Andrew and Jamie June 26, 2008

 

Some time last year we were contacted by a very well organized soon to be Bride.  She had been waiting a LONG time to marry Andrew and finally plans were being made.  They contacted us about the wedding and we sat down and talked with them, found out Andrew was in the military and very proud of it.  Jamie wondered if IF they had to change the date, would we be willing to or able to still work with them.  My answer: Of course!

Never did I think I would get a call, a few months ago that Andrew was in fact NOT going to be able to make their August wedding date, so, Jamie started the frantic move to try to find a date that would work.  She did and that date was June 21th, 2008.  

I know it was a whole lot of work and frustration but it paid off in a beautiful day  surrounded by family and friends, a beautiful church and lots and lots of love and support!  

Jamie and Andrew are a fun couple truly in love,  Jamie shared a few stories with me about Andrew and I KNEW she had to love him!  Nope, I won’t share those stories with you!  I know they are going to have an amazing life ahead of them as Jamie finishes her studies at Slippery Rock College and Andrew serves our nation in the Armed Service.  It was an honor to have met you both.

Jamie’s father gave her some kind of kiss as he lead her to the alter I think it was more of a lick then a kiss, you’ll see the pictures below, and WOW could that family dance!  

We wish you both the best of luck and all life has for you!

 

What do you do? June 20, 2008

I get asked that a lot.  So what do you do?  Where do you work!  I proudly proclaim “I’m a wedding photographer”  the response I get is “ohhhhhh” .  But within those words are more then just a catch all phrase.  It’s a good profession, in fact, it’s a great profession.  I get to share in the love and joy and sometimes chaos of a person(s) most memorable event.  

I’m not JUST a Wedding Photographer, I’m a friend, I’m a helper, I’m an assistant, I’m a guide, I’m a planner, I have answers to questions others have no clue (I mean I’ve done at least a few weddings in the past year, hahaha)  

I’m a professional!  I have training and experience that comes along with me to every wedding!  I did not just pick up a camera one day and say “I want to shoot weddings”  ” I want to make money”, I’ve worked with my camera in my hand for years before I decide to go Pro.  

I’ve paid my dues and done my free weddings, and $200.00 and $500.00 weddings that I feel EVERY Wedding Photographer should do.  I give back from a good business by giving one free wedding a year.  I’m serious about what I do. I LOVE what I do, it’s not just a job!  I really enjoy sharing in your lives!

It’s a sad day when I get a phone call from a bride looking for a “cheap” photographer.  I feel sad for her wedding day when she does not get the quality of images she could have gotten by hiring a professional.

If you look at a wedding, what are the things that you purchase that will last from that day?  Flowers?  not unless they are fake, Cake and Food?  nope.  Invitations? gone, Favors? no.  Your wedding Dress?  Yes, it will last but what are you going to do with it next?  

So, you see the one thing that is really worth investing in IS a good  photographer.  Because we are the one thing that you will purchase for your wedding day that will last a lifetime!  Everything else you do on that day will fade away, besides your wedding vows!  But your photography, THAT you will cherish: when your first baby is born, when you celebrate an anniversary, when friends come over to dinner, 10,15, 25 and even 50 years later, those wedding photo’s will come into play.

So if you’re looking for a “cheap photographer”  think again.

We are professionals:  We Produce Emotion, Produce Memories and we Capture Something That Will Never Happen Again!

I am a Professional Wedding Photographer!  

You’ll see the difference here!  Do the clicky thing!

Retreat to Advance June 18, 2008

Every year I get to go to a Women’s Retreat up in Punderson State Park.  It’s really a fun time!  I’m not much of a camper, ok, in fact I hate camping, but, I do manage to get through the 3 days and 2 nights up in the cabins.  

I get the honor of photographing the event, there are speakers, special activities and a beautiful landscape to shoot around!  It really is a beautiful place.

This year the theme was “Embracing the King” and they had several different speakers share from their personal lives on what that theme meant to them.  Each person brought something new and different to the table and I am very sure every person there was touched in one way or another.

So I wanted to share a few of the images from this retreat for you to enjoy!

Monica and BJ 6-7-08 June 14, 2008

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of making memories last a lifetime for BJ and Monica.  

What a great day for a wedding.  It was hot and beautiful.  Monica has been so excited about her wedding and marriage that when she picked up books she ordered of engagement pictures, she was so bubbly and could not wait!  That was 6 months ago, and the day has finally arrived.

We started at Casals Spa and Hair Salon with the entire bridal party and moms. It was a lot of fun and they had a blast getting both hair and makeup done!

We then met at the church where a very calm bride made sure everything was in order!  It was a beautiful wedding, with family and friends in attendance.  

The reception had one small glitch, on such a hot hot day their air broke, but I have to give rave reviews to The Music Man  DJ, who not only kept things moving actually was THAT good that people stayed and danced and had a blast no matter how hot it got!  That’s GOOD!

