I’m all about the moments. My vision is capturing those emotions in an artistic manner whether through special lighting setups at your wedding venue or just perfect framing and composition with art applied in post production. A fine art approach to photojournalism with a dash of editorial fashion magazine flair. Honestly that portion of a wedding is very hard work. I’m constantly moving and searching for those interactions between you, your family and friends. If the band is really rockin’ we can turn out timeless moments filled with emotion. But there is one more component to a wedding: the beauty. All your energy, time and planning is culminating into an event. Your first hosted soiree as a couple. Recording the scene, the action, is very important to your future together, however, it's those details...ahhh those details. They are the glitter, the glam, the inner you. Right here. Right now.
You will never duplicate this moment in time. Ever.
There will be other just-as-important moments but never the same as you feel right now. Its kind of like the first time you met and you just knew. Whether simple DIY or elaborate tinsel-driven bling the details are what sets the mood and reflects who you two are as a couple. And details aren't just things, they are the portraits.
There are portraits and then there are PORTRAITS. A fine art portrait as evidenced by Annie Leibowitz and the late Richard Avedon is not just a technically flawless capture, but a tiny peek into the soul and depth of the subject. What makes a portrait great is the combination of emotion, self, openness, all wrapped together in a flawless capture reflecting that moment right then and there. Bring your trust and honest self and I will provide you with a peek into both your inner soul and outer beauty. I love those really artsy wedding portraits wrapped in layers of textures and such, they are so moody. While I totally respect and love those artists’ work I choose rather than to imitate but to incorporate. Movies, Television, Video, Photographs. They all inspire me. I take elements from each and find ways to blend and eventually incorporate them into my own personal visual style. While you will always receive the expected group images there will be many with that extra oomph. That edge. Whether deep, intense color or black and white the images speak. They have a voice. And a memory of yesterday fresh in your mind.
I have to be honest. I don’t have a fancy studio with huge romantic wedding images on the walls. I have works from my fine art exhibition days and one little 10” x 10” art print of a wedding portrait shot with my phone. One of my very favorites! And in full disclosure, I don’t have an armload of sample albums, books and trinkets for you to view while we sip wine, listening to ethereal music and watching a video of your photos. Most likely we will mix a cocktail, turn on the TV, put up our feet on the coffee table and view your flashdrive... (me smiling). What I do offer is a warm and friendly place to meet, view some weddings, a respite of sorts. While packages are all well and good I think ultimately they are just a tool that really isn’t very helpful but used to choose vendors. In reality its like comparing apples and oranges. Bottom line? Trust. Compatibility. Talent. Experience. That’s what matters. I have 3 pre-designed packages. But I always recommend we chat seriously about what you REALLY need and want. Most of my couples are employed in some form of the creative arts so they opt for Simple Coverage, DVD/Flash Drive, assistant and Print Release. But if you aren’t the DIY kind of people or just don’t have time to make your own book or album I have some beautiful ones that are art in their own right.
So, who am I? Sometimes I don't know myself, but maybe this will give you peek... You ever take on a challenge? A really difficult and time consuming one? Photography was my commitment. Once I bought my first pro-line camera body I knew it was imperative I justify that purchase with amazing photographs. In the beginning ‘I thought’ I was awesome. Well I wasn’t really so much. In fact today, decades later, I giggle just a bit, privately, when I hear the phrase “you have a great eye”. Code for "learn technique." And that is something you really teach yourself. Over the years I gathered information, mostly from books and blogs or the occasional mentor willing to share. Beginners think we old timers are selfish and don’t want to share the ‘secrets’ to the fast track of rock star photography. But there really aren’t any tricks. That is if you want to be a sustainable 'rock star photographer.' Having a great eye is paramount. However, if you can’t control your media to produce what you see in your creative vision, well then, what’s the point? Really.
I brought this up because I have as my screen saver an image from Bryony’s boudoir shoot. I so love this image. I love it because I have worked my ass off to get to this point right now. The point in which I can point my camera at a subject in an uncontrollable environment and hit it spot on. Exactly what I wanted. Time and time again.
So yeah - just thought it was a really good feeling to accomplish a goal that took decades to perfect. And yeah...I am still learning.
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