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Wedding

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Aleiha & Vinnie - Columbus, OH - 09Aug08

I am sure that everyone has heard stories about "Bridezilla" coming out on a wedding day. Let me be the first to say that the one was the ying to the "bridezilla's" yang. I don't know that I will ever meet a bride or a couple for that matter that was as calm and collected through an entire wedding process as this couple. They were amazing to work with and so much fun to be around. Their families and friends were awesome too. I don't know if it is possible, but I am certainly looking forward to working with more couples like these two in the future.




So the morning of the wedding, I pack up my gear and set off down I-70 for Columbus. I figured I would get their early to make sure that I could have everything ready to get started as soon as they were ready. And other than figuring out quickly that there is a difference in a State Street and a East State Street in Columbus, the morning started off like any other wedding day for me. Then I met the bride.


I get to the Hyatt where the couple was staying and the wedding was going to take place. Beautiful hotel in downtown Columbus, I have to say. I get up to the bride's suite and meet Aleiha. Never have I met a bride on her wedding morning that was as calm and collected as she was. I knew then that this was going to be a fun day.


So we start shooting the "Getting Ready" shots and it was my first chance to start meeting some of the friends and family that were going to take part in the day's festivities. I have to say that Aleiha comes from a wonderful family, and I had so much fun just hanging out with her adorable brother and sister, and all her friends, while snapping shots of her getting ready.





Then is when things started to show through as to what type of day this was going to be. We go through and shoot some of the preparation shots, and started to shoot some of the dress and the other still life shots that most photographers get, when we realized that there was a few items missing. So, someone asks, "Where's your veil?" which then lead to other key items like a garter that were no where to be found. After the search party of about 5 of us start sifting through the boxes and other wedding day items, it was discovered that the veil and a few other things may have been left at home. At this point, I figure most brides would have started to panic. Not this one. Aleiha took it like a champ and acted as if it didn't bother her. It was then that I knew that I was in for an amazing day with this group.





Vinnie and Aleiha are such a fun couple. It shows in the faces of everyone that was attending this wedding. There were soo many people here that just knew how to have a great time. Everyone was having a blast and that made my job so much easier and much more fun. I enjoyed getting to chat with just about everyone there, when they all weren't out on the dance floor. The kids, the parents, the friends, the grandparents, everyone was out on the dance floor throughout the night, which allowed the photo opportunities to come and keep coming.


















What a group! I had so much fun and I want to thank Vinnie and Aleiha for the opportunity to capture these moments for them on their special day. I couldn't have picked a better group to work with if I had to pick each guest out myself. I wish these two nothing but the best as they start the rest of their lives together, as husband and wife!

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Kelly & Kenny - Oklahoma City, OK - 04July08

Now Mike and Amber's wedding may have been the first that I have done as a professional for people that I knew before getting into photography, but for this weekend, I have known one of them for longer than anyone else in the world, other than my parents. This wedding also marked a first for me. This wedding I was doing double duties, as not only was I serving as the photographer, but also I served in the bridal party as one of the best men/groomsmen with family friend, Brian.


Kenny is obviously very close to me, considering he is my brother. He and I have been through so much together, that I was honored to stand beside him as he took this step in his life. Kenny and I have been grounded together, kicked out of Mrs. Garner's Latin class together, fought together, cried together, and been in trouble numberous times together. Through it all, though, Kenny and I are closer now than we have ever been, dispite him, Kelly and Fiona living some 1,200 miles and 18 hours away. I love my brother and I am so proud of him for what he has done, and can honestly say that he is my best friend.


Kenny and Kelly have an interesting story. My earliest memories of Kelly were from 5th and 6th grade. I can remember seeing her in the middle school gym after school, knowing that she had a big crush on my brother. Kelly moved away in middle school, taking with her that huge crush that she had on my brother. Her and Kenny both chose two VERY different paths in life, and somehow were reacquianted a few years back, after my brother returned from military training in Georgia. Our family and I could tell that there was definitely something there, as she had given Kenny something that he needed, whether he realized it or not. They dated over long distances for some time before they decided to move to Houston together.


What a way to start their lives together as husband and wife than bringing their closest friends and family together in Oklahoma City, on a holiday weekend.




This could very well be one of my favorite photos I have ever taken.







The "Gettin' Ready" pictures... And Fiona being a little doll as usual.









The cake sharing, even a bite for Fiona.





This little one danced ALL NIGHT LONG... Even when no one else was dancing. And for 4, this one's got some moves.









More cute pictures and some photoshop fun on the last. Didn't realize until I got home that I had Fiona rubbing noses with Mommy and Daddy.








Photos from the first dance and the toast...



Now I have given several speeches in my life, to various audiences, but nothing will compare to giving a toast to these two. Trying to say what I wanted to say, without using what I had prepared, and without crying as I anticipated I would do, turned out to be one of the most difficult things I have done. But I wanted to share with them and all their guest how happy I am for the two of them, and how much I love them both. I love you guys!


