In the other shoe

Sometimes it is good for all of us to spend some time in someone else’s shoes. I got to do just that this past weekend.

Stacey and TJ got married this past weekend and I got to attend as a guest. Stacey has been like a member of our family for almost five years now. She is like a big sister to Sarah. TJ is actual family.

This is the first wedding in a two or three years I was not working as a photographer. It was nice to be able to be just a family member attending the beautiful ceremony. I’ll admit it was nice not watching Stace officially becoming part of the family through the lens of my camera.

Stace and TJ’s wedding was a perfect opportunity for me to spend some time in the other person’s shoes. As a wedding photographer I try to always put the bride and groom and their family and guest first and do what I can to make their day as special as it can be. As a guest at the wedding this weekend I was able to experience what it is like to wait while the family group formals are being photographed.

I know the formal group photographs are not the fun part of a wedding, but they are very important if not now – they will be in the future. That is why as a photographer I try my best to create the family group photographs quick, fun and as relaxing as possible. I know you want to get back to your family and friends and have fun.

Some newer photographers put down doing the formal family groups photographs. They often say they are boring and dull. Family group formals are a lot of work, but as I said they are very important. Looking at my own wedding album, the images of me and my grandparents were the last ones taken of me and them before they died. I often think that some people just don’t understand this and that some of the newer photographers avoid the family group photographs because they haven’t had the proper training to photograph them. That is a shame, because it is a disservice not to provide them for the couple and their families.

I have often said it is important for photographers to get away from behind their cameras and remember what it is like for those on the other side of their lens. It only makes us better photographers. Speaking of getting on the other side of the camera; I need to contact our family photographer and schedule a portrait session for a new family portrait.

Congrats Stace and TJ! May you have many happy years together.

Field Grass is perfect

I am not sure how, but I have managed to keep hubby from bush hogging the grass out in the fields and it is just perfect for portraits now. I have begged him (actually I have hidden the tractor keys) to give me a couple of weeks for portraits out there before he cuts the field grass all down.

I love photographing out in the fields especially when the grass is perfect like it is now. It is a perfect relaxed setting for families, seniors, couples, brides (grooms can join too) and even kids. We might even be able to get the tractor out there for some as well.

But we will need to have sessions on the calendar or hubby may start cutting it all down. I know I can’t keep hiding the keys forever, so we better get these sessions done soon.

Give me a call or email me and we will schedule a time for you on the calendar I have posted on the fridge for hubby to see.

Thank You!

Here it is another holiday. Sarah is out of school, the banks and post offices are closed. But this is not just another day off from work.

This is a special day. A day to stop, reflect and give thanks to all of those that has served our country and gave the greatest sacrifice. A thanks to all of those that allow me the freedom to do the job I love and raise my daughter in the land of the free.

On this Memorial Day, may we all remember how we are able the freedom we have. It is from the men and women that fought and many that died for our freedom. Two words do not seem to be a fitting tribute to show my gratitude, but they are what I have to give. Thank You!

May everyone have a wonderful Memorial Day and may God watch over and protect those who are serving now to protect our freedom.

A look back at 2009

Lost memories? Thankfully no!

On Easter Sunday, we all met at my mom’s for a family cookout. We all had great time. Seems we all get along better now that we have grown up than we did as kids. Maybe it is because we no longer live under the same roof???

I started looking through a box of old photographs my mom keeps in her room. Sitting and looking at old photographs has always been a favorite pastime of mine. Who would have imaged that?

In the box was an old photograph I have seen many times. It is one of my favorites. It is the one you see here. The young mother is my grandmother and the child is my mom.

I am very fortunate to still have my mom to go with on one of our many excursions. I do miss my grandmother though.

I am grateful that grandmother went to a portrait studio and had this portrait of her and my mom made XX (mom won’t let me say exactly how many) years ago. If she had not, then I would never have seen what she and my mom looked like at that age.

Grandmother was beautiful. BTW, the look on mom’s face is one I see all the time on Sarah’s when I tell her to do something.

I am going to take the time to restore this image for mom and give it to her for her birthday. I think she would like to have this memory framed where she can enjoy it everyday.

There were no computers back when this image was made. So I am glad there is an actual photograph of this memory. The paper is a little worn, but I am not sure I would have ever seen it if it was on a computer disk sitting on a shelf somewhere.

In the box are more old family photos, some from other studios and some just family snapshots. I love them all; well maybe not some of the ones of me in a puffy perm. But I am glad this portrait was done by a photographer that knew what they were doing.

The highlights are not blown out and the photograph was not poorly lit (like what many photographers these days call “creative” or “natural” lighting), nor was any special technique needed to fix the image. Since the photographer knew what he/she (more than likely a he back then) was doing, I am able to look into both of their eyes and even see that sparkle in grandmother’s eye.

I remember that sparkle. Maybe I’ll frame me up one of these memories too.