I am convinced the place to meet nice cute guys is at weddings!!  Both of these gentlemen sported no ring (didn’t notice a significant other) and were a lot of fun to be around.  So!  Ladies!  Don’t miss any opportunity to attend a wedding!

I am teasing a little bit, and a little bit not.  I had a chance to be around both young men.  Wow!!  Great personalities!  I’m just sayin’…….  

Donna Blundell

Photographer and part time matchmaker

Here we go!  A fun day at the winery!  Gorgeous weather, beautiful bride, and a handsome groom!  Cannot ask for better than that!!

Oh my gosh!  It was a good pore cleansing day in the sun!  Talk about hot!  Jake and Ashley were married at 4pm at Lavender Crest Winery.

The Tangerine Calla’s were from Clazzy Design as were all of the florals.  You are seeing right. I did indeed put the earrings on a calla.

A wedding creation flown in from England and fit for royalty.   There are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of this wedding gown.   These are from the bridal shoot.  The wedding images will go up later.

The theme of the day was, “don’t step on the dress”!!  Two dads walking you down the aisle?  Let one hold the bouquet for you.

It was Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and every possible fairy tale of the white knight rescuing the beautiful princess all rolled into one.  Across the grass Kristy walked.  When she reached the head of the aisle Drew turned, and neither of them looked any place but in each others eyes.  Drew stood gazing at Kristy with tears rolling down his face.  She smiled the softest smile knowing in her heart that she had accomplished her goal… she was beautiful in his eyes. Captured by Tony Patrizi

Captured by Tony Patrizi Drew knelt before Jack and Elly speaking his vows to them and presenting a gift symbolizing his vows. A new family was created before all attending.

Oh the joys of an outdoor wedding when it is threatening rain.  We had sprinkles several times throughout the day right up to the beginning of the ceremony, but it held back on the rain.  They had just kissed for the first time, and Kristy just melted into Drew’s eyes.  I am sure they didn’t know the rest of us were there.   Pastor Gary Ellis officiated.

Oh, Internet!  What can I say?  I was madly passionately in love with the dress!  If I could have managed to pull it off, I would have stolen Kristy away to just photograph the dress over and over the entire day and night.

Ok……. let’s give some love to the other vendors that helped create this fantasy:

Photography……. of course that was Studio D Photography
Wedding and Reception Florals….. Hignights
Let’s Play Dress Up Shoot…. Damian and Milan Flower and Gift Shop

Makeup… was by the divine Erin Kay Seddon
Linens…. the ever fabulous Tita’s Linens By Claudia

Cupcakes and cake were from Hy-Vee’s   (no one told us which location)

The arch…. A1 Rentals

For sure I will post more images later.  Time to get ready to go lunch with a friend and not do wedding stuff for a few hours!

Story continued……..

Expression say it all.  A brand new family was created at 5:30pm July 4th, 2010 before God and in the presence of family and friends.  If the truth be told, Kristy, Drew, Jack and Elly have been a family in their hearts for some time now. Love radiates from them when they are near each other.  Their smiles are a little less brilliant when they stand alone.  It was our pleasure (Tony, David, Steve, and myself) to capture the day.  Blessings rest in abundance on this family.

The very capable Tita’s Linens By Claudia. I say capable because event WOW and POP always come from this company if Claudia is allowed to have her vision be brought to life.  Bouquets by Highnights.  Image by my assistant Tony Patrizi.  In case I forget to tell you, Tony, nice job.  I am going through your images now!

Captured by Tony Patrizi

How in the world do you ever tell Jack “NO”?  Captured by Tony Patrizi

Drew was very reserved, shy, and always hiding from the camera :)  YEAHRIGHTSUREUNHUH!
Captured by Tony Patrizi

Captured by Tony Patrizi

ha ha ha….. Jack and Elly are cute and cuddly children.  Cameras were shoved in their face all day by “everyone”.   His face says it all…..ENOUGH! AND WHY IS MY SISTER HUGGING ME AGAIN??????

This sneak preview ends with these two images of you in the arms of the other. You are uniquely made to fit together perfectly.  It isn’t an accident that you found each other.  When you are years from now into the future pull out the images we have made for you…..your heart will sing a love song  that you will be able to recall.  Your heart won’t forget.  It won’t dim.  It will last across time because love doesn’t grow old.

Love you both…..it has been my pleasure to be your photographer!

Donna Blundell

Please remember that images posted are copyrighted and not free to be taken.  We choose not to watermark or add a visible logo to prevent theft so you may enjoy the images and see our work.  Thank you! Studio D Photography.

Right from the top of this post let me state very clearly, “This is my blog, and I journal. I have the right and the ability to state my views very plainly. This is one of those times.”  “Fasten your seatbelt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride,” says the redhead.

I am angry.  This season alone I’ve been contacted about 4 different photographers not showing up or canceling at the last minute with no offer for substitution of photographer. Neither do they offer to find another photographer to complete their assignment.  THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

Tonight I was sitting at a restaurant having dinner. I had been photographing portraits today, attending a dress rehearsal for tomorrow, and photographing for another vendor.  I was hot, sweaty, and had windblown hair.  Dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops, and to make matters worse no makeup, and glasses instead of contacts.  Can we all say grungy at the same time?  My phone rang, and the DJ is asking me if I know a photographer that is free to photograph.  The wedding was starting in two minutes, and the photographer was a no-show.  No one  knew why.

