Essential Stuff

This is Matt.  I did senior pictures with him and just had a great time.  His mom had described him as “very thoughtful, introspective, intelligent, philosophical, a musician and an artist.”  I didn’t spend enough time with him to verify all those things, but from what I DID learn about him, it all seems to be true.  Though I might add that with that killer smile, he might also be a bit of a heartbreaker.

Here is a little gallery of some of my favorite pictures from the senior portrait session.

Every year, the Wedding Photojournalists Association, together with Brides Magazine, holds an international contest.  I discovered, rather by accident, that one of the photos I submitted came in third place in the Ceremony Category.  The WPJA is a fabulous organization of elite photographers, and I’m truly honored to receive recognition for the image.  Of course, credit also goes to Rachel and Paul, who found such a beautiful location for their wedding and chose me to photograph their day.  And, of course, some thanks to the cat.

I really like Dayton, Washington.  It’s a cute little town, with more than its fair share of charming houses, and Main Street has a good number of little coffee shops, bakeries, and even a bar/bookstore.  It not only has a spectacular county courthouse, but also a charming, recently restored Liberty Theater.  And it was in that theater where Heidi and Drew married.

The ceremony was short and sweet.  In fact, according to my time stamps Heidi started walking down the aisle at 4:33:15, and they had exited the building as man and wife exactly 5 minutes and 57 seconds later.  Which I think is a record for weddings I’ve photographed!

I think for me, the highlight, though, was the portrait session.  They decided to see each other before the ceremony, in a much-watched and highly anticipated first-sight moment at the Running T Ranch, where they held the reception.  After some group portraits, we found ourselves mostly alone, the three of us, surrounded by yell0w autumn trees, in a beautiful valley, with a winding river and dry grass and round, smooth river stones, with dramatic clouds blowing in.  It was relaxed, loving, and a lot of fun.  Much like the whole day actually.  Follow this link to see more of the photography from the wedding day.

Elegant.  That is the word I think best describes Kristen & Matthew’s evening wedding, at St. Joseph’s Church.  The ceremony, candle-lit, was elegant.  The music, featuring a choir led by Kristen’s brother, was elegant.  The church and clothes and ambiance, it was all very elegant. As too, the reception at the Spokane Country Club.

I had never been in St. Joseph’s before, but what a gorgeous sanctuary.  It has marvelous rose windows, a hard-wood-floor alter, a fine balcony with an organ.  I especially loved the white, clean look of the ceilings, and the crisp lines of the architecture.  It was a great place for portraits, and Kristen, whose smile is quick and ready and radiant, was kind enough to indulge me in some “serious” pictures.

This link leads to a gallery of the photographs from the wedding day.

Lindsey and Tim had a short notice, and then a small window, in which to get married.  They weren’t sure if the military would grant Tim leave, but they planned the wedding on the faith that he would get the time off.  And then, a month or so before the wedding, he got the leave.  But only for a week.  So he flew from Japan, they had a quick ceremony in Olympia, and then they held a second ceremony and reception in Spokane.

But it all came together nicely.  And Lindsey surprised Tim by wearing a vintage, dazzling red evening gown.  It seemed to go quite nicely with the formal military white uniform and the elegant surroundings of the Falls Room at the Masonic Temple, with its gorgeous brick walls, glossy black floors, and balcony with a sunset view.  The dancing was a lot of fun, too, complete with a memorable, wig-aided rendition of YMCA.  Click here for a gallery of photographs from the wedding day.

Kendra and Rhett were married at Lake Chelan, and it ended up that, for me, getting to Lake Chelan proved to be the most difficult part of the day.  Google maps sent me on a little dirt road through fields, across gullies, over mountain passes, past “Closed To Thru Traffic” signs, and down deep ravines.  Then, when I got right across from Chelan, with only the lake in the way, I discovered that the bridge was closed.  Fortunately, I always plan for little emergencies, and, with the help of some of Rhett’s cousins, I made it to the wedding in plenty of time.

The rest of the day was easy.  My job was capture Kendra and Rhett enjoying themselves and looking good, and on this day, that was a very easy task indeed.

There are some people who don’t understand why I love weddings so much.  Check out the gallery of photographs from the wedding, and maybe you’ll see.  There is drama, and joy, and first glimpses with tears, and anticipation, and community, with sisters and aunts and moms all tying the flowers before the ceremony, and tender caresses, and cupcake-tossing uncles, scenic backdrops, and wind that can knock small-boned photographers over, and heart-felt speeches, and beautiful brides and handsome grooms, and dances under a gorgeous sky.  And sometimes, it all happens in a single day.  And it’s absolutely magical.

Sometimes, when I tell my friends I am doing some “senior portraits”, and they imagine people in their 60′s.  No, no, not those kind of seniors.  High school seniors.  And this is the time of year they are getting their pictures done for the yearbook.  I don’t like to do too many senior sessions, or they start feeling the same.  But a handful a year can be a lot of fun, and this year I was lucky to work several really remarkable (and photogenic!) individuals.  Here are some collages of the latest: