Lindsay and Michael's Special Day -- November 7th

On November 7th, I was privileged to photograph the first really big wedding where I was the lead photographer. Lindsay Wolfe and Michael Bell had such a beautiful ceremony and day. The wedding party was large -- 17 people -- but everyone was so kind and a lot of fun to work with. I asked Lindsay a while ago if it would be ok to do a blog post and she said I could. I chose some of my favorite photos from the day, limiting them mainly to Lindsay and Michael and the bridal party. I learned a lot that day and am so grateful for my friend Kelsey who helped me and for everyone who posed for us and helped us out. I am so glad I got to be a part of it and am pretty pleased with the results.

I always love getting reflection shots. This is one of the early photos that I took when Lindsay was getting ready. It was a small area and I was actually standing in the doorway to get this shot. I saw looking in the mirror and knew I had to capture it... 

Another fun moment before the ceremony. -- relaxing with the bottle of wine and no shoes (yet) 

The bride and her maid of honor the lighting in the room made it challenging and I think they were actually posing for the videographer or maybe even one of the other bridesmaids but I knew it was a classic moment I had to get 

The bride and her girls -- this was in the hotel room and I was actually on a chair on the deck to get it but it worked well . This one is special because Lindsay made all the bracelets ... 

...and since we got all the wrists I had o get all the shoes. Still standing on the chair but totally worth it. One of those fun details that aren't planned but add to the experience

Still in the hotel room here. The bride's side of the wedding party was ready to go. I asked them to get in a group and we had them stagger the colors. I was still standing on the chair -- but it worked perfectly.... 

From the first look so still before the ceremony. I love how I captured Michael in front of all the guys 

And here is the moment that Lindsay came up behind him. I loved how she tapped him on the shoulder and I caught it . I was paying more attention than the guys in the background -- lol 

I loved the expression on both their faces. He was telling her that she looked beautiful :D 

And now all the guys cheer and they all look so happy -- love that I got this moment 

The place we were taking photos -- General Potters Farm was so beautiful and the day was gorgeous. This was one of the formal shots we took between the first look and the ceremony. I especially love Lindsay's hand placement in this one. 

Looking back as they were heading up the hill to the ceremony 

The whole bridal party -- before the ceremony -- I had to use my wide angle lens and stand way back to get them. It was awesome to have the hill behind them though. The perfect spot for a group photo . I also love how Lindsay and Michael are looking at each other .... 

One of the few pictures I got of Michael while he was waiting to go into the ceremony. He was standing by the window . I love the expression on his face... 

The lighting in the basement where the ceremony was made it challenging to get good shots and there were quite a few people in the small space, but by moving around I was able go get this one of Lindsay giving Michael his ring. 

This moment was right after the first kiss -- I love how deeply they are gazing into each other's eyes.... 

After the ceremony we went back outside for more formal pictures. These group of trees were at the top of the hill and it was the perfect fall backdrop

One of my favorite formal poses of the ladies 

and then we did this for fun 

Charlie's Angels 

The water made such a lovely backdrop and I love how much of the veil you can see ...

The guys were having fun and were pretending to throw Michael in the water. Lindsay saw it and wanted to help. They were such a fun group to work with. 

Lindsay and Michael really wanted to get some pictures on swings. This is when I asked them to stand for a few moments. A kiss seemed appropriate and I love the composition in this one. 

We got the whole bridal party around the swings. It was challenging but we got them all in -- so much fun 

We took a bus to get to the school where the swings were. We decided to get some photos of everyone hanging out the windows but first we focused on Lindsay and Michael. Loved the expressions in this one ...

Being presented as Man and Wife at the reception. I really liked the way I framed this one. 

Sitting together at the head table. Some of the guests were taking pictures with thier phones and I stood behind them and got this one. I love the candles and the champagne on the table ... 

Thier first dance as husband and wife. I love this because it shows how much fun they are ... 

And the kiss after the first dance .... I love the lights on the pole and how they add sparkle to the moment ... 

Group photos during the reception. I had to stand on a chair and use the wide angle lens but we got it 

I really liked this smaller grouping and the purple light in the corner... 

 This is toward the end of the night and everyone was getting tired. 

I love how Lindsay is leaning into Michael 

And I will close with the kiss after the cake. Such a nice simple shot.. I really love it. 