As you can also tell by this photo and what I said earlier, I was not able to take all of the pictures this day, so I want to give a huge 'Thank you!' to our father for stepping in and shooting pictures when I couldn't. He shot all of the pictures during the ceremony as well as some during the reception. Not only that, he was my 'pack mule' helping to carry my gear around after the wedding.





Church (with a little fun with Photoshop)






Mom walking Kelly down the Aisle






Fiona looking at Mommy and Daddy






Fiona ready to get her dancing on






Fiona and her Friend






"Just Married" Carriage Kiss




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Amber & Mike's Wedding - Elwood, IN - 14June08

My first wedding back in my hometown and my first wedding where I knew almost everyone before anyone contacted me about my photography. Mike has been a great friend since Jr. High School. We have shared similar interests, jobs, school activities, and friends most our lives. Mike and I had lost touch for awhile when I was in Florida and had just moved to Ohio, but kept running into eachother at a gas station in Elwood when I would come back into town. I happened to hand him a business card on one of those trips to get a Mountain Dew, and low and behold, it lead to a wedding.


I do have to say that Mike did well in picking Amber. Amber is not only beautiful, but she is a great mom, and all-in-all a wonderful person. Amber didn't grow up with us, but she seems to fit in so well with all of our friends and family in Elwood. Amber comes from a great family that really knows how to have a good time, as I found out at the wedding reception.








The church venue for the wedding has been undergoing some construction over the past year, and as of this weekend, I still do not believe that they are finished. However, they still hosted the wedding, dispite not having the air conditioning working until a few hours before the ceremony. So this warm, June, Saturday became a little stressful as we were worried that we were going to have a wedding over the sound of box fans all over the sanctuary.



While shooting pictures of the others, the guys would stand over the AC registers to cool off as the AC came back on.



I even got the hero of the day, Alan from Efficient Systems, to pose for a picture with the Bride and Groom.




Yea, what a bunch!




































Dustin Pimpin...





Rick wishing the cake cutting was a little messier...






Fun at the Reception, including one awkward looking group hug...









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Katie & Brad - Falls of Rough, Kentucky - 03May08

Katie and Brad... This couple has been nothing but fun from day one since we met. If you recall this was the couple that came to Indianapolis to do their engagement shoot in March, only to have the weather dip down to 20 degree wind chills and 30 MPH gusting winds, but they stuck it out and helped me get some great pictures. Brad and Katie are such an adorable couple to begin with, but then you mix their families and friends together at a gorgeous venue like the Lodge in Falls of Rough, Kentucky, and you have yourself a great time.





















There was no getting away from this one.




































Yea, it was a long night.












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Kellie & Ryan - Indianapolis, Indiana - 01Mar08

Okay, so this couple will ALWAYS be special to me, not only because they were the first couple to book my services after I made the decision to go pro at this, but because they are such a great couple. I have more fun around them and just enjoy hanging out with them almost as much as I enjoy being their photographer.

















Yes, that is a Peyton Manning jersey under the suit of the man who pronounced them. Gotta love it!







Someone was camera shy almost all day.







But I finally got her to smile for me.








Camera-shy maybe, but not on the dance floor and definitely not shy around the boys... far from it. This one was calling them out on the dance floor all night.








What a fun group!








This won't be the last time we see these 3! ;) *hint, hint*

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Brewster Wedding - 09.29.07 - Miamisburg, Ohio

Words could not do this wedding justice. From the very beginning, I knew that this one was going to be special. The couple seemed from the very beginning to be soo relaxed and laid back about the day, that I just knew that it was going to be a fun day. What ended up being a beautiful Saturday in South Dayton, made for a perfect setting for Frank and Kathie's special day. The Baum Opera House was such a unique and perfect venue to host the families and friends, and made for some amazing photo opportunities.


The families of Kathie and Frank were ever so gracious to me and all the guests and made us all feel like we were a part of the families. The couple definitely have something special here and I am just ever so thankful that they gave me the opportunity to be a part of their special day.


The Opera House is such a cool historical building that I had never heard of before this event. It is such a cool place to visit and an even better place to photograph in. As you will see from some of the pictures just the sheer layout of the building allowed me some artistic freedom with my photography, that many buildings would not have offered. I loved using some of the mirrors and back drops for many of my pictures, as you will see.


Back to Frank and Kathie for a moment, before seeing all the photos... In talking to the Reverend after the rehersal we both agreed that this was going to be a fun day. The entire bridal party was so relaxed and passive, that we knew we weren't going to have any unneeded antimosity throughout the day. The bridal party was a mixture of some of the greatest people that Kathie and Frank have in their lives, and they made my job so much easier just by being themselves. I enjoyed getting to meet and mingle with each and every one of them, and enjoyed every minute of that long day.