I got there in 25 minutes and was very embarrassed about my appearance.  I got out of the car running  and setting my camera at the same time.  Bottom line……..they get photos.  A brother-in-law captured the wedding.  We re-staged  dad and bride in the processional,  ring exchange and the kiss.  Then did formals and all the reception events.

To be fair there are a few situations that would prevent a photographer showing up and also not calling.  Serious injury enroute, serious illness of self or immediate family, or death.   I can assure you that didn’t happen to all four photographers this season that crapped out on their weddings.

Today I felt so bad for the couple.  It is stressful to be standing there 2 minutes before the ceremony and not know where your photographer is.  It was an outside wedding.  It was hot.  The pastor is standing there waiting.  The guests are all assembled and waiting.  The bride was beautiful with flawless makeup and hair. Everything had been planned and done.

They had no chance to view my work, interview me, discuss my fee, and really had no clue if I was some nut that just said I was a photographer.  Talk about grace under fire………both bride and groom were extremely polite and calm.

What happened to commitment?  What happened to a person’s word being something you could believe would happen?  What happened to caring about the damage it would cause when you choose not to show up? What happened to decency?

Being a wedding photographer means some serious commitments.  It means a contract this is fair to both parties.  There are NO do-overs in wedding photography.

I am extremely harsh in my words in this post, but it is horrible that we keep hearing this type scenario, and we are a small area.  This is so totally unacceptable!!

We get really excited when we hear it is Milan Flower & Gift Shop. Damian rocks! Unique. Fresh. Unexpected. Innovative. All are words I would use to describe their florals.

And if a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up. I know that the accident of my being a photographer has made my life possible. - Richard Avedon - 1970

Two young adults decided to have matching tat’s.  When asked what it means………”friends” .  Here we are photographing bride and maid of honor’s feet.  Won’t win me any prizes or compliments, but it will please my bride because she asked for it!!!

Wonder what the great grandchildren of both them will think when they find this image. 

“Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a
face they think is one they would like to show the world. …Very often
what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject
knows or dares to believe.” —Irving Penn, 1975.

This first image was taken by David Clevenger shooting with me this past weekend.  It is a total grab shot.  The back story.  The dad was in Iraq and thinking he probably would not make his son’s wedding.  This was right after a very emotional toast to the bride and groom telling his son how proud of him he was.  Both faces tell a story of love, respect for each other, and a long history between them.   It isn’t about being posed, perfect lighting, beautiful background.  The facade of both men is down, and the heart is visible.  It’s a keeper for me, and I believe for Andrew as well……for many years to come!

I will look for and add more to this post.   It is these moments that makes me fall in love with photography over and over.

Note to everyone…….. by using the Irving Penn quote I am not implying I am in his category of photographer but instead expressing my admiration for his incredible work.  It inspires me a great deal!

Same wedding…..looking behind the public face we all wear…….

Remember the well known bulldogs playing poker images?  This area at the reception reminded me of it.  It was winding down at the reception, and a few made their way into the bar.  The groom is playing pool, and friends and family are playing and watching.  They could care less about the camera.  Most were vaguely aware I was around somewhere.  Would you sit like the man in the foreground if I asked to take your photo?  No. You would have straightened up, smiled, and maybe even insisted on putting back on your shirt. The groom is relaxed in the background intent on the shooter.

I love this grab.  Between me and the pool table group this was going on.   A total two alone moment. They were in their own world.  Not many adults would let me photograph them coloring.  They would tell me they felt stupid doing this, but isn’t it something most of us have done at one time or the other?

And right behind me the bride was having her first shot of the evening with her maid of honor and a guest.  Again, I got to look behind the facade.

All of these are candid shots looking behind the facade.  Penn had a way of doing this in posed portraits. If you search for Irving Penn on the Internet you can find examples of his portrait work that the images are so honest of a capture it hurts almost.   The person is so exposed, vulnerable, and aware they are letting it all hang out.  As a photographer it is where I strive to go with every single person before the camera.  Some let me see behind the facade while others keep the door tightly closed.  As a photographer it becomes my job to search for keys that gain entrance.

This image was shot with this developed image in mind.  Why?  Not simply because I can, but because it fulfills a statement I made to a friend a number of years ago.   We all go through ups and downs, and good times and bad are guaranteed to happen to us all.

Friends and families always tell you, “It will get better”!  This plus a lot of promises for the hurt to be replaced with beauty and joy.  We say them because we don’t want our friends to hurt or suffer.  It is in our hearts to comfort them.

It took a few years, but my friend, the fairytale did indeed happen to you! May all of God’s blessings rest on you and yours.  Let me just say……. I TOLD YOU SO!!   :)  This image was created to remind you dreams, hopes, and  answered prayers do happen to all of us!

…I can see all the innocence and mischievousness  of your young years.   This young lady was the center of the day…..the bride and groom just think it was all about them   Much more to come!

This peppery ball of fiery energy is the bride’s niece.   Everybody has a story to tell about her.  Her lovely purple cast was changed from pink and green so she would blend in with the wedding party.  I believe she had only had it for a week and already the bottom purple was worn away.   The girl roller skates on the ceiling at break neck speed!

The Walker Wedding