Fun Fact Friday - You can still have beautiful photos in rain

Fact: I shoot outside when the weather is wet.
Now, if there is a tornado warning or a monsoon downpour I will find another location that is both safe and beautiful...

Andy and I got married 8 years ago this very weekend - the weekend after Memorial Day. And it rained. Outdoor photos were extremely important to me and I had to beg, beg, beg my photographer to go to a park. Back then, my photographer was shooting with a medium format film camera that wasn't weather proof, and of course he didn't bring any rain gear. Not even an umbrella.

I sure am glad that I forced him to shoot outside during our rainy day. Those are the photos I love the most... especially the ones of Andy and I kissing under the umbrella.

This is why I am sooooo determined to shoot in any weather. It is as important to me that you have outdoor wedding photos as much as it was to me on my wedding day 8 years ago. In order to shoot in the rain I bring 8 black golf size umbrellas for you and your wedding party. I bring rain gear for myself and my cameras. If I know it is going to rain really hard I will scout the area for overhangs so you will stay dry while I shoot out into the openness.

Last weekend I shot an outdoor ceremony at the Paine Art Center in Oshkosh. Of course, minutes before the processional started heavy drizzle. The show went on. Luckily, guests brought umbrellas and the Michelle at the Paine distributed even more. The ceremony was beautiful despite the rain... and I was able to capture some great moments.

The great thing about a light drizzle is that there is no blinding sun and no harsh light that can create ugly shadows. Actually, I'd rather shoot on a dreary day over any other day! The colors from last weekend's wedding are so bright and vivid - an amazing contrast to the wet surroundings.

Full blog post coming soon on Jessica and Jerrod's May 23, 2009 wedding at the Paine Art Center and Gardens - Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Are you worried about rain on your wedding day? Tell me about your wedding day weather worries or true life stories!

Elementary School Memories

Preschool – My first memories are of a teacher who yelled a lot, a very old, wrinkly, mean lady teacher who yelled a lot. I remember a very nice teacher’s aid that would take care of us (God bless her) from that wicked old witch. The trauma-highlight for me was on “bring your toy sailboat to school” day. My toy boat was too big for the plastic tub that the wicked-old -witch deemed for us to play in. She yelled at me “get that boat out of the water”. The nice teacher’s aid lady took me into the cafeteria to let me play with my-too-large for the group sailboat in the cafeteria sink.

Kindergarten – The year of eating paste…most likely. K-year is not much more than a blur. A crowded room, fighting for time at the block table, Legos all around. The constant yelling “Don’t eat the playdough” from some adult in the room.

1st grade – It was the year we invented crayon-football and nap time went away. I sat next to a child who was always getting in trouble. In today’s world he would be deemed hyperactive, at that time he was just bad. It was also the year of lots of snot, some girl whom I cannot remember her name was a faucet of snot.

2nd grade – Another mean teacher, probably the sister to the wicked witch of the west from preschool days. I had a music teacher who’s lesson I would never forget. Good rhythm and timing will get you through. The music teacher, actually a drum instructor, would always refer to us as girls during drum practice. The cafeteria lady was mean, wooden spoon, hair net and all. I think Adam Sandler found inspiration in her.

3rd grade – My teacher’s name was Ms. Wonder and she was not Wonder Woman. This always confused me. Started my first journal, it was a notebook full of jokes. I wrote this with a friend who kept the journal, 25 years later I got to read it. My penmanship has not improved much…or at all.

4th grade – Disinterested in all things, the year was a blur. I am either repressing something or was totally spaced out during my 4th grade year. The only memory I have is being kicked by a girl at the bus stop.

5th grade – My female teacher had big boobs and a pretty face. Unfortunately she had really, really, really bad breath from smoking. To me she was Jaclyn Smith from afar.

6th grade – Played kickball all the time. I think the teacher hated teaching and kept us out on the playground to kill time. The teacher would play center field, always catching our fly balls so nobody would get a home run.

The next six years of education would be focused on music, girls, sports, killing time and oh yeah…the occasional homework assignment…in that order.

Meet Nellie

Meet Nellie. My mom and dad's newest little puppy. She is a King Cavalier Spaniel. As Tyra Banks would say... she has a bit of "ugly" to offset her "cute".

They named her Patronella after my great-grandmother. So Nellie for short. Such a perfect name.

The chair is a Northwoods roadside find... as Andy and I were driving up north, about 10min away from the cottage I spotted this Ardent blue chair. The sign said free. It is just perfect!!! Expect to see some upcoming sessions with this chair.

