Emily Chastain Photography

Best Songs of 2011

2012-01-28T17:19:00.001-05:00

Before the month of January comes to an end, I wanted to share my annual list of favorite songs from the past year! These are songs I discovered in 2011, not necessarily ones that were released then. You can see here my lists from previous years: 2010, 2009, and 2008. It's kinda fun to chart how my tastes change (and don't change!) from year to year. I loved all of these songs, but am having a hard time putting them in order of most to least favorite, so here they are in no particular order:

Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Sail - AWOLNATION
Life in the Pain - SafetySuit
Us Against the World - Coldplay
Iridescent - Linkin Park
Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic
Hard Times - Eastmountainsouth
Bubbles - Biffy Clyro

Bridal Shoot - Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore

2012-01-24T13:32:00.001-05:00

I just shot these photos last Friday but I can't wait to share them!

For this shoot, I teamed up with the ladies from Amie Decker Beauty at the beautiful Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore. They did all the hair and makeup on eight gorgeous models, and I was one of four photographers shooting the final product! And wow did these models look fabulous. Can't wait to see what my new photo friends came up with since we were all in the same location with the same models. It's always fun for me to see everyone else's vision.

The biggest challenge I faced was doing something creative with each model. I'm usually working with a time constraint when photographing brides, and I can say having plenty of time really did make all the difference! I had time to experiment and try things that I would ordinarily sacrifice to get the normal "must-have" shots. I can't say everything I tried was successful, but I was really pleased with some of the results!

WeddingWire - Bride's Choice Awards 2012

2012-01-19T10:37:00.001-05:00

I won again! Woo hoo!

Every year, WeddingWire hosts the annual Bride's Choice Awards. It's a badge given to recognize top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire network. Awards are determined by my reviews, so thanks to everyone who left me such positive feedback! This is my THIRD year to win in a row. If you got married last year and haven't reviewed me, I'd love it if you did so!

Some Thoughts on Creativity

2012-01-18T15:41:00.002-05:00

This is from a TED talk I watched recently on creativity: "If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."

It got me thinking. Why and how do we lose our creativity as we get older? Why isn't it encouraged when we're young?

I think we're all too afraid of being wrong, doing wrong, and saying the wrong thing.

Creativity is a huge part of my business. I love that facet of the job, but there are some moments when it does feel forced upon me. I have to tell people on the spot where to stand and how to pose, while simultaneously evaluating the lighting, the background, their expression, little details like crooked ties or fly-away hairs AND at the same time field the inevitable questions from the peanut gallery.

Oh yeah, and I'm supposed to be creative.

I don't want to feel restricted by fear or time or ability anymore.

I can't promise that my attempts at creativity will be successes, but I can promise I'll keep trying.

Let's all agree to try more new things, think more new ideas, and get rid of the underlying fear!

Best of 2011 - Weddings

2012-01-04T10:56:00.002-05:00

2011 was my best year yet - professionally and personally. I feel like I really hit my stride in the business aspect of things. There will ALWAYS be room for improvement, and I could list about 15 things I want to do differently in the future, but there are a lot of things I did right and am proud of. On a personal level, it was a great year because I got engaged, traveled a lot, and knocked quite a few things off my bucket list!

Looking back on my work over the past year, it's interesting (and encouraging) to see the progression. I do still feel like I am improving, and I hope to always be a work in progress. If I ever reach a point where I think I know it all, or I stop trying new things and exploring new ideas, please slap me.

Complacency is my enemy.

I've never really done the whole New Year's resolution thing, because I believe if I need to make a change, then I should do it now. I don't need a date in the calendar to tell me when to start. But in 2012, I do pledge to continue to become a better business owner, fiancée (in May - wife!), and Christian. Oh, and I'm really really really gonna try to blog more. :)

Circling back around to this "Best of 2011" blog post, I do also want to say THANK YOU to all of my truly awesome clients, family, and friends. I know everyone says the cliché, "It wouldn't be possible without you!" but no, really, IT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU! The support and encouragement I got from your emails and Facebook comments and reviews continues to be invaluable. There were times this year when I would look at my work and want to cry because I felt like it didn't measure up my expectations or something I saw on the Style Me Pretty blog, then I'd get an email from one of you saying how happy you were with the work I've done. And that's all that matters.

I know I'm not saving the world by being a doctor or teacher or philanthropist. I'm just a photographer in an economy where having your picture taken is a luxury, not a necessity. I get that. But I do believe there is something worthwhile and even valuable about turning life experiences and moments into tangible memories that can live on for generations. And that's why I do it. For that little snapshot of life.

So without further ado, here are my favorite shots from 2011!

Jenn & Will - Alexandria Engagement Photography

2011-12-29T10:22:00.001-05:00

This session rocked my socks off. Jenn and Will were so easy to work with, and so very much in love. It was hard to take a bad photo! Plus, Jenn's red hair and the beautiful fall leaves were a perfect match. Oh fall, how I miss you...

