Mamiya 645
Mark + Annie are dear friends and I was so excited to celebrate this huge milestone in their lives. This was my first maternity session ever and I loved it. I also loved that Mark + Annie let me leave my digital cameras at home. I think the results are so great and I was reminded of all the reasons I love using film at times. So excited for you guys and the new babe on the way! 
Nikon F100 + 50mm 1.4G / Mamiya 645 Pro TL + 80mm 1.9N
Fuji 400h, Kodak Portra 800, Kodak TriX 400
I loved this wedding for many reasons. There was a beautiful chapel and family owned vineyard, perfect weather, wonderful guests...and tons of love all around. Luke and Whitney were referrals from a couple I photographed last year. There's something very special about your name being passed to another person or couple and getting work this way. It's not saying something through advertising and hoping someone believes or connects with it. There already has been a great connection and that gets passed on to others. There is trust right form the start and that's very freeing as an artist. This was one of those weddings that made me think of my 4 year old daughter and how hard it's going to be giving her away at some point. I love when Dad's pour out their hearts at a wedding and get everyone (including the photographer) in tears. Weddings and the relationships they are about are BIG deals. It's always humbling being a small part of one. I could say tons more, but here are the images. I have plenty of openings for 2014...know of someone who would really appreciate this sort of photography? Thanks everyone! 
I felt such joy and relief that this monumental, long planned out day was going to be perfect for Nathan and Kristin. They had chosen a beautiful venue for an outdoor wedding and the weather was forecasted to work out perfectly. I eagerly got out of bed and had a relaxed morning with my family, packed up the car and headed off to Stillwater. Everyone seemed in a great mood upon my arrival and the morning was going as planned. Once again, I thought about how perfect the day was going, including the weather. Shortly after hopping on the trolley that would take us to the flower farm, it started raining. The rain was light and was supposed to be brief, but you could feel the weight of it as everyone considered the implications. Thankfully, upon our arrival the rain ceased and we were able to take in the beautiful grounds at Camrose Hill (Michelle and I met Kristin out at Camrose Hill in the Spring...remember this Spring? Snow. The farm had absolutely transformed since our meeting). We quickly took a few photos of the wedding party and noticed the chairs were still in place outside and everyone had accepted that it might be a tad soggy, but it would work.
That was until we heard thunder.
The type of thunder that causes you to grab something or quickly head for cover. That sound changed things pretty fast. While photographing a wedding, you have to stay calm and collected. No matter what. There is usually a roller coaster of emotions and stress on a wedding day...for instance, the schedule and plans completely change. Hopes a bride had for a beautiful outdoor wedding wash away and what's left? Plan B? The less attractive, less desired plan? Well, at this point there is a big choice. For everyone involved. And for this specific wedding, the choice to be content and accepting of the weather and all the implications was made a lot easier. Cindy and her crew at Camrose Hill had unexpectedly pulled off something just a couple hours prior to the flood. Now, plan B was more like an alternative plan A. The barn storage space on the grounds had been transformed into an elegant, indoor solution just in time for Nathan and Kristin's ceremony. A precious, unexpected gift that helped lift everyone's downcast hearts. So, the ceremony happened beautifully indoors and umbrella's were out for the short walk to dinner. And after all of this craziness, it was time for the skies to break. And they did. The rest of the evening went as planned and the guests enjoyed themselves and stress melted away. This was a great experience for me and I'm so happy I was able to take photographs all the way through. Congrats Nathan and Kristin! You both rock and will have such a great life together.
I wanted to end the post with this photo of Kristin's Grandpa. Weddings are huge events for immediate and extended families. Moments like this between Bride and Grandpa feeling the sorrow over a loved one who couldn't make it truly are priceless and I feel very fortunate to have a job that gives me so many amazing opportunities to record real emotion. This is why I love my job. Making photographs like this.
Equipment Used: Nikon D700's + 24 1.4G, 50 1.4G & 85 1.4D
Mamiya 645 Pro TL + 80 1.9 lens. Fuji 400H film.