So you’ve made the choice to invest a lot of money in your wedding pictures and now you’re looking for a beautiful way to showcase them?

There is a reason why Leather Craftsmen is king of the hill when it comes to your wedding album. Their quality, construction and “wow” factor are simply unmatched in my experience. In short, their attention to the many little details is what separates this lab from all the competition. I am thrilled to now offer Leather Craftsmen products! I do encourage you to consider them if you are in the market for a fantastic album!

I will also continue to offer Miller’s Lab – makers of very fine albums and prints themselves – at a more modest price point as well. It is always my utmost goal that my brides and grooms be very happy with – and proud of – the services and products they receive from me! Thus I believe that offering both LC and Miller’s is the best way to meet a wide variety of needs and wants. Please contact me if you have any questions or are interested!

And now, an image from Brooke and Matt’s wedding this past Saturday – more to come soon!

However, in the case of Michelle and Richard’s Houston, TX wedding, the honor was that much more special.

Michelle was a youth pastor with our church growing up. She was kind, genuine and I’m not sure I’ve ever met a person who demonstrated so much compassion, empathy and sincere interest in the lives of others. She since had moved back to Houston, where our paths had crossed only a few times, and it was such a surprise to hear from her a few months ago. She opened her email to me with “stranger things have happened” and asked if I would be interested in and available to photograph her upcoming wedding. Wow.

Maybe it seemed like a longshot then, but needless to say, I was available and very excited to make the trip. Of course, having known Michelle well a long time ago, I couldn’t help but wonder what her fiance, Richard, was like. I met him a few hours before the ceremony, and within about 60 seconds I could not have imagined or hoped for a nicer, more genuine guy. Finally, Michelle’s daughter Hannah, who I had last seen over five years ago. You three know it already, but I think you’re very blessed

Michelle and Richard chose the intimate Shirley Acres as their venue and celebrated their love and marriage with friends and family. Again, I use the word genuine, but I could not have imagined a more sincere, easygoing and deeply spiritual group.

So having introduced this happy couple and Hannah, here are a few of my favorite photos from the day:

I had to throw in a pic of Michelle and my sister Shari, to the right!

Something else I really enjoyed was shooting with my dad , from whom I doubtless inherited any photographic genes or talent I may possess! He helped me test the lighting for this last shot, which is one of my new favorites:

Congratulations and a lifetime of love to you both!

Order these or choose from hundreds of other prints of Michelle and Richard’s wedding celebration!

I hail from Texas, so honestly it was a fun time to go Mario Kart-style power sliding around town when we had our first snowfall. (I exaggerate.)

That was weeks ago and winter has since worn out its welcome. I like it cold, but we have had some bitter, slap-you-in-the-face kind of cold days. I fell hard on our driveway one icy morning and was fortunate to have damaged nothing but my pride. But I am told it will be better soon.

Another thing that sucks about winter – not many pictures! My wife and I have been so busy lately – a good busy, a “lots of time with friends and family” busy, but also with a lot of work and other junk we’d rather not deal with, except we need to eat. And sleep, with a roof over our heads

Enough rambling?

I have driven by this old wheel for months and wanted to take a picture of it. Something about old textures seems to catch my eye. Across the street, an old wooden fence as well.

Super stoked about a extra-special wedding coming to this blog soon, and then, as spring begins to replace the cold, gray winter, a schedule of weddings for a lot of couples that I am blessed, honored, and excited to be photographing! Take care and check back soon!

Danny and I first met in college and though they now live in Sugar Land, TX, as coincidence would have it, Danny grew up not far from Dayton. So this past Christmas, Toni and I got to spend an afternoon with them and enjoy a lunch of chicken enchiladas and catching up. Aaand we took some pics – these are a few of my favorites!

Get These or About 340 Other Prints of Heidi, Danny and Cooper!

Nicole and Scott are two friends of ours who recently welcomed their first son, only a couple weeks ago. The proud parents both wanted to do something that wasn’t “typical” (love it! ) so after we got the requisite family Christmas card shots out of the way, we got to experiment with a few looks.

Jacob is about a month old, and as a photographer, this is such a special time to take pictures! Yeah, I’m a wedding photographer, and while it’s awesome to work with brides and grooms on one of the happiest, most incredible days of their life , I’m also blessed to be able to photograph the special nature of the “every day” moments in our lives as well!

While an infant at this age may be aware that there is someone else in the room he doesn’t recognize (who is also popping the flash off repeatedly ), he won’t pose or alter himself or his expressions. He doesn’t care! And there is such an incredible intimacy shared between parents and their newborn baby; one that an observer can “feel” but can’t express in words! All I can do is take the pictures and hope that they capture a fraction of the love that Nicole, Scott and Jacob experience together.

So that is why I loved this shoot. Oh, and last but not least … Jacob is a *cute* baby:

Photo credit to my Dad, who found this little gem while digitizing his tens of thousands of memories. He was and is quite the photographer himself and whatever skill I might possess, I am sure I owe a great deal of it to him.

In that spirit, my goal is to share what I have learned along the way and this, though a longer read , is the first of what I hope will be many such pieces to come. I sincerely hope you’ll find it helpful

First, what exactly is a “professional” photographer?

