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Category Archives: Details

FAQ’s:: Lenses

This week I am going to start on a series of FAQ’s for photographers who might be new to the business or maybe for those just wanting to know more about how I run my business.  All these questions come from a meeting I had back in January with a sweet, sweet friend looking at possibly starting her own photo business.  With her permission, she allowed me to use these questions as the launching pad of this mini series.  If you have questions that you would like me to address in further posts, please let me know!

What is your favorite or most versatile lens? (and/ or the other lenses that you use.)
In most of my shoots and even weddings, I revert to my Sigma art 50mm 1.4 lens.  I LOVE this lens and it is my baby.  I use it for most everything, and feel like I can get close and go way far back to achieve the results I am looking for.
The second lens I love is the Sigma art 35mm 1.4 lens.  As a wide angle lens, this captures so much more of the big picture of the day.  Most likely these are the two lenses that I will shoot most of the wedding day on and be on my cameras.  Both of these are extremly versatile helping me to grab the look and feel I see happening in front of me.
Other lenses that I go to are the 24mm, 85mm, Macro lens (mainly for detail shots of the wedding day) 135mm, and a 70-300 zoom (of which I use when shooting the ceremony).
Hope that helps!  Happy Monday!

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    Floral blooms for weddings

    Wedding blooms are one of my favorite details to photograph.  They speak color and personality into a wedding day.  I wish I had the know how of flowers to put them together in such lovely arrangements and know the names of each, but I will leave that to the professional floral artists.  Here are a few to make your Wednesday a little prettier!

    Florist:: Expressions by Kathrine
    Florist:: Claire BriggsFlowers:: Something BlueFlorist:: Tulips and a KissFlorist:: FestivitiesFlorist:: Mother of the GroomFlorist:: Jean Cowles of Violet’s EventsFlorist:: Michelle Copeland of Custom Floral DesignFlorist:: Bride did a DIYFlorist:: Colleen’s Flower CellarFlorist:: Floral ArtsFlorist:: Fleurissima Design Studio and Florist:: FestivitiesFlorist:: Rita by DesignFlorist:: Friend of brideFlorist:: Richfield Flowers and Events

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      Wedding Details… thoughts on why they matter

      Are you planning a wedding?  If you are, I am sure you have seen them all over blogs, publications, and posts.  They are the wedding details.  I’m not going to reinvent the wheel; wedding details are all over publications and many other photographers and vendors have written about them.  I am sure you can find other posts written on why details are so wonderful and relevant, but in my small corner of the internet, I will try to give you my take on details and why they matter so much.

      In the past years of photographing weddings I have seen details as a growing trend at weddings.  Where once, really not that long ago, photography was based solely on the alter photos and the groupings around them.  With the influx and slant toward documentary photography there came the challenge to photographers to not only capture the groupings and candid moments of the wedding day, but also tell the entire story of the day… thus the idea of storytelling of a wedding in photos was born.  

      Not only will the photographer capture the people of the day, he or she will also be capturing the elements that make the wedding day unique to the couple.  Gone are the group shots on the alter, now couples are in fields with flower crowns and at barns with livestock roaming about.  Hay bales are used as seating and outdoor furniture under tents are widely accepted.  Food trucks and patio seating are considered just fine and as unique and interesting as the couples hosting them. The details of the day not only tell your story as a couple in what you love doing together, but they make the day completely your own.  They are also shots that editors want to see (and if you want your wedding to be published somewhere) things you need to inform your photographer to shoot, but most likely if you have them, they will be shot.  

      One of the things I have made the change in doing in the past few years, is showing up early to a wedding and documenting the small details before my contract begins.  I have found it super helpful because I have the time to shoot these beautiful details without feeling rushed, and also because my brides love them and they are ordering these shots to go in their albums.  It also gives me more of a portfolio to give to editors and also just gets my creative juices flowing.  So there you have a few thoughts on detail shots, any other ideas/ thought feel free to comment below!

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        Kyle & Christi:: Land of Promise wedding

        They met in China.  It was the end of Christi’s second year teaching English and Kyle was just finishing up the end of his first year.  Because they were 45 minutes away from each other they had never talked, but knew of each other because ( crazy enough), they had gone the same college in Ohio.  Now they were ending their school year and it was hot.  So hot that the AC in Kyle’s apartment had gone out and his landlord wouldn’t fix it!!  Some of the fellow teachers from Christi’s school volunteered to come over to help, and Christi, up for the adventure, tagged along.  The two hit it off immediately talking about their connections to the midwest and college.

        After a year of dating,  over four hundred hours of Skyping, and moving back to the States (Christi in Minneapolis and Kyle back in Ohio) Christi flew out to see Kyle for a weekend in February.  He showed her around the city beginning at LA Fitness.  Thinking it strange, Christi went along until the front desk receptionist handed her a red rose and a Twix bar.  They continued to his church, an art gallery, the library, his workplace, and finally to a conservatory.  At each different location, Kyle gave her a red rose and a gift that meant something in their relationship.  Giddy inside, she knew this was the day.  Upon entering the Palm Room, a table with the rest of the red roses and a sign stating “reserved” waited for her.  As she sat, Kyle took out his guitar, knelt down, sang and played the last verse of Ed Sheeran’s song, “Thinking out Loud”.  He then proceeded to read a letter he had written to her, took out a family heirloom- his great grandmother’s ring- and placed it on her finger asking her to marry him!