Jennifer & Jason - Antrim 1844 Wedding Photography

2011-12-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

When I first met Jennifer and Jason at our initial consultation, they told me they had a hawk flying in to deliver the best man's speech during the reception. Immediately, I knew this was a wedding I wanted to photograph. Not JUST because there were gonna be cool birds flying around, but because Jennifer and Jason are totally the kind of people who do stuff like that. Their wedding was full of fun surprises, and I can honestly say there was never a dull moment.

I could blab on about their heartfelt and funny ceremony, tell you all about their awesome introductions, or explain how cute it was when Jason serenaded Jennifer with a song on his guitar, or I could just show you the photos.

Ceremony: St. Joseph Catholic Church Taneytown, MD
Reception: Antrim 1844

Heather & Jason - Chase Court Wedding Photography

2011-12-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

Heather and Jason are high school sweethearts! They met on the school bus ten years ago. How cute is that? I loved hearing their story and getting to know them a little better at their December wedding in Baltimore. It was 1930s themed, complete with a birdcage veil for Heather and hats for all the guys. And can I just say old cars are one of my favorite things to see at a wedding? I don't know why, but I love them!

We started at St. Augustine Church in Elkridge for the ceremony. This church was unusual because of the amount of natural light (of which I'm a big fan.) It was coooold outside, but everyone braved the chill for a few photos after the ceremony, and I'm so glad we did!

Reception was at Chase Court in Baltimore. I've shot there before, and I love this venue because of its character.

Stephen Elliot of Mud Productions came along as my second photographer. I say second photographer, but really he's not "second" in any way. I'm constantly amazed at the awesome images he gets, and this wedding was no exception! Thanks for your help, Stephen!

photo by Stephen Elliot for Emily Chastain Photography:

I think this next photo is super cool. It reminds me of something out of a Disney movie. Haha!
Photo by Stephen Elliot for Emily Chastain Photography:

photo by Stephen Elliot for Emily Chastain Photography:

I LOVE this next photo. Probably my favorite that I've shot in a while.

Yes, that is the dance from "Dirty Dancing." Awesome!

photo by Stephen Elliot for Emily Chastain Photography:

Kate & David - Baltimore Wedding Photography

2011-12-06T14:01:00.001-05:00

Kate and David were married the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at a church in Gaithersburg. It was a small, intimate wedding with just the two of them and their pastor. Planning to spend the night in Baltimore before flying out for their honeymoon the next day, Kate asked if I would take some photos of them around the city... the Inner Harbor, Mt Vernon Square, Federal Hill, etc. I'm always so flattered in these situations because I get to be the very first person to really see and interact with the newly married couple. It's humbling for me, especially because I'd never met Kate or David in person before. And they were just so sweet - truly beautiful people on the inside and out.

But of course it began POURING on Tuesday and our outdoor session needed to quickly become an indoor one.

Here's where I have to give a huge shout-out to the folks at the 1840s Ballroom. Really awesome people. I called about three hours before we wanted to start, and they let us come in and use their facility free of charge! Amazing. I've photographed a wedding there before, but having actual time to move about and use all the different rooms was a dream come true. Check out the following photos:

From there, we moved on to the Hotel Monaco, where Kate and David planned to spend the night. It's a beautiful hotel, with a two gorgeous marble staircases, and tons of great photo ops. The Hotel Monaco and the 1840s Ballroom both have a very different feel, so I was happy to have a little variety since going outside wasn't really an option.

And finally, we did pop outside for a quick night shot in the rain. I was hoping the steam rising from the streets and the car lights would make for a really unique street shot. We didn't have much time (and it was a little tricky with traffic) but I think I made it work.

Josh & Mace - Annapolis Family Photography

2011-11-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

I know Josh from my Wednesday night Bible study group through church. We've bonded over trivia and Rockband and I was dying to get some photos of him with his super-cute son, Mace. The leaves were certainly on their way out, but we hunted down what little color was left and ended up finding some nice spots at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Mace is an incredibly well-behaved almost four-year-old with a killer smile and good nature. I brought some chocolate cookies along as a bribe which worked pretty well. Hmm... wonder if I can use the same trick with high school seniors...

Paige & Mike - Annapolis Engagement Photography

2011-11-23T14:30:00.000-05:00

The hotness factor of this session was pretty high. Seriously, Paige and Mike are gorgeous, and I was so excited to have a beautiful fall day for their photos.

I could tell Mike wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of getting his photo taken for two hours, but he acclimated pretty quickly and I even got some real smiles! :)

Can't wait for their wedding next year! I'm sure it'll be equally awesome!

April & Rico - Vandiver Inn Wedding Photography

2011-11-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

After shooting their engagement photos in Philly and bonding over chicken and biscuits at dinner with April and Rico, I felt like we were all fast friends. April and I share a deep love of Mexican food and culture, and well, let's face it, just food in general.

And speaking of food, I got to eat Italian wedding soup at their wedding! I might be more excited about this than I should be... How is it that I've never had wedding soup at a wedding before?