R.I.P – Social Networking

I just finished reading the entire FACE BOOK when I got to the end I was so TWITTERed out. I felt like I needed MYSPACE but I wanted to be LINKED-IN to the entire GAIA. When the universe opened up to me it said “this is YOU TUBE not mine."

After falling down I stood back up just to fall deeper into the BLOGSPOT only to be caught in a WORDPRESS of thought… I saw a FLICKR of light reflecting my LIVEJOURNAL back into my original face.

Do you DIGG it, isn’t this DEL.ICIO.US that you just STUMBLE UPON this SQUIDOO…

My online self needs to experience my FRIENDSTER of the real world. All I can think to say is YAHOO!!!!!

See you on the sidewalk….and the blog.

Long live GOOGLE!!!!

On God - Deism ???

A comment was recently left on a posting of mine titled “On Being an Artist”. In that essay there is a paragraph where I compare man’s art creations to God’s creations, neither one have power over created work once released to the world.

Commenter wrote, “Your simplified version of 18th century deism displays much inconsistency of thought.” Commenter also wrote “One has to look no further than your own website to see that men obsess over their creations.” For the record I love both of these comments and I responded back to the commenter thanking him for his thought-provoking comments.

What follows is the thought-provoking stuff inspired by the commenter.

It’s true that man (especially me) obsesses over their creations…does God? I don’t know but my heart tells me that s/he does.

After reading the original comment the first thing I did was to look up the word “Deism”.

Deism – (per Wikipedia) God does not intervene with the functions of the natural world.

I am ok with that…is it true? I do not know nor care. Am I a hypocrite? Most likely, I practice meditation and believe in the power of prayer. Buddha spoke of being comfortable with your contradictions. I am.

I no longer wrestle with existential questions or feel guided by a transcendental purpose but I do miss walking in the woods.

Walking in the woods is the only place that I felt guided by my inner voice and felt the presence of God. It was never a radically transforming experience, but it was enough for me to stop seeking answers about God and to start experiencing God’s creations.

For me it does not matter if God only created DNA and then became a spectator of her/his creation leaving evolution to dispose through benevolent acts.

It does not matter to me if God hand-created each and every one of us. Or if s/he only hand picks a chosen few to communicate through.

It does not matter to me if God is a dormant muscle or gene that is held deep inside of us waiting to be developed through spiritual practice and exercises.

God could be: law, grace, art, three persons making up a single body, all of Gaia or the single heartbeat inside your chest…I am ok with that.

Our spiritual history can be flawed and layered with imperfections and still have deep impactful meaning in which to live your life by. I am ok with that.

God is a mystery and I am ok with that. Never fight the oblivious…never - and I am ok with that.

I do miss walking in woods.

Time Off

~See you next Wednesday...

Short Story by David Shuler

Just His Luck…you can read it (here)

Moment

Current Reading: The Life & Times of Brian Eno
Current Music: All Things Must Past by George Harrison
Smells: Toast
Mood: Not to shabby
Sounds: White noise & humming birds
Temperature: Sunny & 60 degrees
Thoughts: Never fight the oblivious…never!

On Being an Artist

On Being an Artist

Art is here to give people the opportunity to dream.
Art is the dialogue of the imagination.
Art is a service to humanity for creating connections.
Art is purpose.

People refer to me as an artist to which I always say, “Thank you, art is subjective” then I nod politely and say “I appreciate the kind words”.

I think of myself as a craftsman laborer with tools. My tools of choices are a camera, guitar and a pen; no more or no less important than a shovel, screwdriver or a hammer. A tool’s purpose is to create or destroy. My Father is a blue-collar laborer. He is an electrician and he uses tools to create…and destroy a couple of items along the way.

I aspire to create.

Gary Snyder wrote “We are here to entertain the rest of nature”.

Martin Scorsese wrote - "The artist's job is to make people care about your obsessions and see them and experience them as their own".

That’s true to me. It has always boggled me as to why people ask God for intervention. Man is created in the image of God. It would hold true that God has no more control over his creation than man has over his created works. Man and God can create and destroy, nonetheless the creation is left up to its own self for its survival.

Never call yourself a prophet, philosophers or an artist. May those titles be placed upon you long after your death.

They are all titles given to you, not self-imposed labels. If deserved.

Behind the scenes - destination Punta Cana

Last week I returned from an amazing destination wedding in Punta Cana. My clients Robin and Justin from Kaukauna decided to say their vows on the beautiful, private and (most of all) warm beach-side rotunda in the Caribbean.

I was accompanied by Miranda Zynda-Kneeland of Reminisce Photography and Design and we worked well as a team creating an abundance of beautiful shots for the couple.

