the Hagans

Down at the Old Mill in Geneva with my folks last Thursday, enjoying some live music with fine group of people.  It was a great environment, and everyone was having a good time. I was watching the band, and I saw the opportunity for a moment that should be captured. I saw some people taking pictures with their cellphones, and I thought to myself, "no. this memory deserves something better than a cell phone pic." (don't' get me wrong. i love my iPhone:) But I happened to have my gear in the car, so I went out and grabbed it. And I think I may have caught the mood.

 


Looking back on the pictures when I was editing, it made me realize something about this family. 
They are one, special, amazing group of people. And I'm so happy that they are part of my life. 
i should say thank you. I mean, you did introduce my parents. and today, april 29th. they are celebrating 34 years of marriage.  so, thank you.
please enjoy my slideshow: the Hagans
enjoy~

my love of weddings and my new slideshow

I was talking with a friend who just got engaged recently. She was asking if I would shoot her wedding, or if I just wanted to be a guest. And my response really sums it all up how I feel about wedding photography. It's not just a job. It's my passion. I love what I do. And it's an honor every time I get to share that experience with a family. I mean, what better gift could I possible give, than the gift of their story, captured beautifully. I really do feel like I picked a great niche in photography. I mean, I get to photograph people in love. Capturing emotions are easy when they are smiles, kisses and hugs. When you can look at too people staring at one another, and see them staring into the eyes of the person they are going to spend the rest of their lives with, it can't help but move you. I'm blessed that I can share in their happiness.

Here is a collection of my photos from the last five years. enjoy.

Wedding slideshow

Cinemagrams just blew my mind

So this past holiday, I am at a large gathering of friends and family. And someone mentions to me these awesome moving pictures. They send me a link, and I am instantly memorized at how cool they are. Beautiful even. It's like part of the picture is alive!
THEN, at the next family dinner, my one-day-brother-in-law-to-be shows me that I can download an app on my phone and MAKE THESE MYSELF! In like two minutes!! My mind is blown. 
It changes how you can look at composition, story telling, hidden meanings. So often you look at a photo, and you make up a story in your head. Well, BAM. The picture is showing you part of the story! You can reveal a breath, a wink, a nudge, the future, the past... the possablities are endless. and I am tingly all over. how exciting! 
Seriously. When I saw them last week on my screen, I was impressed, mildly amused. But I never thought a simple little iPhone could be capable of such magic. What I know about movies is limited, but I've been interesting in dabbling for a bit now. This is like my transistion. And I'm having so much fun!!!

So here it is world, my little moving pictures. They are alive and well. and some are kind of creepy. And I LOVE THEM. Thank you to Tim and Bill for showing me another creative outlet. You have no idea how much it means to me. ~  

Photo walk Cleveland Lake View Cemetery

My awesome friend, Abe from Blind 7 Photography hosts monthly photo walks in Cleveland. Last weekend, we went to Lake View Cemetery. It's been a long time since I tried to photograph a grave yard. Back to basics BW Photography 101. I Wish I took pictures this good back then. I should dig some up (pun) and post them along side these ones. (you can blame my father for my bad puns.)
It was my first time at Lake View. It was awesome. This is no little piddly cemetery. It's HUGE. I mean, it has a castle in it. We have a former president (in the castle), more Rockwells than you can count, Elliot Ness, even the guy who invented the traffic light!
It was pretty cool. No really, it was like 30 degrees. But the cold, cloudy weather just added to the atmosphere. With the sun nicely tucked away, I could really get in deep with some of the textures of the rock. So it worked to my advantage. I was shooting with my new 50mm 1.4, 30mm 1.4 and 10-24mm.  Obviously having a blast. I was crawling all over that place. Fun stuff. As always, a touch of fun afterwards with Lightroom and Nik Silver Effects adds a little flare~

Abe brought along a motley crew, and I had Megan with me. I think everyone had a pretty good time. I managed to grab a gorgeous portrait of her with the new 50. She is just too easy to photograph. 

Well, I'm looking forward to more of these throughout the year. I love shooting for fun. It's good for the head to go out and play. I mean, I usually have that in the back of my head regardless of whether or not I'm getting paid. But come on. 
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy 
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy 
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy 
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy 
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy 
(too much? sorry. i love leaving cinematic references. i hope someone appreciates them)