Anyway, on to the good stuff. I showed up at the Vandiver Inn and quickly discovered that April and I not only share a love of food, but also quite a similar taste in wedding stuff. I loved her dress, her colors, her bridesmaids dresses, her flowers... the list goes on. Their wedding was truly a joy for me to photograph. April and Rico - thanks for being awesome ! :)

OpLove Family - Quiet Waters Park

2011-11-21T09:51:00.001-05:00

A little while ago, I heard about Operation Love ReUnited (OpLove). I think their mission statement says is all: To connect with military families across the nation and world providing professional photography sessions and products prior, during, and closing of a United States Military Deployment. As they protect and serve overseas, we strive to encourage morale with a smile in an album, support their loved ones, and welcome them home.

Because my father was in the Air Force for over twenty years, this hit close to home for me. I've always had a soft spot for military families, coming from one myself. My dad was also deployed to England during Desert Storm and although I think it was only for a couple of months, I definitely remember feeling the void when our family of four suddenly became a family of three.

So I signed up to be an OpLove photographer and was pretty excited when Erin contacted me for a pre-deployment family session! It was quite chilly and windy the day of the shoot, but her kids were troopers! I think we managed to have a little fun... hopefully I didn't make it too painful. :)

The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

Emily & Terry - Chartwell Country Club Wedding Photography

2011-11-17T12:22:00.001-05:00

This was such a fun mid-November wedding! I had a couple weekends prior without weddings, so by the time Emily and Terry's wedding rolled around on the 12th, I was itching to get back out there. Emily and her mother repeatedly informed me that they didn't want to spend too much time on formal photos, and would prefer to see more candids. They really wanted to focus on spending time with their family and guests. I love shooting candids, so this was fun for me (although I'm not gonna lie, it made me really nervous when I only took probably half the amount of posed photos I normally do.) But lucky for me, Emily and Terry are super sweet and super cute together, so I was able to get plenty of meaningful moments and tender glances without any prompting at all! I hope I helped them achieve their vision of a beautiful, friend-and-family focused, fun-filled day.

The ceremony was at St. John's, a gorgeous Lutheran church in Linthicum. Having spent much time in the church themselves, Emily and Terry specifically planned their ceremony hour for when the stained glass would be the brightest and most beautiful. It did not disappoint! The reception was at one of my favorite venues, Chartwell Golf and Country Club. And wow did it look UNBELIEVABLE. See for yourself!

Late Night Music-ings

2011-11-16T23:45:00.001-05:00

With all the time I spend at my computer, I listen to a LOT of music.

Artists I keep trying to like, unsuccessfully: Dave Matthews Band, Ray LaMontagne, The Foo Fighters, Bon Iver, and The Black Keys.

Artists I always like, even unintentionally: Jimmy Eat World, The Airborne Toxic Event, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Glen Hansard, Imogen Heap.

Judge me at will.

Bridal Show Success!

2011-11-14T23:23:00.001-05:00

I had my first bridal show yesterday!

My current avenues of advertising have been so successful, I haven't pursued any big bridal shows. But when Mary Ann from Regents' Glen in York, PA, invited me up for their Showcase of Elegance Bridal Show, I couldn't say no! And I'm glad I went - it was great! I met so many quality vendors and happy brides.

Sooooo... on to the embarrassing part.... I brought my point and shoot camera to take a photo and as soon as I turned it on, the battery died. Womp womp. My neighbor at the booth beside me (Martine Cajas from House of Clarendon - check his cakes out, they're amazing!!) was kind enough to take a cell phone pic and email it over. So that's what we have here.... sorry!

Courtney & Jon - Old Town Alexandria Engagement Photographer

2011-11-08T23:22:00.001-05:00

I've been posting tons of engagement sessions lately, but it's just because I love them all! Seriously, I've shot some of my all-time favorite photos this month, and Courtney and Jon's Old Town Alexandria session was no exception. Courtney and Jon met in vet school, and are both successful veterinarians now! Their sweet natures and mutual respect translated very easily into some awesome photo moments.

Gabby & Justin - Federal Hill Engagement Photography

2011-11-04T10:53:00.001-04:00

I met up with Gabby and Justin at their super cute row house in Federal Hill. Gabby had a fire burning, a bottle of wine open, and it felt like home! That's a good way to describe them - Gabby and Jason just feel like home. They were so warm and welcoming, even if their English bulldog Porter wasn't! Ha. He finally warmed up to me, but at first he was a little scared of my light stand. We started off with some shots at their house and around their neighborhood, then walked to Federal Hill Park, the site of Jason's proposal.