Contrary to what most people may think, a destination wedding is not a vacation for the photographers. We actually do a lot of work prepping, packing, traveling, getting through customs, scouting, shooting, archiving and more! Oh, but don't get me wrong... I love shooting weddings and to shoot a wedding in a tropical location was definitely top on my list. We did have a ton of fun and got some drop dead gorgeous images... but we also did a lot of work.

Here is a quick look behind scenes...

Miranda carefully arranging the straps on the dress.

Shooting in the resort's spa...

Shooting on the ground of the Bavaro Princes... we had 90+ acres to work with!

Trying out my new fisheye lens... Miranda and I had a blast with the Ever After Session on the beach

The color of the water was the most beautiful I've ever seen!

Full blog post coming soon!

Photo of the Week - Ambient Art

Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 30
Aperture: f/16.0
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

Rachael & Travis {engaged} photos and post by paige

Rachael and Travis' wedding is just around the corner. Rachael graduated with her Master's degree this weekend, in just 3 weeks they will be getting married, and then moving to Arkansas... talk about a big summer! I had a great time at their engagement session, it was a beautiful day by Lake Waconia.

Fun Fact Friday - Bride Wars and other Wedding Related Shows

Fun Fact: I am addicted to wedding shows!
I recently saw the movie Bride Wars on the plane ride back from Punta Cana. It was a fitting time and place to watch the movie as we were returning from a destination wedding. Watching a girlie movie about weddings with another wedding photographer was super fun - we laughed at all the same things. One of my favorite lines is "if I were your wedding, I'd be sleeping with one eye open".



The Bride Wars website is super cute... you can play a "bridal beatdown" where you can select your character for a wedding dress boxing match complete with sound effects.

Some of my favorite wedding related shows and movies include: Say Yes to the Dress, Bridezillas, Platinum Weddings, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Wedding Crashers, The Wedding Singer and Son in Law.

There are always new shows and movies coming out... For a complete listing of wedding related entertainment visit BridesTelevision.com

What are your favorite wedding related TV shows or movies?

Commercial Photography

Belief; believe in yourself, and do what you where hired to do.

These were the words that I kept repeating to myself on last week’s commercial shoot.

48 hours to document 100 years of history with a different perspective. No pressure…?

Davis & Elkins College in WV is celebrating their 100th graduation class this year and the college administrator decided that this would be a good time to re-vamp their image.

The first thing the college did was to hire the design firm Direct-Axis located in Pittsburgh. Ok, they’re off to a pretty good start. Direct-Axis is a top notch firm with a stellar staff of creative people. Next, Direct Axis asks me to photograph the campus landscape, architecture and student life.

I enjoy commercial photography and I am lucky enough that I can hand pick the jobs that I wish to take. When deciding which job to take I always go with “is this going to push me creatively & do I like who I will be collaborating with?” This experience gave me both.

With a deadline in place and a window of 48hours to document 100 years of history, two tripods, an arsenal of lenses, off to WV I go.

Wet shoes, soggy backpack and conversations with Dan O’Donnell, owner of Direct-Axis, by my side we did it. Dan and I dialogued about indie music, art talk, biz discussions, gardening, and politics all the while trekking through the campus. Fist day it rained non stop, second day the campus was fogged in. I had about a total of 3 hours of sunlight to work with.

“Pull the best out of what you have”, that is my philosophy of photography. The light is never in the same place twice and this moment will never repeat itself again.

During the shoot I was thinking about the importance of personal side projects and my Flickr account. I use my Flickr account as a dumping ground for my side projects. When I shoot ambient, city night or general stuff I upload the best (or the bulk) of the photos to my Flickr page with minimal to no editing. I license most everything I do on Flickr with Creative Commons. If you like a photograph, take it. No cost.

My Flickr portfolio has developed into a marketing tool and a stock page. In this past year alone people have asked to use my work in a book (coming out this Fall), several business websites and if I’m lucky you’ll see my work within D & E’s portfolio as well. This all keeps fueling commercial work. Not a bad return for giving away side project work.

Standing in the rain and fog thinking about how I got this job. They like my work, not the polished stuff that is on my art gallery page but the side project work-in-progress photography that is uploaded to my dumping ground Flickr page.

What did I learn?
- People love to follow works in progress.
- White balance set on cloudy, color saturation set on more vibrant, ISO 100, and a tripod is a good combination for bad weather photography.
- Belief in what you do.

