Posted Mar 23, 2010 / by Kevin / in Weddings / 11 Comments
Kristen & Jon married July 4, 2009. Cold. Rainy. It felt like March. 56 degrees.
Normally I dread July and August weddings because of the high humidity and heat. Not the summer of 2009. While I enjoyed the cooler temps, I was annoyed by the constant rain ruining the "Chicago Pic" portion of my client's wedding day. Ever since 9-11, it is impossible to go into any private space to take pictures. When it rains on wedding days, that narrows our opportunities down. A lot.
Posted Feb 28, 2010 / by Kevin / in Weddings / 11 Comments
There is something nerve-wracking about shooting a talented graphic designer's wedding. It is also a huge honor when you get hired by a talented graphic designer.
Meet Bruce. And, his adorable wife Juliette. Bruce, is a graphic designer.
I think it's the appreciation and complete understanding of the visual arts that makes me anxious. Artists tend to be controlling about their own work and passionate about other art forms. I worry they might grapple with the inability to just let go and have fun. You know. Let me do my job so I can deliver quality work.
Posted Jan 25, 2010 / by Kevin / in Weddings / 3 Comments
Winter weddings. They are not very popular. But for some reason, I have shot 4 events in December and January.
I was extremely excited to shoot my first wedding event at the Palmer House. While I have shot corporate events and many brides preparing for their day at the hotel, I have never shot a ceremony and reception in that space. I am looking forward to working with the hotel more! In fact, I have a 3-day Hindu wedding this coming May at the Palmer House. Warmer weather combined with the Palmer House will be welcomed in my book.
I walked into the room where Courtney was getting her makeup done. Well, actually … she was supposed to begin makeup when I arrived, but she just completed both hair AND makeup. Arg. Thanks, Courtney! Now what?
Posted Jan 17, 2010 / by Kevin / in Weddings / 9 Comments
Lauren wrote me in February of 2009 inquiring about my services for her wedding in November.
I quickly wrote her back, excited about the possibility to shoot at The Peninsula. She responded the next day and said, "Thank you so much for the quick response. All the info you sent me was very helpful. Your work is quite fabulous and I am very much interested in booking you for my wedding."
I truly enjoy simple hirings. No consultation. No meeting. In fact, I didn't ever meet the bride and groom until their wedding day.
Slightly nervous, of course, I set my fears aside and tapped into my knowledge database and started photographing. Holy Name Cathedral and The Peninsula. Two fantastic spots to shoot with backdrops to die for.
The bride and groom met in college 4 years ago. Lauren says she knew he was the one even before they started dating. She is definitely a gal with determination, and a strong sense of what she wants. And, at the same time, a very easy-going young lady to boot.
Posted Nov 17, 2009 / by Kevin / in Weddings / 6 Comments
Two of my favorite portraits for 2009 were taken at Shawn & Tyler's wedding on July 31.
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.
About Kevin Weinstein
Kevin is dedicated to his art and takes immense pride in capturing your story through a lens.
His goal is singular: never go for cliches, but catch the split seconds in between. A notorious fly-on-the-wall (ask guests who accuse him…
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