Brie & Bruce - Pataspco State Park Engagement Photography

2011-10-25T11:47:00.000-04:00

Brie and Bruce had originally wanted to do their engagement photos in downtown Annapolis, but the lovely sailboat show ruined our plans. Brie suggested heading to Pataspco State Park, which reminded her of a park in Pennsylvania they used to visit together. It was my first time there, but we walked along the Grist Mill Trail and came across all sorts of great stuff. It felt like fall - I don't think we could have picked a more gorgeous day! Bruce kept us laughing the whole time, and I got to hear the very cute story of how they met (short version - grad school, long version - well, let's just say Chipotle is involved.) You'll have to ask them. :)

Rachel & Jake - Regents' Glen Wedding Photography

2011-10-24T23:21:00.000-04:00

Rachel and Jake's wedding was, in a word, gorgeous. Two beautiful people, inside and out, and a beautiful venue... loved it.

Doesn't she look like a movie star?

I think this guy wins cutest ring bearer of the year.

Rachel and Jake opted to see each other in a "first look" before the wedding, something I always encourage! Calms the nerves, keeps the hair and make-up fresh, and it's just awesome from a photography perspective.

Wendy & Adam - Stone Manor Country Club Wedding Photography

2011-10-19T00:12:00.000-04:00

A quick sneak peek from Wendy and Adam's awesome Stone Manor Country Club wedding. I love this shot - totally different from what I normally do, but I think it works!

Andrea & Joey - Frontier Culture Museum Wedding Photography

2011-10-18T10:31:00.001-04:00

Well this wedding is from back in July, but I swear it seems like yesterday! Andrea and Joey are just too cute to escape a blog post. I traveled back down to my old stomping grounds in Virginia for this one - Staunton, to be exact. It was my first time at the Frontier Culture Museum, and I loved the rustic feel of the venue.

Andrea is the third bride to hire me within her close circle of friends, so with each wedding I go to, everyone begins to look a little more and more familiar and I learn a few more names. I'm just flattered that I keep getting asked back! :)

Andrea and Joey are seriously so sweet and so genuine. They've been together for a long time and I don't doubt they'll turn that into forever.

As you can see, Andrea's bridesmaids were up for anything, which made my job easy. :)

Waffle House photos are definitely a first for me, but I love the way this turned out.

Lindsay & Adrian - Old Town Alexandria Engagement Photography

2011-10-13T13:11:00.002-04:00

I couldn't wait to blog this session so it's popping up a little early. Lindsay and Adrian are so cute together, and we share one very important thing in common: a serious love of ice cream! I had so much fun with these guys walking around Old Town Alexandria. It's a very special place for them because not only has it been the location of numerous dates, it's also where they got engaged! Adrian proposed to Lindsay (ice cream in hand) in front of the courthouse. Everybody say awwwww....

Yes, I can make you look like Robert Redford

2011-10-11T11:13:00.003-04:00

Occasionally at a wedding I'll get the request to "make me look like a movie star." At Katie and Zack's Mount Vernon Inn wedding, Zack's dad specifically asked if I could make him look like George Clooney. I said, "Ehhhh, maybe not George Clooney, but I think I could do Robert Redford."

So here you go, Mr. Skochko! This is for you.

Will - 4 yrs

2011-10-10T13:43:00.003-04:00

While the bulk of my business isn't children/family sessions, I always enjoy them for something completely different! Kids are so full of energy and a lack of inhibition. They couldn't care less what they look like in their photos, and an out-of-place hair or wrinkled shirt are the least of their worries. It's a refreshing change from the slew of weddings I've had lately!

The fact I was photographing repeat clients made this session even better! It was was my third time working with William and I think he gets even cuter every year! Maybe he'll actually remember me next time... :)

Laura & Jeff - Old Decatur Courthouse Wedding Photography

2011-09-28T10:56:00.002-04:00

I've been putting off writing this post because I'm not quite sure how to put into words what I felt at Laura and Jeff's wedding. Laura and I go back a long time (freshman year at college to be exact - 10 years!) and I have so many fond memories of the two of us. There are not too many people I could spend twenty hours in the car with, but Laura is one of them. We made that two-day drive from Texas back to Tennessee together a number of times, and I can't ever remember dreading it, only looking forward to it. And that's the kind of person Laura is... someone you look forward to spending time with and talking to, because you know she's always genuine and kind. (Plus, I can count on her to laugh at my jokes.)

My first time meeting Jeff was at the wedding, but I could easily see how he and Laura get along so well. I enjoyed getting to know him a little better when we all had lunch in Annapolis a week after the wedding.

Anyway, it made me so happy to see two incredible people come together and I felt so honored I was chosen to document the occasion. But enough about all that. Jeff and Laura are perfect for each other blah blah blah. Let's see some photos! Can I just say this venue and room set-up was absolutely awesome?? Wow! Ceremony and reception were both at the Old Decatur Courthouse in Georgia.

Going Once, Going Twice...

2011-09-19T20:39:00.000-04:00

Okay brides, if you're looking to get a serious wedding DEAL, then head on over to the Wish Upon a Wedding Auction. I'm proud to say I donated my wedding services to the auction. Bid on my package! It includes 6 hours of wedding coverage, an online gallery, and a DVD of the edited, high resolution files. Opening bid is only $250 for a value of $2100!

Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit organization to provide weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness. The current fund-raising auction will help the organization continue to provide and promote this invaluable service. So come check it out - it's a great way to save while supporting an awesome cause.

Zack & Katie - Mount Vernon Inn Wedding Photography

2011-09-19T12:45:00.001-04:00

The Mount Vernon Inn in Virginia is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to shoot. I've been there twice now, and I love the charm and atmosphere! Each room is decorated differently, and the staff wears period clothing. And as a special treat at Zack and Katie's wedding, George Washington himself showed up and taught Katie how to dance the Minuet. :)

I enjoyed getting to know Zack and Katie a little better on their wedding day. They are a really well-balanced couple, complementing each other perfectly. Zack and I share a love for photography (and he's really good! Check him out: http://zack.zenfolio.com/) so I felt like I needed to make their photos extra special.

Oh, and I should mention that Zack and Katie are also incredibly generous! They gave me the biggest tip of my life. Wow! Was not expecting that. Thanks so much guys!

Oh Canada!

2011-09-14T23:07:00.002-04:00

In addition to shooting about a bajillion weddings this year, I've also made time for a little bit of fun. :) I blocked a whole weekend off my calendar in August so Paul and I could take a trip to his hometown in Nova Scotia. It's been two years since I was last there to visit his family, so it was about time!

I honestly didn't shoot too much this trip. As much as I love my camera, it was nice to have a short break from it.

We flew in and out of Halifax. That whole city just looks like a postcard.

While everyone else was surviving Hurricane Irene, we were sailing in the Halifax Harbor with nothing but blue skies and beautiful weather. :)

We hiked down to this amazing waterfall in the middle of nowhere. So pretty! I'd never be able to find it again if my life depended on it.

Amber & Ryan - Annapolis Engagement Photographer

2011-09-08T11:25:00.001-04:00

I have to admit, I was a little nervous going into Amber and Ryan's engagement session in downtown Annapolis. Ryan is a fabulous equine photographer, and I felt like I had to live up to his standards! Seriously, check him out! We had fun nerding out a little with some photo talk, and Amber was patient enough to oblige us. One thing I should note about Amber - she's an awesome model! I'm not sure if it comes from dating a photographer or her background as a dancer, but she certainly made my job easy! :)

Jess & Rob - Brittland Manor Wedding

2011-08-31T12:07:00.000-04:00

Jess and Rob's wedding at the gorgeous Brittland Estates could not have been more perfect. And I mean that seriously. Well.... okay, I take it back. Rob nicked his neck while shaving and bled on his white shirt, but otherwise, perfect! :) I loved hanging out with Jess and Rob during their awesome Baltimore aquarium engagement session and I loved hanging out with them again at the wedding. Jess' infectious smile and Rob's easy-going nature made my job so enjoyable it was hard to believe I was getting paid to have this much fun. One of my most favorite deejays, Steve of Steve Moody's Entertainment Connection, kept the crowd on their feet the entire night and I was able to snag several really fun dance photos. And speaking of dancing, Jess and Rob's first dance was awesome! I'm a sucker for hilarious, choreographed dances, and theirs did not disappoint!

Why I Shoot JPEG

2011-08-17T11:06:00.000-04:00

For this post, I want to talk a little about my process as a photographer, instead of just showing you more pretty pictures. (I have plenty of those saved for later in the week!) :)

I get a lot of funny looks when I tell fellow photographers that I never shoot RAW, only JPEG. The common response seems to be an incredulous Really?!?

Really.

And here's why.

1.) It makes me a better photographer. And that's first and foremost. I know myself, and I know that I would get super lazy if I shot RAW. Shooting JPEG means I have to get things right in the camera because I don't have the flexibility of RAW to fall back on. It changes my mindset. I can't think, "Oh, I'll just fix that later - it's good enough." I have to think, "What can I do to make this perfect now?"

2.) I save space. Like loads and loads of space. Jpegs come out right around 6 MB, roughly one-fourth the size they would be in RAW. I don't care who you are, 25 MB files are (in my humble opinion) stupid and unnecessary. I'm not sacrificing any size by shooting JPEG - my images out of the camera are still 52x78 inches at 72 dpi. Plenty big.

3.) I save time. Time archiving my photos, transferring my photos, burning my photos, uploading my photos. You get the picture. (pun intended.)

4.) I can use my in-camera presets. If I know I'm already going to be adding some contrast and a punch of color in my post-processing, why not do it in camera? Like everyone else out there, I don't want to edit more than I have to. I actually bump up the color and contrast in my camera, so my images already have a jump start in looking the way I want them to.

Now, don't get me wrong. I realize the limitations to shooting purely JPEG, and if RAW is the way to go for you, I'm certainly not saying I'm right and you're wrong. I'm merely trying to explain what works best for me and why. I know there are valid arguments from both sides. By the way, if you want to learn more about RAW format or JPEG format, check out this helpful article.

Breaking News...

2011-08-17T00:52:00.000-04:00

I think I'll start blogging more.

Turns out people (other than my mother) actually read this thing! Who knew?!?