Kathie and Frank, may you two have nothing but the best as you spend the rest of your lives together. You have something special, and I just hope that my photos convey that special bond that I got to see on your wedding day! Thanks again for allowing me into your lives for this moment, and I hope that we can work together again in the future!






The Unity Candle



The 10' Mural of the historic Baum Opera House






These reception center pieces were so cool.









This cake was gorgeous












Not pictured, the bride did EVERYONE else's hair this day



Someone had a rough night...















ROCK ON!









The best accidental shot I have had in a long time. Really cool!







































The beautiful bride's maids...






Probably the most serious expression I saw on Kathie all day


















Yea, 5 minute before the ceremony, we are still just havin' a blast!



The moms and their candles!
























See how cool that mural was for a backdrop?















The kiss... Awwww...









Somehow she ALWAYS knew where the camera was.






























I loved this mirror for getting interesting shots.









Stealing a moment through the mirror.






























Best Man's Toast...






Reaction to the Best Man's Toast...












Maid of Honor's Toast...



Dad's Toast



Reaction to Dad's Toast...



There's that cake again... Wow!













































Frank Sr., I needed a rest too, my friend!














Yea, we got something special here...



See what I mean!















So cute!





The image that best shows the attitude of the day.



One of the coolest shots I have ever tried, down 2 half flights of stairs through a mirror in the middle.


















Yea, I teared up too!






Preston and Ms. Photogenic, I mean Jessica!












I don't think he left the dance floor all night!



The Chicken Dance!















Go, Don! Go, Don! :)






She found the camera overhead even!












Do we have our next bride?





















This guy was insane, dancin' all night!















The 2 most photogenic dancers that night.





















I think I got pictures of him dancing with EVERY gal at the reception! :)



























Yea, he wore me out trying to follow him on the dance floor!















Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Kathie Brewster!



Another cool accident, only lit by the dome light in the car, when my flash didn't fire, but I love it!






The end of a great day, and the start of a wonderful marriage!


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Sovern Wedding - 09.22.07 - Alexandria, Indiana

Being of my own family's weddings, the Sovern wedding was another one that was very special to attend. Andy and Beth are one of the cutest couples that I have seen, and seem to have everything that it takes to make it all work. Just to see them together, anyone could see this to be true.


The wedding ceremony itself was cool for me in that I got to see more of my extended family that I haven't seen in years. This was a beautiful service. And for me this was the 2nd straight wedding that the reverend/pastor presiding over the service was also a photographer. However in this case, he and his son were the paid photographers. So out of respect to them, I did my best to just be a wall-flower with my new camera.


This was the first wedding that I shot with my new Canon EOS 40D. And as you will see from the photos, I still had some tweaking to do on the camera. I learned a lot from shooting this service, and was glad that I was just welcomed to attend. I apologize from the graininess on some of the images, but overall, I am pleased with the shots that I got.


Congratulations to Beth and Andy, and I am slowly running out of single cousin's it seems.






























































































































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Spajer Wedding - 09.08.07 - Merrillville, Indiana

The first of a few family weddings that I am going to have the opportunity to attend this year and early next year. My cousin Stephanie and her, now husband, Bob, tied the knot on September 8th at a beautiful ceremony at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana. It was such a unique wedding service and such a friendly atmosphere that welcomed me to bring out my camera and get some shots right along side the paid photographers from DSP Images.


I personally want to thank Brian and Danny from DSP Images for their allowing me to shoot right along side them and talk photography with them throughout the evening. Also, the minister/pastor, who I didn't get's name, also a Canon Photographer on the side, and even brought out his camera and shot with us after the wedding.


So all and all, this was a great friendly wedding with great scenery and a great venue. I cannot speak for all the guests, but I know I had a great time. I want to wish Bob and Stephanie much love and much happiness in their new lives together. And, Bob, "Welcome to the family!"


NOTE: My apologies to the Spajer side of the family and Bob's guests. These photos were initially taken just to provide images of the event for the Hammond/Bucci side of the family that could not attend, therefore I am sorry for not shooting more of the rest of the guests/family.































































































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My First Wedding!

Yes, my first wedding as a photographer. I don't know if I can thank Marcie and Erich enough for letting me share this moment with them. Even without taking all the photos and what this wedding may do for my career as a photographer, it was an amazing time, and memories that will last forever! I love you guys, and wish you the best in everything as you spend the rest of your lives together. I also want to thank everyone else that went along for making me feel as if I was a part of your guys' crew. You are all awesome people, and I hope that my photos do well in capturing moments in time that we will all cherish!


What can I say... The wedding was in Negril, Jamaica. How could the pics have been bad, when you are around beautiful people, on a beautiful resort, and in beautiful weather, right next to a beautiful beach!






















































































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