        Vendors for the Day:
        Ceremony and Reception: Land of Promise
        Hair cut and color: Steller Hair Company
        Baker: Wuollet Bakery
        DJ: Joshua Peterson
        Video: Rachel Vondrachek
        Stationary: Christi Peterson
        Wedding Dress: Allure purchased at Our Shop Too
        Men’s Ties: The Tie Bar
        Suspenders: Dockers
        Christi’s Shoes: Anne Klien
        Kyle’s shoes: Kenneth Cole
        Kyle’s Ring: Custom designed at Goodman Jewelers
        Christi’s Ring: Great Grandmother’s ring
        Earrings: Earrings Nation
        Bracelets: Bride to Be Consignment

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        • Ruth

          I love, love, LOVE the picture of your kiss! Such love expressed in just the perfect shot. Congrats!

        • Vawny Kaye Blackburn

          LOVE these! What a beautiful day! The venue, the details, the couple. Everything is perfect. God is good 🙂

        • Veronica Herrera

          These pictures are gorgeous! So glad you were able to capture the beauty of this special day for Christi and Kyle!

        • Emily

          Such joy!

        • Deanna

          Christi you are a perfect & timeless bride. I am so happy for you as you begin this most wonderful journey in your life. You will be missed on Monday nights!

        • Bethany Nance

          Congratulations, Christi!! So happy for you. You look beautiful!!

        • Brenda Joy

          Im sure you don’t remember but Christi you were the first person I ever met at CU. So happy for you both! Beautiful story and two amazing people!!

        • Tiffany

          Congrats on you two starting a wonderful journey together! Your pictures are beautiful and it looks like you both smiled the entire day (minus those pics where you aren’t smiling on the outside; it’s the inside smiles that count!) 😛 Hope you too have a wonderful and God-centered marriage together!

        • Steven Lo

          CONGRATS< Great photos.

        • Debbie

          I have several favorite pictures, all for different reasons! Overall, my favorite might be the group wedding photo; all those closest who shared this day with you.
          BTW Kyle, wasn’t the guy on the right posted on FB (while ironing his pants earlier that day)?

        • Sheila

          Although I loved all the pictures my favorite was the first one, with you two walking back smiling at each other, that says it all. You can see the love you have for each other.

        • Sue Hudson

          Kyle and Christi…BEAUTIFUL pictures and looks like it all was so wonderful!!! My favorite…just after the ceremony, the two of you walking back w/ huge smiles 😀 Can’t wait to see more of them. Congratulations!!!

        • Kyle and Christi, The pictures were just beautiful!! It made us feel like we were there with you, sharing in your joy! I just love your dress, Christi!!! According to the pictures, it looks like the whole ceremony and day was beautiful!! God bless you in your life together as man and wife!!

          Love, Uncle Barry and Aunt Diane

        • Very well done! These pictures showed not just the events of the day, but you did an amazing job capturing the style and feel of the wedding as well. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful day. #kyleandchristi2015

        • Brittany(Henry)Quinn

          such beautiful photos and an amazing couple! 🙂

        • Joi Simpson

          You look radiant!! We’re so happy for you and Kyle! The photos are such a great legacy to your style and every detail that went into this blessed day!! Congratulations!! We wish you all the very very best!!

        • Karen Playford

          Beautiful beautiful pictures 🙂 Every one of them such a wonderful reminder of a joyous and Christ-filled day. I love you both so very much and am so blessed by your love for and devotion to our Savior!

        • Kim

          Beautiful! 🙂

        • Curtis

          Thanks for letting me be in your wedding, Kyle and Christi… Great pictures!

        • John

          Great photos! My favorite is the new bride and groom walking down the isle as one with arms raised. Perfect way to close out a ceremony.

        • Condrons

          So incredibly happy for you and blessed by your testimony of love – to God and each other!! You two are a breath of fresh air!
          Love,
          The Condrons

        • Sam

          So excited for this couple! Beautiful pictures and I liked the groomsmen’s ties.

        Andrew & Hailey:: Details of a Tavern At Wild Marsh

        I have been waiting and waiting to post today and tomorrow’s blogs.  This was an incredible wedding to shoot.  Hailey and Andrew’s friends and family were phenomenal at helping put together this DIY wedding. Details ranged from blue ball jars, to the baby’s breath that the groomsmen wore, to home made chap board signs, vintage books and roses as the center pieces, home-made apple donuts, apple crisp and apple bars for dessert.

        More to come tomorrow, I simply could not put them all in one day!

        Ceremony & Reception:: Tavern at Wild Marsh
        Dress:: David’s Bridal
        Music:: Anchor Music Company 
        Men’s Attire:: Men’s Warehouse

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          Happy Easter!! He has risen indeed!!
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          FK

          Minneapolis Wedding and portrait photographer for the Modern & timeless

           

          Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.

          Get in touch with Karen for any questions.

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