Rachel & Brian - Westin Annapolis Wedding Photography

2011-08-15T20:30:00.001-04:00

I've been looking forward to Rachel and Brian's wedding for a long time. Their engagement photos in downtown Annapolis are (to this day) some of my all-time favorites.

Rachel and Brian are some of the most selfless and kind people I know. For example, the first thing Rachel did when she saw me was to congratulate me on my engagement. On her wedding day! As the day progressed, it became very clear to me exactly how much Rachel and Brian are loved. Not only are they good at developing friendships and relationships, they are really good at maintaining them. Their huge guest list was a testimony to that.

Special thanks to Alison of Freckle Photography for being my second shooter. Her easy-going personality and quick smile were the perfect additions to Rachel and Brian's awesome Westin Annapolis wedding!

The First Look:

Jenny & Justin - Towson Golf and Country Club Wedding Photographer

2011-08-04T23:19:00.000-04:00

The thing that stuck out to me the most about Jenny and Justin's wedding was the genuine sweetness of emotion every seemed to share. Jenny and Justin and their families were so cooperative, so loving, and just overall so nice! If you don't believe me, believe this: Jenny's mom made her dress. As in, sewed it all herself. That's a labor of love right there!

The other super cool thing (well, one of the things) about this wedding was the bouquets and boutonnieres. There were fresh herbs in them, so they smelled like rosemary, mint, and other awesomeness. Any time one of the girls would walk past me, I could smell this great aroma. I haven't seen that before, or since, but I think the idea is brilliant!

I started the day at Jenny's parents' house (I'll save you the embarrassing story about meeting Jenny's dad for the first time as he was putting on his pants... totally my fault, of course), then headed to the Marikle Chapel in the College of Notre Dame of Maryland for the ceremony. Reception was at Towson Golf and Country Club. After my rainy experience there back in April, I was so happy to experience the beauty of it on a warm, sunny day!

Philly Engagement Teaser

2011-07-30T00:09:00.000-04:00

Just a preview of my engagement session in Philadelphia last night... I'm loving this shot!!

Marsha & Eddie - Annapolis Engagement Photography

2011-07-21T10:51:00.000-04:00

Marsha and Eddie will always hold a special place in my heart because, well, they bought me dinner. (Want to win me over? Feed me. Haha.) In all seriousness, I had such a blast photographing their engagement session in downtown Annapolis, and it seemed only natural to go to dinner afterward. Marsha and Eddie are one of those rare couples who I felt were completely themselves in front of the camera. They weren't acting or putting on a show. What I saw was who they are as people - fun, engaging, generous, and real.

Emily & Mike - Crofton Engagement Photography

2011-07-19T00:03:00.001-04:00

The best part of Emily and Mike's wedding (well, one of the best parts anyway) was walking into their reception site and seeing the engagement photos I took EVERYWHERE! It was great! What an awesome way to maximize an engagement session - their faces were on the backside of the table numbers, hanging in frames on the wall, part of the seating chart, and in an entire guest signing book. I loved it.

I think I kinda jumped ahead there, so I should note that the whole day was really awesome too, not just the details and decorations. :)

I definitely have to give Emily and Mike the award for best ceremony music ever! Emily walked down the aisle to a band playing a Red Hot Chili Peppers song (in a Catholic church no less!) and it was so amazingly personalized and perfect I started to get a little choked up. Never have I seen song selections so original, endearing, and well-suited to the mood and moment.

Anyway, enough blabbing about how much I liked this wedding... check out the photos and see for yourself!

(Btw, for inquiring minds, the ceremony was at Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville, and the reception was at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Crofton. Mike and Emily also share a love for golf, so the golf photos were taken at a golf course we stopped at nearby.)

Jessica & Chris - Annapolis Engagement Photographer

2011-07-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

Right away, Jessica began by informing me that she didn't really take good photos. Two hours later, I could not disagree more!

Jessica and Chris have a very natural chemistry. They spent the whole session cracking each other up. (I wish I could say they were laughing at all the funny things I said, but I don't think that was quite the case.)

We hit a few spots in downtown Annapolis, then headed over to the Naval Academy, where Chris works. I had some ideas in mind already, and Chris pointed out a few buildings I'd never been inside before. We finished up at the sea wall just in time to catch the pretty blue twilight sky.

Jadyn - 6 months

2011-07-01T11:49:00.000-04:00

I swear, this little girl just gets cuter and cuter each time I see her.

And a few family photos:

Canon vs. Nikon - The Great Swap!

2011-06-29T11:25:00.003-04:00

The Experiment:

Inspired by reading this article, I asked my friend and fellow photographer Stephen Elliot of Mud Productions if he'd be interested in conducting a similar experiment with me: swapping camera gear and giving Nikon (for me) and Canon (for him) a fair shake.

(Although that sounds polite enough, in reality I just wanted him to stop bragging about Nikon. I mean, it can't be that good... right?)

