vander Veer Ceremony and Golden Leaf Reception!   Photos to appear shortly!

Studio D will be covering their wedding May 15, 2010.  Vows will be at The Bridge, and the Reception will be at Arsenal Island Heritage Hall.

It’s a small world.  We find that we have all sorts of friends in common!  I am excited to cover this wedding day! More to follow with engagement session photos soon.