More from trash the dress...

Just can't seem to get enough of this T.T.D. (or really, wet the dress) session that I did. I'll leave you with a few more images from the session before I call it quits for the evening.

Sarah & Tim

I just want to start this off by saying that if I ever do get married, I truly hope that I look as gorgeous as Sarah did yesterday - porcelain skin, beautiful eyes, amazing smile... My camera and I absolutely LOVED her. Tim, you're a very lucky guy!

This was my second to last shoot contracted to me by Essence Photo & Video.

Before we get to the pictures, I just wanted to say that I've never had such a difficult time choosing which ones to put onto the blog, nor have I ever posted this many for an event before... there were just too many good ones. I'm very pleased to say that none of these pictures had any more than levels and slight color correction done to them (even the one that looks like it has a vignette on it). The only exception, of course, is the sepia toned one.

The big day started off around 1:30 pm at the Harrington Inn in Geneva, IL. I instantly fell in love with this hotel. I fact, I wish ALL of my weddings used this hotel. The lighting and location were absolutely incredible.

I walked over to Sarah's room, and she greeted me with a very excited "HELLO!!" and a huge hug. We only had a short time to get her into her dress, take some pictures, and then for me to head over to the ceremony location at Mount St. Mary Park which was just down the street from the hotel and reception hall (Riverside Receptions in Geneva).














I finally made it to the park, and the guys were all helping with the final touches to the ceremony location. I did a very quick photo session with Tim and the guys, and then it was time for the ceremony.






Sarah and Tim's ceremony was short, but very sweet. They shared their own vows; you could just see how much they loved each other as they delivered them. After the ceremony, we took group pictures. A little more time went by than I'd have liked to, and we were now limited in sunlight for the photo session with just Tim and Sarah.

We made do though :)














It was time for the reception! It seemed like everyone had a lovely time at this fairly intimate occasion, including myself. The bride's charming little brother, Gabe, asked me to dance toward the end of the night. How could I refuse? Thanks again, Gabe!






Like I said before, there were so many wonderful pictures from the wedding, and I wish I could post more! The end of the night came before I knew it, and I had to say goodbye (though I didn't want to). Sarah and Tim, congratulations to you again. You're definitely a fantastic pair, and I wish you both nothing but the best in life.

New New New

In effort to catch up with the best photographers out there, I've decided to update my website yet again. This time, I've gone and purchased a flash template. I know that the finished site will look much cleaner and more professional. I hope that it will also help enhance my abilities as a photographer.

After much debate over which image I should use as an opening image for the splash page to my site, I decided to use one of my most recently edited photos from a trash the dress session (or wet the dress, really) a few months ago:



The logo will not be on the picture itself, which is perhaps a risky move since the splash page is in html formate, but since I own the copyright, well... it's a risk that I'm going to have to take. After all, any image can still be pirated in a flash site with the wonderful technology of the print screen button. Darn thing.

I've also been doing some business planning for my photography company. I've decided to begin working with a coworker of mine, who is the video camera operator for Fox's helicopter. With Matt's background in graphic arts, I know he's going to make a fantastic (dare I say) employee. Wow, that feels weird to say.

Things are still insanely busy as far as my schedule goes. Next week, I have three engagement sessions and a portrait session, plus some networking meetings just to fill in the rest of my time. There goes any chance for a nap, right? ;) Oh, but I wouldn't have it any other way. These are truly exciting times for me, and I cannot wait to keep on traveling down this little path.

After this next week passes, however, it looks like I'm going to have a bit of a breather!!! I only have one wedding left at the end of this month after I shoot a wedding this upcoming Saturday for Essence - my second to last with them!!!! YAY!!!

Alright, off to sleep so I can wake up at 3:45 am to fly in the chopper. Goodnight, everyone.