Yesterday I heard from the design firm and college that everybody loved the work and one photo in particular will be a centerfold photo in a book about D & E.

enjoy {ekstadt} photos and post by paige

This photo shoot could not have been more fun for me. It was a collaboration between me and two of my closest friends Erin and Jen {who have never met eachother}. Jennifer Beeman is graduating from Columbia in Chicago this month for fashion design- and even when we were photography majors together, I knew she would one day become a famous designer! These are her beautiful hats. I was honored to photograph them for her. She also makes amazing clothing under the name Ekstadt. Erin- was the perfect model for the hats... she was on the other side of the lens for once and she looks beautiful!

Lindsay & Nate {engaged} photos and post by paige

I could not wait to do Lindsay and Nate's engagement session. They are so laid back and sweet. Such a great couple... and so easy to be around! Thanks for a great shoot, I can't wait for the wedding this October.

Workshop – NOW BOOKING

I will be teaching a 2-night workshop called Purposeful Blogging for your Photography Business at the Silver Eye Center for Photography located in the South Side of Pittsburgh PA.

Tuesdays July 14 and 21, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

"Purposeful Blogging is a marketing tool for photographers who want to grow their business by building an audience through the use of new communication models. Blogging for your business is a demonstration of your skill and representation of who you are. This two-evening workshop with Photographer John Craig will introduce you to techniques that can help you launch your business into the blogosphere.”

This is two nights of must-have information on how to build your audience thru blogging and how to sustain you business.

Reservations required

Ardent Photography takes 4 international wedding photography awards

I am excited to announce that I placed 9th overall in the Spring 2009 International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers' quarterly contest by having 4 of my images place in their categories. The ISPWP is a group of world class photographers that embody experience, talent, integrity and professionalism. It is an honor to be part of this group and even more so to be recognized in the top 20...

My winning images include:

2nd PLACE | GETTING READY

1st PLACE | RECEPTION - NOT DANCING

5th PLACE | CAKE, FOOD AND DRINK

4th PLACE | FRAMING THE SUBJECT

View all the categories and winning photos.

The Soloist & My Room

I finished reading “The Soloist” today at lunch. It was odd reading a book about the powers of music without actually listening to music. I wish I would have seen the movie first and then read the book to have the soundtrack playing in mind while reading.

The copy of the book I was reading was on loan from my local library. This copy had hand written notes throughout the book. It was interesting to read somebody else’s thoughts about the story. The writer of the notes seemed to have a person living in their life that is also suffering from schizophrenia.

Pages of the book read “homeless, living without a view of a horizon, no greens, no blues just city”. The note writer adds in the margins of that page “schizophrenia leads to introspection – thoughts in my mind. I stand next to a life that is better than mine.” I have no idea what to make of the handwritten notes. The word introspection and life leads me to guess that there is redemption of hope found in the pages of this book.

I have this extra room in my house which has become “my room” (all other rooms are “E’s, but I do get a pillow and I am re-invited every night to share the bed). It’s a room where I workout and store my photo gear. Last night I set up a practice area: music stand, chair and guitar. I keep guitars tossed throughout the house. For the most part anywhere I typically sit there is a guitar close by. Keeping a true practice workout regime for guitar has been calling me for a long time.

The music of Bach is otherworldly to me. Many times when I play Bach I cannot tell you what I am playing (theory, chord structure). At times it feels like fingers on strings and a piece of wood in my hands making sounds that I have no control over or understating of. I have been playing guitar for three decades, in that time I have recorded a couple of cd’s and have played countless shows. Nothing can compete with the moments of fluidly playing Bach.

I live with a quiet inner fear if that I do not keep growing as a musician I will not grow as a photographer. Music helps me to see the world.

“May the concert never stop” - Nathaniel Ayers

Photo of the Week

Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 29 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

9-27-06 a very special day

On September 27, 2006 I became a mother. It is a special feeling to grow another human being and then to raise him into a smart and funny two and a half year old. Luckily, Drew is the best kid. I don't know if it genetics, environmental or just pure luck that he sleeps well, eats well and is over all very well-mannered. I feel very blessed to have him as my child.

Image of Drew from our first Mothers Day together

This Mother's Day I'm spending in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic shooting a destination wedding. I am missing my son and of course my mother and mother-in-law on this special day.

Happy Mother's Day to all the expecting, new and long time mothers!
Also a very special Mother's Day wish to my best friends who are mommies!!!

Joey - Mother of Georgia

Michelle - Mother of Arelle

Melissa - Mother of Ameilia and Maelle

Melissa - Mother of Carter and Aubrey

Hillary - Mother of Gabe and Claire

Fun Fact Friday - Ardent Photography Celebrates it's 4th Anniversary

Fact: I officially started Ardent Photography LLC in May of 2005.
I have been officially in business for four full years and I've loved every minute of it!