I've been using Canon professional dSLR equipment ever since 2003, when I first bought the Canon 10D. A pretty revolutionary camera in its day! I attribute this camera to really developing and fine-tuning my interest and knowledge of photography. I've cycled through about 5 camera models since then, and I've never not felt the Canon love.

As I started thinking about it, I wondered where, exactly, my opinion that Nikons are inferior developed. Aside from picking up a friend's camera here and there and playing around with it, and things I read from other people online, I have virtually nothing with which to back this theory up. I could be wrong, but I assume Stephen's anti-Canon experience is similar.

With all that in mind, I set off to settle this great debate once and for all.

So last Friday night, Stephen and I met up in Annapolis for The Great Swap. I reluctantly handed over my 5D Mark II (that Stephen could barely wait to get his hands on) and he happily offered me his D300 and we set off. (Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite like that, but I like to imagine it that way.)

Stephen's girlfriend, Lacey, volunteered to be our model for the evening. Fortunately for us, she was MORE than patient and her previous modeling experience meant that we didn't have to think about posing her.

Initial thoughts:

EVERYTHING IS BACKWARDS! The learning curve was much larger than I ever thought it would be. Everything moves/turns/adjusts in the opposite direction. Even the exposure meter went like this: +......|...... - whereas mine looks like this: - ......|......+ However, to Nikon's credit, that was able to be switched around in camera. I mean, it was all backwards to the point that I wondered if the camera designers had done it on purpose, just to make photographers less inclined to ever switch. Despite my initial confusion and floundering, I will concede that the Nikon navigation is a little bit more natural and intuitive than my Canon's. There are definitely some items so far buried within the Canon menus that I either a) never use because I forget they exist or can't remember how to access them or b) never use because I never knew they existed in the first place!

The noise/grain on the D300 was much higher than the levels I'm used to seeing on my 5D Mark II. But, we were not exactly comparing apples to apples in this regard, as my camera is nearly $1000 more expensive than Stephen's. Had I been borrowing a D3s, I think the results would have been different. With that said, one of the reasons I LOVE my camera is the way it handles low light and I wouldn't want to give that up. I hardly think twice about bumping my ISO up to 3200 for a reception, but in anything over 1600 ISO on the D300 I noticed a significant loss of detail in the blacks and a lot of extra noise.

As far as focusing goes, Nikon wins this point. That's the one complaint I've always heard from Canon users (and probably my main complaint as well) - it's just not as sharp as it should be all the time. However, despite the fact I really liked how it focused, I didn't think it did a good job focusing in low light at all. It seemed to be painfully slow, and in fact I missed a couple of shots when Lacey did something unexpected because the camera couldn't quite focus itself in time. But for daytime, all-purpose shooting, Nikon focusing rocks.

The Nikon flash system also wins my vote over Canon's. It is absolutely easier to control and recycle time seemed to be faster. (Again, not apples to apples on the recycle time, since I was using Stephen's rechargeable batteries and he was using my regular ones.) On my 580 EX II, I get extremely frustrated at having to press the "zoom" button four times just to do one simple function, or pressing a button and turning a wheel to adjust the manual power. Nikon has the upper hand here, in my opinion.

LCD screen - I like the Canon display much, much better. Although they are about the same size, mine automatically brightens up in sunlight, or dims at night, so you can see an accurate picture at any time of day. The Nikon screen wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be (from what I've used in the past) but I still prefer Canon's version. I like knowing that what I see on the screen is pretty much what I'm going to get.

Radio Poppers are better than Pocket Wizards. In addition to swapping camera bodies and lenses, we also swapped our radio transmitters. I am used to using Radio Poppers, and Stephen uses Pocket Wizards (neither of which are brand-specific.) I love the minimalistic approach of the Radio Poppers! There is one tiny transmitter that velcros onto an on-camera flash, and then the receiver is nice and cleanly bracketed next to my remote flash on a lightstand. Using Pocket Wizards for the first time, it was difficult for me to keep track of the receiver as it just kept dangling from the flash, or the cord kept unattaching from the camera. I dropped it at least once. After Friday's experiment, I was extremely happy with my Radio Popper purchase.

This is extremely minor and hardly worth mentioning, but I kinda sorta prefer the sound of the Nikon shutter. Maybe it just sounded cool to me because it was different.

Post-shoot assessments:

After downloading the files, I noticed a couple things. Nikon's color, especially as it relates to skin tones, is a tad different. I'm used to seeing more red/magenta hues in my skin tones, and with Nikon I noticed more yellow-toned ones. I might even venture to say skin looked more washed out. I suppose this is a matter of personal preference. And personally, I prefer sunburn to jaundice. :)

Then there's the matter of overall image quality. I don't know what it is, but I just prefer the look of a Canon image. And I'm willing to concede that possibly this stems from my background and bias (as much as I tried to lay it aside for this experiment) but I do think there's just something that makes Canon photos a little prettier. Maybe the shallow depth of field is more pronounced? Clearly, it doesn't seem to be any one thing I can put my finger on, but I do believe it's there.

