Let me start out this blog by saying since all you couples out there continue to allow me to blog and share your images with the world that it was only fair that when the day came for Kris Ann & myself to share ours we would. Last week we we’re in Las Vegas for WPPI, food & fun but also to have our engagement session done. I believe WPPI drew an astounding number of photographers this year, somewhere over 14,000 I think. I also strongly believe we had one of the best photographers within that 14,000 shoot our stuff. That’s just how I roll the dice……..

So if you remember I proposed to Kris Ann last July and she said yes. Well since then the most common question people ask me when talking about our wedding is “So, who’s going to shoot your wedding?” So the million-dollar question can finally be answered. Jessica Claire, I first stumbled on Jessica’s blog sometime last April and fell in love with her eye. Without a doubt in mind I was like, when I get married some day I’m hiring this girl. I got to say going into this shoot I was a little nervous or had just this funny feeling at first to be in front of the camera. I’m just not used to it, but with Jess I didn’t have to think about lenses or f-stops and that made me really at ease. As you’ll see below, she killed it. Man I knew these images would be great but wow! I’m glad to say that I experienced that level of excitement when viewing these images that I only hope to deliver to you all when I post yours!

Enjoy,

JP

All 30 (huge post) can be found on Jessica’s blog, one that I enjoy following.

Seriously, how beautiful is the girl I’m marrying? 

what vegas is all about
 

nah, this is what vegas is all about
 

What a fun little series.
 

I knew Jess would crop off the S, so I grabbed the booty.
 

a little wardrobe change… boooya!
 

Look at those shoes!
 

The good light right here.
 

This image is just killer, Kris Ann looks awesome.
 

I know, I know, it’s been forever since I blogged. Actually it’s only been 15 days, I guess thats long. It is a half month! Let me say sorry. Sorry. Anyway, last week we we’re all in Las Vegas for WPPI, it’s an annual convention/trade show/party thing all of us photographers attend. I all learned some new stuff, got some great ideas and met and hung out some really great people in the industry. I always feel some sort of a refreshed perspective when I get home. I’m all charged up and ready for this 2009 season to get into full swing. I also gambled a little bit, come on it’s vegas. I’m already looking forward to next years event. So since I talked about Vegas, heres a picture of my favorite neon. Something vegasy for ya!

Ok so on with the blog. I wanted to share some of my favorite images of the brides of 2008 and their bridesmaids. This collection of images can definitely fall into the relaxed or fun category. Typically when we’re photographing the bride and her bridesmaids we get those “safe” shots and then try to have a little bit of fun and get everyone to loosen up. Those are images I tend to blog because the ladies always seem to look more natural and relaxed to me. With this blog I wanted it to be all fresh images so I didn’t just grab an image from a past blog. Some may be similar but this is the first time I blogged them. So enjoy them.

By the way, I got some cool ideas, and fun posts coming real soon. So you know the deal, check back often.

Peace, 
JP

These green dresses were too cool. What a fun color to photograph.
 

About 30 minutes after this image was taken the lake got pounded with rain. So the ceremony got moved indoors but later in the evening I caught a small window of time when it stopped raining. Love the images.
 

From the second we walked into the bridal suite this crew was all energy. Seriously they had the music cranking and were all about the fun factor. I highly recommend this mood. It sets things off on a high note and calms the nerves a bride might have.
 

I know Amys bridesmaids thanked her for the short dresses on this hot July day.

I swear they were all blowing me kisses. Ok, so maybe they were blowing kisses to big Joe.
 

Sometimes we tell the bride to pick a few girls for different combos, for example the college friends.
 

I gotta tell you, the color Lindsay picked for her bridesmaids gowns was my favorite to photograph. Something about that color against almost anything was sweet. It just popped.
 

Another fun color straight out of Jcrew.
 

At Kate’s wedding the rain came out only for a short time which forced us inside but the window light was sensational.
 

Is there room for one more?
 

The classic September look and feel.
 

I think party shots are an overlooked category in the blog scene so I feel like sharing some with you. I like to shoot my party shots a certain way to show the movement and energy of what’s happening I think this is the way party images should look, fun. It goes like this, the intro’s are over and the toasts are done. What’s next on the reception agenda besides food? It’s time to get doooown, cut a rug, and act a fool or just dance. So at this point of the night your probably rocking out to sweet caroline, love shack, or sexy back and we’re right there to capture it all. There are no slow songs in this post. It’s all about that party energy and we definitely enjoy capturing this stuff.

By the way, we’ll be in Vegas next week for our annual photo convention. Maybe I’ll blog something while I’m our there so stay tuned.

Peace,
JP

 You’ve heard me say brides and grooms that dance can make a party. Well heres proof.

This dude was off the hook all night.
 

Upcoming bride of ours getting down with her lil sis.
 

There’s usually a guest that break dances…
 

Or one that does the worm…
 

Why look here. What have we got? Thats right the premier of my first video blog. It’s a down time of year so my mind grapes got to work and I decided I needed to let you all know how important a first look is. I feel its so important that I had to do a video on it! This is obviously my first attempt at this whole video thing so take it easy on me. Anyway I figured since I have the resources to do this video thing I needed utilize them. It’s kinda like having an open bottle of wine, if I keep looking at it I’ll eventually have to finish it. Know what I mean? My minds constantly running and I’m always trying to think of ways to keep this blog interesting for all my faithful readers. So I plan to get on here and video blog as much as possible. If there’s a subject I feel strongly about I’ll probably set up the camera and run my mouth for a few minutes. If there’s something you guys want my take on the suggestion box is always open. I hope you all enjoy this 2 minute and change clip. There is always more on the way so keep watching.

By the way my good good friend Al Woodard shot this piece. He’s the man for real!

Peace!
JP