Sunset Over Seattle

August 15, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff! | 5 Comments 

Our vacation to Seattle is coming to an end and I’ll be back in the office next week. We absolutely LOVE it here - the weather has been gorgeous, we’ve had the chance to visit with family and friends, and the photo opportunities have been incredible!

As we drove into Redmond, Washington last night from our visit in Bellingham (where I had a photo shoot for Success Magazine!) and Whidbey Island, we came around a curve and I realized that the mountain (Mt. Rainier) was out, the sun was setting, the full moon was rising — it was the perfect chance to get great skyline photos of Seattle! So we detoured to downtown Seattle, and the above was the result. It was so breathtaking — the photo truly doesn’t even do it justice! We stayed well past sunset, so lots more photos to follow on Flickr!

I’ll miss Seattle, but I can’t wait to get home and share some more of the fantastic weddings we’ve been blessed to be a part of this summer — and get ready for the fall wedding season that is quickly approaching!

Planning for Perfect Wedding Photography

August 6, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography | 2 Comments 

Leah & Sanjay in Carmel, California - photographed for Gene Higa.

Everyone wants perfect wedding photographs. Of course, selecting your wedding photographer plays a pretty key role in this. Planning for your wedding photography is also really important — and my friend Darbi G. of Columbia, Missouri was kind enough to share her recent post on wedding photography planning tips with Wholly Matrimony! today, along with her wedding photos that were taken by Stacy Reeves of Dallas, Texas. Be sure to check them out! Awesome tips on what to consider to make your photography the best possible — I’ve been thinking of writing something similar, but her post covers it all so well!

Want more planning information? Check out the Polka Dot Bride’s ABCs of Weddings! Such fun! She included one of my photographs with her Q is for Quintets post - thanks Miss Polka Dot!

Congratulations, Kelly & Ian! Wedding - Majestic Metro, Downtown Houston, Texas

August 1, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography, Weddings | 4 Comments 

A huge, huge congratulations to Kelly & Ian! Last week when I was in California, I had spotty internet access at best, and this week I’ve been catching up with everything from last week — all while knowing that Kelly & Ian were patiently waiting to see a sneak peek of some of their photos from their fabulous, fabulous wedding!

The Majestic Metro is a really cool place because of it’s historical significance. From Cinema Houston, “Of all of Houston’s theatres built before 1930, only one has remained standing to see new life and restoration: the 1926 Ritz.” It closed its doors as a movie theater in 1984, but in 1990 it was opened again as a fantastic venue for all sorts of events, restored to be full of all sorts of wonderful architectural details.

This wedding had a little bit of a nostalgic touch for Elaine — it is where she had her wedding back in the 90s! It was also one of the top choices on my own list of venues when I got married in 2004, but we decided to get married in Galveston instead. I absolutely loved this venue, and it really was a perfect fit for Kelly & Ian and their guests!

We truly had such a great time at this wedding - it really was a night full of laughter and joy! Thank you so much, Kelly & Ian, for allowing us to be a part of it!

Dresses need to come with instructions!

Before the ceremony, I took the guys out to Main Street in downtown Houston for some fun shots.

After the ceremony, I went outside with the women to Main Street, and took advantage of one of my favorite parking lots.

I love these shots that Kelly Niemann got of the ring exchange during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Elaine got this fantastic shot of all the guests! Whoo hoo!

How gorgeous are they?!?

This shot that Elaine got of the toast by the best man just cracks me up! The whole night was such a wonderful celebration of Kelly & Ian!

Getting Ready Hotel - The Magnolia, downtown Houston, Texas
Venue (Wedding Ceremony & Reception) - The Majestic Metro, downtown Houston, Texas