It was a little sad how helpless I felt as I fumbled about just to change the shutter speed and aperture. I was so focused on adjusting my settings and my lighting that I could hardly think how to give any direction to Lacey. Fortunately for us, she didn't need any direction at all and could pretty much pose herself so our directions consisted of "Um, can you go over there and do something cool?" If you want great photos, it always helps to hire a great model! (Or get someone's girlfriend to model for free.)

After Friday night, I came home and read my camera manual. One thing (of many) I respect about Stephen as a photographer is how he really maximizes his camera to its full potential. That's one thing I'm often guilty of. Sure, I shoot on manual and set some custom settings, but there is LOT I'm not doing that I could be doing. It was a good reminder to me of how important it is to know your camera. It doesn't matter how much camera theory you retain, or how many "sunny 16" rules you memorize, you've got to know how to make it happen.

Conclusion:

I can't say I fell in love with the Nikon D300, but I can say my distaste for it was lessened and a new understanding (maybe even appreciation) was formed. I won't be selling off my Canon gear to switch to Nikon (there are still too many things I prefer about Canon, not to mention I have waaay too much money invested to do that) but I will say Nikon makes a heck of a camera, especially for the $$.

Finally, and I think Stephen will agree with this... what camera you have is not nearly as important as how you use it.

**If you want to read Stephen's assessment, you can find it here. Note: I wrote and published this prior to reading anything he wrote so I could be as un-biased and un-influenced as possible.

Sarah & David - Packsaddle Ridge Wedding Photography

2011-06-27T10:58:00.001-04:00

I have so much to blog! Ahh! Not sure where June has run off to, but it sure did go quickly! It would be terrible of me to skip blogging about Sarah and David's awesome Virginia wedding. I always love the opportunity to head back to my old stomping grounds, and there were a few friends of mine at this wedding so that made it even more fun!

I could talk about the beautiful ceremony at the Bridgewater College Chapel, or how touching it was when David teared up as Sarah walked down the aisle, or the hysterical best man toast, but let's face it. Clearly the highlight of this wedding was Sarah's grandfather dancing to Lil Jon's "Get Low" on a packed dance floor.

It was awesome.

Bonnie & Scott - Centennial Park Wedding Photographer

2011-06-15T22:55:00.000-04:00

The thing I love most about weddings is their variety. I can always be surprised, awed, or brought to tears no matter how often I think I've seen it all. Bonnie and Scott's small, intimate ceremony in Centennial Park was just the breath of fresh air I needed after a string of large (but definitely still awesome!) weddings. It brought me back to the basics: two people who love each other and are committing to spend their lives together.

With only close friends and family in attendance, I was able to get this fun group shot of everybody at the end.

I followed Bonnie and Scott to Clyde's where they enjoyed lunch with their guests. Of course I had to sneak a few minutes of photos outside.

Leah & Eric - Thurmont, MD Wedding Photograper

2011-05-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

Leah and Eric are fun. Their wedding? Also fun. See for yourself if you don't believe me!

I love this look on Eric's face when he sees Leah for the first time:

As if their totally awesome venue with a vineyard and a rustic barn wasn't already enough, we drove the Model T over to a covered bridge and did some photos there too! I was in photographer heaven. :)

Leah had a unique idea for a "Truth Booth" at the reception. Guests could choose props and leave a video message for the bride and groom. Photo booths are neat, but this was my first time seeing a video booth! What a great idea!

A Personal Note...

2011-05-25T12:58:00.001-04:00

Wow! I can hardly believe how busy I am already this year. And the weddings keep coming! I am so thankful for all of my awesome clients and friends who continue to support, promote and refer me. Seriously - it's amazing! I feel incredibly blessed at how quickly and exponentially my business has grown. There's been a lot of hard work and prayer, and God has answered in ways I could never have imagined two short years ago.

On a personal level, life is great too. I recently got engaged myself, so I now know what being a bride really feels like! As Paul and I like to say, we're not perfect, but we're perfect for each other. And I couldn't be happier about marrying him next year in Maui, Hawaii! The first question I always get is "Well, who's going to shoot your wedding?" We don't have much else planned or locked down yet, but getting a photographer was pretty much the very first thing I did. I'm super excited that Stacie and Darek of Stacie Tatum Photography will be photographing my wedding. I've known Stacie for nine years now (geez, really? has it been nine years?) and have always admired her work.

Photos of the ring.

I really love it. I wanted something a little bit unique, and I think this totally fits me.

And here's one of my favorite pictures of Paul and me. It's from over two years ago, but I still love it. I'm looking forward to having our engagement photos taken by Kate of Kate Fine Art Photography next month. She is awesome and I have no doubt she'll do a bang-up job! I'm so lucky to have all these talented photographer friends. :)

King Family - Harrisonburg Family Portraits

2011-05-24T22:38:00.000-04:00

I love it when I get to be the photographer for my friends! It brings me so much joy to capture priceless moments for the special people in my life, as cheesy as that sounds. And what a good-looking family this one is! :)