Monica and BJ were an awesome couple to work with, from engagement to the last dance!  We wish you guys the best and look forward to hearing from you in the future!

Lisa B.

CP

 

Taking some time out to recognize some friends June 4, 2008

Every once in a while I want to take some time out to recognize some people who have helped me along my way.  Some of them may know they have while others have no clue.  So today I’m going to spot light a few of them!

 MIKE

Mike is forever giving of himself and his elements, he shares what he knows and what he learns and has helped me countless times when I just could not get it right.  He does not hide his secrets but loves to share so we can all learn and grow.  I belong on a forum with Mike and I spend a lot of time reading his posts and watching what he does so I can better myself as a photographer!

Kathy

Now this is a friend.  She’s listened to me whine and cry for over a year now I think longer.  We have a lot in common and have grown to be very close friends, shoot I even have her phone number and she has mine  Kathy is an awesome photographer who does alot of weddings and events but she really kicks butt on the senior portraits.  Love ya girl!

Stu

Stu is another Ohioian, we started chatting over our love of Ohio (ok, not really), but of our love of photography and being from Ohio.  Stu has become an amazing photographer of the downtown area of Cleveland known as the “flats” and has branched out to many different locations.  His work has been in galleries and now will be featured on notecards soon for an upcoming JCC show and Holiday card sale, it’s all in his blog. He’s been a great supporter and an honest critique of my work and I appreciate that greatly!  

Michael

Michael just tolerates me!  He has helped me do so many things on this computer and his famous quote to me is 98% user error or something like that.   If it takes a normal person 10 tries to get it right, it takes me 3,654,578,567, 443 and Michael has tolerated almost all of those!  Thanks Michael.  

BOB

Bob is last on my list today but not the least.  He has been a great deal of support and kindness for me.  Plus I know his weakness (a certain brand of Choc. Chip Cookie).  He is an awesome Post Processor of images and an amazing graphic artist, If you need work done, THIS is where you want to go.  He’s amazing.  Thanks Bob!  I appreciate your helps!  

In all of this, I’ve made an amazing amount of friends on different forums and I have learned from all of them, their kindness and support has only helped me become a better photographer and to learn more about this great field of photography.

Kudos!

LeesaB

 

 

Point and Shoot Cameras at Weddings! June 3, 2008

Recently I was asked if all the Point and Shoot (P/S) Cameras bothered me at functions I do.  My response was a resounding ”NO”.  The questioner was a bit puzzled by my response and I went on to explain.

The only time it does bother me is when I look at my Formal shots and not everyone is looking at me!  But, I explain, I make a simple announcement that as soon as I get my shot, I always make sure to allow the P/S shooter to get theirs.

She responds with “but, that cuts into your business” and I love this question, because now I can explain this:

I’m an artist, not “just” a photographer and no offense intended but a P/S shooter can not come close to what I can do with a photo.  I don’t just take a shot and throw it up on the web or develop it. I work with it, till it becomes a piece of art.

So brides, families and couples have choices.  They can hire “Just a Photographer” and get some “nice” shots or you can hire an artist and get works of art that will last a lifetime.  Neither way is wrong or right, it’s a choice. It’s what you want from your day.

Some people just do not care and want a “cheap” photographer that will take some “nice” shots, develop them at WalMart or Sams Club and call it a day, while others will pay that extra money for one of kind photography pieces printed by professionals on professional paper that will last that lifetime.  

So, do I mind P/S shooters? No, not at all!

Today I’ll marry my friend! June 1, 2008

Mindy and Chad exchanged vows on May 24th ,but long before these vows ever were spoken, deep inside their hearts was a deeper exchange of love and commitment to each other.  

They met years prior in the same church they were married in.  Mindy set her heart for Chad and before long, Mindy not only got Chad’s friendship, but also his heart.

Surrounded by many friends and family members, they exchanged vows and roses symbolizing their love and friendship for each other.

Now when I say Mindy and Chad were surrounded by family and friends, I mean surrounded!  To stand and witness their vows with them were 19 friends and family members in their wedding party.  This wedding party was a blast and we’ve coined a few new “terms” for some photographic shots.  The “chill” shot, I never had a name for this shot, but now I do (thank you Mindy), you know the shot where the group of people are looking everywhere but at the photographer?  Well, it is forever to be named the “Chill Shot”.  Now this one I won’t even take credit for and one of the groomsmen were supposed to give me their name so all the credit could be his, but he came up with the “Adam and Eve” shot, and I can’t take credit for it and I won’t even explain it, but if you check out our images at www.viewpicshere.com, I’m sure you can figure out which one it is.

Mindy and Chad, thank you so much for letting us share in your day, your lives and your friends and family. It was an honor!