Shawn & Tyler’s Wedding

One is of the bride and her bridesmaids dressed in green dresses against the bright blue sky and cumulus clouds.  What attracts me to this image is the surreal quality as if the people have been cutout and placed into a backdrop. The depth of field of the lens, the additional off-camera lighting, along with the color of the sky and clouds, is what makes this image delicious.

The second picture is the two of them kissing outside the Lincoln Park Conservatory.  This was some more fun with off-camera strobe, overriding daylight with my shutter speed to make the ground go black, bringing the sky down to a deep blue, and once again, those Simpson-esque clouds. 

These are some techniques I learned while studying off-camera lighting using small flashes with Joe McNally this past April.

In 2006, I hit bottom with on-camera strobe. Flat, one-direction and stark. Not my idea of beautiful. And not anything I wanted to hand over to my clients in finished form.  In January of 2007 I invested into a digital lighting system to help make my images look better. I spent most of that year tinkering with the system at every wedding.  By the end of the wedding season, I was ready for new challenges.  2008 I hired a full-time assistant to shadow me and help with the gear so I could take my lighting to the next level.  

While I love routine because it allows me to make better images, things can get a little dull. Learning and pushing myself is what really keeps me energized (and frustrated).  

In early 2009, the recession was in full swing, and there was a lot of uncertainty about wedding bookings and the financial stability of my business. However, I decided I wanted to attend a hands-on workshop to learn more about the use of small strobes and off-camera lighting.  I plunked down thousands of dollars for the class, hotel, food and rental car for the week. It was a huge risk and when I left, I was uncertain and disappointed about what I learned. It was a fast-paced class and I felt like I thumbed thru too many dials and geeky gadgets to understand why, how, what and when.  

23 years of photography.  And confused.  Ego = crushed.    

Regardless, I decided to incorporate it into my weddings when I returned.  No better way of learning than by doing. I am at the point in my career that I can tinker and experiment on location without messing up my client's images.  Still, I was terrified.  With a few glitches here and there combined with my 23 years of photographing, coupled with cursory instruction, and a fantastic assistant, I was able to piece the two together, and grow. A lot.  

Brilliant!  

In the end, the workshop proved to be an absolutely wise investment, and brought my photography to an entirely new level.  I never expected to reap such benefits. My work has taken a completely new direction which I oush and build opn all the time.  My business has new goals and definition.  This mixed with my rebranding has made for an exciting 2009.  

I am grateful for the motivation and passion I have for photography.  When self employed, no one is going to kick you in your a** to do a better job.  So, might as well do it myself.  

Otherwise, I will get bored.  

Quickly.

Shawn & Tyler

July 31, 2009
Ceremony: Galleria Marchetti; Chicago, IL
Reception: Galleria Marchetti; Chicago, IL

Ceremony: Galleria Marchetti
Reception: Galleria Marchetti
Band: Hey Jimmy
Registered Hotel: The Talbot
Caterer: Galleria Marchetti
Flowers: Dilly Lily
Makeup: Melissa Khoeler
Hair: Stephanie Tack, Neroli Salon and Spa
Officiant: Rev Mariam  
Deserts: Sweet Mandy B's
Invitations: Bella Figura
Program and menus: DYI, The bride.   
Transportation: Chicago Rolls Royce Limos
Alcohol: Galleria Marchetti
Dress & Designer: Vera Wang, alterations by the Dress Doctor
Shoes: Coach
Suit: Brooks Brothers
Shirt & Tie: Brooks Brothers