I have so many more images I could share. It was a great day and everyone was so kind and patient. A lot of photos were taken and again I am so grateful to them for sharing their special day with me. Thanks for sharing my photos with me and congratulations Lindsay and Michael. 

Mary and Andre's Special Day

On October 10th I was privileged to be the photographer for a small wedding ceremony for Mary and Andre,  friends of my friend Rae. I had only met them a few days before but we got along very well. We had a beautiful day and kind of just played the shots and locations by ear. Since it was a small wedding, it was easy for me to pick get some fun and personal images. Things just seemed to fall into place. It was a great experience for me and I was very glad I got the chance to work with them. I recently gave Mary the final images and she gave me permission to share some of them on my blog. I will share some of my favorites and explain why they are...

This is Andre's parents on the steps of the church. This was a candid that I got before the ceremony. I love that I got the mums and the pumpkins

Didn't take a lot of detail shots because it was a small and simple wedding. But Mary gave me her bouquet and her ring while she was getting ready and this is what  I came up with .. 

Mary (right) and her Mom -- love that her mom is helping put on the pearls

Mary specifically asked me to get a few pictures of the organist. The pipe organ is huge and beautiful and in a balcony above the main room on the church. I love this because of how perfectly you see his face in the mirrored plate. 

Mary being walked down the isle by her dad. I love how happy they look .. 

Andre giving Mary her ring. I love this because it is such a perfect moment and for how Mary's parents (on the right ) and her brother (in the purple) are looking on

Another great moment -- what I really love about this one is the expression on Andre's mother's face 

And the first kiss as man and wife -- had to include it just because ... 

Right after the ceremony -- Mary and Andre look so happy :D 

Selfies -- just so cute

One of my favorite candids of Mary.. 

Andre and his parents in front of the church .. 

Some silly moments -- did I mention we had a fun day 

Andre's reaction and Mary's look are priceless... 

Mary and her parents.... 

Mary and her brother  ... 

This is Mary, Andre, Andre's best man and his family -- the kids were fussing at this point and someone mentioned the donuts and this is the shot -- I love everyone's big smiles

Mary and her maid of honor -- blowing kisses 

The kids enjoying those donuts ... 

We were doing formal poses and Andre's Dad decided to photo bomb ... 

Another great silly moment with Mary and her dad ... its not sharp -- but its one of those great moments worthy of a little motion blur .. 

For more of the family, formal photos we went ot Fisherman's Landing on Spring Creek -- one of Mary and Andre's favorite places

Andre's dad went down by the water almost immedialtey. I saw this and knew I had to get it... 

And his mom peaked out between some trees -- again saw it happening and knew I had to get it. She was showing me what a cute spot it would be for a photo ... 

The bride, groom, maid of honor and best man -- showing just how much they like each other 

and because of that shot, I got these wonderful smiles :D 

Andre and his best man .. loved the pose -- makes you wonder what they are scheming ... 

Another one on the bridge -- I love the colors and they just look so happy .. 

On the steps of the bridge. I loved the setting so much I wanted to get the group there --- this is the formal pose 

And this is the silly pose -- and Andre's mom started it all with the bunny ears ... I love Mary's expression ... 

had to get some shots by the stream. Mary looks so happy and natural in this one. You can tell its a place they love 

Had to get a few of them kissing -- and I love how nice the water is sparkling in the background... 

Between the trees was a perfect spot and the way they are peeking out together is just perfect ...

sitting together on the bench -- just a nice pose and nice contrasty light ... 

and then we see the real truth of the day -- actually they asked if we could do this pose and it came out perfectly ...  so much fun ... 

this tree was so beautiful we knew we had to use it as a background 

Mary and Andre love thier dog and asked specifically to get some photos with her. We were just going with the moments and got this one 

and then this one. She was so happy to see them and wanted to play -- but then she kind of paused and I had them look up and voila .... 

First kiss as husband and wife on their porch .. and I love the wreath ... 

This is across the street from where we had dinner. I saw it and new we had to get some pictures -- love the fence and the scenery and the pose. They look so natural and happy 

Again they look so happy and it really shows how much they love each other ... 

a creative look at the cake .... 

Cutting the cake -- and the ketchup bottle shows it was a small intimate dinner  (though I almost wish it was not there) 

Thank you Mary and Andre for letting me capture your special day. I loved sharing it with you and hope you enjoy the moments I chose and why.