I unofficially started shooting weddings in 2002... shooting candids and details at weddings of friends with 35mm camera and black and white film. It was such a joy of mine to take artistic images at events back when traditional wedding photographers didn't pay much attention to those details.

My initial love of photography truly blossomed when I worked as a camera assistant in high school. It has been 14 years since I got my first behind the scenes glance at professional photography.

Since starting my business I have grown so much as a photographer, business owner and person. I am truly proud of the work I do and the direction I'm heading. I am continuously taking workshops, attending seminars and reading books to further my knowledge of business and photography.

Image from Angela and Paul Bellmore's August 13, 2005 wedding at the Apple Creek Inn, De Pere, Wisconsin - the first official wedding of Ardent Photography.

My background in Art Direction, Graphic Design and teaching dance has helped me tremendously in my business. My commercial art background has given me advanced knowledge of image editing software and classic design as well as a refined artistic eye. My experience of being a dance teacher has helped me to be able to explain body positions during portrait sessions and it has also trained me to have an aesthetic eye for body position.

I am filled with joy to know that I am currently booking weddings for 2010 which will be my 6th season of shooting weddings.

Moment

Current Reading: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Current Music: All this Time by Sting
Smells: Sauerkraut
Mood: Is lack of sleep a mood?
Sounds: Wind, birds and other people talking…
Temperature: 67 degrees
Thoughts: Success deferred is not failure….

Destination wedding Punta Cana!

Today I'm traveling to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the destination wedding of Robin and Justin... The wedding will be held at the beautiful Bavaro Princess resort. The fabulous Miranda of Reminisce Photography and Design will accompany me on the trip and help shoot the festivities.

I will be away from internet access for a short while and will return all inquires when I return to the US on Tuesday, May 12.

Update on My Shoes

"The human foot is a work of art and a masterpiece of engineering.”
Leonardo Da Vinci

Read – A Year Ago Walking by Ottmar Liebert
Read - Tim Ferriss on Vibram Shoes

Photo of the Week - Ambient Art

Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 2
Aperture: f/25.0
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 640
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

Dinner for Two

Last night I had dinner with Elizabeth at a little Indian restaurant on South Craig street in Oakland. The fresh smell of garlic nan (bread) practically brought tears of joy to “E”. (p.s. be sure to ask “E” about her cupcake from this weekend's wedding. That is a story no man is fit to tell).

A quiet dinner just for two was much needed and well deserved. Four shoots in two days makes a photographer hungry and sleepy. Here is an insanely useful photography tip that they didn’t teach you in collage – Grandparents are a must…knowing that our little “e” is safe and happy when Mommy & Daddy have to be away from home is a godsend of peace to us.

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I will be in West Virginia photographing commercial work. (Photo updates later in the week)

Updates on our photography career - “E” Intimates Series is doing great beyond expectation. I have my first workshop and commercial project that has been keeping me busy.

Side project work is a must for creative flow. “E” and I agree that side projects are a must-have to do wedding photography well. Seeing the world from multiple perspectives is what photography is all about.

See you all later in the week.

My New Shoes

I have been wearing these shoes for the past seven days, you can read about them (here….)




P.S. – Yes, they are awesome…

Fun Fact Friday - Always be Prepared

I started Fun Fact Friday last week... I am excited to bring you fun little tidbits of information.

Fact:
I have my own version of an emergency bridal kit

Most brides will put together a little kit containing a needle and thread, hairspray, pain reliever, bobby pins, antacid, shout wipes... I'm sure every bride customizes their kit with many sorts of items.

For my emergency kit I carry a slew of items...

For the bride and groom:
• 8 golf size umbrellas in case of rain
• Towel to dry or clean an area the bride may want to sit
• Water bottles for the couple
• Nice smelling bug spray for shooting with mosquitoes!

For my photography:
• Duplicate cameras, lenses, flashes, media cards and batteries - I have back up equipment for everything!
• Plastic bags so I can shoot in wet weather
• Contact information of other photography professionals in case of emergency

For myself:
• Advil
• Water
• Granola bar/snacks
• Extra socks in case I get my feet wet during the perfect shot
• Printed maps - just in case GPS isn't right
• Extra contacts, solution and glasses

You can never be to prepared. Every wedding I am confident that I am fully prepared for anything.

What is in your wedding day emergency kit?

Intimates Shoot Series & Updates

Intimates Shoot Series by Elizabeth, check it out (here....)

Have a great weekend: for the E & J team it is 4 shoots in 2 days....

Then next week I am off to WV to photograph a college for there website & marketing materials.