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.

I am excited to do both their engagement sessions. Yes! I said sessionS. We have some ideas tucked up our sleeve.  Wait and see!

They will be using Pastor Gary Ellis, Ducky’s, Most Wanted Productions, and some more to go!  It was fun to watch Christy’s eyes sparkle as she looked at brides in albums.  Arsenal Island ceremony!

The Gestapo Puppies (aka Anna and Coco) approved of them. Of course the 6 pound chihuahua had to do her great dane impression to let them know who is boss around here.  Both dogs landed in Christy’s lap, and all the while Lance is saying, “No, Christy, no small dog”!  She loved the girls as much as they loved her.

No piccies yet! We do that pretty soon, and of course we are going to share with all the blog readers.

Studio D will be photographing Kristin and Greg’s wedding at Our Savior Lutheran in Bettendorf, and then we go along to the Outting Club.  Did I mention she’s a redhead?  That excites me because we don’t get a lot of them. It’s nice to have a little spice in the collection don’t you think?

Her mother Marsha met with me yesterday to get the date set aside.  She just beams when she talks about her daughter. 

Stay tuned for images of the couple.   Upcoming engagment session soon.