The difference might be much less than you think. Simply put, a professional is simply someone who is paid for their work. That’s it, and that is really all there is to it.

I have met “professionals” who lug around $60k in gear yet couldn’t shoot an inspiring image if they had a year to capture it (much less a quarter second, as is often the case at weddings.) Conversely I have met “amateurs” with a Rebel and a kit lens who shoot amazing work. (Expensive cameras and accessories are tools, a means with which to take inspiring pictures, nothing more.)

What clicks for you

Second is that photography is a highly subjective experience. In terms of style, what clicks for one viewer may not click with another. I loved our wedding photographer, who shot almost entirely documentary. Others prefer a focus on hours of carefully planned, creative portrait session and hey, there is no right or wrong when it comes to this stuff. It’s what you and your honey like.

This is why I always enthusiastically advocate that a couple find the photographer that is right for you. Yes, I am in the business of selling my services to you. But being a photographer and having been married myself, I know how important this decision is, and I want you to choose the photographer who best provides what you’re looking for … even if you might end up deciding that isn’t me.

Separate the marketing from the reality

Remember that photographers, and wedding professionals in general, will spend a great deal of time and money marketing themselves. I don’t want to be cynical, but my “insider’s perspective” would be to suggest you take many of these promises with a grain of salt.

It isn’t uncommon that I’ll visit the website of a photographer who touts him or herself as a “photojournalist” … and I’m treated to page after page of posed portraits. (?) I often chuckle to myself when I read promises of a “master photographer” … as if there is an influential organizing or governmental body who awards these auspicious titles (there isn’t.)

It can be difficult to separate the marketing from the reality, but a thorough look over a photog’s portfolio is a start. Does his or her work “click” with you? Inspire you? If not, does it matter how many weddings they’ve shot or awards they’ve won?

So what do “professionals” do well?

Now that I’ve talked about some of the potential “gotchas,” does it pay to hire a professional? My answer is that yes, it probably does – if you find the right professional.

The advantages to hiring a professional who specializes in weddings are numerous, but in a nutshell, they are the professional’s ability, through experience, to:

anticipate the flow of a wedding,
expect the unexpected, and
work in a wide variety of challenging shooting conditions.

And of course, once the pictures are taken, to:

process and deliver the photos and any products (albums, prints, etc.) in a reliable and timely fashion.

Artists are stereotypically not the most organized or timely folk and in my experience there is some truth to this. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon to hear of a photographer who is weeks or even months late delivering the products to an irate bride and groom. Personally, it is hugely important to me that I deliver on time and as promised, but research a potential photog to the extent that you can, make sure that he or she is reliable in this fashion.

No Matter What …

Your photographer should treat you and your wedding day as importantly as they would treat their own. This is reflected not only in his or her commitment to professionalism (punctuality, appropriate attire, courteous and timely interaction, etc.) but in a strong desire to “tell your story.” Your wedding day is uniquely your own and your photographer should be able to cheerfully meet your reasonable wishes.

Be sure that you feel comfortable not only with a photographer’s work, but his or her personality as well.

Making a decision

Finally, remember that photography is widely varied and that skill in one arena doesn’t necessarily translate to skill in another. Speaking personally, I do pretty well when it comes to a wedding or family portraits, but I can’t shoot sports for jack. There are photographers who can wear many hats well, but don’t assume.

Ask questions. Shop the decision around as much as you need to. Talk to friends who have been married to find out what their experience was. You may meet one photographer and know that he or she is the one for you. You may interview twenty. But I do believe it is perhaps the single most important vendor decision you and your fiancé can make.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, I’d love to meet with you, both to get to know you a little better and to find out more about what you’re looking for. And no matter what, I sincerely wish you and your fiancé all the best as you plan this exciting chapter in your lives together!

Chris

** If this was helpful to you (or even if you hated it) please feel free to leave a comment or question below! **

We shot around their home in New Albany and got some winners. Here are a few of my favorites:

We were walking through a parking lot … when a fight broke out!

But they made up quickly …

Being animal lovers, they wanted to take a few with their dogs, Zeke and Molly. I’m pretty sure Zeke has been in a dog food commercial or two in his time – he was quite the stoic model. Molly on the other hand was a little camera shy.

Karen and Doug, I’m looking forward to your big day together! Thanks for a great afternoon!

As a photographer, it’s generally assumed that I’ll pose people for portraits – a little “turn this way, look over there” is expected. I loved that Kaylee and Eli took pictures naturally and that their genuine and fun personalities just shine through! Of course it helps that they picked out some great settings as well.

And now, without further adieu, a few of my favorites:

Did I mention the *great* settings?

I absolutely love this shot for three reasons. First, I was lamenting that there were no falling leaves, so Eli just grabs a handful off of the ground and throws them in the air. Second, and funnier than the effect, was that a couple leaves just came to a rest on their heads. Third and finally, you have to love Kaylee’s laugh

Loved shooting with you both, Kaylee and Eli, and thanks for a great evening in Pittsburgh! I can’t wait to work with you both on your big day together!